“Disappointments are often the cosmos’ way of steering us toward a greater purpose. Resistance is futile; acceptance is wisdom. Because, really, who needs happiness anyway?”
– Speaker Ghobli to Bolivar

Inspiration and author’s notes

Speaker GHOBLI’S inspiration and progenitor, “Saint Preston the Virgin,” first emerged in the late 1990s as my character in “Munchkin Wars,”  a text-based, online fantasy roleplaying adventure hosted on an internet message board.

Nothing to do with the pint-sized characters from Oz, in roleplaying games, a “munchkin” is someone who exploits loopholes or bends the rules to win at any cost, often with reckless abandon for other players.

My older brother, Bill, introduced me to this zany, collaborative online community while I was living in Phoenix, Arizona, as a way for us to stay connected and play games together.

In Munchkin Wars, random strangers took turns posting absurd and wildly creative narratives about their characters’ interactions. Together, we concocted personality quirks, powerful magical equipment, epic battles, and outlandish dialogue, building a magical universe teeming with bizarre monsters, eccentric heroes, and flamboyant villains. Imagine a never-ending “pass the story” game with a motley crew of anonymous contributors.

The only rule? You couldn’t commandeer another player’s actions or reactions.

Enter Saint Preston: self-righteous, narcissistic, and oozing arrogance. He served as a cleric of the goddess of love, bound by a sacred vow of chastity. In return, the goddess bestowed upon him ludicrously powerful supernatural abilities and magical relics, such as a holy chastity belt that glittered in divine radiance.

Saint Preston sometimes found himself clashing with my brother’s character, “Commander in the Field, Wise Mortal.” His body infused with the essence of Mountain Dew, the Commander piloted “Susie Toaster,” a sentient spaceship that launched Pop-Tart raiders; frosted, jet-like vessels manned by miniature yellow troops. His magical jeans, perpetually famished for underpants, were finally sated upon acquiring a pair from Wynona Ryder.

“I just now realized I may have named my daughter, Susie, after a made up space toaster…”
– Bill Beebe

Amidst these WTF conflicts and bizarre misadventures, Saint Preston was flanked by the sultry Sisters of Satin, who served as his armed escorts and added a comedic layer to his pent-up sexual frustrations and desires.

Overflowing with sexual innuendo, Saint Preston hypocritically lectured other characters on their sinful thoughts and actions. For those who failed his celestial standards, he brought “holy” judgment upon them with powerful retribution magic.

Yet, despite his holier-than-thou exterior, Saint Preston was a complex, insecure, and tortured soul, wrestling with why the goddess favored him despite his “impure” urges.

From Virgin to Vizier

Evolving Saint Preston into Ghobli Gutterslug took more than a simple name change. Honestly, his transformation marked one of the largest shifts in my character development process.

No longer serving under the banner of love, Ghobli now pledges his allegiance to Maduta, the goddess of death, as her Speaker and advisor.

Gone is the comically pious saint; in his place stands a figure wrapped in layers of complexity, dark wisdom, and… well, blubber.

While Saint Preston wrestled with suppressed sexual desires, Ghobli’s torture stems from the choices he’s made — no spoilers, so you’ll have to read the series!

His long-winded, philosophical lectures and immense magical prowess often hide an inner turmoil and a complicated relationship with power, wisdom and morality. Add to that his Wumpa Tart addiction, and you’ve got a character who’s as tortured by his cravings as he is by his conscience.

In developing Ghobli’s role as Bolivar’s mentor, I wanted to explore that darkness and struggle; a dark Dumbledore, if you will, with enigmatic motivations and loyalties. The affection he holds for the prince is genuine, and despite his grotesque exterior and nefarious associations, there is a nurturing side that shines through.

“The beauty of aetheric arts lies in the journey, not just the destination, young prince. Each struggle you face is a lesson in disguise, molding you into a magus of remarkable skill and wisdom — assuming you don’t blow yourself up first.”
– Speaker Ghobli, Grand Magus of Muribog

Transformed, matured and cloaked in a darkness that challenges the bounds of good and evil,  I believe Ghobli became one of the most compelling and multi-dimensional characters of the Spookaluca series.

Designing a Grand Magus

Concept art by Francesco Sala

Ghobli was one of the first characters I designed, and I immediately fell in love with his chubby face, oversized ears and pox-covered skin. He became the prototype for the Bloatborn elves and culture, and I loved the concept of a sophisticated monster in fine robes.

My original “headshot” design for Preston, which became the basis for Bloatborn elves.

Inspired by trolls and ogres, Ghobli is enormous and physically imposing, standing between seven and eight feet tall, with pale blue skin blistering with pink Bogpox. Like his bloatborn kin, he boasts the feet of a hippo and a crocodile tail, a nod to their creator, Luda the Porkadile, goddess of gluttony, sloth, decay and despair.

For his costume, Francesco and I went back and forth with several iterations of Ghobli’s color palette and accessories, striving to incorporate subtle nods to his backstory and character arc. We settled on rich purple robes, symbolizing his noble heritage and loyalty to Maduta, goddess of death.

That said, despite his grotesque exterior, Ghobli is an elf of taste and class. Expect to see him in a variety of Magonian fashions from Muribog’s finest clothiers, always perfectly suited to the season or occasion. Even a sophisticated monster has standards after all.

Getting personal

Gandalf, Dumbledore, Merlin, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Uncle Iroh, Mr. Miyagi… some of the world’s most popular and beloved characters served as mentors to our favorite heroes. As teachers, sages and mystics, each imparted their unique wisdom and perspective, asking nothing in return… well, maybe a car wash and wax.

In my life and career, I’ve had the great honor and privilege to learn from the best; great mentors who’ve walked the road ahead and gave me the CliffsNotes to avoid pitfalls and traps.

“You’re probably the smartest person in the room… You’re probably right 99.9% of the time…
You don’t have to be a dick about it.”
– Matt VanDyke

When writing Speaker Ghobli, I found myself infusing bits and pieces of my mentors into his personality, words and behaviors. Here are some of the people who’ve had such an incredible impact on my life:

• Christian Jahnsen taught me that true leaders are servants to all.
• Jim Wojcik taught me that truth is always worth pursuing.
• Will Anderson taught me the power of authenticity.
• Jim Bright taught me to never be ashamed of showing emotions.
• Nancy McCauley-Branstetter taught me to assume positive intent.
• Janet Lawson taught me to win by playing for others.
• Cary Tilds taught me to write my future.
• Jon Schulz taught me to take calculated risks.
• Barry Engle taught me to trust in my ethics and morals.
• John Felice taught me that kindness prevails over animosity.
• Ted Cannis taught me to swing for the fences.
• Matt VanDyke taught me to stay humble.
• Scott Kelly taught me how to make decisions and course correct.
• Joel Ewanick taught me to lead with my heart.
• Liz Boone taught me the power of laughter in the workplace.
• Rich Latek taught me the power of a calm reaction.
• Kurt McNeil taught me the value of confidence.
• Shannon DiPietro taught me when to hold my tongue and listen.
• Ed Vogt taught me how to translate my vision and convert doubters.
• Julie Bullard taught me the power of zen and meditation.
• Chuck Thomson taught me to not let drama and stress destroy me.

Like Ghobli to Bolivar, these individuals have been masters of “magic” who instilled their wisdom, knowledge and, dare I say, love into me, helping me understand my greater potential or purpose; even when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m forever grateful for their patience and kindness.

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