Girl Genius XXXII: The scientific method at work!

[Manga Shoggoth]

It is a world ruled by Mad Science! Things happen. Usually, they happen to other people. This is entertainment. That's when the front door gets blown in- And you belatedly realize that, once again, you are doomed to be the entertainment in another exciting installment of: GIRL GENIUS (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php)!

Many elegant, finely-crafted, and vintage links follow:

Links to Previous Threads
Girl Genius! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4818) (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)
Girl Genius XVIII: Invisible Hand of the Legendary Smoke Knights (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?412897)
Girl Genius XIX: Worth a Third of Your Grade (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?458545)
Girl Genius XX: Endothermic Life Forms Are Inherently Heretical (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?488904)
Girl Genius XXI: Cancel the Jugglers (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?510316)
Girl Genius XXII: Paris Needs Pants (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?529521-Girl-Genius-XXII-Paris-Needs-Pants)
Girl Genius XXIII: Screaming, Ranting and Egregious Violence (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?554543-Girl-Genius-XXIII-Screaming-Ranting-and-Egregious-Violence)
Girl Genius XXIV: Ask Vit a Bit More Terror (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?567668-Girl-Genius-XXIV-Ask-Vit-a-Bit-More-Terror)
Girl Genius XXV: It needs work! BUT THE CONCEPT IS SOUND! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?579254-Girl-Genius-XXV-It-needs-work!-BUT-THE-CONCEPT-IS-SOUND!)
Girl Genius XXVI: Madness is the best possible response (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?593272-Girl-Genius-XXVI-Madness-is-the-best-possible-response)
Girl Genius XXVII: Hoy! Hennybody else not dead? (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?607417-Girl-Genius-XXVII-Hoy!-Hennybody-else-not-dead)
Girl Genius XXVIII: Dancink! Ve is here for de dancink! (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?619421-Girl-Genius-XXVIII-Dancink!-Ve-is-here-for-de-dancink!)
Girl Genius XXIX: A giant corkboard of continuity madness (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?628598-Girl-Genius-XXIX-A-giant-corkboard-of-continuity-madness)
Girl Genius: XXXenophile Edition (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?637669-Girl-Genius-XXXenophile-Edition)
Girl Genius XXXI: Let’s look at it from farther away! (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?646352-Girl-Genius-XXXI-Let%92s-look-at-it-from-farther-away!)
Girl Genius XXXII: The scientific method at work! (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?656676-Girl-Genius-XXXII-The-scientific-method-at-work!)


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, usually 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/) (No longer being updated as of Mid-May, 2017)
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. (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Webcomic/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
(The Foglios also provide some links at the bottom of the comic pages)
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)

====

Q: What is this "Sneaky Gate" y'alls go on about?

Sneaky gate: Named from this hidden gate in comic (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20071219), it has become a name for viewing new comics early. Remember, if you're going to discuss the new comic, put it in spoiler boxes until the release time (12am EST).

Sneaky Gate 101:

Right click the comic image.
Select view image or copy paste the image location into the address bar.
Modify the date to be the day you're trying to look at. (ex. 20120111 -> 20120113)
Go to the modified url.
Be disappointed when there's no early comic to read.
Alternately, enjoy the comic!

[Thales]

Inexplicably, the last thread never marked as read for me. This one did immediately, though. Was this the case for anyone else?

[wingnutx]

Tagging this thread... FOR SCIENCE!

[Shining Wrath]

Prediction as to tomorrow?
I'm guessing Hector shows up with Iram Solis because not as dumb as he looks. Also, he walked through a wall because ghost.

[Agi Hammerthief]

for Science!
Eccentric science is best science.

edit: and now we see eccentric science at work :smallbiggrin:

[Kantaki]

New comic

"We must be careful. Everything could be trapped."
Immediately grabs shiny thing
Guess Prof. Wyrmhaut is a PC.:smallamused:

Also, Franz is weird by monster standards.
Well, that's Mechanicsburg for you.
Must be something in the water.:smalltongue:

[Shining Wrath]

"Gimme gimme gimme click". This will not end well.

[Erik the Green]

Imagine the "Oh Dear, How Sad, Never Mind" gif here. Really, though-even Zola had a more reasonable arrogance to ability ratio. Any thoughts before Monday regarding scorched vs scorched and dead vs nothing but a smoking pair of boots left? Prof. KnowItAll must really want to make a really big batch of S'Mores if she needs the Iram Solis that bad...

[Rockphed]

Imagine the "Oh Dear, How Sad, Never Mind" gif here. Really, though-even Zola had a more reasonable arrogance to ability ratio. Any thoughts before Monday regarding scorched vs scorched and dead vs nothing but a smoking pair of boots left? Prof. KnowItAll must really want to make a really big batch of S'Mores if she needs the Iram Solis that bad...

Little miss tenure will be possessed by Hydroargyros and start to morph into a female dragon bent on replacing humans with her twisted progeny.

[Shining Wrath]

Franz will save her, being a dragon he's likely partially immune to a dragon's booby-trap.
Then Von Hautwyrm will repay the favor by trying to kill the vulnerable Franz, because yes she is a scenery chewing nasty villain.

[Fyraltari]

To be fair, the dragon's corpse really ought to be the safest place in the room. How he managed to die ontop of a still-armed trap is likely to be a mystery for the ages.

[Divayth Fyr]

To be fair, the dragon's corpse really ought to be the safest place in the room. How he managed to die ontop of a still-armed trap is likely to be a mystery for the ages.
Poison? Ranged weaponry (whatshisface the corpse had a gun in a flashback)?

[Fyraltari]

Poison? Ranged weaponry (whatshisface the corpse had a gun in a flashback)?

And he'd still manage to put his hand on the trap without triggering it?

[Kantaki]

And he'd still manage to put his hand on the trap without triggering it?

They're post vital defenses. Obviously they didn't work while Hydraguy was still among the living.

No really, that'd be my explanation. Dragon dude had some sparky thingy that checked his pulse or whatever live signs alchemical crimes against nature have, that armed his defense systems when it didn't read them.
In case of death or day trips.
Less of a bother than activating them manually every time you step out of your door. And certainly less embarrassing than getting ganked by your own intruder repellant.

[Fyraltari]

They're post vital defenses. Obviously they didn't work while Hydraguy was still among the living.

No really, that'd be my explanation. Dragon dude had some sparky thingy that checked his pulse or whatever live signs alchemical crimes against nature have, that armed his defense systems when it didn't read them.
In case of death or day trips.
Less of a bother than activating them manually every time you step out of your door. And certainly less embarrassing than getting ganked by your own intruder repellant.

So, how long do you think he was laying there with his hand on it, waiting to die?

[Spamotron]

Huh, it looks like somebody stole or knocked off a Fun-Sized Mobile Agony and Death Dispenser (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080905). Franz is likely to be offended.

Since Lumi knows about the maintenance of Heterodyne creations, I wonder if she knows about a weak spot? Assuming Humongolous doesn't just smash it. The FSMADDs shouldn't be in his mountain leveling weight class.

[Rockphed]

Huh, it looks like somebody stole or knocked off a Fun-Sized Mobile Agony and Death Dispenser (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080905). Franz is likely to be offended.

Since Lumi knows about the maintenance of Heterodyne creations, I wonder if she knows about a weak spot? Assuming Humongolous doesn't just smash it. The FSMADDs shouldn't be in his mountain leveling weight class.

Secret weaknesses are for the weak. The heterodynes didn't make their creations weak, they made them strong! And why would someone include the same weaknesses in their hand made knockoff?

[Erik the Green]

"Run is not a plan. Run is what you do when the plan doesn't work."

[Agi Hammerthief]

And he'd still manage to put his hand on the trap without triggering it?
he armed it by putting his hand on it, now it got trigged.

[Shining Wrath]

Maybe Hydrargyros was reaching for the thing that goes boom when fatally wounded. Now it goes boom, and takes out a relative of the person who killed him. If there be an afterlife for dragons, Hydrargyros approves.

According to legend dragons are quite content to nap atop their horde for long periods of time. Taking a nap with a weapon in your hand might be paranoid, but then, dragons sleeping atop hordes have some reason for paranoia.

EDIT: I did wonder what was behind the doors. Now, does this monster have the "only attacks moving things" problem? Because in that case "RUN!" is very bad advice.

[MPHJack7]

Secret weaknesses are for the weak. The heterodynes didn't make their creations weak, they made them strong! And why would someone include the same weaknesses in their hand made knockoff?

Though I think this is tongue-in-cheek, I should note that Fun-MADDs do indeed have a weakness: they can (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080903) be outsmarted (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080922).

Then again, Blitzie doesn't strike me as the most strategically-minded of Sparks.

[Spamotron]

Secret weaknesses are for the weak. The heterodynes didn't make their creations weak, they made them strong! And why would someone include the same weaknesses in their hand made knockoff?
I didn't say secret weakness I said weak spot. If you try build a war machine that is armored and reinforced everywhere you end up with an expensive paperweight. Modern Main Battle Tanks are nigh invulnerable on their front facing but everywhere else is significantly more thinly armored because otherwise they would be too heavy to even move. Yes, Sparks cheat, but even they have limits. Witness the exaust vents on Humongolous that Franz exploited. The Spark that built him likely didn't put them in as a "secret weakness," but so the waste heat from whatever Humongolous uses for a power core doesn't cook his internals every time he powers on.

If the FSMADDs have anything like that Lumi is the most likely to know.

[Grim Portent]

To be fair, the dragon's corpse really ought to be the safest place in the room. How he managed to die ontop of a still-armed trap is likely to be a mystery for the ages.

It seems to be a variant of dead-man's-switch. Hydrargyros either would have been holding it during the confrontation that led to his death and kept holding onto it afterwards as he died, or he was mortally wounded and armed it during his final moments as a way to spite those who might try to take the items from his hoard. The device hasn't moved between pages, so it could be attached to the floor beneath the pile of gold, but I would guess it's just a handheld remote that he was holding when he died.

When our dear monster hunter moved his hand it triggered it.

[Rockphed]

Though I think this is tongue-in-cheek, I should note that Fun-MADDs do indeed have a weakness: they can (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080903) be outsmarted (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080922).

I meant to include something about weaknesses being unfortunate side effects of making things strong. Spamotron gave a much better explanation.


I didn't say secret weakness I said weak spot.

Huh, so you did. I really should not post things when I am tired, but if I did that I would never post anything at all.


