Don't fret if you don't get today's Comic. I mean, I really hope it's strong enough to stand on its own without knowledge of what it's referencing, but if not, just chalk it up to bad luck this time. "Tasslehoff Birdfoot" is a play on the name of a popular character from the Dragonlance novels created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Tasslehoff Burrfoot is a kender--that is, a halfling with a penchant for picking locks, "accidentally" picking up items and trinkets that aren't his, and telling long-winded stories. Moreover, most kenders carry long (well, long for THEM) staves with what resembles a slingshot on one end. When I drew this comic I was just getting into the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, and the nerd in me is proud to say that I've now finished not only Chronicles, but the Legends trilogy that followed it as well. Not to mention The Legend of Huma, another great Dragonlance book, this one written by the quite legendary Richard A. Knaak. Hopefully before Thanksgiving I'll have wrapped up the sequel to that book, Kaz the Minotaur.

...Anybody out there still with me?