Girl Genius XVIII: Invisible Hand of the Legendary Smoke Knights

[Porthos]

Welcome to another installment of the Girl Genius Thread!

Many elegant and finely-crafted links follow:

Links to Previous Threads
Girl Genius! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4818) (original thread)
Girl Genius II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80718)
Girl Genius III: Nize Thread! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92541)
Girl Genius IV: Because SCIENCE! is my mistress (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102230)
Girl Genius V: Madre de Diodes! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112305)
Girl Genius VI: Der Pestle in Der Kestle (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128538)
Girl Genius VII: Get on the Slab, I Want to Get to Work! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143909)
Girl Genius: VIII: Will Show Them All! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159600)
Girl Genius IX: The Unstoppable Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173582)
Girl Genius X: The Othar Shoe Drops (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189632)
Girl Genius XI: Ding Dong, the Baron's Dead! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207223)
Girl Genius XII: For Doom The Bell Tolls (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227697)
Girl Genius XIII: "Gott's Leedle Feesh in Trousers!" (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245508)
Girl Genius XIV: A Lightning Arc in All But Speed! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266978)
Girl Genius XV: The Weasel, the Spark, and the Wardrobe (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287759)
Girl Genius XVI: The Wrath of Klaus (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?322309)
Girl Genius XVII: And Then He Had Pie (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?365866)

Comic Links
Link to current comic (http://girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php) and link to the beginning of the strip. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021104) (Updates MWF at or sometime after Midnight [Eastern Time])
The Continuing Adventures of Othar Tryggvassen, Gentleman Adventurer! (http://twitter.com/Othar) (back on hiatus, may update in the future)
A compilation (and much easier to read if you're just catching up) of the first three chapters can be found here at the GG website (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/fun/twitter_othar_01.php).
And if one goes to snapbird.org (http://snapbird.org/) and types in "Othar" in the 'Who?' field, all of Othar's adventures can be read on one page (albiet in reverse order of posting - Now must have a Twitter account to use).
Mirror of the comic found on LiveJournal (http://girlgeniuscomic.livejournal.com/) (Often will update before the main page is updated, so beware of spoilers)
Mirror of the comic found on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Girl-Genius-Webcomic/28371352860?ref=nf) (Will occasionally have Girl Genius related news)
And one can find mirrors of Girl Genius on deviantArt as well (http://girlgeniuscomic.deviantart.com/). (Occasionally Kaja will put up or link to interesting GG related art that is found on dA)

Reference Links
Wiki Project devoted to to Girl Genius (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/The_Department_of_Almost_Certainly_True_History)
Wikipedia entry on Girl Genius. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Genius)
TV Tropes page on Girl Genius. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GirlGenius)
The Secret Blueprints (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4272360&postcount=1478) (NOTE: Contains background information on the GG Universe, so it should probably be read after "catching up" to the newest comic, as it contains many spoilers.)

Social Media and News Links
Phil Foglio's new Wordpress art, news, and blogging website. (http://girlgeniusadventures.com/)
Kaja Foglio's LJ Page (http://kajafoglio.livejournal.com/) and Studio Foglio News LJ Page (http://studiofoglio.livejournal.com/) (Not currently being updated)
Kaja & Phil's Personal Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaja-Phil-Foglio/196305144555) (Not currently being updated)
A twitter account that basically is a catch-all feed for Girl Genius related news. (http://twitter.com/girlgenius)
Cheyenne Wright's Twitter (http://twitter.com/CheyenneWright) and LiveJournal Accounts (http://cheyennewright.livejournal.com/) (The colorist's twitter and LJ pages)
And finally,
Phil's old LJ page. (http://philfoglio.livejournal.com/) (Occasionally contains crossposts from the Wordpress website)

[Traab]

I just wanted you to know that I have a lovely bunch of coconuts. Also, now I have this thread marked, because GG is awesome. :smallbiggrin:

[Emperordaniel]

Um, the code for the link to the last thread is a little messed up. Just like to point that out. :smalltongue:

[BannedInSchool]

Next stop Paris!

Not that I'm going to hold my breath on that. :smalltongue:

[Douglas]

Next stop Paris!

Not that I'm going to hold my breath on that. :smalltongue:
After all the buildup and explanation for it, I would be utterly astonished if the train they're on is anything other than the supertrain, and that thing should be capable of bulldozing its way through anything that might try to stop them.

I'm half expecting an offhand mention when they arrive that some giant sparky army tried to stop them and got blown away, with the passengers expressing surprise because they didn't notice anything.

[Lethologica]

After all the buildup and explanation for it, I would be utterly astonished if the train they're on is anything other than the supertrain, and that thing should be capable of bulldozing its way through anything that might try to stop them.

I'm half expecting an offhand mention when they arrive that some giant sparky army tried to stop them and got blown away, with the passengers expressing surprise because they didn't notice anything.
Preferably with sepia-colored flashbacks for illustration.

[Porthos]

Um, the code for the link to the last thread is a little messed up. Just like to point that out. :smalltongue:

Already fixed before you posted. :smallwink: Thanks for checking, tho. :smallsmile:

[Eldan]

Boo, I say, boo! The title of this thread does not reference Humongulus, who is the primary thread in this location! I challenge thee to a duel, Sir!

Non est frigus, filum inceptor!

[Porthos]

Boo, I say, boo! The title of this thread does not reference Humongulus, who is the primary thread in this location! I challenge thee to a duel, Sir!

Non est frigus, filum inceptor!

OBJECTION DENIED:


"I have altered the terms of the title. Pray I don't alter it further."
Mind, if there hadn't been a lot of support for the Smoke Knight title, I would have gone with the primary one. But there was, and so I did. :smalltongue:

[The Mormegil]

New thread. 'Sup.

[petersohn]

Was Wooster wearing a mask beside the wig and goggles, or is there some kind of magic involved? Because he now has sideburns, which he didn't have when the disguise was on.

[Porthos]

Was Wooster wearing a mask beside the wig and goggles, or is there some kind of magic involved? Because he now has sideburns, which he didn't have when the disguise was on.

Latex makeup of some kind, I reckon. Notice how his jowls were noticeably larger before? I figure the fake cheeks were just ripped off, and there was enough of it so it went up to the ears.

[Grif]

Man, I totally didn't expect Wooster there. :smalltongue:

[otakuryoga]

Nobody expects the English Secret Service!

[Ailurus]

Nobody expects the English Secret Service!

Aye, now I'll need to check everyone in my life to see if they are undercover agents of Her Undying Majesty.

Also, is that the new SuperTrain that they built? Please tell me they're on the SuperTrain.

[Southern Cross]

Considering the buildup we got, it had BETTER be the SuperTrain...

[NEO|Phyte]

I wonder how Wooster compares to a smoke knight.

[Radar]

I wonder how Wooster compares to a smoke knight.
I guess they have slightly different specialities. Wooster is more into infiltration and information gathering with combat being the last resort, while smoke knights seem to be primarily oriented on stabbity buisness (and poisons, and any other dirty fighting techniques). Smoke knights don't even hide their identity when out in the open.

[eee]

RE Wooster, his disguise, and his sideburns: Face it, guys, Wooster is just THAT GOOD. (I saw the monk in the background in a few panels and thought he looked different from the usual Foglio generic character; but of course, had no idea why. I think we'll have to assume any unusual character may be Wooster in disguise from now on.)

I wonder if the bearz are on-board...

[petersohn]

Considering the buildup we got, it had BETTER be the SuperTrain...
Given that Violetta said "we are on the train, it's quite probable.

RE Wooster, his disguise, and his sideburns: Face it, guys, Wooster is just THAT GOOD. (I saw the monk in the background in a few panels and thought he looked different from the usual Foglio generic character; but of course, had no idea why. I think we'll have to assume any unusual character may be Wooster in disguise from now on.)
The interesting thing about this comment is that on another forum there is an OOTS thread that just got sidetracked to some DnD game where a character played a bear that had so good Disguise and Bluff score that he could disguise himself as a human, to the point that when someone saw past the disguise he got laughed at. I wonder whether Wooster could do that.

[scienceguy8]

I wonder how Wooster compares to a smoke knight.I guess they have slightly different specialities. Wooster is more into infiltration and information gathering with combat being the last resort, while smoke knights seem to be primarily oriented on stabbity buisness (and poisons, and any other dirty fighting techniques). Smoke knights don't even hide their identity when out in the open.

Smoke Knights hide in the shadows. Spies hide in plain sight behind assumed identities.

Smoke Knights move quickly from cover to cover, lunging at their targets when the opportunity presents itself. Spies play long games, getting friendly with the target before executing their plans.

Smoke Knights are primarily assassins and hidden guards. Spies are primarily intelligence gathering assets, dispensers of counter intelligence, and political destabilizes.

[The Glyphstone]

Given that Violetta said "we are on the train, it's quite probable.

The interesting thing about this comment is that on another forum there is an OOTS thread that just got sidetracked to some DnD game where a character played a bear that had so good Disguise and Bluff score that he could disguise himself as a human, to the point that when someone saw past the disguise he got laughed at. I wonder whether Wooster could do that.

That sounds like Sir Bearington, a long-running joke from the /tg/ boards of 4Chan.

[Porthos]

BTW, here is an earlier side-profile of Wooster whilst disguised a few strips back (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20150422#.VUT-dihhn0A). As I thought, the cheeks were noticeably puffy. So, yes, that is exactly how his sideburns were covered.

[Eldan]

Nobody expects the English Secret Service!

Our main weapon is style, style and surprise, and a very calm devotion to the Queen!

[runeghost]

Considering the buildup we got, it had BETTER be the SuperTrain...

So, um, if the train does have some sort of sapience (quite possibly an uploaded dead Brother), does that mean it has a Soul?

[Radar]

So, um, if the train does have some sort of sapience (quite possibly an uploaded dead Brother), does that mean it has a Soul?
I see what you did (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P-TXxoWTSE) and I fully approve. :smallcool:
Wrong times though, wrong times...

As for the train itself, do you think they included the rail gun in the innovations?

