I'd prefer not to have one thread for all the future updates, they always get so cluttered and busy and... It's not easy get into later, if you don't keep checking the updates. Adding to that, the update rate is lot faster than most of the comics...That sounds good to me. What does everybody think?
How about one thread for one week?
That sounds good to me. What does everybody think?
I think that pretty much defeats the sense of a forum, actually. We created this thing to discuss and not lose our discussions, so where's the difference between a daily discussion and a weekly one? SSSS is, after all, a slow-paced comic.
I was considering one thread per chapter after I posted this thread. I think it depends on the number of posts we get per page. If we get 10-20 one thread is really to be preferred, but if we get a 100 then things will get a bit flooded.
In the future, I could see us having threads with more focus - e.g. a thread for future speculation, or a thread dedicated to a certain character's awesomeness, etc. I think it'll depend on how we see things playing out on the forum in the next few weeks.A speculation thread is a great idea. That could be fun with a weekly or page-to-page poll or something.
In the future, I could see us having threads with more focus - e.g. a thread for future speculation, or a thread dedicated to a certain character's awesomeness, etc. I think it'll depend on how we see things playing out on the forum in the next few weeks.
That's a good idea. Depending on another people, I'd expect we might see shipping threads, or like, "what would you/your great-grandchildren do if you lived in year 90?".... Actually I might want to make that one, heh.
Seems like there are a lot of threads just waiting to be made.
Oh, yessss.... This is a very rich world Minna has created. There's a lot to discuss, debate and explore. Didn't some people even try doing an RPG set in the SSSS-verse?
I would be happier if we kept this forum for things that need more considered, long-term discussion. The example I came up with was character development threads, where we could log the life-lessons each character learns, changes of personality as the result of experiences and so on. The other BIG use is already underway with the poetry thread which is exactly what this forum can achieve that the Disqus system sucks at!
Can I suggest that we avoid running the forum into the ground with topics discussing the latest update. We don't need 300 posts a day saying "Yuck!" "Lalli = cute!" and so on - Discuss works fine for that!This is the best case made so far for a single thread. In the name of fairness: any objections?
I would be happier if we kept this forum for things that need more considered, long-term discussion. The example I came up with was character development threads, where we could log the life-lessons each character learns, changes of personality as the result of experiences and so on. The other BIG use is already underway with the poetry thread which is exactly what this forum can achieve that the Disqus system sucks at!
Speculation threads are also a very good idea - lets have lots of those!
This is the best case made so far for a single thread. In the name of fairness: any objections?
Posted by: noako
« on: Today at 02:22:17 PM » Insert Quote
I'd prefer not to have one thread for all the future updates, they always get so cluttered and busy and... It's not easy get into later, if you don't keep checking the updates. Adding to that, the update rate is lot faster than most of the comics...
How about one thread for one week?
That makes sense, I mean, the little fullbody profile pictures in the cast page already look like they could be in some game showing different jobs...
RPG of SSSS would be awesome but I think we still know too little to make anything sensible.
I'd also like to know how recently that outbreak was and how bad it was. Sounds to me like they've just experienced a serious population crash and now don't have the manpower to continue to attempt scavenging/cleansing.
I'd prefer not to have one thread for all the future updates, they always get so cluttered and busy and... It's not easy get into later, if you don't keep checking the updates. Adding to that, the update rate is lot faster than most of the comics...The comic "Questionable Content" also updates M-F. Their forum has one weekly thread for comic discussion, usually opened by a mod, and it seems to work well. You don't have to slog through posts to find an older point you were looking for, but neither does it clog up the boards. If there were a main board for discussions and then a subcategory for the weekly posts, that might answer well here, too.
How about one thread for one week?
Edit: Ooh, of course, splitting them by chapters could work too..!!
After reading some comments of pyromania in "Scene's we'd like to see", I'd also add:
"Here, catch!"
And don't forget the "The situation is under control" and of course the immortal "He. Hehehehe. Hehehahaha. Hahahah. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Owl's cannot move their eyesTo repeat what has already been said on Disqus, real life owls cannot possibly have Onnis eye colors, either. 8)
Sorry but I just had to comment on it
Even though I get the artistic and lore/spiritual bending of it :P
Owl's cannot move their eyes
https://www.google.se/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=owls%20cannot%20move%20their%20eyes (https://www.google.se/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=owls%20cannot%20move%20their%20eyes)
I don't think Minna would've mentioned it or drawn it if he wasn't going to use it. I'm really excited too. I like the design of the flamethrower. It has a tiny can for a fuel tank. They must have learned to really improve their fuel efficiency. I'm also excited, because Emil gets to be competent. I think Emil's a great cleanser, because any time something from his cleanser training comes up, he's very competent and confident. For example, when he stopped Sigrun to blow up Tooth Scary. Another example would be when he chucked the mirror. Someone, I don't remember who, was saying they he probably had training throwing grenades and incendiaries, and that's why it traveled so far.
...Aaaand on a shallow note, man, I just love how sulky and vulnerable he looks on that bottom panel, oh yes. 8 )
And YES definitely yes. I mean, I love fail!Emil. But seeing him make himself useful will be great.
I'm very much looking forward to seeing more Emil! I wouldn't have expected it but for some strange reason he's the character I identify most with. (I'm a bit worried about what that might say about me...)
but on the upside, he seems to have a good heart. : )
On another note and to not go too far off topic: What do you think Reynir is doing right now? Is he still afraid that the ghosts will come back or is he too busy worshipping Onni? Is he so exhausted that he falls asleep immediately or is he afraid to go back right to the dreamspace after such a traumatic event? Or maybe he can't wait to go look for Lalli and Onni?
I'm very much looking forward to seeing more Emil! I wouldn't have expected it but for some strange reason he's the character I identify most with. (I'm a bit worried about what that might say about me...)
Oh, yes, that's definitely itand not that I must have perfect hair at all times.:D
On another note and to not go too far off topic: What do you think Reynir is doing right now? Is he still afraid that the ghosts will come back or is he too busy worshipping Onni? Is he so exhausted that he falls asleep immediately or is he afraid to go back right to the dreamspace after such a traumatic event? Or maybe he can't wait to go look for Lalli and Onni?
Haha...I know that feeling, except for me it's Tuuri. I identify with her pretty strongly, even (especially?) when she's being weasel-y.
Speaking of Reynir... Now I'm imagining him curled up and blaming himself and I just want to give him a hug. </3
If he's still awake, he might just poke his head put of the tank any minute now to see whether he can help - and probably right when Mikkeland Sigrunhit a live troll limb and Emil is torching everything
Also, the sun has been setting for weeks, how bad does it get when the night actually falls...?
I know, this must be the record for longest sunset ever! I really hope they get somewhere safe before it gets truly darkbut what fun would that be?
Even as far south as Copenhagen is compared to latitudes I'm familiar with, depending on the exact time of year everything after noon could qualify as "sunset" - up here in 60°N, full daylight isn't even a thing that happens in December, so Copenhagen being around 55°N I could easily give them 3-4 hours of "technically sunset" time before running into any sort of disbelief.
Even as far south as Copenhagen is compared to latitudes I'm familiar with, depending on the exact time of year everything after noon could qualify as "sunset" - up here in 60°N, full daylight isn't even a thing that happens in December, so Copenhagen being around 55°N I could easily give them 3-4 hours of "technically sunset" time before running into any sort of disbelief.
Exactly this. I'm at roughly the same latitude as Copenhagen, and very long sunsets during the cold month are definitely the norm. It starts setting really early, but it's quite a while before it's actually gone.
Oh, interesting! I hadn't realized that...our sunsets last maybe an hour most of the time, or so it seems. (My latitude is around 15 degrees south of Copenhagen, apparently.) Now I'm trying to remember how long the sunset lasted when I lived practically on the Equator for a year...all I'm coming up with was that sunset happened at the same time every day, can't remember how long it took to actually go down.
Even as far south as Copenhagen is compared to latitudes I'm familiar with, depending on the exact time of year everything after noon could qualify as "sunset" - up here in 60°N, full daylight isn't even a thing that happens in December, so Copenhagen being around 55°N I could easily give them 3-4 hours of "technically sunset" time before running into any sort of disbelief.
I think earlier on, somebody tried to map it (please tell me I was not imagining things).You are not (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=25.0).
Hi Sigrun, bye Sigrun (seriously though, given she's standing in the middle of it, looks like she could get knocked over and into the water in the next second! Though hopefully that won't happen).
Giant, I think. Can't remember any animals that look like that. Except maybe squid, which aren't mammals so are immune.
I had the same idea when I saw the page. Sigrun is also a perfect candidate for being thrown into water as her left arm is tied up (not very tightly but tied up nonetheless) and weakened from the attack earlier.
Giant, I think. Can't remember any animals that look like that. Except maybe squid, which aren't mammals so are immune.
I didn't even consider that, but you're of course right. ...Is it terrible that I kind of want it to happen? : D
That makes two of us! Or three? I want something to happen, at any rate - Sigrun getting pulled into the water and needing rescuing would be really interesting (I didn't think I'd be saying that about a female character, ever, but then she's not your typical damsel), or perhaps Sigrun (and Emil?) pulling the Watcher's attention to themselves so the rest of the crew can escape? The cat-tank would be an easy snack, otherwise.
I'm excited! ;D
I'm waiting for two things: Emil to flamethrower something and Lalli to use that sniper rifle he totes around. With this comic (490, for future reference) I doubt either of them are very far off.
That makes two of us! Or three? I want something to happen, at any rate - Sigrun getting pulled into the water and needing rescuing would be really interesting (I didn't think I'd be saying that about a female character, ever, but then she's not your typical damsel), or perhaps Sigrun (and Emil?) pulling the Watcher's attention to themselves so the rest of the crew can escape? The cat-tank would be an easy snack, otherwise.
I'm excited! ;D
Yessss exactly. I confess, I'm one of those people who loves seeing my faves get knocked around and injured and put in perilous situations and so on, and Sigrun's no exception. Hell, she's a troll hunter, it's just an occupational hazard, right? : D Though this is... a sliiiightly different situation than the usual, I think. As far as rescues go, well - I expect that everyone will get their turn at needing help at some point or other, so it's probably just a matter of time. ;p
The "drawing attention in order for the rest to escape" idea would be really interesting. Must confess, I like the idea of Sigrun and/or Emil doing that. ...Though in this particular situation that we currently have, they would probably be dead. So dead. Probably. It's such an amazing mess. : D
+1 to both. Flamethrower action is probably coming up sometime soon. But Lalli is still incapacitated, so we'll probably have to wait longer for that.
I'm waiting for two things: Emil to flamethrower something and Lalli to use that sniper rifle he totes around. With this comic (490, for future reference) I doubt either of them are very far off.
...I am not the only one who is so, so horrible to my favorite characters.
Haha, yeah...at this point I feel like it's Chekhov's flamethrower, since Minna mentioned it in the comments a few days ago. He HAS to use it soon!
As much as I really, really want Emil to use that flamethrower (please my son go and wreak the destruction you were meant to do) I also,
really,
really want Tuuri to ram the troll with the tank.
Why not both? Have Emil blasting the flamethrower while hanging onto the side of the charging tank - Mad Max: Silent World. :D
Why not both? Have Emil blasting the flamethrower while hanging onto the side of the charging tank - Mad Max: Silent World. :D
Why not both? Have Emil blasting the flamethrower while hanging onto the side of the charging tank - Mad Max: Silent World. :D
YESSSSS! (I...really want someone to make art of this now...)
... so I'm the only one who, in the interest of the expedition's well-being, hopes that Emils flame-thrower gets jammed before he blasts a wet giant and a couple people in bone-dry clothing with it? ???The solution: Sigrun and Mikkel both fall into the water before Emil blasts the giant. ;)
Why not both? Have Emil blasting the flamethrower while hanging onto the side of the charging tank - Mad Max: Silent World. :D
YESSSSS! (I...really want someone to make art of this now...)
Yes please!
(Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy can't I draw?)
Elleth pointed out that there is a gun on the roof(No, there ain't. The black rod occasionally poking out is the aerial on top of the folding antenna mast (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=279).)
Nope nope nope, I refuse, that note is not a literal thing and tomorrow we'll find out that Sgru is secretly a rodeo champion.That would be so, so epic to see! :D
Her face in the second-to-last panel made me laugh, though, it just looks like she's thinking "Oh, right, ok, I'm over here now".Me too! :) It also strikes me as "Oh, she's got this. She's seeing what's happening and she'll think of a plan." Although poor Sigrun, first her arm and now this!
Guyssssssssss it's like the womping willow
I couldn't help but notice the parallel between this and her ancestor Aksel on page 7 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=7) when the sea engulfed him.
Her face in the second-to-last panel made me laugh, though, it just looks like she's thinking "Oh, right, ok, I'm over here now".
I'm hoping for a possible change of role - Sigrun is the one saved instead of the one doing the saving.
ok I tried to keep my cool but let's just say I'm not ok about today's page. NONONONONONONONONONONONOOOOOOOOO
but that cruel brand of humour in author's notes, whyyyyy. I was prepared for whomping willows but not that.
Funny, I always thought of Sigrun as having elements of Little My. Maybe it's the sharpness of the features and the expression of manic glee.And the sweet and gentle personality they both have. :D
Funny, I always thought of Sigrun as having elements of Little My. Maybe it's the sharpness of the features and the expression of manic glee.
(And mannn do I ever lover her hair on this page. And the water. And, like. Everything?)
It has been suggested in the comments that this is a flooded railroad cut, and this is a rail car that Cthulhu is ensconced in.
Looking again, I can see the space between two cars near the right end of the panel.
I won't even start guessing what's happening next, but such a beautiful page today... Sigrun in freezing water with an underwater train giant, but the colours and the whole composition are calmingly beautiful. (I didn't doubt that she can swim, but that's not to say I'm not concerned.)
I like how the chapters have different colour schemes, and I often remember them by colours - it does change in the middle of ch. 10, but then again it was going to be two chapters originally. Was this really the "Mikkel, Reynir and Tuuri go adventuring, yay" chapter? That feels like ages ago!
Hypothermia from exposure to cold water is not as sudden as is often believed. A person who survives the initial minute of trauma (after falling into icy water), can survive for at least thirty minutes provided they don't drown. However, the ability to perform useful work (for example to save oneself) declines substantially after ten minutes (as the body protectively cuts off blood flow to "non-essential" muscles).
The dark blobb ever so slightly breaking the surface seem creepy enough to make Sigrun wanting to get away as fast as possible. But will she manage to grab the rope and escape, leaving us with only a glimpse of the underwater troll/Cthulhu/Kraken as it furiously thrashes about or will there be an epic underwater boss fight?
I can't wait for the next pageeeeee, so excited! Can Sigrun even climb the robe with her injured arm, or will she just have to hold on while Mikkel pulls her out? And that's not even taking into consideration interruptions from trolls, giants or whatever beastie lurks there XD
That's a good question. I'm not sure she'd be able to hang on there.... Depending on how quickly the monster attacks (because surely it will) we might not end up finding out. :V
Huh, I wonder what that thing that only surfaced for a moment was... aren't trolls and giants sensitive to cold? They need nests and sleep during the day, right? So isn't that underwater thing more likely to be a beast, since beasts are able to stand the cold? I would think the water is too icy cold for trolls... though perhaps that's why parts of that big thing seemed dead, maybe it's big enough that only parts die from the cold.
Huh, I wonder what that thing that only surfaced for a moment was... aren't trolls and giants sensitive to cold? They need nests and sleep during the day, right? So isn't that underwater thing more likely to be a beast, since beasts are able to stand the cold? I would think the water is too icy cold for trolls... though perhaps that's why parts of that big thing seemed dead, maybe it's big enough that only parts die from the cold.
We saw this in Star Wars (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Dianoga)!Charming little creature.. *shudders*
Those "non-essential" muscles being mostly in the extremeties. And Sigrun's got a giant on her hands... and when she's survived that and Tuuri drives away, there's still the weather to deal with. (Is that where Emil's flame-thrower comes in? Making a fire so Sigrun doesn't freeze?)
I can't wait for the next pageeeeee, so excited! Can Sigrun even climb the robe with her injured arm, or will she just have to hold on while Mikkel pulls her out? And that's not even taking into consideration interruptions from trolls, giants or whatever beastie lurks there XD
Has it been stated at what temperature trolls die of exposure? In an earlier info page it said cleaners blow up buildings to destroy nests, then let "the harsh grip of winter" kill the trolls, and kill any that survived underground in spring. Well, and water leeches heat much faster than air - so it would stand to reason that trolls wouldn't be able to live in cold water, right? But there are animals adapted to living in water, that don't lose bodyheat to it, so if those turned to beasts, they would likely be able to survive in cold water.
Double posting like a moron but:
NO NO NO NO NO PLEASE NO
I... most of all I hate the look of "welp guess that was it" on Sigrun's face. I'm not ok. :'(
*patpats Laufey and offers a comforting hug* don't despair, mate, I think Sigrun is tough and lucky. She may yet survive. I don't like that look either, but haven't quite given up on her yet!
I guess she must have privately made her peace with this sort of thing a long time ago. Makes you wonder how many times she's been on the other end of that rope.
I believe there is some kind of blanket fort around here. Could I please get some directions? :(
I guess she must have privately made her peace with this sort of thing a long time ago. Makes you wonder how many times she's been on the other end of that rope.
I think anybody who does what Sigrun does would have to have long since sorted her head on the subject of death. In her situation there is always the need to balance resignation to one's fate against the need to fight to the last breath. One can't give up too soon, and miracles have been known to happen. I can see Sigrun fighting to the end and then some, but taking it as her fate when something finally does get her.
I believe Sigrun will be okay. I believe we're about to see her full abilities. The Norwegians hunt sea beasts and giants. Sigrun is a Captain. Normally, she stays out of trouble, and uses the environment and her people to their full effectiveness. Trapped in a canal with a giant is the only way to see what Sigrun and a knife are capable of.
I'm sure Sigrun will survive this encouner and hopefully in one piece, but I can't pretend that her scared and sad face doesen't make me worried like hell.I too am 100% certain she'll make it - I don't think SSSS is that kind of story - and I think we should take a moment to consider Minna's talent for making us all crack up like this even when we know deep down she's going to be fine!
And... I think I have to make a confession... I never ever intended to develop a girl crush on Sigrun, but... uh... it happened. Oh well. ::)
I kind of feel sorry for the troll or beast or giant, whatever it is.We should always feel sorry for the infected! 'A fate worse than death' doesn't begin to cover what's happened to them.
And... I think I have to make a confession... I never ever intended to develop a girl crush on Sigrun, but... uh... it happened. Oh well. ::)
Yeah, I've often thought how it must be for trolls and beasts, with the little fragment of themselves still screaming in the back of the mind. Like the voices on the radio, or the dogbeast when the sunlight hit its eyes, or that poor girl on the train. For that matter, I liked your take on it in that Frisbee fic you did - the confused dog rousing to fight back whatever makes it a beast.
And I think/hope Sigrun will survive, but I doubt she'll do it without taking further damage..
Well if I remember it's been a while since anyone in the comic fell into the water, I guess Sigrun will have to make up for it by falling in several times in the same scene.
Yeah, I've often thought how it must be for trolls and beasts, with the little fragment of themselves still screaming in the back of the mind. Like the voices on the radio, or the dogbeast when the sunlight hit its eyes, or that poor girl on the train. For that matter, I liked your take on it in that Frisbee fic you did - the confused dog rousing to fight back whatever makes it a beast.
And I think/hope Sigrun will survive, but I doubt she'll do it without taking further damage..
Well, yes, I mean, I'm sorry for the Infected in a general sense, but now it's up against Sigrun the Most Best Warrior.
You know, considering the beating she's taken lately I wouldn't be surprised if we something unheard of in the next few pages - Sigrun meeting her match.
(In this vein I've been hoping for a while that the crew encounters an oddly persistent, intelligent troll that harries them through the city - a sort of recurring villain, if you will - and slowly becomes Sigrun's nemesis)
I like the idea of them being pursued by an unusually intelligent troll. As a matter of fact someone's been writing a fic with exactly that idea (only Emil is the one it's pursuing).Oh? Who? (or does that mean it's you?)
It would be interesting to see how each of you handles that theme.Well my idea was Sigrun coming across a troll-ified infant on a nondescript book salvaging run and giving it a mercy kill. Turns out that the baby's mother was also mutated and has been keeping a half-crazed vigil over her child (but had left to find food or somesuch when the crew turned up) for 90 long years. Naturally she's distraught, and sets off after the crew in pursuit of revenge. Quite possibly the crew would have no idea why this one troll, posessed of unusual intelligence, speed and tactics, is stalking them across the ruins, Sigrun not even remembering just another grossling she put down.
Oh? Who? (or does that mean it's you?)
Well my idea was Sigrun coming across a troll-ified infant on a nondescript book salvaging run and giving it a mercy kill. Turns out that the baby's mother was also mutated and has been keeping a half-crazed vigil over her child (but had left to find food or somesuch when the crew turned up) for 90 long years. Naturally she's distraught, and sets off after the crew in pursuit of revenge. Quite possibly the crew would have no idea why this one troll, posessed of unusual intelligence, speed and tactics, is stalking them across the ruins, Sigrun not even remembering just another grossling she put down.
Oh? Who? (or does that mean it's you?)
Well my idea was Sigrun coming across a troll-ified infant on a nondescript book salvaging run and giving it a mercy kill. Turns out that the baby's mother was also mutated and has been keeping a half-crazed vigil over her child (but had left to find food or somesuch when the crew turned up) for 90 long years. Naturally she's distraught, and sets off after the crew in pursuit of revenge. Quite possibly the crew would have no idea why this one troll, posessed of unusual intelligence, speed and tactics, is stalking them across the ruins, Sigrun not even remembering just another grossling she put down.
I would read that. Now I'm just imagining cases where entire families got wiped out, and stuck together in a group after becoming trolls. Maybe they don't even know why, they just do.Do you mean that they literally stuck together and became giants? :D
Sorry guys, this week is going to end with both Sigrun and Emil in peril. Enjoy the weekend!
On the other hand: the phrase 'Emil in peril' is music to my ears. *_* Somebody pass the popcorn, please.Agreed, can't help but smile whenever I realise that Emil is in trouble. >:D
Also: Good gods are those leggy trolls ever creepy. C-r-e-e-p-y. Eugh....
But I do wonder how this fight is gonna go down though. They seem to be quite vulnerable with their brain encased in what seems to be transparent jelly. So in order to compensate for bad defense, they might either have telepathic powers like the ghosts or they are really good at kicking which wouldn't really be too effective.
- Maybe panic
I also predict a ruined hairdo...
Maybe? We're talking about Emil :PTo be honest, I'm pretty sure it won't be a "maybe", but every time I assume something, Minna successes in surprising me, so... :D
I also predict a ruined hairdo...
So, next week program looks like :
- Trolls
- More trolls
- Troubles
- Maybe panic (Yes Emil, don't pretend it couldn't happen.)
- Chaos
- No mage capable to do something useful
It will be... interesting.
... seriously, the only way for them to be in even more trouble would be if those ghosts catch up. Trouble in all directions, all night long~
D: Oh no. D: D: D: Don't even suggest it, that would be HORRIBLE!
D: Oh no. D: D: D: Don't even suggest it, that would be HORRIBLE!Okay, I missed that, where is the blanket fort, again ?
I also predict a ruined hairdo...
The best we can hope for if that happens is the ghosts fight the trolls for first dibs and the crew manages to sneak away.
Considering that the very first thing we saw the ghosts do (besides hang around in windows and look creepy) was killing a troll, that might be more likely than we think - even if the ghosts hate everything and/or want to suck the life out of everything, they probably hate trolls more than humans. Though maybe human life is tastier...
But it seems that sucking the life out of either makes the ghosts grow stronger, so even if they did away with the Jelly Blorps the crew would still be very much in trouble. Probably in worse trouble than from the Jelly Blorps alone.
But it seems that sucking the life out of either makes the ghosts grow stronger, so even if they did away with the Jelly Blorps the crew would still be very much in trouble. Probably in worse trouble than from the Jelly Blorps alone.
Perhaps there was a secret lab practicing human cloning? No, really, these are the weirdest trolls we've seen this far, I'm very interested to know how they came to be. After all the grosslings we've seen it's also unusual that they are actually not very... gross. They are creepy, but they don't look like a mass of rotting flesh.
That's very true.So far these trolls intrigue me the most with their designs, so that would be neat if there was a backstory like that. :) Do we know if we'll have more info about Year 0 and how the Illness started?
Hey, maybe these are the extradimensional aliens that started the Illness!
For some reason the idea of a troll that's "really good at kicking" cracks me up. I think it's becaue I'm imagining the things going all Bruce Lee on poor Emil ;DNever thought of that before and now I'm all laughing for it :))
So far these trolls intrigue me the most with their designs, so that would be neat if there was a backstory like that. :) Do we know if we'll have more info about Year 0 and how the Illness started?
We don't know, but it feels especially likely with the vaccine plot and Hilde Rasmussen (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=275) being a fairly prominent discovery that Mikkel especially took an interest in... and with the team being sent out toOh yes, that's right!loot booksinvestigate things that were probably lost during the worst of the pandemic or never made it into official channels to prevent panic to begin with (there was only so much about the patients zero that ever made it public, after all) I hope this is an avenue Minna decides to explore. Origin stories are fascinating!
Maybe the long-legged trolls weren't humans. We know animals can become trolls, sort of.Ehh, but with beasts you can pretty much tell what kind of animal they were originally, and the jelly heads don't ring any bells for me.
Maybe these long legged guys are like, troll-flamingos or something with really long legs. Maybe they escaped from the zoo. *shrug*
Cross-posted from the comment section of Pg 495: Wild theory: the jelly trolls all look alike because they're a test group for a very failed version of the cure.
Ehh, but with beasts you can pretty much tell what kind of animal they were originally, and the jelly heads don't ring any bells for me.
Cross-posted from the comment section of Pg 495: Wild theory: the jelly trolls all look alike because they're a test group for a very failed version of the cure.
Cross-posted from the comment section of Pg 495: Wild theory: the jelly trolls all look alike because they're a test group for a very failed version of the cure.
Maybe the long-legged trolls weren't humans. We know animals can become trolls, sort of.
Maybe these long legged guys are like, troll-flamingos or something with really long legs. Maybe they escaped from the zoo. *shrug*
The brain, eyes and spine combo are very obviously human though.
http://preview.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/05/26__22_51_35/DL3D_EyeBrain_5.JPG27975ac2-0d75-43ba-8096-fb5511620fd4Original.jpg (3D anatomical model but a little gross if you don't like that kind of thing).
Maybe these long legged guys are like, troll-flamingos or something with really long legs. Maybe they escaped from the zoo. *shrug*
Maybe they are what remains of the Royal Danish Ballet School just down the street from Amalienborg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I really am curious how all these trolls look so much the same. There is clearly much we don't know about the Illness.
Yeah, it really is odd, isn't it? I hope this mystery will get solved eventually.
My initial thought when they showed up was "maybe they're all related" (or rather, were related) but there might be too many of them for that, and it doesn't quite jive with the lore, anyway.
(Okay, not to completely derail the serious speculation, but) After refreshing for the umpteenth time this morning, I realized that the lollipop trolls look much funnier if you imagine that the tiny inner brain thing is the head and the outside lines of the bubble are actually arms held up in a circle above the head. (Particularly in panels 6/7 of page 496). They look even more like giant murder ballerinas now and I'm dying of laughter!
(Who needs to be serious? ;p )
...Oh gods. I'm not going to be able to unsee that. Take responsibility. : D
Seems Sigrun has a plan, I think.It's Sigrun. I'm not worrying. Errr... "plan" ? Well... no, I'm not afraid...
It's Sigrun. I'm not worrying. Errr... "plan" ? Well... no, I'm not afraid...
497 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=497)
That monster like something you'd find in a Pokemon game.
Seems Sigrun has a plan, I think.
The only one who needs to worry is the troll. It's up against Sigrun, after all. ;pMy only preoccupation was "What silly thing will she do ?" before remembering that, in such situations, Sigrun is simply the most best ;)
It does seem that the troll has a peculiar passion for water boarding.
Wait, so it's Mama Leaftroll? Sigrun is gonna be like 'oh, come on, this guy again?'
If that's the case, Mama Leaftroll is probably a little upset about what happened to her baby.She was asleep when it died, and at the hands of the Amalienborg ghosts, no less. She'ld need to put the prophetic capabilities of seiður to shame to even know about the event.
If that's the case, Mama Leaftroll is probably a little upset about what happened to her baby.
Lalli is going to be so confused when he emerges from hibernation.Or maybe he'll sleep during a few more days and don't notice anything.
Wait, so it's Mama Leaftroll? Sigrun is gonna be like 'oh, come on, this guy again?'
Whether or not they're related, the visual similarity is there. And Leaftroll did take a bite out of Sigrun, just saying.
/another episode in "Elleth's brain is a hive of angst and pessimism". I don't actually want Sigrun to die or be seriously hurt! That was enough smacking around to satisfy the "hurt" part in my hurt/comfort cravings, so some comfort would be nice now! But thinking about these pages = bad idea for optimism. :-\
I think she's going to try and get up those stairs. She realizes she can't kill it, and rope's not going to work, because it'll just swat her down. She needs some cover, and to get to the surface. The shaft of stairs can provide both, because the tentacles will have to poke through, instead of swatting.
Emil's little bomblets that he killed the toothy troll with in chapter 5 don't look like they'd cut it here.*Emil used flamethrower on the water troll*
All will be fine, all will just be fiiiiiiine... but Mikkel is moving in his try to help.
This is the kind of situation where a pistol - ideally with a silencer - would make all the difference. Even if the bullets bounce off they're likely to elicit more of a response than a few hurled rocks.
Provided it was one of those Hollywood silencers that turns the gun from BANG to phwut. I've heard ones in real life aren't nearly as effective. But yeah, I get the feeling Mikkel might as well be hurling snowballs as rocks at this point!
Provided it was one of those Hollywood silencers that turns the gun from BANG to phwut. I've heard ones in real life aren't nearly as effective. But yeah, I get the feeling Mikkel might as well be hurling snowballs as rocks at this point!
From what I understand a silencer will change a BANG to the sound of someone slamming a pile of phone books onto a table. That's got to be slightly less effective at summoning every troll in the vicinity ;D
Now imagining Mikkel pelting the thing with a bunch of phone books they had in the cargo hold :D
"Thank goodness, we finally have a use for these!"
"And to think I was going to put these in the porridge!"
So Sigrun made it after all, but that didn't mean she was safe. The kraken trying to climb up seem to indicate that along with Emil fleeing from his troll encounter that went slightly out of hand.
The funniest part however, must be Mikkel's face of disbelief as he sees a bunch of burning murder lollipops running towards them. :'D
So Sigrun made it after all, but that didn't mean she was safe. The kraken trying to climb up seem to indicate that along with Emil fleeing from his troll encounter that went slightly out of hand.
She is, after all, the most best.But tired of this situation, right now.
But tired of this situation, right now.
Well, yeah. She'd probably like dry shoes and a cup of hot candle-and-tuna soup
I... hadn't realised there was still going to be one more page this week (the holidays and the unusual schedule had apparently confused me) but there was a page, and Sigrun's out of the water!!! Everything is still a mess, but I've never been happier to see a drawing of a person climbing stairs. :P
Unfortunately there's something else climbing stairs too, but maybe it's too bloated for the rusty staircase, or is that too much to hope.
Somehow I suspect that comic magic will help heal the wound in the long run, because something like tetanus seems like an unlikely plot point, but it doesn't look pretty.
Somehow I suspect that comic magic will help heal the wound in the long run, because something like tetanus seems like an unlikely plot point, but it doesn't look pretty.
That said, a sub-plot about the hazards of the silent world that aren't trolls might be interesting! Collapsing buildings, any remaining pollutants seeping into the water, diseases and infections, dwindling supplies, bad weather...
That said, a sub-plot about the hazards of the silent world that aren't trolls might be interesting! Collapsing buildings, any remaining pollutants seeping into the water, diseases and infections, dwindling supplies, bad weather...
Woohoo! Page 500 and troll infighting! ;D
The jellyheads are still far too much alike to be normal trolls. And the Watcher in the Water is most definitely NOT a troll. At that size, it's either going to be a giant or it's going to be a beast-whale.
Well, you never know. I doubt there's been particularly comprehensive studies done on the distribution of mutations in trolls, after all! And my vote would be giant. It doesn't look anything like a whale and actually might be a bit too small (never thought I'd say that of a rash-monster!).
And the Watcher in the Water is most definitely NOT a troll. At that size, it's either going to be a giant or it's going to be a beast-whale.Yet, Minna called it a "bloated water troll" on p497 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=497) ...
Hmm..depends on what type of whale it was, surely. Gray, bowhead, humpback,right, fin, sperm -- they all look about that size. Grays don't live in that part of the world, bowheads surely do. And you can find rights, fins, and sperms up there.
I guess I'm used to thinking of 'whale' as a synonym for 'absolutely flipping huge' :)
But there's also the fact that beasts are said not to deviate too far from the body plan the animal originally had - it's the once-human trolls that are the weird and wonderful ones. And this thing doesn't look anything like a whale to me. Granted it doesn't look like much of anything (Satan's stingray, maybe), but I guess that's the point. Plus there is the issue, like JoB says, of how it got into the middle of a city. Not that I wouldn't mind a story arc where the crew stops by the coast and are menaced by a leviathan that crawls up onto dry land!
So yeah, cool as it would definitely be to have a leviathan pottering around the ruins of the city, I think this thing is still a troll/giant.
Oh, I think it's likely a giant rather than a beast, but there's something...odd...going on around Copenhagen.
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.::)
I'm judging both of you, but only because I didn't think of that and I should have.
Helia that is one adorable and awesome photograph! : D
501 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=501)
Krakentrollthingy is weirdly cute and... I almost feel bad for it.
Almost.
Helia, that's adorable! Great way to celebrate.
It makes me think of the Groke from Moomins. Argh, three pages ago the thing was actively trying to drown Sigrun, and now it is sad, that's completely unreasonable. Probably sad because it failed doing that, but now it manages to look like it's sad because it doesn't have friends.
Poor thing...every time it makes a new friend, the friend ends up dead. ;)
I never thought I would say this, but I actually feel pity for the troll. Especially on panel 3 as it's just trying to drag itself back into safety
Trolls and giants seem to be acting more on instinct. We're not quite sure what drives them and why they're so hostile.
Now, the *spirits* seem to be more menacing.
There definitely does seem to be something more premeditated about the spirits' actions, doesn't there? If it weren't for the Dalahästen giant going all "help me" on Emil, I would almost be tempted to say that victims of the rash might be having their souls disconnected from their bodies, with only the primitive instincs remaining in the trolls while the higher reasoning gets to flicker on a wall for 90 years and go mad from isolation.
Given Lalli's lack of concern (I get the impression he's pretty paranoid, with reason), Tuuri's reassuring of Reynir, and Reynir's mention of 'not like the spirits at home', I strongly suspect that the Copenhagen murderghosts are something nobody has seen before, or at least has not seen and lived to tell about.
Given Lalli's lack of concern (I get the impression he's pretty paranoid, with reason), Tuuri's reassuring of Reynir, and Reynir's mention of 'not like the spirits at home', I strongly suspect that the Copenhagen murderghosts are something nobody has seen before, or at least has not seen and lived to tell about.
Okay, so what is going on in today's page? Reynir has a vision of a church - and an image of someone who may be a saint? - and is that candle talking to him or is it just meant to be someone hidden in the shadows?
I think voices from a sacred flame (which a church candle might be) are a thing with Christians as with us Pagans?
I'll just cut and paste what I put on Disqus:I lean more towards this:
Interesting that it's a Christian church. I imagine that there are still Christians around, even though the old gods are now ascendant, but has Reynir ever been in a church like this before? Based on demographics, I'd expect most Christians still in Iceland to be Lutherans, but this looks like it would be Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox (and more likely the first, according to what Google tells me).
The interior looks very typical Icelandic church, and shepherd images in protestant churches are not usually depictions of saints, that might be Jesus himself. Question is, what's wrong with his sheep?Lutherans kept most (not all) of the Catholic church design--unsurprisingly, given that the earliest Lutheran church buildings (those in Europe) were built as Catholic churches before the Reformation.
All I've seen mentioned so far is that the Finns have stuck by their old forest gods, the Icelanders and Norwegians have reverted to (I think) the old Nordic pantheon. What little we've seen of their magic and runes would suggest this. Whereas the Swedes and Danes 'do not know of the kindness of the gods'. What this all means I don't know. Suggestions, anybody?
I lean more towards this:Lutherans kept most (not all) of the Catholic church design--unsurprisingly, given that the earliest Lutheran church buildings (those in Europe) were built as Catholic churches before the Reformation.
Sc0ut, I suppose it occurred to me because a lot of the Christianity I've been exposed to has been West Irish Catholicism, and that style has imbibed a lot of the Irish Pagan custom and usage. It's very different to Lutheranism! (I also have experience of that, given that we live in the Barossa Valley, and one of my daughters-in-law and her family are Lutherans of the grim and stark kind). I'm a Celtic Pagan myself, and I was always amused by how much of our ways had leaked across into the local Christian population. Or perhaps it had never left. Not so much into formal Church usage, as into the religious observances of everyday life. For instance, a farming household, nominally Catholic, might have a little bottle of holy water from the local church, for cleansing or blessing things, but they might also leave out a nightly offering of milk for Themselves. And when people lit a candle for Saint Bridget, the prayer they used was an only very slightly modified version of the old preChristian invocation to Brigid/Bride, the old-faith Lady of light and fire. Most of the Catholic priests there just learned to live with it.
That was in reference to the Danes especially (the Swedes are just arrogant and fail to follow the Old Gods as they're doing fine), and I suppose it means they are under no particular protection. After suffering so many setbacks it'd be easy to think that the Norse Gods have forsaken them for not believing. I do think Christianity could still alive and reasonably well in Sweden, given that there are churches in Mora (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=127). It looks like the in-universe Skald who wrote the world info pages is an Icelander, though, so he might be operating under the bias of the Icelanders rejecting their more recent past and simply not find Christianity worth paying attention to?
...I'd be surprised to find Christianity completely gone. It's only been 90 years and people can be very tenacious in their beliefs (I'm Jewish. We're used to holding on).But there are few or very few actually firm believes in religion in the Nordic area, and many of those have found other religions.
But there are few or very few actually firm believes in religion in the Nordic area, and many of those have found other religions.
Sure we are nominally over 90% christian, probably 80% of those don't really believe and do not actually even go trough the motion.
It can't be overstated that Christianity is for the most part just skin deep over here, most don't believe in God and many of those who do don't thing the Church (any church) got it right about him(her?).
Sure, that's understandable, but the other thing is that if there's one thing that brings on religious fervor, it's some great disaster. Like, say, a highly infectious plague that's wiping out civilization as we know it.
(Not that there'd be a LOT of Christians, but I'd expect there to be some). My fellow Jews are almost certainly extinct, though.
...Those sleeping arrangements look awfully cramped. Somebody should put Lalli back under the bed where he belongs. ;p
"No atheists in foxholes" and all that (and I say that as an atheist myself!). I must admit I wouldn't be surprised to see church attendances rising as the world came crashing down. Perhaps, ironically, allowing faster spread of the Rash amongst the congregation...
And again this leads me to wonder if Christian magic could exist in this world - although I guess it would look very different to Norse stuff, considering the wildly different doctrines the two religions have on that stuff. Maybe devout Christians experience a sort of 'guardian angel' effect and suffer fewer misfortunes in this world, but because it's not the comparatively flashy stuff of the Norse mages no-one notices?
It's canon in this world that the Old Gods exist -- the Norse and Finnish pantheons, at least. It's not established that the God (as understood in Christianity) exists.
It's canon in this world that the Old Gods exist -- the Norse and Finnish pantheons, at least. It's not established that the God (as understood in Christianity) exists.
I'm late to the party, but today's page sure was a surprise!I'm even later (on a two-week trip with intermittent time & net access right now) and would like to share an epiphany I had about the ghosts while reading up the previous page (505). ::)
I was wondering about that - is it confirmed that the pagan gods exist, or just that magic does? Is it possible that magic simply works in the way people expect it to work, if that makes any sense? (eg a Finnish mage has runos work for them because they believe there's power in the words, but staves are 'just drawings' so they have no effect) Perhaps even the gods themselves, if the comic were to ever actually show them in one form or another, might just be conjured up because their worshippers expect to see them.
(I see there's functionally no difference between what I just suggested and 'the old gods exist'! Perhaps I shouldn't ponder this sort of thing on too much coffee...)
Edit: aaaaand Rabbit puts it more eloquently than I could xD
Well....the info page (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87) says that Icelandic mages receive their power from the gods Freyja and Óðinn.
The latest update shows a half moon and I was thinking wait wait wasn't it just full? And then I made a timeline spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit?usp=sharing) (There must be other timelines out there, but I couldn't find them) and lo and behold it fits!!!
The latest update shows a half moon and I was thinking wait wait wasn't it just full? And then I made a timeline spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit?usp=sharing) (There must be other timelines out there, but I couldn't find them) and lo and behold it fits!!!
Wow, that's amazing work, both you and Minna!Thank you!
Unlos: it fits well. Good! Waning gibbous moon, third quarter, was about what I thought.Yeah, the size of it suggests waning gibbous while the straight profile of it is more last quarter.
Wow, Unlos, this is a treasure!Thank you! I'm still home with bronchitis but apparently well enough to sit up doing ssss-related stuff, yay!
The latest update shows a half moon and I was thinking wait wait wasn't it just full? And then I made a timeline spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit?usp=sharing) (There must be other timelines out there, but I couldn't find them) and lo and behold it fits!!!
The latest update shows a half moon and I was thinking wait wait wasn't it just full? And then I made a timeline spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit?usp=sharing) (There must be other timelines out there, but I couldn't find them) and lo and behold it fits!!!
The latest update shows a half moon and I was thinking wait wait wasn't it just full? And then I made a timeline spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit?usp=sharing) (There must be other timelines out there, but I couldn't find them) and lo and behold it fits!!!
The latest update shows a half moon and I was thinking wait wait wasn't it just full? And then I made a timeline spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit?usp=sharing) (There must be other timelines out there, but I couldn't find them) and lo and behold it fits!!!
I was thinking about doing this the other day. I also wanted to see if all the details fit together. One thing we can do with this info is to calculate the average speeds of the vehicles they have used.Maybe the Silent World cruise ship fuel is less efficient, hence slower engine, hence slower ship.
The paddlewheeler: 300 km, 20 locks on the waterway (let's say about 10 min for each, total of 3,5-4 hours off the travel time), total travel time 11 hours
Meaning average speed of about 22-23 knots (when taking the locking sequences into account). Plausible, but kinda unrealistic like the whole waterway.
Viking Line ship: 220 km, total travel time 16 hours
Meaning average speed of about 7,5 knots. This makes no sense, the ship must've left close to midnight or something, as big ships like that tend to have average speed of about 20 knots.
The train from Björköfjärden to Mora: 430 km, total travel time 4-5 hours?
Meaning average speed of about 90-110 km/h. Realistic.
The train from Mora to Malmö: 800 km, total travel time 12 hours?
Meaning average speed of about 70 km/h. Makes sense if they have to drive slowly through the once densely populated areas.
Maybe the Silent World cruise ship fuel is less efficient, hence slower engine, hence slower ship.
I was thinking about doing this the other day. I also wanted to see if all the details fit together. One thing we can do with this info is to calculate the average speeds of the vehicles they have used.Interesting! We can always say the timber cruiser loaded timber for a while before it left. Or as you suggest, refrain from analyzing too closely as it IMO works best as a visual, emotional symbol of the lost old civilization meeting the present post-apocalyptic one. Trip from Mora to Malmö takes according to this lady (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=150) approx 16 hours, meaning about 50 kmp which is a pretty slow train. Oh well.
(snip...)
Maybe the Silent World cruise ship fuel is less efficient, hence slower engine, hence slower ship.
Trip from Mora to Malmö takes according to this lady (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=150) approx 16 hours, meaning about 50 kmp which is a pretty slow train. Oh well.
A possible reason might be caution in the dark, if they are making some of the trip before dawn or after sunset. And the little paddlewheeler might not be as fast as the big Viking Line ship?
I think vehicles in the new world run on batteries, so unless they just go slower to keep them charged for longer I don't think this would be the case.If the vehicles do run on batteries, how are they charged? I'm picturing a massive room full of kittens running on treadmills.
If the vehicles do run on batteries, how are they charged? I'm picturing a massive room full of kittens running on treadmills.
If the vehicles do run on batteries, how are they charged? I'm picturing a massive room full of kittens running on treadmills.
If the vehicles do run on batteries, how are they charged? I'm picturing a massive room full of kittens running on treadmills.
Word of Minna is that the Known World has better battery tech and can generate electricity from heat much better than we can. That's what powers the Catttank
Now you're thinking with kittens. ;)
So, the new info page seems to indicate that trolls can adapt to their environment as they grow, which is interesting. And also our first look at some leviathans, which look as cool as I'd hoped!
Gotta love the predicament the man and his cat have gotten into, by the way...
The real question now is, what the heck kind of environment produced the splamps?
Never mutate on a full bladder.
The real question now is, what the heck kind of environment produced the splamps?
Never mutate on a full bladder.Therefore we can conclude that the environment in question was a cinema.
Okay, ew.Sorry not sorry xD
Therefore we can conclude that the environment in question was a cinema.It all makes sense! ;D
Energy from heat? That means it is using cat power! It gathers heat from concentrated cuteness and uses it for power! Headcanon confirmed
Coming up this Thursday: the new support wallpaper illustration, which means I'll post the current one for all of you to enjoy for free. After that there's a few finished little illustrations that'll be posted as filler content, so do check in once or twice a week and you'll have something new to tide you over until the 29th.
509 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=509)
So, everyone has an animal spirit, even if they don't know it. Interesting.
Except for Finns, those heathens.
509 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=509)
So, everyone has an animal spirit, even if they don't know it. Interesting.
I wonder what the extra illustrations will be. Anybody want to guess?
And that reminds me of something I was wondering - does anybody know if there's an archive/index somewhere of, say, previous vote bait drawings, and the extra illustrations that get posted in author notes, and so on?
Because I always have to search for these by clicking each and every page, here are links to Minnas various in-blog pictures:
Captain Sigrun (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=11)
Braidy portrait (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=20))
Christmas card (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=33)
Lalli and Braidy pin-ups (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=35)
Colour experiments (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=40)
Birthday hooray (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=41)
Character portraits 1 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=42)
Hiveworks hooray (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=43)
Onni preview (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=67)
Onni the mage (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=72)
Derelict airport (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=143)
I wonder what the extra illustrations will be. Anybody want to guess?Weeeeell (https://twitter.com/SSSScomic/status/716025821148946432) ...
Weeeeell (https://twitter.com/SSSScomic/status/716025821148946432) ...
http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?extra=2
The extra illustrations are the miniprints! : D
It's nice to have a digital version of these.
She changed the vote bait, too. When did that happen, today?
http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?extra=2
The extra illustrations are the miniprints! : D
It's nice to have a digital version of these.
I can't be the only one who thinks that it looks a bit like Emil's been left behind by the rest of the cleansers, can I? ;D
I can't be the only one who thinks that it looks a bit like Emil's been left behind by the rest of the cleansers, can I? ;D
Awww! I didn't see it that way before but now I do. I was thinking the trails of what appear to be smoke in the background were awfully far away from him. I can totally see the other cleansers assigning him to watch the campso they could get away from him for a while.
The new page is so pretty!
I know eh, bloody gorgeous. *_*
Eeee I'm so glad we're starting a new chapter! ...I might've become a bit tired of waiting, heh.
Just so we don't get too used to regular content, it's the weekend now, so the waiting's not quite over yet... :P
Yey! Lalli back on his feet for the first time in... two days is it? ;DYes, but it feels like months. ;)
Do those on the luonto mean anything or is it just spirit sparkles?I think they are just awesome spirit sparkles. Like so:
I keep wondering on how to read this page, beyond the obvious "ailing Lalli gets his Luonto back and recovers"... namely, where Lalli is. Last I think we saw him was in his Haven after Onni drove the ghosts away, while the dark watercolour background and the stars on this page especially remind me much more of the other layer of the dreamworld? Did Lalli come much closer to fading away than any of us realized?I suppose it's quite possible that after the ghost attack he was in quite a precarious position (after all, they did attack when his luonto was away and therefore not in best shape to start with).
Also, am I the only one who keeps looking at the chapter cover and seeing the way Emil's belt and right arm perfectly merge into one another as Emil having two left arms? (or, I suppose, one black-coloured left arm and a human hand hanging from his belt...)
Also, am I the only one who keeps looking at the chapter cover and seeing the way Emil's belt and right arm perfectly merge into one another as Emil having two left arms? (or, I suppose, one black-coloured left arm and a human hand hanging from his belt...)
I had just managed to convince my brain that that's not what's in the picture, and now I'm seeing it again... thanks. x)
But more importantly, today's page is so beautiful. ♥
So, the latest page. It was a dream sequence after all.
I'm getting the feeling that the actual Lalli-awakening scene will be the exact opposite of this. And that it will make me sad.
"I don't need you to translate for me" and augh, Lalli's face in that panel! ;__; but hey, this may be a sign of character developement~ since when has Lalli wanted to understand other human beings?
I know. It breaks my heart that Lalli probably won't get a welcoming like this, though there's a good chance Emil'll be there waiting for him to wake up.I didn't notice that until you pointed it out ::) yes! (Lalli wants to be recognized as the Boss Cat in the tank)
(And did anyone else notice kitty jumping into the trash can in the fourth(?) panel? I wonder if that's her analog to Reynir's cutting-off-the-braid comment...)
But what if... what if... what if he is too exhausted from the previous night and is still sleeping or something? :'(
But he does take badly to people suggesting he's not good enough.So... he cares when people suggest he's not good enough, but doesn't care if they believe he isn't good enough?
[snip]
He seems very content to know himself that he's good at his job, and if people don't believe it then that's their problem not his.
I disagree, I think this is exactly how he would want things to go in real life.
So... he cares when people suggest he's not good enough, but doesn't care if they believe he isn't good enough?
My personal theory is that he does want praise, he wants the team to appreciate him more, and by the gods, he wants that stupid braid gone.
Reynir's line is the greatest. ;D
lol, you're right, I didn't think that one through. Maybe it's more that he doesn't seek emotional validation, but he does personally care that he gets it right. So when Tuuri suggests he's done a bad job he gets all affronted, and he definitely cares when he did get something wrong, but when he shows he's right after all or fixes it, he does it for himself and not for the other person. He doesn't want attention on himself but he does want personal satisfaction of a job well done.Thank you for the clarification! This makes much more sense~ I see what you mean.
(ALSO. LALLI SMILING FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE ENTIRE COMIC. HOLY FRICK)You should know Lalli's smiles have been known to cause such intense squee-raptures in the fans that Minna has to ration them to prevent mass hospitalizations.
POOR LALLI. My heart is now broken. I just want to give him a hug!
I know, so do I!!! But he would probably hate it if I gave him a hug, so I want Emil to give him a hug for me.
Reynir from today's update - "You know after all this time I probably couldn't stop calling her kitty".
"All this time" has been three days ;D
Yep, first thing I thought of. Also his poem 'The Addressing of Cats'. Which they might consider for Lalli about now!
I know, so do I!!! But he would probably hate it if I gave him a hug, so I want Emil to give him a hug for me.[whispers] The way Monday's page looks, we might be in luck on Tuesday! [/whispers]
[whispers] The way Monday's page looks, we might be in luck on Tuesday! [/whispers]
Because Emil finally noticed Lalli is awake! And he looks so happy! And I was so worried that he wouldn't be excited and now all is right with the universe!
So there's no flag next to the "hey!" meaning it's a mystery who said it but does that also mean it's more likely it's Mikkel or Sigrun who said it considering they were the most recent speaking ?I'm going with Emil, because
I'm going with Emil, becauseI want it to be Emil too, like so bad it hurts for so many reasons but I'm wondering, why no flag ?!?
a) he looked so excited in the third panel, it stands to reason that he will greet his friend!
b) most of Disqus seems to think so
c) I will be sad if it isn't
d) half the fandom might explode if it is anyone other than Emil. >:D
I want it to be Emil too, like so bad it hurts for so many reasons but I'm wondering, why no flag ?!?
Maybe because Minna wants to keep it a surprise until tomorrow? Plus I imagine 'hey' is pretty easily understood, Lalli wouldn't need a translator for that.I think we're all biased and want it to be Emil for more or less similar reasons x3
(I also really want it to be Emil, so I may be a little biased.)
I think we're all biased and want it to be Emil for more or less similar reasons x3It's too late for me. If it isn't Emil, my hopes and dreams will be crushed. The chapter cover is bothering me more and more... that "Lalli is separated from the team" symbolism... ;__;
Mayhaps I just don't wanna get my hopes up too much and be crushed tomorrow in case it isn't Emil.
I'm going with Emil, because
a) he looked so excited in the third panel, it stands to reason that he will greet his friend!
b) most of Disqus seems to think so
c) I will be sad if it isn't
d) half the fandom might explode if it is anyone other than Emil. >:D
I'm gonna go with Tuuri, because she actually speaks Finnish. (Although then she should have said "Hei")The thing is I was just re-reading some of chapter 2 and at one point there's a language Flag just for Tuuri to shoot Lalli's name at him to get his attention (at the part where she wants him to do a Mage demonstration to prove to Emil that he's Mage) so now I'm just all sorts of puzzled over who it could be without the flag. I'm going to go with intentional suspension, maybe.
