I've been debating for a while whether or not I should upload this, but what the heck, I liked how it came out in 2023, and it's still "TOMEvember" at the moment, so I'll share it anyway. Never played the TOMERPG, but it was an alright watch.
CONTEXT: Yellow Jammer is a kid hacker from my (in-progress) comic, Five-Man Band A.N.A., so I'd imagine if she played TOME, Rockoon would take notice of her 1337 h4xx0r sk1llz. Hilarity and/or drama ensues? So yeah, I made crossover fan art.
At any rate, good luck with the plushie campaign! Personally waiting for the action figure of NNNNNNYLOCKE, MASTER OF KNOCKING SERPENTINE INTO THOSE COOL BOULDERS THEY SHOW IN THE COMMERCIAL BUT NEVER ACTUALLY SELLLL! But Rocky's cool, too!
I’ve been rewatching tome and I really enjoy Doubling and Rockoon as characters and their conflict with each other. This is long and a bit messy, I am still not entirely happy with it and probably try to rewrite it again but here we go.
I’ve tried analyzing Doubling in the past before but had troubles with it - I realized I went on about it in a way that prevented me from seeing the different angles.
Back then I judged from the perspective of “so who was his true self? Doubling or Skeight?“
I got stuck because the answer is a bit more complex than that. Because I was forgetting another person:
The person who created Doubling and Skeight.
Both Doubling and Skeight can reveal us a lot about the person that hides behind the screen.
Doubling was quite frustrated when he first started the game. He is only here for the job and he presses the matter that he is in need of some cash. Not out of greed, but think about what he said in regards to Splat:
“I usually don’t do this because it gives her more work than I can get.“
From what it sounds like, Splat and Doubling seem close and he doesn’t want to trouble her more than necessary. They feel like the kind of siblings that are still living together and struggle to pay the rent. He doesn’t want Splat to overwork herself and takes care of their financial troubles, all while struggling to find or even maintain a job, so they are both hackers for a living.
His frustration is taken out on Rockoon because neither know what they are looking for, they are on a wild goose chase and it wastes time. Doubling is not here for friendship. He just wants to do his job and then he is gone.
But what was it that made him actually enjoy the game and have fun with the looney tuney raccoon?
After taken his frustration out on Rockoon, the raccoon doesn’t even try to hide his hurt, but also quickly collects himself and figures out a solution for Doubling.
He needs variety in his life. Implying that Doubling is someone who sticks with routine.
They were told to blow up graphics, so Rockoon advices to blow up people. Rockoon switches things up and thinks outside the box.
It works and Doubling mentions it is refreshing. In that case, bullying others is used to deal with his own frustrations and whatever irl might be going on. Doubling seems to think he can do whatever he wants on the internet without facing the consequences.
I don’t think he was fully roleplaying as Skeight either. Actions like the ones he pulled usually come from a low self esteem, fear of rejection and a fear of confrontation.
Skeight exists because of Doubling‘s discomfort with confrontation.
But I also think there are other reasons why Skeight was created.
As a fresh start. Doubling is terrified of the forbidden power so he wanted to play it safe in case he encounters Alpha again, feeling safer when he won’t be recognized easily.
Doubling felt bad about leaving Rockoon behind and likely how he treated him, but he was not ready to confront that feeling yet. Mostly because he didn’t know how.
One thing I realized upon rewatching is just how passive aggressive Doubling actually is about the situation.
Passive aggressiveness often comes from an individual’s discomfort with direct communication and conflict, nor can they always articulate their point of view - as we also see later in their conflict in episode 3.
People who have that kind of behavior often have troubles with expressing themselves, low self esteem and a lack of assertiveness.
Stressful circumstances such as a challenging job or a strained relationship may also result in passive aggressive behavior.
Expressing feelings is not always an easy task. It requires feeling safe, okay with being vulnerable and a high level of self awareness to understand what is going on in the first place.
Expressing feelings can also be intimidating to people who don’t have much practice in doing so, especially if someone has not worked on their self awareness and self expression skills.
Doubling is not attuned with his emotions and has troubles to self regulate, causing him to act inappropriately. If he has a fear of confrontation, he is easily someone who jumps to conclusion too quickly and fears the worst.
I think Skeight was an impulse decision through that.
Doubling was here for the job - Skeight was created for fun. Because Rockoon made him enjoy the game.
But there is a certain pride and stubbornness preventing him from admitting that - especially since he made such a big fuss over it before.
What was it that Skeight said?
“And you always do what you do! And that’s what I like about you! I just admire the way you handle your business!“
Note how he is more open as Skeight to tell him that. Doubling took on a different persona to try and be more open. It’s why I assume that Skeight was partly created so he can also practice his people skills.