[Morty]

After all the buildup and explanation for it, I would be utterly astonished if the train they're on is anything other than the supertrain, and that thing should be capable of bulldozing its way through anything that might try to stop them.


If it were any other comic, I'd agree.

[eee]

Wow, less than a 50% chance of homicidal mania. Sounds good to me! I wonder that, given Violetta's association with Sparks, she's at all flabbergasted that Agatha would take such a risk.

I wonder what Krosp is up to. I also wonder why Agatha's first thought isn't about where her weasel is. You'd think she's have her priorities right by now.

[Grif]

Wow, less than a 50% chance of homicidal mania. Sounds good to me! I wonder that, given Violetta's association with Sparks, she's at all flabbergasted that Agatha would take such a risk.

I wonder what Krosp is up to. I also wonder why Agatha's first thought isn't about where her weasel is. You'd think she's have her priorities right by now.

She likes to slip into the quintessential forgetful, yet genius, professor trope ever so often. :smalltongue:

[Radar]

She likes to slip into the quintessential forgetful, yet genius, professor trope ever so often. :smalltongue:
There is some brilliance in it however, since the fact she is currently fine clearly indicates that the weasel is nearby.

[ChowGuy]

Gee, just waht the GG-verse needs is a healthy dose of ]Doc (http://www.the-whiteboard.com/index.html). But what happens when he discovers Agatha's Spark Roast Coffee?

[PhantomFox]

Gee, just waht the GG-verse needs is a healthy dose of ]Doc (http://www.the-whiteboard.com/index.html). But what happens when he discovers Agatha's Spark Roast Coffee?

Well, he seems to already be a spark, so I guess he'd fit in well?

[Temporal Echo]

I wonder if they managed to loot the 'very shiny thing' off of Tweedle before they left. Looking forward to King Krosp's glorious moment next strip :smallbiggrin:.

[HandofShadows]

I think that Kosp went off to find/rescue his "Dad".

[Divayth Fyr]

I have to agree with Wooster - smart cats are trouble...


I think that Kosp went off to find/rescue his "Dad".
For all we know Dr. Dim is still on Castle Wulfenbach, which would make a rescue operation rather difficult. Direct assault seems very unwise, and the bears aren't really made for being sneekey.

[Aquatosic]

I have to agree with Wooster - smart cats are trouble...


For all we know Dr. Dim is still on Castle Wulfenbach, which would make a rescue operation rather difficult. Direct assault seems very unwise, and the bears aren't really made for being sneekey.

Perhaps he'll play with his food, nipping at the edges of the empire to weaken it, before barging in when they're at their weakest and rescuing his creator.

[eee]

I have to agree with Wooster - smart cats are trouble...

They DO seem to be able to get themselves into even more spectacular difficulties than your average cat.

But Krosp is a VERY smart cat. He might be able to avoid disaster. Or cause one that helps Agatha. (We don't know how the Master of Paris is going to react to Agatha. Krosp might be considering he needs to prepare a rescue force...)

[Aquatosic]

They DO seem to be able to get themselves into even more spectacular difficulties than your average cat.

But Krosp is a VERY smart cat. He might be able to avoid disaster. Or cause one that helps Agatha. (We don't know how the Master of Paris is going to react to Agatha. Krosp might be considering he needs to prepare a rescue force...)

Krosp is also fairly arrogant and proud. As many a Spark destroyed by their own creation can attest, these qualities are pretty detrimental to the positive effects of intelligence

[slayerx]

I think maybe Krosp is going back home to figure out what poppa's true intentions for him were. Krosp always viewed himself as a mistake of science, the product of a very stupid idea... but apparently his poppa thought of him as his greatest masterpiece and even left behind an army for him. Krosp may feel a new sense of purpose, a sense that there is something he should be doing for himself or Poppa, rather than just helping Agatha out.

[Aquatosic]

I think maybe Krosp is going back home to figure out what poppa's true intentions for him were. Krosp always view himself as a mistake of science, the product of a very stupid idea... but apparently his poppa thought of him as his greatest masterpiece and even left behind an army for him. Krosp may feel a new sense of purpose, a sense that there is something he should be doing for himself or Poppa, rather than just helping Agatha out.

Is this going to be like Haki? He had latent powers all along that never showed up even in the most life-threatening situations?

[slayerx]

Is this going to be like Haki? He had latent powers all along that never showed up even in the most life-threatening situations?

No, but it could be that there was more purpose to krosp than he was aware. He was told he was supposed to control cats to use them as spies, but maybe that was just a ruse to make sure the baron wouldn't bother looking for him; or maybe it was just quirky sparkiness on Dim's part. Perhaps the true goal of krosp was to create an animal construct with genius intelligence. All of the animal constructs we have seen only had very basic intelligence; heck they have trouble with speech. I might imagine that trying to enhance an animal's brain to be as smart as human would have a lot of difficulties involved. Krosp however is very intelligent; the possible end goal of Dim's animal construct research. Heck maybe Dr.Dim had sparky dreams of a world ruled by animals that would replace the human race and thus he intended Krosp to be a conquerer and/or a ruler. Its not that krosp has a secret power, but he may have somekind of secret purpose that he isn't aware of

Though i guess if he did have a hidden ability, it could be that his control over cats actaully goes for all animals... and that maybe that control extends to any constructs based on animals. Would be hilarious if Krosp could get the spark wolves to follow him aswell.

[Radar]

Though i guess if he did have a hidden ability, it could be that his control over cats actaully goes for all animals... and that maybe that control extends to any constructs based on animals. Would be hilarious if Krosp could get the spark wolves to follow him aswell.
(bolding mine)

Is... is Krosp a Disney Princess (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNu_kqxqbew)? :smallbiggrin:

[With a box]

tose it up for next update.
by the way, if the other finally removed from agatha's mind, the locket will block her from concentrated?

[Ibrinar]

tose it up for next update.
by the way, if the other finally removed from agatha's mind, the locket will block her from concentrated?
When she got it back she thought it didn't work anymore because her mind has become too strong for it not because of having the other in her.

[Aquillion]

We also don't know what Klaus did to it when he repaired it. It's possible that "suppress Lucrezia" is now its sole function. (He didn't know Agatha was possessed, but he thought she was Lucrezia, and may have redesigned the locket to suppress Lucrezia's thought-processes specifically.)

[Traab]

Imagine if it actually WAS suppressing agathas spark still? All this time, she has been running on half power due to the necklace restricting her ability. I. . . I think I just peed a little in terror.

[Emperordaniel]

Imagine if it actually WAS suppressing agathas spark still? All this time, she has been running on half power due to the necklace restricting her ability. I. . . I think I just peed a little in terror.

I believe Agatha actually has thoughts to that effect in the novelization - something along the lines of her still being able to feel the locket trying to suppress her Spark, but that she's learning to work despite its effects.

I'm not sure if I ever want to see what a fully-Sparked, de-Other'd Agatha Heterodyne is capable of. :smalleek:

[stsasser]

Trained bear.

[wingnutx]

The train has a brain.

[Porthos]

The train has a brain.

Brother Ulm's brain, presumably.


I'm not sure if I ever want to see what a fully-Sparked, de-Other'd Agatha Heterodyne is capable of. :smalleek:

"In place of the Dark Lord the Other you will set up a Queen Spark. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair." :smalleek: :smalleek: :smalleek:

[Lizard Lord]

If only we had a bit more time before we had to start a new thread. "This bear is driving a train" would have made for a fine thread title. :smallfrown:

[Porthos]

If only we had a bit more time before we had to start a new thread. "This bear is driving a train" would have made for a fine thread title. :smallfrown:

"This bear is starting a thread" would have been my suggestion after hearing that one. Thankfully it looks like the bears and their "This bear is" pattern of speech will be around for a good long while. :smallwink:

[Deliverance]

"This bear is starting a thread" would have been my suggestion after hearing that one. Thankfully it looks like the bears and their "This bear is" pattern of speech will be around for a good long while. :smallwink:
This bear is pleased.

[eee]

Yay, the bear lived! Although given the risk of burning cinders popping out of the firebox and igniting his fur, I don't know for how long.

Agatha doesn't do puns.

[Grif]

All aboard the Ulm train! :smallbiggrin:

[Scarlet Knight]

I wonder if they managed to loot the 'very shiny thing' off of Tweedle before they left. Looking forward to King Krosp's glorious moment next strip :smallbiggrin:.

Krosp's glorious moment has been delayed as His Majesty has yet to awake from his nap.

[The Glyphstone]

I know it was kind of telegraphed, but I'm going to claim a 'totally called it' on Brother Ulm's mind being uploaded into the supertrain.

[Emperordaniel]

Might be because it's 3 AM and I'm kind of tired, but Agatha's face in the last panel is cracking me up. :smallbiggrin:

[Grif]

Brother Ulm definitely seems very happy in his new body. A little too happy. :smalltongue:

[petersohn]

It seems that when one becomes a Corbettite monk, his real dream is to actually become a train. Of course, that's mostly impossible, so they devote their lives to driving trains instead. And training the novices, of course.

[The Glyphstone]

Though the Minibeast is weirdly cute as Dingbots go.

[Kislath]

They put Ulm into the train, and put the beast into a dingbot??

WHYYY????

[Emperordaniel]

They put Ulm into the train, and put the beast into a dingbot??

WHYYY????

Because a dingbot is clearly the most powerful technology they can trust the Beast with at the moment?

[Lethologica]

They put Ulm into the train, and put the beast into a dingbot??

WHYYY????
More like "Why would you ever do it the other way around???"

[The Glyphstone]

I wouldn't trust the Beast with control of a toaster right now.

[Porthos]

They put Ulm into the train, and put the beast into a dingbot??

WHYYY????

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20050527

[BannedInSchool]

It may be a bit strange to say this, but I almost wish (some of) the incidental characters weren't as engaging because I'm repeated getting sad when they turn out to be evil, turn out to be evil but still interesting and die, or start out evil and fun and have their magnificent power taken away. :smallfrown: Sure, I love Bang too, but her attention's occupied. :smalltongue:

[petersohn]

I wouldn't trust the Beast with control of a toaster right now.
Toasters are dangerous things, you know. (http://www.dieselsweeties.com/archive/2457)

[factotum]

They put Ulm into the train, and put the beast into a dingbot??