If you try build a war machine that is armored and reinforced everywhere you end up with an expensive paperweight. Modern Main Battle Tanks are nigh invulnerable on their front facing but everywhere else is significantly more thinly armored because otherwise they would be too heavy to even move. Yes, Sparks cheat, but even they have limits. Witness the exaust vents on Humongolous that Franz exploited. The Spark that built him likely didn't put them in as a "secret weakness," but so the waste heat from whatever Humongolous uses for a power core doesn't cook his internals every time he powers on.

If the FSMADDs have anything like that Lumi is the most likely to know.

I am fairly certain a modern main battle tank could tank anything the party could easily throw at them at this point, even on the less armored sides. Humungulous might be able to do something to one if he go close to it (I would expect him to suplex it honestly) but I would also expect one to be able to keep away from him easily.

That all said, I don't think this is a Devil Dog or any knock-off thereof. I think this might actually be Hydroargyros either toying with people who he didn't expect to make it into his lair while he was licking his wounds or with his mind transferred into a car. And, honestly, those lights remind me of nothing so much as the batmobile.

[Laurentio III]

Oh! The fun-sized death gifters! I love them! *Glee!*

[Shining Wrath]

That actually looks feline, but not like the FSMADD. Those didn't have the prominent ears, nor an array of "eyebrows". The heads of the FSMADD were smaller and more functional, the function being dispensing A & D. I mean, it could be artistic license, but this looks like a larger creature with a more elaborate head.

Perhaps we now learn what the Full-Size MADD is?

[The Glyphstone]

Fun Sized doesn't mean smaller when you are dealing with the Castle. If anything I'd think larger = deadlier = more FUN.

[Shining Wrath]

Fun Sized doesn't mean smaller when you are dealing with the Castle. If anything I'd think larger = deadlier = more FUN.

Agree, but then, we're talking about a being that can wield buildings as weapons; pretty much all of Mechanicsburg can be used to squish / squash / trap / slice / rend an invader. On the Castle's scale of operations, the FSMADD are kittens.

Even if the FSMADD are larger than the alternatives, whatever that is about to come through the door looks to me to be significantly larger. The heads of FSMADD are maybe 3 or 4 feet wide, that head is 10 or 15 feet wide. If you're right about bigger being more fun, then this is the extra-fun sized model.

[Godskook]

Do we have any indication of when we're going to get back to the main series?

[Shining Wrath]

Do we have any indication of when we're going to get back to the main series?

I see three unresolved plot threads:
1) The beastie that Hautwyrm just released
2) Finding the Iram Solis
3) Finding out what Vipsania is really up to - people in Mechanicsburg were suspicious that she wasn't really with the library, so maybe she's not after books

[Grim Portent]

I see three unresolved plot threads:
1) The beastie that Hautwyrm just released
2) Finding the Iram Solis
3) Finding out what Vipsania is really up to - people in Mechanicsburg were suspicious that she wasn't really with the library, so maybe she's not after books

3 is resolved is it not? Vipsania is sketchy because she's not allowed to do expeditions like this and was lying about it, but she is a librarian, just one whose teams keep getting killed.

[Manga Shoggoth]

I have the feeling that the beastie unleashed is actually Hydroargyros, and the room itself is either a trap or decoy (or both). And if that is him, that also answers where the Iram Solis is.

[Shining Wrath]

I have the feeling that the beastie unleashed is actually Hydroargyros, and the room itself is either a trap or decoy (or both). And if that is him, that also answers where the Iram Solis is.

Two problems:
1) Where did Hydroargyros get a dragon skeleton that resembles how he was depicted in Franz's memory?
2) That feline countenance doesn't match how he was depicted.

[hajo]

If the FSMADDs have anything like that Lumi is the most likely to know.
Indeed :smallbiggrin:
Also, 'Castle day' :smalleek:

[Divayth Fyr]

That actually looks feline, but not like the FSMADD. Those didn't have the prominent ears, nor an array of "eyebrows". The heads of the FSMADD were smaller and more functional, the function being dispensing A & D. I mean, it could be artistic license, but this looks like a larger creature with a more elaborate head.

I'm not really sure the heads are that different (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20110826) (glowy bits aside). Probably a regular FSMADD, just with a touch of Phil's usual size shenanigans.

[Rockphed]

Indeed :smallbiggrin:
Also, 'Castle day' :smalleek:

Well, looks like I was wrong on all counts. This devil dog not having a secret off switch, which every other one seems to have, is modesty amusing, especially given the physical comedy involved.

[Shining Wrath]

I was wrong, although I guess they don't tell the kids about the "agony" part, only death.

I think Humongulous is going to take Franz being slashed badly.

[sihnfahl]

Well, looks like I was wrong on all counts. This devil dog not having a secret off switch, which every other one seems to have, is modesty amusing, especially given the physical comedy involved.
Well, it makes sense that if Hydroargyros had it guarding his lair, that he'd make sure that he would be the only one to be able to turn it off.

[Shining Wrath]

How did Hydrargyros get a FSMADD in the first place? Having obtained one, how did he reprogram it?

I smell Sparky Shenanigans. Someone helped him out here, and I doubt it was a Heterodyne.

[Manga Shoggoth]

How did Hydrargyros get a FSMADD in the first place? Having obtained one, how did he reprogram it?

I smell Sparky Shenanigans. Someone helped him out here, and I doubt it was a Heterodyne.

He - or part of the army he was in - could have picked one up when they tried to invade. The actual reprogramming? Well, the dingbots did it once, and without that they have a certian degree of independence: If it's being used in a post-death trap then the FSMADD would be fine in autonomous-kill-everything mode.

And OF COURSE they are popular children's rides. Why wouldn't they be (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080915)?

[Grim Portent]

How did Hydrargyros get a FSMADD in the first place? Having obtained one, how did he reprogram it?

I smell Sparky Shenanigans. Someone helped him out here, and I doubt it was a Heterodyne.

We know he was buying goods and services from other people, and that he was active after the fall of Castle Heterodyne, so it seems reasonable to assume he bought it from someone who managed to salvage it from the Castle and reprogram it.

I'm not sure the person he hired for it is going to be relevant, more likely to matter are the other people we know have been in and nicked some of the hoard from the deceased von Wyrmhaut, referenced by Hector (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20230512#.ZHdmZXbMJPY) and implied to exist by Vipsania (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20220909#.ZHdm23bMJPY) way back at the start. We know some people have already been in and recovered some small items from the hoard, how is still up in the air, but it was at least one item from the hoard being stolen years ago shortly after Hyrdrargyros died that set this whole story off in the first place. If the Iram Solis is among the pieces that was looted by the prior group it could somewhat wrap up Franz's involvement in this affair, as the monks and the living von Wyrmhaut race off to try and track it down leaving Franz and Vipsania to go about their own business with the books.

[Manga Shoggoth]

...And if you want Heterodyne involvement, a gift from the Heterodyne, secretly loaded with (now forgotten) spyware. After all, the Heterodynes always liked multi-function devices...

[Shining Wrath]

OK, idea - Hydrargyros won the FSMADD as a party favor at the after-siege banquet the Heterodyne threw after Franz kicked his tail.

[sihnfahl]

OK, idea - Hydrargyros won the FSMADD as a party favor at the after-siege banquet the Heterodyne threw after Franz kicked his tail.
Or it was just a party gift. FSMADDs for everyone! The kids'll love them!

[geoduck]

It's possible Franz didn't get to finish saying his password.

[Xel]

I see three unresolved plot threads:
1) The beastie that Hautwyrm just released
2) Finding the Iram Solis
3) Finding out what Vipsania is really up to - people in Mechanicsburg were suspicious that she wasn't really with the library, so maybe she's not after books

4) Finding out what happened to Hector in more detail and what his current state is.

[Xel]

Despite the foreshadowing that this is a post-vital trap, it's possible that it's not something Hydrargyros set up. Possibly a survivor of his killers, or someone who got there before our heroes who didn't want the treasure disturbed for some reason. For instance, could this be Otilia?

[tyckspoon]

4) Finding out what happened to Hector in more detail and what his current state is.

Whaaaat? He already told us! He fell down a pit, now he's dead. It's all very straightforward. :smalltongue:

[Laurentio III]

Called it. So much joy.
But I prefer my headcanon name. "Death gifter" is more personal and, I assume, better received.

[Shining Wrath]

"And that's the family sense of design". The Heterodynes do build their creations to last.

EDIT: New strip.

Alas, young student in blue. That blow appears to be lethal, since it features a rather large gout of blood. A fell creation of the Heterodynes which is old and slow is still more than a match for you. Also, did you not watch it soak being blasted by the Professor at point-blank range? And you were going to hit it with a hammer? Truly you have failed your final exam in "FSMADD: Practical Applications".

Now, will Humongulous be able to Lyft the FSMADD? If so, throwing it back into the room it came out of might be a good start.

[Kantaki]

New comic

"That thing is old. Slow. I'm gonna try to..."
"... get killed gruesomely." is what he meant to say. Presumably.

Seriously, if you're gonna run at least wait until the murder clank isn't right next to you.
Or, even better idea. Liten to the expert* on Heterodyne creations.

*By virtue of being one.

[Laurentio III]

It interesting to see that Franz is quite intrepid and direct when he fights for himself, but became very prudent and wary when other people are in danger.
Really, he is worried for a clank he knows to be strong and tough.
Truelly a Papa Wolf guy.

[theangelJean]

Was that one of the students who made a run for it? I thought at first it might be our monk...

[Shining Wrath]

Was that one of the students who made a run for it? I thought at first it might be our monk...

So did I, but Brother Marcus has sleeves and a different hat, and doesn't carry a big hammer. Possible pun alert - did he get mauled? I think that's Foglio dark humor right there.

[PraetorDragoon]

I put 10 quatloos on the old creaking sounds being deliberate. :smallbiggrin:

[Divayth Fyr]

Was that one of the students who made a run for it? I thought at first it might be our monk...
I think he was reaching for the hammer. And you can get a decent look at him in panel 2.

Our good brother seems to be offscreen for now,

[Shining Wrath]

I put 10 quatloos on the old creaking sounds being deliberate. :smallbiggrin:

FSMADD is certainly quicker than Humongulous.

[Laurentio III]

FSMADD is certainly quicker than Humongulous.
Given the fight with Franz and now this, Humongulous is confirmed skipping legs day.

[geoduck]

Given the fight with Franz and now this, Humongulous is confirmed skipping legs day.

You don't need legs to lift things!

[Scarlet Knight]

Given the fight with Franz and now this, Humongulous is confirmed skipping legs day.

