Murphy's Law 5: To Comic 100...And Beyond!

[HalfTangible]

Thanks, everyone. Update later tonight. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it.

Why is it a bad thing to wish a merry christmas to those who DON'T celebrate it? Sure, if you don't it's just Dec. 25th, but how is saying 'Merry December 25th' bad in that case?

[RdMarquis]

True. It's like a very specific way of saying, "Have a nice day".

[John Cribati]

While I can't say that I'm entirely comfortable with Lloyd being gay (not that I'm prejudiced or anything, I just find it odd) I appreciate that Murphy and Hyperion don't make a bid deal out of it.

/preemptive strike against thread derail.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Hi, Lateral! I guess you like?

Thanks for your comments. And here's a Christmas present! (Or just a regular present. )

#105: A Bit Of An Inside Joke

Spoiler

Show

[John Cribati]

"Alistair; took you Long enough. I- Wait."

"...This is Kago... I can still make this work."

Now to figure out what all that means.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Translated!

Now to figure out what all that means.

Would you PLEASE put that in spoilers? Thank you! (I was laughing how you figured it out so quickly.)

[RdMarquis]

I was hoping someone would figure out what that meant. Anyways, this is intriguing. It'll be nice to see what this all means.

Does the title mean that Rust's name is an in-joke?

[HalfTangible]

I was hoping someone would figure out what that meant. Anyways, this is intriguing. It'll be nice to see what this all means.

Does the title mean that Rust's name is an in-joke?

The color of his magic looks like rust. is that it?

[Lycan 01]

I like the shrinking/retracting wings effect. Nice touch.

[Hemnon]

Rusts wings are gone in the last 'window' of the comic page.

[Asta Kask]

I was hoping someone would figure out what that meant. Anyways, this is intriguing. It'll be nice to see what this all means.

Does the title mean that Rust's name is an in-joke?

The in-joke is that there are cryptograms.

[John Cribati]

Maybe his real name is Wtle.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Rusts wings are gone in the last 'window' of the comic page.

I like the shrinking/retracting wings effect. Nice touch.

Thanks. That was intentional.

So, any speculation as to what happens in the next comics? Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to update every day throughout the week.

[blackjack217]

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to update every day throughout the week.

[Symmys]

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to update every day throughout the week.

Yay!

Hmm. Speculation.
Dark red does not seem like a very celestial color. It isn't the color of Murphy's magic, either- his is black/dark grey, as we saw previously. Nor is Rust a name that says 'being of cosmic good'. Rust is a form of decay, something associated with evil or at best unfeeling neutrality.
I'm going to guess, based on these observations and Herpestidae's translation, that Rust is not a celestial at all, but -something- in disguise.

[RdMarquis]

So, any speculation as to what happens in the next comics? Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to update every day throughout the week.

Nice!

Dark red does not seem like a very celestial color. It isn't the color of Murphy's magic, either- his is black/dark grey, as we saw previously. Nor is Rust a name that says 'being of cosmic good'. Rust is a form of decay, something associated with evil or at best unfeeling neutrality.I'm going to guess, based on these observations and Herpestidae's translation, that Rust is not a celestial at all, but -something- in disguise.

Sounds good. It would also explains the role that the evil outsiders of the Murphyverse (if it hasn't caught on, I'm trying to make it happen) have to play in the story. If Rust is a villain, I like to imagine that he's part of an evil organization similar to the Daelkyr from the Eberron setting, or the Denarians from Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Each of them, if you'll allow me to be poetic for a second, are artists of the most deadly sort, with a favored brush to paint destruction and discord with. He chose the name Rust because his specialty is decay.

[CWater]

And finally I have some free time to produce some commentary! *rubs hands together* Let's see what we have here...

#101: Only one speech bubble -comic, nice. I remember some people saying that this one felt a little fillery, and this might be so, at least when read in one comic a week pace. When read as part of the archives though, I think it fits in it's place rather well and provides a better ending for the flasback than comic 100 would have been. It's also a nice detail to know that Aequar has two moons; and they are in slightly differet phase too. Too many artist forget details like that...two full moons in opposite sides of the sky and the like...

#102: I approve of Serrin's and Tinder's reactions, they feel realistic enough. And Fir is a nice detail It's somehow funny how easily Tinder can lift Serrin. Sigh, Janine...well it's not like we can expect much else from her... Wonder how this'll affect Serrin's opinion of her? I fear the little half-elf is yet to see that the rest of the world is not as nice place as her home...