WHYYY????

Er, why not? The Beast just tried to destroy the monks and all their work, while Ulm was a loyal monk who can be trusted to do what's best for the Corbettite order. I know which one I'd rather put in control of the most powerful train they've ever built!

[Deliverance]

They put Ulm into the train, and put the beast into a dingbot??

WHYYY????

A better question would be, "why does the beastbot have an active smokestack?"

[lord_khaine]

A better question would be, "why does the beastbot have an active smokestack?"

Did someone else not already answer this..?

[The Glyphstone]

Toasters are dangerous things, you know. (http://www.dieselsweeties.com/archive/2457)

That's not true. I am a perfectly ordinary kitchen appliance, with no anomalous properties whatsoever. (http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-426)

[Deliverance]

Did someone else not already answer this..?
Possibly, but who and where?

It certainly hasn't been explained in the comic why the dingbot-beast (the beastbot) that was only introduced in the most recent panel has a smokestack, and the unit that Ulm ripped out in this panel (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20150323) didn't have one, so I certainly don't know why the beastbot has a smokestack, and I haven't seen anybody attempt to explain it in this thread either.

[lord_khaine]

Possibly, but who and where?

It certainly hasn't been explained in the comic why the dingbot-beast (the beastbot) that was only introduced in the most recent panel has a smokestack, and the unit that Ulm ripped out in this panel didn't have one, so I certainly don't know why the beastbot has a smokestack, and I haven't seen anybody attempt to explain it in this thread either.

Porthos explained it in post #66 :smalltongue:

[Deliverance]

Porthos explained it in post #66 :smalltongue:
Nice try, but no. :smalltongue:

Porthos used the "FOR SCIENCE!" explanation for why they put Ulm in the train and the beast in the dingbot (the beastbot), which is as bad an explanation as any, but that wasn't an answer to the question of why the beastbot has a smokestack, which is a different question entirely. :smallcool:

...Though of course it might be argued that the answer to that question is also, "FOR SCIENCE!", insofar as that can be said about ANY spark activity, that would still not mean that Porthos answered my question.

As an example, if I ask, "how many arms do I have?", it is wrong to claim that somebody else already answered that by answering two to the question of "what is the positive square root of four", despite the answers to the two different questions being identical.

So there. :smallbiggrin:

[The Glyphstone]

Nice try, but no. :smalltongue:

Porthos used the "FOR SCIENCE!" explanation for why they put Ulm in the train and the beast in the dingbot (the beastbot), which is as bad an explanation as any, but that wasn't an answer to the question of why the beastbot has a smokestack, which is a different question entirely. :smallcool:

...Though of course it might be argued that the answer to that question is also, "FOR SCIENCE!", insofar as that can be said about ANY spark activity, that would still not mean that Porthos answered my question.

As an example, if I ask, "how many arms do I have?", it is wrong to claim that somebody else already answered that by answering two to the question of "what is the positive square root of four", despite the answers to the two different questions being identical.

So there. :smallbiggrin:

FOR SCIENCE! is an omni-answer. It is the correct answer to all appropriate questions that will be asked or have been asked in the past, present or future simultaneously. So while Porthos was not consciously answering the question you hadn't asked yet when he gave an answer, said answer becomes retroactively correct to your question once it was asked as well. Because SCIENCE.


(Mad Linguistics is even rarer than Mad Sociology.)

[Ibrinar]

Nice try, but no. :smalltongue:

Porthos used the "FOR SCIENCE!" explanation for why they put Ulm in the train and the beast in the dingbot (the beastbot), which is as bad an explanation as any, but that wasn't an answer to the question of why the beastbot has a smokestack, which is a different question entirely. :smallcool:

...Though of course it might be argued that the answer to that question is also, "FOR SCIENCE!", insofar as that can be said about ANY spark activity, that would still not mean that Porthos answered my question.

As an example, if I ask, "how many arms do I have?", it is wrong to claim that somebody else already answered that by answering two to the question of "what is the positive square root of four", despite the answers to the two different questions being identical.

So there. :smallbiggrin:

Well you see probably nobody answered it because the answer is just so obvious. In fact it's so obvious that I won't bother writing it either. I mean how could there be any other answer than the obvious one?

[eee]

A better question would be, "why does the beastbot have an active smokestack?"

Why does Bohrlaikha have one? Because it LOOKS GOOD! :smallsmile:

[Aquillion]

I gotta say, I feel at least some sympathy for the monster-train. I mean, from his perspective, he was created a certain way, went around doing his thing, then was suddenly imprisoned, ripped out of his body, and turned into a humiliating dingbot.

(The fact that "his thing" involved a lot of destruction and killing people limits my sympathy, but you can at least understand why he's so pissed.)

[Emperordaniel]

If this comic had come out a little while ago, I would have voted for "I will devour your aglets!" as the new thread title. :smallbiggrin:

[Lizard Lord]

A better question would be, "why does the beastbot have an active smokestack?"

Because that's how you can identify it as a train's brain.

[Porthos]

The reason why the "FOR SCIENCE" answer works is simple.

To expand it, one is really asking, IMO, "Why did the semi-insane, stable-only-by-comparison, gifted genius do something that only a semi-insane, stable-only-by-comparison, gifted genius would do?"

I, mean, really. :smallwink:

NOTE: This is NOT a storytelling cop-out, as, mostly, the characters within Girl Genius act fairly 'rationally' in accordance to their already established personalities and motivations.

But when it comes right down to it, if the question is, why did the Mad Scientist create something only someone totally bonkers would create...

Well.

You know. :smallamused:

EDIT:: That's the Watsonian answer. The Doylist answer is: Because the Foglios though it would look cool. :smalltongue:

And, who knows, maybe it'll have some story significance down the road. Knowing this comic, I wouldn't put it past Kaja and Phil. But, mostly, I think it's because it looked cool. :smallwink:

[factotum]

There's actually a reasonable answer to the question: power. While it was attached to the original Beast body the brain was powered from an external source, and it would have "died" if they didn't power it back up quickly. Since the new train wasn't yet ready, Agatha built a dingbot with a steam power source (that being all the monks had readily available) and they put the Beast-brain in that.

[Douglas]

"Hey! Listen!"

Heh.

That's not quite the way I was expecting the Super Train to beat the siege and/or other obstacles, but it still lives up to my expectations for its level of capability quite nicely. At least, if its speed is as high as I think it is while traveling this way.

[eee]

Now that's a TRAIN! :smallbiggrin:

[The Glyphstone]

So the monks have invented the subway. A subway that digs its own tunnels, to boot.

[HandofShadows]

As if Europa didn't have enough tunnels as it is. :smallwink:

[Grif]

So the monks have invented the subway. A subway that digs its own tunnels, to boot.

Definitely revolutionizing the Corbettite brothers methodology, for sure. Now they don't need to request permission to build on other people lands. They just tunnel through. :smallbiggrin:

[GorinichSerpant]

As if Europa didn't have enough tunnels as it is. :smallwink:

As a very wise mole person once said, you can't have to many tunnels.

[The Glyphstone]

As a very wise mole person once said, you can't have to many tunnels.

Right up until Europa is entirely undermined and caves in on itself due to the thousands of tunnels criss-crossing its underground.

[HandofShadows]

Right up until Europa is entirely undermined and caves in on itself due to the thousands of tunnels criss-crossing its underground.

All it might need was a hard rain (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080616#.VVOJMbtFAdU).

[factotum]

Right up until Europa is entirely undermined and caves in on itself due to the thousands of tunnels criss-crossing its underground.

Except the train must be filling in the tunnel behind it with the stuff that's being dug out at the front, or else it wouldn't travel very far...I see it as travelling more like an earthworm than a mechanical digger.

[The Glyphstone]

Except the train must be filling in the tunnel behind it with the stuff that's being dug out at the front, or else it wouldn't travel very far...I see it as travelling more like an earthworm than a mechanical digger.

Why? Based on that one shot, it looks to me like they've mounted some sort of energy weapon to the front that is melting/vaporizing the earth in its path. There's going to be a net loss of material even if they can somehow move all that earth down behind it afterwards.

[Lethologica]

Can I just say, this train has a magnificent mustache.

[Emperordaniel]

Except the train must be filling in the tunnel behind it with the stuff that's being dug out at the front, or else it wouldn't travel very far...I see it as travelling more like an earthworm than a mechanical digger.

"Logic" and "MAD SCIENCE" are not usually on speaking terms. :smalltongue:

[factotum]

Why? Based on that one shot, it looks to me like they've mounted some sort of energy weapon to the front that is melting/vaporizing the earth in its path. There's going to be a net loss of material even if they can somehow move all that earth down behind it afterwards.

Er, no? Melting or vapourising something doesn't make it magically disappear--it just makes it much, much hotter. In open air the vapourised stuff would dissipate (and probably condense out nearby), but in an entirely enclosed space you would need to deal with the hot material just as much as you would if it were solid.

[petersohn]

Maybe they are not actually digging a tunnel, but replacing the earth behind themselves.

[Divayth Fyr]

Er, no? Melting or vapourising something doesn't make it magically disappear--it just makes it much, much hotter. In open air the vapourised stuff would dissipate (and probably condense out nearby), but in an entirely enclosed space you would need to deal with the hot material just as much as you would if it were solid.
We were told that for a strong Heterodyne it will take about two hours to truly warp the laws of nature. Here we have a strong Heterodyne and the work of many lesser Sparks, so the train magically disposing of the stuff wouldn't exactly be out of the question...

[factotum]

Maybe they are not actually digging a tunnel, but replacing the earth behind themselves.

That's what I said I thought they were doing, but The Glyphstone disagreed?

@Divayth Fyr: Oh, I've no doubt something like that would be possible in the GG universe, but it seems to me that filling in the tunnel behind as it travels would make more sense and would be just as unachievable in real life--after all, a real-life earth moving machine travels at inches per hour, not the speeds this underground train is managing!