The thing is I was just re-reading some of chapter 2 and at one point there's a language Flag just for Tuuri to shoot Lalli's name at him to get his attention (at the part where she wants him to do a Mage demonstration to prove to Emil that he's Mage) so now I'm just all sorts of puzzled over who it could be without the flag. I'm going to go with intentional suspension, maybe.
Actually, on the latest page (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=517), other than Mikkel saying that it's time for lunch, nobody has a flag in that conversation.Touché, I suppose that's a good excuse for me to keep hoping it's Emil saying 'Hey!' :3c
So it was Emil saying, "Hey". I thoroughly approve of Emil's actions
but
AUGH LALLI NOOOOO!
(https://41.media.tumblr.com/29b6918e95abcb3c7129fde1f895660e/tumblr_nt51powJkO1r6soqlo6_r1_400.png)
*hugs* I KNOW!!! It's like Minna found the perfect way to meet all of our hopes (it was Emil! He was worried about Lalli and excited to see him awake!) and then utterly crush them all in one page. :'(*hugs back* Minna is so good at that. ;__;
*hugs back* Minna is so good at that. ;__;
I want to say the optimistic thing: "This could be the set up for character and relationship developement~ it can't all be happy fluff!" But then what if it isn't? ;o;
Oh great Minna, please let this be resolved by the end of the chapter. ;__;
Tuuri is gonna have to have a talking-to to that boy.
Or, more specifically, ,Sigrun with Tuuri translating.
*hugs* I KNOW!!! It's like Minna found the perfect way to meet all of our hopes (it was Emil! He was worried about Lalli and excited to see him awake!) and then utterly crush them all in one page. :'(Minna always do that ;) We can imagine a lot of things, she'll come with an other one to surprise us.
Okay, so, this might be a silly question or one that was previously discussed and I missed, but--
We've seen that Lalli got his Luonto back, but what about Onni? He sent his out pretty far, and last we saw his actual body it was pretty unresponsive. Is he OK?
Okay, so, this might be a silly question or one that was previously discussed and I missed, but--
We've seen that Lalli got his Luonto back, but what about Onni? He sent his out pretty far, and last we saw his actual body it was pretty unresponsive. Is he OK?
This update just kinda makes me feel sorry.
Sorry for Lalli and Emil, sorry for the honestly not so nice crew dynamics that are setting into place, sorry for all the things that have led to anyone thinking a bowl of soup to the face is an appropriate reaction (yes I've read through all the comments on the page discussing why Lalli would have done such a thing) and just... there's so many things I'm cringing at lately and no matter how (and with whom) I discuss these things, they can't be explained away or seen in a positive light until Minna gives us new material.
Idk, it feels like Minna is getting into a very awkward impasse with social dynamics and I sure hope she'll find a way out without handwaving this away.
This update just kinda makes me feel sorry.
Sorry for Lalli and Emil, sorry for the honestly not so nice crew dynamics that are setting into place, sorry for all the things that have led to anyone thinking a bowl of soup to the face is an appropriate reaction (yes I've read through all the comments on the page discussing why Lalli would have done such a thing) and just... there's so many things I'm cringing at lately and no matter how (and with whom) I discuss these things, they can't be explained away or seen in a positive light until Minna gives us new material.
Idk, it feels like Minna is getting into a very awkward impasse with social dynamics and I sure hope she'll find a way out without handwaving this away.
Yeah. At this point I'm bracing for things to get a lot worse between the crew before they get better. I guess we're looking at the more subtle dangers of the Silent World, because trouble between crewmates could destroy the mission just as easily as a troll attack. (If not more easily).Mrrh. Yes, indeed.
Now there's a part of me screaming that Minna promised us friendship; when will this team start getting along already!? :'(I am still hoping for a happy ending to the chapter! One with lots of friendship and forgiveness. Or maybe even just a LITTLE friendship and forgiveness. :/ And if not this chapter, then the next one. Sometime soon, hopefully.
Sighhh, I was even thinking about how the only character that I've really noticed any significant character development in so far is Emil and how badly I wanna see some significant in the others. I think at least in the long run this is setting up for some character development in Lalli (and maybe some of the others too !!) but I suppose just like real life significant character development doesn't come without some pain / difficulty / conflict.In short: you called it. ;)
it's true that Emil is hurt and confused and angry and lashing out at what looks like the safest target but I would like to submit that: a) The last person whose hair he tried to fix because it was a disgrace was Lalli. He's just showing he cares! b) He's not actually wrong. I don't think Reynir's brushed his hair since he packed himself into that shipping crate, just saying.
But I am crossing my fingers for Onni to be okay!
But I am crossing my fingers for Onni to be okay!Me too! I am also crossing my fingers for him not to lecture Lalli, because seriously, the guy has had a bad enough morning already. :-\
Me too! I am also crossing my fingers for him not to lecture Lalli, because seriously, the guy has had a bad enough morning already. :-\
Yeah but you know that Onni is going to lecture him.
But, what's going on with his ear ?!? How did he react to his ear being cut off ?!? What's going on with the children right now after they cut off his ear ?!?How did he react to his ear being cut off? He probably cried. Except he wasn't crying, he was allergic to having his ear cut off!
How did he react to his ear being cut off? He probably cried. Except he wasn't crying, he was allergic to having his ear cut off!You know, probably.
As for the children...
Torbjörn: WHAT NO BAD CHILDREN WHAT DID YOU DO?!? *snatches scissors*
Children: We're sorrrryyyyyyyy
Onni: *sobs quietly*
Torbjörn: *gets distracted* Oh okay. *pockets scissors*
Children: ... >:D*pickpocket Torbjörn and regain scissors* >:D
Onni van Gogh?
I wonder if they have a spray bottle on board?They do (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=225). Also, heavy duty version for mortal sins (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=304).
I don't know about you guys but I made an ungodly squealing noise as soon as Onni asked to talk to Reynir . .
I don't know about you guys but I made an ungodly squealing noise as soon as Onni asked to talk to Reynir . .
He probably expected Onni to be 100% fluent in Icelandic since they spoke without difficulty in the dream world. Presumably he heard Onni speaking perfect Icelandic in their last encounter and Onni heard him speaking fluent Finnish (but is experienced enough not to make linguistic assumptions).
As a Finn who had to learn quite a few new sounds just to be able to say hello in Icelandic (sæll og blessaður/sæl og blessuð) I really feel for the both of them now. Special huh, Reynir please. :'D
Okay, but ...
"Thank you for last night, that was awesome!"
... sorry I guess I had to be the one to say it.
Shipping aside, if someone saves you from murderghosts I don't think it's that much of a stretch to describe what they did as "awesome."
I wonder if that first panel is how Onni (and perhaps Lalli) see the world all the time. If so, cool.
I had supposed that this was just how mages saw the world, all or most of it rather than just a narrow band.I agree with Róisín and assume it's not always a gift...
Very far from it, I would think, especially in their world.
Very far from it, I would think, especially in their world.*Nods* It seems cool where Onni is, but... mages have probably no choice to see or not to see things. They're probably just here, and they're able to see more than "normal" people. Including the worst, of course. (Anyway, I like this idea a lot.)
Mikkel and Emil come from godless societies, Lalli and Tuuri worship the wrong gods, that only leaves Sigrun to assist Reynir with his religious education.
That poor, poor boy... :D
I would dearly love to see Sigrun teaching Reynir about the Norse gods - through the medium of Mikkel's translation, of course... :'D
Mikkel and Emil come from godless societies, Lalli and Tuuri worship the wrong gods, that only leaves Sigrun to assist Reynir with his religious education.Oh my...
That poor, poor boy... :D
I would dearly love to see Sigrun teaching Reynir about the Norse gods - through the medium of Mikkel's translation, of course... :'D... I need to see that.
"Thor is great! You want to direct all your prayers to Thor!"
"What about Odin?"
"Well I guess Odin is all right, but what kind of warrior lets himself get hung from a tree for days? Thor is the one you should be spending your time on! And Freyja! Freya's good too!"
"But, what if I need help from a non-warrior god?"
"If you keep asking stupid questions I'm not going to share my wisdom with you!"
Best case scenario - The gods have looked favourably on Reynir and have stirred up the wildlife so the team gets the chance for a decent feed.
Worst case scenario - I don't even want to think about!
I just wanted to share my appreciation for Mikkel's A+ cooking skills and shifty eyes. I actually laughed out loud at today's update.
Haha, I know, the shifty eyes get me every time! And it looks like Lalli is really trying to be a team player, helping with the cooking like that. So thoughtful of him.Thoughtful, yes. After all, the stew can't possibly be worse.
My point is somebody needs to get Reynir in there immediately.... why would you have Reynir thrown into the soup as well? :?
I mean, I would have thought Mikkel would know how to butcher animals, since he did grow up on/spend some time working on a farm. Maybe he does but not when they turn up mysteriously in his soup?I would have thought Lalli would know how to butcher an animal, but apparently he does not care if it's cleaned or not. I think that unfortunately there's not much Mikkel can do about the matter given that the squirrel had already cooked, though I will be very amused if Reynir suddenly turns out to be a master chef and takes over all cooking duties.
My point is somebody needs to get Reynir in there immediately.
... why would you have Reynir thrown into the soup as well? :?...Lalli would...
I would have thought Lalli would know how to butcher an animal, but apparently he does not care if it's cleaned or not. I think that unfortunately there's not much Mikkel can do about the matter given that the squirrel had already cooked, though I will be very amused if Reynir suddenly turns out to be a master chef and takes over all cooking duties.I'm just a bit curious as to what Mikkel's going to do about the bones and how he plans on explaining that. Then again, he normally scoops the soups out and serves them to people, maybe they don't have to know.
I'm just a bit curious as to what Mikkel's going to do about the bones and how he plans on explaining that. Then again, he normally scoops the soups out and serves them to people, maybe they don't have to know.I think that suspicion towards the scout (and the chef) will be inevitable once everyone starts to cough up hair balls after the supper.
I just wanted to share my appreciation for Mikkel's A+ cooking skills and shifty eyes. I actually laughed out loud at today's update.Same here ^^ And this "Okay, let's pretend all is normal..." face !
I was wondering the other day: Is there an updated timeline of the comic somewhere?
This (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z4jFF4PhZJycRh_AG3N5FV6Eedy6Wht0bU6hLWGxy1c/edit#gid=0) is the only one I know about, but it appears to be reasonably up-to-date. Add to that LarsB's calculations (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=503#comment-2600219339) that the team reached Copenhagen on November 14, 2103, you can even do some more detailed number-crunching. :)Thank you :D
I wasn't actually expecting the time skip at all, and I'm still kind of trying to 'catch up' on the last couple of pages. Wonder what we're fast-forwarding to?
The possibility of being stranded in the middle of nowhere is part of what makes the landscape kind of ominous, yes. Though in the chapter cover they look awfully happy for people who are stuck in the silent world, unless it just takes place before the engine trouble..
536: Oh NO.
Well, the caption on Minna's Twitter says "this time they brave a bridge without collapsing it" but who knows... there's a lot of bridge. But I'm getting more and more puzzled about how on earth the team is going to get out of this?? D:
Minna also said that this chapter would be lighthearted!
There look like some big chunks of concrete falling from the bridge in the first panel (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=536).
It may not literally be collapsing under them, but I wouldn't bet on it still being standing behind them when they get to Nyborg!
Anyone else unable to read comics after 533? Everything after that is returning the "hmm, there's no posts for this date" message.
I occasionally have that problem if I'm looking on my phone, but not on the computer. Maybe if you clear your cache?
Anyone else unable to read comics after 533? Everything after that is returning the "hmm, there's no posts for this date" message.Something like that happens to me when I try to look at the comic on my phone's Safari app, but not with the Chrome app. If you have more than one browser app, maybe try switching which one you use to check the comic?
Minna has outdone herself. Ghostie is now an eight-legged death horse with human hands instead of hooves.
...
It is truly impressive.
I nominate it for Weirdest, Ugliest Moose.
Minna has outdone herself. Ghostie is now an eight-legged death horse with human hands instead of hooves.
...
It is truly impressive.
I nominate it for Weirdest, Ugliest Moose.
I second that nomination.
Thirded. *slams gavel*Motion carried!
Today's page is literally the second best thing I could think of happening the only thing that could possibly make me happier would be Emil and Lalli smooching but we all know I'm probably just going to have to settle for this.
Today's page is literally the second best thing I could think of happening the only thing that could possibly make me happier would be Emil and Lalli smooching but we all know I'm probably just going to have to settle for this.It's so GREAT!! I hope that for the next page we will see Emil make a an attempt to say "good work" in Finnish.
Oh gosh now I'm conflicted, I love the face Lalli is making in the second panel today, it's so sassy out of context with that perplexed side eye look and the ". . ." word bubble to the point of where I want it as an avatar, but at the same time, Agneta ;_;
Oh gosh now I'm conflicted, I love the face Lalli is making in the second panel today, it's so sassy out of context with that perplexed side eye look and the ". . ." word bubble to the point of where I want it as an avatar, but at the same time, Agneta ;_;
Use one for the forum and the other for disqus? (That is a pretty excellent Lalli face, but then again...Agneta).This is a good solution yes thank you :3
/pats
Yyyep, I know that feeling. xD
(There is a reason I opted for extra avatar slots over at my journal, and... this kind of thing is exactly the reason. SO MANY AWESOME FACES)
This is a good solution yes thank you :3
Part of me almost wishes we could do this for the forum, but nah people's avatars is part of how I keep people straight. Plus, I envision people to actually look like their avatars even when I see pictures around the personal thread proving otherwise because that's just the image I associate with them, rotating avatars would just confuse me and spoil that for me.
It's still not showing anything later than 533 for me. My ISP is a crime against nature.*patpat*
Please let Emil be about to try to translate what Sigrun just said into Finnish. Please, that's everything I want.
Please let Emil be about to try to translate what Sigrun just said into Finnish. Please, that's everything I want.
What's the betting they're going to find something really unusual in that shop?
It looks like it's in suspiciously good shape, doesn't it?
I think it's been a while since we've really seen or heard from Taru. I think Taru goes on the top of my 'most underappreciated characters' list. I don't think I've even seen her in any fanworks, even though I occasionally see the other three pop up in them. It's a shame, I think Taru's a delight, and she's hella competent.
I think it's been a while since we've really seen or heard from Taru. I think Taru goes on the top of my 'most underappreciated characters' list. I don't think I've even seen her in any fanworks, even though I occasionally see the other three pop up in them. It's a shame, I think Taru's a delight, and she's hella competent.
Eh, she's in several of my fics, just ones I haven't uploaded yet. Remember where it says in her bio that she left Keuruu to pursue something more interesting? I think she's running Mikkel, and Mikkel is on the prowl for a specific set of pre-year-zero technology, an offshoot of which caused the rash.
She really doesn't show up much in fanwork, does she? I put her in one of mine (she's Tuuri's boss in my hipster AU) but she doesn't have much of a prominent role.Wait, I just remembered that ! And I also remembered that you did a splendid job of writing her. I think that's the only thing I can think of that I've seen in her in though, unless I'm just forgetting something else.
Eh, she's in several of my fics, just ones I haven't uploaded yet. Remember where it says in her bio that she left Keuruu to pursue something more interesting? I think she's running Mikkel, and Mikkel is on the prowl for a specific set of pre-year-zero technology, an offshoot of which caused the rash.
Hmm, you're right. :Va I think the small amount of her in fanwork might be because her pagetime is very front-loaded (early chapters). But it'd be nice if we heard from her a little more, eventually.I was actually thinking of that too, she's pretty prominent in the ending bit of the prologue and the first few chapters, but after that we don't hear much from her, she's there and says some stuff like talking to Onni and occasionally chiming in on radio conversations but really nothing more than a few sentences every few chapters.
(Come to think of it, she'd be a great character to use to explore the worldbuilding...)
re: 544, FFF. Oh, Emil.
Well, an attempt was made! That's... better than nothing, I guess? ;p
Bury me next to Kitty's mom, I'm dead. :DThe fourth panel killed me :'D
The fourth panel killed me :'D
*ghostly whisper* soooo cuuute
I'm wondering now if Tuuri (presuming this is her job, of course) has tried to teach Reynir any Swedish.I was actually thinking something like that, currently Reynir can only talk to Tuuri and Mikkel (coincidentally the other non-combat crew members which probably makes being left at the tank with them all the time easier) so if Lalli becomes proficient enough it Swedish that would mean Reynir would be the only one left with significant language barriers, and it sure would be neat to actually have the crew all able to communicate with each other.
Awww, Reynir is helping. He looks so pleased with himself! Now all we need is a super cute thing with Tuuri and possibly Kitty, and we will have achieved Peak Cute.But that might kill us!
Awww, Reynir is helping. He looks so pleased with himself! Now all we need is a super cute thing with Tuuri and possibly Kitty, and we will have achieved Peak Cute.
But that might kill us!
It would be worth it, admittedly, but it might kill us.
If Tuuri does something cute and it kills me, I will die happy.Yes.
I know that there's the whole thing of "there's no romance or any confirmed romance in SSSS and Minna has said that if she were to write Romance it would be indistinguishable from friendship" however, we do already have about eight or nine confirmed romantic couples (prologue characters, Sigrun's parents, Siv and Torbjörn) and the thing all of these pairings have in common is they're all straight pairings (although I don't know if I should say 'straight' because that's kind of a blanket statement because for all I know some of these characters could be bi or pan so calling them straight pairings feels weird, so other gender pairings ?) which like, I know Minna's not homophobic at all especially based on some of her remarks so I know not having any canon confirmed same sex pairings isn't intentional or anything. It just worries me because of the whole "if there were to be a romance you wouldn't know and it would be indistinguishable from friendship" because I'm worried that this secret pairing we wouldn't even for certain know about and would be indistinguishable from friendship would be a same gender pairing which, to me would kind of feel like getting shafted to have almost ten canonically confirmed different sex pairings with children but then the one same gender pairing is 'secret' and 'could be just friends' because this is already such a huge trend in just about every form of media everywhere for any LGBT+ pairings to be 'subtle' or 'up to interpretation' while different sex pairings are canon confirmed and very blatant, and this would just feel, really disappointing to me to see happen yet again to yet another story that I really like. I don't think Minna would intentionally queer bait at all by any means, but I'm afraid that this story might accidentally take a similar route or repeat an already unfortunate media trend of handling LGBT+ pairings.
Hm, I never thought about it much that way. It may be too early to tell, but one possibility could be that we have the prologue couples (and Sigrun's parents) to emphasize the ancestry of the main cast, and Minna simply doesn't intend to have outright romance in the main cast? We saw the prologue characters for less than 50 pages, and Torbjorn and Siv are secondary characters. It's not so much romance as it is family, the way I see it. Maybe it just makes more sense that on an expedition into the most perilous place anyone presently knows of, romance isn't a priority? Especially considering we see all the other characters in relative safety.
This does make sense. Come to think of it, there wasn't any explicit romance between the prologue characters either - the only reason we even know those relationships were romantic is because we suddenly started seeing a bunch of people with the same names and faces 90 years later...
Even the canonically married couples don't have a whole lot of explicit romance - Siv and Torbjorn use the occasional endearment, but that's it. Though come to think of it, I would love it if, say, Taru or Trond were revealed at some point to have a same-sex spouse or love interest waiting for them at home. Even if I do headcanon Trond as a grumpy old bachelor. Or Onni could get a boyfriend at some point, hm...
because this is already such a huge trend in just about every form of media everywhere for any LGBT+ pairings to be 'subtle' or 'up to interpretation' while different sex pairings are canon confirmed and very blatant, and this would just feel, really disappointing to me to see happen yet again to yet another story that I really like.
Well, there's a thing I've thought about here, seeing as this isn't the first time SSSS has been criticized for lack of diversity/representation of another. While I understand the general criticism of media as lacking in this domain, I think that precisely, on this points, webcomics, as a whole, are markedly different from other media.
I read a lot of webcomics at any time, currently I'd say I follow at least 50 (and that's a rather low point). The vast majority of those have cast that shows real diversity in term of ethnicity, sexual orientation and/or gender. Of course I could be unconsciously be drawn to those, so to test this I also at some point went through the front page of topwebcomic and verified every webcomic for diversity criteria. I found that even with a really pessismitc count, at least 45% of webcomics avalaible were "diverse", and that included very popular ones (like Questionable Content or Dumbing of Age).
I feel that in those conditions, it makes much less sense to single out SSSS for its lack of diversity (especially when it's not intentionally that way), because it doesn't actually participate in a problem within the specific framing of the webcomic media: its existence doesn't make diverse comics any harder to find, because there are plenty of them, there are easy to find, and there are many famous ones.
edit: heck, SSSS links back to Hivework, where the concentration of diverse webcomics is even higher.
I dunno. On my end, I think that SSSS does contribute to diversity in a different way - by focusing mostly on platonic relationships. Most of the webcomics I've seen and read, whether as a central focus or involving major characters, definitely involve romance and romantic relationships (whether same sex or otherwise, and whether as a driving force in the current plot or a significant factor of past events shaping the current story), and to be honest, it's kind of nice to read a comic where that's not a focus at all.No, I agree completely. Having stories that don't have any romance or sexuality is good when the vast majority of stories everywhere do have romance and / or sexuality in them, it's great for people who really aren't that romantic or sexual like myself, and sometimes it's just nice to focus on platonic relationships because those are definitely undervalued. However, just as the fact that there's different sex pairings like the prologue characters and what not that don't have much of or any of a romantic plot, the same could be said for a same sex pairing. They could be just there but not really doing anything romantic or having a romantic story just like all of the existing canon different sex couples do.
Granted, it could be that I'm simply looking at the wrong webcomics. There is always that possibility.
Minna, by contrast, perhaps due to her modest demeanor, doesn't partake in this particular cultural sphere, so she doesn't have the "dresscode" down; it doesn't even occure to her that there is a dresscode! The lack of diversity in her comics isn't so much a negligence as simply her not belonging to the cultural group of people who value diversity in comics, not just as a nice thing to have, but as an endgoal.
In terms of diversity Minna's doing one thing that seems pretty uncommon (from what I've seen anyway) in including a neurologically divergent character. Lalli is surely somewhere on the autistic spectrum, but he's presented as just a guy whose behaviour is a bit weird and who's rather awkward around people, rather than a card-counting, qantas-never-crashed, likely serial killer.
Juniper > yeah, I think I understand your point; I do like about SSSS that there's a lack of politically-motivated thing, while yeah thinking at the same time it wouldn't hurt to have more diversity — though my experience at least with webcomics is that some type of characters (say, transfolk) are really hard to introduce into a story without making it some sort of Point and Big Deal — and I don't mean a priori hard, by default, more like, it seems to be hard in the facts when you see how webcomics handle it.
I think there's also a cultural factor in this; I am under the impression that a lot of these diverse comic authors are east or west coast liberals, or canadians and europeans that associate with the former through tumblr — they're not just random individuals, they're a specific cultural groups with its own codes, rituals and flags, and so the way they handle diversity in comics is not just a happenstance, not just "something some people do", it's a rally flag, a cultural shibboleth — "your comic must be this diverse to be in our group" (this doesn't have to be explicit or conscious of course, it's not a conspiracy).
Minna, by contrast, perhaps due to her modest demeanor, doesn't partake in this particular cultural sphere, so she doesn't have the "dresscode" down; it doesn't even occure to her that there is a dresscode! The lack of diversity in her comics isn't so much a negligence as simply her not belonging to the cultural group of people who value diversity in comics, not just as a nice thing to have, but as an endgoal.
In terms of diversity Minna's doing one thing that seems pretty uncommon (from what I've seen anyway) in including a neurologically divergent character. Lalli is surely somewhere on the autistic spectrum, but he's presented as just a guy whose behaviour is a bit weird and who's rather awkward around people, rather than a card-counting, qantas-never-crashed, likely serial killer.
What's the betting they're going to find something really unusual in that shop?Mikkel: "Here we have a couple Y0 publications mentioning the Nordic Council. It seems that their Y90 successors have embellished a couple details of that organization's history a bit ..."
My ISP hasn't updated their DNS cache in two weeks. I finally got sick of it and updated my personal DNS to use google DNS (2001:4860:4860::8844 or 8.8.8.8 for IPv4).Are you saying that that actually fixed your problem? That'ld confirm Minnas suspicion that those not getting to see the current page get pointed at the backup site she updates only occasionally.
Juniper > Ah, that is not what I was trying to say.
I mean of course people who include diverse characters do so out of genuine concern for diversity, I am not accusating anyone of being calculating and cynical. But I think (of course I could be wrong) that this concern for diversity, as genuine and sincere as it is, is not a spontaneous feeling, but rather, a nurtured feeling, something that develops collectively in a specific cultural and social context, and thus, even as it remains an authentic feeling with very good justifications behind it, also becomes a marker of cultural identity, of belonging to a specific group that holds this belief as one of its rally flag — again not cynically, probably not even consciously; I'm talking group dynamics, not conspiracies.
It's like how in the west we don't eat dogs. There are of course many good justifications put behind this prohibition, including genuine feelings of empathy and love for dogs as pets. But the simple fact that this prohibition isn't universal, and that some culture don't think twice about eating dog meat, shows that "not eating dog" is indeed not a natural moral rule, but a cultural norm specific to some regions — which again doesn't prevent it from stemming also from genuine feelings for dogs.
So what I am getting at here is not making excuses for anyone or trying to say that some group's apparent concern with diversity is really just a cynical move, but rather explaining (a theory of) the possible difference between the authors of these diverse webcoming and Minna, who is just as capable of care and empathy as anyone else, but was simply raised in different cultural norms that don't value diversity the way these other authors' cultural group does ("raised" in the larger sense, I'm not just thinking of family here).
Does this make sense?
Not to derail the conversation that's going on, but on the current page (546) (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=546) I'm interested to see that Reynir seems to be going along to the antique shop? I'd assumed he was giving out those runes before Sigrun, Mikkel, Emil and Lalli left, but those are definitely his lighter-colored boots and blue tunic in the last panel, and the feet on the far right seem to be stepping into the shop.I think we might be getting the chapter cover, which makes me wonder if Tuuri's coming too ? Yeah I'm a bit worried for their safety too :c
...I would be concerned about this anyway, but he also doesn't have his mask on. O_OPlease protect the non-immune cinnamon roll, he's trying so hard.
I think we might be getting the chapter cover, which makes me wonder if Tuuri's coming too ? Yeah I'm a bit worried for their safety too :c
Yeah, I'm sort of wondering if Tuuri's actually at the end (there's sort of a shadowy leg-shape to the left of the left-most pair of legs that seems like it could be a Tuuri leg.) If she is, I really hope she has her mask (and Reynir has his stowed away somewhere).
Not to derail the conversation that's going on, but on the current page (546) (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=546) I'm interested to see that Reynir seems to be going along to the antique shop? I'd assumed he was giving out those runes before Sigrun, Mikkel, Emil and Lalli left, but those are definitely his lighter-colored boots and blue tunic in the last panel, and the feet on the far right seem to be stepping into the shop.
...I would be concerned about this anyway, but he also doesn't have his mask on. O_OPlease protect the non-immune cinnamon roll, he's trying so hard.
Maybe he put it on sometime between panels 5 and 6?
(And, welp, there goes another one of my fics, jossed. Apparently Reynir is not down for drawing runes in blood.)
Oh good...according to a comment of Minna's (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=547#comment-2741589194) on the next page, Reynir did put his mask on, we just didn't see him do it. *breathes a sigh of relief*
I just keep imagining Tuuri writing it on Emil's hand, but then it gets smudged and he says something stupid :')
That sounds suspiciously similar to the beginning of the Disney Mulan movie, which is making me envision a lovely crossover with Emil as Mulan.
But then he would have to cut his lovely hair! And I for one am not prepared for that sort of emotional turmoil :P
I know I've said this on the Disqus threads more than once.
The shop is too neat. It's closed up, so there should be 90 years worth of dust and cobwebs in it. And there's NOT
Huh, disqus is gone, I really hope this is temporary ;_;
Huh, disqus is gone, I really hope this is temporary ;_;Same here. Things just don't seem to be going well for this page.
Huh, disqus is gone, I really hope this is temporary ;_;
Huh, disqus is gone, I really hope this is temporary ;_;
It borked and wouldn't load at all, but it's back for me. It does not load on the most recent page, but it loads on previous (which it wouldn't, a few minutes ago), so I thiiiink the reason it's not displaying is because comments for today's page are closed.
I'm disappointed. I don't blame her for doing something unintentionally insensitive in the first place, but shutting down the discussion?
Me too, I thought the discussion was actually pretty civil. It's concerning to me that she didn't say anything about changing it, but I'm probably reading into that. :/No, I'm a bit bothered by that too. It's one thing to unintentionally do something insensitive and I was hoping maybe she took down the comments to keep the discussions from getting un-civil while she changed it real quick, but now I'm going to have to third that disappointment :c
Man, it's sad that I only find out there's a fan forum after this.
Add me to the list of disappointed people. I don't think Minna ever intended malice, or was aware of quite how racist that term is. And you know, that happens. But it's always a disappointment when it's explained why it's harmful, especially by members of the fanbase who've also had to deal with that kind of slur, and the response is trying to wave it off as "good natured ribbing".
I know I wouldn't find an antisemitic or anti-hispanic crack in the comic to be good natured ribbing, and I think it's important to take the time to empathize with other people.
dialog racist at all, did she change it from what was originally posted? It may be a bit of s slur on the Chinese. But I'm just a crude American so what do I know.
Honestly, I can definitely see how it could be insensitive, but some of the commentors were taking things a bit too far and getting offended on others' behalf. That always ticks me off, lumping oeople into groups based on race/culture/what have you and assuming they all think the same way.
I bet some people of Chinese descent liked the joke and some didn't, but either way I don't think (not implying that any of you do) that Minna should be expected to change her work.
Honestly, I can definitely see how it could be insensitive, but some of the commentors were taking things a bit too far and getting offended on others' behalf. That always ticks me off, lumping oeople into groups based on race/culture/what have you and assuming they all think the same way.
I bet some people of Chinese descent liked the joke and some didn't, but either way I don't think (not implying that any of you do) that Minna should be expected to change her work.
Well in my case I was uncomfortable with it initially, but only spoke up when fans of Chinese descent in the comments section expressed why it genuinely hurt them to see a joke at their expense in a work they love, and especially one so unexpected and unprompted, and frankly unnecessary. There are a number of ways to make a joke about Emil being sheltered and uneducated without resorting to that.That's fair. I wasn't meaning everybody in the comments who were calling this out, just a few who I noticed in the first page or so. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and that is a very reasonable argument (God, I sound pretentious now).
I bet some people of Chinese descent liked the joke and some didn't, but either way I don't think (not implying that any of you do) that Minna should be expected to change her work.I haven't read anything from Chinese people who did like the joke, though.
I have to admit that I didn't know that the word was considered so offensive in English. As far as I can remember, I've only heard it used by Swedish and Finnish kids who were pretending to speak a foreign language, so my impression was that it was childish and ignorant but I didn't know it was used as a racial slur. I still think it would be better for Minna to change it to something else, but I suspect she wasn't aware that people might find it hurtful (and maybe still hasn't realized quite how strongly people feel about it if she didn't go through all the comments). But as others have said, it would be easy to change the joke into something that people wouldn't find offensive, so I hope she does.
Generally, only people who feel very strongly about something bother to express that in a poll or similar settings, such as a comments section. This assumes that the subjects are not Disqus regulars who will post anyway because thay always do. It's a principle of statistics called non-response bias. If people aren't angry or really happy (any kind of strong emotion towards the comic), overall they are less likely to say anything.
It surprises me that so many of you that are offended are completely removing any agency Minna has when it comes this. She spends how many hours a day on a single page? She likely thought about how it applied to Emil's character and whether or not it would be acceptable in-universe, we all know that Emil has been a very rude and insensitive person in the past albeit unintentionally and most often in a light hearted manner. It's a character flaw and saying how she should change what Emil said, even for the sake of some one else's feelings, undermines his character.
It surprises me that so many of you that are offended are completely removing any agency Minna has when it comes this. She spends how many hours a day on a single page? She likely thought about how it applied to Emil's character and whether or not it would be acceptable in-universe, we all know that Emil has been a very rude and insensitive person in the past albeit unintentionally and most often in a light hearted manner. It's a character flaw and saying how she should change what Emil said, even for the sake of some one else's feelings, undermines his character.
I'm really relieved to see that she edited it. It was started to look like she would double down. Is the new one less offensive? I don't have the background to be able to tell.
Also, I want to join others in disagreeing that anyone was denying Minna's agency. From her author comment it's clear that she did not intend to use such an offensive word, and that the word doesn't carry those offensive connotations in her country. So I don't think she sat down and thought "yes, Emil should say a really offensive slur." The comic as it was originally written, with the slur, didn't reflect the tone she was going for.
I'm really relieved to see that she edited it. It was started to look like she would double down. Is the new one less offensive? I don't have the background to be able to tell. Either way I'm relieved that she is making an effort.
Also, I want to join others in disagreeing that anyone was denying Minna's agency. From her author comment it's clear that she did not intend to use such an offensive word, and that the word doesn't carry those offensive connotations in her country. So I don't think she sat down and thought "yes, Emil should say a really offensive slur." The comic as it was originally written, with the slur, didn't reflect the tone she was going for.
What really is happening here is that Emil who is ignorant, racist, and stupid (in a sense of not being wise or educated) is on a journey of learning about people, about himself and about how to be a better persons. For that you have to make him show his ignorant ideas of the world.I agree. And yes, it has been changed~ the original word was worse.
Edit. It might be that I missed the original, if the version that is up now is changed.
I didn't know about the history of "finnjävel." The context does make Emil look like a lot more of an ass for saying it than I originally realized. Since Minna is herself a Swedish-speaking Finn, does that sort of "license" her to use that slur in her work?Uh, no. But if someone is to be described as ignorant and racist, it is ok to use those terms.
I agree. And yes, it has been changed~ the original word was worse.Ok, good to know. In this instance it is fine as the term used now serves the purpose just fine (in portraying Emil's view on world) and there is no reason to have it said nasty, as emil clearly isn't nasty.
It was also one of those little things that show that some of the stereotypes and attitudes that Nordic people have towards each other survived the apocalypse, and I would also have hated it if that had been changed.
In this case it suits just fine to change to term used to something that is not so offensive. But I would have hated it if Minna had used something else when she made Emil call Lalli Förbannande finnjävel. That was real. And builded the character.
It was also one of those little things that show that some of the stereotypes and attitudes that Nordic people have towards each other survived the apocalypse, and I would also have hated it if that had been changed.I Agree fully.
I have to say that today's page and the discussion it sparked have been really educational. Looking at the two terms Minna used, I would not have realized that one of them was much more offensive than the other. They would have seemed equally immature but not horrifyingly racist to me. It's good to be aware that there's a significant difference. (Not that I'd personally use either of them.)
i didn't see the original before it was edited but it still kinda of disturbs me as a poc. i was already disturbed by a post-apocalyptical story that so far has only shown white peope surviving. It's too bad since i really love this comic. The whole scene feels a bit unecessary and out of place.
i didn't see the original before it was edited but it still kinda of disturbs me as a poc. i was already disturbed by a post-apocalyptical story that so far has only shown white peope surviving. It's too bad since i really love this comic. The whole scene feels a bit unecessary and out of place.
i didn't see the original before it was edited but it still kinda of disturbs me as a poc. i was already disturbed by a post-apocalyptical story that so far has only shown white peope surviving. It's too bad since i really love this comic. The whole scene feels a bit unecessary and out of place.On this I think we have a different view. I think that this scene and the whole conversation builds all the participating characters. I we look at Emil, he isn't saying it in a "I know, because I'm the smartests people around" face that he used to have, but rather he is enthusiastic and trying to contribute. He has come forward, but still has a way to go in realising his downfalls in knowledge and attitude. Tuuri has clearly still in her "I'm so disappointed on swedes" mood and is acting a bit nasty with her "Gosh". And ofcourse there is the nice exchange between mum and dad.
Interesting point about folklore...it would be really cool if the local folklore of every region manifested the way it did in Scandinavia and Finland. That would definitely say something different about the nature of the rash illness than if it were just all Scandinavian mythology everywhere.I always just kind of assumed that the magic manifested from whatever religious beliefs the individual had. That would make any multi-religion areas veeery interesting for differing mages.
I always just kind of assumed that the magic manifested from whatever religious beliefs the individual had. That would make any multi-religion areas veeery interesting for differing mages.Eeep. Soo... if a multi-religion area survived where the religions were less friendly with one another...
I always just kind of assumed that the magic manifested from whatever religious beliefs the individual had. That would make any multi-religion areas veeery interesting for differing mages.
Eeep. Soo... if a multi-religion area survived where the religions were less friendly with one another...
MAGE WAR MAGE WAR MAGE WAR!
Minna has used Emil to say really bad things. He called Lalli a finnjävel.
There's a big difference between what happened in today's page and Emil calling Lalli a "finnjävel", even if the words are similarly offensive. There are Finns among the main characters in the comic, and Emil is friends with them, and especially with the one he insulted. As the story unfolds we can see in detail how he really feels about Finns (and he feels pretty damn positive), and don't have to rely on just that one word.I can see that you are upset and angry. But I think that you are reading too much to this.
Chinese people however are gone for all intents and purposes in the comic, so we'll never get warm bonding moments between Emil and a Chinese person, like with him and the "finnjävel". Minna not only decided to wipe out their entire nationality (along with everyone who is not white and Nordic), but also brought up Chinese culture for a cheap, ignorant joke and absolutely nothing else. This is not going to be an arc where Emil gets to confront his ignorance and we find out more about Chinese culture in the process (in that case, the use of slurs would be justified). It's just a lazy joke that doesn't tell us anything new about his character, at the expense of an entire culture. I'm upset with Minna right now, not so much because she made a mistake (we all do), but for the way she handled the aftermath. She disabled comments AND took them off today's page, then sneakily changed the comic, instead of having an open, honest discussion about it. I like this comic and I'm grateful to Minna for it, but today has been a mess.
Ha, it fits my theory that Reynir won't draw it in blood. After page 506 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=506), page 529 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=529) and Minnas explanation on Icelandic and Finnish mages (http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/145663357235/hello-minna-i-hope-youre-having-a-wonderful-day) (and the fact that Onni accuses him of apologizing all the time) I'm more and more convinced/hopeful that Reynir is praying to the wrong gods. There are some hilarious Terry-Pratchett-like conversations going in my head between the Finnish pantheon and the old norse gods where none of them are willing to answer Reynir when a certain other shepherd just sweeps in with "I think this one is mine, actually"I can see it, round the game table in Dunroamin, cough, nope you cant move that piece it is mine ACTUALLY!
I can see that you are upset and angry. But I think that you are reading too much to this.
-This is a postapocalyptic story. Most of the Human race has been wiped out. This isn't a racial issue. It is not a cultural issue.
- We know that there is a pocket of survivors in the nordic countries. We do not know about other survivor pockets as the author hasn't told us. But we have been provided with an explanation to why there is no knowledge. Bad communication due troll interference to radiowawes. This kind of set up is very common. "Are we the only survivors". It is a good story plot setup and also a very good way for Minna from keeping the story in a manageable proportions.
"gone for all intents and purposes" as I said.Wouldn't "absent" be a slightly better word? Since we don't yet have any concrete information on the actual state of affairs and such outside "the known world". "Gone" to me seems a tad over-loaded for something we don't know yet.
Wouldn't "absent" be a slightly better word? Since we don't yet have any concrete information on the actual state of affairs and such outside "the known world". "Gone" to me seems a tad over-loaded for something we don't know yet.*is optimistic*:3
please don't punch me in the face
I'll take the chance of making you even more angry here, Sc0ut, by asking, but I have absolutely no clue, being late to the party and all.
How did she change the comic?
I feel this outrage is very much exaggerated. Note that it isn't Minna being disrespectful, it's the characters and I doubt Minna meant anything malicious by it.
It's just two goofs goofing around being goofy-brained. Don't turn this into a race thing. I get enough of that on other forums.
Emil initially said the language is called "ching chong", as noted in some of the earlier comments here https://disqus.com/home/discussion/sssscomic/stand_still_stay_silent_webcomic_page_549/newest/But this isn't about inconvenience or tiresome. What is being pointed out here is that altough we have an inconsiderate, ignorant and perhaps even racist person (yes I'm talking about Emil here, he is changing but isn't there yet), we can't make him say anything inconsiderate, ignorant or racist because people IRL get offended? Sorry, but I don't get this.
The people who turned this into a race thing are Asian people who've had this slur used against them. See link above, there are comments by a few of them there. It's fully their right to do so and not your right (or Minna's) to tell them to shut up because it's so inconvenient and tiresome to you. Basic common sense, buddy.
But this isn't about inconvenience or tiresome. What is being pointed out here is that altough we have an inconsiderate, ignorant and perhaps even racist person (yes I'm talking about Emil here, he is changing but isn't there yet), we can't make him say anything inconsiderate, ignorant or racist because people IRL get offended? Sorry, but I don't get this.I do believe he can be and say inconsiderate, ignorant and racist stuff, like he did when describing danish to Tuuri, dismissing the battle of Kastrup as sooo lame to Mikkel, and repeatedly dismisses finnish culture. That doesn't bother me, what disturbing me is not really about Emil at all. Although I'm convinced that the point of the page is to show the ignorance of the crew in a funny way, and contrast it to Mikkels knowledge. But, because that particular joke is not funny, but offensive, to a lot of people, I believe Minna can make her point excellently without it.
It looks like it's been edited to... Something that's a slight improvement I guess?
I'm not sure why being racist against the Chinese is such an important and eloquent creative pedestal.
If Minna actually does moderate the comments, though, it makes sense to close the thread. From what I've heard, it seems that the comments exploded once the page was uploaded - and given that scenario, the longer the thread is kept open, the more Minna has to do to go through said comments, and the more time she loses from her comic work.
It may have been a fit of social anxiety on Minna's part, as racism is, among other things, a major social faux pas.
Also, realizing that you may have that kind of bias can create an internal conflict or crisis, and she may have removed the comment section to try and resolve that.
Unfortunately this is not the first time it happens. The issue of race in SSSS was brought up in the comments about a year ago, and Minna waved it away with "don't think too much about it", which left many people unsatisfied. She had plenty of time to think about this, and come up with better ways to approach the topic if she wanted to. Yet, here we are.
It may have been a fit of social anxiety on Minna's part, as racism is, among other things, a major social faux pas.
Also, realizing that you may have that kind of bias can create an internal conflict or crisis, and she may have removed the comment section to try and resolve that. It's not the best way to do it, but it's understandable.
It may have been a fit of social anxiety on Minna's part, as racism is, among other things, a major social faux pas.
Also, realizing that you may have that kind of bias can create an internal conflict or crisis, and she may have removed the comment section to try and resolve that. It's not the best way to do it, but it's understandable.
While tumblr admittedly can be an extremely toxic space, I sincerely hope that no one in the SSSS community is so immature and cruel as to send Minna death threats.
learning from this could prevent her from including more potentially harmful content in the future.I'm afraid that I have a pretty clear idea of how this is going to happen: Minna will avoid referring to any non-Nordic ethnicities again, for fear of a repetition of today's events, and there'll be the occasional comment of "why are all people in the comic white, are you racist!?" for all eternity.
I'm afraid that I have a pretty clear idea of how this is going to happen: Minna will avoid referring to any non-Nordic ethnicities again, for fear of a repetition of today's events, and there'll be the occasional comment of "why are all people in the comic white, are you racist!?" for all eternity.You're psychic! :o
If the complaining persist I'll instead change the "curious culture" of these pages and replace it with something closer to home, such as Russian or Greek. They both have alphabets that Reynir could mistake for runes and mountains that Sigrun can be suspicious of.
In the end the volume and sheer aggressiveness of the messages has instilled a notion that there's no room for honest mistakes or benefit of the doubt vis-a-vi cultures that aren't close enough to one's own, so exploring those concepts any further in this comic just doesn't seem worth it.
I'm afraid that I have a pretty clear idea of how this is going to happen: Minna will avoid referring to any non-Nordic ethnicities again, for fear of a repetition of today's events, and there'll be the occasional comment of "why are all people in the comic white, are you racist!?" for all eternity.Heh, people are already doing that on tumblr, unfortunately. Just remember that they're idiots and aren't worth wasting time responding to, as nothing anybody says over the intermet will make them change their mind. (Not addressed specifically to JoB).
Heh, people are already doing that on tumblr, unfortunately. Just remember that they're idiots and aren't worth wasting time responding to, as nothing anybody says over the intermet will make them change their mind. (Not addressed specifically to JoB).
Just don't worry about them.
I don't even remember anyone demanding the removal of the page like she talks about in today's comments. All people were saying was, "you didn't know, but that particular word is a slur in some parts of the world; could you please change it to some other Emil-style mangling of the name that isn't a slur?" And she did that, so what's the problem? I feel like she's basically saying "I'm taking my talking-about-other-cultures ball and going home," when all that needed to be said was "Sorry, I didn't know it was a slur, I changed it."
Then again I didn't see the stuff she received privately, so, I don't know.
I also feel like shutting down the comments for the rest of this scene is just going to make them instantly explode as soon as she puts them up again. Like, it's not going to make it go away, anyone who's still mad is just going to have several more days to simmer about it. And it's frustrating. I like talking about the new pages in real-time with the rest of the fandom, it's fun.
I'm disappointed that this comic is the end of any non-Nordic/Finnish cultural references.This makes me so sad, too. I thought the Chinese book was lovely, and it excited me to see it. I don't want this to be the end of cross-cultural references. :(
I feel like she's basically saying "I'm taking my talking-about-other-cultures ball and going home,"Which, for everyone but herself, is indistinguishable from "oh well, seems I'd better stick to the stuff I know I can do well".
I mean, I'm sure the private messages were bad, but I think this reaction is just going to fan the flames. I've seen this before. Creator unintentionally does something offensive to a particular group, receives backlash from group in question, responds "I don't want to have to walk on eggshells, so I'm never acknowledging your group in my work again."
I've never seen that turn out well. However the authors mean it, it comes across like, "you have to uncritically accept however the author chooses to portray or allude to your group, even if it's offensive; you're lucky to get any representation or acknowledgment at all, so don't complain, or even that will be taken away." And the people who were offended feel that their concerns are being dismissed, and end up more upset than they were in the first place.
I think there was an opportunity to defuse this with a simple, no-frills apology, and that opportunity was passed over.
Ugh, yes. I've kind of lost my sympathy for Minna at this point because I don't think she's going to make an apology when she even admits it was a mistake and didn't know how offensive terms like that were in other countries/societies. Like, she can't even treat this as a learning curve; the only lesson she apparently got out of it was to not talk about other cultures ever again??? Like, I'm pretty sure that's the opposite thing you're supposed to do when you're being accused of racism.
Obviously she was willing to do the research; she wasn't gonna talk about other countries like they're stereotypes. And I feel like it's not hard to double-check words online to see if they're used as slurs or whatnot, I mean, especially if she's just talking about making jokes here.
*But I'm MUCH more angry at the people on tumblr and other social media outside of the comments who made her think that just shying away from other cultures is the only right thing for her to do. (trust me, I know tumblr and I've seen it happen. People on that website are awful.)
Except in the internet equivalent, you could step on someone's foot as an honest mistake, make an honest apology and still end up with an internet mob chasing after you with torches and pitchforks.
Except in the internet equivalent, you could step on someone's foot as an honest mistake, make an honest apology and still end up with an internet mob chasing after you with torches and pitchforks.
It's possible, but kind of irrelevant to bring up. That's not what happened here, since there was no apology at all. An apology really goes a long way as you said, even (or especially) with people who are very upset.
I also think that when aggressive people are brought up, there is a danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The way in which a point is expressed has no bearing on its validity. What Minna did was offensive, and the fact that she got more offense for it doesn't change it in the least. It's not okay that she got attacked, but it doesn't erase what she did.
What Minna did was offensive, and the fact that she got more offense for it doesn't change it in the least. It's not okay that she got attacked, but it doesn't erase what she did.What she did was make an honest translation error, not intentionally make that slur. She's just trying to move on, and probably isn't in the best, most rational of moods right now. She's an ordinary person with human flaws, if you made a translation mistake and people were sending you hatemail over it, would your first instinct be to apologize to them? I for one would be pretty pissed.
if you made a translation mistake and people were sending you hatemail over it, would your first instinct be to apologize to them? I for one would be pretty pissed.
She's early 20s, right?
What she did was make an honest translation error, not intentionally make that slur. She's just trying to move on, and probably isn't in the best, most rational of moods right now. She's an ordinary person with human flaws, if you made a translation mistake and people were sending you hatemail over it, would your first instinct be to apologize to them? I for one would be pretty pissed.
Treating it as "oh, anglophones are just overly sensitive" when the bulk of the criticism came following actual Chinese fans expressing their dismay is also difficult to take seriously. It seems like an attempt to simply dismiss her own Chinese fans in favor of blaming native English speakers for... Realizing that it's a pretty bad slur?
But the more she responds in ways that are much more difficult to sympathize with, the more her reaction and the backlash to that will blow up way beyond the original faux pas.
Of course it's completely unacceptable that people sent her actual vitriolic hate mail. I don't support that at all.
I hope Minna continues with the comic. I think I saw the original word and could well use it to describe people who are monolingual. FFS. Write your own multiligual story, if your offeded.It's essentially her life's work at this point from what I can tell, so no worries there. :sigrun:
And no, I don't think they deserve an apology from her, typically people don't apologize to people threatening and harassing you.
I don't think any of us are saying she owes an apology to the people who sent her hate mail. She owes an apology to the Chinese readers who were hurt by unexpectedly seeing, in her comic, a slur that they've been maliciously targeted with in real life.
I think someone made an analogy about stepping on someone's foot--even though it's an accident, you still hurt them and the right thing to do is apologize. It's what most of us would do in real life if we accidentally used a slur--"Hey, that's actually a really offensive word." "Oh, crap, I'm sorry! I didn't know!" "No problem, now you know."
It's not like I think she needs to make an elaborate, groveling apology either. Just: I messed up and hurt some readers, it wasn't intentional, I've fixed it, I'm sorry. And I think the vast majority of people would have accepted that. It's not like we want Minna to be unhappy or to beat herself up.
((notices my own un-editable typos and cringes))
This is a sentiment I empathize with so strongly that I'm going to go back and edit the typos out of the quote.
I'm not saying that what she said wasn't offensive, just that I don't believe it was intentionally offensive. She was likely as much blindsided by our response as we were by the term used. To those who are demanding an apology: you are more likely to get a sincere one if you let Minna work out, in her own time, what she did that offended people and how to deal with it.
I think everyone on both sides of this discussion acknowledges that it wasn't intentionally offensive. Of course it wasn't.
I wouldn't say I've been "demanding" an apology. I think that the lack of an apology (and I do think one is owed) will incite more anger and hurt feelings, which will put Minna even more on the defensive, and there's a risk that it will turn into a cyclical nightmare of drama. I don't want that. I want to read a cute comic about apocalypse explorers and participate in lengthy character analysis debates.
Since the comment section is gone I decided to make an account here. On the page 549 issue..... no comment.
I just wanted to appreciate how Minna used the last 2 pages to showcase the incomplete cultural knowledge spanning across eras, from the SSSS gang to whoever ran the shop they're currently in. The shop looks like it sells (or used to sell, I guess) exotic knick-knacks, but in trying to display a traditional painting, they put it in a frame instead of simply hanging the wall scroll. And then there's the book on golf, which in a modern/traditional convention mixup has the pages printed in the traditional right to left direction rather than the modern left-to-right convention, but then typesets the text in the modern horizontal fashion. Even the shopkeeper from the past was just a little bit wrong. It's the small things that really tie the comic together.
P 549* (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=549) has been revised again.That is a most best change. I laughed out loud. :D
P 549* (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=549) has been revised again.
If you don't see the updated version, you might need to refresh/clear cache.
P 549* (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=549) has been revised again.Thanks for the heads up!
If you don't see the updated version, you might need to refresh/clear cache.
I've also really been wanting to comment on how happy I am that Minna referenced the Pandemic games in her commentary on yesterday's page, Madagascar as far as I'm concerned is impossible to infect with any plagues. After all they did close off right after Iceland according to the news on page 13 and it's pretty sunny there so I'm positive the human population on Madagascar is doing dandy right now.
EDIT: I've also really been wanting to comment on how happy I am that Minna referenced the Pandemic games in her commentary on yesterday's page, Madagascar as far as I'm concerned is impossible to infect with any plagues. After all they did close off right after Iceland according to the news on page 13 and it's pretty sunny there so I'm positive the human population on Madagascar is doing dandy right now.
P 549* (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=549) has been revised again.I also am a fan of this change. ;D It, unlike the other two, made me laugh.
If you don't see the updated version, you might need to refresh/clear cache.
P 549* (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=549) has been revised again.Better!
If you don't see the updated version, you might need to refresh/clear cache.
But did we ever find out the nationality of the original rash victims? As anyone who's played the game knows, the only sure way to infect Madagascar...is to have your pandemic start there. [spooky music intensifies]Headcanon: this is a year 90 conspiracy theory.
Sorry, I know this is probably posted in a million places but I can't find it through a forum search and it's hard to look everywhere on phone... how does one do the cache thing to show the new version of the page...?
