Welcome to the forum Greenstrider!
Only a "hint" of geek in you, you say? If you have been reading Sluggy for as you say, it's probably more than that.
As for Shankraft... Yes that is him sitting next to her, but the guy in the previous strip was not him. It was the,
'Dibs' on 'Not-the-Sword'! guy instead.
Anyway [member's name here], now I will tell you about the strange tradition aimed at newcomers.
At one time there were Pesterers who pestered you for poetry, but that tends to be very rare nowadays. Even though you may not be pestered, if you do go and post an original poem --usually haiku but any (clean) type is accepted-- written by you, you will most likely receive a gift in return. The "gift" will most likely be useless or maim you. Whichever it may be, it should be interesting and surprising. Lastly, this strange tradition applies to the pestering not the poetry. You are not required to do anything more to be a member here...unless you want to possibly get a [name of harmlessly fatal item here] or some other type of gift.
Now go forth and do (almost) whatever you want, just don't speculate in Reactions.