[BannedInSchool]

It could be compacting the earth into stable walls, but that would actually make Europa more stable, I think. :smallsmile:

[halfeye]

That's what I said I thought they were doing, but The Glyphstone disagreed?
IMHO He's probably correct.


@Divayth Fyr: Oh, I've no doubt something like that would be possible in the GG universe,
Which is exactly the universe in question.


but it seems to me that filling in the tunnel behind as it travels would make more sense and would be just as unachievable in real life--after all, a real-life earth moving machine travels at inches per hour, not the speeds this underground train is managing!
They leave behind double tracked, ventilated tunnels.

This seems to be single tracked, and is in the GG universe. If the result is a coherent system of underground rail routes that ordinary trains can travel, that will be a huge improvement over the current wrecked and surrounded overland rail network.

It seems to me that this is the Beast's powerset with a Corbetite mind at the controls, and is a potentially hugely good thing for Europa, though not necessarily that story relevant. What the ex-Beast becomes in its contained state might be interesting, if it isn't simply dropped, which maybe it should be.

[memnarch]

The comic you will try to remember after reading the latest one (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20140618). :smallbiggrin:

[Egneil]

And now we know why the Dreen are so powerful. With the power to look at time differently they can seemingly look into the future and likely avoid attacks.

Alternatively they might be able to move through time and thus move their past or future selves to the present to take a powerful blow to a time where they can heal it off.

[Qwertystop]

And now we know why the Dreen are so powerful. With the power to look at time differently they can seemingly look into the future and likely avoid attacks.

Alternatively they might be able to move through time and thus move their past or future selves to the present to take a powerful blow to a time where they can heal it off.

Alternately, all of their abilities might not stem from one thing. They can be from outside of time, while also being quite agile and strong for unrelated reasons.

Odd, though - the description in terms of centimeters made me think they would be significantly smaller than a person. I suppose metric doesn't really have an equivalent for feet to use for moderate distances, though.

[Temporal Echo]

Now THIS should be interesting. Even Bang is scared!

[Grey_Wolf_c]

The comic you will try to remember after reading the latest one (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20140618). :smallbiggrin:

Thank you for tracking that down. I had completely forgotten that trip even happened, much less any clues given in it.

Edit: it also explains why the Dreen are unstoppable. It would be like trying to run over with a train a creature that can step off the rails at will.

GW

[Marcelinari]

Hmm. How many Dreen have we seen at once in the Wulfenbachs' employ? No more than 2, I think.

Given that they seem to be the 'angels from beyond time', of which there were 'dozens', how many are wandering around as terrifying and unstoppable free agents?

[anon62453]

Hmm. How many Dreen have we seen at once in the Wulfenbachs' employ? No more than 2, I think.

Given that they seem to be the 'angels from beyond time', of which there were 'dozens', how many are wandering around as terrifying and unstoppable free agents?

The question I had is why hasn’t the Baron used them more often? Heck, why didn’t he unleash them on the Knights of Jove or in Stürmhälten? What’s the drawback to using them more often (I mean the Baron is supposed to know the right monster for the job)?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Hmm. How many Dreen have we seen at once in the Wulfenbachs' employ? No more than 2, I think.

For all we know, there is only one Dreen in total, who just happens to have intersected with our timeline in the same spots more than once.

GW

[Porthos]

Oh. ****! How the HELL did none of us see that coming! :smalleek::smalleek:

The patented Foglio curveball strikes and strikes HARD!!!!:smalleek:


The comic you will try to remember after reading the latest one (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20140618). :smallbiggrin:

I just reread it yesterday, too! I mean, HOLY ****!! I am in awe, I tell you. :smallbiggrin:

[Temporal Echo]

The question I had is why hasn’t the Baron used them more often? Heck, why didn’t he unleash them on the Knights of Jove or in Stürmhälten? What’s the drawback to using them more often (I mean the Baron is supposed to know the right monster for the job)?

I would say that it just goes to show how important the situations involving the Dreen are. A town full of wasped people you can easily obliterate, but the Dreen have only been used when a Heterodyne or the Other is involved. The first time they were mentioned was when Klaus wanted them to guard Punch and Judy. We didn't see them again until he sends one after post-Other Agatha during the siege when everything/everyone else is occupied with his entire army.

Now we find out that there are 'free' Dreen and that they have a unique perception of time which is something that, considering Agatha's future, could be invaluable to stopping the Other. Perhaps he wants to use them sparingly to avoid giving anyone a chance to figure out exactly how they work and how you can counter them before he can finish off the Other.

Also, we are left with a good question; was that Dreen imprisoned by the monks or was it just waiting there to push Gil to Paris and control the situation?

[Radar]

Since I got the jaw-droping out of my system before writing this post, I'll get right to the point:

1. Concerning the Dreen and the Baron you all assume he was controling them, while it might not have been so. Maybe they simply lent Baron a hand in serious cases and if he tried to use them in trivial (at least from their perspective) situations, they would refuse.

2. I think Du Pree has aquired an aversion to pastry for a completly unknown reason. :smalltongue:

[Emperordaniel]

Also, we are left with a good question; was that Dreen imprisoned by the monks or was it just waiting there to push Gil to Paris and control the situation?

Considering we first saw that Dreen in the Beast-wrecked basement of the monastery, I believe it used to be one of their prisoners. How they ever managed to pull that off remains a mystery.

Also, is anyone else mentally screaming their head off in terror right now?

[Lizard Lord]

Considering we first saw that Dreen in the Beast-wrecked basement of the monastery, I believe it used to be one of their prisoners. How they ever managed to pull that off remains a mystery.



Maybe it just let them think they did but in fact was just waiting in place until it knew it would be needed.



Also, is anyone else mentally screaming their head off in terror right now?
I am.

[The Mormegil]

Oh. ****! How the HELL did none of us see that coming! :smalleek::smalleek:

The patented Foglio curveball strikes and strikes HARD!!!!:smalleek:



I just reread it yesterday, too! I mean, HOLY ****!! I am in awe, I tell you. :smallbiggrin:

Actually I did. One of the first comics ever had a Dreen in a time window. I thought it was likely they were related to time travel. Then, when the hats were referenced, I just put 2+2 together.

[Emperordaniel]

Actually I did. One of the first comics ever had a Dreen in a time window.

Wait, what? To me, that's pretty clearly not a Dreen. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021111) :smallconfused:

[PePe QuiCoSE]

Actually I did. One of the first comics ever had a Dreen in a time window. I thought it was likely they were related to time travel. Then, when the hats were referenced, I just put 2+2 together.You know you are going to get called on that, right?

You mean this comic (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021111#.VVWdyUa6_S8)? I took it to be clankcrezia (and never read something suggesting otherwise, but haven't read much.

There is hardly any clues in the comic about the dreen to link them that way (dunno about the novel though). And hell, if the "hats" thing was a reference, I would have first guessed that the Jaegers were the time travelers.

[datalaughing]

I think the more relevant question here is, what are the Dreen's motives? If they came from outside of our temporal frame of reference in the same way as the freaky giant monster is coming, then are they trying to help it get in? Do they want to stop it from getting in? Why? Because, depending on what exactly they're after here, Gil might not want to listen to this one. In fact, why would any of them work for the Baron in the first place?

[tonberrian]

Oh. ****! How the HELL did none of us see that coming! :smalleek::smalleek:

The patented Foglio curveball strikes and strikes HARD!!!!:smalleek:



I just reread it yesterday, too! I mean, HOLY ****!! I am in awe, I tell you. :smallbiggrin:

I did! I have a post in the last thread about it, too.


Hrmm. I wonder if the Dreen are the funny things that came the last time time was meddled with.

[datalaughing]

And now that I think about it, second most important question: Did Gil just discover the way to save Mechanicsburg? They don't seem to think that big guy is going to be effected by the time stop field once he gets into the human world. So if he's immune to it, would the Dreen be also? Could Gil just send one of them in to destroy the Baron's device?

[HandofShadows]

Ok, I think folks that we have just seen an excellent piece of writing. :smallcool: :smallbiggrin:

[GorinichSerpant]

Right up until Europa is entirely undermined and caves in on itself due to the thousands of tunnels criss-crossing its underground.

While the mole person in question is wise, he's not particularly smart.

[The Mormegil]

Wait, what? To me, that's pretty clearly not a Dreen. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021111) :smallconfused:

I still think that's what Dreen look like under the hat. Might not be, but that's what I (maybe erroneously) thought.

[danelsan]

Damn, I'm pretty lost regarding the big overarching time-shenanigans plot in this comic. I don't even recall if it has anything to do with the whole The Other plot or not. I'll probably have to re-read the whole thing, if I ever find the time for the gazillion pages involved in that endeavor...

[eee]

Considering we first saw that Dreen in the Beast-wrecked basement of the monastery, I believe it used to be one of their prisoners. How they ever managed to pull that off remains a mystery.

Also, is anyone else mentally screaming their head off in terror right now?

More in awe at the Foglios' story telling skills. That's impressive.

It would be terror if the Dreen were working for the Other, or out to destroy the world, or were hostile. We don't know enough to regard this as fearful.

Yet.

[tonberrian]

Damn, I'm pretty lost regarding the big overarching time-shenanigans plot in this comic. I don't even recall if it has anything to do with the whole The Other plot or not. I'll probably have to re-read the whole thing, if I ever find the time for the gazillion pages involved in that endeavor...

Mostly, all we've got solid info on is what we assume is Clankrezia (with a funny hat) and Agatha, Gil, a Geister, and von Zinzer have appeared in time windows. The ones with Agatha et. al. definitely are, because we haven't seen the scene from the other side yet. The one with Clankrezia(?) might be - it looks similar, but we don't know much at all.

I think the most important question, though, is why this Dreen cares enough to tell Gil that Agatha is going to be in Paris.

[factotum]

I still think that's what Dreen look like under the hat. Might not be, but that's what I (maybe erroneously) thought.