Doubling is generally someone unable to leave his comfort zone and needs the extra push. Rockoon is running around and does his own thing - Doubling can respect that.
Doubling likely thinks that Rodney goes through life without feeling judged, not realizing that Rodney might have other issues in going. To him, Rodney just feels like that carefree guy who keeps doing his thing no matter what.
I think he already realizes that this is not the case in Rockoon‘s modern strife and episode 13.
Unfortunately, in his attempt to connect with Rockoon, he comes on too strong. Skeight is pushing himself onto Rockoon, copying him. It clearly makes Rockoon uncomfortable too. Keep in mind, he already has trust issues here.
Rockoon, at first glance can be viewed as coming off too strong in trying to connect with Doubling, but not really. Rocky never forced Doubling to do anything.
He gave him advice on how to get out of his comfort zone but that’s it. The rest was on Doubling.
Doubling appears insecure about himself - it matters a lot what people perceive him as, maybe even sensitive to criticism. The “lucky shot“ sure touched a nerve and getting referred as a “clingy nobody“ hit a nerve too. If he already reacts to these things like that, returning as Doubling made him nervous because of what Rockoon will perceive him as now.
He feels bad about ditching him when Rockoon tells the story and perhaps that should have been his cue to admit something at least and be upfront - but he realized that Rockoon was hurt by his actions and didn’t want to make it worse.
Doubling‘a fear of confrontation and lack of communication skills becomes clear in episode 13.
It’s no longer Skeight or Doubling talking - that is the person behind the screen now.
The one who took the persona as Doubling and Skeight is struggling to find the right words, stuttering and uncertain on how to go on about his - his body language also shows his discomfort.
Skeight: I just wanted to make sure you are okay.
Rockoon: WHAT?!
Skeight: What?!
Note how he becomes a tad frustrated because he doesn’t understand how that is a bad thing.
“I mean, that was kinda whack but I had some time to think about it, it means no biggie.”
He was obviously upset over what happened at the tournament, otherwise he would not have mentioned the whack part. It clearly bothered him considering that he was thinking about it for a while.
But he has no idea how to communicate that right now and doesn’t want to make the situation worse than it already is.
“Not why I’m here either.“
Something is troubling him and it he has struggles expressing that - did he already wanted to come clear that he is Doubling? He wants to say something, but doesn’t know how.
I do believe that the motherscratcher hint was intentional. Mostly because that was not the only hint:
“With this forbidden power thing and all …“
How would Skeight know about the forbidden power? All the raccoon told him that they ran into some freaky stuff. In fact - Skeight quickly corrects himself and talks about the other players instead. Almost like he realizes he almost slipped up.
“I came back ‘cause I cared.“
Comes clean right here - unfortunately it comes from the wrong player.
“Maybe you are better off on your own.“
During the whole conflict, Rockoon never mentioned that. It was something Rockoon brought up when he told Skeight about Doubling.
I don’t think the other hints were intentional, but the motherscratcher hint feels too convienent here.
Rockoon is the quirky online persona of a lonely and reserved kid that gets bullied in school.
Rodney is a smart kid and it was cartoons that gave him a reason to smile and spark his creativity. Slipping into a different character to roleplay, Rockoon is everything that Rodney is not.
Just like Doubling, Rodney is afraid of the forbidden power. His first move when messing with the main group is to take out the biggest threat: Alpha.
Once he returns, Rodney becomes afraid. Stuttering and shaking - I don’t think it was Rockoon and Rodney partly breaking the facade.
His cartoon persona acts on impulse and treats everything as a joke, confident and more assertive, a wise cracking goofy toony character who views the internet as his personal playground where he thinks he can get away without facing the consequences of his actions. The joy that he felt as Rockoon usually came at the expense of others.
Doubling leaving him behind and then never returning genuinely hurt him. Rockoon mentioned to Kirbopher that he missed him and my guess is that Rodney kept returning to this game in hopes of eventually coming across him again.
It certainly left him with a bitter feeling - as we can see in Rockoon‘s modern strife. He is starting to push people away from him, but he is also uncomfortable with how much Skeight wants to push himself onto him.
Something feels already off to him - it feels like a factor of trust issues.
Rockoon has built walls around himself so that nobody can get close to hurt him.
“I don’t play this game to make friends. I don’t need or want to make any friends. ‘Cause if you think anyone is worth getting actually attached to … you are kidding yourself. I forgot that once. That was a mistake.“
This whole line of dialogue doesn’t just come from Doubling ditching him.
He says: I forgot that once.
That sort of mindset has been with him for a while but he allowed himself to get attached to Doubling, he left and he got remembered about that mentality.