Grooooan! :smallwink:

[Shining Wrath]

I'm wondering what the FSMADD does now. Go in for the kill? Is it possible to kill Humongulous by tearing away at the back of his neck?

[Grim Portent]

I'm wondering what the FSMADD does now. Go in for the kill? Is it possible to kill Humongulous by tearing away at the back of his neck?

He presumably has a clank-brain of some sort somewhere in his head or torso, get to that and crush it and he's basically dead. Depending on how important power is he might die if his brain is seperated from his power source for a long time. In theory if someone, Lumi in this case, distracts it and Humungulous stops moving in the meanwhile it should lose track of him.

I'm expecting Franz to run back in with the door or a chunk of pillar and slam it down on top of the FSMADD. He can't fight such a clank without a weapon, at least not without his fire, and in addition to being a character moment for the big guy those pillar chunks and the door are obvious things for him to have run out to get to try and smash the cat with.

[smuchmuch]

I'm expecting Franz to run back in with the door or a chunk of pillar and slam it down on top of the FSMADD. He can't fight such a clank without a weapon, at least not without his fire
We know franz is a pretty cunning fighter from the very start of thes torry and his first fight with Humongulous. So that make sense. Not sure it'd work so well tho
Also note than when talking about his flamme earlier he says "I'm at low power". Sounds like a good set upp for Franz to use the Iram Solus at some point...

[Laurentio III]

We know franz is a pretty cunning fighter from the very start of thes torry and his first fight with Humongulous. So that make sense. Not sure it'd work so well tho
Also note than when talking about his flamme earlier he says "I'm at low power". Sounds like a good set upp for Franz to use the Iram Solus at some point...
And let's remember he has some hamster-shaped power-up snack around.

UPDATE: aaaand team monk for the win!

[Shining Wrath]

Well, TWO thread titles from one strip!

"I've never needed to crank this baby up to 11 before, so this is for SCIENCE!"
and
"Humongulous is still in the fight", mainly because that's an awesome moment. Literally torn to shreds, drawing fire to save someone he knows doesn't really deserve saving. He's not a knight, he's a paladin.

[Pax1138]

Also, did H throw his own leg at the beast to distract it?

[Kantaki]

Well, TWO thread titles from one strip!

"I've never needed to crank this baby up to 11 before, so this is for SCIENCE!"
Would've fit better a few threads ago.
About twenty-one or thereabout.:smalltongue:


Also, did H throw his own leg at the beast to distract it?

Yep. And that's why you don't chop bits off your opponent.
It only expands their arsenal.:smallbiggrin:

[Laurentio III]

Yep. And that's why you don't chop bits off your opponent.
It only expands their arsenal.:smallbiggrin:
I doubt Homongulous even has an arse.

[Rodin]

I'm getting flashbacks to Patlabor, where Noa is disappointed that her mech cannot do a Rocket Punch so when her mech's arm is ripped off she picks it up, screams ROCKET PUNCH and flings it at the perp.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Well, TWO thread titles from one strip!

"I've never needed to crank this baby up to 11 before, so this is for SCIENCE!"
and
"Humongulous is still in the fight", mainly because that's an awesome moment. Literally torn to shreds, drawing fire to save someone he knows doesn't really deserve saving. He's not a knight, he's a paladin.

Noted. You are in the lead already...

[The Glyphstone]

I think "This Is For Science!" is more punchy and to the point, myself

[sihnfahl]

Also, did H throw his own leg at the beast to distract it?
What else are you going to throw at a misbehaving cat but your boot?

[Rockphed]

He's not a knight, he's a paladin.

He is a knight who works for monks; what did you expect? At least he isn't sanctimonious or declaring exothermic lifeforms hetetical.

[Laurentio III]

Wo wo wo wo! Now, lady!
One thing is to lie, to steal, to leave friends in a deadly place and to corrupt monks.
But books are sacred!

I would have expected more from a librarian.

[wingnutx]

The book is the Iram Solis.

[Fyraltari]

Yup, that seals it. She's not an actual librarian.

[Shining Wrath]

Burning books may be a ploy to get Franz to come back.

[sihnfahl]

I'm thinking that she believes the FSMADD has a priority routine in it that says: "PROTECT THE BOOKS". So it's going to prioritize that over attacking Our Heroes.

[Shining Wrath]

Ah, so Vipsania is using flaming pages from a book like Agatha used the laser pointer. Distractible kitteh, is distractible.

And no, she's no librarian.

[geoduck]

I think she genuinely wants to be a Librarian, but yeah, she lacks the proper attitude to achieve high office.

[BRC]

She however DOES make an excellent thief!

[Kantaki]

She however DOES make an excellent thief!

Lovable rogue.:smalltongue::smallbiggrin:

[Divayth Fyr]

Lovable rogue.:smalltongue::smallbiggrin:
I'm not sure Franz will agree with the former upon learning she had a book burned.

[Shining Wrath]

I'm not sure Franz will agree with the former upon learning she had a book burned.

He'll be disappointed, but Franz tends to take a pragmatic view of combat with dangerous enemies. Plus he was considering the idea of unleashing his breath upon the FSMADD but was at a low ebb and it wouldn't have been effective. Full Franz Flame would probably have burned more than one book.

[Spamotron]

If Vispania lived in a world ruled by probability picking a book at random like she did would most likely result in a fairly common and easily replaced one being destroyed. But, she lives in a world of narrative if that wasn't the specific book she was looking for it was certainly a one of a kind masterpiece of incalculable cultural and historical value. If it wasn't completely reduced to ash maybe Agatha can be convinced to pull of a Spark Miracle to restore it, given that it was a Heterodyne creation that made its destruction necessary.

[Fyraltari]

If Vispania lived in a world ruled by probability picking a book at random like she did would most likely result in a fairly common and easily replaced one being destroyed. But, she lives in a world of narrative if that wasn't the specific book she was looking for it was certainly a one of a kind masterpiece of incalculable cultural and historical value. If it wasn't completely reduced to ash maybe Agatha can be convinced to pull of a Spark Miracle to restore it, given that it was a Heterodyne creation that made its destruction necessary.
Now, maybe she acted as a proper librabrian and picked a book there was multiple copies of in this librabry.

[Grim Portent]

The rule of drama would say she just destroyed the Masat that Franz really wanted.

[Shining Wrath]

She seems to have chosen the book by the infallible method of "this one is the largest". And it had a shiny green gem, too.

I think she just sacrificed something important.

[Laurentio III]

She seems to have chosen the book by the infallible method of "this one is the largest". And it had a shiny green gem, too.
Golden scales decoration on the front, too.
In the lair of a dragon with goldish scales, if Franz trasmutation is indicative.

[Devlerbat]

What are the odds that she just destroyed the book she came for?

[locksmith of lo]

i am sort of under the assumption that she made a switch, swapped the interior pages with something more banal. :smallsmile:

[Laurentio III]

i am sort of under the assumption that she made a switch, swapped the interior pages with something more banal. :smallsmile:
That would be Smoke Knight level of prowess, but let's concede.
Why? She is dressed in a way that wouldn't allow to contraband a book so big, and she is positively under imminent death threath. I'm not say it couldn't be, I just find it too much timely, if true.

[Shining Wrath]

Humongulous has hammer-space!

[eee]

Humongulous has hammer-space!

We already saw him being a Transformer. He's a multi-purpose clank!

[theangelJean]

I'm starting to think Hector has been brainwashed.

Either that, or he has (maybe always had?) an ulterior motive, and has been using obfuscating stupidity to hide it.

[Shining Wrath]

I'm starting to think Hector has been brainwashed.

Either that, or he has (maybe always had?) an ulterior motive, and has been using obfuscating stupidity to hide it.

Well, if he's dead and brought back - by who? How? What sort of control does the resurrecter gain over the resurrected when using whichever method was used? Professor von Wyrmhaut does not strike me as the sort who would spend much time or money bringing a student back to life. Especially not a dumb one.

And Wyrmhaut is now quite literally the lady riding the tiger. If she were really a studious Professor of legends she'd know that doesn't end well.

BTW, the opposite of "concise" is "garrulous". :smallsmile:

[Devlerbat]

It is taking Franz longer to come back with whatever he had planned than I thought it would.

[Fyraltari]

It is taking the Foglios longer to come back with whatever they had planned than I thought it would.

[BRC]

It is taking the Foglios longer to come back with whatever they had planned than I thought it would.

Our side-story is going on a full year almost! But the pacing is way better than normal, so I don't mind!

[Rodin]

Our side-story is going on a full year almost! But the pacing is way better than normal, so I don't mind!

I'm...kinda starting to mind. The side story has been far better quality than the other non-canon/semi-canon stories, but spending a year on it is just too much. I want to get back to Agatha and the gang.

[BRC]

I'm...kinda starting to mind. The side story has been far better quality than the other non-canon/semi-canon stories, but spending a year on it is just too much. I want to get back to Agatha and the gang.

I'll probably start minding in a month or so as the battle for the Iram Solis grows another three subplots.

[Thomas Cardew]

I might be going crazy, but didn't this whole side plot start because they needed to do a plot review of the continuity corkboard?

In the ultimate irony, we'll reach the point that they've forgotten the results of the review and we'll have to go into another side story to buy them time to redo it!

EDIT: Yeah I was right, see the comic note on this page. (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20220826)

[Fyraltari]

I might be going crazy, but didn't this whole side plot start because they needed to do a plot review of the continuity corkboard?

In the ultimate irony, we'll reach the point that they've forgotten the results of the review and we'll have to go into another side story to buy them time to redo it!

EDIT: Yeah I was right, see the comic note on this page. (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20220826)

Yes, that was my point: this "little story" meant to allow them to "stop for a minute" has been going on for almost a year. I just want them to wrap it up quickly, I can't even remember what Agatha and the gang were doing when we left them. Leaving England?

[geoduck]

Yes, that was my point: this "little story" meant to allow them to "stop for a minute" has been going on for almost a year. I just want them to wrap it up quickly, I can't even remember what Agatha and the gang were doing when we left them. Leaving England?

Going back to England from Big Rat Island on Bang's father's enhanced airship, with the newly enQueened Monahan and the drained Aliba.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Just tried out the playable demo of the new Girl Genius game on Steam. Took about 1 1/2 hours (86 mins, to be exact), but I wasn't exactly speedrunning...


The Demo gives us the early section of the castle story, from meeting Saana and Moloch to leaving the kitchen.

Overall? It's ... OK. And while that seems like damning with faint praise, it's the opinion of someone who isn't particularly into this kind of game. I think I will enjoy the full game.