I think the image pretty clearly shows a metallic texture to skin, which Dreen don't have--compare the hands in that picture with the Dreen's hands today, which are not inside its hat and can be assumed to be its actual hands. Plus, the person in the time window is using a more normal font, not the shaky-text characteristic of the Dreen.

[tonberrian]

Looking back, the last Dreen we met was also focused on Agatha. I wonder why.

[Giggling Ghast]

What does 'tangential to time' mean? Are they aware of their entire timeline, including the future? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

What does 'tangential to time' mean? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept.

Imagine there is one more dimension, inaccessible to you but accessible to the Dreen, that operates like time but (like all other dimension) it is tangentially orthodox to time. That means that a creature capable of perceiving both of those dimensions can choose to move in one, the other, or both. From your "single time dimension" perspective, that means the Dreen can move in frozen time (because it is traversing the other time dimension), or even disappear completely.

Alternatively, imagine that you are a train. Time dimension is your tracks: you move along it, and you can't leave them. The Dreen are like a car: they can follow the tracks, or they can leave the tracks to explore the lands around them.

Grey Wolf

[Aquillion]

You know you are going to get called on that, right?

You mean this comic (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021111#.VVWdyUa6_S8)? I took it to be clankcrezia (and never read something suggesting otherwise, but haven't read much.It has Lucrezia's lips, so most people have assumed it's her (especially since it's implied the time windows are her tech.) We don't have any real confirmation, though.

[eee]

What does 'tangential to time' mean? Are they aware of their entire timeline, including the future? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept.

It's like the Watchmen character Dr. Manhatten. He knew his past and future as if it were a book he'd read before. He could talk about what was coming on the next page, or remember events on previous pages; but he couldn't change anything or skip parts of the book, he had to read each word in sequence.

[Porthos]

According to the Wiki (and WoG) (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/Dreen), the first verified time we saw the Dreen was when they were fighting the Slaver Wasps on Castle Wulfenback (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040702) waaaaaaaaaaay back in the print comic days.

Also, according to the first novelization, the Dreen are one of the only things that the Slaver Wasps were truly afraid of in that fight. Makes sense, knowing what we know of them.

[Lethologica]

It's like the Watchmen character Dr. Manhatten. He knew his past and future as if it were a book he'd read before. He could talk about what was coming on the next page, or remember events on previous pages; but he couldn't change anything or skip parts of the book, he had to read each word in sequence.
Not necessarily. A time-traveller doesn't have to know what he's going to do when he travels back into the past. Manhattan's omniscience is a special case.

[Zazu Yen]

Wait... conical hats, omniscience, the Winslow... the Dreen are Prime Movers!

http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080925

[RebelRogue]

Wait... conical hats, omniscience, the Winslow... the Dreen are Prime Movers!

http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080925
http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/TheChaos0/mind-blown-2.gif

[Aquatosic]

They sure look a lot different this time around. less robotic, more alien

[Fralex]

According to the Wiki (and WoG) (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/Dreen), the first verified time we saw the Dreen was when they were fighting the Slaver Wasps on Castle Wulfenback (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040702) waaaaaaaaaaay back in the print comic days.

Also, according to the first novelization, the Dreen are one of the only things that the Slaver Wasps were truly afraid of in that fight. Makes sense, knowing what we know of them.

"They killed with but a touch, and they alone seemed to scare the Slaver wasps. Everywhere they drifted, a circle of emptiness opened around them as wasps desperately tried to escape."

[tonberrian]

Makes me think that the Dreen were active during the Other War. I'm thinking there's a connection between the Dreen and the wasps.

[Grim Portent]

Makes me think that the Dreen were active during the Other War. I'm thinking there's a connection between the Dreen and the wasps.

Depending on what time/dimensional shenanigans happen with Agatha and Lucrezia it's entirely possible the slaver wasps fought the Dreen sometime in the future before being brought back in time and now have a sort of retroactive racial fear.

[RowenMorland]

Wait... conical hats, omniscience, the Winslow... the Dreen are Prime Movers!

http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080925

That lettering :smalleek:

As far as the time windows go, we have someone who looks like The Other dressed as a Dreen in one and Gil dressed as a geisterdamen in another. Some intriguing hints.

[Emperordaniel]

And of course the monks' neutrality laws meant Martellus had to be on the train with them.

Though I am looking forward to seeing the antics of Squashy and the Beast. :smalltongue:

[Qwertystop]

And of course the monks' neutrality laws meant Martellus had to be on the train with them.

Though I am looking forward to seeing the antics of Squashy and the Beast. :smalltongue:

Agreed on point two.

[Aquillion]

I'm just a bit annoyed that they continue to have Agatha interacting with him without even, you know, mentioning the way he poisoned her. I would expect that to be a higher priority for her.

[Rodin]

I'm just a bit annoyed that they continue to have Agatha interacting with him without even, you know, mentioning the way he poisoned her. I would expect that to be a higher priority for her.

Agreed.

One justification I can think of is that they know Martellus won't remove it himself (it's the only insurance he has, and too powerful a control mechanism to give up for virtually any reason) and equally they can't kill him until they can get rid of it themselves. Ergo, there's not much point talking about it.

I suppose they could try to get him to start monologuing about it. He's probably too savvy to fall for that though.

[factotum]

Well, this just goes to show about the Beast: anyone who hates Martellus can't be all bad. :smallwink:

[Aquillion]

Agreed.

One justification I can think of is that they know Martellus won't remove it himself (it's the only insurance he has, and too powerful a control mechanism to give up for virtually any reason) and equally they can't kill him until they can get rid of it themselves. Ergo, there's not much point talking about it.

I suppose they could try to get him to start monologuing about it. He's probably too savvy to fall for that though.

They totally can kill him. They have the weasel, which is sufficient to figure out what he did once they have a better lab. Alternatively, they could cripple him; breaking his vertebrae just below his neck or removing his limbs will eliminate him as a threat completely (based on previous behavior, the house would immediately discard him) -- killing and reviving him would work even better, since it would remove him from the line of succession. Reviving just his head would be best, but I'm not sure they can manage that.

None of these things are necessarily irreversible in the Girl Genius universe, even (aside from reviving him, which would take him out of succession permanently.) It would just remove his ability to meaningfully assert his long-term goals by stripping him of his position in his house and taking him out of the running as a contender for the position of Storm King. He's not like Tarvek; there's been no hint that he has any long-term goals beyond enslaving Agatha in the service of world conquest. I mean, I don't like most of those options, but again, they're not as severe as they are in the real world -- he's a smart boy, he can reverse most damage if they give him a chance.

[Traab]

They totally can kill him. They have the weasel, which is sufficient to figure out what he did once they have a better lab. Alternatively, they could cripple him; breaking his vertebrae just below his neck or removing his limbs will eliminate him as a threat completely (based on previous behavior, the house would immediately discard him) -- killing and reviving him would work even better, since it would remove him from the line of succession. Reviving just his head would be best, but I'm not sure they can manage that.

None of these things are necessarily irreversible in the Girl Genius universe, even (aside from reviving him, which would take him out of succession permanently.) It would just remove his ability to meaningfully assert his long-term goals by stripping him of his position in his house and taking him out of the running as a contender for the position of Storm King. He's not like Tarvek; there's been no hint that he has any long-term goals beyond enslaving Agatha in the service of world conquest. I mean, I don't like most of those options, but again, they're not as severe as they are in the real world -- he's a smart boy, he can reverse most damage if they give him a chance.

Too be fair, they already "discarded" martellus once. He came back and slaughtered his way back to power in under a week. I dont think using the revival option would do much to slow him down. He doesnt care much about rules, just about attaining his goals.

[petersohn]

It seems that Agatha just realized that Martellus acts much like Dingbot!Beast. :smallbiggrin:

[sherlock]

In latest updates the Foglio's are really inspired.
One better than the other.
The Ding-Beast ... well, just like Agatha, I'm becoming quite fond of it.
And the exchange of words between Dimo and Wooster is simply ROTFL! I mean, the quiet smile of Wooster, while he admits that a kill gives a better taste to tea ... :biggrin:

[Aquatosic]

In latest updates the Foglio's are really inspired.
One better than the other.
The Ding-Beast ... well, just like Agatha, I'm becoming quite fond of it.
And the exchange of words between Dimo and Wooster is simply ROTFL! I mean, the quiet smile of Wooster, while he admits that a kill gives a better taste to tea ... :biggrin:

Can we get someone to impersonate James Bond and dub that over a random scene? Other than the sex scenes of course.

[Porthos]

Updated Comic.

Famous last words there in panel #3, Mr. Wooster. :smallwink:

As for the last panel, a nice piece of levity there. Turns out people who operate train routes really ARE the same all over the world. Even the ones staffed by a religious order, apparently. :smallamused:

[Emperordaniel]

What even is train oil that you get from a gift shop supposed to be? :smallconfused:

[factotum]

What even is train oil that you get from a gift shop supposed to be? :smallconfused:

Just regular oil you'd use for oiling door hinges, but about ten times the price because it's Corbettite (tm) branded? :smallwink:

[Grif]

I notice the Beast sitting quietly behind Agatha. Has it already accepted its fate (and master)?

[halfeye]

Can we get someone to impersonate James Bond and dub that over a random scene? Other than the sex scenes of course.
"Bond, Brooke Bond" Those TV Chimps have been doing that for decades (or have they stopped now? I stopped watching TV many years ago).

[eee]

What even is train oil that you get from a gift shop supposed to be? :smallconfused:

It's obviously the oil you get from squeezing the juice from trains. :smallbiggrin:

[Aquatosic]

"Bond, Brooke Bond" Those TV Chimps have been doing that for decades (or have they stopped now? I stopped watching TV many years ago).

Probably, though I bet you can find it on YouTube. I don't think they'd ever do this quote though

[Emperordaniel]

Uncolored early update. (http://girlgeniuscomic.livejournal.com/310144.html)

Paris, finally!

[Qwertystop]

The background poster looks familiar but I can't place it. Something about the hair/accessory, I think...

So, how do they work this brand-new train on a brand-new rail, which is on a direct line from the hub fortress to Paris' local subway system, into the schedule?