Rodney is a troubled individual who is also bullied in school - it wouldn’t surprise me if he had been used by someone before or they just pretended to like him - because he certainly has a discomfort with Skeight.
He has convinced himself that he doesn’t need anyone. That he is better off on his own - that he doesn’t care anymore that Doubling is gone but it obviously bothers him.
“I ditched him. Forever.“
Rockoon claims that it was him who ditched Doubling instead the other way around. He is trying to remain in control of the situation so that it doesn’t sting as much.
But he allows his walls down towards Skeight for a bit - as an advice but also he has internalized that whole thing for a while now and needs someone to talk about it.
Rockoon is clearly hurt over what happened.
“But you know what? I don’t even care anymore. Sure, I missed him at first but I’m better off without him. I didn’t need him. I don’t need friends.“
Note how he keeps repeating it like saying it will make it true.
Doubling feels obviously guilt over it. His expression, asking what happened and when Rockoon finishes he goes:
“Aw, man. I-„
Even with Rockoon interrupting him, you can tell he has no idea how to get his feelings across. He realized right there how much he actually had hurt Rockoon.
Should he have dropped the Skeight persona here and come clear? Probably, but he also takes Rockoon‘s words at face value and assumes that Rockoon hates him now.
“We ran into some trouble. Of course he did what anyone else would do: Looked out for himself. He ditched me.“
Oddly specific, is it not? It seems more that he talking from general experience rather than Doubling. Did his bullies throw him under the bus? It sounds that way.
“I will be happy when this stupid game gets shut down for good. No point looking for me because after today I ain’t coming back. Everyone’s stupid and there is nothing left for me here.”
You can hear the bitterness and pain he is feeling. After Doubling was gone, Rockoon was nothing but humiliated by others. Nobody really took him serious without that “big green slime guy backing him up“ and thought it makes things easier for them.
Rockoon genuinely tried to help, but his reputation as a hacker at the expense of others did not help his cause.
One thing to note is how timid he becomes when people start ganging up on him.
Bullied irl and online, Rockoon sees no point in staying. He is lonely and all the joy he had from playing the game is no longer there. He says it himself:
“Everyone is stupid and there is nothing left for me here.“
The only person that mattered to him is gone. He mostly came back in hopes that Doubling might return. The worst part is that Rockoon does not know if the feeling was Mutual between them, likely feeling like it was just an one sided friendship.
Then, we have episode 13.
I don’t think Rockoon in the short or episode 13 had any malicious intentions. He is genuinely trying to help because he got a taste of the forbidden power as well once.
He instantly becomes timid when the others start teasing him - his Rodney is showing. He is feeling entirely humiliated and he has no idea what to do.
“Oh, no. Why didn’t you tell me?“
His instant reaction is everything to me once he connects the dots. It’s the instant regret because he realized that this was his former friend. His reaction implies that while he was hurt, Rockoon would not have been mad if Doubling returned and talked it out properly - Doubling left him with more question than answers and that stings.
He blames himself, but that whole thing is not entirely his fault. It was Doubling who acted out in passive aggressive ways while Rockoon would have preferred direct communication.
“Hey, look. I wanted to say how sorry I am for how things went down. It’s frustrating that you were not upfront with me but you still deserved better. And I can be better. I dunno if you see this in time, but I’ll try to hang around in Lavendera for most of the day, just in case. I hope and pray that somehow, someway we can just talk. Rock - Rodney.”
I do love the message he tries to send. He apologized for his behavior but also voiced his own hurt that Doubling was not upfront with him.
He wants to sign as Rockoon but changes it to Rodney. In using his actual name, Rodney is trying to make it more personal. More sincere in a way.
But then he deleted the whole thing again and honestly? Valid. I could imagine he was rewriting it a few times to find the proper wording before and still was not happy with it but the wounds are also still fresh.
Both of them need the space for now. It’s a hurt on both sides with wounds that are still fresh. Neither of them are ready for it yet.
Rodney needs the space to figure himself out. Dealing with an identity crisis and self loathing. Knowing just how much you hurt others and the kind of person you have become, hurting his only friend, getting left with more questions than answers does wonders for one‘s psyche.
But not just for Rodney - he needs to figure out where Rockoon is going from here too.
Rodney knows he has done and said hurtful things. Watching Odball brings out certain feelings because he sees himself in him in that moment.
I think with time both of them will be able to talk again. They both need the closure.
It would require honest communication, putting the walls they have around themselves down and dropping the online persona they have created. No Doubling, no Skeight, no Rockoon.
One mention I would like to make is Kirbopher who watched the whole conflict. I don’t think that scene was put there without a reason. Kirbopher has two accounts too - did he relate to Doubling in that moment?