(To forestall the obvious question: I backed the game because it was a Girl Genius game, for much the same reason I back the comic print runs. Given that out of this project I have electronic copies of all the GG novels to date, plus the Buck Godot stories, plus two earlier games from Rain - I'm already well satisfied with the rewards, and the actual game is just going to be icing on the cake. And that's proper royal icing, not that "frosting" rubbish.)

The graphics are decent - the 3D character sprites aren't completely true-to-comic, but are good enough. The 2G graphics in the conversations could have been pulled from the comic. The castle decorations are a nice touch for people who know the comic.

Gameplay is acceptable - My only arguement with the gameplay is the WASD controls combined with the mouse look. I don't like WASD to start with, and the combination makes it really difficult to aim things - the operation takes place in the direction the character is pointing, rather than swiveling the character to match the camera direction. I get the impression that the game is written for someone using a controller rather than a mouse/keyboard combination. It's workable, but not to my personal taste.

Sound and music is OK. The dingbot theme is a little annoying, but it won't be the first game I've turned music off for.

There are lore markers to explain the backstory, but it could still do with an introduction (we will probably get that in the full game - it's a demo, after all.

[Vinyadan]

To be honest, I'm more interested in this little story...

By the way, the demo of the Girl Genius videogame is free on Steam. (EDIT: ninjaed!)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSRddBKfEiQ

[Shining Wrath]

"Kill them all! KILL!" is the sort of thing that brings stories closer to a denouement. And I'll bet it was the Brother who scored with the book. Possibly Hector.

I mean, poor Hector. Serves faithfully and this is his reward? But now he must switch sides, no?

[Manga Shoggoth]

I'm suspecting Franz, although I was expecting him to enter with, say, a pillar to adjust the FSMADD with. Or possibly hitting the metal samples and impersonating Hydroargyros again.

[theangelJean]

Well, if he's dead and brought back - by who? How? What sort of control does the resurrecter gain over the resurrected when using whichever method was used? Professor von Wyrmhaut does not strike me as the sort who would spend much time or money bringing a student back to life. Especially not a dumb one.

And Wyrmhaut is now quite literally the lady riding the tiger. If she were really a studious Professor of legends she'd know that doesn't end well.

BTW, the opposite of "concise" is "garrulous". :smallsmile:
Heh. Thanks, but not quite the antonym I was looking for ... "Garrulous" carries connotations of "speech" for me, and I'm actually considered very quiet irl. Now that I've checked the thesaurus, I wonder if "prolix" might be better, seeing as my problem is more like too much detail to the point of irrelevance. Not familiar enough with the word to be sure, though.

"Kill them all! KILL!" is the sort of thing that brings stories closer to a denouement. And I'll bet it was the Brother who scored with the book. Possibly Hector.

I mean, poor Hector. Serves faithfully and this is his reward? But now he must switch sides, no?

Not if he truly believes he's dead already, he's got nothing to lose, right? Well, depending on how much he values his friends.

I was actually wondering if it was Professor von Wyrmhaut was the one who had somehow managed to convince him he was dead, and gained his loyalty at the same time - the two things don't seem all that closely related, which is why I suggested it might be brainwashing. Now, if he were a student even before his first expedition with Vipsania, I'd wonder if she knew that initially. If he had a pre-existing loyalty to the Professor, and doesn't actually believe he's dead, then it would make him more likely to switch sides now.

[Shining Wrath]

Heh. Thanks, but not quite the antonym I was looking for ... "Garrulous" carries connotations of "speech" for me, and I'm actually considered very quiet irl. Now that I've checked the thesaurus, I wonder if "prolix" might be better, seeing as my problem is more like too much detail to the point of irrelevance. Not familiar enough with the word to be sure, though.


Not if he truly believes he's dead already, he's got nothing to lose, right? Well, depending on how much he values his friends.

I was actually wondering if it was Professor von Wyrmhaut was the one who had somehow managed to convince him he was dead, and gained his loyalty at the same time - the two things don't seem all that closely related, which is why I suggested it might be brainwashing. Now, if he were a student even before his first expedition with Vipsania, I'd wonder if she knew that initially. If he had a pre-existing loyalty to the Professor, and doesn't actually believe he's dead, then it would make him more likely to switch sides now.

How stupid is Hector? Does he believe he's a ghost and therefore can't be killed? Is he about to be eviscerated based upon that erroneous assumption?
Or, conversely, is he truly a ghost and will be able to stand before the FSMADD and let it slash away? Now that would be a plot twist.

And yes, I agree that Wyrmhaut is quite capable of mind control shenanigans.

[Laurentio III]

Books are flying. Must be season.

[Agi Hammerthief]

was that hanging around in the background in the past panels?
or did they just skip searching Uncle Hengst earlier?

[geoduck]

Heh. Thanks, but not quite the antonym I was looking for ... "Garrulous" carries connotations of "speech" for me, and I'm actually considered very quiet irl. Now that I've checked the thesaurus, I wonder if "prolix" might be better, seeing as my problem is more like too much detail to the point of irrelevance. Not familiar enough with the word to be sure, though.


Maybe "verbose"?



was that hanging around in the background in the past panels?
or did they just skip searching Uncle Hengst earlier?

I went back and looked, and didn't see it anywhere. It would have been amusing if it was in the umbrella stand in the foyer.

[Divayth Fyr]

I went back and looked, and didn't see it anywhere. It would have been amusing if it was in the umbrella stand in the foyer.
I wonder how unlikely would it be for the mask to be in Franz's stuff all along? Doesn't make much sense in regards to Hydragyrnos, but would explain why he didn't care much for Wyrmhaut wanting it as her share of the hoard...

[Shining Wrath]

Franz knows how to make an entrance! I wonder how many other items were just destroyed? The gold at least can be pried up and remade into coins or ingots, if it melted.

I also wonder if Wyrmhaut was burned, or if Franz deliberately saved her with a well-aimed book?

The Iram Solis is quite large. I don't think it could have been in Hengst's pocket or backpack. The headpiece alone is more than a foot across.

And, of course, hammerspace, it could have been inside a matchbook for story purposes.

[JavaScribe]

So, who else finds themselves wondering if the cat is the most dangerous member of the team?

[Agi Hammerthief]

So, who else finds themselves wondering if the cat is the most dangerous member of the team?
nope, that’s a given.

[Shining Wrath]

Note to Professor von Hautwyrm: even in Girl Genius, action economy is a thing. You just announced your intention to kill everyone in the room. If you are given the Iram Solis, there's no reason to believe you won't proceed to kill everyone. There's a lot of people in the room who can probably do something about that.

An actual dragon
A librarian-thief whose pet cat you are threatening
A rather capable monk
A spark with a fire wand
The probably lethal feline
Hector, who may finally realize that you're not on his side


The odds that none of them can do anything to disarm you, stun you, kill you, or send you to an alternate dimension to discuss morality with the Dreen is pretty low.

I expect Hautwyrm to be dead by Friday July 7th, our world.

EDIT: Worth mentioning was von Mekken's vow of protection for Franz when he left. Even if she gets out of this dungeon alive, the entire Jager army wants her dead. Agatha Heterodyne wants her dead. Someone is suffering from a too-high opinion of themselves.

[Adaon Nightwind]

Well, at this point, i want her dead.

Which happens rarely, but, you know. She earned it.

[Agi Hammerthief]

Well, at this point, i want her dead.

Which happens rarely, but, you know. She earned it.
from a „you won’t shoot me - gets shot“ collection on Youtube:
Q: „What are you gonna do? Shoot me?“
A: „I wasn’t going to, but you kinda talked me into it.“
- shoots him

[halfeye]

from a „you won’t shoot me - gets shot“ collection on Youtube:
Q: „What are you gonna do? Shoot me?“
A: „I wasn’t going to, but you kinda talked me into it.“
- shoots him

The Goons on the radio many moons ago:

"You can't fool me, that's not a gun, it's a banana.

BANG

You shot me.

Did you think I would threaten you with an unloaded banana?"

My guess is that Hauptworm will be restrained, but survive.

[Divayth Fyr]

So, last time Hautwyrm tried a similiar tactic she had the whole group sorrounded, and it took Humongulous "convincing" Franz for it to work. Now she only really has the cat, and what is stopping Franz from melting her off the face of the planet the moment she does harm it (not to mention Humongulous not being in shape to do much "convincing" this time around)?

[wingnutx]

May she learn all about "cat-like reflexes".

[eee]

She tried this before and it didn't really work. She's got enemies all around her, possibly even behind, and it's been demonstrated she's a sucker for a sucker punch. The cat is FAST. And Franz is REALLY smart. This is dumb.


Well, at this point, i want her dead.

Which happens rarely, but, you know. She earned it.

She deserves to lose her hat.

[PraetorDragoon]

Taking the cat hostage? I have seen better plans from the Jagers.

[Laurentio III]

Starting from "my gun is set to explode killing myself in the process", transited to "I keep trying to reason with a dragon instead of shooting him, and this kinda proves that my gun is not able to kill him anyway", an now arrived at "I keep a ride hostage". The level of villainy descended to Jumba Jookiba's levels.

[Grim Portent]

She's in a sparky state, maybe even gone full mad-girl mode, expecting rational behaviour from her is unrealistic at this point.

I'm kind of expecting Vipsania to go full rage mode on her for threatening her cat myself. I recall the Foglio's being fond of cats, so threatening a cat is the sort of thing that foreshadows a character getting roundly beaten.

50/50 on Wyrmhaut dying or leaving this place in a state of humiliating defeat. Could honestly go either way even if I would prefer her to be dead. She does have students who need her for a passing grade, and GG likes it's academia jokes, so her being rolled out in an impromptu straitjacket made from a tacky tapestry while ranting about her thesis on the Iram Solis or something would be quite fitting.

[Agi Hammerthief]

She does have students who need her for a passing grade,
do they?
Wouldn’t a successor show some gratitude for her position?
Or at least be … motivated … to get rid of the students for self protection.


I‘ve has a professor add half a point to an exam just to get rid of me**


** not me specifically, just one of the 100 students who took the exam that semester, who he would otherwise see again next semester.

[Manga Shoggoth]

She does have students who need her for a passing grade

We've had at least one student give up on their professor (during the re-taking of Mechanicsberg, just after said professor had the misfortune to mug a couple of people who turned out to be Zeetha and Higgs (might have been Violetta, but I can't find the links)), and attempt to sign up with the Heterodyne.