[Lizard Lord]

heh "Arr Rawr" :smallbiggrin:

[eee]

This bear speaks French! Without even trying! :smallbiggrin:

Martellus isn't around causing trouble. Hopefully the invisible hand of the legendary smoke knights has been applied, again, and that condition will last until Agatha & Co. have a chance to get out of sight. And also hopefully the 'business' he was talking about isn't forcing an alliance on the Master of Paris so that the whole city becomes yet another trap for them.

[The Glyphstone]

The Master of Paris has been built up over time as one seriously powerful dude. Even Baron Wulfenbach at his height left the Master and the city alone, to the point of letting Gil go there to study. I can't imagine Martellus being able to 'force' the Master to do anything. He rules Paris absolutely, and can keep it safe already, and doesn't seem to be interested in gaining more territory, so there's not much the Storm King can offer him as incentive either.

Not that any of this will stop Martellus from trying, of course.

[Porthos]

Huh. They actually made it to Paris relatively quickly. Even by non-GG standards. One side quest (or maybe two depending on how one wants to count it) that ultimately didn't take that long. Not bad at all.

...

Watch, they'll be stuck in the Paris Underground for a book and a half. :smalltongue:


The Master of Paris has been built up over time as one seriously powerful dude. Even Baron Wulfenbach at his height left the Master and the city alone, to the point of letting Gil go there to study. I can't imagine Martellus being able to 'force' the Master to do anything. He rules Paris absolutely, and can keep it safe already, and doesn't seem to be interested in gaining more territory, so there's not much the Storm King can offer him as incentive either.

Not that any of this will stop Martellus from trying, of course.
From what we saw of the Master of Paris in the Othar Twitter stories, I'd reckon you're right.

[factotum]

Wow. I never realised how massive this train was before--three storey carriages? :smalleek:

[Divayth Fyr]

This bear is truly the greatest bear. As for Martellus, isn't he the guy closest to the "Douane" sign?


Wow. I never realised how massive this train was before--three storey carriages? :smalleek:
It only means you weren't paying attention :P The original appearance (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20150403) showed that the locomotive is easily the height of six monks, and we already could see (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20150513) three rows of windows on the carriages.

[RebelRogue]

heh "Arr Rawr" :smallbiggrin:
That had me laughing far more than it should :smallbiggrin:

[thorgrim29]

Question is, why is the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon in the early 19th century, a thing in the GGverse? Also I don't think the Moulin Rouge ever was an actual windmill...

[HandofShadows]

We have never known when GG takes place. I have sometimes suspected it takes place in the Twentieth Century.

[Ailurus]

Question is, why is the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon in the early 19th century, a thing in the GGverse?

Doesn't seem out of place to me. Everything about GG level of technology screams late industrial revolution as a base. Granted, sparkiness likely accelerated the timeline some, but even Phil has said

But gaslamp fantasy is that kind of adventure... story pretty much unhampered by actual physical facts, or adheres to the physical facts that were known around the late 1800s....

(straight off the front page of the GG wiki (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/Girl_Genius))

And, even if it was slightly out of place timewise, it is still one of the most architecturally iconic bits of Paris. The only places I can recall off the top of my head that might be more famous than the Arc are the Louvre (also listed in an ad), Notre Dame (which might exist, but given the cultural hints we've had of Paris in the story it likely isn't a very popular place), and the Eiffel Tower which would be even more out of place since it was built 80 years after the Arc.

[eee]

The Master of Paris has been built up over time as one seriously powerful dude. Even Baron Wulfenbach at his height left the Master and the city alone, to the point of letting Gil go there to study. I can't imagine Martellus being able to 'force' the Master to do anything. He rules Paris absolutely, and can keep it safe already, and doesn't seem to be interested in gaining more territory, so there's not much the Storm King can offer him as incentive either.

Not that any of this will stop Martellus from trying, of course.

Klaus was concerned with keeping the peace and protecting his empire. The Master wasn't a threat to either and in fact had similar concerns. So they got along.

Martellus wants control of Europa. He can't allow independent powers to exist; they either have to be allies or destroyed. The Master would be a prime target; in fact, maybe the biggest target after Gil. If he can force the Irish Pope to come on board - and the fact that he could suggests he's got cards he's not showing - he certainly WOULD try with the Master.

Agatha may have to throw a wrench in his plans, again.


This bear is truly the greatest bear. As for Martellus, isn't he the guy closest to the "Douane" sign?

Could be. I don't think we've ever seen him from the back before. There IS something odd about that man's left hand...

[Aquatosic]

Could be. I don't think we've ever seen him from the back before. There IS something odd about that man's left hand...

He had to have it replaced near the beginning of the post-timeskip arcs right? Something to do with Agatha and that weasel, right?

[Ellen]

Doesn't seem out of place to me. Everything about GG level of technology screams late industrial revolution as a base. Granted, sparkiness likely accelerated the timeline some, but even Phil has said
(straight off the front page of the GG wiki (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/Girl_Genius))

And, even if it was slightly out of place timewise, it is still one of the most architecturally iconic bits of Paris. The only places I can recall off the top of my head that might be more famous than the Arc are the Louvre (also listed in an ad), Notre Dame (which might exist, but given the cultural hints we've had of Paris in the story it likely isn't a very popular place), and the Eiffel Tower which would be even more out of place since it was built 80 years after the Arc.

The way the GG universe works, the probably do have the Eiffel Tower. It's probably a gigantic clank ready to defend the city--or that attacked the city before being stopped and becoming a popular tourist spot (that Agatha will accidentally reactivate and send on a rampage. As it will boost souvenir sales, all will be forgiven).

[Ailurus]

The way the GG universe works, the probably do have the Eiffel Tower. It's probably a gigantic clank ready to defend the city--or that attacked the city before being stopped and becoming a popular tourist spot (that Agatha will accidentally reactivate and send on a rampage. As it will boost souvenir sales, all will be forgiven).

fair point. Though it does seem somewhat reminiscent of Mr. Tock, and we all know how well that worked out.

[Rodin]

fair point. Though it does seem somewhat reminiscent of Mr. Tock, and we all know how well that worked out.

It would probably be from the same era, like competing cathedrals. Paris has Monsieur Eiffel and famous croissants, Beetleburg has Mr. Tock and jam-filled "beetle" pastries. Try the beer.

[Emperordaniel]

Seeing as Agatha's brother died in what is most likely 1873 (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070810#.VV9RGk9Viko), and since Agatha - who was eighteen at the start of the comic - was born sometime around the time when he died, my personal headcanon is that the comic begins sometime in the early 1890s (possibly between 1892 and 1894, according to this unofficial timeline (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/Internal_Chronology)). Which would mean that, since we had a Timeskip of two and a half years, we'd currently be in late 1896 or so.

Also, this means that we're well enough advanced in the timeline to have both the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, hypothetically. :smalltongue:

[lord_khaine]

He had to have it replaced near the beginning of the post-timeskip arcs right? Something to do with Agatha and that weasel, right?

That was a seperate issue, some bastard stuck a poisoned knife into the last hand he had.
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20130524#.VV9VKEY2-q4

And else, with color we can now see that it is indeed everyones favorite King, that are with them in Paris.

[Narkis]

The background poster looks familiar but I can't place it. Something about the hair/accessory, I think...

The uncolored version reminded me of this: http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20051230#.VV9ZoUYgg6w
The colored one, not so much.

And I bet the Eiffel Tower is one giant Tesla Coil.

[BannedInSchool]

And I bet the Eiffel Tower is one giant Tesla Coil.
Someone was going to use it to blow up or call down the Moon, obviously. :smallsmile:

[NEO|Phyte]

And I bet the Eiffel Tower is one giant Tesla Coil.
Nothing like Red Alert 2 flashbacks.

[Grif]

And I bet the Eiffel Tower is one giant Tesla Coil.

Aw, now I'm going to be really disappointed if the Eiffel Tower isn't one giant tesla coil in the comic. :smallbiggrin::smalltongue:

[Traab]

Aw, now I'm going to be really disappointed if the Eiffel Tower isn't one giant tesla coil in the comic. :smallbiggrin::smalltongue:

Could be a giant faraday cage instead.

[The Glyphstone]

Or the focusing point for a giant beam cannon.

[Traab]

Framework for a spark trying to build a space shuttle?

[Aquatosic]

Primitive immaterial construct trap? That's what it was in The Real Ghostbusters

[Landis963]

Ooh, ooh! I know! Time machine! Stationary time machine that makes time windows into places and that people can't go through!

[BannedInSchool]

"It's just a radio tower. I know. I know. It disappoints all the tourists too."

[eee]

"It's just a radio tower. I know. I know. It disappoints all the tourists too."

The Tower WAS originally a showpiece for the 1889 Paris World's Fair. As such, it didn't do much except look good. It's been put to different uses since then, including a radio tower; but it still looks good!

(Actually, I'm not sure we've seen much about radio communications in the GG universe. Heliographs, couriers, semaphores: But not radio or telegraphy. How odd. Apparently that's too 'normal' for Sparks. Or they haven't discovered it yet. Or they have and they're holding it in reserve to show them, show them ALL!)

[Rodin]

If we consider the setup to the Revenge of the Weasel Queen stories to be canon, they do have radio at least since that's how the Foglios are broadcasting it.

Of course, that's a pretty big if. :smallbiggrin:

It would make sense that radio is about though. It just isn't trusted when there's a good chance your radio will try to eat your face, or the soundwaves will melt your brain, or....

[BannedInSchool]

The Tower WAS originally a showpiece for the 1889 Paris World's Fair. As such, it didn't do much except look good. It's been put to different uses since then, including a radio tower; but it still looks good!
AIUI, for a while in Paris, before it was considered a national landmark, people actually wanted it torn down because it was considered an eyesore and being a radio tower saved it from that fate.

[HandofShadows]

AIUI, for a while in Paris, before it was considered a national landmark, people actually wanted it torn down because it was considered an eyesore and being a radio tower saved it from that fate.