Sorry, I know this is probably posted in a million places but I can't find it through a forum search and it's hard to look everywhere on phone... how does one do the cache thing to show the new version of the page...?
Hooray, we did it! We made her conform to Anglo cultural norms. Got to love that anti colonialism.
Sorry, I know this is probably posted in a million places but I can't find it through a forum search and it's hard to look everywhere on phone... how does one do the cache thing to show the new version of the page...?
Hooray, we did it! We made her conform to Anglo cultural norms. Got to love that anti colonialism.
Hooray, we did it! We made her conform to Anglo cultural norms. Got to love that anti colonialism.
Are you honestly whining because people are happy that a slur was changed to something milder? Wow.
You say that like it's a bad thing that the page was changed to take out a racial slur that offended a great many people.
I would say remember the first rule and stay silent when trolls are about. ;)You took the words right out of my mouth.
And might I mention, I'm sooooooo happy that she didn't completely redesign this page! I'm glad she stuck with China, because it is such an interesting country. :D
Not to mention the fact that we'd probably lose Sigrun talking about fruit.Exactly! That would have been a huge loss!
A formal apology à la "I'm sorry" seems to be the only way to apologise in anglophone countries (yes, I'm dredging that up again, because it is actually one feature of the culture that goes along with the English language, which never ceases to befuddle me)...
Not to mention the fact that we'd probably lose Sigrun talking about fruit.
(I once dreampt the SSSS crew traveled the world and they found survivors in Thailand!)I wish I could have seen that dream! I bet it was super interesting. Why don't I ever dream of the crew? *sniff* (Deep down in still hoping that one of the last things we see on page, so to say, is the Known World making contact with other survivors. Though how they would communicate, I have no clue.)
I have been thinking about this. I do like the kung fu pun, but sadly it changes how the character has been portrayed so far. I have mentioned my point of view in his thread before, so I'll be short.
We had a arrogant, ignorant and even racist person in Emil, who was on a journey to become something else by meeting people from different cultures. The very opposite of racist slur.
Now we have have a comic relief in Emil. How stupid he is. Complexity turned into stupidy. And all this because fan pressure to author became too strong.
I hate if this storyline gets axed or turned into easy solutions because of this episode.
I think that the difference is whether or not Emil is being racist towards the people of his world. That "finnjavel" back in Chapter 5, as I learned from this very thread, was apparently also a slur, but toward someone he has to work with on a day-to-day basis, Lalli the Finn. Same thing with his "so lame" comment and Mikkel. Those unthinking and insensitive remarks are where Emil's character development needs to come in. By contrast, the recent pages involved them looking at relics, no actual people around to take offense, and we have yet to see any Chinese characters in-universe, so the only people that remark was going to alienate were the readers. From a writing standpoint, that's really not something you want.My point is that Emil has clearly been raised to look down to all the other cultures. New world and the old world a like. Now he is nor allowed to show his ignorance towards the cultures that he thinks that are extinct. Because of IRL reasons. I don't get it.
My point is that Emil has clearly been raised to look down to all the other cultures. New world and the old world a like. Now he is nor allowed to show his ignorance towards the cultures that he thinks that are extinct. Because of IRL reasons. I don't get it.
I agree that this is funnier. I laughed when I saw this change.
This isn't a fair game where you have to compensate for the IRL cultures if they are offended by a character. For all we know we might have story curve where Emil says on page 2578 that "Boy I was a total jerk before this mission". And that would be fine and enough.
My point is that we should give Minna FULL freedom on how to develop the story and the characters.
I know if I were writing something for an audience that spans several countries, and I accidentally included a word that had a completely different connotation for many of them than I intended to convey, I would want to know immediately.
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/zamii070-harassment-controversy
I am skeptical to this kind of thing when someone was bullied into attempted suicide over this kind of thing.
Why should an artist change her work for any reason. Should "L'Origine du monde" be covered up with a fig leaf because it offends some people.
the people who've been with you from the beginning, who know and love your work--takes issue with something you've done in a way that doesn't amount to "It's just not my cup of tea," it might help you in the long run if you listen, and take their concerns into account.
problem here is that a vocal group of people Decided that they were the arbiters of morality and got an artist to change their work. "Its not my cup of tea, change it!"
problem here is that a vocal group of people Decided that they were the arbiters of morality and got an artist to change their work. "Its not my cup of tea, change it!"
Lazy8: as to how those words would have stuck around: I know several English and Australian nursery rhymes that contain them, and have heard a Dutch one from Indonesia of similar type, and heard of numerous others from different language groups. Children's culture is surprisingly enduring, and preserves data and attitudes fron hundreds of years ago. I mean, I wouldn't sing 'Ching Chong Chinaman' to a Chinese, any more than I would sing 'A Yard of Orangeman's Skin' to a Protestant or 'Catholic Dogs' to a Catholic, indeed I wouldn't sing them at all, but such things are out there. Also, you'd be horrified at what may turn up in libraries. Or folklore collections. Or just in the conversation of narrow, ignorant people.
Both you and Saminiemi make good points. I do think the point of 'this is offensive language, we'd really like if you changed it' could have been made with a deal less yelling and vitriol. Might have got a better result!
Yes, artists need to be informed if their work crosses the boundary of what is acceptable. But I know how I would respond if somebody making such a criticism of my work opened their attack by insisting that I formally and publicly apologise and make contrition before the baying mob. Whereas if they approached the problem in terms of 'Hey, thought I ought to let you know that such a thing you said is very offensive to soandsuch a culture, (or is a very filthy word in that language, or whatever the problem is), and you might want to change it before your readers melt down', I would be much more inclined to respond sympathetically. And change whatever it was. And apologise. Though as has been mentioned, the public 'I'm sorry!' Tends to be more an anglophone thing.
Sooo not trying to derail the conversation at all, some pretty important things are being said especially by Lazy8 and Gwenno and I thank you for what you've had to say, but I can't help but notice there are some interesting paintings on page 550, the smaller ones below the one of the mountains.
One of them looks like a baby's footprint, the other two look like, ah, jelly fish or octopus maybe ?
I can't help but notice there are some interesting paintings on page 550, the smaller ones below the one of the mountains.
One of them looks like a baby's footprint, the other two look like, ah, jelly fish or octopus maybe ?
No, please, derail away! I just made the extreme mistake of looking up some of the tumblr vitriol and I don't think this stomachache is ever going to go away now...
With you on the baby footprint; the other two pretty much look like Rorschach blobs. Like, an 'I-didn't-feel-like-drawing-this' scribble, so it came out as a... scribble.
I just made the extreme mistake of looking up some of the tumblr vitriol and I don't think this stomachache is ever going to go away now...
Yeah, some of them don't seem to get that the joke was "the team know very little about outside cultures and Emil is an ignorant ass," not "ha ha, Chinese looks and sounds weird." Oh well. The nastier people will find someone new to harass before long.
Though come to think of it, I'm also giving Mikkel the side-eye for knowing too much. Hm...
You're not the only one. I actually know quite a few people who for a while have been suspicious of his character that he's hiding something or there's something going on with him we don't know about. I don't know if you saw but I was talking about this with Róisín in one of the threads recently, actually I think it was this one a few pages back, that considering this mission which is all about lying to the government for funds to illegally traffic pillaged books which is already devious and sneaky, it makes sense that someone might be doing even more devious sneaky stuff on the side. Not necessarily bad or evil just like the mission itself despite being devious and sneaky isn't bad or evil, just someone with ulterior motives might be around and if it's not Mikkel it might be Taru or Trond or any combination of those three.
I'm watching them.
Bornholm survived the outbreak with all its infrastructure and institutions intact. Mikkel probably went to the same schools his family has been attending for two or three centuries, and almost certainly learned a great deal about the Old World there. As Denmark is specifically mentioned here (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=67) as "hoarding and studying old documents", I'm not surprised at Mikkel's knowledge at all.
A lot of people have been very suspicious of Mikkel for a very long time, and I could myself among them. Here, here's a paraphrased and abbreviated version of the list I put up on the Tropes Wiki:
- This page. (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=201) Sigrun's making fun of him right there and he's still smiling. He's placidly endured a lot of her verbal barbs and a lot of Emil's unthinking idiocy, but this is the only time he actually looks happy about it. Hm, it almost looks like he's glad that Sigrun is being an attention hog here, that way he doesn't get pressed for answers about his past...
Point. But you know, conspiracy theories are so much more fun...THEY ARE THOUGH
Though come to think of it, I'm also giving Mikkel the side-eye for knowing too much. Hm...
Point. But you know, conspiracy theories are so much more fun...
THEY ARE THOUGHOh, well then, obviously Mikkel is an agent of the Trilateral Commission, operating out of their secret moon base where they took refuge from the Rash...
YES thank you that page and that specific moment have been making me kinda suspicious for a while too. I don't know what it is, but the shift in color schemes between the second panel to monochrome in the third right after Sigrun's done making fun of him and he smiles and agrees. That very well could be over thinking because there are plenty of other times the comic does this especially in the earlier chapters of having a color scheme jump like that between panels, but I still found considering the things about the page you pointed out that the sudden shift in the mood of the colors to be a little unsettling.
Oh, well then, obviously Mikkel is an agent of the Trilateral Commission, operating out of their secret moon base where they took refuge from the Rash...
I forgot to say in my last post, but, I also thought that monochrome panel stuck out when I last went through the archives. I doubt it's going to be anything super edgy, but I definitely get the impression that something shady went on that he prefers not to share.
Also, I love the implication that Sigrun just eats lemons straight.
Also, I love the implication that Sigrun just eats lemons straight.
Yep, I got that implication too. Adorable and hardcore.So did Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, Lt. Gen., CSA.
Ooh, here's a thought. Trond relies pretty heavily on blackmail, right? And the one thing we know about why Mikkel joined is that he knew Trond. Maybe Trond has something on him? Maybe he blackmailed him into joining the expedition.
Ooh, here's a thought. Trond relies pretty heavily on blackmail, right? And the one thing we know about why Mikkel joined is that he knew Trond. Maybe Trond has something on him? Maybe he blackmailed him into joining the expedition.That's a pretty interesting idea. Trond could threaten Mikkel with exposure of whatever secret position he holds, which would presumably make him lose that job. Unless, of course, our Dane lends his Rash expertise to a little expedition...
Ooh, here's a thought. Trond relies pretty heavily on blackmail, right?Actually, I got the impression that Trond is that guy who Gets Things Done in the most efficient way possible: thus, blackmail is only one of the tools he uses. He got Sigrun via telling her parents the truth about the mission. About Admiral Olsen, he said, "That man won't break form willingly." The implication there is that Trond was prepared to use a carrot if it would have worked, but he knew it wouldn't. So, he went to blackmail, because it would, and in a timely manner.
Ooh, here's a thought. Trond relies pretty heavily on blackmail, right? And the one thing we know about why Mikkel joined is that he knew Trond. Maybe Trond has something on him? Maybe he blackmailed him into joining the expedition.
That has occurred to me as well. (Then, of course, the speculation turns toward just what Trond has on him to convince him to go on such a dangerous mission...)
That's a pretty interesting idea. Trond could threaten Mikkel with exposure of whatever secret position he holds, which would presumably make him lose that job. Unless, of course, our Dane lends his Rash expertise to a little expedition...It's possible. Or Mikkel could be one of those people who "hates their co-workers with a burning passion". We don't know yet.
And on another topic, I was also surprised that Sigrun actually knew about different kinds of fruit, and it's adorable how proud of herself she is for that. (Darn it, Sigrun, what did I just say about being so cute?) Explains how she's managed to avoid scurvy at least. (Seriously can you picture how bad the scurvy would have to get before Sigrun would eat something she doesn't want to eat?)
I sort of want Mikkel to have a secret ominous past to reveal his knowledge.Same. I'd love it if he were some kind of shady conspirator, but I'd also love me some knowledgeable farmer characters.
And I also sort of just want him to have read a lot as a kid on the farm.
Well, there are other sources of vitamin C besides vegetables; notably, oysters and many manners of offals, which sounds more like something Sigrun would sigrun.Well if we are assuming that Lalli did absolutely no cleaning on that squirrel, then there's your offal. See? He just doesn't want anyone to get scurvy.
A lot of people have been very suspicious of Mikkel for a very long time, and I could myself among them. Here, here's a paraphrased and abbreviated version of the list I put up on the Tropes Wiki:
I suppose I could make one, like I'm not well versed in different tropes at all but I'm she's got to fit at least a few tropes out there ?
An interesting thought! But on my end I'm still not clear on whether the "written Mandarin" thing was intentionally Mikkel getting it slightly wrong, or whether Minna intended him to be suspiciously spot-on.I don't think it was meant to be an intentional mistake. In fact, I'm not even sure I buy into it being a mistake. The English word 'Chinese' makes it difficult to tell whether you are talking about 漢語 (hanyu - the Sitting language family), 普通話 (putonghua - standard Mandarin, which is spoken and read the same anywhere, because that's the purpose of having a standard language) or 中文 (zhongwen - the written language that can be read as either Mandarin or Hanyu 'dialects', although meaning might be off in that case) or 白話 (baihua - written vernacular Chinese). The Chinese government likes to pretend that everything that isn't standard Mandarin is just a dialect, when really, it is a whole different language. Often they aren't mutually intelligible and the grammar might differ as well. If that wasn't the case, there wouldn't be the need for differentiation of the last two.
You should! Taru is great. I like her pragmatic approach.Taru sure is great, and really did a lot of the work if not most of it of making the mission happen in the first place.
I can't help but notice there are some interesting paintings on page 550, the smaller ones below the one of the mountains.I suspect that recognizing the actual picture might be impeded by some sort of grime that has collected on the glass (or picture itself, if no glass was used). The big one's so far above eye level that I wouldn't be surprised if it were tilted to face downward a bit, hampering the collection of dust on it.
One of them looks like a baby's footprint, the other two look like, ah, jelly fish or octopus maybe ?
I forgot to say in my last post, but, I also thought that monochrome panel stuck out when I last went through the archives. I doubt it's going to be anything super edgy, but I definitely get the impression that something shady went on that he prefers not to share.Maybe "milking cows and washing pigs" is the Danish intelligence agencies' codespeak for the intel-gathering and misleading of foreigners that he did just then and there. :P
Actually, I got the impression that Trond is that guy who Gets Things Done in the most efficient way possible: thus, blackmail is only one of the tools he uses. He got Sigrun via telling her parents the truth about the mission.There has been speculation that the good ex-general "anyone will do, really (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=200)" Trond might have preferred a less proactive and qualified Norwegian than Sigrun ...
Of course, the interesting question is what a baby's footprint - a family heirloom with little to no material value - would be doing in a shop ...The same thing a "First Dollar/Krona/Euro" would?
here has been speculation that the good ex-general "anyone will do, really (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=200)" Trond might have preferred a less proactive and qualified Norwegian than Sigrun ...Which in no way vitiates my point that he simply told the truth with no blackmail involved.
So uh, Reynir's going to turn out to be a Christian mage, yay or nay ?
So uh, Reynir's going to turn out to be a Christian mage, yay or nay ?I was wondering about that when he had the dream about being on the church, but I didn't think it'd actually happen. But now maybe yes? Wouldn't that change his magic too, given that the Norse gods choose who to bestow magic on? And what would he be able to do as a Christian mage? Exorcise unhappy spirits perhaps?
...Exorcise unhappy spirits perhaps?*Looks at army of murderghosts charging after them*
I was wondering about that when he had the dream about being on the church, but I didn't think it'd actually happen. But now maybe yes? Wouldn't that change his magic too, given that the Norse choose who to bestow magic on? And what would he be able to do as a Christian mage? Exorcise unhappy spirits perhaps?
THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YE!
But in all due seriousness, Reynir as a Christian mage....probably able to bless artifacts (blessed ammunition/blades anyone?), and consecrate land for defensive purposes.
Maybe make holy water? A splash of that in a troll's face could be effective.
I was wondering about that when he had the dream about being on the church, but I didn't think it'd actually happen. But now maybe yes? Wouldn't that change his magic too, given that the Norse gods choose who to bestow magic on? And what would he be able to do as a Christian mage? Exorcise unhappy spirits perhaps?
Freeze the sun in the sky, perhaps. Set people on fire, maybe. Turn water into wine, hopefully.
Get everyone accidentally drunk by turning their water supply into wine, probably.He was only trying to help!!
Except anyone who's seen Trollhunter knows that trolls can smell the blood of a Christian man . .
Except anyone who's seen Trollhunter knows that trolls can smell the blood of a Christian man . .
Freeze the sun in the sky, perhaps. Set people on fire, maybe. Turn water into wine, hopefully.
Get everyone accidentally drunk by turning their water supply into wine, probably.
So uh, Reynir's going to turn out to be a Christian mage, yay or nay ?Well, for certain values of "Christian", if their grasp of Chinese culture is any indication.
Well, for certain values of "Christian", if their grasp of Chinese culture is any indication.
Heh. Let me bet five Internet points on Reynir conflating the cultures present in this shop and calling himself a "Kung Fu mage" at some point. :P
Pardon my ignorance, but what is SJW?
Pardon my ignorance, but what is SJW?What Lazy8 said. And a "Social Justice Warrior" is a pejorative term for an individual promoting socially progressive views; including feminism, civil rights, multiculturalism, political correctness, and identity politics. So says Wikipedia.
Get everyone accidentally drunk by turning their water supply into wine, probably.I pity him having to deal with Extremely Hungover Sigrun in the morning.
Eris*sympathetic hugs**hugs back*
I was wondering about that when he had the dream about being on the church, but I didn't think it'd actually happen. But now maybe yes? Wouldn't that change his magic too, given that the Norse gods choose who to bestow magic on? And what would he be able to do as a Christian mage? Exorcise unhappy spirits perhaps?I was wondering, too!
And the comment section is off! I hope it doesn't get shut down again, or if it does, it at least only gets CLOSED, not completely obliterated like last time.
I pity him having to deal with Extremely Hungover Sigrun in the morning.
edit: Also, I second what Lazy8 said about feeling unhappy about what's going on in the comment section, but I'm rather afraid to say anything for fear that we're going to get the whole comment section shut down again. So, I'm not saying anything, which makes me feel kind of bad, too, but . . . -sigh-
Well, I've already had to block one person who clearly wasn't interested in civilized dialogue and was ranting on about Minna caving to "maniacs". This wasn't some random troll I'd never seen before either; this was a regular. Seems like we're finally starting to see the truly ugly side of this fandom.
It's still working for me, so I hope it's just something on your end.Blech, yeah, I saw that. And the comments are still working for me, too.
The way the fic trends seem to be going: you ain't a Sigrun writer till you've done at least one drunk!Sigrun story. ;D
(I don't want to know what she'd be like hungover. Gritting her teeth through the whole day while everyone else walks on eggshells around her?)
Well, I've already had to block one person who clearly wasn't interested in civilized dialogue and was ranting on about Minna caving to "maniacs". This wasn't some random troll I'd never seen before either; this was a regular. Seems like we're finally starting to see the truly ugly side of this fandom.
Well, thankfully in only a few outspoken individuals, not everyone.Indeed! I've also noticed that much of the fandom are nice, sensible people, who disagree with these few individuals!
It's still working for me, so I hope it's just something on your end.Oh, no no, it's still working for me; I'm just nervous that it's going to get shut down. I meant "off" as in "lost its mind."
Well, I've already had to block one person who clearly wasn't interested in civilized dialogue and was ranting on about Minna caving to "maniacs". This wasn't some random troll I'd never seen before either; this was a regular. Seems like we're finally starting to see the truly ugly side of this fandom.It really makes me sad that things progressed this far. :'( Our community is really very precious to me, and I want us as a community to be better than calling each other names and such behavior. But I suppose that a certain amount of this is going to happen in any community, whether I like it or not.
And noooo, I'm not a true Sigrun writer yet! ;D
I imagine drunk Sigrun would terrify everyone except Mikkel, who would stick around to hand her a glass of water while the rest of the team hid in terror.
Well, check out some of OwlsG0's stuff if you haven't already; she loooooooooves writing both drunk!Sigrun and Sigrun/Mikkel BrOTP.Hahah, OwlsG0 has greatly influenced my idea of drunk!Sigrun.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sigrun is one of us fortunate folk who don't get hangovers.
I was wondering about that when he had the dream about being on the church, but I didn't think it'd actually happen. But now maybe yes? Wouldn't that change his magic too, given that the Norse gods choose who to bestow magic on? And what would he be able to do as a Christian mage? Exorcise unhappy spirits perhaps?
Well, I've already had to block one person who clearly wasn't interested in civilized dialogue and was ranting on about Minna caving to "maniacs".
And all of the replies to that person have since been removed, except the one agreeing with them. That's...frustrating. I could maybe understand nuking all threads about the issue entirely, but why leave in all of the posts saying nothing was wrong and it was all just the evil SJWs, and remove the replies that say what actually happened?WOW Okay I actually feel kind of hurt by that. Ugh, I love this story so much and it's been such a solace to me in an otherwise pretty dark and rocky part of my life, I'm not happy at all that my opinion on the author and part of the community is starting to really sour.
Maybe I should just stay away from disqus and stick to the forum. I feel like people are more well behaved and rational on the forum than disqus, FFS someone is accusing someone else of trying to start a flame war for posting about coconut oil. I was so pleased when I thought I found an exception to the internet rule of "don't look at the comment section" because things seemed so fun and welcoming at first but I don't know if it's getting more toxic on disqus or if I'm just becoming more aware of it or what.
WOW Okay I actually feel kind of hurt by that. Ugh, I love this story so much and it's been such a solace to me in an otherwise pretty dark and rocky part of my life, I'm not happy at all that my opinion on the author and part of the community is starting to really sour.Don't underestimate that the fandom keeps growing, too. The more readers there are, the more unreasonable ones there will be. Unfortunately, I would say, the unreasonable ones are usually the louder ones as well :(
Maybe I should just stay away from disqus and stick to the forum. I feel like people are more well behaved and rational on the forum than disqus, FFS someone is accusing someone else of trying to start a flame war for posting about coconut oil. I was so pleased when I thought I found an exception to the internet rule of "don't look at the comment section" because things seemed so fun and welcoming at first but I don't know if it's getting more toxic on disqus or if I'm just becoming more aware of it or what.
One question: what's FFS? I'm assuming it's not shorthand for "fanfictions", in this case? :?
And all of the replies to that person have since been removed, except the one agreeing with them. That's...frustrating. I could maybe understand nuking all threads about the issue entirely, but why leave in all of the posts saying nothing was wrong and it was all just the evil SJWs, and remove the replies that say what actually happened?
Asterales, I think you are right about what is happening. We have had a few bouts of trollishness before, and have survived them. Some of the trolls even calmed down a bit, participated and became valued members of the fandom. Including, sadly, one of those who is leaving because of this incident. But I believe things will improve if we continue to behave decently ourselves, and if we can talk to one another without going to extremes.
For one thing, someone who has been genuinely offended is likely to be able to get their point across far more effectively if they explain the detail of what offends them, clearly and calmly. I'm sure I am not the only one who responds to abusive language and unexplained demands by digging in and refusing to budge. Back in the days of monthly SF magazines, I remember one critic who would write flaming letters to me and to the editor every time I, a female writer, dared to have a story published in which the protagonist was male (probably about a quarter of my stories or poems). I eventually figured out that she thought I was 'betraying my gender' by writing male characters. Now I found that particular offence-taking little short of crazy, while some of the offence-taking we've just had here came from much more reasonable causes, but even a reasonable offence-taking comes across as unreasonable if it is expressed unreasonably. If the writer or artist whose work causes the complaint can understand exactly how the offence has been given, and what the person complaining wants changed, and why, the complainant is far more likely to get what they want.
I noticed this too, and I'm more than a little disturbed. A lot of my comments are gone - this isn't a matter of disqus dropping stuff, I looked in my feed and they're gone, and guess what, the guy I blocked last night is now unblocked again. This really comes across as silencing critics and Minna surrounding herself with only people who will unconditionally fawn over her, and as much as I've enjoyed the story so far I'm not sure if I can keep reading something if I keep getting a stomachache every time I look at it.
Ergh.....that's not good.
I noticed this too, and I'm more than a little disturbed. A lot of my comments are gone - this isn't a matter of disqus dropping stuff, I looked in my feed and they're gone, and guess what, the guy I blocked last night is now unblocked again. This really comes across as silencing critics and Minna surrounding herself with only people who will unconditionally fawn over her, and as much as I've enjoyed the story so far I'm not sure if I can keep reading something if I keep getting a stomachache every time I look at it.That is disturbing. I'm getting rather afraid of looking. That is giving me stomachaches! D:
Because those are the ones whose comments I find ambiguous. I want them to say what they are going to say, straight out. So I *know* what is really being said, clearly expressed without euphemism. Usually their next comment makes their meaning fully clear. You will notice that I do not do so with the ones who make their meaning clear.I guess that's one way of doing things. I'd be far too worried of firing on inflammatory behaviour. But I can see where you are coming from, I guess?
i feel as though we need to really talk to Minna about this.
I think Minna just wants the issue to die down now that she changed the offending thing to a version that satisfied most people; she's trying to cull off what she interprets (rightly or wrongly) as hostile comments or attempts to stir the flam up, but she probably lacks experience in dealing with this kind of situation (not to mention cultural differences as well) and like most people involved probably misses some of the nuances of the situation.
At this point I think it would probably be more useful to talk things out with her in private messages, politely, than to try to "win" arguments in comment boxes.
This really comes across as silencing critics and Minna surrounding herself with only people who will unconditionally fawn over her
I think Minna just wants the issue to die down now that she changed the offending thing to a version that satisfied most people; she's trying to cull off what she interprets (rightly or wrongly) as hostile comments or attempts to stir the flam up
One question: what's FFS? I'm assuming it's not shorthand for "fanfictions", in this case? :?It stands for, 'for frick's sake' ;)
I also second Róisín! With all my heart! Please don't leave!
i feel as though we need to really talk to Minna about this.
Juniper, thank you for the clarification! :P
I have had a look and actually feel a little better now - fear of the unknown seems to be the worst one, after all.
It's all terribly nerve-wracking, though. I think I'll leave the comment section alone for a while.
Maybe the forum, too. I'm still trying to get some things sorted out with myself and reading about the whole situation really bothers me. Maybe I'll just stay away from this thread until the end of the week, instead of crawling back into the figurative hole I had been hiding in for the last few weeks.
If you do decide to contact Minna, I very much hope you can reach her. As in connect to her. I hope, she understands, and knows she has done the right thing by changing the page. And that she learns to better deal with this whole situation. (Using free speech as an excuse is ridiculous.)
In the case that I should vanish completely for a while, just know that I support you <3
*hugs Lazy*
I truly hope you can find somebody who can send her a private message.
*has a terrible epiphany*
Just please don't leave the fandom while I'm not looking! D: At least PM me! I'll cry of you do, but finding you gone when I rerun would be much more horrifying :'(
You haven't even finished your story! *rushes off to give you mail address via PM*
Don't you dare leave me hanging with only half a story! *swings fist in Lazy's direction*
I really hope y'all don't leave. :( I'm almost definitely going to stay for now, and I don't relish the thought of being totally outnumbered in the comments by people who jump at every opportunity to crap on "SJWs." But I can't ask anyone to keep coming back to something that upsets them either.
Kjeks, I think you have the right of it concerning Minna. We just have to hope she works out how to deal with these things, and is not so disgusted by the whole process as to give up writing. Glad you're still here.
Parting the Oresund so they can drive the Cat Tank back to Sweden would be rather useful :)Better part it all the way down to the bedrock, though. There might be more mud at the seabottom than under the shallow Red Sea, and the cat-tank probably has more of a problem with it than people on foot.
Nanao, just so you know, the shadow effect on your font makes it difficult to read. I think the pink color would be readable if it were just the font color and not a shadow.
Well then, I guess the topic in here is done, since it is the comic UPDATE Chitchat and all is said on the matter so far. Let's see what tomorrow's page has to offer.Hello! it's nice that you welcomed me even if we maybe disagreed on some parts, I almost never log into forums but I'll take a look at introduction thread.
Edit: Welcome to the board Nanao, we've got an introductory topic over here. (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=131.0) Take a :squirrelcookie: in the meantime ;)
It was one thing with Minna doing an honest mistake, but not acknowledging her mistakes by refusing to apologise and prohibiting anyone from trying to make her realise that the phrase "Ching chong" hurt a lot of people's feelings is just downright disrespectful.
Maybe we should acknowledge the flaws of this forum.
And instead of hoping that everything will turn back to normal, we should try to do something against the bad sides of this fandom and dare to say no to unfair treatment of other fans of different backgrounds. Because if this blows over and everyone pretends like nothing happened, then this will turn into just another fandom where fans blindly praises the creator's every move even if it's something that is hurtful to others as they shamelessly crushes anyone who dare to speak their mind.
What more do you want, a struggle session?
Well then, I guess the topic in here is done, since it is the comic UPDATE Chitchat and all is said on the matter so far. Let's see what tomorrow's page has to offer.
But I still feel that there are more things that could be done to make everyone feel welcome in this forum.
I'll stop talking about it here, sorry, but is there somewhere else on the forum that would be a more appropriate place to discuss this?
What sort of thread do you think it would fit best in? I can ask the mods if we can reopen the thread about races in ssss, or would you suggest a different topic?
I'm too new to the forum to really know where it would fit best, but a thread about races does sound like it would work. Or even a topic specifically about the recent controversy. Whatever is appropriate to the forum culture, I guess? I'm happy with wherever it is as long as it's somewhere.
I think the idea if the mods agree to it of re-opening the races in ssss thread might be a good idea for this debate to move to, especially considering that a lot of this debate seems to be extending off of the original one discussed in that thread.
Thanks!
In the future if anyone has suggestions please don't be afraid to bring them to us. I promise I don't actually eat people. :D
My new questions is, did the glass shatter because Reynir is clumsy, or because the Nordic gods disapprove?(http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/352/470/1b5.gif)
If you give us about 24 hours (we are all on different time zones) to discuss it, I've posed the question of reopening the thread to the moderation team. We will figure out a place where it can fit provided the discussion remains civil and mature. Knowing the people here though, I think it is possible.
Please do! I actually registered an account just to post on the topic after I saw her comments about closing the comments section. Figured she probably does not want any personal messages about it (even positive ones), so thought this might be the place to come.
I think Reynir accidentally breaking glass has a link to him promising Tuuri he'd repair a broken picture frame, just to realise he can't fix glass...:mikkel:: What did I tell you earlier? You can't fix glass! So don't try, you'll cut yourself! Honestly, Reynir!
:mikkel:: What did I tell you earlier? You can't fix glass! So don't try, you'll cut yourself! Honestly, Reynir!
:reynir:: Sorry, sorry! I just thought... now that I'm a mage... well sort of a mage, I didn't mean, you know, an actual trained mage, but... I thought I might be able to... fix it... with magic... :(
One day, Reynir. One day you will have the magic required to fix glass.
Please do! I actually registered an account just to post on the topic after I saw her comments about closing the comments section. Figured she probably does not want any personal messages about it (even positive ones), so thought this might be the place to come.Welcome to the forum! :D I know we're glad to have you here.
Wasn't it Occulus Reparo? Ah, wait, wrong fandom. ;DNah, that's for eyeglasses.
I really enjoy the quiet of the final panel on 553... I suspect we won't get many moments like that once they get into Odense. :PThat panel is beautiful, I love the colors.
So uh, theories / bets on why Lalli wants to go home ? My original hunch was the spooky parade coming for them, but then someone in the comments mentioned that it might have something to do with the "it" Onni mentioned looking for them again, which part of me hopes is the case because I want to know what "it" is and FINALLY have the details of the Hotakainen's backstory revealed.
So uh, theories / bets on why Lalli wants to go home ? My original hunch was the spooky parade coming for them, but then someone in the comments mentioned that it might have something to do with the "it" Onni mentioned looking for them again, which part of me hopes is the case because I want to know what "it" is and FINALLY have the details of the Hotakainen's backstory revealed.
In the meantime I will focus my wondering-efforts towards the other part of your point- the details of the Hotakainen's backstory.Right ?!? To repeat what everyone else is saying, what did grandma Hotakainen make a mistake on ?!? Is a kade going to somehow be involved in this, Minna can't just bring up a kade on the mages info page and then not have a kade in the story at all she just can't there there has to be a kade somewhere D: if there is a kade will we get to see a magic fight by the end of the story ?? I may or may not have been frothing at the mouth wanting to see any combination of our three mages fight a kade for a while now . .
So uh, theories / bets on why Lalli wants to go home ? My original hunch was the spooky parade coming for themNot much else to say, but as the scout, and assuming that he did notice the parade that far away, he should know best that they cannot go back the same way they came, and specifically ask to return home on a route that Tuuri et. al. need to pinpoint from the maps first.
Sighhhh I'm afraid the chapter break might be approaching, this chapter's already about average chapter length, maybe a little on the longer side, and both today and yesterday's page commentary was "Got to have a little mage dream sequence too before this day ends" making me think this chapter's going to wrap up soon.(http://i.imgur.com/oGSmDGb.png)
it's okay I've survived one chapter break I can survive another I CAN DO THIS
(http://i.imgur.com/oGSmDGb.png)Fear the chapter break!
Oh no I hadn't thought about this oh no oh no.
Sighhhh I'm afraid the chapter break might be approaching, this chapter's already about average chapter length, maybe a little on the longer side, and both today and yesterday's page commentary was "Got to have a little mage dream sequence too before this day ends" making me think this chapter's going to wrap up soon.
it's okay I've survived one chapter break I can survive another I CAN DO THIS
D: Oh snap.Can we really manage? I feel like we cannot. :'(
Ah well, we can manage! We've managed before!
Nooooo this will be my first chapter break! I won't be able to handle it! I need help from expert chapter break survivors!
(On the other hand, I might earn my first chapter break ribbon... if I manage to survive)
Good, I need a CB, so I don't feel compelled to check if when wake up in the middle of the night.
Nooooo this will be my first chapter break! I won't be able to handle it! I need help from expert chapter break survivors!
(On the other hand, I might earn my first chapter break ribbon... if I manage to survive)
This will be my first chapter break too!! I'm dreading it, I always look forward to checking for a new page. But I'm happy I jumped into the forum beforehand- I'm hoping that will make it more bearable? Right, CB survivors? please...?
This will be my first chapter break too!! I'm dreading it, I always look forward to checking for a new page. But I'm happy I jumped into the forum beforehand- I'm hoping that will make it more bearable? Right, CB survivors? please...?*hugs you, Miriam, and any others who have not yet survived a chapter break*
You guys. Page 557 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=557).
At first I thought Reynir's fylgja couldn't enter Christian spaces, but then I remembered that earlier mage vision scene (here (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=506)) where both of them were perfectly fine with hanging out in a church.
Any theories?
Yeahh I was thinking the same thing, but maybe his fylgja is just being fussy ? Or maybe this is something that Reynir has to see on his own for some reason ?Hmmm. *nodnods*
Orrr this could be someone else's dream space that he keeps wandering into, both now and on page 506. I don't think we've seen Reynir's fylgja with him when he goes into other's dream spaces, only when he's in his own.
One supposes a Christian mage would be a priest or a monk or nun. In ages past it was part of the parish priest's duties to distribute holy water and blessed candles to help the faithful combat the wiles of local devils. Pilgrims flocked to the isolated hermitage of a particularly pious monk to ask him to pray for them. Priests led periodic processions through the parish to bless the fields and banish malign influences.
Indeed, many of these practices continue still. My parish distributes blessed candles and chalk on Epiphany, and on Rogation Sunday we go on a procession to bless the boundaries of the parish with holy water as we pray for the protection of the saints—a ritual called "beating the bounds."
For the ones who aren't Jesuits, just a mage. Like the Elizabethan John Dee. Or the person who wrote the Book of Lambspring, whoever Barnaud plagiarised it from. Sometimes also 'wizard', 'magician' 'wiseman or wisewoman', 'hedgewitch' or other terms. And of course some regular priestly practices are innately magical in nature.Hmmm... interesting. Thanks!
One supposes a Christian mage would be a priest or a monk or nun.
Sæmundur fróði Sigfússon, a priest and a scholar who reputedly went to the Dark University to study magic under the devil's tutelage.
On the comic front, perhaps Reynir's fylgja only gets smart when he needs guidance or protection? The rest of the time it's just a flooffy dog. If Reynir's not in danger and/or capable of dealing with the current situation it just scratches its ear and bounces off to look for interesting smells.
OH BOY please tell me Reynir's gonna go on a little dream quest with Onni ! *gets shipper goggles ready*Somehow I don't think Onni will be too pleased...
Somehow I don't think Onni will be too pleased...
But he might reluctantly agree! *excitement*
I was actually thinking about how unenthusiastic Onni's probably going to be about this (like, more unenthusiastic than normal . . ) especially after forbidding Lalli to leave his dream space because 'it' is looking for them again, he might not want to leave his dream space except for emergencies like rescuing them all from the murderghosts. Then again that ban on leaving dream spaces might have mostly just been pertaining to Lalli because he knows Lalli isn't as powerful or trained of a mage as he is.True.
True.
Also, Reynir could try being ambiguous and saying, "I found something really important! Come see! [insert incomprehensible Reynir-babble here]" (Onni's internal monologue: Oh gods! Is it a troll? Will it kill Tuuri! Oh no. Oh no. They're doomed.) Thus getting him to risk leaving his haven!
I personally feel that the speculation on Discus about Reynir and Christianity is over-egged. Maybe he will help some Christian ghosts move on to Val Halla or what not. But he prayed to pagan gods a few pages ago, and he is apparently accustomed to seeing pagan symbols on the family farm. The expression on his face when he saw a stained-glass panel with Christian symbols on it didn't connote familiarity to me.What they really want is a Christian!Reynír AU but nobody wants to write the fic.
You guys. Page 557 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=557).
At first I thought Reynir's fylgja couldn't enter Christian spaces, but then I remembered that earlier mage vision scene (here (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=506)) where both of them were perfectly fine with hanging out in a church.
Any theories?
OH BOY please tell me Reynir's gonna go on a little dream quest with Onni ! *gets shipper goggles ready*I hope you still have your shipper goggles on!
I don't really consider them one of my ships, either, but I'm definitely also putting my shipper goggles on because oh my goodness I just can't help it.I will not ship them too. I must resiiiist....
I hope you still have your shipper goggles on!
I'm not really a Onni/Reynir shipper but Reynir's face in the fourth panel is adorable. And also Onni's dreamspace is beautiful
Edit: Page 559 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=559)
MY SHIPPER GOGGLES ARE ALWAYS ON
But I just remembered that I've had the feeling for many chapters now that Onni probably has some pretty seriously PTSD so sneaking up on him is probably not a good idea, like at all. I mean he might not get thrown into a rock this time but one of them might end up in that pond next page.
MY SHIPPER GOGGLES ARE ALWAYS ON
But I just remembered that I've had the feeling for many chapters now that Onni probably has some pretty seriously PTSD so sneaking up on him is probably not a good idea, like at all. I mean he might not get thrown into a rock this time but one of them might end up in that pond next page.
I am A-Okay with one of them ending up in the pond. xD*cough* ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
... Or with Onni shoving Reynir against the nearest flat surface, considering that's what made me like this duo in the first place, ahahaha.
Now I desperately need art of a sopping wet Reynir sitting in the pond with water-lilies tangled into his braid.Same ! Someone said something about Reynir winding up in the pond in the comments and I was like "actually, I kind of need that now . . "
Now I desperately need art of a sopping wet Reynir sitting in the pond with water-lilies tangled into his braid.Ummm. *cough* I may or may not have already started drawing it, and finished with the lineart and started working on colors.
Excellent, Tr. By the way, the picture you made for me is lovely!Thanks! ^-^
Here you go!
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/8d/23/ed8d2343f0edd2f832fc37dd2e3fee1a.jpg)
One sopping wet Reynir. He looks a lot sadder than I intended, but he will probably recover in the next 5 seconds. ;)
Here you go!
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/8d/23/ed8d2343f0edd2f832fc37dd2e3fee1a.jpg)
One sopping wet Reynir. He looks a lot sadder than I intended, but he will probably recover in the next 5 seconds. ;)Thanks! ^-^
Ahhh this is so good and so adorable !! Poor bab was probably just caught off guard, I'm sure you're right and he'll recover pretty quick :3
Tr, that's so cute! Thanks so much for sharing! :D
Oooooh, this is perfect! So cute! Thank you! <3Aaaaa, thanks!! Reynir is the cutest and therefore also the most fun to draw :3
Here you go!
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/8d/23/ed8d2343f0edd2f832fc37dd2e3fee1a.jpg)
One sopping wet Reynir. He looks a lot sadder than I intended, but he will probably recover in the next 5 seconds. ;)Thanks! ^-^
Onni weirdly reminds me of Lalli in the last panel of today's page (560) from the way his face is set, which seems like a common way for Lalli to set his face, to the fact that what he's saying is both spacey and a little awkward.
Mkay so it's over-analyzing time, but in the first panel of page 560 I feel like there's such a contrast between Reynir and Onni besides just the obvious of their expressions. First of all there's the color scheme, Reynir's part of the panel is a lot of warm colors mostly while Onni's part of the panel is a lot of cool colors. Then there's the shading, Reynir's part of the panel seems to have more of the light source directing shining on him and in general lighter while Onni's part of the panel is more shadows and shading. Then of course there's the obvious of their moods and expressions, Reynir's all warm and smiling and "sunny" while Onni's flinching away in terror. So much contrast I don't know if it's intentional or not but it adds so much mood to that panel.
Yesss I definitely agree, I do feel like Minna does use color symbolism intentionally a lot of the time. (but then again I've written a paper on color symbolism in SSSS, so I'm also one for over-analyzing ::))
EDIT: Also, for anyone who doesn't look at the SSSS twitter apparently the second half of the story is going to get quite a bit more 'glum' and 'angsty' *anxious screaching*
Yesss I definitely agree, I do feel like Minna does use color symbolism intentionally a lot of the time. (but then again I've written a paper on color symbolism in SSSS, so I'm also one for over-analyzing ::))
EDIT: Also, for anyone who doesn't look at the SSSS twitter apparently the second half of the story is going to get quite a bit more 'glum' and 'angsty' *anxious screaching*
EDIT: Also, for anyone who doesn't look at the SSSS twitter apparently the second half of the story is going to get quite a bit more 'glum' and 'angsty' *anxious screaching*Noooooo, I forbid it!
*rapidly shuffles through all of the most likely possibilities*
The Hotakainens: Did someone say "Saimaa"? I think someone did. Why did they relocate? What happened to their parents? Why do Tuuri, Lalli, and Onni all show signs of past trauma? What, exactly, is "It"? Will "It" show up again? (I think that "It" will.) Oh yes, not to mention that Tuuri just had to go and jinx things a few pages ago with all of her death flagging...
Emil: Ah, such an ill-adjusted ball of teenage boy insecurities. We know that Emil has had a lot of trouble relating to other people in the past, and yes, a good deal of this is his own fault. It's also hard not to pity him, though, since it's clear that his parents done goofed on a number of different points, and Emil has so much kindness and empathy buried under his "rich idiot" training, and he's been trying so hard to prove himself. Somehow I can't help but wonder whether the latter half of the story is where we'll really see Emil come into his own in the field - possibly because he's forced into it? (Hm, now wondering whether Emil's behavior when he's in danger contrasted with his behavior when Lalli's in danger might be some sort of foreshadowing?)
Sigrun: Why is she so dead set against backtracking? Something happened in her past, that much is clear, to convince her that it's never an acceptable course of action, that people will die if she does. And call it a hunch, but I can't shake the feeling that Sigrun is the one most likely to get seriously hurt at some point. (I'm keeping my blanket fort all nice and set up for self-burial.)
Mikkel: One word: Kastrup. I found his reaction when Sigrun was in mortal danger to be incredibly telling: up to that point he'd been keeping his distance from everyone, almost as if he didn't want to let himself get close to people, but went straight to being flat-out terrified for her sake. We know he's lost friends to Kastrup. There's also been a lot of speculation that he's here on his own mission, unbeknownst to any of the others. What I see here is Mikkel deliberately trying not to get too close to any of these people, possibly for multiple reasons, but he's slowly getting attached to them anyway, and at some point that's all going to come crashing down on his head, especially if he really does have more than one reason for joining the group that's eventually revealed to the others.
Reynir: Personally I think that Reynir might be heading for a massive existential crisis. His parents lied to him. Onni might be overprotective but at least he didn't try to force the issue; when Tuuri decided to leave on her own initiative, he let her. Reynir had to sneak away, and landed himself in a heap of trouble as a result. It strikes me that he hasn't yet expressed any anger over his parents' manipulation, but I wonder whether that might not be about to change after he meets them again, after having developed his confidence, discovered his magic, and picked up a greater degree of self-reliance?
*looks at time*
No! Bad me! Very bad me! IhaveathesistoturninonMondayIneedtostopdoingthisnowAAAARGH!
I like all of these possibilities. And by "like" I mean any one of them would probably turn me into a sobbing mess. : D Great ideas! (I wonder which one it will be... Or something else entirely? )
/patpatgoodluckwiththesis
Could be all of them and then some! I think I can handle exploring dark past, I actually want to see that and there are so many open questions on that front. Of course it all ties together, but I'm more worried that there's something truly terrifying in their future, or something that takes two years in our time to resolve.
Come to think of it, fan theories about the Hotakainen backstory for example already are remarkably darker than what has been explored in the actual storyline, and if some of that turns out to be canon - not just implied but actually handled in the story - it's going to be a quite different mood. I think the question pressing me is 'how much worse does it get'. :S
Oh well, if it's the future you're talking about...
- They still have to deal with those murderghosts
- A kade enters the story
- "It" catches up with them
- Someone gets seriously hurt (right now my bet is on Sigrun, then Lalli, though Emil is also a prime candidate)
- Infection scare with one of the non-immunes
- Actual infection with one of the non-immunes, and they end up having to put that cure to the test
- They end up trapped in the Silent World with all of its dangers into the spring or summer
- They lose the tank
...come to think of it, I've already written a fair number of those. Yaaas, my fics are now vindicated.
(http://gargwiki.net/images/thumb/5/57/Xanatos3.PNG/360px-Xanatos3.PNG)
I know I've said this like five times but at this point I almost want a kade to enter the story so we can see a good ol' magic brawl between the kade and any combination of our three mages.I also would love to see a kade come into the story. That would be so cool!
I don't actually think that anyone's going to die.*clings to this hope*
I don't actually think that anyone's going to die. How close they can come, though, is another matter entirely...
*clings to this hope*Hey, the comic's selburose logo has six petals. If someone died, it would mess up the symbolism.
what if we saw Emil have a near death experience and actually get some sort of strong emotional reaction out of Lalli from that ?(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag444/Fimbulvarg/ship1_zpsnszhvrjt.png)
But ahh yeah character near deaths / death scares, that had me thinking we've seen it happen like three times now that either Lalli's been in danger or Emil thought he was in danger and Emil freaks out a little but we haven't really seen much of the opposite happening, what if we saw Emil have a near death experience and actually get some sort of strong emotional reaction out of Lalli from that ?Things like this feed my shipper heart. ^-^
There's a theory that says Onni and Lalli's granny was/is a kade. Which may or may not be the "it" that is pursuing them.
Kade doesn't make you change form, so if she were still kade she'd be a human... what I'm thinking is that becoming kade might have been what caused her to make that big mistake that's been hinted at.(http://i.imgur.com/STBzeAH.jpg)
...which in turn makes me wonder what she would have envied so hard that it would have twisted her character so badly that she'd begin to wish ill for whoever she was envying. What did she want so badly for herself that she would have thought the other one had no right to have that? Was someone in the family perhaps stronger than her on mage power levels?
There's a theory that says Onni and Lalli's granny was/is a kade. Which may or may not be the "it" that is pursuing them.
I know I've said this like five times but at this point I almost want a kade to enter the story so we can see a good ol' magic brawl between the kade and any combination of our three mages.I might be misremembering, but I'm pretty sure Minna promised us there'd be no major character death. Please someone tell me I'm right, I couldn't stand losing anyone!
Also, quite a few of my friend IRL are talking about how weird it is that this is a post-apocalyptic story and there's been no major character death so far. It would be really cool if it could stay that way and everything, and I'd dread a major character death to be any of the younger four crew members because they're all precious little babies, but I think especially something happening to Lalli or Reynir would absolutely destroy me, but I don't think with how much investment into character building that's been put into those two that we'd get a major character death from them, right ?!?
I might be misremembering, but I'm pretty sure Minna promised us there'd be no major character death. Please someone tell me I'm right, I couldn't stand losing anyone!
I might be misremembering, but I'm pretty sure Minna promised us there'd be no major character death. Please someone tell me I'm right, I couldn't stand losing anyone!If anyone can confirm this, I would be grateful.
Who counts as a major character, though? Because I feel like killing Onni could strike the right balance between not sacrificing anyone from the main crew but still having a lot of emotional impact...
Who counts as a major character, though? Because I feel like killing Onni could strike the right balance between not sacrificing anyone from the main crew but still having a lot of emotional impact...(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/scJf994jj297X1weKAKGCxZn6QTEAWwUqyfb48IaeeY=w155-h188-no)
Who counts as a major character, though? Because I feel like killing Onni could strike the right balance between not sacrificing anyone from the main crew but still having a lot of emotional impact...
Who counts as a major character, though? Because I feel like killing Onni could strike the right balance between not sacrificing anyone from the main crew but still having a lot of emotional impact...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I reject hurting Onni, too! I love Onni. I reassert my plea: no character deaths! Losing Mamma Kitty was hard enough on me.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/scJf994jj297X1weKAKGCxZn6QTEAWwUqyfb48IaeeY=w155-h188-no)
NOT ONNI NOOOOOOOOO!
D:
Pupunen, you put that idea back in your head where you found it, because that is NOPE with NOPE sauce and a huge bowl of NOPE for dessert!
...I mean, you're not wrong, but I would seriously cry if it happened. xD
I'm sorry! If it's any consolation, pretty much all my guesses about where the story is going have been wrong so far, so this one probably is, too. :D And I also want Onni to stay alive and safe!
No one is going to die!*joins you under the blankets and starts chanting*
Everyone will be safe!
Ships will work out!
Everything will be wonderful!
(*hides under blankets*)
No one is going to die!<insert glee>
Everyone will be safe!
Ships will work out!
Everything will be wonderful!
(*hides under blankets*)
Okay that's really cool and I'd actually be interested in hearing some of your other analysis's :D
EDIT: Also, for anyone who doesn't look at the SSSS twitter apparently the second half of the story is going to get quite a bit more 'glum' and 'angsty' *anxious screaching*
Piney! Is there a chance of reading that paper?
Ships will work out!
So, all ships considered... does this mean it'll end up in one big polyamorous mishmash? ::)
Anyway, is it possible for a kade mage to turn into a troll?
P.S. I'm not an expert on Finnish mythology, so somebody smack me if I'm talking nonsense here.
So the SSSS info page http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=412 just says that a kade is a turned mage. Turned as in generally becoming evil, or turned as in turned into a troll?
OK, let's See what else we can arrange for you ...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I reject hurting Onni, too! I love Onni. I reassert my plea: no character deaths! Losing Mamma Kitty was hard enough on me.
So, all ships considered... does this mean it'll end up in one big polyamorous mishmash? ::)
It'll be a kind of quantum superimposition of ships that only resolves while viewed by a particular shipper, then reverses itself when not under observation. I can't see that that should be a problem for someone as talented as Minna ;D
*joins you under the blankets and starts chanting*
No one will die.
No one will die.
No one will die.
It'll be a kind of quantum superimposition of ships that only resolves while viewed by a particular shipper, then reverses itself when not under observation. I can't see that that should be a problem for someone as talented as Minna ;D
*whispers*RIGHT!!!
No one will die.
No one will die.
No one will die.
It's gonna be okay... right? RIGHT?
It seems like this is kinda already happening. And it's great. Especially because it means that one shipper can look at it from multiple conflicting perspectives and still be happy! :DI vote for "No ship is impossible" as the forum shipping motto! \o/
I vote for "No ship is impossible" as the forum shipping motto! \o/
Isn't this what's going on anyway at this moment? ::)
It seems like this is kinda already happening. And it's great. Especially because it means that one shipper can look at it from multiple conflicting perspectives and still be happy! :D
Oh my God, Onni's expression in the first panel is priceless.
And hey! Reynir has apparently learned where Onni's buttons are! And he fights dirty.
But nothing gives me life more than that floofy hood Onni wears with the two floofy things sticking out of the top that might be ears and how they're always lopsided.I just really want to stick a toothpick under it or something ok. I like my things neat and symmetrical. *looks around at messy room*
And he fights dirty.
I dunno if Reynir is just trying to push Onni's buttons or if Reynir actually is worried about them all dying horribly if they just ignore something to do with Reynir's visions considering last time something to do with one of Reynir's was ignored they did all almost die horribly.Since he has so many siblings that I have lost count, I'm guessing he's learned some dirty tricks growing up. You can't just exist as the youngest sibling in a big family and not. Though I am thinking that he is indeed very concerned about something bad happening if he doesn't go investigate or else I don't think he would be all yelly. He doesn't seem to be the yelly type.