#103: So Lloyd is planning on getting drunk? Hmm, I think I understand him in the circumstances, even if I generally dislike alcohol being used in such a way. And Matt is defitinely buying from Kylie in order to help her out, he just can't admit it, 't would ruin his image. A hint of Janine's past, hm?

#104: "Summoning for dummies" *smirk* ...I dislike Hyperion, he has an evil aura somehow. Murphy seems just a little too Lawful for his (or in this case others) own good. But I believe his concern for his people to be real. Wonder what kind of Celestial they'll get...

#105: This...is certainly interesting. Alistair...why do I have a feeling that I've heard that name before

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to update every day throughout the week.

I approve of this.

[Asta Kask]

Thanks. That was intentional.

So, any speculation as to what happens in the next comics?

Divers alarums and excursion

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to update every day throughout the week.

And here I was, trying to break my internet addiction...

well

*sigh*

off the wagon I go.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Yay!

Hmm. Speculation.
Dark red does not seem like a very celestial color. It isn't the color of Murphy's magic, either- his is black/dark grey, as we saw previously. Nor is Rust a name that says 'being of cosmic good'. Rust is a form of decay, something associated with evil or at best unfeeling neutrality.
I'm going to guess, based on these observations and Herpestidae's translation, that Rust is not a celestial at all, but -something- in disguise.

Nice!



Sounds good. It would also explains the role that the evil outsiders of the Murphyverse (if it hasn't caught on, I'm trying to make it happen) have to play in the story. If Rust is a villain, I like to imagine that he's part of an evil organization similar to the Daelkyr from the Eberron setting, or the Denarians from Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Each of them, if you'll allow me to be poetic for a second, are artists of the most deadly sort, with a favored brush to paint destruction and discord with. He chose the name Rust because his specialty is decay.

And finally I have some free time to produce some commentary! *rubs hands together* Let's see what we have here...

#101: Only one speech bubble -comic, nice. I remember some people saying that this one felt a little fillery, and this might be so, at least when read in one comic a week pace. When read as part of the archives though, I think it fits in it's place rather well and provides a better ending for the flasback than comic 100 would have been. It's also a nice detail to know that Aequar has two moons; and they are in slightly differet phase too. Too many artist forget details like that...two full moons in opposite sides of the sky and the like...

#102: I approve of Serrin's and Tinder's reactions, they feel realistic enough. And Fir is a nice detail It's somehow funny how easily Tinder can lift Serrin. Sigh, Janine...well it's not like we can expect much else from her... Wonder how this'll affect Serrin's opinion of her? I fear the little half-elf is yet to see that the rest of the world is not as nice place as her home...

#103: So Lloyd is planning on getting drunk? Hmm, I think I understand him in the circumstances, even if I generally dislike alcohol being used in such a way. And Matt is defitinely buying from Kylie in order to help her out, he just can't admit it, 't would ruin his image. A hint of Janine's past, hm?

#104: "Summoning for dummies" *smirk* ...I dislike Hyperion, he has an evil aura somehow. Murphy seems just a little too Lawful for his (or in this case others) own good. But I believe his concern for his people to be real. Wonder what kind of Celestial they'll get...

#105: This...is certainly interesting. why do I have a feeling that I've heard that name before


I approve of this.

Thanks guys! Just got back from the shelter (Got 4 puppies, 2 kittens, and a cat adopted!), and I must say I love your comments.

Rust will explain how he got his nickname in the next comic and Murphy's aura is a smoky navy blue.

[blackjack217]

you didn't adopt them all yourself did you?

[Eleanor_Rigby]

Hm... So we're finally being introduced directly to a character who knows Astrid personally. This should be interesting...
Was Murphy calling Hyperion "Perry" purely as an abreviation/nickname for Hyperion? Looks like the High Priest isn't happy with over-familiarity and definitely has the status to say so to the General quite bluntly.
I didn't realise Lloyd and Lexington's relationship was so open. I suppose they didn't feel it really mattered before the situation at Kylie's village went down and Lloyd left but Lexington must have been in a dangerous position afterwards. I suppose he had to put up with a lot of questioning to say the least after his partner went AWOL?
On another note, Coffee, does this look more or less like Lloyd than my last try at the face?

(now with !KagoHairstyle for increased variety! ...and a squint nose)

[CoffeeIncluded]

Actually, Perry is his given name. He renamed himself Hyperion about a year ago. And since Hyperion was the Titan god of light, with extremely...Godlike implications in the name, even in Aequar, and Astrid is the sun goddess, and he's the High Priest of Astrid in Kago...