Very true. The tower was originally intended only to be around as long at the World Fair was going. Eiffel had other plans though. We have seen at least one other real world genius be a spark in GG. An Eiffel who was a spark would be REAL interesting. Hmmm. I wonder if we might meet him?

[BannedInSchool]

We have seen at least one other real world genius be a spark in GG. An Eiffel who was a spark would be REAL interesting. Hmmm. I wonder if we might meet him?
He could be convicted of fraud (unjustly) like the real Eiffel! :smallsmile: Hmm, we've had sparky artists and cooks...no Spark Lawyers? Heheheheheh.

[Aquatosic]

He could be convicted of fraud (unjustly) like the real Eiffel! :smallsmile: Hmm, we've had sparky artists and cooks...no Spark Lawyers? Heheheheheh.

You forgot sparky sociologists

[Corneel]

Very true. The tower was originally intended only to be around as long at the World Fair was going. Eiffel had other plans though. We have seen at least one other real world genius be a spark in GG. An Eiffel who was a spark would be REAL interesting. Hmmm. I wonder if we might meet him?Maybe we'll see him beneath the archway of aerodynamics?

[Porthos]

I... I can honestly say I was not expecting that. :smalleek:

....

:elan: would be so proud of it, though. :smallbiggrin:

[Ellen]

Given some of the stuff Agatha's seen . . . what on earth is he doing with that stick to make her look that horrified?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Given some of the stuff Agatha's seen . . . what on earth is he doing with that stick to make her look that horrified?

What, hitting the puppet representation of the most powerful, most short-tempered man in the world is not enough to be horrified? I suspect that those puppets would have been blasted to smithereens approximately two seconds after the first public rehearsal of that new show, if Klaus was still at large.

Grey Wolf

[The Glyphstone]

Which is an oddity in its own right, using a puppet of Klaus when Gil has been the 'Baron Wulfenbach' for 2 and a half years, and whose Empire is fractured. You'd think they would have updated the welcoming play to account for actual current events.

[factotum]

Maybe they don't have the budget to update it? Or else the Master of Paris knows what Klaus did to Gil and thus thinks the puppet doesn't actually need changing... :smalltongue:

[Porthos]

What, hitting the puppet representation of the most powerful, most short-tempered man in the world is not enough to be horrified? I suspect that those puppets would have been blasted to smithereens approximately two seconds after the first public rehearsal of that new show, if Klaus was still at large.

Grey Wolf

I don't know. One of the few inarguably good things that even Klaus skeptics like myself will admit is that he allowed all sorts of scurillous stuff to be said about his personage and rule. It's only when that backtalk turned into ignoring Klaus' Laws is when the Jägers were sent in.

In short, you could slag off Klaus all you wanted as long as you obeyed him.

(NOTE: There is also the minor matter that Paris is most explicitly outside of Pax Wulfenbachia and thus not subject to the dictates of Klaus Wulfenbach)

===

As for why it's Klaus and not Gil? Probably for many of the same reasons Klaus was seen as a buttmonkey of sorts in the Old Heterodyne Plays. He's a figure in the past as 'safer' to ridicule. We'll see if the next update shifts to commentary about Gil or not.

It could also be the Master of Paris saying that he was willing to defy Klaus when he was at his height (in the now perhaps seen as Good Ol' Days) and so all of you upstarts out there wouldn't even have a chance - so don't even think about it. :smallwink:

[Rodin]

I think it's most likely because Klaus is the "face" of the Empire. Everybody knows what he looks like because of all the time he spent with the Heterodyne Boys and subsequent appearances in Heterodyne shows.

In contrast, Gil was unknown enough that even people who had known him for years like Zola still didn't know he was a Wulfenbach.

[dogmac]

Certainly more interesting than the customs I've been through.

[Aquatosic]

Maybe it's just that I can't see the jaw lines, but the female puppet looks disturbingly realistic. I'm almost wondering if she used to be a person who was punished for breaking the peace.

[lord_khaine]

It could also be the Master of Paris saying that he was willing to defy Klaus when he was at his height (in the now perhaps seen as Good Ol' Days) and so all of you upstarts out there wouldn't even have a chance - so don't even think about it.

This most likely, Klaus at his height were most likely the most powerful person any regular person or spark could put a face on.

[HandofShadows]

I think the puppet show demonstrates something of the Master's personality. He's petty. As for Agatha's reaction while she might be fighting against Klaus, she never really considered him to be an enemy. (The Other fills that bill.) And when it comes down to it, she really has no problem with how Klaus ran things.

[eee]

I'm speechless! Almost. The idea of a puppet show to explain the customs of a city/nation to visitors: NATIONS OF THE WORLD, ARE YOU WATCHING???

And such good puppets they are. So that's what the Master of Paris looks like.


What, hitting the puppet representation of the most powerful, most short-tempered man in the world is not enough to be horrified? I suspect that those puppets would have been blasted to smithereens approximately two seconds after the first public rehearsal of that new show, if Klaus was still at large.

Grey Wolf

More likely he'd have shrugged it off, or been quietly amused. Klaus is very thick skinned: He doesn't care if he's depicted as the fool in Heterodyne plays, he don't care what people say about him, what he cares about is peace and order. Looking at it objectively, the Master is saying the same thing. "I don't care how powerful you are. MY city, MY rules, obey or you get the stick!"

I wonder how he's going to react to Agatha. It's not that she intentionally causes trouble - usually - but trouble follows her like a deluge.

[Divayth Fyr]

Aside from the Klaus stuff, now we know the Eiffel Tower exists, and it would seem to be the Master's residence.

[Traab]

I just had to be the first to put this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X81AoBcVnaA) here. Anyways, my money goes with, the master now feels more free to spout off about how awesome he is since the baron is gone. I picture it as two rival nations, both powerful enough to cause major problems to the other, so both have to tread relatively lightly around each other. Then the big strong ruler of one nation dies or vanishes and the unknown takes over, and is having his own problems. You no longer truly fear mocking them.

For an example, lets go with braveheart. Noone really wants to mess with England while longshanks is alive and well. Once his rather pathetic son took over though, I bet everyone around england wanted to poke at the borders and see what they could get away with.

[HandofShadows]

The Master IS living in the Tower it seems. (I had not noticed that). That really is a big step towards Eiffel being the Master (not proof yet) as in the real world after the Tower was built Eiffel, lived there for the rest of his life.

[Kislath]

When you see the new movie "Tomorrowland," you'll find out what the Eiffel Tower REALLY does! LOL

"um, this is new." I wonder if this part is REALLY, really new, as in, they somehow know the Baron was coming and changed the show a bit just for him.

[Porthos]

The Master IS living in the Tower it seems. (I had not noticed that). That really is a big step towards Eiffel being the Master (not proof yet) as in the real world after the Tower was built Eiffel, lived there for the rest of his life.

According to The Works (the non-canon card game released before the comic) the Master of Paris is...

"Simon Voltaire"

Which... could be interesting on a few levels if he follows his RL namesake at all. :smallsmile:

[Jimorian]

Exposition via puppet theatre. GG GG. :smallwink:

[Narkis]

According to The Works (the non-canon card game released before the comic) the Master of Paris is...

"Simon Voltaire"

Which... could be interesting on a few levels if he follows his RL namesake at all. :smallsmile:

How accurate has the card game been in the past?

[Porthos]

How accurate has the card game been in the past?

Mostly. Some character designs have changed here and there. And some of the early plots ideas hinted at in The Works (Gil becoming a villain for a while) were completely dropped and/or radically reworked very early on. But it's been more or less accurate. In broad strokes, at least. It's best viewed as a peek at the universe of GG when it was still in a formative stage. Things that appeared early on in the story are far more likely to be accurate than things that appeared years later (or are yet to appear). Hence the non-canon tag.

=====

Speaking of which, knowing that, in the early days at least, Gil was indeed going to take a stroll down the Dark Side (this was also hinted at in the the Secret Blueprints) and that Klaus was supposed to be killed outright early on, one can sorta see it how it would have played out in the Long Term Metastory.

There are echos of it with Klaus being removed from the story by getting trapped in the time bubble (instead of getting killed far earlier). Gil being forced to rule the Empire with a copy of daddy in his head and his slightly psycho behavior because of his refusal to sleep is, in a way, having Gil serve the narrative role of being a villain without actually being one. The wedge that was supposed to be driven between Gil and Agatha is still present, if different. Just goes to show that one can still have a (Very) Long Term Metaplot and make numerous changes along the way.

[eschmenk]

2015-05-27 Update (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20150527): OK, the Master's name is Voltaire, as with The Works card. Why do the Parisian puppets (but not the Klaus one) have such dark skin? Tanning beds? Background radiation? Artistic license on the part of the puppeteers?


Parnassus - (Greek mythology) a mountain in central Greece where (according to Greek mythology) the Muses lived; known as the mythological home of music and poetry; "Liakoura is the modern name of Mount Parnassus"
link (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Parnassus)

[thorgrim29]

Also Montparnasse is a district in Paris (I think because revolution-era french leaders had a HUGE boner for everything vaguely greek or roman).

[eee]

RE the Klaus puppet: The Master may expect him to come back, so why switch to a Gil puppet?

I would imagine the Master already knows Agatha is in Paris and she's going to be under constant observation. Maybe she should just go and ask to see him. If not, they're probably going to have to find a place to stay. I wonder what their plans are.

[Grim Portent]

2015-05-27 Update (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20150527): OK, the Master's name is Voltaire, as with The Works card. Why do the Parisian puppets (but not the Klaus one) have such dark skin? Tanning beds? Background radiation? Artistic license on the part of the puppeteers?


link (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Parnassus)

Well the implication is that those puppets weren't built, but rather used to be people who committed some wrongdoing and were punished for it by being used as parts for artistic projects, so that's probably their natural skin colour.

The skintone is probably meant to reinforce that Paris is a multicultural haven that has a population composed of people from numerous parts of the world gathered together in a somewhat dystopian society focused on art and creation and ruled by a tyrannical dictator.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Why do the Parisian puppets (but not the Klaus one) have such dark skin? Tanning beds? Background radiation? Artistic license on the part of the puppeteers?