But nothing gives me life more than that floofy hood Onni wears with the two floofy things sticking out of the top that might be ears and how they're always lopsided.Onni and his lopsided floofy hood thingies are the MOST adorable. <3
I just really want to stick a toothpick under it or something ok. I like my things neat and symmetrical. *looks around at messy room*
Since he has so many siblings that I have lost count, I'm guessing he's learned some dirty tricks growing up. You can't just exist as the youngest sibling in a big family and not. Though I am thinking that he is indeed very concerned about something bad happening if he doesn't go investigate or else I don't think he would be all yelly. He doesn't seem to be the yelly type.
I just really want to stick a toothpick under it or something ok. I like my things neat and symmetrical. *looks around at messy room*
Since he has so many siblings that I have lost count, I'm guessing he's learned some dirty tricks growing up. You can't just exist as the youngest sibling in a big family and not. Though I am thinking that he is indeed very concerned about something bad happening if he doesn't go investigate or else I don't think he would be all yelly. He doesn't seem to be the yelly type.
Yeah, I didn't mean to say that Reynir is not genuinely concerned, but ... I don't know, something about the way he puts it makes me think he knows exactly what he's doing.Oh, well I didn't mean to say that you didn't think he was genuinely concerned, all I was going at was that he is indeed being manipulative, but manipulative because he's genuinely concerned. Which I probably did not get across very well... It's late for me and this is why I don't normally get in discussions when it's late XD
Reynír has four older siblings that I can recall.Okay, thanks! I had an extreme lack of motivation to go figure it out.
I just really want to stick a toothpick under it or something ok. I like my things neat and symmetrical. *looks around at messy room*Now I'm picturing Onni looking really confused as someone adjusts his ear floof things, or better yet sticks a tooth pick under one.
I'm not entirely sure Onni's ear-fluffs aren't expressing emotion. In the last panel, I could swear he's got his ears laid back.
In which case, what emotion are his usual asymmetrical ear-fluffs expressing?
In which case, what emotion are his usual asymmetrical ear-fluffs expressing? "I am a giant dork"?"I feel an imbalance in the force!"
Oh, well I didn't mean to say that you didn't think he was genuinely concerned, all I was going at was that he is indeed being manipulative, but manipulative because he's genuinely concerned. Which I probably did not get across very well... It's
Reynir vs. Tuuri -- Steel Cage Match
Sorry.
Look what I found:
https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=6.0
and it says topic=6.0
This really was the sixth topic on this forum woooot?
Yuuago and Fimbulvarg would you mind me merging them some time in the near future?
Huh! Wow. : DThanks!
I don't mind at all.
About page 563 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=563), I think Reynir still doesn't realise Onni can't walk over water. Apparently he can when pushed by an Icelandic mage, though.it is more like, he CAN, but he was scared. and we knew that. About his ability on walking on water was unknown
it is more like, he CAN, but he was scared. and we knew that. About his ability on walking on water was unknown
But Onni run next to Reynir, not in Reynir's steps like Lalli, he can walk on water, it seems.
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/2c8d84edeaf540ef48f27c9ad8ed86cf/tumblr_inline_oacw0pGfmD1r64chh_540.png)
Personally, I love the way Reynir just pushes Onni across the water.
Yes, hahaha! Off topic, but in the game Animal Crossing (New Leaf) I used to push idle people around just like that, when they visited my town. When they returned to their 3DS they didn't understand how they came at the other side of the town. Good times...
Also, Reynir must be strong or something. Tuuri had trouble pushing Lalli when he didn't want to go in the train to Denmark, so pushing an Onni who isn't voluntary coming, must be hard...
Yeah, although that was in the physical world, not the dreamworld. And I suspect that, untrained though he is, Reynir is a pretty strong (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=477) mage.
It was the dreamworld for Onni too, so if Reynir is stronger there then he must be too. And I think that being a strong mage is something else than being physically strong... or is it?
Something I saw in the comments which is an exciting idea - what if the church is a different person's dreamspace? Lalli has his cove with paths, Onni has his rock shelter and Reynir his grassy meadow with sheep. Reynir has demonstrated that he can accidentally enter other people's dreamspaces (including before he met the team, when he ran into Lalli's dream). The first time Reynir found himself in the pews, there was a voice asking if someone was there, and Christianity appears to have died out in Scandinavia, so then this could be someone outside the Known World.
Probably wrong, but wouldn't that be exciting?
Something I saw in the comments which is an exciting idea - what if the church is a different person's dreamspace? Lalli has his cove with paths, Onni has his rock shelter and Reynir his grassy meadow with sheep. Reynir has demonstrated that he can accidentally enter other people's dreamspaces (including before he met the team, when he ran into Lalli's dream). The first time Reynir found himself in the pews, there was a voice asking if someone was there, and Christianity appears to have died out in Scandinavia, so then this could be someone outside the Known World.I want it to be another person so badly it hurts. I mean, wouldn't that be a neat discovery to bring back to the known world? A whole colony of other people, previously lost! Because it couldn't just be like one person, or else we'd have to end up with another cast member, and we already have all our main cast members, right? Oooh, the suspense!
Probably wrong, but wouldn't that be exciting?
Something I saw in the comments which is an exciting idea - what if the church is a different person's dreamspace? Lalli has his cove with paths, Onni has his rock shelter and Reynir his grassy meadow with sheep. Reynir has demonstrated that he can accidentally enter other people's dreamspaces (including before he met the team, when he ran into Lalli's dream). The first time Reynir found himself in the pews, there was a voice asking if someone was there, and Christianity appears to have died out in Scandinavia, so then this could be someone outside the Known World.
Probably wrong, but wouldn't that be exciting?
I want it to be another person so badly it hurts. I mean, wouldn't that be a neat discovery to bring back to the known world? A whole colony of other people, previously lost! Because it couldn't just be like one person, or else we'd have to end up with another cast member, and we already have all our main cast members, right? Oooh, the suspense!
I want it to be another person so badly it hurts. I mean, wouldn't that be a neat discovery to bring back to the known world? A whole colony of other people, previously lost! Because it couldn't just be like one person, or else we'd have to end up with another cast member, and we already have all our main cast members, right? Oooh, the suspense!/me tries to hide evil grin
/me tries to hide evil grin
…Unless, of course, the colony survives by killing any outsiders that stumble upon them, possibly eating them as well...
Ooh, yesss..... >:D As much as I want that to happen I think cannibalism is too dark a subject for a "light-hearted story of friendship and camaraderie" :PSo, just killing them then? Minna did hint at darker times to come... (https://mobile.twitter.com/SSSScomic/status/751738871428374528)
So, just killing them then? Minna did hint at darker times to come... (https://mobile.twitter.com/SSSScomic/status/751738871428374528)Everything will be made of gumdrops, lollipops, and spun sugar! O_O
*evil grin*
Everything will be made of gumdrops, lollipops, and spun sugar! O_O
Maybe the person will attempt to convert them to Christianity, I wonder who other than Reynir would take the opportunity...Sigrun: NO
I want it to be another person so badly it hurts. I mean, wouldn't that be a neat discovery to bring back to the known world? A whole colony of other people, previously lost! Because it couldn't just be like one person, or else we'd have to end up with another cast member, and we already have all our main cast members, right? Oooh, the suspense!
Or perhaps it will be a troll.
Someone transformed, but whose soul is trapped and continues to be linked to the Dreaming.
or... KADE!! Seriously I want a mage battle so badly now!!*slams fist on table* MAGE FIGHT ! MAGE FIGHT !
Or perhaps it will be a troll.
Someone transformed, but whose soul is trapped and continues to be linked to the Dreaming.
*slams fist on table* MAGE FIGHT ! MAGE FIGHT !
Either way, whoever it is behind this chunk of dream, I think they will be an antagonist - and that indeed, we may very well get a mage fight.(http://i.imgur.com/QDGT0mh.png)
*slams fist on table* MAGE FIGHT ! MAGE FIGHT !
*slams fist on table* MAGE FIGHT ! MAGE FIGHT !MAGE FIGHT! MAGE FIGHT!
Oh my goodness, I want to see this so badly.
Let me present to you people
Mage Fight (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=326)
But we need another mage fight! We need all the mage fights!Yesss. So many things could happen. Oh, and there's the possibility that if a mage dies in the dreamworld, they die in real life. And also a mage fight would give us the chance to see an experienced mage in action!
Seriously though, the concept of combat in the dream world is just so interesting because they aren't as bound by the constructs of reality. Maybe that's why I get so excited about them.
I've said this on Disqus a couple times already, but it seems a bit much to be believed that Reynir wouldn't have even the slightest idea what Christianity or a church is no matter how thoroughly and sincerely Iceland went pagan. I'm hoping his question in today's comic is more about what a church is doing in the dream world instead of what a church is. :P
The Christians of Iceland never forgot the country was once pagan, so I don't see why they would so suddenly forget 1,000 years of Christianity. I wouldn't expect Reynir to spout lines from Luther's Catechism, but surely he could see a cross and think "Oh yeah, that Jesus guy." I'm just a little credulous about this turn in the plot is all.
The Christians of Iceland never forgot the country was once pagan, so I don't see why they would so suddenly forget 1,000 years of Christianity. I wouldn't expect Reynir to spout lines from Luther's Catechism, but surely he could see a cross and think "Oh yeah, that Jesus guy." I'm just a little credulous about this turn in the plot is all.
I've said this on Disqus a couple times already, but it seems a bit much to be believed that Reynir wouldn't have even the slightest idea what Christianity or a church is no matter how thoroughly and sincerely Iceland went pagan. I'm hoping his question in today's comic is more about what a church is doing in the dream world instead of what a church is. :P
I feel like he wouldn't have called it a "house" if he knew what a church was.
Maaaaaybe? I suppose it's not impossible that he's never heard a Christmas carol or heard someone says "Jesus!" after stubbing his toe?
I'm not sure how long an unmaintained wooden structure would last in Iceland's environment.That outside view in the first panel proves this one to have stone walls, though. Wasn't there a Disqussion about that lately, the result being that stone churches weren't the majority in the Nordics, yet numerous enough to play a role in a hypothetical post-apocalyptic "d'ya remember?" scenario?
I think if Iceland went honestly, thoroughly pagan [...] it's likely that even Icelanders in Reykjavik don't know what a church is.Sorry, no. They mightn't have the slightest what a Christian church would look like, but the concept of buildings of worship is present in candidates (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31437973) for Icelandic Y90 cults as well.
Maaaaaybe? I suppose it's not impossible that he's never heard a Christmas carol or heard someone says "Jesus!" after stubbing his toe?
I personally find it more credible that Minna is simply playing the time-honored Exposition Card by finding an excuse to have the characters discuss something mainly for the benefit of the audience. ;)Possible, but that would make it even more of a requirement that Christianity is a long-term plot point, seeing that it gets notable exposition before the "standard" cults of the Known World.
Icelandic Yule songs are often about eating, candles, eating candles if you're one specific troll, more trolls, troll momma Grýla being DEAD YAY!!!, a horrible cat monster prowling around eating every person who doesn't receive at least one item of clothing as a present and so forth. And nobody here says "Jesus" after stubbing their toe (but they might say any of the many names of the devil instead).
That said, I'm inclined to believe Reynir's just particularly sheltered and clueless if he really doesn't know even about his own religion, like someone pointed out.
As for general knowledge, Y90 people do in fact know what churches were and have an inkling of how they were supposed to look like (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=91) so I'd find it more curious is Onni doesn't recognize one. With Reynir I can believe his parents kept the world hidden from him as well as they could so he'd never leave the safety of his home.
As for general knowledge, Y90 people do in fact know what churches were and have an inkling of how they were supposed to look like (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=91) so I'd find it more curious is Onni doesn't recognize one. With Reynir I can believe his parents kept the world hidden from him as well as they could so he'd never leave the safety of his home.
Well, Taru knows the word church, but when pressed she says it's "a big house of some kind." So I would say that the evidence ponts more in the direction of people in Y90 not knowing what a church is, particularly among the younger generation. Tuuri didn't even know the word, and while she's lived in pretty remote areas, she's also a fairly well-educated person, and curious about the past. If it was general knowledge, she would probably have it.
The old church of Keuruu (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=386) was still standing a few years before the main storyline, so Taru and Onni should definitely know what a church is. It wouldn't make sense for them not to know the former use of such a distinctive building.
Sorry, no. They mightn't have the slightest what a Christian church would look like, but the concept of buildings of worship is present in candidates (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31437973) for Icelandic Y90 cults as well.
The old church of Keuruu (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=386) was still standing a few years before the main storyline, so Taru and Onni should definitely know what a church is. It wouldn't make sense for them not to know the former use of such a distinctive building.
As for general knowledge, Y90 people do in fact know what churches were and have an inkling of how they were supposed to look like (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=91) so I'd find it more curious is Onni doesn't recognize one. With Reynir I can believe his parents kept the world hidden from him as well as they could so he'd never leave the safety of his home.Well, Taru knows the word church, but when pressed she says it's "a big house of some kind." So I would say that the evidence ponts more in the direction of people in Y90 not knowing what a church is, particularly among the younger generation. Tuuri didn't even know the word, and while she's lived in pretty remote areas, she's also a fairly well-educated person, and curious about the past. If it was general knowledge, she would probably have it.
As for the steeple in the background of that page, I could be totally wrong but my impression of it was that it was just a generic bell tower without necessarily being part of a church like a lot of older universities seem to have. Or at least maybe it was once part of a church but now it's just being used as only a bell tower. Then again the more I think about it I don't know if that totally makes sense, sure they could use it as a warning system but I'm sure they still have sirens in Finland in Y90. Or maybe it's just used to announce the time like a lot of today's bell towers.
The old church of Keuruu (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=386) was still standing a few years before the main storyline, so Taru and Onni should definitely know what a church is. It wouldn't make sense for them not to know the former use of such a distinctive building.
The main basis of my incredulity is that even the most uneducated Norse Christian knew what paganism was after centuries of Christianity, so I don't see why a Y90 pagan wouldn't at least know about Christianity and have a vague idea of what its symbols looked like.
Which would be less of an issue if Christianity just wasn't an issue in the story line. That's my reason for assuming that it won't end up being a big part of the plot. The more Christianity is made a part of the main plot, the more this ignorance cries to be explained—and really, is that the story we want to hear? Is that the story Minna has been building up to?
Not quite correct. Most Norse Christians of the past thought they knew what paganism was like though: evil, sinful, wrong, occasionally deserving of death... while continuing its traditions. A Norse Christian would perform some pagan rites without considering the act pagan at all, or themselves a pagan for that matter. Priests of course would firmly disagree.
The first question can only be answered for one's own self, but personally I would very much want to hear that particular story. I find all the religious aspects of SSSS its drawing point and it feels good to see one's own group (in my case Fennopagans) represented in a realistic, serious and well researched manner. As for the latter question... we'll have to wait and see, but my experience with Minna is that she'll always surprise the reader somehow.
Really? I don't know most of the former uses of most of the buildings around here, distinctive or not.
(Also, Taru and Onni are Finns, not Icelandic, so even if Onni knows, he hasn't yet told Reynir)
It also doesn't make much sense for Taru not to have told Tuuri what a church was if she did know, though.
On the other hand the building they're calling a church... I think it looks more like a factory, so they probably don't know churches all that well xDIt is a(n existing) factory. Minna commented (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=91#comment-1335508623) that she changed it to have two chimneys to make it more obvious that it is not what Taru calls it.
I swear the dream church looked hella more gloomy last time we saw it.It was certainly darker! Are there day and night in dream space? If so, what causes one or the other? I wonder.
Well, Taru knows the word church, but when pressed she says it's "a big house of some kind." So I would say that the evidence ponts more in the direction of people in Y90 not knowing what a church is, particularly among the younger generation. Tuuri didn't even know the word, and while she's lived in pretty remote areas, she's also a fairly well-educated person, and curious about the past. If it was general knowledge, she would probably have it.
Actaully, Tuuri (from what I see at least) isn't asking what a church is, she's asking what that other building they're passing is, to which Taru answers "A... big house. Of some kind." so I think both of them know what a church is. On the other hand the building they're calling a church... I think it looks more like a factory, so they probably don't know churches all that well xD
I wonder if Christianity in Iceland has been somewhat suppressed because the return of magic brought with it an awareness that the pagan gods were incontrovertibly real, whereas there was no such proof for Christianity?
I swear the dream church looked hella more gloomy last time we saw it.
Is ... Onni ... smiling in the second panel?
Now, anybody willing to guess what is it that he's seen? I'm betting on the broken window from his previous vision of the church.From the place's layout, Reynir should be looking at the (closed) door in the background of panel five, or maybe the window next to it. I guess that Onni would have noticed if it had suddenly opened, so Reynir should either be genuinely going "I wonder what's behind that door?", or have seen something outside through the window.
Is ... Onni ... smiling in the second panel?
But when you go to the main page the preview for today's page is him smiling like I actually let out a small gasp when I saw in the page preview Onni smiling ?!?
Hm. Mikkel might be Christian. After all, one of the features of the danes in the comic is to be stubborn and clinging to history and old ways.
But I don't recall seeing Mikkel asleep before this sequence.
And I don't think you need to be a mage for this. I am pretty sure everyone can dream and that everyone has a homebase/sanctuary. Mages are different insofar that they can willingly move to and fro in the dream.
I just remembered- when Reynir broke the framed picture with the crosses, Minna said:
"And if you had shown Mikkel the cross he would have been able to tell you, but you had to grab the unrecognisable thing you trashed."
So Mikkel at least knows something about Christianity and its symbols, possibly more that Onni?
Yeah, that was my understanding: that everyone has a dream space, but mostly only the mages can be active and conscious in them while their body sleeps, and can intentionally go outside them into the broader Dreamworld.Then why would Reynir chance onto the haven of the fellow mage first, a distant mage's next, and now only a third, instead of finding the havens of the five other team members near his own in rather quick succession?
Then why would Reynir chance onto the haven of the fellow mage first, a distant mage's next, and now only a third, instead of finding the havens of the five other team members near his own in rather quick succession?
(ETA: And why wouldn't Onni suggest that Reynir should ask the non-mage team members about the one that has him so puzzled now? If non-mages have havens as well, it would be kinda unavoidable that the mages know about that.)
Distances in the Dreamworld aren't necessarily related to ones in the real world. It might have to do with closeness or emotional connection. Onni and Lalli really aren't very close emotionally (or so it appears) and their havens are quite a distance from each other. Reynir, on the other hand, probably feels close to everyone.
I do think that distances in the dreamworld are somewhat related to ones in the real world. That was why Lalli met Reynir in the dreamworld before they did in the material world: Reynir was physically getting closer to the crew. It's also why Lalli and Onni had trouble reaching each other, they were far away in the material world. Onni told Tuuri over the radio they were having some difficulties, which she hadn't expected because back in Finland it went more easily.
If everyone (not just mages) has a haven of their own, then I wonder if Lalli has visited Emil's haven... Or will visit.
So when Onni first met Reynir, he attacked him because he took him for a hostile spirit. He seems to be taking the newcomer for the same sort of thing ... and my guess would be he's right this time. It's nice that he's gone from attacking Reynir to defending him, although the end result is still Reynir getting yanked around and being very confused, poor puppy.
(Incidentally, this is somewhat off-topic but if we are talking about fanfic with Lalli finding Emil's haven, I have to put in a good word for Rusakko's http://archiveofourown.org/works/6331483 (http://archiveofourown.org/works/6331483), which is my favorite take on this scenario; it's so beautifully-written and bittersweet.)
Oh, that's a beautiful fanfic! Thanks for sharing.
And it's nice that Onni now defends Reynir. Onni cares about him :D.
(or maybe he just wants to protect the mage who could defend his sister.)
So when Onni first met Reynir, he attacked him because he took him for a hostile spirit. He seems to be taking the newcomer for the same sort of thing ... and my guess would be he's right this time. It's nice that he's gone from attacking Reynir to defending him, although the end result is still Reynir getting yanked around and being very confused, poor puppy.
So uh - a question for those who might know - is that a contemporary garb that the spirit/person/? is wearing? It looks very antiquated. Like something from the 17th century. But perhaps some denominations in Denmark use such outfit.
I mean, there is always the possibility that people wear old fashion clothing in the post-rash Denmark, but I can't tell.
So when Onni first met Reynir, he attacked him because he took him for a hostile spirit. He seems to be taking the newcomer for the same sort of thing ... and my guess would be he's right this time. It's nice that he's gone from attacking Reynir to defending him, although the end result is still Reynir getting yanked around and being very confused, poor puppy.
I guess yeah, based on Onni's reaction in chapter seven we can safely assume spirits take the form of people sometimes to sneak up on ya. Given that this lady's face something about it just, feels kind of unnatural and is creeping me out a bit, that might be what's going on ?I don't think it's Grandma Hotakainen (though I do want as much Hotakainen backstory as possible) but the spirit thing is pretty plausible. Seriously though, this lady is creeping me out... :o Something about the way her face looks, or how most of it is in shadow...
I know there's quite a few peole in the comments speculating that it's either Grandma Hotakainen, the infamous "it" or maybe both. There's a few reasons I guess why it wouldn't especially be Grandma because why would she be dressed like that and in a church but at the same time, maybe ? Or maybe I just want it to be one of those two things (or both!) so we can finally get some back story on the Hotakainens :P
I don't think it's Grandma Hotakainen (though I do want as much Hotakainen backstory as possible) but the spirit thing is pretty plausible. Seriously though, this lady is creeping me out... :o Something about the way her face looks, or how most of it is in shadow...
At the same time, new person/thing! This is exciting!
For myself, I don't find that woman to look at all unusual. Perhaps overly serious—but not super-naturally so. If she is a mage from some Christian community, any Christianity that has watched God smite the earth with such a plague must be much more intense and solemn than what one gets in bourgeois State Lutheranism today.Hmmm, I am definitely willing to admit that I'm just being paranoid when I say there's something weird about her face, and that Onni is also being overly paranoid.
Not that I have any idea what's about to happen. We just know that someone there wants help from Reynir's previous dream. Maybe she's an especially devout ghost who needs to be encouraged to give up waiting for the Lord to return so she can leave the land of the living behind.
The best I can do is wait impatiently for Monday. ^-^You don't want to find out what that Christian preacher lady did to Onni and Reynir during the preceding Sunday. :P
You don't want to find out what that Christian preacher lady did to Onni and Reynir during the preceding Sunday. :P
Well...MAYBE she's good at sermons.
(Do they do those over there?)
Some very catchy ones in fact, Sin and hellfire. One even had lepers.
people on tumblr seem to like this one at least dang I think this is the most notes I've ever gotten on anything SSSS related
I have the feeling Onni and Reynir don't have to put their hands in front of their eyes...
I wonder why exactly Onni thinks it's needed. Does he think the priest-mage has dangerous magic coming from her eyes?
A lot of our-world traditions of magic have the concept that some dangerous creatures can kill/paralyse/take control of your mind/drive you insane if you make eye contact with them (think the Gorgon Medusa, dragons, the Sphinx and vampires, for a few). Maybe the Minnaverse Dreamworld has the same traditions?
Probably. The priest looks annoyed though, so I don't think it's the case for her. She must be thinking something along the lines of "Kids these days read too much sci-fi".
I think today's page is super adorable <3 two of our silly little mages standing around covering their eyes much to the confusion of who I'm starting to suspect is just a regular harmless old lady. Well, harmless to them at least. I feel like it's kind of a trope that pretty much in every fantasy or fantasy-esque story old people who practice magic are almost always incredibly powerful due to years of experience.
She's wearing those glasses because she's really Cyclops from X-Men.Well, having their arms in front of their eyes is going to be really helpful for Onni&Reynir, then.
I admit I'm more with Minutia_R than Solokov on this one. Sure, she looks harmless... but what is she doing here, anyway? And that creepy, uncanny-valley-ish face on the previous page... *brrr*
It's really interesting that she's dead and aware she's dead.
Yes. If the reason she's in the dreamworld is that she's dead, then maybe she isn't necessarily a mage.
She wakes up in the dreamworld thinking, "Man, I'm dead tired today"
I really hope we don't dwell on this priest too much. I'd rather just explore a pagan world than talk about the short-comings of Christianity.My personal theory is that she is going to give them some sort of advice/help to deal with the murderghosts. She might end up moving on into the afterlife, but I don't think she'll be a recurring character.
I really hope we don't dwell on this priest too much. I'd rather just explore a pagan world than talk about the short-comings of Christianity.
I'm still banking on the murderghosts being Christians who might be helped to remember their past selves via their religion, but I'd really rather not see such a storyline get dragged out.
This is my position on it as well.
I don't think it'll get drawn out, but at this point it's hard to tell precisely where things are going. :Va
Given the cesspol that a comments section can turn into (and, from the looks of it, unfortunately is turning into) at the merest mention of religion? Completely agree. I was enjoying the pagan universe. I want to know more about the pagan universe. I'm still banking on the murderghosts being Christians who might be helped to remember their past selves via their religion, but I'd really rather not see such a storyline get dragged out.
I agree too. We want a pagan world. This is why I hope Reynir (even though he's a herder and can walk over water) won't become a christian.
Given what Minna said about the Norse gods not granting powers to anyone who's been claimed by other gods, I find Reynir becoming Christian to be highly unlikely. (Though it just occurred to me it might be pretty funny if he gets mistaken for Jesus by the murderghosts for the aforementioned reasons and that's why they let him lead them to rest. ;D ) Minna has also talked about her fascination with Norse mythology, so there's still some hope in me that that will remain the primary focus of the story as far as religion goes.
We want a pagan world.
Given what Minna said about the Norse gods not granting powers to anyone who's been claimed by other gods, I find Reynir becoming Christian to be highly unlikely. (Though it just occurred to me it might be pretty funny if he gets mistaken for Jesus by the murderghosts for the aforementioned reasons and that's why they let him lead them to rest. ;D ) Minna has also talked about her fascination with Norse mythology, so there's still some hope in me that that will remain the primary focus of the story as far as religion goes.
Let's not generalize. I for one am perfectly fine with the idea of a world where both pagan and christian beliefs are true and not evil — there's a long tradition of literary works (by Christian authors even) embrassing that concept (not least of them the Arthurian cycle).
Although in the case of SSSS, I'm still more inclined that whatever magic is, it's the same underlying thing for everyone and that their own religious beliefs only superficially shape the way they access to it and manifest its powers.
Could you name some of those literary works that you mentioned, and what time periods they were written in? I'm curious as to cultural context, how all-encompassing monotheism was as compared to the modern day, and how well different religious belief systems were able to coexist with each other, also as compared to the modern day. Because cultural context does matter.
I'm not sure you can say "the modern day" without adding " in the western world. Hinduism has many deities, Buddhism (as I understand it) has none, really. (And, yes, SSSS takes place in northern Europe, so that counts as Western).
But I think that you could say that the old gods are *currently* ascendant in the SSSSverse, just as some version of the sort of overarching Abrahamic god was ascendant for many years in the SSSSverse. There may well be an ebb and flow of...oh...divine tides. (Which is an interesting concept that I wouldn't have thought of without this discussion).
Must think about that :)
*blinks* How is that generalizing?
Hm... yes, must think... Really, the whole concept of overarching cultural changes that are induced by an apocalypse is a fascinating topic. I've wondered before whether Christianity might have died out because the Christian God failed to protect his followers, while the pagan gods have demonstrably looked after theirs via the return of magic to the world, and the atheists have at least done a passable job of looking after themselves. (Sweden was quite successful at this, Denmark... not so much, but at least the Danish atheists managed to survive, which is more than can be said for any of the surviving remnants of Christianity that have appeared so far.)
Come to think of it, I've also seen someone put forth the idea that Mikkel might not actually be an atheist, but rather a Christian. It's not incompatible with his dismissiveness of magic, nor is it surprising that he wouldn't have said anything about it, given that as I understand it religion is a pretty taboo topic in the Nordic countries. Plus there was Minna's note that Mikkel could have told Reynir the significance of the cross if Reynir had thought to show it to him. Then again, given the Danes' fascination with the past it's also possible that Mikkel has simply done his homework and knows a lot more than the average person about the Old World in general. Honestly I'm still not sure how I feel about this possibility; I guess it would depend mostly on execution.
EDIT: Though come to think of it, his use of the phrase "you spiritual folks" with regards to Reynir's praying implies that he himself is not spiritual, so there's most of the basis for that theory out the window...
I don't understand your confusion; I was answering to a very specific sentence from someone who was not you, and which did contain a generalization about what "we" wanted to see in SSSS.
Part of my views on this are personal opinion - culturally I've found paganism to be a lot more engaging and interesting than Christianity, perhaps due to oversaturation in real life (I want to find out more about the culture I know less about). Part of it is my complete lack of faith in the ability of people to behave like mature adults when a touchy subject like religion is brought up, and I was right - I've already seen people in the comments section bashing non-Christians, claiming that Jews worship a "blood god", and saying that only secularists ever commit genocide. And yeah, I'm well aware that this is on the commentators who can't be bothered to behave like human beings, not on the comic, but suddenly throwing Christianity into a world that was previously established to be be predominantly pagan and atheist just feels like opening a can of worms that really didn't need to be opened.
Don't forget that same post called Christianity a disease, I think they were implying that all three Abrahamic religions, or at least Christianity and Judiasm, worship a "blood god" because he called the blatantly Christian priest lady's god the "Jewish blood god" it's not just Christians being jerks about this. I've seen quite a few posts implying that all religious folk are evil / terrible / ect in the past few page's comments. Unfortunately it's quite a few people of quite a few different beliefs being jerks about this :c
Something I said (a year ago today, in fact) on Twitter: "Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make read the comments section."
Ughhh this is so frustrating though because the comments section for SSSS was so fun and I was so happy that I'd found the one exception to the internet rule of "don't look at the comment section" but nooooo so many jerks are leaking in and ruining everything. Why can't it just be mead moose and squirrel cookies and fun chatter about the page ??
Don't forget that same post called Christianity a disease, I think they were implying that all three Abrahamic religions, or at least Christianity and Judiasm, worship a "blood god" because he called the blatantly Christian priest lady's god the "Jewish blood god" it's not just Christians being jerks about this. I've seen quite a few posts implying that all religious folk are evil / terrible / ect in the past few page's comments. Unfortunately it's quite a few people of quite a few different beliefs being jerks about this :c
I don't understand your confusion; I was answering to a very specific sentence from someone who was not you, and which did contain a generalization about what "we" wanted to see in SSSS.
I think this is what Onni is concerned about. He seems to believe (I think quite reasonably) that being dead and not moving on can turn the soul dangerous, as in the murderghosts. Let's hope she really does have a mission.
Being a jerk knows no religion. There are certain things that just stand out to me more because they make me twitch the most.
EDIT: Ah here we go the "Abrahamic religions are a disease" dude is back at it again on this page too ;-_-
Has there been any word about book 2 by Minna, though?Only thing I know is that she did not want to run a book campaign this year
I assume the pastor's mission on earth will be concluded by leading the ghosts following the team to the afterlife. Since Christianity seems to be false in the world of SSSS, it's probably the pagan afterlife of floating sleepily in dust and shadows.
It's not clear that Christianity (or any other non-old-gods religion) is false or true in the SSSSverse. The belief is that the Norse gods protected Iceland (although I'd go with the ruthless quarantine helping a lot with that -- the gods help those whom help themselves), and the Icelanders and Norwegians worship them. The Swedes definitely don't, though, nor do the Danes. The Finns have their own, unrelated, gods. Mages, as far as we know, draw their power from the gods (although I have my own theories on that).
So the only thing we have to go in is that a) gods exist in this world and b) multiple sets of gods can exist at the same time.
Has there been any word about book 2 by Minna, though?Minna replied to questions about an aRTD reprint that that's more of a project than she's willing to take on in 2016. She did not specifically say so for SSSSvol2, but I'm slowly getting the impression that the same holds for it. Still maintaining hope, though ...
Okay so like, those things that show up when a character is introduced that say their name / nationality / a tidbit about them / ect. I'm wondering if one for [Ms Mannered Minister] is going to show up eventually ?Only if we do get a name, and Minna plans to make her a recurring character. (And then there's Kitty still waiting for the promised entry on the characters page - and not yet having had an intro box, either.) Right now, she's pronouncedly Danish, clashing with the official religions of the Known World, limited to the dreamscape, and if she agrees to become the caretaker/guide for the (Danish) souls trapped since Y0, there's enough work for her to last a (pardon the pun) lifetime, while the expedition will move on to other libraries to scavenge. That doesn't seem quite compatible to me ...
the Icelanders and Norwegians worship them. The Swedes definitely don't, though, nor do the Danes.Yet, the info page says that the Nordic gods equipped them with fylgjur as well, skipping only the Finns for their association with their gods. Considering that noita supposedly can see spirits and thus verify that claim, I'ld be surprised if that statement were plain wishful thinking.
Yes. It could be possible that all current religions are true in the SSSS universe (including the Flying spaghetti monster, haha) and all gods exist next to each other. In Y90, however, I think the Norse and pagan gods are way more powerful than any of the other.
Today's page is just so fun. I almost want to drink the coffee.
I am not at all sure it's a good idea to be drinking the ghost coffee.
No Reynir! Eating the food of the dead traps you in their world for ever!!! Didn't they teach you that at Mage School?!
Oh, yeah... ;D
It's not clear that Christianity (or any other non-old-gods religion) is false or true in the SSSSverse. The belief is that the Norse gods protected Iceland (although I'd go with the ruthless quarantine helping a lot with that -- the gods help those whom help themselves), and the Icelanders and Norwegians worship them. The Swedes definitely don't, though, nor do the Danes. The Finns have their own, unrelated, gods. Mages, as far as we know, draw their power from the gods (although I have my own theories on that).
So the only thing we have to go in is that a) gods exist in this world and b) multiple sets of gods can exist at the same time.
Pagan gods cannot be real unless the Christian faith turns out to have been very, gravely wrong about the nature of things. Pagan gods could exist alongside other gods because their concern was with one household, city, or nation—the Christian God's claim to universal relevance is unique in European religion. Though that's really neither here nor there in Minna's fictional world.
the Christian God's claim to universal relevance is unique in European religion.
I also presume that the reason Finns and Icelanders turned to paganism is that pagan mages had something to offer that Christian priests did not.
There is no such thing as "European" when it comes to how Christianity has been practiced, different countries and areas have all had their own little specialties and quirks. When it comes to the Nordics, Finns and Icelanders have been blending Pagan tradition with Christianity ever since they turned Christian. Finns especially kept serving their Pagan gods, land spirits and powers to such extent that there are countless complaints about it written by local priests. If Minna decides to bring in Christianity as another just as valid religion it's both historically correct and a logical continuum to how things have been f.ex. in Finland up until as recently as WW2.
Is making a potion or scratching a glyph on the door post real, sincere worship of pagan gods? Certain petty-fogging priests might have thought so, but all evidence suggests that people who did these things in the Middle Ages were entirely sincere Christians who would have been horrified by the suggestion that they were pagans on any level.
Oooh, that's interesting! I didn't know that! How interesting! (Mind, my knowledge of Christianity is pretty superficial, and my knowledge of Finnish history and culture is very limited. (Although I can tell you that lonkero was invented for the 1952 Olympics because everybody in Finland told me that when I ordered one)
Is making a potion or scratching a glyph on the door post real, sincere worship of pagan gods? Certain petty-fogging priests might have thought so, but all evidence suggests that people who did these things in the Middle Ages were entirely sincere Christians who would have been horrified by the suggestion that they were pagans on any level.
The era when people tries to hedge their bets with both religions was a very narrow transition period. By the middle ages there just weren't any pagans left. People might have cast as spell or two, but it wasn't because of any commitment to Thor.
You know all the right things then, lonkero is delicious! :D
But is any of that inherently pagan? It seems to me that both Medieval priests and us today are begging the question and presuming it is.
But is any of that inherently pagan? It seems to me that both Medieval priests and us today are begging the question and presuming it is.
Laufey, not for the first time, your accounts of Finnish religious usage and custom remind me very much of the Irish ones. Especially among country people, nobody saw any contradiction whatever in people going to Catholic mass, then coming home and setting out a saucer of milk and honey for Themselves, last thing at night, or singing the old fire blessings rebranded to Saint Bridget rather than Brigid/Bride. Or, indeed, changing the course of a road to avoid damaging a sacred tree.
I think Onni is hoping that the ghost coffee will incapacitate Reynir and then they can get out of there with no more arguments.
And oh gosh, Reynir, do you really think that Onni isn't afraid of something, or are you just being polite?
Anyway, something weird is going on with the church lady's eyes being sometimes visible and sometimes not, but I don't know what it is.
Inn all fairness, if I didn't know what coffee was, I'd probably call it gross soup too.
Inn all fairness, if I didn't know what coffee was, I'd probably call it gross soup too.Reynir and Lalli could team up to name all the unknown things.
I think that the church lady's eyes being visible or not has something to do with her emotions.I think so too.
I think "I belong to the forest" is my new response to everything. Various religious sects trying to convert you? I belong to the forest. Random guy won't stop bothering you? I belong to the forest. People making you do things you don't want to? I belong to the forest.
I think "I belong to the forest" is my new response to everything. Various religious sects trying to convert you? I belong to the forest. Random guy won't stop bothering you? I belong to the forest. People making you do things you don't want to? I belong to the forest.
I have a couple of forest-green tee shirts. Does that count?
It looks kinda odd to me that Reynir and Onni are inside, drinking coffee and eating pie while wearing gloves. A small fork is easier to pick up without gloves and the warmth of the coffee cup is better to feel if you're not wearing them.
To be fair, they do look like really thin, leather gloves. So they are probably no obstacles.
It's not like it's cold in the dreamworld.
I mean
probably not?
I really want to scream on disqus right now about Onni smiling and eating cake, because oh my god ?!? But I'm getting the weirdest glitch right now where it's the comments for the prologue showing up for that page and of course being over two years old comments are closed =/
Neato, disqus glitch got fixed :3
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/8dbdf74a2b32cbade5d782b4a3f99a62/tumblr_obd820fnzh1tg3kpgo1_400.jpg) (https://66.media.tumblr.com/d1f16280785489226c6330813cb29dea/tumblr_obd820fnzh1tg3kpgo2_400.jpg)
Unfortunately I don't have access to a scanner so Tuuri can't get in on this sweet tooth collage, so here's just Hotakainens being cute but greedy and stealing someone else's desserts
Someone should do a side-by-side comparison of Onni and Lalli eating sweets, is all I can say. (Possibly also Tuuri if they've got the book and feel like scanning? IDK I haven't got my copy yet so I haven't actually read that bit.)
Look what you made me do: (http://worldsentwined.tumblr.com/post/148431588949/someone-was-asking-for-a-comparison-of-hotakainens)
(http://67.media.tumblr.com/cdd605ceea9607a9562f89d877776d41/tumblr_obdafoblzO1qjas7jo1_540.png)
(http://67.media.tumblr.com/fb1c4dc33639461b95b9a7e9528b517b/tumblr_obdafoblzO1qjas7jo2_400.png)
Also...I felt weird about posting this on Tumblr because it's from the bonus comic (I have the PDF in addition to the physical book, so no scanning needed!) but I'll put it here since it's easier to remove from the forum if people think I should:
(http://i.imgur.com/os3ykin.png)
Church Lady is OK in my book. And after she helps Murderghost and company on the the next place, she'll be able to go off and go to her own rest.
That seems to be what's coming down the pipe
Seems likely, but how is the church lady going to do that? She probably wants to go to her christian heaven and Onni can't do that for her. I don't know if she's capable to go to her rest herself. She has said "I can leave any moment I wish" but is that true?Possibly. On page 572 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=572), the first panel shows clouds and light as she talks about heaven. I think that might not be a representation of her afterlife, but an actual path she can walk.
Possibly. On page 572 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=572), the first panel shows clouds and light as she talks about heaven. I think that might not be a representation of her afterlife, but an actual path she can walk.
Also I just want to say that Onni stealing Reynir's cake is the cutest thing ever. I get the feeling Reynir would politely pretend nothing was happening if he noticed.
"Uh, Onni?"
*munch, munch* "What?"
"Uhh... never mind."
Also, Onni eats pie with a spoon... why would one eat pie with a spoon... I'd use a small fork
I bet Onni never dreamed of cakes before.
Now is a good opportunity. It's not like there are any waiting for him in Finland. It's a whole new world of flavour - and mostly sugar.
Is this a cultural thing or what? I've seen a lot of discussion about this in the comment section of the page too and it puzzles me. Because at least here in Finland it's the definite norm to eat cake with a small spoon. As is supplying the guests with one if coffee with cake or the sort is served.
They even told me if coffee and cake is served, the guests only get one spoon for both their coffee and cake! So they have to stir their coffee with a spoon to also eat their cake with! Barbarians! :P
Is this a cultural thing or what? I've seen a lot of discussion about this in the comment section of the page too and it puzzles me. Because at least here in Finland it's the definite norm to eat cake with a small spoon. As is supplying the guests with one if coffee with cake or the sort is served.
It's less to wash up!
*shrugs* I've definitely eaten cakes and pies and the like with both forks and spoons. Usually it depends on the consistency of the cake in question.
True. I was thinking, the Finnish might hate doing the dishes. Or something.
Are you trying to say there's people who don't hate doing the dishes?
Well, I don't exactly hate doing the dishes, I don't really mind it. Reynir agrees.
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/d76fc40f78f7185eb46877b1547ab474/tumblr_o8xjhgTdlV1tfp7lao1_250.jpg)
Little forks are like fancy tier stuff. The kind of things you'll find in silverware.
For everyday convenience we've got forks, knives, spoons (for soup and cereals) and little spoons - for everything else: coffee, tea, yogourt, dessert.
So I would eat cake with a spoon. Especially if it has filling to be scooped. While a fork would be a decent option b.
Thankfully for my waistline, neither would I.
But I wouldn't bust out the silverware for it either.
Especially not for the quality of cake made here.
Then maybe make cake yourself! :D
My silverware is possibly less fancy than yours, because I would bust it out for cake.
Do you know what kind of silverware is really fancy? Little knifes. Those are only in high tea restaurants.
The only way to properly butter scone and apply devonshire cream is with little knives.
This is a fact.
Also yes, but that means I am then stuck with a whole cake. What a nice problem to have.
So do you have little knifes in your silverware for at-home use? How overly fancy :P
Having small forks and spoons (salad forks and tea spoons is what I think they're technically called) as part of the everyday flatware is useful if your family happens to include people with small, relatively weak hands, such as children under, oh, let's say eight. They're also good as "backup" for when you've run out of regular forks and table spoons and don't feel like doing dishes.
So do you have little knifes in your silverware for at-home use? How overly fancy :P
Right. Because I live with five (six, rather) people I don't have the problem of being stuck with food so I didn't think of that. Especially my dad just eats three-days-old pie or cake my cousin has eaten half and left the rest. Ew.
What a "nice problem" for your wasteline :P
Somehow I feel the topic has gone way off the rails.
Somehow I feel the topic has gone way off the rails.
Not our fault if the last few panels involved eating cake with a spoon.
And aaah Roisin, you are in that age bracket - that age bracket Onni feels confident he can defeat. I would root for you though.
Thankfully for my waistline, neither would I.
But I wouldn't bust out the silverware for it either.
Especially not for the quality of cake made here.
You're right, this is a cultural thing! I talked about it with a Finn and they told me they would eat cake with a small spoon. They also told me Finns usually don't even have such small forks.That would explain why Onni would use the spoon on the cake, but the table was laid out by the Danish lady. Still, p. 571 panel six seems to show only one piece of silverware per person. We might have to draw the trump card of Minna being a Fennoswede here ...
The monster in the water, the sjodraug, attacked before it was introduced.Umh. While that attacker admittedly has a number of limbs that seems to match the sjødraug, Lalli was attacked in his haven "only" by the previously-seen humanoid ghosts, and after the cat-tank escaped, we saw but one of those left behind. And Floffy wasn't murdertouched until later. And whether Onni would fail to recognize a sjødraug - he specifically said that he doesn't know what the creature he fought off is -, is a bit dubitable ...
http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=477 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=477)
That would explain why Onni would use the spoon on the cake, but the table was laid out by the Danish lady. Still, p. 571 panel six seems to show only one piece of silverware per person. We might have to draw the trump card of Minna being a Fennoswede here ...
First off: Huh the ghost horse can interact with physical objects.
Second though: not sure if these look more like pillbugs or giant fleas...
Third thought: Jesus Christ on a pogo stick the horse ghost bit things in the real world! NOTHING IS SAFE!!!!
I also thought Sleipnir - it does have eight legs.I was missing the name, but has the same thought :)
I also thought Sleipnir - it does have eight legs.
Who knows. Maybe the next enemy will be like a sort of Wild hunt of spirits and trolls.
Also - shower thought. A good chunk of the forthcoming story will be Reynir uncovering what happened during the peak of the plague as he journeys to piece back the mysterious "A". We might not learn everything about the disease and/or the collapse of civilization, but we might get some very good insights.
But why would odin's steed be loosing trolls and other nasties onthe world?Its mother was Loki, after all. Maybe it has rebelled. :P
But why would odin's steed be loosing trolls and other nasties onthe world?
But why would odin's steed be loosing trolls and other nasties onthe world?
Its mother was Loki, after all. Maybe it has rebelled. :P
OK, double-post, but a thought just struck me based on another thread.(https://41.media.tumblr.com/7be99427a503299321b8aeb29afc428f/tumblr_inline_nlmlsoy5cU1r2g2kx_500.png)
Murderghost (currently in it's evolved form of Sleipnir) is leading an army of ghosts and Beasts towards Odense.
We know that at least two members of the crew aren't immune to the Illness, one of them is Tuuri. We know that Onni has a very fierce love for his sister. He begged her not to leave Keuruu. It was enough to get him to leave Keeuru and travel all the way to Mora.
So, Tuuri is killed (or worse, comes down with the Illness).
Onni is emotionally devastated by this. He blames Lalli, of course, since Lalli should have protected her, but he mainly blames himself for letting her go.
Onni becomes a kade out of grief and anger.
Horrible thought, I know
OK, double-post, but a thought just struck me based on another thread.
Murderghost (currently in it's evolved form of Sleipnir) is leading an army of ghosts and Beasts towards Odense.
We know that at least two members of the crew aren't immune to the Illness, one of them is Tuuri. We know that Onni has a very fierce love for his sister. He begged her not to leave Keuruu. It was enough to get him to leave Keeuru and travel all the way to Mora.
So, Tuuri is killed (or worse, comes down with the Illness).
Onni is emotionally devastated by this. He blames Lalli, of course, since Lalli should have protected her, but he mainly blames himself for letting her go.
Onni becomes a kade out of grief and anger.
Horrible thought, I know
Examines...ok, we need a worse option here...for evil reasons...
Alright-
Reynir tries to do something to protect them, and fails in the process, which completely breaks our poor innocent Braidy. Then he has to fight kade!Onni to keep the rest of the crew safe.
...and he has to fight alone because Lalli was struck down by kade!Onni.
But what is a kade?
I think the worst possible outcome is that someone does get infected during this - possibly Tuuri. Get a good stomach sinking moment as someone spots she has some rashes on her neck.
Since at such a conjecture they would find themselves deep within enemy lines with a very hard decision to make.
Of course, this could push forward a plotline where the crew risks all to go to Odense/fortress/military hospital in the hope of finding a cure.
And then, through Reynir's dreamquest to learn about A, we learn that there was never a cure. That ultimately, it might have delayed the symptoms, but it couldn't save anyone. She couldn't save anyone. Hence her current state of forgetfulness.
Though I don't think Onni would be angry at Lalli - he would be much angrier at the people who sent what's left of his family to die for a bit of money. You know. The people with whom he is actually, physically hanging out.
But idk. I hope this story is not going for maximum sadness. We can do that to ourselves, apparently.
Though I don't think Onni would be angry at Lalli - he would be much angrier at the people who sent what's left of his family to die for a bit of money. You know. The people with whom he is actually, physically hanging out.
Onni has no need for material possessions.
Onni would be unlikely to become kade (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=747.msg113676#msg113676) though (although it's technically speaking possible since anyone can become one), he's not quite the type. You don't turn kade out of grief and/or anger but out of envying someone or someones so badly that you eventually make yourself believe their happiness is away from you.
Onni would be unlikely to become kade (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=747.msg113676#msg113676) though (although it's technically speaking possible since anyone can become one), he's not quite the type. You don't turn kade out of grief and/or anger but out of envying someone or someones so badly that you eventually make yourself believe their happiness is away from you.
LALLI MADE IT BACK
I didn't think he was going to die but I was definitely afraid that something would happen to seperate him from the rest of the crew for a while.
LALLI MADE IT BACK
I didn't think he was going to die but I was definitely afraid that something would happen to seperate him from the rest of the crew for a while.
He does look a wee bit banged up like he might have had some sort of bad encounter while he was out scouting. He also looks more unhappy than usual like he either knows what's coming, or about a possible encounter he had out scouting, or both ?
He has possibly been scouting the University hospital, and is limping back after having to fight and dodge his way out to report that the place is solid with trolls and murderghosts. And that he feels a disturbance in the force.
None of them understand each other.Which makes all more funny. At least for the readers ^^
I am seeing a tree and what seems to be the face of a moose.
But it's an omen of what?
I also took it for the ghost horse.I think the thing in the inset is the creature's eye, the inset panel is seen from a readers' point of view, and I imagine only the mages have the ability to see omens. Emil does look pretty clueless, after all.
But what is that in the inset? An amulet of some sort? And are they seeing it as an inset, or is it just an inset from the readers' point of view, and part of the main image to the crew? (and are they all seeing it, or only Reynir and Lalli?)
-- I'm just full of questions today.
I also took it for the ghost horse.
But what is that in the inset? An amulet of some sort? And are they seeing it as an inset, or is it just an inset from the readers' point of view, and part of the main image to the crew? (and are they all seeing it, or only Reynir and Lalli?)
-- I'm just full of questions today.
Hmm, I thought the inset was the eye of the ghost. It does look like an amulet, yes.
I'm imagining Sigrun having said "second star to the right, straight on till morning ensign."
Hey guys!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVefPPr69NU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVefPPr69NU)
Ah yes I love the Prodigy! And I immediately thought of that too when seeing yesterday's page.
*Brags* I've been to a concert of the Prodigy once ;D
And you survived! My eardrums and I salute you!
I do want to add that I agree with whoever said that there's no bad music - just music that isn't right for particular listeners...
Eardrums? Don't you mean eyes? This particular concert (in Amsterdam, in September) had a lot, a lot of flashing lights. To protect my ears, I was wearing ear plugs (obviously I could still hear the music but not as loud, it was loud enough with them) and to protect my eyes I sometimes had to close them for a little while, which I saw quite a few of people around me doing too btw.
I think Emil would enjoy the Prodigy. After all, a couple of their songs are called Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1U0qvtQnE8), Firestarter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw), World's on fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGRgiQj6LE), Spitfire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4BU0SS-8x0) and Fuel my fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUIgPgPc2Ys) (although admittedly that's a cover).
Ah, I love this music... <3
Good for you on the ear protection! You're right, just from those titles that sounds like a band for Emil.
I know there's a topic for music suited to this comic - has anyone compiled suggestions for music the various crew members might listen to?
On the blithe assumption they're going to survive a situation that has Lalli so despondent that he's turning down a cookie?
My reaction to the newest page
(http://i.imgur.com/ZsRaj4u.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/ykT0U3N.png)
That was my exact reaction! Minna better take everyone safe from that city! I just love them all too much *sob and hides in blanket fort*
*wistful and forlorn look at the horizon*Excuse me while I run in circles and panic.
This is going to suck.
I was looking at page 580 again and I just noticed how annoyed Emil looks in the last panel when Reynir is holding Lalli. ;D
Preiview looks like a burned out (or bombed out) deathtrap.
Preiview looks like a burned out (or bombed out) deathtrap.
My reaction to today's page (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=584): CAT DRAWINGS CAT DRAWINGS CAT DRAWINGS AND A CATTTTTT!!!!!I know! It's so cute! Angry!Cat and sheep cat are probably my favorites.
And handwriting samples!!! When I stop dying of laughter over Lalli's fanged Angry!Cat I am going to be giddy about those handwriting samples.
My reaction to today's page (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=584): CAT DRAWINGS CAT DRAWINGS CAT DRAWINGS AND A CATTTTTT!!!!!This. Is the best. Absolutely the best info page. I love all the cats.
And handwriting samples!!! When I stop dying of laughter over Lalli's fanged Angry!Cat I am going to be giddy about those handwriting samples.
Holy sheep, a sheepcat!Pffft hahahah ;D (IT'S SO FLUFFY AND SWIRLY)
Also, Kitty has her own entry in the characters page (http://sssscomic.com/index.php?id=characters) now!Is a cat, Meow, Meow, Meow!
(Languages: Meow. :D)
Is a cat, Meow, Meow, Meow!I'm kinda sad Minna didn't go into Kitty's tragic backstory, but this is cute.
Nationality: World.
I guess it's specific enough.
This must mean that Kitty is now a official member of the A-team.
And handwriting samples!!! When I stop dying of laughter over Lalli's fanged Angry!Cat I am going to be giddy about those handwriting samples.
My immediate reaction: WHOSE HANDWRITING IS CLOSEST TO MINE??? ALSO KITTYKITTYKITTYKITTYKITTYI did the same! Mine is either more like Reynir's or Tuuri's, but when I take notes and have to write fast, it looks like whatever Sigrun's handwriting is.
Answer: Reynir's, though mine runs together more.
My reaction to today's page (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=584): CAT DRAWINGS CAT DRAWINGS CAT DRAWINGS AND A CATTTTTT!!!!!
And handwriting samples!!! When I stop dying of laughter over Lalli's fanged Angry!Cat I am going to be giddy about those handwriting samples.