[geoduck]

We've had at least one student give up on their professor (during the re-taking of Mechanicsberg, just after said professor had the misfortune to mug a couple of people who turned out to be Zeetha and Higgs (might have been Violetta, but I can't find the links)), and attempt to sign up with the Heterodyne.

Miss Baumhund (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120413).

[Manga Shoggoth]

Miss Baumhund (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120413).

That's the lass. And the following page has:


This should be the last of 'em.

Oh, and there's a young lady who wahts to know if tou're accepting grad students (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120416).

But there is a happy ending (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180418). Although possibly not for Moloch...

[Rockphed]

I propose a thread title or three:

Girl Genius XXXIII: Twenty Princess Pile-up
Girl Genius XXXIII: We Are All Princesses Here (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20160115)
Girl Genius XXXIII: You Are On my List! (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20160120)

[Manga Shoggoth]

Historically noted.

Now that I have torn myself from the archive binge that triggered... I was reminded that the Library really does have a very big cat theme to it...

[Shining Wrath]

The Foglios naming a cat after a cartoonist that does cat cartoons is an immense amount of plot armor. Everyone else may die, but Kliban will live.

Although I think picking that particular hostage may be a cat-astrophic error.

[theangelJean]

The Foglios naming a cat after a cartoonist that does cat cartoons is an immense amount of plot armor. Everyone else may die, but Kliban will live.

Although I think picking that particular hostage may be a cat-astrophic error.

After today's comic, the conclusion above is somehow even more certain...

But I have no idea how.

[geoduck]

After today's comic, the conclusion above is somehow even more certain...

But I have no idea how.

The monk is going to do something, he signaled to Franz to stall.

[Shining Wrath]

Brother Marcus has a plan, and Kliban is adorable in his density. Maybe Hector should ride Kliban into the sunset?

[PraetorDragoon]

Brother Marcus has a plan, and Kliban is adorable in his density. Maybe Hector should ride Kliban into the sunset?

Fool! Ghosts can't ride cats into the sunset. :smallbiggrin:

[Rakaydos]

Fool! Ghosts can't ride cats into the sunset. :smallbiggrin:

Aktually! cats can interact with the dead, so he CAN ride it.

[eee]

Fool! Ghosts can't ride cats into the sunset. :smallbiggrin:

Can cats ride ghosts?

[Shining Wrath]

I believe Lovecraftian cats can leap to the moon in groups, so yes, cats can ride ghosts and vice versa.

Cats can do anything. Just ask them.

I wonder if the Iram Solis will amplify a cigarette lighter to the point where it's dangerous. I also wonder how the real dragon will react to being hit with flame.

Plus "Whoo" may be Hector about to change sides, and Brother Marcus is about to play his card.

EDIT:

It occurs to me that the lovingly Spark-crafted gun would make a fine club. It's large, sturdy, and Vipsania could easily smash Hautwyrm over the head with it.

[Agi Hammerthief]

Plus "Whoo" may be Hector about to change sides,
my bet is on a gun malfunction formthe „whoo“

[sihnfahl]

my bet is on a gun malfunction formthe „whoo“
Or the IS powering up?

In any case, if the IS is keyed towards amplifying only an authentic dragon's flame, and her little lighter isn't configured to mimic a dragon's flame 100%...

Also, she's assuming she's the target. Egotistical people are like that.

[Shining Wrath]

The font chosen for "Whoo" looks ghost-like to me. I will admit that maybe it's the gun refusing to fire, though.

OTOH we don't know what Marcus is doing, that may be another defensive system kicking in and Hautwyrm is about to feel the pain.

[Laurentio III]

The Iram Solis producing particels of light as a charging manga cannon suggest that "Whoom" is how it reacts to flames.
Yet to be confirmed.

[theangelJean]

New comic.

So, err ... Real, or not?

Kliban can definitely see it. But I don't know if that's a point in either direction.

[Shining Wrath]

New comic.

So, err ... Real, or not?

Kliban can definitely see it. But I don't know if that's a point in either direction.

Brother Marcus pushed a button is my guess. The good news is that Hautwyrm is no longer threatening immolation, and Franz could just reach over and grab her.

[geoduck]

Brother Marcus pushed a button is my guess. The good news is that Hautwyrm is no longer threatening immolation, and Franz could just reach over and grab her.

Marcus is the obvious choice, if this is some sort of self-activating defense you'd think it would have kicked in sooner than this.

[theangelJean]

Okay, but if it was part of a defence system and activated by Brother Marcus ... Who made it, and for whom?

[Shining Wrath]

Okay, but if it was part of a defence system and activated by Brother Marcus ... Who made it, and for whom?

The same people, for the same purposes, as the spikes that impaled the FSMADD. Why the dragon had a control panel I do not know, but he did, and Marcus found it. He used it once to activate the spikes, and he was about to use it again last strip.

EDIT: How will Hector respond?

[Lord Fullbladder, Master of Goblins]

Mm, it does make sense as one of the postmortem treasure defences Wyrmhaut mentioned to Franz that most non-Franz dragons maintain.

[theangelJean]

Hmm, okay, I guess I just wasn't getting the "post-mortem defences" bit. A defence that simulates your ghost when you're already dead isn't going to do much when you're dead. But I guess that's why I'm not in charge of a dragon horde.

Was there much in the way of Phantom of the Opera references before this page? Because they seem to be shoehorning them all in right now. And I don't really get how it fits in.

[Shining Wrath]

OK, so the "ghost" was comprised of flammable gas, and when Lumi shot it she ignited it. That's a fine post-mortem trap for dragon slayers whose approach is "shoot first, figure out what it is later"; doubtless a large percentage.

But it appears that Hector has been planning to do for Professor Wormhaut all along, and just carried her off to wherever it is that ghosts hang out when not manifesting? The explosion of roses suggests some sort of supernatural event.

Or, perhaps, Hector was smarter than he let on and it's a Sparky thing.

For a slightly creepy take, Hector has an obsession with the Professor and planned all along to take her to his swinging bachelor pad?

Anyway, I think we've seen the last of her, and I hope most of the books survive Flaming Ghost Chandelier.

[Rockphed]

I imagine that he and the professor had an agreement that she took one way and he took another.

[Fyraltari]

OK, so the "ghost" was comprised of flammable gas, and when Lumi shot it she ignited it. That's a fine post-mortem trap for dragon slayers whose approach is "shoot first, figure out what it is later"; doubtless a large percentage.

But it appears that Hector has been planning to do for Professor Wormhaut all along, and just carried her off to wherever it is that ghosts hang out when not manifesting? The explosion of roses suggests some sort of supernatural event.

Or, perhaps, Hector was smarter than he let on and it's a Sparky thing.

For a slightly creepy take, Hector has an obsession with the Professor and planned all along to take her to his swinging bachelor pad?

Anyway, I think we've seen the last of her, and I hope most of the books survive Flaming Ghost Chandelier.

I think the rose are for Lumi. Like he's mysteriously disappearing in a fashion befitting a charming rogue/supernatural apparition and he's taking the Professora with him because they're a team. She's just not agreeing to leaving at this point.

[Shining Wrath]

Cue the Doobie Brothers "What a fool believes / he sees ...". Possibly Hector believes he and Hautwyrm are loyal friends or even lovers, and she views it as BBEG / disposable minion. He was the perfect useful idiot right up until he wasn't.

I think Hector was leaving roses for Vipsania earlier, now for Lumi? Fickle is the heart of a ghostly rogue.

[geoduck]

Cue the Doobie Brothers "What a fool believes / he sees ...". Possibly Hector believes he and Hautwyrm are loyal friends or even lovers, and she views it as BBEG / disposable minion. He was the perfect useful idiot right up until he wasn't.

I think Hector was leaving roses for Vipsania earlier, now for Lumi? Fickle is the heart of a ghostly rogue.

I don't think he has any illusions whatsoever about his relationship with Hautwyrm. She's an amoral Spark, he's her undead minion.

[Shining Wrath]

I don't think he has any illusions whatsoever about his relationship with Hautwyrm. She's an amoral Spark, he's her undead minion.

Good minions don't normally carry on with what they are doing when their master is yelling "Noooo! Unhand me you fool!"

[DavidSh]

Good minions don't normally carry on with what they are doing when their master is yelling "Noooo! Unhand me you fool!"
That depends on whether what their master is doing is going to get herself permanently killed. Not that that is necessarily the case here.

[Rockphed]

Good minions don't normally carry on with what they are doing when their master is yelling "Noooo! Unhand me you fool!"

Merely good minions may listen when the master yells "unhand me you fool!" Great minions do what is good for the master even when told to stop.

Having said that i now have an image of Von Zinzer plopping a plate a spinach in front of a grumpy Agatha. How much would that cost to commission, I wonder?

[Shining Wrath]

I'll admit that a minion may sometimes do what is best for the master despite orders to the contrary, but Hector's triumphant "Ha! HA! HA!" suggests he's following his own agenda. Also, I think I count 16 roses - that's a lot of flowers for "I'm going to save my mistress from herself, be right back" dramatic exit. This looks like Hector departing the story and taking Hautwyrm with him.

[Rockphed]

To be clear, I imagine the next time we see Hautwyrm and Hector together he will be the master and she will be his servant. Or, to get out of such she will disabuse him of the notion that he is dead.

[Shining Wrath]

To be clear, I imagine the next time we see Hautwyrm and Hector together he will be the master and she will be his servant. Or, to get out of such she will disabuse him of the notion that he is dead.

Or, she'll actually kill him. Although she no longer has her gun and I don't know if she still has the Iram Solis - she had it two strips ago in her left hand, which is not shown in the most recent strip.

[eee]

Or, she'll actually kill him. Although she no longer has her gun and I don't know if she still has the Iram Solis - she had it two strips ago in her left hand, which is not shown in the most recent strip.

Franz gave it to her too easily. I bet it's booby-trapped.

[geoduck]

Franz gave it to her too easily. I bet it's booby-trapped.

Or maybe it only works with dragon-flame. (I may have predicted this already..)

[theangelJean]

I'll admit that a minion may sometimes do what is best for the master despite orders to the contrary, but Hector's triumphant "Ha! HA! HA!" suggests he's following his own agenda. Also, I think I count 16 roses - that's a lot of flowers for "I'm going to save my mistress from herself, be right back" dramatic exit. This looks like Hector departing the story and taking Hautwyrm with him.


To be clear, I imagine the next time we see Hautwyrm and Hector together he will be the master and she will be his servant. Or, to get out of such she will disabuse him of the notion that he is dead.

