I think so. He's definitely a character type that people would be primed to love, yet doesn't exist in a lot of media. Because you're right, even in the resurgence of love for DnD, and the popularity of live-play shows and things, mainstream media still does treat it as more of a punchline than anything else.

That's fair! I'm glad you've got a strong foundation to work from. I've discovered I hate posting before I'm all the way done with something, so I support that decision even outside of a fandom that hates WIPs.