Look what you made me do: (http://worldsentwined.tumblr.com/post/148431588949/someone-was-asking-for-a-comparison-of-hotakainens)
(http://67.media.tumblr.com/cdd605ceea9607a9562f89d877776d41/tumblr_obdafoblzO1qjas7jo1_540.png)
(http://67.media.tumblr.com/fb1c4dc33639461b95b9a7e9528b517b/tumblr_obdafoblzO1qjas7jo2_400.png)
Also...I felt weird about posting this on Tumblr because it's from the bonus comic (I have the PDF in addition to the physical book, so no scanning needed!) but I'll put it here since it's easier to remove from the forum if people think I should:Spoiler: Tuuri in the bonus comic show
Huh. Chapter break while I was gone. That made it easy to catch up!
Not exactly. We'll get the last info page tomorrow and then the chapter break will start.
Close enough :)
...That was my autistically accurate side coming up. I said it so you wouldn't think the chapter break was already over while you were away or so.
:)
I was only gone a week, but I had no computer and SSSS is just too gorgeous to look at only on my phone.
Exactly. I never read the latest update on my phone for that reason, but I do sometimes read the forum on mobile (before reading the page), which isn't the smartest thing to do...
Yeah, I understand that all too well!
So long as you stay off this thread and just read the rest of the forums, you might be OK.
*is apparently a heretic for reading SSSS on a phone*
Hail to lord t'zeench!.. or don't. Doesn't really matter one way or another to me.
*may or may not be a chaos god in disguise*
Not really to do with the latest page, but i thought I'd make this thread do a bit of work during the break (and I can't think of anywhere else to put this ;D)
Dumb noob question - do we actually know the date when Iceland closed it's borders?
Yes, we do. Year 0, Day 0 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=9) ;)
BOOOO!!! ;D
If we knew the real world date that would be no fun.
The chapter cover is up yahhhh ;D, looks like we're going to see Sigrun kick some troll ass
Hopefully! I'm looking forward to another big battle scene, however stressful and cliffhanger-y they can be.Yeah!
Yeah!Back at the tank with Tuuri and Reynir, probably. Most likely. *takes calming breaths*
Also... Mikkel, is that a crowbar?
Thirdly, where's Emil?!? *paranoia*
The chapter cover is up yahhhh ;D, looks like we're going to see Sigrun kick some troll ass
Kiraly, I hope this will afford you an opportunity to comfort us with fluff!
I really wish they would pay more attention to the Cat Alarm.
They do understand what Kitty is trying to say, but she's about as useful as a metal detector in a scrap yard right now. ;3(source: Comment section (http://disq.us/p/1bgl7zq))
Well, as our Goddess and Saviour Minna Sundberg herself said: (source: Comment section (http://disq.us/p/1bgl7zq))
That said, I do hope that they all have their weapons close at hand, in case of sudden giant or something!
Well, as our Goddess and Saviour Minna Sundberg herself said: (source: Comment section (http://disq.us/p/1bgl7zq))
That said, I do hope that they all have their weapons close at hand, in case of sudden giant or something!
Oh gosh. Chapter cover: dark, neutral color scheme. There's light behind them but (with the exception of those tiny windows in the distance) only darkness ahead. All of the characters look wary, and they're the ones who are most experienced.
...yeahhhh, we're going to need to keep the blanket fort well stocked for this one.
Aw, no, Sigrun. I mean, I'm sure she's thinking that somebody's got to stay behind and protect Tuuri and Reynir, and she's right. But look at Emil's poor hurt face!
Oh, when Sigrun explains why she doesn't want Emil to come with them (presumably because someone needs to stay with the non-immune ones, according to protocol), I'm sure he won't mind.I'm sure he's totally gonna mind because who else will make sure Lalli stays safe?!
I presume she's nominating Mikkel as the reader, right? Because for a second there I thought she'd gone completely mad and was going to take Tuuri into the hospital.
(Oh yeah, the chapter title page has Mikkel, phew!)
I'm sure he's totally gonna mind because who else will make sure Lalli stays safe?!
Also - that pain she still has in her arm: fully expecting that to come bite her in the ass in a bit.
Definitely. Especially since Minna made a comment about Sigrun's arm in the description of the page. And there has been talking about amputations before...
That's just another way that this is a cutting-edge comicWhat a sharp observation.
I hope that Sigrun gets a robo-arm after the inevitable gangrene arc.
I hope that Sigrun gets a robo-arm after the inevitable gangrene arc.I'm torn. Should it have a gun, or a sword?
I'm torn. Should it have a gun, or a sword?Both. Because this is pretty cool.
Or should it go the Treasure Planet route and be a mutlitool with both?
I'd settle for a cannon arm.
(http://www.art-of-war.jp/data/art-of-war/_/70726f647563742f32303134303532325f6265613965362e6a7067003630300000660066.jpg)
Sweden has future tech but not that future.
I'd settle for a cannon arm.
(http://www.art-of-war.jp/data/art-of-war/_/70726f647563742f32303134303532325f6265613965362e6a7067003630300000660066.jpg)
Sweden has future tech but not that future.
Huh, what do ya know, the arm from Berserk has a real-life example. Cool.
Yes but what's the DPM and penetration tho?
It's more of a damage per second thing.
As for penetration, it has more uh... punch. And blunt trauma.
I am not sure if blunt or penetration power is more important against trolls.
Sigrun Furiosa?
Amazing how easily that comparison comes up...
If it does come to that, though, I'm sure there'll be a lot more pain and drama and a lot less awesomeness involved, at least at first. *whistles innocently and surreptitiously uses foot to nudge already-written fic under the rug*
Amazing how easily that comparison comes up...
If it does come to that, though, I'm sure there'll be a lot more pain and drama and a lot less awesomeness involved, at least at first. *whistles innocently and surreptitiously uses foot to nudge already-written fic under the rug*
Those chairs at the bottom look like teeth.. worn down rounded and mossy, but teeth nonetheless....
Dunno. How long do deep muscle puncture wounds take to heal?
Dunno. How long do deep muscle puncture wounds take to heal?
I'd like to ask a question, because I can't quite figure it out (or remember, I guess) - what is this place Sigrun, Mikkel and Lalli are in? A shopping mall, a school, a train station?
I presumed an hospital. Not only because of the dream sequence foreshadowing, but also because, in the panels, there are chairs and arrangements that would suggest a waiting room.
Looking back through the last few pages, we admittedly did not get a good view of the building they are exploring. No establishing shot for that particular building.
Page 586 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=586): "Anyway, here we are at the cusp of some interesting hospital adventures."
Page 588 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=588): "Hey, we're already approaching the hospital area!"
I presumed an hospital. Not only because of the dream sequence foreshadowing, but also because, in the panels, there are chairs and arrangements that would suggest a waiting room.
Looking back through the last few pages, we admittedly did not get a good view of the building they are exploring. No establishing shot for that particular building block.
It's Odense University Hospital, which is where the labels on the syringes Mikkel found said that the 'cure ' came from. That's why they came so far, looking for a cure. Even if it's not perfect, Mikkel and the base team back in Mora think it might be a jumping-off point for finding a real cure.
As to deep puncture wounds, in my own experience they take weeks to months to heal, and hurt for some while after that. Then, I wouldn't know about troll bites! But I heal quite fast, and have only experienced such hurts from the bites of a large dog, and from splintered wood, both of which would be clean in comparison. I wonder whether Sigrun has somehow managed to conceal an injury or infection from Mikkel? Can't quite see how, but it would fit with how she is acting.
That's exactly what's been driving me crazy: how could she hide something like this from the medic who's been treating her wounds on a daily basis? Does anyone here with medical expertise (so not me) know anything about subcutaneous infection that takes hold in the interior of a wound but wouldn't necessary be visible on the surface? Is this a thing?
I'm going to be a heretic and suggest that there's nothing wrong with her arm. The stars when she took off the sling was just her working the kinks out.
I could well be proved wrong :D
I do not have such expertise, but I wonder: Sigrun hasn't really taken great care of her bandages. Even one day after she got the wound, she had the bandages undone and her arm gets thoroughly abused during her fight with the sjodraug. Then it's in a sling, and we do see Mikkel treating it while the scars are still pretty fresh. Then we have the time skip, after which she still has the sling but we don't know otherwise what's been going on with the injury.
I am definitely concerned about her not telling Mikkel that it still hurts.
I'm going to be a heretic and suggest that there's nothing wrong with her arm. The stars when she took off the sling was just her working the kinks out.
I could well be proved wrong :D
Like others mentioned, it's the OUH complex.
We also know where they entered the hospital complex. The entrance seen on page 589 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=589) and the next page is quite clearly the main entrance on the west side of the main building.
(http://i.imgur.com/8MbRY8F.jpg)
Google Streetview link (https://www.google.fi/maps/@55.3850914,10.3649725,3a,42.9y,165.71h,89.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqtMnFEgNQf5EaFI-dtCYBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
I'm not a medic, but have some practical experience, and yeah, deep subcutaneous infections are a thing. Tetanus, for example, and some forms of staph. Various anaerobic bacteria, mostly nasty. If that is the case, Sigrun may be feeling general malaise, mental fogging, maybe a slight fever......which could get a lot worse, quickly, once her normal inhuman vitality runs down - say for example if she is wounded again, or gets really hypothermic or exhausted, or majorly stressed out, or catches the 'flu....
Nope, it’s not Lalli drawn as a middle aged woman, it is….
…Lalli’s, Tuuri’s and Onni’s grandmother, Ensi Hotakainen! Daughter of Saku and Aino Hotakainen. Depicted in her “youth”, aka not as a 90 year old. Somewhere in her 40′s, maybe?
That is Lall’s rifle, though.
~
I’ll probably end up drawing some relatives of the other cast members too in the coming weeks, this was fun.
Technically not a comic update, but Minna has posted this on tumblr and twitter. It'll probably be included in Monday's update, I'm guessing.
Meet Ensi Hotakainen, previously known only as Grandma Hotakainen:
http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/150229489615/nope-its-not-lalli-drawn-as-a-middle-aged-woman
Perhaps, but on the same coin there's the possibility that the chairs were already stacked on top of the elevator.
I wonder how long it took to stack all those chairs and if they just made Mikkel do all of it.
Nah, apparently Minna confirmed in the comments they were stacked by our dear heroes
Oh but she WAS on the boat! :D At least my brain is currently very convinced that Minna has confirmed that the baby Aino's expecting is Lalli, Tuuri and Onni's grandmother.
As for living on the boat, it's a possibility, but they do seem to have a land option because Tuuli mentions traditional sauna birth, and Eino speaks of a "rec room turned fallout shelter". Going by what would be really typical for Finns my theory is that they have a summer cottage + sauna on one of the gazillion little islands of the Saimaa lake system.
The boat can only be used for as long as there's gas for it, after which I assume they'll do the usual thing and use a small row boat instead (if you have a summer cottage next to a lake you most likely have a row boat). I guess they could try to re-stock on gas every once in a while, on those stations that are at smaller towns and villages... but that would be really risky and eventually those would run out of gas anyway.
Nah, apparently Minna confirmed in the comments they were stacked by our dear heroes
Technically not a comic update, but Minna has posted this on tumblr and twitter. It'll probably be included in Monday's update, I'm guessing.
Meet Ensi Hotakainen, previously known only as Grandma Hotakainen:
http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/150229489615/nope-its-not-lalli-drawn-as-a-middle-aged-woman
Minna's description:
In the Grandma Hotakainen story I wrote before the reveal (http://archiveofourown.org/works/7669366 (http://archiveofourown.org/works/7669366)) I posited that the sauna and the rec room are on the boat. I did a little bit of research and apparently it's not uncommon for houseboats and the like to have saunas?
YEAH MONSTER TIME !!!! But Lalli's knife almost seems smaller than I remember it being ;_; I'm just, going to have faith that he knows what he is doing and could still adaquetely defend himself against a troll with that thing . .I think he knows what he's doing, going by panel six. If I was a troll, I would not want to run into someone like that in a dark hospital corridor. (Apparently I'm feeling optimistic this evening. Don't worry, it probably won't happen again. ;D)
It's sad but seeing Lalli with that little shiv made me only think of this.Maybe the troll was Finnish and just respecting Lalli's boundaries.
(http://i.imgur.com/AzZMGph.png)
The fact that we only saw a bit of that troll and didn't even see any limbs or where it was making contact with the floor or wall or ceiling or whatever almost reminds me of an anglerfish, maybe not necessarily in the sense that it's using that head to try and lure people or other trolls over
The fact that we only saw a bit of that troll and didn't even see any limbs or where it was making contact with the floor or wall or ceiling or whatever almost reminds me of an anglerfish, maybe not necessarily in the sense that it's using that head to try and lure people or other trolls over, although that could be the case, but in the sense we can only see a little bit of it and just a little bit is gonna wiggle around the corner at ya but I feel like there might be much more to that troll than what we can see on today's page.
Well, I wasn't planning on sleeping tonight anyway...
....stuff like this is why a 10 foot pole is basic adventurer gear. I ascribe to the anglerfish theory as well. I suspect the troll is spread along the entire room and the edges of itd mouth is above and below the doorway.
I didn't realize it was a head at first. I thought it was a foot with a really slimy, gross old sock on it. :-[
I feel waaaaay better about that troll if I imagine it as a giant sock puppet, so thank you!
I've always wondered how you even fit one of those in an adventurer's backpack.
Or at least waves appendages.
Also I nolice lalli didn't look down the elevator shaft....oh god it's in the vents isn't it.it's always in the vents
I didn't realize it was a head at first. I thought it was a foot with a really slimy, gross old sock on it. :-[
But I didn't realize on yesterday's page that it was coming from the elevator shaft they'd just come from. How long is that thing's neck D:
But I didn't realize on yesterday's page that it was coming from the elevator shaft they'd just come from. How long is that thing's neck D:AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
What's the betting there's actually just one troll in the entire hospital? And it's a giant so big that it wears the main building like a shell, and Lalli just met one of its many sensory tentacles?
I'm kind of surprised that Lalli hasn't at least TRIED to say something to Sigrun and Mikkel, both of whom are taking this FAR too casually.
I mean, he already said he'd encountered "too many things alive" in his scouting report, and all of them went in there with the understanding that no matter where they go, there are going to be trolls. I take the reason for Lalli's silence to be the same reason that everyone was ignoring Kitty's hissing earlier: they know there's danger, but unless they're about to be attacked it's not worth Lalli's while to warn them about every single troll they encounter.
Yeah, but knowing there are trolls there and knowing that there are ACTIVE trolls there is something different. He COULD do what he did on page 164 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=164).
What's the betting there's actually just one troll in the entire hospital? And it's a giant so big that it wears the main building like a shell, and Lalli just met one of its many sensory tentacles?
Have the Icelanders developed nuclear weapons yet?
Time to bring back that Thorium Salt expedition I vaguely recall being discussed a few months ago.Though it may not actually take a nuke, depending on the size of the museum.
It is kind of precious that when Mikkel sees a shorter person than him struggling to see into something his first reaction is to pick them up to help them see better due to his "caretaker instinct" as Minna put it / (probably) being the oldest of a big family. But it's even cooler that when Lalli reacts adversely Mikkel is really chill about it and apologizes despite almosy getting punched. I feel like I know too many people IRL who would react adversely right back like "whoa dude I was just trying to help you calm down" but nah, not Mikkel, he understands a boundary was crossed and reacts accordingly.
One has to wonder if Mikkel's reaction comes from his family or from the fact that he now has a long historic of jobs lost because of, we presume, too much snark or crossing lines with superiors.
What's the betting there's actually just one troll in the entire hospital?The entire hospital, I don't think so. The tunnels fail to connect to a number of buildings in the South, and I don't quite see such a large creature being held together by what can fit through waste water pipes. Spanning a couple buildings that are connected by said tunnels, on the other hand, why not ...
The entire hospital, I don't think so. The tunnels fail to connect to a number of buildings in the South, and I don't quite see such a large creature being held together by what can fit through waste water pipes. Spanning a couple buildings that are connected by said tunnels, on the other hand, why not ...
But wait! What if the hospital itself is one big giant?Troll-tron?What me crazy? probably.
If Sigrun looks eager, then Mikkel looks outright smug. Lalli still thinks they're all going to die.
600 get.
Also, how come books barely survived, but the binders look intact? Hell most of that section looks clean compared to the entryway.
Too clean.
You know something? I think ghosts and monsters aren't the worst thing the expedition could find in an abandoned hospital.
600 get.
Also, how come books barely survived, but the binders look intact? Hell most of that section looks clean compared to the entryway.
Too clean.
You know something? I think ghosts and monsters aren't the worst thing the expedition could find in an abandoned hospital.
Just because the janitor became a draugr and kept at his job specifically in the stacks and only the stacks doesn't mean he'll be a problem.
... unless of course they tracked in mud, then It's on!
The longer I keep looking at the first panel of page 601, the more convinced I am that there is another small troll like leaftroll (RIP) behind or at the side of the cupboard. That sure does look like spidery legs, and at the very bottom, one of those legs seems to go over the edge of the cupboard.
Or I'm just too paranoid. We'll see eventually...
That would, I think, give the trolls more credit than we'd expect.
He seems to have things pretty under control, buuuut we'll see how this goes. ("This looks like it's going to go okay" usually = "things are going to get messy a few pages later" fffffff)
I dunno, we have wight-trolls that can stalk people long enough to perfectly memorize their path. An anglerfish-troll seems perfectly reasonable.
but if this troll lets out a good shriek as it dies, attracting all sort of other problems...
Wilhelm scream? I kinda want it to be that.
Sigrun's comment about bringing Lalli back to Dalsnes made me want to see that actually happen... at least in a fic.
Regarding today's update: WELL, I wasn't planning to sleep tonight anyway....
In reference to today's pageOh good, someone said it so I didn't have to.
AAAAAARRRGHGHGHGGHGHGHGHGGHHGHHGHHHGHHGHGHGHHHHGHHHHHHGHHGHGHGHGH!!!!!!
That is all.
If that's today's page the heck are we going to get for Friday?Hopefully everyone alive and happy in the cattank.
If that's today's page the heck are we going to get for Friday?
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/3b7ddec672be26be90e89dba0e9d5fb4/tumblr_oe57ickXSL1qjas7jo1_540.png)
...and that is all I have to say about today's page.
The troll chasing after the cat tank, wearing the hospital like a crumbling turtle shell?(https://36.media.tumblr.com/f76a859813e0b67b9f3cbde5a17dde93/tumblr_inline_nlztib1c711r2g2kx_500.png)
The troll chasing after the cat tank, wearing the hospital like a crumbling turtle shell?*imagines snail-pace chase as the troll pulls an entire building behind it with the cattank absconding at granny-speed*
*imagines snail-pace chase as the troll pulls an entire building behind it with the cattank absconding at granny-speed*
*imagines snail-pace chase as the troll pulls an entire building behind it with the cattank absconding at granny-speed*Pffffhahahaha. ;D
*imagines snail-pace chase as the troll pulls an entire building behind it with the cattank absconding at granny-speed*
With this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ) playing in the background of course.
I hereby name this particular one "Dana Skully"
So many skulls.
So very many skulls.
I hereby name this particular one "Dana Skully"
It's just skulls all the way down.
It's just skulls all the way down.
I mean, given the randomized way trolls and giants are made, an entirely-skull one was inevitable....does this mean there's trolls made entirely of, say, feet?
What about arms? just a mass of grabbing, pulling limbs. O_O Although, from what we've seen so far every troll/giant has to have a "viable head", so it couldn't be made entirely of, say, feet.But couldn't a troll/giant's head just be completely surrounded by limbs to the point where it looks like it's entirely made of limbs? I personally want to see this. :P
But couldn't a troll/giant's head just be completely surrounded by limbs to the point where it looks like it's entirely made of limbs? I personally want to see this. :P
But then it wouldn't be able to see. So it would just feel it's way along, and engulf anything in it's path... Yeah I need to see this.(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/arm%20troll_zpsbhniw467.png)
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/arm%20troll_zpsbhniw467.png)Oh god imagine meeting this in a dark abandoned building.
Does this provide sufficient nightmares?
Ever seen Steven Universe? You know the Shattered Gem Fusions? That's what I imagine giants are like, especially if they do have some form of sapience.
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/arm%20troll_zpsbhniw467.png)UUHhh, yes.
Does this provide sufficient nightmares?
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/arm%20troll_zpsbhniw467.png)
Does this provide sufficient nightmares?
Hopefully it will turn out that those documents weren't actually that useful. (Because like, they're covered in troll now....)They were probably all about golf, anyways.
Hopefully it will turn out that those documents weren't actually that useful. (Because like, they're covered in troll now....)
It's time to give Mikkel a shovel. Or something like that. (After all, Emil had used a lantern to hit a troll...)
Standard side arm issues for soldiers really should be more than just a little knife.
Sigrun has a rifle, but she's (oddly) not carrying it ready to fire the way I'd expect her to be.
Well, a gunshot in Troll Central would be a death sentence....
Ever seen Steven Universe? You know the Shattered Gem Fusions? That's what I imagine giants are like, especially if they do have some form of sapience.
Perhaps. If you're dead because you're trying to take on a giant with a knife it doesn't matter.
So Mikkel has a twin brother (http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/151251791300/well-well-somehow-i-finished-drawing-todays)Yup. I'm only slightly disappointed that his twin is a brother named Michael and not a sister named Mikkela.
I think some of us saw this coming. : D
I mean, given the randomized way trolls and giants are made, an entirely-skull one was inevitable....does this mean there's trolls made entirely of, say, feet?On a totally unrelated note, why (oh why, says the punster) does English use the singular in expressions like "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051380/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1)"?
What about arms? just a mass of grabbing, pulling limbs.I'ld say that that'ld impinge on Handsy Moose's turf ...
So Mikkel has a twin brother (http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/151251791300/well-well-somehow-i-finished-drawing-todays)
I think some of us saw this coming. : D
So Mikkel has a twin brother (http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/151251791300/well-well-somehow-i-finished-drawing-todays)
I think some of us saw this coming. : D
That's way too small to be a giant. And that underside looks real soft...I think it might just be a troll that has grown extra skulls? As opposed to a giant made of multiple people. I'm not sure if that's even possible, but if trolls can grow extra limbs then they can probably have some more skulls too.
That's way too small to be a giant. And that underside looks real soft...
So Mikkel has a twin brother (http://sssscomic.tumblr.com/post/151251791300/well-well-somehow-i-finished-drawing-todays)
I think some of us saw this coming. : D
That's way too small to be a giant. And that underside looks real soft...Just you wait 'til Lalli cuts that underside open and allows Clusterface to fold out and inflate to its final form ... :P
If Michael has the same sense of humour as Mikkel it's a miracle Bornholm hasn't sunk beneath the waves.... maaaaaaybe the palisades that we saw line the coast of Bornholm are actually not meant to keep the sea beasts out?
this is NOPECON 2, repeat not a drill! we are at NOPECON 2!
This update is 2spooky.
2spooky4me!
I believe it's time to leave the spooky murder factory.
I believe it's time to leave the spooky murder factory.
....That ward is either going to work as intended, or Aggro all the ghosts.
There was some speculation when Reynir was handing them out that it might attract ghosts rather than repel them--if so, Lalli just did the right thing with it. Ghost trap!
...okay, now I'm just worried for the other members of the crew, who also have those runes in their pockets and have potentially just become ghost magnets...
I'm sure Reynir-the-totally-untrained-mage's totally improvised hacked together and basically completely made up magical symbol will work just perfectly!
(If anyone calls I'm taking shelter in the pillow fort 'til this whole thing blows over...)
The piece of paper should have followed piece-of-paper-physics and flung itself back at Lalli unhelpfully.
Lalli is clearly an expert at throwing pieces of paper.Gamb (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambit_(comics))alli? ;)
Congratulations, Reynir. You made a... lighter.
(http://i2.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/facebook/000/005/600/its-something.jpg)
It clearly needs to be carved in stone to work. Paper is a poor medium for spell work because it easily catches fire.
Granted now I'm considering alternate uses for this rune, possibly for forge welding metal.
this may require more testing.
It clearly needs to be carved in stone to work. Paper is a poor medium for spell work because it easily catches fire.
Granted now I'm considering alternate uses for this rune, possibly for forge welding metal.
this may require more testing.
Actually, that makes sense...clearly, magical rune glows involve heat being made, like any lightbulb, so you'd have to carve them into a non-flammable substance....Hmm, yes. I wonder what would happen if he scratched a rune in plastic or glass: would the material melt? Would it simply not work at all because the gods would reject the material the rune was written on? How about metal? Would copper conduct magical energy like electricity? Does magic even work like that?
Hmm, yes. I wonder what would happen if he scratched a rune in plastic or glass: would the material melt? Would it simply not work at all because the gods would reject the material the rune was written on? How about metal? Would copper conduct magical energy like electricity? Does magic even work like that?
I also wonder what would have happened had he actually painted the rune in blood. Would it have been more useful, or just more gross? :P
If it did, I think what we'd see of Iceland would be a distinctly more magitech society...or maybe Sweden would work that way.Spoiler: rampant speculation show
They should paint it with troll blood then. You know, to make it go faster.
I believe the Dalahasten saws can fulfill this function, given a breach in the fence and a sufficiently acrobatic troll.
so you'd have to carve them into a non-flammable substance....To the contrary. Hand Reynir a paintbrush and let him write that rune right onto the ghosts while they're still un-armed!
To the contrary. Hand Reynir a paintbrush and let him write that rune right onto the ghosts while they're still un-armed!
Aaaaaah it burns get it off GETITOFF!
Oh! Right!
That was anticlimactic.
Too anticlimactic.
[muffled Shingeki no Kyojin in the distance]
So how big do y'all think the giant will be?
(http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj561/Jobella01/arm%20troll_zpsbhniw467.png)
Does this provide sufficient nightmares?
So I dug this back up because I just remembered that this is really similar to a nightmare I had maybe three or four-ish years ago ? It was a creepy monochrome mess of tangled limbs like that, except like an entire wall instead of just a wad like that, and there was a giant eyeball in the center of it.
So someone noticed the military uniform being worn in today's update is one that was phased out in 2010/2011, though I don't have any info as to when it was introduced.
Interesting. How different is the current one?
So someone noticed the military uniform being worn in today's update is one that was phased out in 2010/2011, though I don't have any info as to when it was introduced.
Interesting. How different is the current one?
I mean, whatever discordance there is can be chalked up to the fact that in a post-apocalyptic scenario the last thing the danish army had time to do was to redesign it's uniform.
I mean, whatever discordance there is can be chalked up to the fact that in a post-apocalyptic scenario the last thing the danish army had time to do was to redesign it's uniform.
So we know that the Icelandic coast guard murdered refugees, and now it looks like the Danish army distributed a lethal drug claiming that it was a cure for the illness. I wonder what nasty secrets the other countries of the Known World have in their past.
So we know that the Icelandic coast guard murdered refugees, and now it looks like the Danish army distributed a lethal drug claiming that it was a cure for the illness. I wonder what nasty secrets the other countries of the Known World have in their past.
I wouldn't put it past the Russians, Chinese and American governments activating paveway protocol (bombardment from various heavy bombers) on population centers that had been overrun by mutated infected, possibly even napalm and even glassing some of the worst sites with atomics.
I can't imagine that its a secret that Iceland killed people trying to get in
Hm, an odd thought - could the serum be somehow connected to ghosts? They've been popping up ever since the cure sub-plot has begun, and we haven't seen them anywhere beyond Denmark (granted, that could be just narrative convenience). And beyond that, the doctor states clearly that there's no known reason for the cure to cause brain death, so perhaps they've stumbled upon something magical?
By the point where trolls were happening, there wouldn't be enough military in any of these places to care about firebombing cities, especially when you could die of the infection just as easily in the other 99% of the country
I wouldn't put it past the Russians, Chinese and American governments activating paveway protocol (bombardment from various heavy bombers) on population centers that had been overrun by mutated infected, possibly even napalm and even glassing some of the worst sites with atomics.
Well, we know they have ghosts in Iceland, or can at least pretty safetly say so because
(http://i.imgur.com/KedR8Nx.png)
Well, we know they have ghosts in Iceland, or can at least pretty safetly say so because
(http://i.imgur.com/KedR8Nx.png)
and we can also assume they have ghosts in Finland based on
(http://i.imgur.com/WO4ljbi.png)
And they're probably also available in Norway based on Sigrun's reaction when Reynir mentioned ghosts. Look at her being all serious
(http://i.imgur.com/q93l99D.png)
and then straight to the necessary information:
(http://i.imgur.com/v8EGjzM.png)
so ghost are not necessarily born from use of the serum. On the other hand we can guess that the use of the serum might be what have caused the ghosts to remain for so long, based on a certain comment from Onni:
(http://i.imgur.com/EZ0IhY0.png)
so... uh... I don't really know where I'm going with this buuuut... maybe the serum is connected to the state of the ghosts more than the fact there is ghosts. So far it has seemed that the Serum Ghosts are more angry and linger on longer than the Normal Ghosts, and why shouldn't they be angry? They were treated with something that was supposed to be a cure, but instead killed them. Brain dead, so maybe they even had to sit there and watch as their bodies was kept alive, knowing fully well they'd never be able to return to them. I dunno, I'm not sure how brain death works.
Sure, although ghosts don't necessarily equal spirits.
Oh yeah, we know that there are ghosts elsewhere, based on everything that you mentioned above (though I'd argue that Reynir doesn't know the difference between nature spirits and departed human souls, so the spirits he mentioned having seen before could have been the former). I think that what people have been guessing is that it's thanks to the serum that the ghosts in Denmark are so numerous, so angry, and have stuck around for so long. Other places have ghosts, but from some of the things that Onni said a ghost infestation is practically unheard of in the Known World.Yes, thank you Lazy8! It was mostly an answer to
Hm, an odd thought - could the serum be somehow connected to ghosts? They've been popping up ever since the cure sub-plot has begun, and we haven't seen them anywhere beyond Denmark (granted, that could be just narrative convenience).because that comment sounded like the phenomenon of ghosts overall was unheard of anywhere else. I may have just interpreted the message wrong though and in that case I apologize *bows*
alsooo, uhm... Reynir wasn't able to see nature spirits, so it's a pretty safe bet it was departed human souls he encounters, isn't it?
I think Minna said somewhere that spirits in Iceland are capable of choosing whether to show themselves to humans, magic or not? I might be misremembering, though.
Icelandic spirits are known to show themselves to people now and then, encountering some isn't a telltale sign of being an Icelandic mage.It was however an answer to this comment:
But Reynir being a mage might let him see spirits that aren't deliberately trying to show themselves to you. And how many he can see and what he can do to interact with them is still different from what Lalli can do. But of course we won't know a whole lot more about that before we get further into the story.:3
So Reynir has seen ghosts before, but doesn't know he's a mage? Odd.sooo... uh... That does kinda point to him having encountered ghosts before, doesn't it? I mean, otherwise wouldn't the answer have been "Not ghosts but Icelandic spirits yadda yadda"?
The only problem with such an attitude I can see is that high density target area tend to also be areas of high agricultural value or high value period. Such a move would basically mean that there is no hope of retaking the areas, ever and it's better to burn it all.
and have stuck around for so long. Other places have ghosts, but from some of the things that Onni said a ghost infestation is practically unheard of in the Known World.
High population density.... equals ag area..... wha?.... maybe in the east but west of the mississippi heavy ag use is generally rural with low population densities.
Additionally fallout mostly depends on the type of bomb and how it's deployed.
Most metropolitan areas were built around places of pretty high land value - as in good or rather low effort farmland. Perhaps it is different in the US, but in Canada population centers tend to be smack dab in the best arable land in the country. Deploying a nuke against such centers would therefore almost automatically compromise the arable high value land around it. Prairie farmland notwithstanding due to generally low population in general.
Eh... there were enough left in Denmark to bomb out the area where the crew currently is. The area honestly looks less "90 years of wear and tear" and more "90 years of wear and tear after a couple artillery bombardments."
Regardless nuclear weapons would be something of an absolute last resort and stuff like thermobarics would be deployed much sooner than that.
There's no evidence at all of explosions or artillery, those holes in the buildings are 90 years of wear and tear in a wet country.
I would NOT want to be the one having to make that decision.Me neither, but that is probably why he's general, because he is able to make thoes kind of decisions.
Me neither, but that is probably why he's general, because he is able to make thoes kind of decisions.
On another note since the general just confirmed that trolls and beasts existed back in year 0, I wonder what they would looked like. Since all the trolls and beasts we see are shaped by decades of mutation, what would the first beasts look like? Would they be more classic zombie looking, like the dog Emil encountered, or would the greyish skin we see on beasts in year 90 already be present back in the early stages of troll and beast development. It must have been really shocking to be the first doctor to discover that their patient suddenly wasn't human anymore.
Maybe, but then again we don't know how long that body had been trapped there before it died. Since we don't know how long beasts can last without food/water (or whatever they need to stay alive) the body could in theory have been stuck there for years before it died. Which would leave plenty of time for it to slowly mutate.
Well, we already knew that the bodies of the victims were grossly distorted early on (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=255). I expect they saw live trolls as well.
through some form of reproduction.Trolls that can reproduce, well at least now I'll know what my nightmares are gonna be about tonight.
Down in the U.S. in the west, generally our population centers are where potable water was in large quantities, and while there was decent ag land around, the majority of our high production agriculture land isn't near those cities and we've got a stupidly complex water delivery system for it all. Lots of smaller towns spread out across the rural areas. And then the air bases are built even further out from the population centers.
Now the east coast is an overbuilt mess and a death-trap.. then again that's my assessment of LA, San Francisco and Sacramento as well.
Just to clarify: am I right that all the information we're getting from the flashback, Mikkel's supposed to be getting from the notes he's reading?Yes, probably it is. we cann't say for sure until we don't see today's update, but at least it's looks like
-- and I notice something about the composition of the group around the table. There's only one woman in the group; she's clearly not one of the decision makers, speaks as if she expects to be ignored, and her input is indeed ignored.I don't think that everyone deliberately ignored her. She is one of the scientists and as we have seen - a few of them said anything. And military mens have always loved to ignore womens, especially in situations like this. Sad, but true з:
Minna's Year 90 world doesn't work like that. Is she making a deliberate contrast here?
Just to clarify: am I right that all the information we're getting from the flashback, Mikkel's supposed to be getting from the notes he's reading?
-- and I notice something about the composition of the group around the table. There's only one woman in the group; she's clearly not one of the decision makers, speaks as if she expects to be ignored, and her input is indeed ignored.
Minna's Year 90 world doesn't work like that. Is she making a deliberate contrast here?
I feel really bad for Siv after seeing her expression in the third panel. As if a lifetime of disappointment in searching for a cure or vaccine hasn't been enough for her . .Yeah she probably hope she could be the one to hand it to her old boss with a smug smile on her face.
And then I realised. There is no international any more. Odense probably doesn't even have contact with Brussels, let alone across the Atlantic.
-- and I notice something about the composition of the group around the table. There's only one woman in the group; she's clearly not one of the decision makers, speaks as if she expects to be ignored, and her input is indeed ignored.
Minna's Year 90 world doesn't work like that. Is she making a deliberate contrast here?
That is my impression, though I don't know how or why minutes would exist of the last two pages.
That's a complete misreading of the situation and I don't think Minna is making any point. In fact, I doubt much thought was put into the composition, let alone an attempt at making a contrast.
This comment is even more puzzling in that [ . . . ] the opinion that prevailed from that meeting IS that of the lady scientist.
It's common and meetings of all sorts to have notes sent out afterwards so that knowledge isn't lost.
Right, I know, but neither of the last two Generals seemed to writing anything down, and I can't think of any reason they would want anyone else to know what they were just saying about nothing to be done, it's over. For morale purposes if nothing else.Since taking notes at/after a meeting is such a standard procedure in the military they probably did it out of pure habit and didn't think any closer of the problems this might cause them in the future, or they simply stoped caring about what people would think of them and just did what they thought was right.
What the stars' shape does match, however, are the insignia of a general of the Swedish army:For what it's worth, also the Norwegian (left to right: pre-2016 army & air force, post-2016 army, post-2016 air force):
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/SWE-General-sv.png)
Since taking notes at/after a meeting is such a standard procedure in the military they probably did it out of pure habit and didn't think any closer of the problems this might cause them in the future, or they simply stoped caring about what people would think of them and just did what they thought was right.Oh, okay, I didn't know that about the military. At a previous job, where I was responsible for minutes keeping, I had to do them as the meeting was happening, to have any chance of typing them up later. So I just assumed....
Oh and Jharad17 have you remembered to introduced yourself over at the introduction thread so that we can give you a proper welcome.
We'll tell each other scary stories about past breaks like real elders?
And those of us who cope with the lack of updates by creating buckets of fanwork. ;V
Ooh, more fics, Kiraly? Yes please!
At least Lalli discovered the ghosts and trolls while there is still a little light. Imagine if that mob had come on them in the small hours of the morning, with everyone asleep....
At least Lalli discovered the ghosts and trolls while there is still a little light. Imagine if that mob had come on them in the small hours of the morning, with everyone asleep....I don't wanna imagine it...
Aren't you glad this happened right in time for Halloween! It's way more fun if you image all the trolls with pumpkin heads. Welcome to the Halloween party, Lalli!
...I need to edit that. Pumpkin-trolls! :))
Looks like the hunt is on, better find Mrs A's church soon
I think that's considered bullying and it should be stopped.
After today's page I'm starting to fear that the cattank will break down just as they're near Mrs. A's church, and they all have to run the rest of the way.Chances are that they'll actually arrive faster that way ... :P
And we're finally gonna get the family trees :D !!! If they look just half as great as the language tree it's still going to be amazing."And that heap of felled trees on the left are the Svendborg, Nordson, etc. etc. families the prologue characters were related to, but went extinct in or shortly after Y0. Yep, that's a summit cross on top of it."
(Also, Sleipnope and the Murderghost Army is totally going to be the name of my new band)I'm waiting for your concert! :))
I'm waiting for your concert! :))I'll be watching the special effects (http://www.supernormalstep.com/archives/what-2) ... from a distance. O0
Oh, hey, there's a portrait missing in Lalli's tree! Wonder if it'll come later or if it's someone unknown!??? No there isn't. The line extending from his mother's portrait just shows that she's not related to anyone else on the trees and there isn't any room to show her line of descent.
??? No there isn't. The line extending from his mother's portrait just shows that she's not related to anyone else on the trees and there isn't any room to show her line of descent.
I can hardly wait to find out everyone's names. *_* This is going to be so useful for fanwork.
Also what is up with Ukko-Pekka having no family name.
Maybe his parents died too early for anyone to know it.
Or maybe he died too early to be remembered.And Ensi refused to talk about him for the rest of her days.
Reynirs grandfather looks like a nordic supermodelNow we know where Reynir gets his fabulous hair. :D
Reynirs grandfather looks like a nordic supermodel
You think so?No, he really looks like a male model. Not that he's hot, which of course is a matter of taste, but that he wouldn't be out of place in, say, an ad in a fashion magazine.
Hmm, I guess I just prefer soft, sweet and sensitive above tough and (overly) masculine.
Similarly, and again on the basis of what they are shown wearing - it appears that Lalli may have had to mage parents, as both Tuulikki and Jukka wear tunics with patterns on their collar in the manner of Ukko-Pekka, whereas Juha (totally not the twins from A Red tail's dream) seemed to have married a non-mage (Anne-Mari also stands out as a bit of an odd name here - maybe it's more common than I am inclined to believe in Finland) - Onni inheriting the magic talent of his father. In case I am misreading this it means that magic talent skipped that generation and unto Lalli and Onni. BUT. Since magic in Finland is taught within families and with a master-apprentice dynamics, this means that either Ukko-Pekka was still around to teach them OR their respective parents were able to teach either of them. That Ukko-Pekka was in the picture seems unlikely to me, so I am thinking parents, until Onni took over Lalli's training when parents ceased being a thing. I am also assuming, again here from clothes depicted, that Ensi was a non-magic user. None of the prologue Hotakainen were established as magic sensitive so it would make sense that perhaps magic was introduced via husband in the second generation.
- I am having a hard time telling if Arni Ragnarsonn has either some mad sideburns or if that's just his hair.
- What is Emil even wearing here. No seriously. Everyone else in his family tree is wearing "DEFAULT CIVILIAN PLAINCLOTHES". Is this what the burninators wear? Or perhaps... it is foreshadowing and Emil will be revealed to be sensitive to magic and go on to become a swedish mage?
He's wearing his rich boy attire (school uniform?) as seen in one of the support wallpapers (https://gumroad.com/minnasundberg)
Nothing says wealth like a popped up collar.
Not some lost poor soul though, but a fellow early mage-scout from some distant settlement, crossing paths with Ensi once, never to be met again.Original comment (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php#comment-2980560339)
Ahh TY Basse, that's useful to know, thank you. :VNo problem, tis my duty to help!
For those wondering, here's Minnas answer to why Ukko-Pekka has no last name.Original comment (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php#comment-2980560339)
She also confirmed that Ensi had twins! if that wasn't clear enough.
Comment (https://disqus.com/home/discussion/sssscomic/stand_still_stay_silent_webcomic_page_629/#comment-2980563336)
And lastly the Västerström kids names might have been inspired by the book-serie "Sune".
Comment (https://disqus.com/home/discussion/sssscomic/stand_still_stay_silent_webcomic_page_629/#comment-2980554558)
Guys I am SO EXCITED about this family tree!!!! I've been screaming about it on Tumblr ever since it was released, and I will probably continue to do so for a while. ALL THE NAMES!!! All the new headcanon fodder! All the incentive to finally write that fic about Onni and Reynir's brother BjarniI may have already written 1300 words of it, what do you mean I'm obsessed.
Obsessed, or enthusiastic? ; )
"wait, did that person get Lalli's mother without someone else? [...]"I wouldn't want to rule out the occasional oddity about offspring, once Finnish traditions (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=33) come into play. :P
Minna just posted something truly awesome on her twitter.Spoiler: Series of screenshots show
That honestly just sounds awesome!! Cyberpunk hacker Lalli!! ;D
Minna just posted something truly awesome on her twitter.Spoiler: Series of screenshots show
That honestly just sounds awesome!! Cyberpunk hacker Lalli!! ;D
That's a bright spot in an otherwise horrible day.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! This is so exciting! I would love to play that! Lalli looks really spiffy!*seconds this reaction*
*Hops around while throwing more exclamation marks at the world*
*seconds this reaction*
Minna just posted something truly awesome on her twitter.Spoiler: Series of screenshots show
That honestly just sounds awesome!! Cyberpunk hacker Lalli!! ;D
Somehow I feel the mission goal of the ghosts and beasts chasing our heroes is a bit less noble than that of the Apollo 13.
oh my goodness the new chapter cover is gorgeous
(http://i.imgur.com/hoHFewf.jpg?1)
Edit: I showed it to my brother, and he showed me the Apollo 13 mission patch. Parallels?
(http://talesofcuriosity.com/v/Man_On_The_Moon/i/Apollo_13_Patch.jpg)
Now that you mention it, yeah, that's a pretty clear reference.
Unfortunately none of the crew is even close to looking like Tom Hanks, sooo...
/I spent whole day to read article about Apollo-13 in Wikipedia/ /Forum Educational/
Aww yeah it's siege boss time.Helms deep style, we're just waiting for the rain now.
/I spent whole day to read article about Apollo-13 in Wikipedia/ /Forum Educational/
This is showing my age. In 1970 I was in...err...second grade, I think, since I was 8. I remember writing a current events report about it at the time!my mom was 7 and my father was 8 in 1970, sooo considering the fact that I was rather late child - it's not surprising that I don't know much about all this space race :'D i always know about "Houston, we've had a problem", but nothing more... and yes, I am ashamed for it з:
There's an absolutely fantastic movie on it by Ron Howard, if the article didn't say that (It probably did).yes, I heard about this movie, but I have never been able to see it entirely >:C !
This is showing my age. In 1970 I was in...err...second grade, I think, since I was 8. I remember writing a current events report about it at the time!
my mom was 7 and my father was 8 in 1970, sooo considering the fact that I was rather late child - it's not surprising that I don't know much about all this space race
And so Sigrun casually decides to make a stand in an open area against a horde of monster.On one hand i want everything to be fine on the other i want everything to go wrong.
Well this can only end well.
I was being irreverent but I will say that this does not bode well as I am pretty sure only Sigrun and Lalli in this group can shoot well at all.Ah yes, well that's why Emil has the flamethrower, no need for details such as 'aim' with that and Mikkel...well Mikkel is a danger by himself for any unsuspicious victim one way or another, no need for him to have a gun.
I was being irreverent but I will say that this does not bode well as I am pretty sure only Sigrun and Lalli in this group can shoot well at all.
Well you do have a point.
This situation calls... for A RING OF FIRE.
Would that stop the Sleipnope (or any other ghost)?if that doesn't stop ghosts, so that just delay trolls! not bad.
@ Urbicande
Of all the troll assembled I could see sleipnope jumping above it and confronting the group directly.
Either that or he bullies his minions into going forth into the flames - and then you have flaming trolls. Just as bothersome as their internet counterparts.
Hey, everyone, did you see this!?!?have seen it and screaming about it.
http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25 (http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25)
Hey, everyone, did you see this!?!?Seen it and Hyped! also we have been kinda spoiled with this constant 5 page/week updates but I believe we as a community and minnions will together survive this 4 page/week change.
http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25 (http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25)
Hey, everyone, did you see this!?!?
http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25 (http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25)
*Ahem*(http://i.imgur.com/QDGT0mh.png) Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
That pretty much sums it up! ;D
So now we'll discover that the cyberpunk comic is the *real* world and that the Y90 world of SSSS is just Our Heroes all playing a MMORPGIt's the Rashtrix, actually.
It's the Rashtrix, actually.Maybe I'm stupid, but ... what is that? I realized that it's something about Rash, but no more.
Maybe I'm stupid, but ... what is that? I realized that it's something about Rash, but no more.
Hey, everyone, did you see this!?!?
http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25 (http://www.sssscomic.com/journal.php?entry=25)
It's a mix of "The Matrix" and "Rash"Ah, got it!
Was confused by Lalli 's face in the last panel of the new page.
I thought it was like this
(http://i.imgur.com/2Y1Ausb.jpg)
Took me a little bit longer than I liked to realize it was like this
(http://i.imgur.com/DjNRb4O.jpg)
Was confused by Lalli 's face in the last panel of the new page.
Was confused by Lalli 's face in the last panel of the new page.okay, THANK YOU :'D
I thought it was like this
Was confused by Lalli 's face in the last panel of the new page.
I thought it was like this ....
Was confused by Lalli 's face in the last panel of the new page.
I thought it was like this
I WANT TO PLAY IT NOW DARNIT!!! :))
Dang it, why is Lalli even going melee here.
So what's Lalli's answer to Sleipnope's question (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=642)?Kyllä
So what's Lalli's answer to Sleipnope's question (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=642)?Lalli: *Summons Luonto*
Or he was a character from some shounen manga or something.Or Lalli will start powering up with dramatic screaming, doing that for the remaining of this chapter.
Now he will leave the group alone for a month during which Lalli will have to become strong enough to fight him.
Or Lalli will start powering up with dramatic screaming, doing that for the remaining of this chapter.XD I would probably die if that happened.
"you fool, this isn't even my final form!"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
But like, are we talking less weak since last time like last time the ghosts came through and Onni saved them all? Or like Hotakainen family curse last time?It is probably refering to the former one (page 472), when Lalli was still 'missing' his Luonto at that time.
It is probably refering to the former one (page 472), when Lalli was still 'missing' his Luonto at that time.Ohhh yeah, I forgot he was missing his luonto, makes more sense now.
There it is.
It was going to bite here in the ass at some point.
At least it's not while fighting alone.
Well...she's got Emil who can't aim, Mikkel who can only swing a crowbar. That's not a LOT of help.
*Who named the horse like that, btw? I have always wanted to ask, even though I know it's off-topic.
And she is further away from the truck now.
So, shall we assume it's Onni playing that kantele on page 645 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=645)?Nah: it's Tuomi, with
Nah: it's Tuomi, withthe Rabbit kidLittle Hare by his side--and there's your aRTD crossover.
He did have a small backpack? Can't imagine a travelling mage not keeping such an important tool close to his body.
If I recall correctly, there has been at least a few images of mages with kanteles at their side - and not even in a bag.
http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87)
Yay for canon aRTD crossover! :P
Hmm... I wonder what Tuuri and Reynir are doing in the Cat-Tank... More Tic-Tac-Toe?
If I recall correctly, there has been at least a few images of mages with kanteles at their side - and not even in a bag.
http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87)
And today we have learned that Onni's strange combover is in fact a bird's nest.
It took me a moment to notice that panel and now I am deeply concerned. O_OExcuse me while I run in circles and panic for a bit. Because on page 648 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=648), it looks like Onni's luonto might have been injured, and yes, Onni is more experienced than Lalli but this spell just seems so much more advanced. So basically,
Excuse me while I run in circles and panic for a bit. Because on page 648 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=648), it looks like Onni's luonto might have been injured, and yes, Onni is more experienced than Lalli but this spell just seems so much more advanced. So basically,
ONNNIIIIII!!! AAAAAAAAAAA!
And it's a Friday page, isn't it? So it's a cliffhanger too. That's cruel, Minna! :'(
Me, happily singing along to Christmas songs in the background: And since we've no place to gooooo, let it snow, let it snow,
Me, upon seeing the top spread of the new page: let it-- holy crap.
Hmm... I wonder what Tuuri and Reynir are doing in the Cat-Tank... More Tic-Tac-Toe?... nnnoooooooooo (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contagious-Diseases-awareness-Quartet-Language/dp/B0052YLP1M) ...
... nnnoooooooooo (https://wwwx.amazon.co.uk/Contagious-Diseases-awareness-Quartet-Language/dp/B0052YLP1M) ...
???? How, I say HOW, did this end up in your history to link? :haw: :haw:It didn't. I did a bit of Christmas gift shopping today, and the shop where I bought a bunch of CDs just happened to have a bunch of quartets, including this one, one on male tyrants, one on female ones, etc., so it was freshly on my mind. I had heard of it before, though, and the cow-orkers occasionally play a "minorities quartet", so ... Quartets are big thing in Germany, just say "[random property], trick!" ("sticht!" in German) and everyone'll know which game of cards you're alluding to. ;)
Why does a military vehicle have wooden flooring?
Why does a military vehicle have wooden flooring?For warmth, acoustics and the type of order?
Why does a military vehicle have wooden flooring?Why would a military (more precisely, combat) vehicle have tail lights the size of Emils thighs (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=190)?
I'm sorry for Slithery, thoughSpoiler: show
The second of course includes "sudden burst of magic from Reynir" scenario.... followed by a shape-changing cat-tank ... ;)
... followed by a shape-changing cat-tank ... ;)
Just had a thought from the lastest page. I remember that earlier in the chapter, someone on Disqus suggested the tank as a possible casualty of the current battle. I think this has just become more likely via two possible channels. One is that they manage to deal with the troll, but it turns out to have eaten through something vital to get inside. The other is that the troll does no damage to the tank, but whatever means are used to kill it do the damage. The second of course includes "sudden burst of magic from Reynir" scenario.
Of all the personal predictions I've had for this battle, the only one that has yet to be challenged or confirmed was "double, if not triple magic coma". Onni is out and the runes don't seem to do the energy sapping some of us have feared, so if Reynir gets one, it would have to be from something else.
Maybe into this!Actually I was thinking of the kind of "shape change" one'ld expect from having an explosive charge go off inside a mostly-airtight tin can. I'm fairly sure that, in the context of botulism "infected" food conserves, I've read that there's the technical term "bombation" for that, but I'm afraid that Google fails me on that one ...
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/Ro0BA5jnKLxQs/200_s.gif)
Why does a military vehicle have wooden flooring?
There appears to be metal under there too, judging by the new page.
-- and, it occurs to me: the portion of the crew inside the cattank doesn't know whether there's anybody still alive outside the tank, do they? All they know is that there was a whole lot of noise. And now --
And HOW are they going to get out of this one?Magic! *does magic hand waves*
Magic! *does magic hand waves*
And HOW are they going to get out of this one?
It just can't be real! Never ever have I thought that a main character dying is even an option in this comic. And well, I hope I haven't been wrong!
Nothing to worry about! They'll use the serum to kill the virus, and then Onni, Lalli and Reynir will be able to guide Tuuri's spirit back into her body. The only reason the serum failed so badly in the old world was they didn't have mages to correct the soul-expulsion bit. ALL WILL BE WELL AGAIN!!!
*Hides in a corner and whimpers*
Obviously the bullet from Lalli's gun went through the troll's head and nicked poor Tuuri's shoulder. Silly Lalli! You forgot Rule 4!Please please please, I hope you're right.
You know this is a zombie/plague story fandom when getting shot is one of the better alternatives.
Except if it went troll > Tuuri the bullet would have brought infected juices into Tuuri anyway D:Ehhh, my extremely vague ballistics knowledge I've picked up by being American makes me think that the bullet would be too hot for any germs and such to actually survive the trip.
Ehhh, my extremely vague ballistics knowledge I've picked up by being American makes me think that the bullet would be too hot for any germs and such to actually survive the trip.
Ehhh, my extremely vague ballistics knowledge I've picked up by being American makes me think that the bullet would be too hot for any germs and such to actually survive the trip.
You know this is a zombie/plague story fandom when getting shot is one of the better alternatives.