Nobody else got the Phantom of the Opera references? Or you did, and they just made as little sense to everyone else as they did to me?
* Chandelier, coming down
* "Ghost" obsessed with beautiful maiden(s)
* Angel (of Flame, in this case, rather than Music)
* Black roses
* Specific kind of maniacal laughter
* Kidnapping

Of course, it's referring to several parts of the story at once, so I can't work out whether Hautwyrm is taking the place of one of his maidens, or he is saving the other maidens from her.

[Shining Wrath]

Nobody else got the Phantom of the Opera references? Or you did, and they just made as little sense to everyone else as they did to me?
* Chandelier, coming down
* "Ghost" obsessed with beautiful maiden(s)
* Angel (of Flame, in this case, rather than Music)
* Black roses
* Specific kind of maniacal laughter
* Kidnapping

Of course, it's referring to several parts of the story at once, so I can't work out whether Hautwyrm is taking the place of one of his maidens, or he is saving the other maidens from her.

It has been too long since I watched that, I missed all this. I would say, though, that Hector is saving the other maidens from Hautwyrm, based on her statement that she needed to kill them all and turn Franz into a coat.

EDIT:

I just had a very bad thought - Humongulous is right beneath that chandelier that is raining molten glass. Is he immune? Maybe. Is he immune with all the damage he's taken? Maybe not. OTOH Brother Marcus does not seem to be concerned.

EDIT:

Hector has been a cunning thief all along! And Brother Marcus at least was on to him from the black roses. But not so cunning as to not fall into the bottomless pit.

THREAD TITLE: He's a Heinous Blaggard.

[Kantaki]

New Comic

„Ah yes. Mechanicsburg“.:smallbiggrin:
Well, on the bright side she doesn't want to change him.
Didn't. After that dramatic exit stage left straight into the (allegedly) bottomless pit that might well change.*

Also, why am I not surprised that the Black Rose School Of Dramatic Acquisitions is a thing.
Phantom Thief is probably a recognised and honourable profession in this world.
Even if this one still seems to be in training*.:smallamused:

*Well, maybe it's all part of the plan/Hector's prepared for it, but so far? Not impressed.

[Rockphed]

Thread title: The Wingnut and her Monkey

That said, Franz called Hector a monkey and they just fell down a bottomless pit. We are obviously going to discover that he is a winged monkey.

[Fyraltari]

Damn, Lumi. Is. Smitten.

[wingnutx]

So he's not a minion, he's a contractor.

[Shining Wrath]

So he's not a minion, he's a contractor.

He's a cunning thief (and a Heinous Blaggard) who pretended to be an incompetent student in order to be in a position to steal from a dragon's hoard, specifically the Iram Solis.

Which perhaps he is stealing on behalf of a Spark who wants to create their own dragon?

[Grim Portent]

Occam's Razor suggests he was working for Wyrmhaut the whole time, and decided to cut things short before anyone he cares about (besides his evident crush on Lumi, he seems to consider Vipsania a friend) gets hurt. He's just been waiting for an opportunity to grab the professor and make a dramatic smokebomb escape.

Sequence of events would be Wyrmhaut hires him, or his organisation anyway, to acquire the Iram Solis -> he joins Vipsania's first expedition under false pretences -> everyone but him and Vip die, the door is still shut, Vip leaves thinking everyone is dead -> Hector contacts Wyrmhaut, who comes to try and open the door herself and tasks Hector with keeping away other treasure hunters when it becomes apparent it will take time-> we meet Hector doing his 'travellers beware' ghost bit.

Might not be the case, he could be working for someone else, but if so then why abduct Wyrmhaut just now rather than let the fight continue and try to grab the Iram Solis in the ensuing chaos?


The Black Roses seem to have similar skills as Smoke Knights for suddenly appearing and disappearing, which would explain some of his 'ghost' shenanigans back when we first met him.

[Devlerbat]

The idea that he is a member of a thespian thieves guild makes me think that Hector's ghost bit was basically him just going "yes and".


"You died" "Yes and....now I'm a ghost! Whoooo!"

It doesn't matter if they believe it so long as they believe he believes it.

Actually, that could explain his persona in general given Professor Wyrmhault's personality as well. "You are all incompetent idiots!" "Oh, this character is an incompetent idiot. Okay."

[theangelJean]

I was thinking the Professor wasn't going to get away with the Iram Solis that easily. Couldn't figure out how Hector fit in with her plans, though. Still not sure.

But ... Hector has already fallen into the bottomless pit once, right? Either there's a secret exit ... or they're both dead now? (Bonus points if Hector the ghost managed to get the Professor to drop the Iram Solis before Taking Her With Me.)

[Shining Wrath]

I think that, given that Hector is a professional thief from the Black Rose School of Dramatic Acquisitions, we should consider every statement made and action performed since the beginning of the quest to be Drama in furtherance of his Acquisition, and none of them revealing who he really is or his real intentions toward the Professor, the other students, or Franz's party. This includes making Lumi swoon. We had clues early on that Vipsania had some feelings for him; that may be part of his scheme.

We certainly have no one's word for it other than his that he actually died and became a ghost.

In other words, we don't really know what he wants other than the Iram Solis. He may casually kill the Professor if that's how his School rolls. Or he may leave her to be dramatically rescued by Franz and friends while he makes off with the Iram Solis. Or, while Hautwyrm is being rescued, he'll circle back and get all the gold and jewels in his professional-thief sized Bag of Holding (tm).

[Manga Shoggoth]

THREAD TITLE: He's a Heinous Blaggard.


Thread title: The Wingnut and her Monkey

Both noted...


We are obviously going to discover that he is a winged monkey.

Depends how wildly Lumi was shooting...

[theangelJean]

In other words, we don't really know what he wants other than the Iram Solis.

I thought it was the Professor who wanted the Iram Solis. I don't think Hector has actually said what he wants ... your "loop back and steal everything" idea is definitely on the cards, here.

[Shining Wrath]

Brother Marcus thinks that Hector is smarter than he looks - a low bar. The other students still think he's an idiot. I'm with the brother.
If Hector really is a ghost, than he and Professor Hautwyrm may haunt this place, together, forever. That would serve her right.
But we've had opinions opined in the strip that ghosts aren't real. So if Hector is pretending to be a ghost, then he survived the first fall into the bottomless pit, and might survive this one as well. After that there's a couple ways it could go - does he also save the Professor? If so, who gets the Iram Solis, and what do they do with it?

Would a ghost actually drag someone?

[Devlerbat]

Is "Hector is really a ghost" a theory that anyone actually believes in? Even if ghosts are real in this world, it still seems obvious that Hector isn't one.

Also, Hector's classmates are missing the vital information about Hector's real job.

[Shining Wrath]

Is "Hector is really a ghost" a theory that anyone actually believes in? Even if ghosts are real in this world, it still seems obvious that Hector isn't one.

Also, Hector's classmates are missing the vital information about Hector's real job.

It seems more likely that Hector is a thief with Smoke Knight level ability to come and go unnoticed. However, I wouldn't put a plot twist of "The guy who claimed to be a ghost and obviously wasn't actually was" past the Foglios.

[Fyraltari]

Is "Hector is really a ghost" a theory that anyone actually believes in? Even if ghosts are real in this world, it still seems obvious that Hector isn't one.

Also, Hector's classmates are missing the vital information about Hector's real job.

They aren't even classmates, he came in with Vispania, he's not related to the university at all.

[Rockphed]

Dense redhead is dense. When the large dragon says "you are doing this" and you aren't a dragonslayer, you do it! He shouldn't have had to come right out and say "fix my clank friend or I will start eating your classmates until you do".

[Shining Wrath]

They aren't even classmates, he came in with Vispania, he's not related to the university at all.

Pretty sure we've seen the students refer to Hector as one of them, that they let him say things that will annoy the Professor.


Dense redhead is dense. When the large dragon says "you are doing this" and you aren't a dragonslayer, you do it! He shouldn't have had to come right out and say "fix my clank friend or I will start eating your classmates until you do".

Yeah, the negotiating position is not according to the rules of the university, but according to the rules of the dragon.

[Kantaki]

Dense redhead is dense. When the large dragon says "you are doing this" and you aren't a dragonslayer, you do it! He shouldn't have had to come right out and say "fix my clank friend or I will start eating your classmates until you do".

Maybe she was trying to get herself eaten?
It's the only explanation I have for this behaviour.
I mean seriously, telling the dragon he didn't actually eat anyone while basically standing in his maw?
Either she's terminally stupid or into stuff like that.

Also, did Franz actually have to eat someone or did the threat get through. We will never know...:smallbiggrin:

[DavidSh]

Maybe she was trying to get herself eaten?
It's the only explanation I have for this behaviour.
I mean seriously, telling the dragon he didn't actually eat anyone while basically standing in his maw?
Either she's terminally stupid or into stuff like that.

She's not used to being talked to with veiled threats. Hautwyrm was more direct. And normal people (i.e., neither sparks nor monsters) could ask politely for assistance.

[Scarlet Knight]

Maybe she was trying to get herself eaten?
It's the only explanation I have for this behaviour.
I mean seriously, telling the dragon he didn't actually eat anyone while basically standing in his maw?
Either she's terminally stupid or into stuff like that.


This is where we use the term "Vore"?

*scribbles note for XXXenophile: Girl Genius edition.*

[Manga Shoggoth]

Is "Hector is really a ghost" a theory that anyone actually believes in? Even if ghosts are real in this world, it still seems obvious that Hector isn't one.

Hector is far from the first dead-then-brought-back character to identify as a ghost. Professor Mittlemind did as well.

[BRC]

Do we have a good sense on Hector's actual loyalty?

My guess is that he's a Thief who joined Vispana's expedition under false pretenses, planning to swipe the Iram Solus out from under her (Potentially without her noticing, she's interested in the books), who later joined up with Hautwyrm as the most likely to get him in the Vault.

He appeared to be an idiot loyal to Hautwyrm, but we don't know if either or both parts of that were an Act. Pretending to be a Dumb yet capable Minion is a good way to infiltrate a group like Hautwyrm's.

My current guess is that he's not dumb, he was just waiting for a sufficiently distracting moment, and grabbed Hautwyrm because grabbing and vanishing with her was easier and more dramatic than taking the Iram Solus off her.

[Shining Wrath]

Do we have a good sense on Hector's actual loyalty?

My guess is that he's a Thief who joined Vispana's expedition under false pretenses, planning to swipe the Iram Solus out from under her (Potentially without her noticing, she's interested in the books), who later joined up with Hautwyrm as the most likely to get him in the Vault.

