Rip is a longtime member, who occasionally stops by. He is known for his kind, caring attitude and love for the small and fuzzy.

At one time, Rip wrote for the comic "Gamer: the Delusion"

Rip is the FlannelBOB.

Disclaimer - Rip is fond of the saying "history is written by the victors". The below information has not been verified by any scientific or government agency.

Rip is the current writer of exBOBted, and other stories

APOCRYPHA

The legends of The One Called Rip are many and varied. The origins of such can be traced to the Migration period of the Germanic tribes (ca 3rd - 8th centuries CE), but tales of the being were probably being told in the area as early as the 3rd century BCE. The name itself is probably a corruption of the word "riip", with etymological similarities to the Sumerian word translated as "to rape with wanton abandon those who would seek to constrain", however, scholars can also trace similarities to the Babylonian demon-god Remphon. Early pre-Christian Germanic and Celtic art sometimes added the suffix "thoerne" or "toerne" to his name, and it is from this that the name "Rip Torne" had been derived. This is not, however, considered canonically to be the deity's full name, but has been seen used as an alias.

It is during the Germanic Migration period that tales of Rip were brought to the Celts, Greeks, and Romans, and the diffusion of his legend so fascinated ancient cultural leaders that several shrines were erected, most notably in Delphi, Damascus, and a consecrated Germanic swamp-grove over what is now Berlin. It is also during this period that the common symbols of Rip were codified and elaborated.

Rip was worshipped as both a god of inspiration and vengeance. He was seen as a dual natured entity, a being of both justice and cruelty, and offerings were generally made to him in hopes of granting the supplicant revenge or intelligence. It is said that before the pillaging of Rome, King Alaric I of the Visigoths sacrificed 37 virgins and "ae man whoe did copulate withe swine" to Rip in a massive pyre. In return, Alaric was granted revenge on the entire Roman empire for the assaults made on the Germanic tribes.

This dual nature is the reason for Rip's association with a black, white, and grey checkered-patterned garment known from ancient Gothic art as "die Flahnnle". He has never been depicted without it, although certain cultures have made variations to the color (most notably in proto-Islamic demonologies found in Persia wherein the garment is checkered white and red). Many variations of the Ripic legend consider what would eventually become "The Flannel" to be the source of his power, while others contend that the Flannel merely allows him to retain a physical form. Regardless, the Flannel itself was very powerful, and could alter form or manifest weapons. Other notable symbols include lambent red horns curving over the forehead, five-pointed stars, black goats, and flaming eye sockets. Rip has been associated among various cultures with the number 26 (significant due to the number also representing the Hebrew YHWH), the Southern Direction, Fire, Autumn, the color Grey, and corrupted youth.

Tales of Rip generally name his father as being Tyr, god of war and flame, and his mother as being a satyr-like forest nymph named Wodonia that Tyr raped in frustration after the trickster god Lohho (Loki) "did calle him ae fag". Legend states that Rip sprang fully grown, complete with Flannel, from his mother's viscera after a gestation of only 26 days, killing her in the process. Some accounts say that Rip then mated with and ate her corpse, but it is believed that this part of the tale was added later by Christians in their campaign to villify the deity during the midaeval period. He then is said to have marched into Heaven where he immediately challenged his father to a battle of wits. The details of such are not recorded, but apparently, while Rip is said to have won, Tyr did not appreciate his insolence, and so "rewarded" him with a tour of the Underworld. It is here that Rip's personality began to evolve in earnest.

Upon Rip's arrival for his tour of Hel, he promptly marched stright past the Rivers of Death and could be deterred by no guardian until he arrived at the throne of the Death Goddess Hel herself, where he bowed low and humbly asked her permission to be allowed to see her beautiful kingdom. It is from this that the Law of Domain, wherein guests are expected to respect their hosts at all times, was founded. Hel was impressed beyond words by the new god's flattery, and accepted him into her bed. Rip is said to have spent three generations in the Underworld, splitting this time between Hel's boudoir and touring the punishments of the damned. However, Rip bored easily (a trait evident in most myths attributed to him), and when he could, he slipped quietly away from Hel, leaving the death goddess so embittered that she forbid him from ever returning. This is the source of Rip's immortality, which allowed him to outlast the gods' demise at the hands of the conquering Jehova.

ACTUALITIES

Aside from the above, which has absolutely nothing to do with anything at all, Rip has at various times been responsible for entertainments within ClanBOB since his arrival in the latter part of 1998. He is most famous for his ability to "rip" into people, shaming them publicly for his and others' amusement, and is fond of overarching debates concerning religion, philosophy, politics, metaphysics, and other such weighty topics.

Traditionally, every year in the month of April the Clan can expect an April Fool's prank from Rip. Past pranks were more elaborate and successful, with pranks from the last two years or so having become largely uneventful and sad. Pranks have thus far included an entire personality overhaul involving pikachus and smily-faces, and entire month played as a girl to comical effect as maleBOBs took to flirting with one of the most reviled BOBs, the hacking of Cowkitty's Admin account, and various others.

The above such pranks, and Rip's longstanding position of eminence within the Clan (loved or hated), were made possible due to how little any current member of the Clan legitimately knows about Rip. Thus far, the only BOBs to have ever met the enigmatic creature with any certainty are KaliskaNny, Duck, KaiNotachi, and Manda. At times Rip has claimed to be half-Chinese, half-Laotian; a 17-year old girl; an African-American; and various other less-believable combinations, although it is generally agreed that he is probably white and resembles the character based on him appearing in Gamer: the Delusion. This information, however, helps no one, as Gamer: the Delusion no longer exists.

It is currently believed that Rip may be behind other identities in ClanBOB, as he stated for the first time at some point in 2005. Given his long period of membership with the Clan and his occasional lengthy absences, this is entirely plausible, though must naturally be approached with skepticism.

Rip has been hinting that several big reveals will be forthcoming to celebrate his 10th anniversary in ClanBOB. The Clan is, naturally, breathless with anticipation.

Categories: Members, BOBname