(help I need some help tell me that everything gonna be allright please)
I feel heartily amused at the idea of Reynir being a vampire. It's even better, because if he's already turned into one kind of a monster, how could he turn into a troll after that?
Reynir just needs a black cape now!
(http://i.imgur.com/3cnzdrY.png)
The troll is not really a troll, just Emil showing off the halloween costume he made for next year's party!
(No wait, that means Lalli just killed Emil D: )
Wow, the author and artist behind 1001 Ways Emil Must Die has come up with no. 1002!
WINDY COME ON...You're welcome? 0=)
Nothing to worry about! They'll use the serum to kill the virus, and then Onni, Lalli and Reynir will be able to guide Tuuri's spirit back into her body. The only reason the serum failed so badly in the old world was they didn't have mages to correct the soul-expulsion bit. ALL WILL BE WELL AGAIN!!!
*Hides in a corner and whimpers*
(http://i.imgur.com/3cnzdrY.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/3cnzdrY.png)
...Why do you even have that?
A week off work provides lots of time to make stupid things :D
This is the place to comment on the latest comic page right?Yeah, this is.
Cuz I wanna comment the latest comic page but my heart is broken :C
It occurs to me:
Even if standard protocol is to kill infected people immediately: they can't.
If she's still going to be Tuuri for a few days, they desperately need her to, while she still can, help with repairing the cattank and try to transmit as much mechanic's knowledge and language translation as she possibly can, before (barring their finding a cure, which I very much hope will be the way out of this) she becomes incapacitated.
(I had an additional thought on this; but I posted it in the Character Development: Tuuri thread.)
Oh you’re right, as soon as Tuuri goes into coma because of the illness the only way to communicate with Lalli will be through his (very) limited Swedish. If Lalli felt alone before, how isn't he going to feel until they manage to save Tuuri.
Still, chapter break, now?!?
I had almost managed to forget about that author's comment.
Yeah, that's going to be a hard one.
Oh you’re right, as soon as Tuuri goes into coma because of the illness the only way to communicate with Lalli will be through his (very) limited Swedish.Actually it seems to me that Mikkel's on top of everyday radio operating, which would allow for (crew) <--> Mikkel <-(radio)-> Trond/Siv/Torbjörn <--> Taru <-(radio)-> Lalli, even if Tuuri and Onni were incapacitated.
if Tuuri ends up being saved by some kind of complete cure, she'll be the first person to be cured (for real, not slow brain death style), in history of humankind, and that would mean the crew will coming back with something REALLY impressive under their belts.Which is a problem because if they'ld return rich and famous and whatnot, there wouldn't be any more incentive for them to go out into the Silent World, which runs afoul of Minnas plans to have them live through several more story arcs. ;)
Which is a problem because if they'ld return rich and famous and whatnot, there wouldn't be any more incentive for them to go out into the Silent World, which runs afoul of Minnas plans to have them live through several more story arcs. ;)Being rich and famous wasn't their incentive, though. Neither was finding a cure. Well, except for Emil, of course. But Lalli and Reynir didn't even want to be there. Sigrun went because she thought it'd be fun. And Tuuri just wanted to see the world a little bit, and has been plenty disillusioned in the past few pages. Who knows why Mikkel signed up, maybe for the medical knowledge of the Old World? But he doesn't strike me as the "fame and fortune" kind of guy.
From that perspective, it'ld be much better if Tuuris cure worked along the lines of "for the rest of your life, once a year, you need to find a troll who has never met a human since it turned, and eat it raw." O_o
Which is a problem because if they'ld return rich and famous and whatnot, there wouldn't be any more incentive for them to go out into the Silent World, which runs afoul of Minnas plans to have them live through several more story arcs. ;)
From that perspective, it'ld be much better if Tuuris cure worked along the lines of "for the rest of your life, once a year, you need to find a troll who has never met a human since it turned, and eat it raw." O_o
Lalli and Reynir didn't even want to be there. Sigrun went because she thought it'd be fun. And Tuuri just wanted to see the world a little bit, and has been plenty disillusioned in the past few pages. Who knows why Mikkel signed up, maybe for the medical knowledge of the Old World? But he doesn't strike me as the "fame and fortune" kind of guy.
Mikkel is one of the most mysterious in the group (in that he is so....normal). I mean, yes, he's been fired a lot, but he still seems better socially adjusted, he has a more well-rounded education than any of the others, he has good family instincts, and so on. I hadn't really pondered it to much, but now your comment has me wondering: What exactly does he want out of this trip/life in general?
Money. Perhaps not fame and fortune, but having no stable jobs and ever dwindling prospects due to his track record it's probably either this or going back to farming for Mikkel.You may be right, he does seem to appreciate getting in on the action now and then, even if he is the cautious/level-headed one. You probably don't get too much action farming. :)
Mikkel is one of the most mysterious in the group (in that he is so....normal). I mean, yes, he's been fired a lot, but he still seems better socially adjusted, he has a more well-rounded education than any of the others, he has good family instincts, and so on. I hadn't really pondered it to much, but now your comment has me wondering: What exactly does he want out of this trip/life in general?
Money. Perhaps not fame and fortune, but having no stable jobs and ever dwindling prospects due to his track record it's probably either this or going back to farming for Mikkel.The guy must really hate farming then, if he's willing to head into the Silent World with a handful of oddballs. Especially after the defeat of the entire Danish military effort. Especially since he's worked as a field medic. Mikkel is the only one who went out of his own free will and who is neither naive or battle-crazy.
There is a theory- don't recall who originated it- that Mikkel is actually an agent of the Nordic Council. The Danish James Bond, if you will.I've had the same feeling for a while. Would explain his many odd jobs.
The guy must really hate farming then, if he's willing to head into the Silent World with a handful of oddballs. Especially after the defeat of the entire Danish military effort. Especially since he's worked as a field medic. Mikkel is the only one who went out of his own free will and who is neither naive or battle-crazy.
Eh, maybe you're right. But he does seem to be very interested in the possibility of a cure - he took a lot of interest in that book of medical records, and he was the guy who left the two non-immune kids alone in the tank while searching for the serum in Copenhagen, on his own and without mentioning it to anyone. I suspect that the idea of finding a cure was the whole reason why he agreed join to begin with.
... but Tronds reason for calling the guy up... it's not like there were flyers around, they got cherry-picked for being the right kind of idiots..
Secret agent is how I've done him in ficsA) It would be awesome if he were a secret agent. (I love secret agents generally, but find many of them to be horrible people personally, but I love Mikkel).
B) I would like to take a look at one of your fics in the near-ish future. What are they called/where might I find them easily?Look here (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=943.msg131120#msg131120).
There are a few in the Scriptorium here on the Forum, under Róisín, and on Archive of our own under 'Tanist'. The story there is called 'A Few of Mikkel's Secrets'. It's way back in the early days of the thread. LooNEY DAC has explored similar themes in some of his stories, as have a few other authors. You might find some of those in Lazy 8's Fan Fiction Index? Try there under the heading for Mikkel-Centric stories.
Edit: 'The All-Encompassing Fan-Fiction Index'.
Might be easier to look stuff by author, actually, since all the stats are listed under author entries.
I have mixed feeling about the ending page of this chapter. The panels showing the night turning into a sunrise surely looks cool, but on the other hand, we are completely left out of seeing Mikkel's, Sigrun's and Emil's first reactions to the situation inside the cat-tank. Something I personally really would've wanted to see.
I mean, we just got to watch the death of Sleipnope.
The night has ended. The battle is over. We have seen the casualties. The ramifications will have to wait for the next chapter.
Also I don't see how this is resolving a serious situation off-screen. To have immediate reactions would add nothing to this scene. You would just get people rushing and bustling to give her first aid and maybe some gawking. That is a very odd criticism to mount against this scene - or the comic in general.
Perhaps all of that would have been difficult to communicate at this point in the chapter. It's coming to an end, and the mood is quiet, dark, and somber. Dealing with Tuuri's injury or checking on Onni would turn the scene urgent, disrupting the current mood and maybe the pace of the last few pages. So hopefully we'll see at least a bit in the next chapter, where it can be used to set the mood.
I don't think Sleipnope is dead at all, at least the way I saw it, Sleip was reuniting his forces. Sure, he seems wounded, but notdead in any waythat was dumb, it's undead haha, but you got my meaning.
The others' reactions would likely just have been a bunch of "Oh no"s and hand wringing and "What if"s that would have broken the solemn silence of the chapter's ending.
Also re: death of Sleipnope, I don't actually enjoy seeing trolls die drawn out painful deaths, and this is the second explicit one we get. These used to be people and we don't know how conscious they still are. I wish all this troll cruelty will come back and bite our team in the behind eventually, but somehow I doubt it's that kind of comic.
Lazy8, I'm not criticizing the group for anything really. Sometimes even the best or only solution to a difficult problem is still cruel as hell. Killing water beasts by beaching them is one of those. What the Icelandic ship did to the boat of refugees in the prologue is another case (though they could have put them into quarantine instead, so that was just the safest/cheapest solution, arguably not the best). They are both understandable to different degrees, but still cruel. Self defense justifies cruelty, but it doesn't erase it. I might do the same in their place (when it comes to most of the trolls, not the refugees), but still feel bad about it. Is this more comprehensible? :)
What I meant is more along the lines of "I would like to see this necessary cruelty have some consequences".
I don't see trolls as being cruel and vicious, no more than a wild animal is when it kills something (or someone). It seems in their nature to be predatory, though they also seem to have somewhat higher (or different) intelligence than an animal's.
It's difficult to make any morality judgement on them, but just as I wouldn't enjoy seeing a lion tied up and slowly starve to death, even if the same lion just tried to kill me, I don't enjoy seeing all the brutal slow deaths of some of the beasts, and I wonder why Minna emphasizes them so much.
What I'm trying to figure out is what exactly you mean by "consequences".
Do you want physical consequences? Because those have already happened. Tuuri accidentally hit a troll with the tank; in return its brethren came after them and nearly skewered Emil. Sigrun and Mikkel hacked something they thought was dead, and Sigrun got thrashed immediately after.
Do you want the characters to express regret for what they've had to do? Because they have. There was that scene with Emil and the dog, and Sigrun's dialogue on why she never went into seafaring. It's subtle, but it's there. And personally, I prefer subtle.
And if I'm completely off the mark, then what do you mean?
Really? When have we ever seen these people go "oh no" and engage in hand wringing? You'd have a hard time finding a set of protagonists less inclined to fretting and despair even when they have very good reason to (with the exception of Emil in social situations). It would be interesting to see who tries to help, who looks for a scapegoat, who blames themselves, who remains optimistic, etc.
I am mostly bothered by the beached troll (there might be others too but I can't remember now). And while I agree that Emil shows compassion towards the grosslings (hey, he's my favorite for plenty of good reasons) I don't think Sigrun displayed any compassion when she told them about the way to dispose of water beasts. I read that as her not wanting to do it because it's boring/lacking in glory. But then I read Sigrun as a high functioning psychopath, so there's that.
Wild, crazy, insane theory that occurred to me just before switching off the computer and going to bed.
What if Tuuri is actually immune, and Onni's been lying to her her entire life in an attempt to 'keep her safe?'
Wild, crazy, insane theory that occurred to me just before switching off the computer and going to bed.
What if Tuuri is actually immune, and Onni's been lying to her her entire life in an attempt to 'keep her safe?'
That is all. Time for zzzzzzzzz.
That would be quite the psych out.
That actually kind of sound like something the overprotective side of Onni could be capable of
EDIT: And I completely missed JoB's fine post (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=17.msg132162#msg132162) over in the Tuuri Character Development thread, where some of the same conclusions were drawn.
Sounds… plausible, but slightly awkward; I'd presumed that most people would have been tested for immunity quite young and informed of their status by their parent(s)/guardian(s). On the assumption that this hypothesis is true, it's possible that Tuuri doesn't remember being told she was immune for whatever reason. How Onni's decision to lie about it came about and played out would be an interesting tale.
There's something very sad looking about the new chapter cover. Somehow even the colors seem muted and sorrowful to me??? And the way Emil (that's him right?) is kicking at the dirt... :'(
I doubt they'd put tuuri in charge of watch. She's literally dying.
Definitely Emil judging by the uniform (he's the only one who has that "front is white, back is black" thing going on), though the body type is Mikkel's. I suspect Minna changed her mind somewhere between sketching and inking about who the character will be and forgot to adjust the sketch for it. Also, if you look carefully, the character's carrying a gun, so that suggests Emil again.
Whoa there we literally don't know that yet.
As others have said, it's possible that her wound is a gunshot and not a troll bite. I think (though I'm no expert) that in this case, the bullet might be sterile due to the heat even though it passed through the troll. Even if it is a bite, infection might not be 100% guaranteed even at contact with a source of infection (this is the case with real life viruses too). To some degree, the body can protect itself even against very dangerous things.
Okay, but it still remains that not all exposure to infectious things always gets you sick (though it is, of course, a risky gamble). And that's not even taking into account the theory that Tuuri might be actually immune. It's a comic that contains magic after all, you can't draw conclusions like you would in real life, especially since the illness seems to be at least partly magic in nature.Yep, the rash always seemed Metaphysical in a way.
As others have said, it's possible that her wound is a gunshot and not a troll bite.
Definitely Emil judging by the uniform (he's the only one who has that "front is white, back is black" thing going on), though the body type is Mikkel's. I suspect Minna changed her mind somewhere between sketching and inking about who the character will be and forgot to adjust the sketch for it. Also, if you look carefully, the character's carrying a gun, so that suggests Emil again.
Why is this even a discussion? It's obviously Mikkel, I doubt Minna has made it vague on purpose and I also doubt she "changed her mind". Sure, Mikkel doesn't carry weapons often, but it's not impossible.She also wouldn't make solid black shadows on the back of Mikkel's sleeves and pants; that's Emil's uniform, or I'm a gecko. Might not be Emil wearing it, but his is the only uniform with black in those places.
Why is this even a discussion? It's obviously Mikkel, I doubt Minna has made it vague on purpose and I also doubt she "changed her mind". Sure, Mikkel doesn't carry weapons often, but it's not impossible.
Nobody but Emil has ever worn this uniform, and if there's one thing Minna doesn't mix up, it's the uniforms.That's true, except Emil's boots are white, and in the cover they're black. I guess this is what's throwing everyone off. :)
As for me, I wonder if it's less about who the person is, and more about the mood Minna is setting. Maybe the intention was to combine a little bit of every crew member's uniform (or as many as she could fit) into one design.
That's true, except Emil's boots are white, and in the cover they're black. I guess this is what's throwing everyone off. :)
As for me, I wonder if it's less about who the person is, and more about the mood Minna is setting. Maybe the intention was to combine a little bit of every crew member's uniform (or as many as she could fit) into one design.
I'd presumed that most people would have been tested for immunity quite young and informed of their status by their parent(s)/guardian(s). On the assumption that this hypothesis is true, it's possible that Tuuri doesn't remember being told she was immune for whatever reason. How Onni's decision to lie about it came about and played out would be an interesting tale.If there is a test and unless there's some Hollywood science to make it undoable/unreliable until the patient has reached age X or somesuch (which would pretty much fly in the face of the hard either/or's we see in every other aspect of Rash and immunity), then we can assume that parents would want their children tested right after birth, if not sooner. Which is of course way too early for the child itself to remember it later on.
Maybe his boots are just covered in ash and soot?With all that ash and soot stopping precisely at the fringe of the bootleg?
With all that ash and soot stopping precisely at the fringe of the bootleg?
Which brings us to the fact that when Tuuri was 10 and Lalli 8, they and Onni up and left Saimaa, leaving behind (presumably for dead) all relatives, all the clerks issuing their documents, their neighbors, MDs, everyone besides Onni and the hypothetical paperwork who could have told Tuuri about her immunity status if she did not already know full well at that point. (And even if she did, whatcha do when your older brother and head of the family tells you flat out that "you must be misremembering" ...)
Which brings us to the fact that when Tuuri was 10 and Lalli 8, they and Onni up and left Saimaa, leaving behind (presumably for dead) all relatives, all the clerks issuing their documents, their neighbors, MDs, everyone besides Onni and the hypothetical paperwork who could have told Tuuri about her immunity status if she did not already know full well at that point. (And even if she did, whatcha do when your older brother and head of the family tells you flat out that "you must be misremembering" ...)
A bunch of orphans who show up without any papers from the wilderness/a recently destroyed village and end up working for the military would get all the health tests done though, probably during the quarantine they must have went through when they first showed up in Keuruu. Can't risk just trusting them on their disease status, and immunity would probably get tested too.
Only one page into the chapter and I'm already at my saddest :C\going to be same\
Only one page into the chapter and I'm already at my saddest :C
Just thought of something: if I understood correctly, Reynir can see ghosts, but not "healthy" spirits. This may mean that if Tuuri is infected, she may reach a point where her spirit becomes visible to Reynir, possibly before the physical symptoms start showing up. Because of policy of keeping them apart, he may notice only once it's well underway.I hadn't thought of that possibility, but that would be... very interesting, and heartbreaking.
I think that we're about to discover that Minna is just as good at creating sadness as she is at cliffhangers
On the other hand, we do have the "Chekhov's gun" of the church lady... I hope her function isn't to bring Tuuri to a peaceful death :(We have a bodyless nailed-into-place church lady and a potentially-soon-"brain-dead" Tuuri. Two damaged team members rolled into one fully functional one, mayhaps?
There is at least one door that opens in the front, so I guess Tuuri will be using that.Hey, I didn't notice that! That solves some problems, at least, though the issue of the repair remains ( I really hope we get to see Tuuri apply her engineering skills to the tank, though.)
http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=373
I think Mikkel may have meant just avoiding having them outside at the same time, or at least too close to each other. But I'm wondering about the repairs on the electronics aspect of the floor as well.
I wonder whether the crew's going to figure out what's wrong with Onni and tell those present with him, or whether this is going to continue to be one of those failures to communicate that have plagued them all through the expedition. As Lalli seemed to recover without anyone's having figured out what was wrong, however, I hope the same will be true of Onni: maybe all that's really needed is time and a safe physical space to be unconscious in.
Taru is probably perfectly aware of what's going on - note her comment about him not being hit by lightning - it's just that the Swedes likely don't want to listen.Well you know swedes, science can explain most things...
Why is Tuuri allowed to be in the cat tank without her mask on, if she is not automatically assumed to be infected? There's been troll brains in the cat tank and it spreads through breathing... Reynir is wearing his, so why isn't Tuuri...Troll gunk stops being infectious after a matter of hours. An infected human is continually infectious until death.
Has Mikkel actually given up on her already but insisiting on the charade to keep morale from burning through the ground?
I think Taru, Tuuri and Lalli all know what is going on with Onni.
Just noticed something about this page: the central panel has Tuuri decide to keep Onni out of the loop about her troll bite, and it's followed by showing us the consequences of Sigrun doing exactly that to Mikkel.
You may well be right about that. Other possibility is that Lalli has figured out what Onni did, is worried about him, and asks Reynir to take him to Onni - possibly asking in dumb-show by pointing at Onni in the portrait and miming sleep? Since he would know better than to ask Tuuri to translate. The question would be whether Onni is conscious enough in his dream space to be told anything. At least Reynir saw what happened, so will be able to say something in Lalli's defense if Onni blows up at him about failing to defend Tuuri from being bitten.
I'd like to see that. Something the Hotakainens haven't had until this mission is anyone else's viewpoint on their way of handling... anything.
Looking at today's page, it certainly does look like Tuuri does -- she's got no questions for them about what's going on with him, which I'd certainly expect if she had no idea; and she's got quote marks around "hit by lightning".
I'm still convinced that Tuuri knows a fair deal about Finnish magic - she didn't fully explain the condition to Emil back when Lalli was without his Luonto, but then he also made his stance on magic very clear, so that'd have been a waste of breath...I don't think she fully understands the comatose as actually being dangerous. I doubt she'd be neutral, or even HAPPY, to hear about how her cousin or only brother might be in a condition from which they may never wake up. If it ever happened to Lalli in the past, it would be the sort of scenario where I could absolutely see Onni trying to protect her from the truth and going "oh it's just a mage thing, don't worry about it".
I had a thought:
I've gone most of this time thinking that when the troll broke through the floor, Reynir froze for the few moments it probably took for Lalli to get in there, and didn't do anything at all -- maybe because what I was expecting him to do was to throw up a protective bubble, though I don't know whether the one he used against the ghosts would work against trolls.
But take a look at page 654. What's that attracting Lalli's attention? Isn't that Reynir's spirit dog there on the left of the page, first barking at Lalli and then turned back to the tank to lead him in the right direction?
Maybe Reynir did what Reynir does best: yell for help from the person most likely to be able to provide it. And that is a genuinely useful talent; if, in this case, fractionally late -- I was going to say fractionally too late, but it was in time to save Reynir and Kitty, and at least buy Tuuri some time.
There is at least one door that opens in the front, so I guess Tuuri will be using that.The door on the passenger side opens, too, so as to please particularly impatient ones (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=214). ;) (Lalli takes his cousin's side (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=220), of course.)
http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=373
I dunno, I read that panel on p654 a bit differently. I see it more as the tickle on the back of Lalli's neck, as the inchoate spiritual scream of a troll (which Lalli is sensitive to), but coming from an unexpected direction. That said, I like your thinking. The idea of Lalli picking out just that one troll in the mayhem is not that great.
Oh, and just a thought but, do you think Kitty would look like Reynir is she were human?
Oh, and just a thought but, do you think Kitty would look like Reynir is she were human?
Ohh, somebody (Gwenno? Johannabelle? John Candlebury? Olga Veresk? dammit, must delve...) drew a version of her as a human and it was the best! It was only around October-November last year, so stay tuned while I do a delve. (But don't hold your breath, I'll be longer than that, okay?)
Ohh, somebody (Gwenno? Johannabelle? John Candlebury? Olga Veresk? dammit, must delve...) drew a version of her as a human and it was the best! It was only around October-November last year, so stay tuned while I do a delve. (But don't hold your breath, I'll be longer than that, okay?)I remember shaeira did something like that about a year ago, don't know if she(?) ever posted it on here but I managed to find it on her tumblr: http://shaeiira.tumblr.com/post/139675687634/kittens-xd-maybe-something-happyish-because (http://shaeiira.tumblr.com/post/139675687634/kittens-xd-maybe-something-happyish-because)
I remember shaeira did something like that about a year ago, don't know if she(?) ever posted it on here but I managed to find it on her tumblr: http://shaeiira.tumblr.com/post/139675687634/kittens-xd-maybe-something-happyish-because (http://shaeiira.tumblr.com/post/139675687634/kittens-xd-maybe-something-happyish-because)
I remember shaeira did something like that about a year ago, don't know if she(?) ever posted it on here but I managed to find it on her tumblr: http://shaeiira.tumblr.com/post/139675687634/kittens-xd-maybe-something-happyish-because (http://shaeiira.tumblr.com/post/139675687634/kittens-xd-maybe-something-happyish-because)
It wasn't this one, but I do appreciate you digging that up, because it's also very lovely! I've just spent the last hour trying to find the one I meant. It was a picture of Kitty as a cute petite redhead, in uniform I believe, but featuring orange highlights. Nearly midnight, must go to bed, but the hunt will continue.I found something (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=35.msg93758#msg93758)--check the spoilered images to see if one of those fits.
I found something (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=35.msg93758#msg93758)--check the spoilered images to see if one of those fits.
There's also this one by Star https://starfally.tumblr.com/post/138903704227/i-got-the-idea-for-this-with-shaeiira-tweeting-a :)
Predictions for next page: they have to explain to the guy who thinks Onni got hit by lightning how they ran out of paper and the stowaway got carpal tunnel syndrome within the last two hours.
"We will never tire."
"We will never stop."
If what it's saying is true. Then the whole world is in danger.
Said the monster that dragged itself from it's lair. Heck, it seems to be losing it's internal consistency - with the voices of the souls in it speaking out and all that.It's not the fact that it's dying. It's the fact they are like the borg. You will be assimilated and you will like it. And people like Sigrun in all their toughness cannot kill these things. All it has to do is touch her and she's assimilated.
I wouldn't be surprised it just collapses in the next few pages.
Do you think that this is something the trolls are capable of?http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=412
It feels like they would need something like a necromancer troll to coordinate all these lost souls to actually do something.
http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=412
>kade: a turned mage
>onni mentions the 'it' is looking for them again a few chapters back.
It's all coming together. Darkness shrouds denmark. The dark arts are at play there is no way it's not trolls.
Weellll, if one classifies "fine" as meaning "alive" he isn't wrong yet
I just thought of something. Reynir won't have access to the radio as long as Tuuri is in quarantine. He has absolutely no official business going into "Tuuri's" side with a mask on, unlike earlier in the chapter where Tuuri has to go on "Reynir's" side to repair the floor. The dreamspace is going to be his only option to talk with Onni over at least the next two weeks, so Reynir probably going to be very abusive towards that loophole.Well considering Onni is unconscious right now the dreamspace is probably anyone's only means of contacting him right now. Does anyone remember how long it took for Lalli's luonto to return? I know this isn't the same thing, but it's the best comparison I can think of right now.
Does anyone remember how long it took for Lalli's luonto to return?if I remember correctly, then Lally was sleeping a little more than a day ~36 hours or so
if I remember correctly, then Lally was sleeping a little more than a day ~36 hours or so
He fell asleep on the late afternoon/evening of the day they reached the Amalienborg palace, slept that night (being asleep when Leaftroll attacked)and the following day (which was the day Mikkel went to Kastellet). He was still asleep when the ghosts hit them, some 24 hours after they arrived. He slept through that, though he was conscious, and in human form, in the dreamworld when the ghosts tried to get into his haven, and had enough connection to his body to grab Emil. Then he slept through their escape from Copenhagen, and woke around mid-morning of the next day. So yeah, likely a bit over thirtysix hours.Ah okay! Thanks for having a better memory than me (and/or looking it up and not being lazy like me).
Well considering Onni is unconscious right now the dreamspace is probably anyone's only means of contacting him right now. Does anyone remember how long it took for Lalli's luonto to return? I know this isn't the same thing, but it's the best comparison I can think of right now.
So, the cattank seems to be running again, and that cover at least looks like they are about to reach the military base, which could, for example, be on an island connected to the mainland with a bridge. Would be easy enough to defend, at least.
But I am SO scared about seeing any sudden progress of Tuuri's disease.
My Febuary vacation reading included both a binge of "A redtail's dream" and a Tuuri death fic titled after the bird's path. Beacause of this, I'm actually kind of unsettled by the birds on that cover, no matter how beautiful they are otherwise.Me too... someone on the Disqus comments also talked about the symbolism of crossing a river (i.e, the boundary between the mortal world and the afterlife.) I'm pretty worried about Tuuri all around...
It's not a given yet that Tuuri has it. (if she does, I expect Sigrun to just shoot her)True. (That would be heartbreaking, though.)
or they give her the cure and she can only interact with Lalli and Reynir as a ghost. Which would be even worse.Well, that depends on whether she'ld start out right away as a murderghost, or deteriorating that much requires the full 90 years and Tuuri would begin as just a noncorporeal verson of her cheery (if saddened by recent events) self.
Well, that depends on whether she'ld start out right away as a murderghost, or deteriorating that much requires the full 90 years and Tuuri would begin as just a noncorporeal verson of her cheery (if saddened by recent events) self.
Worldbuilding speculation: I wonder if any mages have attempted to 'keep' spirits safe in their own havens. In this scenario, Onni would build a virtual cabin or such for Tuuri to 'live' in, within his virtual Finland.
Worldbuilding speculation: I wonder if any mages have attempted to 'keep' spirits safe in their own havens. In this scenario, Onni would build a virtual cabin or such for Tuuri to 'live' in, within his virtual Finland.
Huh. Anyone else having trouble with disqus refusing to load on page 692? It seems fine on previous pages, but even on different browsers and different devices all I get is the ad and the little animated speech bubble.
Huh. Anyone else having trouble with disqus refusing to load on page 692? It seems fine on previous pages, but even on different browsers and different devices all I get is the ad and the little animated speech bubble.
Mikkels way of dealing with an uncooperative patient may be unconventional, and would get him fired if he was working as a real doctor (If it not already has), but it is effective.Honesty I'd be surprised if Mikkel ever was a real doctor.
Mikkels way of dealing with an uncooperative patient may be unconventional, and would get him fired if he was working as a real doctor (If it not already has), but it is effective.
As someone pointed out in the comments... Lalli could've choked. Especially if he'd surprise inhaled, which would've been a very natural reaction.
As someone pointed out in the comments... Lalli could've choked. Especially if he'd surprise inhaled, which would've been a very natural reaction.Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed.
Re the new page:Well, once you start down a negative train of thought, you tend to stick with it unless something happens to derail it.
if Reynir had stayed home, possibly nobody would have reached Onni to ask for help, and everyone on the crew would have been overwhelmed by the trolls and killed -- if they hadn't been previously finished off by the ghosts on their first encounter with them. Reynir, in all his thinking, seems to have missed thinking of that.
Re the new page:
if Reynir had stayed home, possibly nobody would have reached Onni to ask for help, and everyone on the crew would have been overwhelmed by the trolls and killed -- if they hadn't been previously finished off by the ghosts on their first encounter with them. Reynir, in all his thinking, seems to have missed thinking of that.
OTOH, if Reynir wasn't there they'd likely never have entered Amalienborg (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=414), Sigrun probably wouldn't be injured (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=422). And if they'd never entered Amelienborg, they wouldn't have known to go to Kastellet (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=460) and Murderghost wouldn't be chasing them (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=462). And they likely wouldn't have been in Odense (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=592).
Well, there is the fact that Reynir spotting something moving is what led them to check out the clinic remains in Amalienborg, which led to them discovering the serum bottles, which is what led to Mikkel to go to the fort, which is what set the Murderghosts after them.
That said, there's every possibility they would have checked out the clinic anyway even without Reynir being there.
Hmm, good point. I hadn't thought of it like that. Of course, they did go into the Amalienborg clinic later, anyway, chasing down Leaftroll after it attacked them. And Leaftroll was kind of Lalli's fault (or, indirectly, Onni's. Or, even more indirectly, Grandma Ensi's.)
And of course one has to wonder how much of the whole situation is due to the nudging and prompting of the Minnaverse gods, since I'm sure they are no more impressed with the Rash than are the humans.
As someone pointed out in the comments... Lalli could've choked. Especially if he'd surprise inhaled, which would've been a very natural reaction.
Man, for someone who doesn't think any of this is Reynir's fault I'm building a really good case against him :))
yeah, but cold weather can also weaken your immune system, right? and you can also get a cold from different places than people.Studies indicate that cold weather has no discernible affect on the immune system. The only health issue directly caused by cold that I am aware of is hypothermia.
Studies indicate that cold weather has no discernible affect on the immune system. The only health issue directly caused by cold that I am aware of is hypothermia.
yeah, but cold weather can also weaken your immune system, right? and you can also get a cold from different places than people.
Well, most virus can't survive outside a host for long; so even if colds can be transmited from animal to persons, well, you still need some host to come near Tuuri.
you can also get a cold from different places than people.
but couldn't it be carried on animals? Like the cats or the dog?The only dog I can recall was the dog-beast, and Emil dealt with it months ago, comic-time (as far as I can tell). Mama cat died the same day, so any viruses she might have passed on would likely have run their course by this time. Same with Kitty. Plus, anti-Rash hygiene protocols may have the side effect of preventing a number of more mundane illnesses.
That's interesting. I'd think that it would have some affect on the immune system, given that it's quite common to get a runny nose when out in the cold. That might be an effect directly on the sinuses rather than on the immune system as a whole?The runny nose is actually caused by moisture in the air - iiiiiffff I'm remembering correctly, your nose will humidify any air that you breathe in to help keep your lungs moist. When it's colder, the temperature difference between your body and the outside means the water condenses in your nose, giving you a runny nose.
It does seem to be "common knowledge" (whether true or not) that being in the cold has some effect on getting a cold.
The runny nose is actually caused by moisture in the air - iiiiiffff I'm remembering correctly, your nose will humidify any air that you breathe in to help keep your lungs moist. When it's colder, the temperature difference between your body and the outside means the water condenses in your nose, giving you a runny nose.
Oh, I am so hoping Mikkel isn't trying to palm off responsibility for dealing with an infected Tuuri onto the quarantine facility. Sigrun I would expect to deal with it, but Mikkel might just try to wash his hands of the issue.
Glad to see the ghosts are still hanging around.
You may be the only one.
They should like, put a "no loitering" sign on the cat tank to keep the ghosts away.
Results of that would depend on whether the ghosts were the remains of bureaucrats or of proponents of civil disobedience. The latter it might actually attract.
fightfightfightfight
I'm starting to wonder how the people in the office are going to react to this:
Scenario 1: They wait it out to not break the quarantine
Sigrun:*ear stuck against door* I wish we had a hint on who's winning.
*huge explosion that takes out the back half of the tank*
Sigrun:That doesn't exactly narrow it down.
Scenario 2: Mikkel goes to the back via outside to stop the fight
Mikkel: I could use some reinforcements over here.
Sigrun: What's happening, can't break a fight involving my right-hand warrior and one and a half mages?
Mikkel: I was able to break the fight with ease. But Reynir's braid now needs to be completely redone.
Want-to-see fanart: Sigrun and Mikkel struggling to re-braid Reynir's hair.
Lalli and Emil struggling to rebraid Reynir's hair, all of them sporting grazes and bruises, with Mikkel supervising.You guys know that there's a thread (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=64.0) for that, right?
I'm starting to wonder how the people in the office are going to react to this:
Scenario 1: They wait it out to not break the quarantine
Sigrun:*ear stuck against door* I wish we had a hint on who's winning.
*huge explosion that takes out the back half of the tank*ii
Sigrun:That doesn't exactly narrow it down.
Scenario 2: Mikkel goes to the back via outside to stop the fight
Mikkel: I could use some reinforcements over here.
Sigrun: What's happening, can't break a fight involving my right-hand warrior and one and a half mages?
Mikkel: I was able to break the fight with ease. But Reynir's braid now needs to be completely redone.
Looney_DAC, I took one look, saw my immortal, and ran.
Not again. Never again.
I believe that was my fault. Sorry!Maybe go back and put the horror of horrors in a spoiler. Apparently not everyone can safely skim past it.
(not sorry!)
I believe that was my fault. Sorry!It's okay, I immediately sent it to a friend. I'm not one to suffer alone when My Immortal is involved :))
(not sorry!)
I'm also wondering about the logic of leaving the three youngest members of the crew isolated from the voice(s) of reason when none of them can verbally communicate with each other, and when 2 of them are not in a very good place mentally.
Emils way of "Calming" Reynir reminds me of a scene from the movie Airplane.I laughed more of this than I should have
Under spoiler for space saving.Spoiler: show
I laughed more of this than I should haveYou should see the movie, it's full of scenes like this and word puns.
Emils way of "Calming" Reynir reminds me of a scene from the movie Airplane.
Under spoiler for space saving.Spoiler: show
I wonder who Lalli calls the 'stupid one'I thought maybe it was more like a demotion for Reynír—"you're even stupider than I thought."
You can't have really stupid without stupid after allI bet it's Emil
I thought maybe it was more like a demotion for Reynír—"you're even stupider than I thought."That's very possible, it has happened to me before and Lalli seems to be less into (stupid and annoying) people than I am.
I start to worry about Onni in real.... how much days passed already?
He and Pastor A are away having a nice kaffeeklatsch somewhere, and he's playing the kantele for her and everything is lovely.
Or not.
I'm glad that Lalli has figured out Reynir really needs to tell him something, and that he's going to do something to accomplish this. I was afraid at first that Lalli was just pushing Reynir out of the room.
A failure to recognize that communication a) was necessary and b) hasn't happened has caused this team huge amounts of problems on this trip already -- including the problem with the troll that got under the truck.
I wonder who Lalli calls the 'stupid one'
You can't have really stupid without stupid after allI bet it's Emil
Also, god I hope Onni is okay. My poor little heart can't take this!!Look at the bright side he might get a new haircut for free
I wonder if Reynir has any idea he gets ripped on like this?
Also, god I hope Onni is okay. My poor little heart can't take this!!
And you know... coma isn't that bad in real.... when there are NO VÄSTERSTRÖM DEVILS AROUNDI wonder: Could the daily visits of that "doctor" Torbjörn's referring to be affordable because he happens to be the doctor's father?
A theory concerning Onni's condition:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_paganism#Soul (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_paganism#Soul)
It could be that his condition is directly linked to the exertion of his luonto, the result being comparable to his luonto "leaving him", or in this case, in retreat to lick its wounds and gather strength.
He is physically healthy because his henki was not touched, but he's basically soul-less right now and as long as his luonto is recovering in the dreamworld.
That is one annoyed looking cat.Bosse is always looking grumpy.
I hope just annoyed by being carried around by the kids; not because of sensing something wrong going on.
Wait, are we actually going to get some information on the Tragic Hotakainen Backstory™?
if we at least learn a smidge about why the trio of cousins had to leave Saimaa, I'll be pretty stoked.On the next page: A more distant shot of the three Hotakainens with backpacks walking out through a bite mark in a collapsed, smoldering palisade wall, with Onni saying "... and we will not start this discussion again before we have reached Keuruu and are safe again, understand?" >:D
I really love the scenery, is Finland really like that?
I really love the scenery, is Finland really like that?
Lalli isn't really that young anymore in this page. Means: either his grandma has outlived her sons and their wives, or all of them died not even THAT long ago. Also, if the parents are still alive in this, that means Juha, Jukka, Anne-Mari and Tuulikki were ALL non-immune.I took it to mean that all of the parents were non-immune, but them being dead is a possibility, as they aren't present. We don't know the full circumstances.
Or am I missing something?
I've been interpreting this page (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=383) as meaning that both sets of parents were dead, even when they lived in Saimaa. Notice how Tuuri jumps from Onni to Ensi. She doesn't ask about Lalli's parents.
Well, there goes my "Tuuri is secretly immune" theory - unless her parents are in on the conspiracy.
And it seems Onni isn't neurotic because of whatever tragedy drove them to Keuruu - he's just naturally neurotic :))
Eeeeeeh, I'm not sure that "being appalled at the suggestion that you steal a boat and take your baby sister into lake-beast-infested waters to visit a troll-infested island" necessarily qualifies as "neurotic." If nothing else, Onni--who is probably at least twelve by this point? I'm guessing closer to fourteen?--knows perfectly well who would be blamed for such an escapade, assuming they stayed alive long enough to get caught.
Okay, now it looks like Tuuri in scratching the top of her back with both hands... not liking this at all...Or just tucking her hands behind her head in a relaxed or casual sort of way. (She may or may not be feigning being relaxed.) I've done it before, usually while lying down.
Okay, now it looks like Tuuri in scratching the top of her back with both hands... not liking this at all...
Given that she was shown to be sitting right next to Kitty, who was visibly relaxed, I don't think we have anything to worry about quite yet.
...then again, we have yet to get any confirmation of exactly when cats start reacting. When the person first develops a rash? When they first start mutating? Or not until they become a full-blown troll?
...I'm not doing a very good job of selling this, am I?
Okay, now it looks like Tuuri in scratching the top of her back with both hands... not liking this at all...I've been doing this exact thing because I have a rash on my back. I'll call you if I start feeling the urge to cApitalize raNdoM leTTERS
I've been doing this exact thing because I have a rash on my back. I'll call you if I start feeling the urge to cApitalize raNdoM leTTERS
Yay the Cattank is getting closer and closer to my home, but now the question is if the crew drive north or west to get to where the Icelandic ship will pick them up
How do you know where they are driving to, do you recognise the bridge?
I am so lost...
I'm kind of surprised that all the traffic is on only one side. I'd have expect the fleeing populace to have used both sides.
Of course, then the Cat-tank couldn't drive on the bridge.
there was such a traffic jam that people ran out of gas, and once enough cars had done so that it was clear the lane wasn't moving, people climbed out and walked.
Yeah, petrol runs out astonishingly fast in a disaster. As does everything. Most cities might have as much as a week's provision on hand for their population, and many not even that. So people might abandon cars and walk. Also, we don't know yet how fast trollification can take place once it starts. So maybe someone has their sick kid in the car, maybe concealing their illness because surely there will be better medical help wherever they are going, or not realising or admitting that it is the Rash, and they are sitting in that traffic jam when the troll reaches over from the back seat and tears their head off....... Imagine how fast the rest of the queue could be out of their cars and running if that happened.
Plus, as you mentioned, there might well be armed police or military trying to control the exodus.
I'm more curious about what made everyone abandon their cars there. Having the traffic on just one side can be explained if they were convinced that aid is coming in - in that case they would keep one side free for incoming traffic, since it's likely that not everyone cold evacuate, so there were vulnerable people left behind. (Or, if you want a darker and even more convincing reason, imagine armed military at both ends of that bridge directing traffic. It's not unlikely that it got there at some point.) But... why all the abandoned cars?
Yeah. I can imagine scenarios in which people would have left the other lane clear; and I can imagine scenarios in which they either abandoned their cars, or died in them. I'm having trouble imagining one in which both of those things happened.
The other possibility is that both lanes were blocked at the time of the exodus, but that at some later date, say during a Danish Reclamation attempt, vehicles were removed by the military so they could get their own vehicles through. And since the team is heading to one of the Reclamation attempt ports, according to the Home Crew, having already been through the last stand point of Copenhagen, it's likely the Danish Army did some bridge clearing in addition to airport clearing, etc. at that time.
Because traffic was backed up/stopped. Ether from a checkpoint/wreck/ or it just being clogged. So people felt instead of waiting for hours abandoning their cars was faster. And with the influx of reanimated monstrosities I'd abandon my car to in that situation.
I'm kind of surprised that all the traffic is on only one side. I'd have expect the fleeing populace to have used both sides.I'm afraid that you'll have to take the situation shown as symbolic, rather than a photographic reproduction. :3 For starters, the actual Nye Lillebæltsbro has three lanes per direction:
Well, let's see. It hasn't got a gas tank.That's not a given. While the actual propulsion system is electric, the batteries are recharged by a multifuel (i.e., combustion) engine + generator. And all the fuels Minna mentioned as acceptable happened to be flammable liquids.
That's not a given. While the actual propulsion system is electric, the batteries are recharged by a multifuel (i.e., combustion) engine + generator. And all the fuels Minna mentioned as acceptable happened to be flammable liquids.
If they abandon that tank they abandon the radio, which means tuuri will never get to say goodbye to onni.
:(
NO ONES DYING!
Onni is recuperating and Tuuri doesn't have the rash yet.
yetThose negative waves of yours won't be helping you anytime soon.
Those negative waves of yours won't be helping you anytime soon.Pardon me while I squee over the Kelly's Heroes reference.
/>
I fear I'm going to dream all night about the crew having to sleep without a roof, on the road, surrounded by trolls and murderous ghosts (and Tuuri not being able to say goodbye to Onni, but no one's dying, right?? so that part's just our imagination, right???)
Well, there's been some speculation that if a being trollifies or grosslingificates, then they get a ... sort of soul presence in the Dreamworld. Like Cthulhund. So, if Tuuri trollifies, her soul could go huntdownup Onni in the Dreamworld, and they could have their goodbyes then. See? Problem solved. O_O
I'm thinking of something. Several fanfics that have the crew catching the ship have a mage onboard the ship. But if there is one on the canon boat, and that boat departed in late Chapter 12, how much time before that mage is able to go say hi to Lalli and/or Reynir? Especially since we may be looking at someone who feels comfortable crossing bigger distances than Reynir.
Also, on a personal level, I suspect that the loss of his fylgja is temporarily impeding Reynir's ability to communicate via dreamspace in some way.
Can Norse magic users even lose their fylgja?
It seems that many interpreted pages 717 and 718 as exactly that happening, and I'm among them until we know more.... frankly, I cannot see a fylgja getting truly separated from its owner with a huge smile on its face. That's a bad thing to happen to a human's protecting spirit and embodiment of his luck.
That's what I get for speculating with about zero knowledge of Norse mythology. Maybe it's just taking some sort of break from work, then.*braces herself for the replies of those who know the material*
Still wondering about hypothetical mages that could be on the Icelandic rescue boat and their capacity to reach those on the expedition, though.
Still wondering about hypothetical mages that could be on the Icelandic rescue boat and their capacity to reach those on the expedition, though.The unknown factor there is how much of a preestablished link needs to be between the mages for them to find each other in the dreamscape. Lalli saw Reynir at a distance, but Reynir didn't see him until after they had made real-world contact. Next thing, Reynir "visited" Lalli in his haven, got treedirected - and chanced on Onnis haven, which he recognized from Tuuris family photo, effectively skipping over all the mages that must've been between Amager and Keuruu. (Yes, yes, officially no mages in post-Rash Denmark and Sweden, but there's still a bit of Finland on the trajectory and if Onni can show up in Mora unannounced, don't tell me that established travel itineraries to and from Finland will not be used by the occasional noita.)
The unknown factor there is how much of a preestablished link needs to be between the mages for them to find each other in the dreamscape. Lalli saw Reynir at a distance, but Reynir didn't see him until after they had made real-world contact. Next thing, Reynir "visited" Lalli in his haven, got treedirected - and chanced on Onnis haven, which he recognized from Tuuris family photo, effectively skipping over all the mages that must've been between Amager and Keuruu. (Yes, yes, officially no mages in post-Rash Denmark and Sweden, but there's still a bit of Finland on the trajectory and if Onni can show up in Mora unannounced, don't tell me that established travel itineraries to and from Finland will not be used by the occasional noita.)
From what I understand (via http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87)), most Icelandic seiður operate more in the realms of prophetic dreaming and casting of spells via runes, and may not have grasped the concept that any strangers they see may be other mages, let alone manipulate the phenomenon as a method of regular communication.
I agree with JoB. In the sagas, the loss of Fylgja is usually a far more serious affair, distressing to both parties. It happens in rare instances where the behaviour of the human has so disgusted their fylga that she abandons them. Those people, when they die, can become the Icelandic style of evil ghost, quite material, capable of killing humans and other things, and very willing to do so. The kind that turns up in the Sagas, and in the rune list there is one to be used 'When troublesome ghosts/ ride the rafters aloft/ I can make it so that they wander astray'.I also think his disappearance was more a dramatic exit than a sinister development. He had delivered his message so it was time for the vision to end.
But usually the Luck doesn't leave a human until death.
That said, Onni did comment that Icelandic mages blundering into people's havens is "something they just do" (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=330). Whether the seiður in question realise the people yelling at them are Finnish mages as opposed to particularly obtuse visions is another matter entirely :)*imagines future!Reynír bawling out a more experienced colleague for charging through a noita's haven…only to find that they had no idea what they were doing*
Whether the seiður in question realise the people yelling at them are Finnish mages as opposed to particularly obtuse visions is another matter entirely :)Seiðkona [barging into Nordic Council meeting]: "I had a vision that we're going to discover a tribe of survivors, if amazingly rude and on the brink of losing their sanity, somewhere East of Sweden! We need to send an expedition at once to get them out of that barren place!"
Hi, ehm, is it all right if I slightly change the subject?
I'd just like to check if anybody else is quietly freaking out in an imaginary corner about the one week break and wondering what horrible, marvellous, still HORRIBLE things Minna might be drawing right now?! I mean, what kind of huge, man-eating thing would require something like 9 pages in a row just to wreak havoc? Or am I being a pessimist here? Maybe it's just 9 pages of a raging surprise party in the town (wait, that sounds just as scary)?
Do you think that, whatever it is, it's gonna take place during Emil's and Lalli's shopping trip?Or is Reynir going to have some more of his weird magical journeys?Spoiler: show
Sorry for the bursting into the thread, I'm merely looking for a way to hold on until next week @__@
I think we've all been panicking. At least for me, this being the busiest time of my working year, I haven't much free time in which to panic! I guess we could always distract ourselves with making art, fanfic, cosplay or just conversation. Ironically, I won't have a chance to actually see the first new page next week, at least not until very late in the evening, since that is the day I have a garden club visiting my garden, and I'm still clearing up storm damage.
that is the day I have a garden club visiting my gardenYie. Good luck keeping your garden unclubbed ...
I guess the question about Tuuri now is: IS she infected?Having the progression of Tuuris infection mirrored in how Kitty reacts to her presence would be a very good reason to work on the pages depicting it en bloc. Since Kitty cannot speak, it would all need to be mirrored in body stance, which is something that might necessitate revising the pages to death ... just sayin'.
Another question is: what the hell is Reynir doing right now?! Is he having a major freakout somewhere in the tank? Or is he bursting into everybody's dreams through the whole Scandinavia, just kicking doors open and screaming?That would be, well, panicking. With no hope to improve anything with it. No other mage has experience with murderghosts (yet), no Danes (who might know about A) who are mages, etc..
I guess the question about Tuuri now is: IS she infected? If she's not, great. If she is, how is she going to be cured (because I'm in denial and refuse to consider the idea she can't)?
Having the progression of Tuuris infection mirrored in how Kitty reacts to her presence would be a very good reason to work on the pages depicting it en bloc.
My theory (which I've brought up before) is a combination of the old vaccine (kills the disease but casts the soul out of the body) and Finnish magery (guiding the soul back into the body long before it can become an insane murder ghost) would work.
No no no no no no no no no!
(Obligatory no no kitty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKI-tD0L18A))
Probably a bit of a mixture of Finnish and Norse magic in reality, but likely Norse as well because Norse has a bit more to do with medicine than Finnish. Mikkel mentioned a spiritual healer during the hospital getaway. http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=616
The Disease pretty much corrupts T H E S O U L as well.The rash destroys your humanity, thats why they get confused and family members can't reach them anymore. Because they lose the essence of who they are.
Sounds like Dark Souls.
Sooooo... I've been re-reading things...Funny enough I have seen on page 307 that reynir says 'he can fix the glass' might be hinting at him helping her.
Was minna foreshadowing Turri getting hurt way back on page 189?
So Emil has apparently sensed that Reynir, growing depressed, is vulnerable to being toppled from the position of Overly Optimistic Cinnamon Roll. With great cunning he has schemed to usurp the position by exploiting the friendshipping tendencies of the Minnions...How incredibly devious of him...do we want him to succeed?
How incredibly devious of him...do we want him to succeed?I suppose we do, even though he would make a very scary Overly Optimistic Cinnamon Roll, what with the explosives and flamethrowers and all.
On the other, I hope he doesn't lash out at Emil again for things that are not his fault.
Emil was being pretty insensitive by saying that they're both going to be happier now thanks to their friendship to someone who was facing the encroaching death of a family member. This is far worse than the soup incident, when even though Minna had shown the readers what Lalli was so upset about it was painfully clear that Emil had no clue, nor any means to get a clue before Lalli lashed out at him. This, though... even foot-in-the-mouth Emil should have known better than to say something like that! No, he doesn't deserve a physical lashing-out, but I am very glad that Lalli is at least trying to set him straight.
So I take it you've never seen people say "it's gonna be okay" to comfort others or themselves, even in situations where nobody had any idea if things will be okay, or horrible? It's actually a pretty natural and common thing
Right now, we don't know if Tuuri is infected (even though half the comment section started to mourn her as soon as she got bitten)Tuuri accepted it as a possibility when talking with Reynir, and all canon knowledge we have about the Illness suggests that with non-immune, it doesn't stop short of a 99+% "possibility", no matter how much it is in Tuuri's character to stay an optimist.
all canon knowledge we have about the Illness suggests that with non-immune, it doesn't stop short of a 99+% "possibility"
Can you point me to where in canon we learned this, please? This is not my impression, but of course it's possible I'm missing something.There's a classification of grosslings into the infection vectors they may use here (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=437). Since the one in question was obviously not a "breather", we're talking about its teeth, some other body part, or its spit having gotten under Tuuri's skin. She had a wound in her shoulder that had bled right through her jacket in the mere seconds it took Lalli to get inside; if it had been only spit that hit her (and the wound was caused by flying debris or somesuch instead), she would have removed the contaminated jacket as fast as she could, hoping to have it off her before the germs make it to the inside. So, we can take for granted that Tuuri had actually some troll in her flesh.
No, it's not like anyone has said "on screen" that you have x% of probability of infection per sq in of wound surface left by a troll, or that even a pin prick, if only deep enough, is a death sentence.
He definitely looks mad enough to lash out, even angrier than last time. He's had nobody to vent to and no way to deal with his anger and frustration. He can't talk to Tuuri because she doesn't want herself or Lalli to worry, and there's no-one else who even speaks his language. Lashing out is imminent. Emil doesn't deserve it though; he's just trying to help, even if he's being somewhat naive about it. Lalli really needs someone to cry to.
Thank you, that's what I wanted to hear ;) I'll go by what Mikkel says here for now: http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=660... yeah, because him saying outright that he's worried about the effect on morale is such a clear sign that he speaks nothing but the full truth there ...
Most real viral and bacterial illnesses work similarly, too.Sorry, no, they don't. There's not a single real world illness, including the products of military laboratories, that stands a chance of wiping out 99.9+% of humanity in the way shown with the Rash. (Release a B weapon and then start persistent suppressing artillery fire against efforts to have it contained and you might get close to that in the designated target region.) Considering that the dead stop to be infectious within hours - that's faster than some of the deceased's tissues will be fully dead, for crying out loud! -, the Rash needs to have a truly unprecedented success rate at infecting more victims to do what it did.
We cannot, however, determine from this that contact with a vector results in a 99% chance of getting infected, or 70% or 30%. All we know is it's non-negligible.