“Sorry I was not around. I had some stuff to handle.“
What does that refer to? Was he comforting Rockoon? Or trying to reach Doubling? He hired him so he would likely have his contacts. Kirb being the one who tried to talk to Doubling regarding that would be interesting.
I do enjoy the journey with Archy. Mostly because that dynamic is just as complicated and based on secrets and assumptions but it was also nice to see just how much Rockoon has grown since then and trying to become a better person. I definitely enjoy the patience he shows with Archy.
Archy does not know anything about Rockoon or that he was the guy who blow him up in the tournament. Rockoon is keeping that part of him a secret to protect himself both and Archy (though I feel it’s more Archy).
Archy is bound to find out eventually. Rockoon is a known hacker - if Archy finds out through a third party rather than Rockoon it is gonna be so much worse.
But it is not just on Rockoon.
“Sometimes I think this is all a joke.”
Archy takes out his anxiety on Rockoon.
When I say this I am not speaking for everyone that has anxiety, I am only expressing my experience with it and as someone with anxiety as well.
Anxious people spend a lot of time overthinking and hyper focusing on the little details. Anxiety can bring about strong feelings of fear, frustration and anguish and this can lead to misunderstandings.
Rockoon mentions it himself - that Archy needs to recognize when his anxiety clouds his judgemet and logic. Which is such a good advice because that is something Archy needs to learn, otherwise he might end up using Rockoon as an outlet for it. The "it's all just a joke" certainly stung given that he raised his voice there. On Archy's end, their dynamic is a bit on assumptions so far.
Rockoon is always helping others in some way. Told Doubling he needs variety and actually made him enjoy tome. Tried to give advice to Skeight not to get attached to someone, was trying to help in the whole situation with Alpha and then later when the game was about to get shut down. Now? He is trying to help Archy grow as a person.
If there is one thing I would describe Rockoon with, it would be loyalty. If he does take a liking to you, he is someone who pays close attention to his friends and wants to support them and actually manages to push them out of their comfort zone.
But here is the thing. He always tries to help others, yet he ignores his own issues. The only ones aware of how vulnerable he actually is are Skeight and Kirbopher - and Skeight even more so.
Sometimes it is easier to deal with someone else’s issues than our own. It requires reflecting on ourselves and that is sometimes not an easy task.
When helping others, you can view the problem from an outsider perspective, making it easy to identify the solutions. When lt comes to our own issues, emotional involvement can cloud judgement and make it difficult to see the situation clearly.
Sometimes people are harsher on themselves than they are on others, creating a cycle of doubt and negativity.
I think what Rockoon needs to learn is to forgive himself and practice self compassion.
Well, I said I'd do it digitally, and I delivered! Hardest part was figuring out what to do with the background and ultimately I went with what felt right for them.
Can you give us your thoughts in Rockoon and the Trouble Makers in the T.O.M.E. game? I understand if you would rather not in order to avoid spoilers, but I find Rockoon a genuinely fascinating character and I love hearing you exposit about him.
Thank you so much! It means so much to me when others find him interesting. I wouldn't know where best to begin simply because I could talk forever about Rockoon and the characters he's closely connected to in both canons. There are countless stories I could tell through them. If you have any questions that aren't too spoilery though, I'll try my best to answer them. (And if it IS too spoilery, I'll save it for a DM!)
I'll start by saying I was initially not at all interested in writing him as a villain again or retelling a version of his webseries arc with Skeight, as was pitched to me. He has progressed beyond pursuing pure self-indulgence and I wanted to write about leadership. This is part of why I requested Archy as his protégé, who was originally slated to be in the Cast O' Dreams. Even in a different canon, continuing their relationship was also just extremely important to me. Chris was very gracious and helpful in allowing me to tell a story I found to be creatively fulfilling while still fitting the needs of the game's overall narrative. Although it took a while for me to figure out, I've come to really enjoy the dynamic Skeight adds to the group.
Rockoon is essentially a balance between the two polar opposites that follow and admire him -- the timid, pure-hearted Archy and the wildcard degenerate Skeight.
Webseries Rockoon is a miserable, shy loner who essentially roleplays as a kooky, "evil" and destructive toon. We only catch glimpses of his true, sensitive self. RPG Rockoon is more confident in himself and laid back. He doesn't wear such a facade as a result.
Official Character Artwork from “Terrain of Magical Expertise”! White-Hat Hackers (all races), Nylocke, Flamegirl, Kirbopher, Alpha, Gamesoft, The Trouble Makers, The Dandy Alliance.
Dandy Alliance members designed by the amazing Mike Luckas!