He appeared to be an idiot loyal to Hautwyrm, but we don't know if either or both parts of that were an Act. Pretending to be a Dumb yet capable Minion is a good way to infiltrate a group like Hautwyrm's.

My current guess is that he's not dumb, he was just waiting for a sufficiently distracting moment, and grabbed Hautwyrm because grabbing and vanishing with her was easier and more dramatic than taking the Iram Solus off her.

OOOOO. Plot twist!
The goal was never the Iram Solis nor the gold nor the books. The goal was Hautwyrm herself; this is a kidnapping, and the Iram Solis was just a bonus. Why kidnap Hautwyrm? Oh, the possibilities! Jilted lover, parent of a student she casually let die, dragon doing unto the monster hunter before the monster hunter can do unto him, someone she flunked who is proving to her that they are more capable than she deemed, ....

[Rockphed]

OOOOO. Plot twist!
The goal was never the Iram Solis nor the gold nor the books. The goal was Hautwyrm herself; this is a kidnapping, and the Iram Solis was just a bonus. Why kidnap Hautwyrm? Oh, the possibilities! Jilted lover, parent of a student she casually let die, dragon doing unto the monster hunter before the monster hunter can do unto him, someone she flunked who is proving to her that they are more capable than she deemed, ....

I still like my "Hector made a deal with Hautwyrm that was technically fulfilled and he is collected his price (which can be her though she didn't think it was)", but having his goal be stealing Hautwyrm herself is a good twist. I think I need more popcorn.

[Lizard Lord]

Hector is far from the first dead-then-brought-back character to identify as a ghost. Professor Mittlemind did as well.
I don't remember Mittlemind at all, but if Mittlemind was also not a ghost doesn't that just reinforce the point?

[Kantaki]

New comic

Yeah, that book should definitely go on Franz's pile.:smallamused:
Vip is a great friend.

[Fyraltari]

I don't remember Mittlemind at all, but if Mittlemind was also not a ghost doesn't that just reinforce the point?

The mad social scientist kept "alive" by the machinery in his innards.

[theangelJean]

New comic

Yeah, that book should definitely go on Franz's pile.:smallamused:
Vip is a great friend.

Should have gone on Franz's pile. Most probably would have been in dispute, as the Corbettites (and probably also the Library) would have wanted to claim it. (ETA, if Hautwyrm hadn't been abducted, she would have wanted it too ... Best not to let it fall into her hands!)

Very quick eye of Vipsania, to pick that one for the sacrifice. And yes, excellent tactical thinking which solved two problems at once.

Not sure why she felt the need to whisper it's title to Franz, though (dotted speech bubbles). The monk had just examined its cover, otherwise what made him say his order would have wanted it?

Phantom of the Opera references continue (underground waterways). I am thinking they're leading up to something.

[DavidSh]

Phantom of the Opera references continue (underground waterways). I am thinking they're leading up to something.
That, and I recall some kind of mystery about wells being dry (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20230123).

[Manga Shoggoth]

I don't remember Mittlemind at all, but if Mittlemind was also not a ghost doesn't that just reinforce the point?

The point is that someone post-revivication claiming to be a ghost is not a new concept in the story, so the point I was responding to is moot even in the story.

[Kantaki]

Should have gone on Franz's pile. Most probably would have been in dispute, as the Corbettites (and probably also the Library) would have wanted to claim it. (ETA, if Hautwyrm hadn't been abducted, she would have wanted it too ... Best not to let it fall into her hands!)

Should go on his pile. As in, however they end up determinating everyone's share the dragon hunting guide turned ash should count as part of Franz's.

Because that was a serious favour from Vipsana.
I don't want to imagine what the loons from the Library would do to her for destroying a book.
„Lord Scorchmaw claimed it as part of his reward“ seems like a much less risky excuse than „murder cat clank was gonna do murder cat clank things to everyone“.

[Rockphed]

I think the monk had no nefarious plans for the book. He was just going to lock it in a vault (probably with 50 other dragon hunting books).

That book going to the library would have been bad. Librarians seldom work to completely remove books from circulation. They might restrict them a little, but seldom to the level of outright censorship. Hautwyrm would have been able to read that book if she visited the library.

Franz would also have just stuck it in a vault, but he might have let a heterodyne know of its existence. I get the feeling his personal library is not something even the Heterodyne sees very often.

[geoduck]

I think the monk had no nefarious plans for the book. He was just going to lock it in a vault (probably with 50 other dragon hunting books).

That book going to the library would have been bad. Librarians seldom work to completely remove books from circulation. They might restrict them a little, but seldom to the level of outright censorship. Hautwyrm would have been able to read that book if she visited the library.

Franz would also have just stuck it in a vault, but he might have let a heterodyne know of its existence. I get the feeling his personal library is not something even the Heterodyne sees very often.

According to the late Mr. Wooster at least, the Library will "lend any book to any person". Though there have also been indications that you can get on some kind of banned list if you fail to pay your fees and fines.

[DavidSh]

Ooh, explicit Rocky Horror reference. (Or maybe Charles Atlas, but that's not so fun.)

[Pax1138]

Agh! The twitch advertisement below the comic lead me to briefly believe Agatha had arrived to sort all this nonsense out.

[Spamotron]

Given how much care and forethought it's creator demonstrated in the past, I'm betting that the Iram Solis isn't waterproof and is now a fancy paperweight.

[geoduck]

Given how much care and forethought it's creator demonstrated in the past, I'm betting that the Iram Solis isn't waterproof and is now a fancy paperweight.

She's gonna be thwarted somehow, there are all sorts of possibilities. It only works with Dragon fire. Hector is actually working for someone else and steals it from her. One of the giant worms appears and eats her.

[theangelJean]

New comic doesn't exactly say how, but in typical Foglio Easter egg fashion ...
Back page of the newspaper, with illustration: Discredited Academic Fizzles!
Which makes me wonder how Hautwyrm was discredited. Her theory about how to change a dragon was borne out - I'm guessing nobody felt like corroborating her account, though. So what else did she do to lose credibility?

[Rodin]

New comic doesn't exactly say how, but in typical Foglio Easter egg fashion ...
Back page of the newspaper, with illustration: Discredited Academic Fizzles!
Which makes me wonder how Hautwyrm was discredited. Her theory about how to change a dragon was borne out - I'm guessing nobody felt like corroborating her account, though. So what else did she do to lose credibility?


That's the sub-heading, the main article is "Embarassing attack of the week". So it sounds like she tried to use the Iram Solis to attack Mechanicsburg and it didn't work, leading to her getting squashed. I'm guessing the discredited part is because of that? I hope we get more details, anyway.

[DavidSh]

It also looks like Agatha repaired Humongulus, with maybe a few improvements.

[Fyraltari]

And that Franz brought some destructive criticism to Mechanicsburg architectural choices.

[Shining Wrath]

Gotta love The Allseeing Eye, Monster Edition, tying up loose ends.
It looks like Hector really was working for Hautwyrm, and really was an idiot, and I doubt it would have made the Mechanicsburg papers if Hautwyrm had attacked some other city, so she came with the Iram Solis to take on the most fortified city in Europa. Hector may have been an idiot, but arrogance leads to stupidity that idiots can only dream of.

[Grim Portent]

Looks like Humungulous has been given a medal by Mechanicsburg. You can see it in his left hand on the front page of the newspaper. May have come with a knighthood, or the paper is just playing on his aesthetic.

Considering Humungulous was an out of control destroyer before starting to work with the Corbetites it's rather appropriate for him to have a second home among Mechanicsburg.

[Rockphed]

Considering Humungulous was an out of control destroyer before starting to work with the Corbetites it's rather appropriate for him to have a second home among Mechanicsburg.

I feel like Agatha learned from watching both the Corbetites and Klaus that giving monsters a job makes them much easier to contain.

[Shining Wrath]

I feel like Agatha learned from watching both the Corbetites and Klaus that giving monsters a job makes them much easier to contain.

The Monster's Guild may have been helpful in this regard as well. In Mechanicsburg, monsters sell trinkets in shops and so on. They are citizens of the community.

Recall Franz's send-off ritual with the von Mekkens; he's not just a big dumb monster that guards treasure, he's under the protection of the entire city and the Heterodyne family.

There's a fair amount of evidence that one of the best ways to fight real-world terrorism is to give young men jobs and wives. It directs all that energy into socially acceptable paths. Monsters are people, too!

[sihnfahl]

There's a fair amount of evidence that one of the best ways to fight real-world terrorism is to give young men jobs and wives.
That depends ... but that's a RL discussion I want to avoid.

It looks like the good prof expected Grand FLAME! and got a Bic lighter.

[BRC]

It looks like the good prof expected Grand FLAME! and got a Bic lighter.

The Iram Solus amplifies flame.

Even assuming that it works on a flamethrower instead of specficailyl Dragonfire, best case scenario for the good professor is that she has a super-flamethrower.

Against a town that has stood for centuries against armies led by all sorts of sparks, and which had almost certainly been warned "hey, a crazy lady with a super-flamethrower is going to try to burn down the town"

Probably got halfway through her rant before getting bonked on the head by a jaeger.

[Thomas Cardew]

Nah, she was at least an OK ranter. I'm pretty sure they'd at least wait to hear out the rant for entertainment's sake. It's not EVERY day the show comes to town on its own. Just every other week.

[Rockphed]

Nah, she was at least an OK ranter. I'm pretty sure they'd at least wait to hear out the rant for entertainment's sake. It's not EVERY day the show comes to town on its own. Just every other week.

Mechanicsburg appreciates a good rant. They'll still kill you afterwards, but they will hold fire until the rant finishes. A really good rant might even get them to let you get off the first shot.

[Shining Wrath]

It's all because your mama don't dance and your daddy doesn't rant and roll.

[Rockphed]

Question: Did Hydroargyros have the Iram Solis before the first time he attacked Mechanicsburg?

[Shining Wrath]

Question: Did Hydroargyros have the Iram Solis before the first time he attacked Mechanicsburg?

It wasn't shown in the flashback, and it seems there is a courtesy rule between dragons, as Franz didn't incinerate Hydroargyros with his (presumably full power) flame. Or maybe dragons are simply immune to each other's breath weapon, and the Iram Solis would only have been brought out once the dragon battle had been resolved.