So I take it you've never seen people say "it's gonna be okay" to comfort others or themselves, even in situations where nobody had any idea if things will be okay, or horrible? It's actually a pretty natural and common thing, if illogical. Sometimes literally the only thing that keeps people going is hope in a positive outcome (no matter how unlikely). Right now, we don't know if Tuuri is infected (even though half the comment section started to mourn her as soon as she got bitten) so they may in fact still be all happy and okay come summer. Emil is pointing out a possible outcome. And he's doing it because he hopes to help his friend feel better. Can't see how he deserves to be "set straight" over this.
Also, just thought of something while writing this down: remember how some of us supected mage powers could let Lalli and/or Reynir know whether Tuuri is infected or not before she actually shows symptoms?
Um... why do you think I reacted like that? I most emphatically do not want to hear someone tell me "It's gonna be okay" in a situation where it it painfully clear that it is NOT, I don't care how close they are to me. I've also seen multiple other people react badly to hearing others offer platitudes or silver linings at a time when everything was falling apart. So yes, Emil very much does need to be set straight, because no matter how much he's trying, it's clear that his attempt at offering platitudes was incredibly painful for Lalli, and if he's not corrected, he is going to keep hurting Lalli, which I am sure he doesn't want to do.
ETA: Kindly do not make assumptions as to what I have or haven't seen or experienced. Because yes, I might very well be reacting on the basis of personal experience.
It's possible that the disease has changed significantly in 90 years. However: we do know that it wiped out most of the population of the world in a matter of weeks or months. That implies not only a near-100% rate of dying or trollifying once infected, but an astonishingly high chance of getting infected in the first place.
Good job making it all about you and your preferences. I just wanted to discuss the comic, not become your punching bag because I don't share your views on "platitudes". I won't further discuss this with you.
Something like this maybe
(https://68.media.tumblr.com/a84047624de20bc59958438544c0d578/tumblr_oqxytk2x8u1wq1imjo1_1280.jpg)
??? 0=)
(wow, it feels like ages since I arted that one)
TL; DR. Short version: when trying to comfort someone, please remember that people are different, and that to be effective comfort needs to suit the one being comforted.
TL; DR. Short version: when trying to comfort someone, please remember that people are different, and that to be effective comfort needs to suit the one being comforted.
Yeah, or you can accept that you don't hold the "okay-ness" of the future, but offer your help and support for whatever that comes.This is a great way to put it, and offers something to say when nothing positive can be said about the situation itself. As an awkward person myself, thank you :)
I was only arguing with the idea that Emil needs to be somehow punished for not getting it right, despite his heart being in the right place.
I was only arguing with the idea that Emil needs to be somehow punished for not getting it right, despite his heart being in the right place. I think we could all do with a bit more of "appreciating the intent behind an awkward yet friendly gesture" (though I don't exactly expect it of Lalli at this point, of course). But, to each their own, and I know it's possible to be annoyed with a well-meaning gesture, despite yourself. I'm sorry I seem to have opened such a long and unpleasant conversation, and managed to convey something different than I intended, to boot.
Where ever did I say that Emil needs to be "punished" for not getting it right? I said Emil needs to be set straight so he doesn't do it again...
... but I wonder, who would set him straight? Not Lalli. Sigrun doesn't meddle in those problems. Tuuri doesn't do "straight". Mikkel wouldn't understand Lalli's concerns. Your only possibility is Minna, and she won't do it magically, but by slooooow and painful character growth.
Peace out.
So Emil has apparently sensed that Reynir, growing depressed, is vulnerable to being toppled from the position of Overly Optimistic Cinnamon Roll. With great cunning he has schemed to usurp the position by exploiting the friendshipping tendencies of the Minnions...
Snip
This is pretty much exactly what I saw in the scene. Emil's screwing up big-time, and Lalli's perfectly within his rights to act as he is.
There are Lalli-bashers? I'm glad I don't read the comments.
I think you're missing an important point: you, as a reader, have way more information than Emil.
For all that Emil knows, Lalli is only worried about Tuuri. He has no idea about the whole "Sleipnir will chase you to the end of the Earth and go after your family" thing, because the only two people who are aware of that are Reynir and Lalli, neither of which are able to communicate well on that subject with other crewmembers (let alone with Emil with whom they share no language).
I think you're missing an important point: you, as a reader, have way more information than Emil.
For all that Emil knows, Lalli is only worried about Tuuri.
I think you're missing an important point: you, as a reader, have way more information than Emil.
For all that Emil knows, Lalli is only worried about Tuuri. He has no idea about the whole "Sleipnir will chase you to the end of the Earth and go after your family" thing, because the only two people who are aware of that are Reynir and Lalli, neither of which are able to communicate well on that subject with other crewmembers (let alone with Emil with whom they share no language).
Emil's just trying to point out that not everything is dark and desparate, and things might get better later on. What else can he do? Tell Lalli everything sucks but that's life and Lalli just needs to toughen up? Pretend there's nothing wrong with Lalli and ignore his depressive manifestations? He can't "listen and learn" here, there's a language barrier. Given the situation, I don't see what else he could do.
He doesn't need a "good reason" not to be friend with someone — that's a weird thing too; you can only step out of a friendship if the other person is being a jerk?? Well not for me, if I want to walk out, I walk out, and I don't have to give any reason for doing so.
Emil's just trying to point out that not everything is dark and desparate, and things might get better later on. What else can he do?
I today's page, I can't help notice that the flower got crushed be the very piece of glass that was providing it with a greenhouse effect just moments ago. It almost seems to parallel what's happening with their relationship at the moment.
Ok, but the real question is: Will this stop the Lalli and Emil shippers? Can they be stopped?
Ok, but the real question is: Will this stop the Lalli and Emil shippers? Can they be stopped?
Ok, but the real question is: Will this stop the Lalli and Emil shippers? Can they be stopped?
Ok, but the real question is: Will this stop the Lalli and Emil shippers? Can they be stopped?Oh, hell no!
Ok, but the real question is: Will this stop the Lalli and Emil shippers? Can they be stopped?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA no.
Ok, but the real question is: Will this stop the Lalli and Emil shippers? Can they be stopped?
Nothing will stop us.
Also, I think what is happening is just a classical turn of fictional relationships. What will come out of all the trouble and incomprehension will be a real, deep relationship (romantic or not, they can be "soulmates" either way). I mean, what they had until now was great, but it was something that happened, especially to Lalli, and it seemed like they were both not very sure what the other thought of them. They´ll definitely come out of the next, ehm, adventure (I´m looking at you, upcoming-9-consecutive-pages-of-hell) with a much better established relationship of mutual trust and understanding.
*puts down the Crystal Ball of Hope and covers face in desperation*
That said, I am so sad for them right now. As in, "getting up for breakfast, reading the new page and sulking into the porridge" sad. I´m looking forward to something positive for them all.
I agree. This kind of twist is extremely common, and the relationship almost always ends up stronger than it was before. If this had happened further in the story I would be afraid of the "lovers' fight right before one dies" trope, but I think we can all agree that Minna wouldn't do that. I think they're gonna be mad at each other for a while, end up together in a tough situation, get through it and realize they don't actually hate each other.
My theorizing; Turri really is a mage, and the stress from all this + possible depression is what's gonna bring out those magic abilities.
My rationale: nowhere before have we seen any implication about infected hearing things/voices and presumably, even if that were the case, it would likely come during the later stages of the infection well after the rash was evident, and mutations were beginning to occur.
Aahhh! Tuuri!! Aaah! O_O
Everyone seems to be assuming that Tuuri's hearing a voice coming from somebody/something else.
I took it for something coming from inside her own head.
I was under the impression that effect was meant to imply that she is starting to hear the black speech.
It's something new, because in the prologue, there was no troll around for those in the early stage of infection to hear.
If she was awakening to latent magic abilities, she would have nightmares and dreams first, if the example of Reynir's ancestor is any indication to go by.
She isn't going to die. I think. Maybe. Probably.
If anything she's just extra incentive for them to find a cure asap.
She isn't going to die. I think. Maybe. Probably.
If anything she's just extra incentive for them to find a cure asap.
That does seem like where her situation's going to push the plot for sure.Ditto, the cure+sudden need for said cure points that way.
My impression is that they will find a vial, or something to that effect, that let's them cure Tuuri but little more.I'm betting the cure might be in the church lady's church. It seems like said church will at least be important for ridding them of the whole murder-ghosts thing.
As such they can then come back to Iceland with something much more valuable than books - the possibility that out there, in the waning days of the last campaign, someone found a remedy to the plague, but in the disastrous retreat it was abandoned/destroyed/compromised.
So now they can have a second round of adventure, with better funding, to gather information and perhaps find the promising serum.
At least, this is what I interpret the ghost nurse tidbits to be a lead for.
The only problem with this theory is that I still firmly believe that the disease is of a metaphysical nature as well. So at best they will be able to find something that slows the physical symptoms, but not a complete and total cure. Save her body, but her soul might still get infected. Possibly she will then fall into a coma until Lalli and/or Reynir goes into her mind and save her magically as well.
I'm betting the cure might be in the church lady's church. It seems like said church will at least be important for ridding them of the whole murder-ghosts thing.
(btw, thank you Grand E Cat for that name. I hope you don't mind if I nick it)
Everyone seems to be assuming that Tuuri's hearing a voice coming from somebody/something else.
I took it for something coming from inside her own head.
The process may not be instantaneous -- maybe, as in at least some types of dementia, it sometimes starts with occasional brief interruptions of longer periods of clarity, with the times of clear-mindedness reducing in length and frequency as the illness progresses.
I can't read the Black Speech that's in that box but there's an 'Ø' in there. That's not a letter used in Finnish, Icelandic, or Swedish (the languages that Tuuri knows according to the Characters (http://www.sssscomic.com/index.php?id=characters) page. So whatever she's hearing, it's likely Danish.From what I can see it's danish, had it been norwegian it should have been "noen" instead of "nogen".
Also, Tuuri is a Skald. She should be documenting what happens to her so that other people can learn.
From what I can see it's danish, had it been norwegian it should have been "noen" instead of "nogen".
As for the black speech we can hear: "Help me" on p.736 and what seems to be "Can someone hear...." on p.737
From what I can see it's danish, had it been norwegian it should have been "noen" instead of "nogen".I can confirm your translations
As for the black speech we can hear: "Help me" on p.736 and what seems to be "Can someone hear...." on p.737
In reference to today's update
(http://www.lolcats.com/images/u/08/45/lolcatsdotcomksr87i8le7k6ilaq.jpg)
I can confirm your translations*Hands in the air*
Tuuri fails the Purrito test (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=738).On the bright side, dangers of a feral cat bite aren't that big of a problem comparatively.
I may cry.
The Rubiconem suum, the point of no return"Hic exanthema, hic salta! (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hic_Rhodus,_hic_salta)"
At least he seems to be taking it well, maybe better than Onni would.
Also:
- Extra Large Blanket Fort - Check
- Extra Pillows - Check
- Mead Moose - Present and Accounted For
- Extra Mead and Squirrel Cookies - Check
- Emergency Kittens - Check
- Crates of Tissues - Check
- Barrels of freshly sourced Denial - Check
- Life Boats (in case of torpedoed ships) - Check
I believe we are as ready for the mega update as we'll ever be...
Also:
...
• Several Hundred Pairs of Urgent Socks - Check
I believe we are as ready for the mega update as we'll ever be...
Did Reynir's fylgja poof out? I can't find that, only Onni's.The vision with the wheelbarrow tracks. Doggy takes a turn from the path, asks some invisible entity if it did good, and dissolves into little sparkles.
Pretty sure this means Reynir is going to die. I didn't think he would, given the whole word of mouth "no one will die" thing. But, y'know, I don't now how he's gonna avoid it with his Fylgja going poof. He might not have actually seen its corpse so I guess there's some sort of cliffhanger-y hope for the guy, but I don't know whatever else it could mean. In the Sagas, once your Fylgja dies, you're doomed and nothing can save you, you're halfway in the other world already.
No, I think the fylgja just went back to wherever it goes when not talking to Reynir. At least one of the innocents needs to survive.Fylgjas don't do that in the myth. They're always running ahead of their person, like a needle pulling a thread in a sort of Norse fatalism. They don't go anywhere until they die, they simply move on to the physical place where their human will go soon. I guess Minna could take some mythological liberties but I've never seen her do that so far in this comic. She's paid meticulous attention to mythological detail.
Fylgjas don't do that in the myth. They're always running ahead of their person, like a needle pulling a thread in a sort of Norse fatalism. They don't go anywhere until they die, they simply move on to the physical place where their human will go soon. I guess Minna could take some mythological liberties but I've never seen her do that so far in this comic. She's paid meticulous attention to mythological detail.It seems like it's done that before? I can't cite a source off the top of my head, but I feel like it usually vanishes like that as he wakes up.
Reynir has been separated from his dog multiple times in the dream world - actually they're more often apart than together (thinking about the incident when he invaded Lalli's space, for instance). I don't think it means much - his fylgja is probably with him all the time, just doesn't manifest unless it needs to communicate something. Lalli too has had his luonto all the time except when he was in a coma, but we don't see a lynx hanging out with him constantly.Luonto's and Fylgjas aren't the same. The way I understand the Luonto is it's basically part of ones self, an aspect of you sort to speak, we see Lalli literally absorbing his lynx in the comic and therefore we don't see it in his dreamworld - it's his nature. The Fylgja is a semi-separate entity. Fylgjas would naturally be apart from their masters (since they're running ahead of them) unless popping up in a dream to communicate. Even then, though, such messages would be very divinatory in nature and Minna has always shown Reynir following the dog. In fact, she has payed meticulous attention to the mythology - if this was any other author I wouldn't think much about it, but Minna knows the stuff she's writing about.
OK, I was not expecting that.I didn't take the single set of tracks seriously before but now...
I don't know why I wasn't expecting that. Minna killed off her entire original cast, after all, between page 55 and page 56 (though not onstage, and we're allowed to imagine them dying peacefully from old age if we want; though I don't suppose all of them did.)
But nevertheless, while I was sure from the page of the troll bite that she was infected, I expected something else to happen -- possibly, as lots of others have suggested, a combination of the serum and the preacher. And I thought the multipage update was going to be her starting to trollify, before they managed to get it stopped. This is better storytelling; but it's hard.
And I am now really worried about that one line of footprints with the wheelbarrow in Reynir's vision.
But brave Tuuri!
QUESTION FOR AN IGNORAMUS.
Can you trade a soul for a soul in finnish paganism? Like a life for someone dead.
I know shes gone, but I'm curious if that works.
Also in other news. Do you know how pissed off onni is gonna be at taru and or torbjorn when he wakes up.
O_O O_O O_O O_O O_O O_O
Anyone want come to Egypt with me? I hear De Nile is a lovely river.
It's 2am, I've been crying for 6 hours, and I want to hug a puppy and step out of time. And I missed Tuuri saying something like "I love you, brother" before leaving. And not even leaving a goodbye note for Lalli.
I was just thinking about that. The entire support crew better hope they don't get 'struck by lightning indoors'.
This is going to be just awful for the two surviving Hotaikenens. Onni will blame himself four times over (for not going when asked, for letting Tuuri go, for not intervening sooner in the battle and for not being able to do anything after it), Lalli will blame himself for not protecting Tuuri during the battle and not realising what she was thinking when she just spoke to him, and they'll likely blame each other for exactly the same reasons.
I'm calling it now. This comic is going to be a deathfest with Reynir being the third last to die.
QUESTION FOR AN IGNORAMUS.
Can you trade a soul for a soul in finnish paganism? Like a life for someone dead.
I know shes gone, but I'm curious if that works.
Also in other news. Do you know how pissed off onni is gonna be at taru and or torbjorn when he wakes up.
O_O O_O O_O O_O O_O O_O
I think what's hitting me the hardest over the last few pages is that for me, and maybe many of us, Tuuri was the one who deep down we all identified with. Sure, we might wish we were as badass as Sigrun or as worldly-wise as Mikkel. But when it came to it, it was Tuuri who was closest to us and it was through her eyes we saw the world of SSSS. When she was peering from the train window hoping to catch a glimpse of her first troll, we were right there over her shoulder, eager to see what the Rash done. When she stood in awe of the ruins of the old world, so did we, although we were more impressed by Minna's artistic skills. Her inexperience, curiosity, and yes, ill-founded optimism were ours too. And unlike Reynir, the comic's other 'green' character, who nearly had a heart attack when he learned where he'd pitched up, she couldn't wait for the next adventure, for the next discovery. Just like us, eagerly hitting F5 for that next updated page. So it feels not just like we've lost a beloved character - for me, at least, it almost feels like I've lost a piece of myself.
I don't know if that actually makes much sense. After all, I didn't get much sleep last night. Can't imagine why... ::)
I'm a little unsettled about condoning her suicide, though, it must be said. Yes, she is terminally ill and wanted to leave on her own terms, I get that. But her clear-eyed and rational expression does not jibe with the spontaneous act of this suicide without preparation, it somehow bothers me.
I think what's hitting me the hardest over the last few pages is that for me, and maybe many of us, Tuuri was the one who deep down we all identified with. Sure, we might wish we were as badass as Sigrun or as worldly-wise as Mikkel. But when it came to it, it was Tuuri who was closest to us and it was through her eyes we saw the world of SSSS. When she was peering from the train window hoping to catch a glimpse of her first troll, we were right there over her shoulder, eager to see what the Rash done. When she stood in awe of the ruins of the old world, so did we, although we were more impressed by Minna's artistic skills. Her inexperience, curiosity, and yes, ill-founded optimism were ours too. And unlike Reynir, the comic's other 'green' character, who nearly had a heart attack when he learned where he'd pitched up, she couldn't wait for the next adventure, for the next discovery. Just like us, eagerly hitting F5 for that next updated page. So it feels not just like we've lost a beloved character - for me, at least, it almost feels like I've lost a piece of myself.
I don't know if that actually makes much sense. After all, I didn't get much sleep last night. Can't imagine why... ::)
Oh wow. I should not have read that at work because now I just want to sit here and cry but I'm at work at my desk and I can't just start bawling. Right? Agh. I don't know if I can do this. Wow. I don't think I've ever been hit so hard by a character death in my life.
WAIT. HOW IS LALLI GOING TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE OTHERS NOW??????
It's funny when it comes to 'Lalli at least can talk with Reynir in dreams'
But. Reynir can talk only with Mikkel
And Mikkel's scandinavian can be understood normaly only by Sigrun
So. If Lalli would want to say something to Emil, those words should at first come though Reynir - then Mikkel - then Sigrun - and only then they'll reach Emil
Well...
*pat pat*
*screams into the void*
I will not cry at work. I will not cry at work. I will not cry at work. I will not cry at work. I will not cry at work.
Oh wow. I should not have read that at work because now I just want to sit here and cry but I'm at work at my desk and I can't just start bawling. Right? Agh. I don't know if I can do this. Wow. I don't think I've ever been hit so hard by a character death in my life.Same. Add: I will still get out the payroll, invoices, meeting catering, and submission updates I have on today without being a mess. I did do it, too (in between checking to the Disqus comments).
She's about to be a serious danger to everybody else in the group. She's not only protecting herself from becoming permanently trapped as a troll; she's protecting them from her trollself. It's a genuinely heroic action.
I remembered after posting last night that I'd been thinking earlier that, without the cattank, they'd have no way of dealing with a trollifying Tuuri. If the tank had still been functional, it might have been possible to lock her up in one part of it, or to tie her up, and in either case to haul her along without massively endangering the rest of them. But if they're walking? How would they possibly manage? The only thing I could think of was if they could keep her unconscious, either by dosing her with the serum (which I think produced a coma) or possibly if Mikkel's got medications that could accomplish that -- but whatever he's got must be a limited supply, and might be needed for some other emergency. And they don't actually have the serum, do they? They've only got information about it.
And as far as doing it suddenly: I don't suppose she knew exactly when she'd become dangerous. If she didn't tell the others, she'd be risking them all. If she did tell the others -- then what? Wouldn't one of them have had to kill her? Would Lalli have tried to keep her alive? Maybe she was envisioning Mikkel coming at her with a syringe full of whatever killed the mama cat and Lalli launching himself at Mikkel trying to stop it.
I do think she might have left Lalli a letter -- maybe tucked into her jacket. But again, I sometimes think the whole comic is about miscommunication. To have excellent communications suddenly appear at this point seems not entirely plausible.
ETA: Also, she had a pretty specific sign from her gods -- who, in that world, are unquestionably real. She says "I really thought [ . . . ] someone over there would be looking out for me." And she gets an answer: there's the swan. Someone over there is indeed looking out for her -- but that doesn't mean she's not going to die. It means they're ready and waiting to give her soul a ride to the next world. -- again, in the world of SSSS, that is real beyond question. Signs in this world that we're living in can't be trusted.
Vafhudr, a number of folklores contain such things, including the Egyptian, Celtic, Australian Aboriginal and Old Persian, but in all of them, it is a rare thing that only happens a few times in each mythos. Far more frequent is the transformation of the dead or dying person into something else which survives, be it a star, an island or some artifact or creature which can help their companions. I'm half expecting a little snowy owl to start turning up in Lalli's and Onni's dreams.
No, but the hero Väinämöinen traveled to Tuonela, the realm of the dead.He basically cursed any living person who would try to go to Tuonela once he returned though, correct? And he only went to learn spells, not drag anyone back from death Orpheus style. So I'm guessing that Roisin is correct and Tuuri's return in the comic will be a more symbolic presence than anything.
Now that I'm over that strange coincidence of mine, I had a really, really horrible thought. What if between the communication barrier and his current mood, Lalli can't even convey what happened correctly, and nobody connects the dots until they return to camp and notice Tuuri's discarded mask?
Now that I'm over that strange coincidence of mine, I had a really, really horrible thought. What if between the communication barrier and his current mood, Lalli can't even convey what happened correctly, and nobody connects the dots until they return to camp and notice Tuuri's discarded mask?
Even worse, what if Lalli tries to throw himself into the sea to follow his cousin?
I think you are right. At least, Minna's comments seem to indicate that Tuuri's presence in the story is far from over and she will have some sort of role in the upcoming arc, possibly one involving the spirit world in one way or another.
They would at least notice Tuuri is gone (Tuuri who has no business being outdoors unsupervised, let alone wander at a big distance from the camp alone) and know something Bad has happened.
Will they follow Lalli, who just ran past them screaming for help in a language none of them understand?
I was going to say that it seemed unlikely until I looked at the Finnish afterlife on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_paganism#Soul.2C_death.2C_and_the_afterlife).
And Tuuri did say she'd see Onni again.
I mean, this is Minna's exact line from the last page of the update's blog remarks:I was thinking that maybe she meant that we would see Tuuri in the sci-fi game Minna is making
"If it's any consolation, I'm sure we'll see Tuuri again one day in the future, one way or another."
I was thinking that maybe she meant that we would see Tuuri in the sci-fi game Minna is making
Is it inappropriate to post this?
Yes :D Some might think it's insensitive with regards to the comic, but my problem is that it's an ear worm. It's kinda nice and I also really want that ear bleach at the same time. Interesting music.
I was thinking that maybe she meant that we would see Tuuri in the sci-fi game Minna is making
I was thinking we'll see her in additional flashbacks. Maybe, like if we finally find out what happened to send the Hotakainens to Keuruu, or what Ensi's one mistake was.
Even better/additionally, we might see the afterlife for Finnish souls :D That's gotta be interesting.From what we saw in A Red Tails dream it looks kinda grim, which probably suits the Finns.
Even better/additionally, we might see the afterlife for Finnish souls :D That's gotta be interesting.It's a bunch of people sleeping beneath the surface of a giant lake covered with ice, so not really exciting.
Yes, at the first instance I thought so too, that Minna was just referring to City of Hunger.
However, we haven't seen Tuuri so far in that game. Maybe she's just doomed...
Is it inappropriate to post this?
I had a little trouble figuring out the right trope for the fact Lalli felt Tuuri die, and something interesting came out of it. At some point, I was self-debating on chaging "Psychic Link" to "Synchronization" which is basically the subtype where body sensations are shared. During that, I thought of the moment Tuuri got bitten. Let's be honest, that must have hurt, and I've just looked back at what is now the second saddest set of pages to see any signs of Lalli feeling it. And the only potential one I could see was the mere fact he suddenly realizes he should check inside the tank while his attention is on something else. It's giving me a not-very-happy second reading on the end of Chapter 13.
Well, something obviously did happen to catch his attention when she got bitten, because he left the fight, opened the tank, which would be an extremely counter-intuitive thing to do in the middle of a battle, and dashed in with rifle ready. That sort of subliminal awareness that something is happening to those close to you turns up in the lore of cultures all over the world, and quite often in real life.
A troll does make a fair amount of noise, and so does two non-immune people trapped with a troll. He might just have heard them
A troll does make a fair amount of noise, and so does two non-immune people trapped with a troll. He might just have heard themFrom what can be hinted on page 654. (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=654) with the sudden glowing eyes, Lalli is sensing it with his magic.
I thought Tuuri had been infected by the bullet that Lalli shot to kill the troll - it passed through the troll and hit Tuuri in the shoulder, thus passing the infected material into her, so Lalli has been depressed because he believes (and now knows) that he effectively killed his cousin.
I thought Tuuri had been infected by the bullet that Lalli shot to kill the troll - it passed through the troll and hit Tuuri in the shoulder, thus passing the infected material into her, so Lalli has been depressed because he believes (and now knows) that he effectively killed his cousin.
I firmly believe that if someone had told Onni about the attack, the power of his worrying alone could have kept Tuuri alive.
(too soon? I'm only half- joking :P )
Anyone want to lay odds that Pastor Lady and Reynir will be among the ones helping Onni visit?Wrong pantheon for pastor A to tango with, though ...
Wrong pantheon for pastor A to tango with, though ...
Minna's confirmed that it was a bite.
I think Lalli may well blame himself anyway, poor lad.
Reynir is also the only non-immune left on the crew. He may not survive the trip either.
I've actually thought of this around the time Tuuri got bitten, and I have the feeling that Emil is the only person in the entire crew with no obvious connection to the chain of events he can blame himself for:
Lalli --> everything mentioned above
Sigrun --> neglected her wound, missed the troll
Mikkel --> It did happen in the middle of the battle, but he could blame himself for not making sure he had gotten the troll Sigrun was talking about
Reynir --> Sigrun got wounded protecting him, he was in the room when it happened, he probably could have done something if he was better at magic and he basically lied to Onni after the fact
Yep, the guilt trip potential is strong for the following chapter.
Ssshhh. Lalala I'm not hearing youu ::)
Don't forget Mikkel --> stirred up those ghosts in the first place because he had to go after the serum right now, and didn't take Reynir's warnings seriously due to his open disdain for magic. (That is, assuming that seeing a giant flaming eagle burst out of Emil's flamethrower and fly around the battlefield was enough to convince him, but then again this is Mikkel, he's been known to be pretty pigheaded.)
Still room for Lalli, however undeservedly, to blain himself. I see it like this: in Copenhagen, Lalli didn't foresee the heavy snowfall, hence the flashback and the "I don't make mistakes" thing. So he finds a new way to the "safe" spot, a path where he exhausts his luonto self by almost killing all the trolls in the way, but not quite- leaftroll survives. But the process leaves him unconcious so he can't warn the team of the approaching danger. And so Sigruns arm get hurt. An injury that makes her miss creepy crawly troll in the big attack, so that it enters the cattank and bites Tuuri. I wonder if this chain of events will be brought up in the story?
But seriously, when it all boils down to it, it really is Mikkel's fault, though he has no idea, and would protest to the end of the world if you told him. All the other things could have happened, and Sigrun would've been bitten, and that would've been the end of it. But Mikkel stirred up the ghosts. Mikkel disdained the ghosts. And one of those ghosts became Sleipnope and followed them to Odense, herding the trolls before it. If Mikkel had listened to Sigrun... hell, if he'd listened to Reynir, Tuuri would not have died.
I think it's her own fault, honestly. Only an idiot expects to go into a warzone and not get shot at, and only a fool expects to go into an infested area and not get attacked by trolls.
What I think the real question is, though, is whether a long(possibly, Keuruu wouldn't be the first "secure" base to have fallen) life lived in utter boredom behind walls is better than a short life ending in a good death and a fine afterlife.
I think it's her own fault, honestly. Only an idiot expects to go into a warzone and not get shot at, and only a fool expects to go into an infested area and not get attacked by trolls. Now, the others tried to save her, but trying and failing isn't enough to be blamed(otherwise there's be a case to blame people like the inventor of the cat-tank and the nordic council representative who tried to prevent them from going whatsoever).
What I think the real question is, though, is whether a long(possibly, Keuruu wouldn't be the first "secure" base to have fallen) life lived in utter boredom behind walls is better than a short life ending in a good death and a fine afterlife.
I think it's her own fault, honestly. Only an idiot expects to go into a warzone and not get shot at, and only a fool expects to go into an infested area and not get attacked by trolls. Now, the others tried to save her, but trying and failing isn't enough to be blamed(otherwise there's be a case to blame people like the inventor of the cat-tank and the nordic council representative who tried to prevent them from going whatsoever).
What I think the real question is, though, is whether a long(possibly, Keuruu wouldn't be the first "secure" base to have fallen) life lived in utter boredom behind walls is better than a short life ending in a good death and a fine afterlife.
3. And a last thought on this, since I am just that kind of person (sorry): No one knows if Sigrun wouldn't have lead a party to Kastellet the next day as well. Checking some buildings for a possible cure wouldn't be a bad way to wait until the Scout woke up. If she ventured on a search, she would have needed to take Reynir with her (very unlikely) to get a warning about the ghosts. And even if that was the case, the things I said further up about the ghosts are still true.
Talimee, I think Minna made it fairly obvious in the art of that page that the ghosts followed their trampled tracks in the snow, but in many folktales hostile spirits track people by the scent of their warm blood or the feel of their living souls.
That is admittedly a possibility. But the point is that Sigrun never made that call, because Mikkel never gave her a chance to make that call, therefore the blame falls squarely on his shoulders.
I would not have taken it off his shoulders. I was merely following along alternative possibilities.
For the love of Odin, if you follow the trail long enough back, it's everyone's fault. Sigrun for ignoring her wound and not being able to stop crawley before it got into the tank, Lalli for leading them to the area where they first rattled one of Sleipnope's amagamate conciousness', Tuuri for accepting to go on this ridiculous mission, Mikkel for not hearing Sigrun out when she asked if he got the slithering one, Reynir for not being brave enough to stop the slither inside the tank, Emil... Can't actually think of something, but I'm sure there is something, the quartet for starting this ridiculous mission way underfunded, the Nordic Council of Search and Recovery for giving such a ridiculously small budget, that one member for losing his glasses, heck, even the Spanish guys for not being able to contain the Rash Illness.
Ultimately, if you go far enough, everyone is at fault for everything. We can't continue trying to find ways to blame the team
take a look at the footprints Tuuri left running down to the beach:
[img]
If somebody were to run a wheelbarrow through those, they would match the tracks in the dream almost exactly, I think.
Not unless the person running the wheelbarrow managed not to leave any tracks of their own while doing so. There's only one set of human tracks in the vision.
I'm not 100% sure who that is in the driver's seat to be honest... I mean I think it's Reynir,, like 99% sure based off the clothing, but the shading makes the hair look blonde. Also much shorter, almost like he cut his hair.
What's under the pyre/cairn? Did they actually retrieve a body? Or is that a memorial rite with no body, possibly using some of Tuuri's personal belongings?I don't think they got Tuuri's body back, even if they were able to retrieve it from the water it would almost certainly require someone to go swimming in the very cold sea water. And having anyone taking such a risk is not a good idea in their current situation.
I don't think they got Tuuri's body back, even if they were able to retrieve it from the water it would almost certainly require someone to go swimming in the very cold sea water. And having anyone taking such a risk is not a good idea in their current situation.Someone pointed this out in the comments (though I can't remember who), but it was a beach, so it's unlikely she jumped into deep water. The cold water most likely stunned her, and she was unable to get out of the shallow water, drowning.
Someone pointed this out in the comments (though I can't remember who), but it was a beach, so it's unlikely she jumped into deep water.
Someone pointed this out in the comments (though I can't remember who), but it was a beach, so it's unlikely she jumped into deep water. The cold water most likely stunned her, and she was unable to get out of the shallow water, drowning.
My guess is he's looking for Tuuri's soul to make sure it didn't get lost along the way. Not sure how much awareness he has over what happened with the Swan.That sounds like something he could be doing, but of course we can't be completely sure
The major problem I see is that the people heading for the pickup point would have no mage with them. But they'd have a troll detector in Kitty; and the ghosts, at least according to Reynir, seem to be fixed on Reynir and might well not go beyond the cattank once they catch up to it -- and the cattank is protected against them.
the cattank only offers very limited protection against that, especially when not defended by any fighter.
When the pickup people show, a larger crew goes backUmh. Says who? It took the quartet talking to their financers, the Icelandic government, to get that ship to lend any hand at all, weeks (if not months) later, remember? I don't think that the ship's crew will take any suggestions or orders from the rag tag band, much less such a risky one.
Umh. Says who? It took the quartet talking to their financers, the Icelandic government, to get that ship to lend any hand at all, weeks (if not months) later, remember? I don't think that the ship's crew will take any suggestions or orders from the rag tag band, much less such a risky one.
Is the pickup ship the same as the one that delivered the food, though?No, Túnfiskurinn certainly did not have a quarantine section aboard. It's a ship delivering merchandise to Bornholm - carrots and canned tuna at least - and the captain vowed to make things ugly if Trond ever contacted her again. Torbjörns wording (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=298) suggests that "the Icelanders" offered the quarantine ship without any arm-twisting.
Well, Reynir is an Icelandic citizen astray in the dangerous outside world. They'll want him back.
Only if they think he's important.
We're definitely seeing character development for Sigrun I think. She really is a lot more caring and attentive than people give her credit for, as shown by her picking up on what Lalli is trying to do and wanting to help him with it. She may not always be good at showing it, but she does care for the people under her command. Losing one of them has hit her hard and she's trying to not let the others see it, and whether or not thats a good idea is debatable.I mean, you don't get to be a captain by being a bad leader.
I'm pretty glad Mikkel got the clock out, poor Lalli looked like he was just about to get an aneurysm with everybody else discussing what to say in their own languages...
I can imagine that it'll be even harder for Onni and Emil's family to talk about anything regarding the mission. It seems that he saw Tuuri's spirit before he woke up, so he probably knows she's dead. The family only knows that she was infected, the radio probably died with the cattank, and they certainly show no signs of believing a single thing that Onni lives with as a mage.
But could they expect her to die so soon? Could any of them expect Onni to find out what's happened to her?
I doubt any of them are seriously expecting her to make it back to the ship.To the ship, shouldn't have been a problem. Onto the ship while already showing symptoms, much less back off a quarantine ship when infected at all, no.
To the ship, shouldn't have been a problem. Onto the ship while already showing symptoms, much less back off a quarantine ship when infected at all, no.eh, same end result
To the ship, shouldn't have been a problem. Onto the ship while already showing symptoms, much less back off a quarantine ship when infected at all, no.
We don't know whether the failed cure which created the murder ghosts was given to people who were only dying, however. It may have only been given to people who were trollifying.
But then, we also don't know whether there was a stage at which the people not yet infected could tell the difference.
I was just speculating; I agree we don't know just what the cats are detecting.
It was given to people who only had an early stage of the disease, as per Mikkel in Amalienborg, so it shouldn't have been apparent yet whether they were simply dying or trollifying. At least during the creation of the cure, the only indicator seems to have been the resilience of the infected.
I keep thinking of the safety measures in Mora - they had cats sniffing the luggage there, and it feels more likely to me that they were checking for traces of infection, e.g. in an infected person's clothes, than for, say, Rash beasts that got into the luggage or that someone might have tried smuggling into the safe zones. So I'd guess they can detect the Rash itself, not merely trollified creatures.
I was thinking perhaps the cats simply detect it by scent? Sure, there is likely some magical sensing going on, as I believe that was shown with the murderghosts' first attack on the tank. But I figure that since the Illness causes a change is a person's tissue, there would probably be a change in smell that cats could detect and react to, even if the person is fated to die, not trollify. Kitty probably recognizes it as dangerous either way.
Actually, seeing a similar comment on Disqus got me thinking, and it may not actually be as dumb as it first looks.
1) There seems to be a grand total of two movable chairs in the entire tank (the couch seems to be another story), so this lets the diver's seat be used for something else when they are not on the move.
2) This a vehicle that is bound to change drivers frequently, so not having a permanent chair and enabling the current driver to put whatever suits them best in that space may be more practical and cheaper than putting a permanent adjustable seat in.
Latest page shows the pilot and co-pilot of the tank had office chairs and not dedicated chairs.... I think.Actually Emil moved the driver's seat away from the steering wheel a bit (to where it should be in the door leading to the office/radio compartment) so as to make room for him on the floor. The actual passenger-side seating in the driver's cab is a fixed, L-shaped bench (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=189) that could probably accomodate three (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=179).
Maybe this is just too much for him and part of his mind is protecting him by shutting his feelings down.
Some people are able to weep easily at a lesser grief but not at a greater one.
Seriously, what is up with Emil this chapter? This is the same guy who cried over dead kittens and had to be comforted by Sigrun, then tore himself to pieces over putting a Beast out of its misery and had to be comforted by Lalli, yet now he's just finished burying a crewmate, and watched his best friend perform final rites for his cousin, and his reaction pretty much amounts to "Can we go yet? I'm bored." Emil occasionally saying extremely insensitive things out of sheer ignorance is only to be expected, such as his incredibly misguided pep talk to Lalli, but this goes beyond Innocently Insensitive and straight into sheer narcissism. This is not the Emil we were introduced to, and call me on blasphemy if you want to but I'm starting to wonder whether Minna just flubbed the writing.I'm thinking that we're seeing the fallout from the pep-talk-gone-bad here, in that Emil knows that Lalli doesn't want him around, even though it was the only way Sigrun would let Lalli do what he needed to do; this is not conducive to attempts at sharing anything.
Seriously, what is up with Emil this chapter? This is the same guy who cried over dead kittens and had to be comforted by Sigrun, then tore himself to pieces over putting a Beast out of its misery and had to be comforted by Lalli, yet now he's just finished burying a crewmate, and watched his best friend perform final rites for his cousin, and his reaction pretty much amounts to "Can we go yet? I'm bored."
Emil occasionally saying extremely insensitive things out of sheer ignorance is only to be expected, such as his incredibly misguided pep talk to Lalli, but this goes beyond Innocently Insensitive and straight into sheer narcissism. This is not the Emil we were introduced to, and call me on blasphemy if you want to but I'm starting to wonder whether Minna just flubbed the writing.
Seriously, what is up with Emil this chapter? This is the same guy who cried over dead kittens and had to be comforted by Sigrun, then tore himself to pieces over putting a Beast out of its misery and had to be comforted by Lalli, yet now he's just finished burying a crewmate, and watched his best friend perform final rites for his cousin, and his reaction pretty much amounts to "Can we go yet? I'm bored."
Lazy8, that might be flubbed writing (after all good art is largely in the eye of the beholder) but it's also worth saying that not everyone reacts to shock and grief in the same way. Appearing unemotional is not always a sign of narcissism. In dangerous situations, emotions can take a back seat and only come out when one is feeling safer, sometimes days or even months later. I think Emil might be the one hardest hit by the loss, actually. He doesn't have Lalli's and Reynir's certainty about afterlife, nor Sigrun's and Mikkel's life experience and perspective that comes with it. He's very likely still in shock, just putting one foot in front of the other.
That's not what happened at all?
Emil was waiting for Lalli in the cat-tank. Lalli went to find him. Emil asked "Are we going now?". Not "Can we go yet?" or Can we go already?". Ie: he was asking for confirmation that Lalli was indeed signifying to him that they were leaving, as opposed to needing Emil for something else.
Lazy8, that might be flubbed writing (after all good art is largely in the eye of the beholder) but it's also worth saying that not everyone reacts to shock and grief in the same way. Appearing unemotional is not always a sign of narcissism. In dangerous situations, emotions can take a back seat and only come out when one is feeling safer, sometimes days or even months later. I think Emil might be the one hardest hit by the loss, actually. He doesn't have Lalli's and Reynir's certainty about afterlife, nor Sigrun's and Mikkel's life experience and perspective that comes with it. He's very likely still in shock, just putting one foot in front of the other.
I think Sc0ut has the right of it - and as well as shock, this is not the time or place for frantic expressions of emotion. They are still in a dangerous situation, and need to be in control of themselves to survive. I doubt that Emil has any emotional map for dealing with this situation.
Seriously, what is up with Emil this chapter? This is the same guy who cried over dead kittens and had to be comforted by Sigrun, then tore himself to pieces over putting a Beast out of its misery and had to be comforted by Lalli, yet now he's just finished burying a crewmate, and watched his best friend perform final rites for his cousin, and his reaction pretty much amounts to "Can we go yet? I'm bored." Emil occasionally saying extremely insensitive things out of sheer ignorance is only to be expected, such as his incredibly misguided pep talk to Lalli, but this goes beyond Innocently Insensitive and straight into sheer narcissism. This is not the Emil we were introduced to, and call me on blasphemy if you want to but I'm starting to wonder whether Minna just flubbed the writing.
Lazy8, that might be flubbed writing (after all good art is largely in the eye of the beholder) but it's also worth saying that not everyone reacts to shock and grief in the same way. Appearing unemotional is not always a sign of narcissism. In dangerous situations, emotions can take a back seat and only come out when one is feeling safer, sometimes days or even months later. I think Emil might be the one hardest hit by the loss, actually. He doesn't have Lalli's and Reynir's certainty about afterlife, nor Sigrun's and Mikkel's life experience and perspective that comes with it. He's very likely still in shock, just putting one foot in front of the other.
Good point. I'll be very curious to see his and the rest of the crew's reactions when they finally start talking about losing Tuuri (or at least we get a clue to how much time has passed).I think that in canon it's still the next day after Tuuri died.
I'm not just going by what he said, though. I'm going by his nonverbal language as well, and his expression looks bored, and he's also not expressing a whole lot of concern about how badly he messed up earlier.
Well from my point of view this is an uncharitable interpretation of what evidence we have of his current state of mind (which is to say, not a lot of evidence in any particular direction). We all have biased and slanted readings of what the acts of a character are supposed to actually imply about their inner psychology, based on our own experience and such, but it seems here you're letting Emil's earlier misguided attempt at conforting Lalli color negatively everything he subsequently does, no matter how innocuous.
My impression of Emil is, on the contrary, of someone who started as pretty insensitive and was blathering a lot of random hurting things in the first chapters, but who has since then mattured a lot, learned to pay a lot more attention to the people around, watch his tongue, and try to act with care and warmth toward others.
Now that's just my interpretation, which surely has its own biases and blind spots, but it goes to show that the significance of Emil's behavior is not a clear cut fact that anyone should be compelled to agree on.
What I've been thinking is that right now, Emil isn't really sure how to express all the emotions he's feeling, and he doesn't really have any good opportunities to either. Like wavewright said, it's been maybe a day or two since the "shopping" scene, after which point Emil has been cut off from connecting emotionally with Lalli for a while. So Tuuri's death came at a time when Emil and Lalli's relationship was strained and uncertain, Emil can't communicate with Reynir, and I doubt he feels very comfortable expressing whatever strong emotions he's feeling to either Sigrun or Mikkel.
So now to these recent pages- I don't think Emil is being an "uncaring narcissist." I think he's between a rock and a hard place emotionally, and to me it looks like he's finally giving Lalli the space he needs. Also, looking back at page 759, Emil volunteers to stay with Lalli so he can finish his mage work. Then he patiently waits until Lalli finishes, and follows him away from the cattank. By trying to walk evenly with Lalli, he showed that he was willing to try and reconcile, but Lalli made it clear that he is in no mood for that, so Emil now hangs back.
I think Emil is still being quite sympathetic to Lalli, and not in the heavy-handed way that has caused them problems before.
I can understand why Emil's behavior seems off-putting to you, Lazy8.
Apart from what has been already said I just want to throw in another two cents that might or might not make sense.
First of all there is this phenomenon in movies that people cry a lot when animals die but not at all when people die. (There is a fun spoof of that in A Fish called Wanda. To recap for people who haven't seen the movie: A guy is tasked with killing an old lady with three dogs. But he accidentally kills the dogs instead of the lady and is devastated each time because he loves animals. Only when he kills the third dog inadvertently the old woman dies of a heart attack. According to the producers several people asked whether any of those poor dogs were harmed in reality and their reaction was: Nobody cared about the old lady.)
So obviously some people react differently to the death of animals than to the death of people (the example above is from a comedy, granted, but it doesn't change the viewer's reaction towards it.). I don't know why this is the case because I am not one of these people but I hear this quite often. Only recently I saw a cartoon (I have no possibility to find it again) where a person walks away from an injured human only to help an injured animal in the next panel. I find this view biased and exaggerated and there might no statistical truth behind it, but there is a reason why this cartoon existed.
So it might be possible that Emil is one of these people. That it is easier for him to show emotions at the death of animals than humans.
Or he is in denial over Tuuri. At least concerning the readers there was no instant where Emil (or anybody) saw the corpse as opposed to those animals. We don't even know what was buried on the pike. Some people need visual proof of the death of a being to be able to grieve. In Tuuri's case it might not have been provided.
Lastly, another unconnected thought: Maybe the way he showed his emotions when those animals died and the way the others reacted to him showing these emotions prompted him to behave differently this time.
I can understand why Emil's behavior seems off-putting to you, Lazy8.
Apart from what has been already said I just want to throw in another two cents that might or might not make sense.
First of all there is this phenomenon in movies that people cry a lot when animals die but not at all when people die. (There is a fun spoof of that in A Fish called Wanda. To recap for people who haven't seen the movie: A guy is tasked with killing an old lady with three dogs. But he accidentally kills the dogs instead of the lady and is devastated each time because he loves animals. Only when he kills the third dog inadvertently the old woman dies of a heart attack. According to the producers several people asked whether any of those poor dogs were harmed in reality and their reaction was: Nobody cared about the old lady.)
So obviously some people react differently to the death of animals than to the death of people (the example above is from a comedy, granted, but it doesn't change the viewer's reaction towards it.). I don't know why this is the case because I am not one of these people but I hear this quite often. Only recently I saw a cartoon (I have no possibility to find it again) where a person walks away from an injured human only to help an injured animal in the next panel. I find this view biased and exaggerated and there might no statistical truth behind it, but there is a reason why this cartoon existed.
So it might be possible that Emil is one of these people. That it is easier for him to show emotions at the death of animals than humans.
Or he is in denial over Tuuri. At least concerning the readers there was no instant where Emil (or anybody) saw the corpse as opposed to those animals. We don't even know what was buried on the pike. Some people need visual proof of the death of a being to be able to grieve. In Tuuri's case it might not have been provided.
Lastly, another unconnected thought: Maybe the way he showed his emotions when those animals died and the way the others reacted to him showing these emotions prompted him to behave differently this time.
@ waveright62: *returns kisses* It was my pleasure. :3
Why do I need to think of this so badly with the new page?
(http://i.imgur.com/c4jt321.png)
(Would actually be worth to make a meme about this with Emil's head on the dog's...)
*sigh* Okay look, it honestly bugs me, a lot, that you're advocating for Emil here despite him showing no sign whatsoever that he actually cares, yet you didn't care at all to give Sigrun that same benefit of the doubt when she didn't seem sufficiently torn up over killing that water beast. As a matter of fact, the exact phrase you used was "high-functioning psychopath"? That's incredibly unfair.
I read a fanfic some time ago where single trolls could grow so enormous, far beyond giants, that they filled entire buildings, sewer systems, even cities, making the cities their own sentient beings. Obviously, Minna will most likely not do something like that, that'd be silly, but this page might be hinting at something on a smaller scale.Minna did say (via the http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=178 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=178) Beasts, Trolls, & Giants info page) that giants are occasionally a single very large organism, so maybe not so silly.
Huh. Just stumbled across this picture someone was kind enough to post upthread:This is the track of Reynies fylgja dog though (seen on page 717)
(http://i.imgur.com/JnquuAx.png)
Evidence that what we thought were the tracks of someone peeling off from the group were in fact the tracks of the deer coming by after they'd already passed? (I cannot take credit for this idea, but am growing increasingly more in support of it.)
Huh. Just stumbled across this picture someone was kind enough to post upthread:
(http://i.imgur.com/JnquuAx.png)
Evidence that what we thought were the tracks of someone peeling off from the group were in fact the tracks of the deer coming by after they'd already passed? (I cannot take credit for this idea, but am growing increasingly more in support of it.)
So, it looks like it's a giant, again. Confronting Emil and Lalli, again. Like the very first live grossling we saw. Last encounter of the expedition, like, circular reference/book end?It would be, if this was indeed the *last* encounter, but I sincerely doubt it will be the last. This is after all, just over halfway through through Minna's proposed story.
It would be, if this was indeed the *last* encounter, but I sincerely doubt it will be the last. This is after all, just over halfway through through Minna's proposed story.
Oh I didn't mean last encounter of the entire story, just, last encounter of *this particular expedition*.
About that... Minna's hinted (I think she's said, but then again I don't trust anything Minna says anymore) that there are going to be other missions after this one. What I've been wondering is... how? Where are they going to get the funding for another mission after the first one was such a disaster? (The books, maybe, but they had to leave a lot of them behind and those few they have with them might barely be enough to get the Västerströms out of debt...)Maybe the next mission is the tank rescue mission where they are sent back to retrieve what they had to leave behind?
So, it looks like it's a giant, again. Confronting Emil and Lalli, again. Like the very first live grossling we saw. Last encounter of the expedition, like, circular reference/book end?
About that... Minna's hinted (I think she's said, but then again I don't trust anything Minna says anymore) that there are going to be other missions after this one. What I've been wondering is... how? Where are they going to get the funding for another mission after the first one was such a disaster? (The books, maybe, but they had to leave a lot of them behind and those few they have with them might barely be enough to get the Västerströms out of debt...)
it's pretty terrifying to think about what these grosslings might have looked like when they were first formed
didn't we see a failed troll transformation in an early chapter, that still had its face? what if trolls keeping their faces when they first come into existence is normal? O_O
it's pretty terrifying to think about what these grosslings might have looked like when they were first formed
didn't we see a failed troll transformation in an early chapter, that still had its face? what if trolls keeping their faces when they first come into existence is normal? O_O
Are you talking about the one in Chapter 3 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=170) that the fandom calls "Miss Hearty Earrings"?No, I think the reference goes to Ceiling-Face (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=255).
No, I think the reference goes to Ceiling-Face (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=255).
That was my assumption. Artistic license, having all the body decay away to the skeleton, but the skin and sinew on the face is more or less intact in its death rictus. *brrrr*As I see it, it didn't decay: the restraints were so strong and tight that the skeleton pushed itself out, leaving the mass of the flesh in a bulge below the restraints. So even more horrifying.
That was my assumption. Artistic license, having all the body decay away to the skeleton, but the skin and sinew on the face is more or less intact in its death rictus. *brrrr*
Ohhhh yeahhhh. *brrr* I think I blocked that out of my memory self-protectively!It seems to me that they don't need to breathe or eat, unless sjodraugs have gills and the original sleiptroll had 90 years worth of feed in its stall(it was restrained)
I suppose we consider that a "failed" troll transformation because it (apparently) died of its own accord? While I don't think we've had a consensus on whether trolls and Rash-Beasts ever die "naturally" (Cthulhund seemed at the end of its rope, but who knows what might have happened if Emil hadn't intervened), my thought is that they're probably more or less immortal until or unless some external condition intervenes -- freezing, lack of nutrition, getting shot/flamed, etc. (This is based on my headcanon that the Rash was started by an ill-thought-out attempt to overcome aging by trying to strengthen cell telomeres (https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/01/telomere-extension-turns-back-aging-clock-in-cultured-cells.html); the formula worked in some ways, so infected cells are essentially deathless, but they've gone very wrong indeed...)
It's funny reading this page [...]
Now I'm probably expecting to see a stripped down Emil in the next few weeks much more than I should.The only two ways that that could possibly happen are a) that Lalli goes out of his mind and tries to kill Emil outright, or b) they make it to some ruins the squiddies cannot get to for whatever reason and that aren't already occupied by other grosslings and some of the incendiaries Emil carries can be used without a bang that attracts attention to them. Without either, Emil would stand a better chance only taking his clothes off for a quick, strong wringing, I guess.
Can I agree with just this part of your quote? I'm having a blast with this page because two weeks ago I killed Emil by throwing him into an icy river and during the weekend I almost offed him with a slight case of hypotermia! Mikkel and Lalli heated him up tho, no harm done!
#sorryemil
I'm really hoping it'll turn out well tho, plz no killing of Emil, Minna, that would feel horrible after all I've put him through D:
Perhaps it's a good thing that Minna generally does not note fanworks, because she'd be taking notes from you and from Lazy8, for sure!
Erm... *stands there with a vague guilty expression*
Yeah. That's probably a good thing.
The only two ways that that could possibly happen are a) that Lalli goes out of his mind and tries to kill Emil outright, or b) they make it to some ruins the squiddies cannot get to for whatever reason and that aren't already occupied by other grosslings and some of the incendiaries Emil carries can be used without a bang that attracts attention to them. Without either, Emil would stand a better chance only taking his clothes off for a quick, strong wringing, I guess.
Uup I predict an unconscious mage coming up after his luonto is exhausted.