Oh yeah, the past few years have been rough for him. Thankfully Miles was there to help him out, and Lexi's...You'll see a bit more of his personality in the future. And I'm okay with the drawing. Neck's a bit long though.

[blackjack217]

The leader of the church on a power trip great, just great. Also I predict that the forthcoming conversation will somehow end with people getting sent after our heroes or something. Also how free religiously is Kago? (I assume the palavian gods are right out of course)

[Eleanor_Rigby]

Actually, Perry is his given name. He renamed himself Hyperion about a year ago. And since Hyperion was the Titan god of light, with extremely...Godlike implications in the name, even in Aequar, and Astrid is the sun goddess, and he's the High Priest of Astrid in Kago...

I think I shall have to call him Perry from now on then, should I need to mention him again.

Poor Lexi. Not sure if I want to know what happens now or not! I'll just have to add it to the list of things I want to find more about in Murphy's Law but dread the answer - along with the reason Janine's terrified of orcs.
And the neck probably is a bit long, I shortened his face but didn't lower his head or anything, so that would make sense. Was there something in particular that was off in my picture of Janine, by the way, e.g: is the face too round? nose too wide?

[CoffeeIncluded]

The leader of the church on a power trip great, just great. Also I predict that the forthcoming conversation will somehow end with people getting sent after our heroes or something. Also how free religiously is Kago? (I assume the palavian gods are right out of course)

Oh yeah, he's heading straight into a massive power trip, and it's as bad as you think.

Kago? Astridism is the state religion, and don't even think about worshiping any other gods, at least not openly if you know what's good for you. Astridism is also the state religion of Laria, but you're actually allowed to freely worship other gods there. Non-Astrid temples have to pay an annual tax though.

I think I shall have to call him Perry from now on then, should I need to mention him again.

Poor Lexi. Not sure if I want to know what happens now or not! I'll just have to add it to the list of things I want to find more about in Murphy's Law but dread the answer - along with the reason Janine's terrified of orcs.
And the neck probably is a bit long, I shortened his face but didn't lower his head or anything, so that would make sense. Was there something in particular that was off in my picture of Janine, by the way, e.g: is the face too round? nose too wide?

You'll just have to see! And yes, that is perfect. You might get a mace to the face though Janine's facial features were a bit off--Her nose isn't that wide.

[Asta Kask]

Was I right about the injoke?

[CoffeeIncluded]

Ehh...Maybe, Asta.

And update! I really want to know what you all think! (How many people do read this comic anyway?)

#106: Astrid's Seal Of Approval

Spoiler

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[Eleanor_Rigby]

...Huh.
So does Rust want to talk to Lord Byron one-to-one to avoid Perry's meddling or is he really just that oblivious? As far as I know Astrid's ascent and descent happened in the time of the existing Plaavan's ancestors so his blaming them for the Salblaze thing, especially since that was a crime perpetrated by one or two individuals, really is ridiculous and it's pointless blaming people for wanting to have somewhere to live too. Yes, I know, these things get real life societies set against one another too but it just seems incredibly short sighted for a divine being. Unless divine beings in Aequar follow a similar moral code to the Gods of Greek mythology in which case anything goes
And re: Janine's nose - - yeah, it really is pretty wide in that first close up there. I was going for something where her hair's kind of falling over her face so it's not meant to be the whole breadth of her face showing which would make the nose smaller in proportion but I think it probably is still too wide. Does the weird side-on view in the last panel look alright or is there something else you would change? I've realised now that her cape is probably shorter than I was drawing it but I'm inclined to leave it that way for now, to be honest, rather than work out the appropriate length...

Edited to Add: Whilst I'm hoping Rust was acting to get Perry out of the way it doesn't strike me as wise to re-inforce wholesale slaughter as a valid tactic to General Murphy, who doesn't seem quite so certain that what they're doing is right... so I'm not sure that he was.... Perhaps he was hoping to talk to Murphy alone afterwards?

[Volthawk]

Looks like the divine are just as flawed as the mortals who worship them...

[Asta Kask]

Lord Byron? As in "Mad, bad, and dangerous to know"? The man who had an incestuous relationship with his half-sister?

I'm sorry, but that rips me out of the story and says "STORY!" Harsh but true. I'll try to find my suspension of disbelief.

*goes looking*