Sudden thought: Franz is smarter than I gave him credit for. He suspected Hautwyrm would attack Mechanicsburg, and she did; now, presumably, the Iram Solis is the property of the Heterodynes. They may let Franz keep it, or it may be in the Castle, displayed as a trophy in the Hall of Really Stupid Attacks on Mechanicsburg. Point being, by letting Hautwyrm "escape" with the tool, he finessed Brother Marcus' claim on it without causing any strife.

Will the Corbetites show up and ask for it? Maybe; not his problem.

[Rockphed]

Sudden thought: Franz is smarter than I gave him credit for. He suspected Hautwyrm would attack Mechanicsburg, and she did; now, presumably, the Iram Solis is the property of the Heterodynes. They may let Franz keep it, or it may be in the Castle, displayed as a trophy in the Hall of Really Stupid Attacks on Mechanicsburg. Point being, by letting Hautwyrm "escape" with the tool, he finessed Brother Marcus' claim on it without causing any strife.

Will the Corbetites show up and ask for it? Maybe; not his problem.

I suspect that if the Corbetites ask for it Agatha will let them have it for a suitable price. Not too high so they feel taken advantage of, but not so low that they don't respect the offer. Agatha will defend what is hers and her retainers with fire and fury, but trophies of idiots attacking the town are dime a dozen.

[BRC]

Nah, she was at least an OK ranter. I'm pretty sure they'd at least wait to hear out the rant for entertainment's sake. It's not EVERY day the show comes to town on its own. Just every other week.

Maybe? Her Rant of choice seems pretty basic, her thesis is, what, "All Monsters must be destroyed"? That's pretty low-tier as rants go, and won't play well in Mechanisburg.

Sure, she might mix things up, throw in a "My Name will go down in history as the Greatest Monster Hunter Ever!" or go on about the new and exciting fashions she will create using the hides and bones of various famous Mechanisburg Monsters, which the Jaegers would certainly appreciate. Honestly, the best thing she could do is pull out a classic "Show Them All" and start going on about various academic rivals who dared to doubt her, and how once she's wiped this monstrosity of a town off the map she will burn each of them on a pyre made of their own insipid writings.

But from what we've seen of Professor Hautwyrm, letting her finish her rant would be more a matter of pity and courtesy than anything else.

[theangelJean]

Sudden thought: Franz is smarter than I gave him credit for. He suspected Hautwyrm would attack Mechanicsburg, and she did; now, presumably, the Iram Solis is the property of the Heterodynes. They may let Franz keep it, or it may be in the Castle, displayed as a trophy in the Hall of Really Stupid Attacks on Mechanicsburg. Point being, by letting Hautwyrm "escape" with the tool, he finessed Brother Marcus' claim on it without causing any strife.

Will the Corbetites show up and ask for it? Maybe; not his problem.

Did Franz actually want it in the first place? To him it was a tool, one he usually didn't need. He didn't actually hear about it until Hautwyrm called it for herself, did he?

I seem to recall the initial discussion between Brother Marcus and Vipsania being at least a little hush-hush. Then they told Franz the Corbettites were there to take anything dangerous - and he (grudgingly) agreed, because he was after books, and gold. When Hautwyrm brought it up, he said she would have to talk with Brother Marcus (and they were under duress by then, no actual agreement was struck). So I thought the main contention for the Iram Solis was between the Corbettites and Professor Hautwyrm.

Edit: If I'm right, in today's comic we might see the Iram Solis being handed over to the Corbettites. We have a happy ending for Franz, Vipsania and Lumi onscreen so far - Humungulous and Brother Marcus are friends, I suspect they'll get more than just an Easter egg.

[Divayth Fyr]

Edit: If I'm right, in today's comic we might see the Iram Solis being handed over to the Corbettites. We have a happy ending for Franz, Vipsania and Lumi onscreen so far - Humungulous and Brother Marcus are friends, I suspect they'll get more than just an Easter egg.
Well, the Sneaky Gate is up
and even if it happens, won't be today.

[theangelJean]

Well, the Sneaky Gate is up
and even if it happens, won't be today.

Comic is up now.
Chekhov's treasure: the present Vipsania brought for Franz in the beginning (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20220829).

[Shining Wrath]

Wait - am I to understand that Othar has been trapped inside a small clank? That does seem like an Agatha solution to a psychotic murderer that she is natheless fond of - trap him in one of her mini clanks and give him to Franz.

Or is it just a souvenir trinket that says "It is time for adventure!" like a Heterodyne trinket might say "It's a great day - for SCIENCE!"?

[Willie the Duck]

Wait - am I to understand that Othar has been trapped inside a small clank? That does seem like an Agatha solution to a psychotic murderer that she is natheless fond of - trap him in one of her mini clanks and give him to Franz.

Or is it just a souvenir trinket that says "It is time for adventure!" like a Heterodyne trinket might say "It's a great day - for SCIENCE!"?
See theangelJean's comment:

Comic is up now.
Chekhov's treasure: the present Vipsania brought for Franz in the beginning (https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20220829).

[Rodin]

I thought Othar was actually in the chronometer as well, but I think it's just weirdly worded? For anybody else I'd say it's a bad turn of phrase referring to how Othar is missing and all that's left of him is the chronometer. But with all the time traveling stuff from Othar's Twitter account, I'm far more inclined to believe that Othar did wind up trapped inside a clock.

On the against side, I'd also be surprised if the Foglios revealed Othar's fate in a filler side story. The people we've seen in the side stories (other than Agatha herself) have generally been fairly minor characters who can safely be revealed to have survived.

[Rockphed]

WMG theory: Hydroargyros is somehow trapped in the clock.

[Shining Wrath]

So Vipsania believed the chronometer to have once been the property of Othar.
But Franz says that it is Othar, or at least, his voice.
Maybe this is Franz channeling Humongulous and reminding Vipsania of the fragility of flesh, that you too can die and be remembered only as a trinket.
Or that's all that's left of Othar - he is inside the chronometer, and his gears are wearing out.

[Grim Portent]

The 'running off to who knows where,' remark makes me think Othar vanished inexplicably at some point, presumably lost in time during an adventure, a reflection of the timeline of Twitter Othar.

The chronometer is presumably his watch and one of few surviving things he left behind, and as we know Othar loved his theatric heroism hence the watch only saying it's time for adventure.

[theangelJean]

I thought Othar was actually in the chronometer as well, but I think it's just weirdly worded? For anybody else I'd say it's a bad turn of phrase referring to how Othar is missing and all that's left of him is the chronometer. But with all the time traveling stuff from Othar's Twitter account, I'm far more inclined to believe that Othar did wind up trapped inside a clock.

On the against side, I'd also be surprised if the Foglios revealed Othar's fate in a filler side story. The people we've seen in the side stories (other than Agatha herself) have generally been fairly minor characters who can safely be revealed to have survived.

We've already seen Othar adventuring with Agatha in a story presumably set after the main story. If that's canon, then we can guess that Othar survives the main story. (I am not sure if it is, but if it isn't, then is this current story canon?)

[geoduck]

We've already seen Othar adventuring with Agatha in a story presumably set after the main story. If that's canon, then we can guess that Othar survives the main story. (I am not sure if it is, but if it isn't, then is this current story canon?)

All of those early side stories are depicted as radio plays being (re-)told by the Professors, and so any "facts" in them should be taken with at least a grain of salt.

[DavidSh]

Now, while Franz does have years more of sabbatical time left, and could head out again on adventure, I think this is a good point to end the story.

[Rodin]

Now, while Franz does have years more of sabbatical time left, and could head out again on adventure, I think this is a good point to end the story.

It sounds like they're going for a "the adventure continues!" ending.

Franz Scortchmaw will return!

In: Franz Scortchmaw and the the Lightless Temple: The Search for Othar!

[Shining Wrath]

Ah, the classic "poke the device until it suddenly works" trope.

I think we now know where Vipsania is going, and maybe Lumi will go with her.

I love the princess with the lizard god sock puppets, and there's lots of fun stuff in the map (Hills of Angst?).

[Grim Portent]

I do believe those puppets are the Winslow. Feels like it's been a while since he was referenced.

[Shining Wrath]

I do believe those puppets are the Winslow. Feels like it's been a while since he was referenced.

I think you're right, which means Serpent God = Winslow.

[Rockphed]

I think you're right, which means Serpent God = Winslow.

Lizard God. Which makes sense since the Winslow is the fuzzy lizard of love or some such.

[MPHJack7]

I think this is a good point to end the story.

I fully agree with you there, but the question is: do the Foglios think so too?

[Shining Wrath]

Lizard God. Which makes sense since the Winslow is the fuzzy lizard of love or some such.

Yeah, I got it right the first time.

Lizard God of Love seems like what Othar is experiencing there.

[Thomas Cardew]

I fully agree with you there, but the question is: do the Foglios think so too?

My bet is one more page 'starting' the adventure, then a splash art, then maybe finally back to the main plot. About 80/20 on whether we rejoin Agatha and Albia en route/in London or catch up with Gil and co who crawled across Europe over the last year.

[Laurentio III]

Why does the Lightless College have a book drop slot, and why does it have eyes inside?

[Shining Wrath]

Why does the Lightless College have a book drop slot, and why does it have eyes inside?

The books are in Braille, and the eyes are because the place is infested with monsters?

[Thomas Cardew]

My bet is one more page 'starting' the adventure, then a splash art, then maybe finally back to the main plot. About 80/20 on whether we rejoin Agatha and Albia en route/in London or catch up with Gil and co who crawled across Europe over the last year.

Well, I was right about the one more page, we'll see if Wednesday is splash art or back to the story!

[GeoffWatson]

I fully agree with you there, but the question is: do the Foglios think so too?

It has the word "END" at the bottom right, so probably.

[Shining Wrath]

Predict we'll get several story boards reminding us of what Team Agatha and Team Gil were up to before the break.

[geoduck]

Predict we'll get several story boards reminding us of what Team Agatha and Team Gil were up to before the break.

Sadly, at this point the Foglios probably need to be reminded as well.

[Radar]

Sadly, at this point the Foglios probably need to be reminded as well.
At some point I think they mentioned having at home corkboards of continuity insanity. Personally, I am picturing it as all those movie conspiracy nut's mess of scraps of paper and strings.

[Shining Wrath]

Well, that seems succinct and matches my memory, so maybe the Foglios aren't complete morons.

What we need is for Agatha to re-invent the Mechanicsburg coffee machine and get Albia to drink a cup.

[Christian]

At some point I think they mentioned having at home corkboards of continuity insanity. Personally, I am picturing it as all those movie conspiracy nut's mess of scraps of paper and strings.

That thing must have been completely taken over by spiders by now.