IRL, France had a lot of colonies in Africa and the Caribbean, and relatively little racism, so a lot of French citizens have been black or mixed blood. Probably the most famous would be Alexandre Dumas, whose father was a nobleman, a high ranking military, and son of a black slave. The latter seem to have marked him not at all.

In GG, it seems this has been exaggerated, which is fine by me.

Grey Wolf

[factotum]

Wow. Amazing how menacing a cartoon puppet can be... :smalleek:

[Kislath]

Whoa! Somebody sure called it on Monday; these puppets used to be PEOPLE!

[eee]

RE the Master's threat to deal harshly with anyone who causes trouble in Paris: I doubt this is anything Agatha didn't expect. Remember, she used to be the student (and according to the novels, secretary) of Dr. Beetle; and you broke the law in Beetleburg, you'd be sealed in a giant glass bottle so people could watch you die slow and horrible. Klaus' SOP was/is "DON'T make me come over there!"; and if they DID make him come over there, they regretted it. And she herself told the prisoners in Castle Heterodyne they'd get the full force of her killer castle on the backs of their necks if they didn't obey her. Absolute monarchs are absolute.

I also doubt the Master is prepared for the kind of trouble Agatha is going to create just by being in his city, though.

[SlyGuyMcFly]

I can't wait to see what kind of clusterfluffle Agatha manages to get Paris involved in. Then again, maybe this time she manages go to a town, stay there a bit, and leave without the town going up in flames (or worse) by the time she leaves. :smallamused:


Oh, who am I kidding. Paris is doomed.

[Aquatosic]

I can't wait to see what kind of clusterfluffle Agatha manages to get Paris involved in. Then again, maybe this time she manages go to a town, stay there a bit, and leave without the town going up in flames (or worse) by the time she leaves. :smallamused:


Oh, who am I kidding. Paris is doomed.

And I can't wait to see her kick the Master's smarmy butt.

[The Glyphstone]

...Maybe the Master is actually a friendly, charming, and inviting person? Our only sources as to his demeanor so far are a puppet show designed to intimidate visitors into not causing trouble, and Othar who is Othar.

[Traab]

...Maybe the Master is actually a friendly, charming, and inviting person? Our only sources as to his demeanor so far are a puppet show designed to intimidate visitors into not causing trouble, and Othar who is Othar.

Considering his city is pretty much THE tourist destination for all sorts of people including academics, party lovers, and dilettantes of all shapes and sizes, I would imagine he probably is. His town is pretty clearly not run by fear or else it wouldnt be so popular. I imagine its actually more of a pax transylvania theme small scale. "Dont make me come over there" Follow the simple rules and you will never have a problem with him. Break the peace and there WILL be a problem.

[Narkis]

...Maybe the Master is actually a friendly, charming, and inviting person? Our only sources as to his demeanor so far are a puppet show designed to intimidate visitors into not causing trouble, and Othar who is Othar.

I actually thought he was fairly likeable in his dealings with Othar.

[eschmenk]

...Maybe the Master is actually a friendly, charming, and inviting person?
What would be the fun in that? :smallwink:

Based mostly on Othar's tweets, I expect him to be rather like Terry Pratchett's Discworld character Havelock Vetinari (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havelock_Vetinari). Similarities: incredibly intelligent; benevolent tyrant; not really "likeable" because he won't allow anyone to get close enough to him; prefers to operate in the shadows; generally tolerant, but ruthless towards anything that threatens his control; believes that the end justifies the means and sometimes (other) people need to make sacrifices for the greater good; very manipulative; generally plays people against each other rather than confront them directly; pragmatic; Machiavellian; has an incredible intelligence network.

The thing that would make Vetinari different than a spark is that he doesn't seem to need to create things. I get the impression that the Master does create art or things that enable it or showcase it. That's probably the biggest difference between the two that I can think of. Another is that Vetinari probably thinks that art is generally superfluous and he hates mimes, but I think the Master of Paris loves art and would support mimes as performance art.

FWIW, Bloody Stupid Johnson (http://discworld.wikia.com/wiki/Bloody_Stupid_Johnson), the architect who designed some of the things at Vetinari's palace, seems to have been more like a spark, though. Also, there is Leonard of Quirm, who Vetinari keeps in his dungeon, but he's not really mad enough to be a spark.

[Porthos]

Snerk. :smallamused:

That is all I have to say, really. :smallsmile:

[Ailurus]

It is a verra nize hat.

Of course, we may also be seeing an angry visit to a haberdasher soon, and/or a discussion on royalties

[eee]

It is a verra nize hat.

Of course, we may also be seeing an angry visit to a haberdasher soon, and/or a discussion on royalties


Royalties? Maybe not. Agatha doesn't focus on money much.

Using her name without permission? That's probably going to rankle a bit, but she IS a public figure. And she's not like her forefathers, who would lay waste countrysides for minor matters.

Showing her bare shouldered and wearing nothing but a sheet and hat? Somebody's going to die. O_O;

(It HAS been 2.5 years since Mechanicsbuerg was frozen. The public and Paris hat makers may not even know Agatha's out and about. She may not have to visit them, they may come running to her to beg forgiveness. And get marketing deals...)

[Landis963]

If anything, she should be in that dress from her Sturmhalten debut, just, you know, recolored to match the hat. Just putting her in a sheet doesn't really do her (or the hat) justice.

[multilis]

If anything, she should be in that dress from her Sturmhalten debut, just, you know, recolored to match the hat. Just putting her in a sheet doesn't really do her (or the hat) justice.
There is a time when advertisers use pretty girl in nize dress, and a time when they use word "sin" and suggestion "just drop the sheet and she would be naked". It is quite ironic that this sort of advertising may bother Gil more than Agatha.

[Ellen]

I'm getting a not-quite-human vibe off the master. It may just be the scary sparkiness. Unless he's a Drow. . . .

[Emperordaniel]

I think I laughed out loud when I saw Gil and Agatha on the opera poster there. :smalltongue:

[Lethologica]

Black Market, that way! :smallamused:

[factotum]

So, is *all* of Paris in an underground cavern, or just the bit around the train station?

[The Glyphstone]

Probably just the bits near the station - after all, we know the Eiffel Tower exists. Though I suppose that could also, technically, fit inside a big enough cavern.

[Traab]

Probably just the bits near the station - after all, we know the Eiffel Tower exists. Though I suppose that could also, technically, fit inside a big enough cavern.

There is absolutely no reason that a spark wouldnt have been able to trigger an earthquake so powerful it dropped all of paris into an underground cavern. Think of it like that mythical earthquake in demolition man that sank half of los angeles. You can see it underground in the museum, mostly intact.

[halfeye]

There is absolutely no reason that a spark wouldnt have been able to trigger an earthquake so powerful it dropped all of paris into an underground cavern. Think of it like that mythical earthquake in demolition man that sank half of los angeles. You can see it underground in the museum, mostly intact.
Dropping it into a hole is one thing, putting a stable roof over it is another thing entirely.

[Traab]

Dropping it into a hole is one thing, putting a stable roof over it is another thing entirely.

Pfft, putting a stable roof over it would be a necessity. Noone wants to risk getting into a fight where your opponent always has the high ground! It may have even been the Master who did that part. He found a way to protect paris and gained control of the city because of it!

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Pfft, putting a stable roof over it would be a necessity. Noone wants to risk getting into a fight where your opponent always has the high ground! It may have even been the Master who did that part. He found a way to protect paris and gained control of the city because of it!

Stalactites average growth rate is 0.13 mm (0.0051 inches) a year. The quickest growing stalactites are those formed by fast-flowing water rich in calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide, these can grow at 3 mm (0.12 inches) per year. [source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalactite)]

GW

[Divayth Fyr]

Stalactites average growth rate is 0.13 mm (0.0051 inches) a year. The quickest growing stalactites are those formed by fast-flowing water rich in calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide, these can grow at 3 mm (0.12 inches) per year. [source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalactite)]

GW
This is a world of mad science - for all we know these stalactites grew overnight.

[Traab]

This is a world of mad science - for all we know these stalactites grew overnight.

Yeah, you really cant rely on science in a comic about SCIENCE!!!!

[halfeye]

Yeah, you really cant rely on science in a comic about SCIENCE!!!!
However, are they enough to hold the roof up?

[Radar]

This is a world of mad science - for all we know these stalactites grew overnight.
We already witnessed a stalagmite gun (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20081027#.VWyC91ex5z4), so stalactites shouldn't be out of reach.

Haven't we seen outdoor Paris in some flashbacks though? I thought that there were some shots during either Gil's or Tarvek's tales from Paris.

[eschmenk]

We already witnessed a
Haven't we seen outdoor Paris in some flashbacks though? I thought that there were some shots during either Gil's or Tarvek's tales from Paris.
This (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090918) is from Tarvek's. Some scenes look outdoors. Also there was a moon above the Arc de Triomphe in the mural of it in train station. The Red Mill in the Moulon Rouge mural (misspelled as "Moulan", BTW) also seemed to be outdoors. All of that could be fake skies, though (I'm pretty sure the stars behind Gil and Bang in the flashback were painted), so I wouldn't say it's absolutely certain yet, but it looks like much of Paris is above ground.

ADDED: Also, there was some uncolored artwork of the Black Market displayed during the recent Kickstarter campaign. That looks like an open-sided roofed building that seems to be above ground. For some reason, the forum keeps changing URL when I tried to make a clickable link to the artwork, so you will have to look on the Kickstarter page (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/girlgenius/girl-genius-graphic-novel-a-new-journey-begins/description) for the "travel stickers".

[BRC]

They did come in through an underground station. My guess is that Paris has a substantial undercity, as well as a city on the surface.

[thorgrim29]

The Red Mill in the Moulon Rouge mural (misspelled as "Moulan", BTW)

Moulin actually:smallwink:

[Grey_Wolf_c]

(I'm pretty sure the stars behind Gil and Bang in the flashback were painted)

I don't think those aren't stars: they look more like strings of beads to me. They seem to be under a pavilion of some kind. Unless you are referring to some other flashback.

GW