I also predict a sharp increase in the quantity of Emilalli fics shortly thereafter.
Heck, even I ship these two, and I usually hate shipping.
Okay, so what is Lalli doing? Unless he can unleash an attack far more powerful than anything we've seen from him before, it'll be pretty ineffective against a giant. The intention seem to be a shield, but how long could that last? I guess a good explosive thrown inside the Giants mouth could do some work?
"How are you less weak?" plays in my head. This is a very different foe, but I suspect Lalli has levelled up somewhat. But you're right, and I am very curious to see where this goes.
Now I am even more worried about that single line of prints with the wheelbarrow in Reynir's vision.
Beautifully drawn page. But a very unnerving way to go into the chapter break.
Isuspecthope the new chapter will open with seeing what was going on with Sigrun, Mikkel and Reynir after the split. As much as I want to see howPenelope PitstopEmil & Lalli get out of this predicament, I think we need to see the other half first. I don't believe that the story will diverge into two streams here, a la The Lord of the Rings.
All good as long as we get to see how Emil and Lalli get out of this, eventually. Minna has skipped scenes that people really wanted to see before, and a chapter break usually means a time skip too, so I'm a bit worried. The boys sure are in an interesting situation right now! "Doomed" is the word that comes to mind, especially when I look at that dramatic composition, but... let's go for "challenging" instead.
I wonder when, if ever, we'll see the cast actually processing Tuuri's fate.
T H I S. I'm actually kinda disappointed by the lack of response beyond everyone looking sad.
I hope they talk and show some introspection soon.
Mentha, good points. And yeah, happens in the real world too. I know that of my own knowledge. But if you fall apart in a crisis situation, even when doing so would be justified, you may not make it out of that crisis situation.
I would actually expect that reaction of 'Can't deal with it now, have to keep going' to be commoner in the Minnaverse than here, where often there wouldn't be time to deal with, say, the loss of one's parent/child/village/significant other, because if you stop to wail and tear your hair, you and anyone depending on you are going to die as well.
Both immediate debriefing and the overt expression of grief may not happen in a crisis situation. Might be better for the participants if they could, but I don't really see how that could work here.
I do hope Reynir's in that tent.
(and hey, everybody, the chapter break's over -- )
Today they have Reynir and Purrito.And a fully loaded Mikkel.
And a fully loaded Mikkel.
Not if he gets to "take care of business"
WHY IS REYNIR NOT WEARING A MASK?!... because Mikkel hasn't taken care of it yet?
Living with a gas mask on is a real pain in the ass though, so it makes sense for Reynir to not wear it as often as it's possible. It gets real sweaty under the rubber and you can't drink or eat. Or the worst of it all: you can't blow a running nose or wipe away the sweat. The fastening bands also often press your head.
One thing is also certain, no one can hear you speak, unless you speak really loudly and even then the sound is muffled and hard to understand. We've seen both Tuuri and Reynir speak whole sentences with the mask on though, which really challenges my suspension of disbelief. Guess I just have to file it under artistic license.
I don't think they're using gas masks, though. I think they're just dust/mist respirators. N95 particulate respirators are what's currently recommended against viruses, as near as I can tell:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2012/04/lab-study-supports-use-n95-respirators-flu-protection
I have some experience with those, and, while they're still somewhat of a nuisance to wear, good ones aren't sweaty unless it's really hot, and it's not particularly difficult to hear people who are speaking through one.
It looks like they may be using something a bit more heavy duty than an N95, but I doubt it's a full scale gas mask.
They would have every reason to make breathing masks less of a burden, because there would now be people wearing them almost 24/7.How do you come to that latter statement? The people who have to leave the cleansed areas get recruited out of the immune, if at all possible, and given the limited distance (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=437) and time the Rash can travel (and infect) outside a host body, (known) non-immune walk around their homes sans mask (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=711) all the time. It's the special circumstances of this expedition that has put two non-immune persons into Rash's larder (and another onto the trip to Mora).
How do you come to that latter statement? The people who have to leave the cleansed areas get recruited out of the immune, if at all possible, and given the limited distance (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=437) and time the Rash can travel (and infect) outside a host body, (known) non-immune walk around their homes sans mask (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=711) all the time. It's the special circumstances of this expedition that has put two non-immune persons into Rash's larder (and another onto the trip to Mora).
On the other, I'd be surprised if Tuuri was the first non-immune to be out in the Silent World on the long term. If anything, I'll point out that she and Reynir are being kept safe according to a pre-existing protocol and that the stingy quartet got their hands on a second-hand vehicle that contained decontamination necessities.Well, we've been shown what situations the existing protocols primarily apply to, haven't we? Non-immunes traveling from one safe place to another, being subjected to decon "just in case" as they enter Outer Mora, emergency mask handout when the Dalahästen got torn open. The Danish Reclamation Effort of Y80 (that the cat-tank likely was a part of) was an effort sufficiently close to "all in" that it killed their desire to have another try for ten years straight. Tuuris flashback that Finnish villages are being held safe with "simple measures", yet can occasionally be overrun - by grossling attacks, obviously - and entirely annihilated. And that rule about non-immunes needing an immune guard "in the field" at all times first and foremost proves that immunes are of severely limited use in a truly long term presence in the Silent World.
EDIT: Remembered something else later: Chapter 10 has a mention of a rule against leaving non-immune people in the field without an immune for protection, which Tuuri needs to remind Mikkel about.
so... folks... taking bets on whether the house emil found is infested.
i was going to say it was a bit of good fortune that they found a place that seemed to be in good shape, but when i look back at page 312... http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=312
their odds would have been better if he found a "crap building" i think :-\
Well, it's always possible that even if the house is infested, it could be infested by something relatively small and harmless...Or even smaller and not quite as harmless (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold_health_issues) ...
I must say I am quite impressed with Emil; setting up the chairs to keep the heat focused on Lalli. I do worry that 90+ year old fabric may be more flammable than the fuel he uses to start his fires with!
With each passing page the more and more I hope sleipnope kills these 5 characters.[except for Sigrun, she cool]
I'm dead serious. TPK; rocks fall, everyone dies.
I must say I am quite impressed with Emil; setting up the chairs to keep the heat focused on Lalli. I do worry that 90+ year old fabric may be more flammable than the fuel he uses to start his fires with!
With each passing page the more and more I hope sleipnope kills these 5 characters.[except for Sigrun, she cool]
I'm dead serious. TPK; rocks fall, everyone dies.
Why?
Why?
You wanna know why I hope everyone but sigrun dies?
Because they all deserve to die.
They go right back to goofie antics. No introspection, no questions about 'why are we f***ing up right now', no deeper searching even after a team mate dies. No one even mentioned tuuris name. No one talked about what happened. No one. F***ING NO ONE. NOT EVEN CARING EMIL LOOKS SAD.
It's like watching a gaggle of idiots s*** their pants and then we go 'this is a nice story.'
But that's not my real problem right now, do you wanna know my real problem with ssss right now?I just did a reread, and I'll list some things that I saw
1.The cure is implied to cause brain death.
2.The rash has a metaphysical element to it
3.The info page talking about infection and how it affects an individual
4.Magical healing on the soul via another info page
I could see it all coming together. Hints being dropped. The climax would be at the church where tuuri would live in the face of impossible odds, the crew would pull through against everything they had been placed against. Reynir would finally prove himself as being an incredible mage. Because that's what this story is about a rag tag group of idiots overcoming the impossible. Overcoming the incredible weight of the world against them.
But then, the nine page update happened. And it stopped making any sense.
Go back and reread that 9 page update and come back to me. Tell me that has some emotional impact. It was just a quick 'tuuris infected, oh whoops tuuris dead lul.'
It's like when you tell someone 'don't do that' then they do it and were supposed to feel bad for them? I'm supposed to feel bad for these characters now who f***ed up and aren't admitting it? Then yes, they deserve death. They all deserve to die in pain and agony.
And the worst part?I have to sit here quietly because most of you all will go 'oh they are deeply flawed thats all!'You know? That same sad minnion response when confronted with a legitimate criticism about the comic? You know the one everyone always give and for some reason dozens of people agree with on disqus?!?!?!?! And I'm supposed to sit here and just be quiet?
f*** me, what is there left to say anymore?
Goodbye? Because you don't seem to be enjoying reading this anymore. Perhaps a clean break with the community here would be best for both parties.Sorry if I came off as harsh. I've been here since day one with ssss. I was in the early days of aRTD. I left for a while and came back at chapter 10.
I'll wait and see how it pans out in the end before I form a final opinion.
Not to mention that they did take the time, and the energy, for a funeral service. And we don't know who said what while they were doing that; it hasn't been shown.
accepted a suicide mission to start with. They got themselves into deeper s*** by going after the serum. And on top of all that even when they were faced with fixing their issues and problems AFTER A CHARACTER COMMITTED SUICIDE? They go right back to goofie antics. No introspection, no questions about 'why are we f***ing up right now', no deeper searching even after a team mate dies.
No one talked about what happened. No one. F***ING NO ONE. NOT EVEN CARING EMIL LOOKS SAD. The only one i'd expect to not be to shaken up is sigrun because ya know she's the most experienced. But she's being written as if this has never happened before and mikkel is suddenly 'in charge'. It's like minna forgot the characterization behind them.
The serum line that minna had written so much about, you know that thing that got them into this mess to begin with? GONE.
MR_PLINKETT,
I'm sorry that this story made you feel that way. I think you've done great sharing these emotions instead of keeping them to yourself (even if not all of us agree with your opinion). I know what a huge impact SSSS can have on us, so discovering that said impact wasn't all that great was... well, pretty horrible. However, I hope you'll stay and maybe some day will enjoy how the story goes again. And thank you for making me think about what's been happening in comic from different point of view
I think this a thing with SSSS that bothers me the most. Certain key points in the story, especially times when a debriefing should have happened, haven't been shown for some reason. Not everything has to be shown, but leaving out story critical moments in favor of showing the team doing laundry just feels a bit weird.
Don't get me wrong though, I like that mundane tasks are shown too, gives depth to the story. But since Minna's page budget clearly is lavish, it feels even more strange to leave out important stuff.
This has frustrated me as well for a while now. I don't like to be spoon-fed all the information, but for one's brain to fill in a missing sequence, that sequence has to have (shown) consequences. For instance, if I see Reynir consistently avoiding Mikkel, I can deduce something happened between them, or at least something significant happened in Reynir's mental state (new information? Shift of perspective? definitely *something*, at least), even if it hasn't been showed "on screen". But we never had anything like that with any missing scenes - they just don't exist, left no impact whatsoever. The team acts like they never talked together about any of the emergency situations they've run into. And this is something I can't explain as good writing, no matter how much I try. I suppose it is one of the places where Minna's lack of experience shows.
Now, it is reproached to the characters that they have been fairly un-emotive about this, but consider this: what happened to Tuuri is normal to them.
Or, worst of all, does this still actually count as a light-hearted adventure in Minna's opinion?!
Anyway, sorry for the long post, I wasnt even planning on getting caught up in this discussion so Im rolling out again now! -waves-
3st: Even if serum could not work as protection for humans, it could possibly be weaponized as chemical weapon against trolls and giants. After all, they require brains to stay put... and serum KILL THE BRAIN. No need to reclaim areas by force - just disperce the serum aerosole (better from the air) and wait until most of Rush creatures would drop dead.
Windy, that's an interesting point about culture. Could you maybe share the titles of the "cheerful" books you mentioned?
It's good to remember that Minna is Scandinavian, so thanks for reminding us of that, Windy.
Oh God, Swedish and Finnish humor
We're going to all need therapy after SSSS is finished aren't we
Well.. that's certainly one point of view, Plinkett.
I don't know where you've been hanging out, but in my side of the fandom (which is mostly tumblr these days) many people felt outraged and even betrayed after Tuuri's death and some of the things that happened after. Heck, I'm not happy about it myself either. So while there are people who are supportive of the comic and Minna no matter what, there are definitely many others who criticize when they don't like something, and still read the comic (or cease to, in at least one case I know of).
For what's worth, I agree that more emotional displays from the remaining team would be welcome. I'm aware they are now focused on very basic survival in a dangerous situation, and simply can't afford doing too much depressive thinking, also some are possibly in shock. So while it makes total sense, the more this expressionless state continues, the more I feel it dehumanizes the characters a bit, or at least drags the comic in a much darker genre than what it says on the tin. It's one of the things I feel weird and conflicted about with SSSS, and part of it is because I can't tell if Minna does it on purpose or not. Has she deliberately labeled it as a "light-hearted adventure with elements of horror", knowing this would amplify the shock of what happens to Tuuri, or has the story gotten out of hand? Or, worst of all, does this still actually count as a light-hearted adventure in Minna's opinion?!
It's not the only thing that has bothered me in this way in SSSS. I had the same reaction to the page where the Icelandic coast guard sinks the civilian boat, and Minna's comment was to "not think about it too much", because she doesn't intend to delve into ethical matters with this story. But putting heavily ethically loaded events in your story and then refusing to address them is... well, not the most mature of choices in my opinion.
But like Róisín said, it's unfair to judge a work of art that is still incomplete. I'll probably keep reading to the end, even though the comic has already made me raise an eyebrow or three. Imo it's really interesting to see what choices Minna will make from now on, even if we end up getting something very different than we hoped for. I hope you stick around too, and maybe find some fanfic that takes the story in a direction you're happier with. There is a lot of fix-it out there!
I think this a thing with SSSS that bothers me the most. Certain key points in the story, especially times when a debriefing should have happened, haven't been shown for some reason. Not everything has to be shown, but leaving out story critical moments in favor of showing the team doing laundry just feels a bit weird.THIS really struck a chord with me.
Don't get me wrong, I like that mundane tasks are shown too, gives depth to the story. But since Minna's page budget clearly is lavish, it feels even more strange to leave out important stuff.
This has frustrated me as well for a while now. I don't like to be spoon-fed all the information, but for one's brain to fill in a missing sequence, that sequence has to have (shown) consequences. For instance, if I see Reynir consistently avoiding Mikkel, I can deduce something happened between them, or at least something significant happened in Reynir's mental state (new information? Shift of perspective? definitely *something*, at least), even if it hasn't been showed "on screen".
But we never had anything like that with any missing scenes - they just don't exist, left no impact whatsoever. The team acts like they never talked together about any of the emergency situations they've run into. And this is something I can't explain as good writing, no matter how much I try. I suppose it is one of the places where Minna's lack of experience shows.
-- as far as what is and isn't being shown: I wonder whether Minna might be so immersed in her world and her characters that she forgets that much of what she knows about it and about them isn't known to her readers. As has been pointed out, she's fairly new at this. I once did what I thought was a complete short-short set in a world that's been working in the back of my head for many years; but when I showed it to a friend, she thought it was nowhere near complete, that it needed much more detail. When I read it over again, I realized she was right; I can taste and smell that place by now, but there wasn't enough in there for anyone else to do so.
Another possibility, of course -- and this we can't know yet -- is that she does intend to give us this information; but has reasons not to give it to us until later.
ETA: and a third possibility is that she thinks the story may otherwise take too long to get where it's going, and is trying to speed up the action by leaving out a lot of discussion. Some people don't want to read anything that's got a lot of talking heads in it. It's hard, or more likely impossible, to please all possible readers.
I feel this (https://satwcomic.com/funny-movie) is relevant to the issue at hand.
I would be careful about brushing everything under a thick stereotype of "haha, those crazy Nordics, am I right?!". While the Nordic countries do have their share of depressing cinema and weird children's stories, the Moomin books also come from there, and they're as far removed from cynicism as it gets. Even the suicide-themed books that Windy mentioned earlier don't actually have any completed suicide in them, and have happy endings (yes, I went and read the plots). So, Minna has managed to make an arguably darker thing than some of the first examples people think of to illustrate how "dark" Nordic media is.I linked to a comic made by a Scandinavian highlighting a trend in Scandinavian media and said that it was relevant to the discussion at hand, wherein someone had pointed out the same trend in Scandinavian media. How is that "brushing everything under a thick stereotype"?
And for a different approach: while it is true that the United States make a lot of gory horror movies, it doesn't mean their entire culture is dominated by gory horror. We shouldn't expect that from every US-made webcomic, especially not one that claims to be "a heart-warming family tale". See what I mean?
Also: while not every US-made webcomic has to be about gory horror, if one that claimed to be a "heart-warming family tale" had a section that had gory horror in it, would discussing how and why it had gone into the gory horror also be "brushing everything under a thick stereotype"?
Maybe there was something special about one of the people who got the serum. Maybe they were a nascent mageAs a rule of thumb, in the places where the serum ghosts originated (Amalienborg, Kastellet, OUH), we had quite precisely one for every occupied bed; hence the estimates of 100% ghosts per "cured" patient in Y0 but <=1% of trolls from untreated infected.
As a rule of thumb, in the places where the serum ghosts originated (Amalienborg, Kastellet, OUH), we had quite precisely one for every occupied bed; hence the estimates of 100% ghosts per "cured" patient in Y0 but <=1% of trolls from untreated infected.
Unless, in the middle of the Danish society breaking down in Y0, they managed to reserve entire emergency treatment centers for only "nascent mages" or whatever other novel subgroup, I don't see the serum being given to such a subset. Not to mention that the scientists developing it were shown not to have any such specialization in mind (remember the meeting and the military types grasping for no less that saving the nation?).
Agreed, and we have basically no indications that mages even actually existed in Y0, far less that they were actually known. They may be completely Rash-induced anomaly.
Interesting question: is A the serum-induced ghost as well? Her church was clearly one of emergency hospitals, and there is something rather similar to the serum cans on the background of her memories...
http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=574
I really wish I could find my original post where I speculated on the Illness and magic. :) Because it HAS to be magic.
I really wish I could find my original post where I speculated on the Illness and magic. :) Because it HAS to be magic.The Rash, yes. The cure, no. The effects of the cure, only as far as it manages to actually change the mechanisms of the Rash for both the 1% who would otherwise have trollified and the 99% who would have just died.
The Rash, yes. The cure, no. The effects of the cure, only as far as it manages to actually change the mechanisms of the Rash for both the 1% who would otherwise have trollified and the 99% who would have just died.
So, basically, what does the cure do? It stopped the effects of the Rash, it also stopped humans brain activity, but it doesn't outright kill humans.Ehhh, careful there. The developers confirmed the side effect to be "brain death (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=619)" (which is also the expected result of "stopping [all] brain activity", for that matter). Also, they said it stopped the progression of the Rash, not [all] its effects.
All the patients how recieved cure were still alive, when the facilities were abandoned by personnel.For whatever value of "alive" that doesn't get you hauled off to the morgue, yes. Of cause, with the side effect being brain death, we'll have to assume that the morgue was quite busy nonetheless.
But, after they died - their souls for some reason became trapped as ghosts? Despite the cure having pretty physical (not metaphysical) effect?... maybe. Since the doctors weren't mages, the other obvious possibility would be that their souls had turned into ghosts standing next to their still-barely-living bodies before death and simply nobody was able to see them there. All we know is that they didn't become murderghosts immediately (though that might still be what ultimately happened to the hospital staff).
Sunflower, I think you're right about empathy, sorrow and grief for loss being part of the oldest tales. Look at the 'Epic of Gilgamesh'. And for that matter, the 'Táin'. When I do my yearly gig as storyteller at the Gumeracha Mediaeval Fair, I always save the 'Fight at the Ford' from the 'Táin' to tell around the fire in the evening, to the Viking Society guys who have been doing fighting displays during the day. I count it a bad year when I can't make them cry. That part of the tale is where the hero and his best friend since boyhood/coweth companion/soulmate find themselves as champions on opposite sides in a particularly bloody and vicious war.
Up to that point the violence has been treated fairly lightly, in a sort of braggadocio-and-severed-heads-swinging-from-chariots way. Then you get the two young men confronting one another, each trying to talk the other out of it (but one has been tricked into giving his sacred oath to fight, the other is defending his helpless kindred just the other side of the border). They fight three days of formal setpiece duels at the ford, with no resolution. One has food, which he shares with his mate, the other has access to a healer, which he likewise shares. 'Their horses passed the nights in the same field, and their charioteers by the same fire'. Just to add to the tragedy, their two charioteers are brothers.
On the fourth day, they get serious. One is killed, and the one who killed him is completely shattered. His lament over his dead friend, the bit that starts: 'It was all play, all sport, until Ferdiad came to the ford' is one of the finest pieces of Irish epic poetry. But my point is that this incident is all the more poignant because for most of the epic the protagonists just man up and get on with it, because that's what you do when you are in an epic. There are moments of tenderness, some of them in Cuchullain's courtship of Emer, or 'The Tale of the Death of Cuchullain's One Son'; some in 'Deirdre of the Sorrows', which is one of the prequel tales to the Táin, but mostly these are subsumed in the action.
And I think that at present much of the open mourning and emotional debriefing of SSSS has been similarly been subsumed in the action. I think we will see some of it eventually, but not yet, because it would be unwise of the characters to do that stuff in the midst of fighting/running for their lives. Though I would be unsurprised if some of it came out between Mikkel and Sigrun, talking by the fire through the long dark nights...
There is a final bit to 'The Fight at the Ford', where the hero is collapsed mourning and bleeding over his dead friend, and his charioteer comes and shakes him and tells him to get moving if he wants to live, because 'The men of Ireland are coming for you now, and now that Ferdiad has been slain, it is no longer of single combat that they are thinking......'. Always the practicalities, just when one is settling down for a nice long angsty brood!
Ehhh, careful there. The developers confirmed the side effect to be "brain death (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=619)" (which is also the expected result of "stopping [all] brain activity", for that matter). Also, they said it stopped the progression of the Rash, not [all] its effects.
For whatever value of "alive" that doesn't get you hauled off to the morgue, yes. Of cause, with the side effect being brain death, we'll have to assume that the morgue was quite busy nonetheless.
All we know is that they didn't become murderghosts immediately (though that might still be what ultimately happened to the hospital staff).
If that's the case, then the cure that they found, a cure that simultaneously stops the physical signs of the disease but also causes brain death, could have been a form of Soul Amputation. Think Golden Compass. How they could have done this, I don't know, but all these ghosts could in fact be souls that have been artificially separated from their body and more or less condemned to a sort of earthly Limbo. With the soul out of the body, if the infection is indeed caused by a corruption of the soul, then the body would no longer be affected.
Must point out, that ghosts are at least partially material. They clearly don't like sunlight - considering that they are unable to cross even the small parts of illuminated area, the ultraviolet is probably VERY harmful to them (which shouldn't be a problem for completely non-coporeal creature). Also, they obviously have some movement restrictions - they are actually forced to walk across the distances (and not particulary fast) and it seems that they aren't able to detach from surface for long (i.e. they could jump, but they could not fly), so the gravity seems to work on them too.
And, there is also the "black speech" on the radio. It looks like the ghosts are actually emanating on radiowaves... which, again, are physical objects.
In this case my spiritual and physical dichotomy is inadequate, because it is clear that soul, spirits and so on have a definite physicality to them. Or at the very least, it actively interacts with physical things.
Or rather, when I say spiritual, it should not be read as immaterial. It has some sort of consistency to it - it's just not physical in the traditional sense.
Eventually there wouldn't have been enough living left to deal with hauling dead bodies off to the morgue.Well, of course, or else the expedition wouldn't have had any bodies to find outside the morgues in the first place. Nonetheless, as long as you can bring ill people to be stuffed into the beds for treatment, you want to remove occupants that are beyond help from that many beds as well.
Er, on the page [ 418, actually (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=418) ] the note, left by medical personnel ninety years ago clearly states that they considered their patients at least formally alive and (at least in theory) capable of waking up. So, at least their vital functions remained.Whether the writer was actually medical personnel is unclear - Amalienborg is [in our time and reality] a royal palace, with a royal guard complete with capacities to perform emergency treatment to be sure, but not a medical facility, or likely to be converted into a public makeshift one. Also, when you give out a last-ditch-effort medication, it might not be wise to tell the palace guard that said medication is rather likely to make him actually commit regicide. ;)
And what if the Kastellet ghosts knew, that they actually WERE abandoned to death by the peoples who were supposed to protect them and care after them. Ninety years of nothing better to do than just feel betrayed and lost... pretty enough for anybody to develope at least some grunge against humanity as whole.That's certainly a possibility, and has been discussed before. Also, Kastellet was/is the headquarters of the Danish homeland defense and one of the Danish intelligence agencies, which is a little less of a philantropic community from the get-go ...
However, the important part here is that the note states outright what the reason was for the non-ill to leave in spite of the ill still being alive at that time: They were running out of food and had to go looking for more, and apparently did not return though they wanted to.
That's certainly a possibility, and has been discussed before. Also, Kastellet was/is the headquarters of the Danish homeland defense and one of the Danish intelligence agencies, which is a little less of a philantropic community from the get-go ...
Probably not much personality or humanity left. Whatever they had as probably decayed into pretty basic emotions, reflected in their own formlessness.
I think the Sleipnope is a separate phenomenon from the smaller ghosts. I think it's either the ghost of a beast or a giant, or some sort of ghostly mutation.
The only comparable thing we have seen so far is the psychic attack that precedes a giant's attack, such as Lalli's scene on the train. It's something like that, except without a body.
Or at least, that's what I believe.
It's unclear.
Vafhudr: that's an interesting line of thought. But I wouldn't expect Sigrun to emote loudly or obviously, both for the reasons you state concerning how not only individuals but whole villages can disappear without warning, and death would be a constant part of their lives, but because their folk seem to have gone back culturally to their Nordic Pagan roots. Enough of the sagas and folktales from that culture would have been around in Year 0, perhaps especially in the Norwegian country areas, that the culture would have been pretty easy to reconstruct. It is possible, I think, to deduce the psychic edifice of a people quite thoroughly from their folktales, and that culture, while it accepted and understood strong emotion, did not encourage histrionics.
'Cattle die, kin die,
Every man is mortal.
The one thing that is never lost
Is the worth of a life lived well.'
That quote is from the Hávamál, as I'm sure you recognise. For those who don't, it's a collection of precepts and life advice from the earlier Nordic culture. The sagas suggest that they regarded stoicism in the face of adversity as a virtue, and tended to deal with death and loss by stubborn endurance and grim humour.
Whereas my own Celtic culture, from which comes the Táin, was much more given to open expression of emotion, often in formally ornate language because wordskill was at least as highly regarded as swordskill, and the compleat champion was expected to be able to win a battle and then compose a poem about it, or create extempore a blistering satire upon his enemies, but they still regarded toughness, coping and endurance as virtues.
And anent the 'homosocial' definition: another factor of the Celtic social structure was that women were prominent. Warriors were not invariably men - indeed Cuchullain and Ferdiad meet because they both went to the famous school of war in what is now Scotland, which was run by a trio of female warriors. The invading army in the Táin is actually that of a woman ruler, Medb or Maeve, who is considerably more badass, and far more aggressive than the Ulster king she is invading. She is still a woman: she has ten kids and a husband, but she was dangerous. Even today, people treat her grave with cautious respect. It is still traditional for visitors to bring a small stone to add to her mound, which is quite impressive.
Way back early in the Forum, there were some interesting discussions around these subjects, but I'm afraid I don't remember where. I do remember, though, that one of the participants was Laufey.
My point is, Sleipnope is the only beast/troll/ghost so far, clearly capable of rational thinking.
Isn't Reynir's pastor a sort of ghost?
Is Laufey even still around?
I believe Laufey is still somewhere about. She does pop up from time to time. I rather miss her. Many people from the early days don't write so much anymore.
The A? Unclear; she was not shown in physical world yet.
Had a thought, what if Pastor A is sleipnope....
Had a thought, what if Pastor A is sleipnope....
Its a trap!
Had a thought, what if Pastor A is sleipnope....Sleipnope's the product of a ghost the team rustled at either Kastellet or Amalienborg, thus presumably does not actually have much of a religious background. While I wouldn't put it above Sleip to masquerade as someone and lie 'til the paint comes off the wall, it should be nontrivial to fool Onni (who is expecting such tricks from "spirits", yet pronounced A weak/harmless after a while) and keep Black Speech and the secondary voices hidden. Not to mention the question of "why would it?".
"why would it?".
Why wouldn't it? Sleipnope has shown disdain and malice towards the living, masquerading as a nonviolent spirit could bring about an end to its goal... Whatever that is.
masquerading as a nonviolent spirit could bring about an end to its goal... Whatever that is.
Sleipnope's the product of a ghost the team rustled at either Kastellet or Amalienborg, thus presumably does not actually have much of a religious background. While I wouldn't put it above Sleip to masquerade as someone and lie 'til the paint comes off the wall,
Thanks, Yuuago! Nothing urgent at present, but good to know she is reachableShe responds to tumblr asks faster than forum pms.
Why wouldn't it? Sleipnope has shown disdain and malice towards the living, masquerading as a nonviolent spirit could bring about an end to its goal... Whatever that is.I guess what I actually meant is, why would Sleip put on the A show once and then keep hidden from Reynir (memento the empty church when he tried to contact A again)? If Sleip were trying to actually mislead him - and note that Reynir is still the only one betting any money on A -, wouldn't it give further encouragement, reinforce the lies, make some minor adjustments to counter random deviations, lead him more directly to the supposed demise? It's not like Reynir still searching for A and still not having the slightest which part of Denmark to search in in the first place is going to make him miss the ship (Sigrun and Mikkel will see to that) or flub a crucial rune.
Possibly, but not very probable. I dare say - highly unlikely, because in that case the whole situation became rather sensless. It is possible, of course, that both Sleipnope and A are parts of some grand strategy, but the question arise - who is the mastermind? The "it", mentioned by Onni?
I noticed an interesting parallel between the latest page and page 750. The panel composition is eerily similar too. o_o
so, is the idea here that lalli's area is gone? seeing as the lilypads from his area are there, but none of the forest (or that little platform he normally stays on)?Reynir saw his area at the end of the last page he was in, it was just empty -- I think Lalli is kind of lost or something? Or far from where he should be.
so, is the idea here that lalli's area is gone? seeing as the lilypads from his area are there, but none of the forest (or that little platform he normally stays on)?
Hmm, I wonder where have we previously seen water, mist, and a light on it... hmmmm (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=319)...
(the lilypads are somewhat of an obstacle in this theory since those normally grow in stagnant water, but we've seen weirder things in dreamland, I suppose)
Edit: I misread the question as "where's Lalli gone" or something of the sort :D His magespace obviously isn't gone, as Noodly noted. Lalli just woke up in the wrong place.
Sounds good, Wavewright. I'd like it if they have birds.Aye, but are the birds expected to stick to their own Path?
I haven't been in this thread for far too long!
Regarding what Mr Plinkett had to say some pages back...Spoiler: Spoilered to avoid reopening old wounds show
Are Pastor A and Sleipnope the same entity? Personally I don't think so, but it would be an interesting twist if they turned out to be different sides of the same personality. Pastor A (maybe a chaplain at the Fort?) is the human, compassionate side, and Sleipnope (at its core) is a manifestation of her suppressed grief and rage at what happened with the rash and at being stuck in limbo for 90 years. Reuniting them into a whole being would solve the situation by allowing her to move on to the afterlife.
...I pretty much just described the plot of The Dark Crystal didn't I? :'D
Are Pastor A and Sleipnope the same entity? Personally I don't think so, but it would be an interesting twist if they turned out to be different sides of the same personality. Pastor A (maybe a chaplain at the Fort?) is the human, compassionate side, and Sleipnope (at its core) is a manifestation of her suppressed grief and rage at what happened with the rash and at being stuck in limbo for 90 years. Reuniting them into a whole being would solve the situation by allowing her to move on to the afterlife.
Possible, but not likely. Pastor A seems to be the single entity with unique personality. Sleipnope is the geshtalt of several personalities with some sort of collective mind, that worked on compromises (remember it's "side" voices) between several points of view. Not much similarities here. And, Sleipnope obviously have "something" against either Reynit or Lalli, while Pastor A did not recognise Reynir at all.
"...By Reynir'shandsbraid, or else by none..."
Now I want Reynir to meet a female Reynir who can fly and has a pet... hang on a second! Is the blorptroll the SSSS universe version of Fizzgig!? XoXNo; Kitty is.
I assume in this scenario that 'Dark' A is the entity at the heart of Sleipnope, commanding all the rest of the absorbed souls, and that there's no communication between Dark A and Light A, the spirit that Reynir and Onni encountered.
I haven't been in this thread for far too long!
Regarding what Mr Plinkett had to say some pages back...Spoiler: Spoilered to avoid reopening old wounds show
Are Pastor A and Sleipnope the same entity? Personally I don't think so, but it would be an interesting twist if they turned out to be different sides of the same personality. Pastor A (maybe a chaplain at the Fort?) is the human, compassionate side, and Sleipnope (at its core) is a manifestation of her suppressed grief and rage at what happened with the rash and at being stuck in limbo for 90 years. Reuniting them into a whole being would solve the situation by allowing her to move on to the afterlife.
...I pretty much just described the plot of The Dark Crystal didn't I? :'D
This theory required one assumption; that Dark A and Light A became separated before the event after which Dark A (aka murderghosts) started to dislike Lalli and/or Reynir. Light A obviously doesnt even know who Reynkr are.
Yes, it has been posited that we are only 1-3 days since the Tank caught fire and the day just went downhill from there.
That's an interesting theory about Pastor A and a division in her personality. However, Sleipnope is composed of entities that originated in Copenhagen and followed them there, while Pastor A's arc began on the next island over.
I must disagree, Dilandu, I believe that a central personality is at Sleipnope's heart, one that recognised the opportunity that the sjødraug and tethered horse presented. What I can't figure out is the impetus that shoved that personality out of the fort in the first place. It's not just Mikkel's presence, because a truly malevolent spirit that *could* leave the confines, *would.* Long since.
. It's not just Mikkel's presence, because a truly malevolent spirit that *could* leave the confines, *would.* Long since.
So, we have the rational entity, that considered destruction of expedition important enough to take the risks and suffer for that.
I'm not sure if the trolls' real, conscious intention is to harm and destroy humans. I've had doubts about it ever since we saw the train giant say "help me" to the very humans it attacked. I think aggression is simply the only interaction they're capable of - they actually seek help but whatever corrupted their bodies also corrupts their actions into violence. That's my headcanon, anyway.
I have wondered if the Rash Disease itself actually has a consciousness, or is under the control of one. And if all the souls of the human and animal bodies subsumed by it are actually still there, still aware, still suffering, along for the ride but helpless to act individually until something breaks that control, like the ray of sunlight in the eyes for Emil's beast-dog, or being separated from the mass of the giant like that poor girl on the train.
The theory "Mikkel disturbed their resting place and thats why ghosts started to chase him" just didn't feel right. Sleipnope seems to be rational enough to understood that all this intrusion was just incidental and no harm was meant. And, Mikkel wasn't even the first target of their attack; first was Sigrun, who never ever were near fort, and ghosts never actually meet her.
So, there must be some deeper, more important reason, why a bunch of ghosts started to follow the expedition. It took a lot of efforts for them, after all; after failed attack, Sleipnope looked pretty miserable... actually looked harmed and suffering.
So, we have the rational entity, that considered destruction of expedition important enough to take the risks and suffer for that. And the Sleipnope taunts to Lalli/Reynir seems to be... aimed.
If so, its a pretty... stupid consciousness. Most trolls demonstrate pretty simplistic behavior, not even on the level of mammals. And giants seems to be evless intelligent.
Considering Cthulhund and train-giant head... in both cases brain seems to be relatively intact. With Cthulhund, the remission period was at least several hours long, but actually Cthulhund wasn't very agressive in the beginning. With the head of train-giant, we seems to have at least some partially intelligent reaction, but the observation period was too short to make a conclusion
My personal theory is that this chase didn't start out as any deeper more important reason - it was just a bunch of ghosts reacting to someone who'd come into their territory. But I do think it likely that it became a deeper more important reason as time went on and Sleipnope continued to evolve. Onni has stated outright before that ghosts that find themselves unable to move on have a tendency to grow angry, and these particular ghosts could also have been harboring some latent anger over the failed cure and the fact that their caretakers lied to them. They wouldn't necessarily remember what the anger was about, but it would still be there nonetheless.
So then, something living and oblivious wanders into their domain. They're no longer capable of rational thought at this point or of parsing who's actually to blame; the only thing they know is that a living target has ever so conveniently presented itself. So, they follow it. And it leads them to still more convenient targets.
Then, the attack happens, and is thwarted... but it has the effect of merging them into a single legion. As such, this legion begins to acquire the first glimmers of something that they hadn't had before: purpose. It doesn't matter whether this purpose will actually help them or not; it doesn't matter how many times they're thwarted. They have an actual goal now, something to work towards in lieu of the moving on which they've become incapable of doing, and so they pursue it singlemindedly. As they move on, they acquire more minds and their purpose grows sharper; they begin not only to plan but to rationalize. If they must suffer, others must suffer with them.
You're missing a couple of details here, though. First of all, the fact that the ghosts left their resting place and started chasing the crew well before they merged into Sleipnope. That happened... well, the earliest thing that could rationally be called an incarnation of Sleipnope was created either during or immediately after the first attack, when Reynir was trying to fend them off and then when Onni swooped in to get them off the crew's backs. Prior to that, the ghosts that Reynir saw creeping up on the tank were a group of individuals, not any sort of legion.
As for Mikkel disturbing their resting place... it does fit with the fact that the animal tracks were all avoiding the place (they knew something bad would happen to them if they went in there).
My personal theory is that this chase didn't start out as any deeper more important reason - it was just a bunch of ghosts reacting to someone who'd come into their territory. But I do think it likely that it became a deeper more important reason as time went on and Sleipnope continued to evolve. Onni has stated outright before that ghosts that find themselves unable to move on have a tendency to grow angry, and these particular ghosts could also have been harboring some latent anger over the failed cure and the fact that their caretakers lied to them. They wouldn't necessarily remember what the anger was about, but it would still be there nonetheless.
So then, something living and oblivious wanders into their domain. They're no longer capable of rational thought at this point or of parsing who's actually to blame; the only thing they know is that a living target has ever so conveniently presented itself. So, they follow it. And it leads them to still more convenient targets.
Then, the attack happens, and is thwarted... but it has the effect of merging them into a single legion. As such, this legion begins to acquire the first glimmers of something that they hadn't had before: purpose. It doesn't matter whether this purpose will actually help them or not; it doesn't matter how many times they're thwarted. They have an actual goal now, something to work towards in lieu of the moving on which they've become incapable of doing, and so they pursue it singlemindedly. As they move on, they acquire more minds and their purpose grows sharper; they begin not only to plan but to rationalize. If they must suffer, others must suffer with them.
The Rashed are a disease. And what's the singular purpose of a disease? To spread. Thinking from the viewpoint of a pathogen, it's perfectly rational to sacrifice its current host body if it can in turn infect another host which can then go on to spread the disease (and considering that the Rash is at its most virulent in the early stages... there would be plenty of advantage in infecting a new host body as opposed to preserving the old one). There are many, many examples of animals that have been infected with some virus or fungus or parasite acting in ways that are counter to their own survival: ants climbing the tallest blade of grass so they'll get eaten by a cow, mice losing their fear of cats... preservation of the host body isn't important, but propagation of the disease is.
and that there's no communication between Dark A and Light ASo they'll reunite into Andalf the GrAy? >:D
I'm not sure that Sleipnope have a distinct "central" personality. I always assumed that it is sort "controlled by common agreement", I.e. its actions are the approximation of several personalities similar opinions.When we were given a glimpse (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=676) of the various voices within Sleipnope, an important number of them were more concerned about their own deplorable situation than the whole revenge thing. I don't see how they could "agree" on the attack plan with herding trolls and whatnot if the active, scheming one(s) didn't have considerably more weight in the decision process than the Party of Sad.
However, Sleipnope is composed of entities that originated in Copenhagen and followed them there, while Pastor A's arc began on the next island over.Reynirs first vision of A's church (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=506) (the ruins version) happened at a time where they just had escaped from Copenhagen. The first time he saw the intact version (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=557) (which is obviously based on A's own memories of it), the expedition was near Odense, on Fyn. However, that's Reynir we're talking about, the guy who "randomly" walked into Onni's haven after Lalli shooed him out of his ...
I've had doubts about it ever since we saw the train giant say "help me" to the very humans it attacked.Ah, but that (husk of a human) was a broken-away part of the giant, possibly one that hadn't even turned troll before becoming part of it.
When we were given a glimpse (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=676) of the various voices within Sleipnope, an important number of them were more concerned about their own deplorable situation than the whole revenge thing. I don't see how they could "agree" on the attack plan with herding trolls and whatnot if the active, scheming one(s) didn't have considerably more weight in the decision process than the Party of Sad.
Maybe, but Sleipnope at least was rational, you agree? So, even if individual ghosts are irrational, the Sleipnope at least could ask itself "for what reason I'm doing that?" It is not that its actions are simple and cheap; they are costly and painful.
Yes, but not exactly very far. If murderghosts were actual threat, animals would hardly live around in such numbers. So, id doesn't seems that murderghosts have the habit to run around plotting revenge on squirrels and rabbits before. More likely, animals considered them as sort of landmine; it would kill you if you get too close, but it hardly would chase you around, demanding that you must apologise for stepping on it.
Here, I disagree. Sleipnope demonstrated the ability to recall past events and communicate DURING the attack, not after that. It was able to actually identify Lalli and even conclude that he became stronger. So, there was logical thinking already active and running here. Again, the whole idea of attack - to use trolls as cannon fodder - required at least some thinking and planning.
Er, no. It would be logical, if not the fact that Rash basically turn the victims immortal. And this is contradiction to the "spread at all cost" strategy; if the disease cared about the host enough to actually form kind of symbiosis with it, then why waste the host so stupidly? This is two different strategies, to ensure the host survival and to maximise the spread.
wait a minute, that's a Finnish flag.Umh, nnnoooo ... ? [points to flag cheat sheet right underneath the comic]
Nah. Look again. It's swedish. The cross is not white, it's yellow. It's hard to tell on the monitor, I'll grant you that.
I think it's possible that Lalli has been knocked clean out of the space that he knows, and the rules are different here. Maybe possibly hedging my bets conceivably this is a dream that Emil is having that Lalli has access to.
I strongly suspect that the woman is a servant, not a relative.
In addition to the clothing and the body language, which looks subservient to me: there's only one place set. She's not going to be eating with him, she's just waiting on him. Wouldn't his mother, aunt, grandmother etc. be sitting down and eating with him?
As she's talking about family relationships, however, she's probably not just a random maid hired last week. She may be the family nanny, or something of the sort.
As he's now interacting with Lalli, it can't be only memory. I don't see how he'd even recognize Lalli if it's pure memory; he wouldn't have met him yet.
But maybe dream spaces, at least for non-mages, are made at least partly out of memory? Because up to that point it does seem to be a memory, if not of a specific incident (though it might be), then of a sort of thing that did happen in his life. -- having it be at least partly dream might change the tone of that business with the cake, though; it might be a dream exaggeration, not that he routinely actually expected to be presented with a different cake at every meal.
As he's now interacting with Lalli, it can't be only memory. I don't see how he'd even recognize Lalli if it's pure memory; he wouldn't have met him yet.
But maybe dream spaces, at least for non-mages, are made at least partly out of memory? Because up to that point it does seem to be a memory, if not of a specific incident (though it might be), then of a sort of thing that did happen in his life. -- having it be at least partly dream might change the tone of that business with the cake, though; it might be a dream exaggeration, not that he routinely actually expected to be presented with a different cake at every meal.
As he's now interacting with Lalli, it can't be only memory. I don't see how he'd even recognize Lalli if it's pure memory; he wouldn't have met him yet.
But maybe dream spaces, at least for non-mages, are made at least partly out of memory? Because up to that point it does seem to be a memory, if not of a specific incident (though it might be), then of a sort of thing that did happen in his life. -- having it be at least partly dream might change the tone of that business with the cake, though; it might be a dream exaggeration, not that he routinely actually expected to be presented with a different cake at every meal.
To be fair, we don't know who Emil sees. WE know it's Lalli, but Emil could be seeing some childhood friend.
To be fair, we don't know who Emil sees. WE know it's Lalli, but Emil could be seeing some childhood friend.
She may be the family nanny, or something of the sort.
Hah!
-- and Lalli, who's asleep, is going to go to sleep in his dream? I wonder whether that'll make him wake up? -- I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting him to start in on all of that food. I don't suppose it would sustain him or even let him wake up feeling full, but at least he could taste it.
I've had a funny thought all week. Until I get proven wrong (or right, who knows?) I'm imagining that the nanny is Emil's fylgia that's disguising itself both due to watching over an atheist and being something that would be really out of place in a fancy interior.
Non mage dreams do seem to be connected to the dreamscape, but are deeper into the "ether" so to speak and are probably more fluid due to the nature of non-mages dreams shifting and changing.
Non-mage dreams are obviously less accessible for some reason, because we didn't see Lalli and Reynir getting into their team mates' dreams at all previous to this. I wonder what makes it different now.
Mages don't dream, when they rest their minds instead enter an altered reality that is mostly safe called a haven.
I'm still going with "Emil's voice guided his soul there" because it looked like it kind of reached Lalli when we saw him fall back on page 779 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=779)!
Since we're discussing magic: Isn't it weird that with Reynir's ability for instant communication over large distances between mages, nobody has noticed and exploited this way overpowered feature of Icelandic magic? You'd think Icelandic mages would be standard for each expedition or military action, because they're literally better than radio, especially when it comes to getting help in an emergency. But nobody in the team even hints at this being the case. Unless Reynir is actually unusual even among Icelandic mages.
Since we're discussing magic: Isn't it weird that with Reynir's ability for instant communication over large distances between mages, nobody has noticed and exploited this way overpowered feature of Icelandic magic? You'd think Icelandic mages would be standard for each expedition or military action, because they're literally better than radio, especially when it comes to getting help in an emergency. But nobody in the team even hints at this being the case. Unless Reynir is actually unusual even among Icelandic mages.
But for what reason? Radio seems to be much more reliable... Moreover, it seems that the distanse is actually matter; the magic may also be subjected to inverse square law...
But for what reason? Radio seems to be much more reliable... Moreover, it seems that the distanse is actually matter; the magic may also be subjected to inverse square law...
If your mage has to be asleep to go communicate that makes it hard to do the "WE NEED THIS INFORMATION RIGHT NOW" part of radio
For situations like this: http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=633 And the radio is not that reliable, it's vulnerable to both spirit interference and technical issues (remember it completely died before they abandoned the tank?). And anyway, having two ways of communication instead of one seems wise.
Er, mages are even less reliable; they could talk only to other mages, they need either be asleep or tremendous concentration, and they seems to be unable to rely anything more than short messages in "hyperconcentration" regime.
Make more sence to just place automatic radio relay stations in Silent World, to retranslate communications.
I've had a funny thought all week. Until I get proven wrong (or right, who knows?) I'm imagining that the nanny is Emil's fylgia that's disguising itself both due to watching over an atheist and being something that would be really out of place in a fancy interior.... and she's actually perfectly happy that Emil doesn't eat up on all those cakes? ;)
One of my *hum* story interpretation clashes with JoB had a closely related subject matter. I was wondering if the boat was soon going to be close enough for any mages riding it to reach the crew's mages. If I remember correctly, JoB pointed out that Reynir hadn't run into other mages on the way to Onni's place in Chapter 7 and took it to mean that some kind of connection was needed for mage-to-mage contact (the connection being having seen Onni's photo in Reynir's case). If he's right, that could be an extra complication for setting up an official mage-to-mage communication system.Let's be practical here: We know for a fact that Iceland has impotant trading connections at least to Öresundsbro base (Admiral Olsen complained how "overrun (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=184)" his base is with them) and Bornholm (Reynir easily found himself a ride on one of those ships). If Icelanders were aware that long-distance seiður dream-conferences are possible and even remotely as reliable as radio, there'ld be one or two seiður posted in both places in permanence, whether it's necessary to introduce them to each other in person beforehand or not. How likely would it be, then, that Reynir has never heard of such a system, given his fascinated listening to his adventuring siblings' tales?
I'm afraid any answer I can give to this will be colored by my semi-suspicion that there have been some active efforts to keep Reynir from becoming aware of his powers. In my mind, such efforts would include a lot of misinformation and deliberate omissions concerning mages and magic.
Anyone else has any ideas?
Hm, for what reason? It doesn't seems that Iceland suppress mages or denied their existence.
And the shippers cheered.
And I plug my ears, because I'm not up for this
Ok, so now Emil have... what?
* Some sort of direct mental communication with Lalli? Hope not. It would be... too chiched. Not to mention that hardly possible for non-infected non-mage.
* Lalli's neuroclone in Emil's brain? More interesting, but hardly possible. There isn't enough space or processing capability in human brain to support two distinc personalities (and while we could discuss the "soul" concept, I hope, we all agree, that any kind of thinking & speaking required working brain?)
* Lalli's... neural shadow in Emil's brain? I.e. not completely neuroclone; just sort of... parallel thinking, by rearranging some parts of Emil's brain to Lalli's imprints. No "little Lalli" in Emil's mind, of course; just the Emil's brain now have a small parallel processing unit, which worked close to Lalli's brain.
Hm...
His body is carrying Lalli's soul! Which gives him a direct mental communication with him! How do you know that's not possible for non-infected non-mages? Because it obviously is!
(or Emil got infected sometime and it awakened his hidden mage-powers, I dunno)
and while we could discuss the "soul" concept, I hope, we all agree, that any kind of thinking & speaking required working brain?
(and while we could discuss the "soul" concept, I hope, we all agree, that any kind of thinking & speaking required working brain?)
What do you say about Sleipnope then? Sleipnope's original brain has obviously rotted away ages ago but they still seem able to form thoughts.
Bear in mind that we're reading a comic in which a trollified horse, for instance, can survive ninety years tied up and therefore with effectively no access to food or water. I suppose it got rained on from time to time, but that's hardly going to have been enough to keep a physical horse hydrated, let alone fed; and yet, there was still a physical horse there.
I think I agree. :?
...This feels like it belongs in the latest page-thread and not the character development thread :P
for example I get the vague feeling that we should understand now why the minds of trolls are able to communicate on the radio.
Thank you, you non-shippers are always so generous to remind us shippers that our happiness bothers you :) Always nice to hear.
Today's page reminded me of this:
Top things that may convince Mikkel that Emil is indeed sharing his body with Lalli:
5: Reynir doesn't need to tell him to avoid the ghost hideouts because he's doing that on his own.
4: He consistently grabs Lalli's rifle instead of his own while gearing up.
3: He knows Finnish words that Tuuri is very unlikely to have taught him.
2: What's left of the cookies is vanishing despite Lalli being unconscious.
And finally...
1: He knows how to aim.
And finally...I'm afraid that that concept will fly right over Mikkel's head. ;)
1: He knows how to aim.
1: He knows how to aim.Not that I expect this to kill the "Emil can't aim ever ever ever ha ha ha" idee fixe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id%C3%A9e_fixe_(psychology)) in the fandom, but...
Not that I expect this to kill the "Emil can't aim ever ever ever ha ha ha" idee fixe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id%C3%A9e_fixe_(psychology)) in the fandom, but...
In panel 3 here (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=664), Emil kills a troll with one shot, holding his gun one-handed.
Apparently, this is how he was trained to fire his weapon.
Not that I expect this to kill the "Emil can't aim ever ever ever ha ha ha" idee fixe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id%C3%A9e_fixe_(psychology)) in the fandom, but...
In panel 3 here (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=664), Emil kills a troll with one shot, holding his gun one-handed.
Apparently, this is how he was trained to fire his weapon.
Hmmmm.... this whole "lalli riding shotgun in emil's head" thing definitely gives implications for the fanfic side.I am suddenly reminded of Dr. Bright from the SCP fandom.
As a whole, not just for the emillali fandom.
Edit: let us recklessly speculate on those implications now, and what might happen if Lalli's body were to perish?
I kinda think it would leave Lalli stuck in emil's subconscious until emil eventually died (unless he somehow discovers the secret to immortality, now that would be a twist), the question then becomes would he remain a seperate and distinct entitiy, or would emil end up sort of over-writing lalli and just sort take on some lalli like traits?
Additionally, this close brush with magery makes me wonder will Emil gain some sort of insight into magic?
I am suddenly reminded of Dr. Bright from the SCP fandom.
Dr. Bright isn't riding shotgun though.True true,
Edit: let us recklessly speculate on those implications now, and what might happen if Lalli's body were to perish?Lalli's quite a stickler for the noita job description, i.e., "make the soul of the dead enter afterlife proper, if need be". If the death of his body doesn't effect such in the first place, I'ld trust him to go swan-hi-jacking of his own volition.
Lalli's quite a stickler for the noita job description, i.e., "make the soul of the dead enter afterlife proper, if need be". If the death of his body doesn't effect such in the first place, I'ld trust him to go swan-hi-jacking of his own volition.
I cannot agree with you on this one - mages would also know more than most about respecting the natural order of things. They could force a spirit onward, but that would be to make it fit into the natural order as opposed to existing outside it. His main concern when Tuuri died was ensuring that she went properly.Yes, precisely. What I meant to say was "once Lalli were to realize that he (his body) is legit dead, he'ld insist on his soul / dreamscape-self going straight to Tuonela 'where it belongs', even if - for whatever reason - the team and the birds of The Birds' Path were opposing that".
I can't help but notice that Reynir is actually wearing a combination of his dreamspace and real-world clothes. I can't help wondering if it's intentional or Minna forgetting which is which (she did do a milder version of that mix-up with Emil's uniform on the Chapter 14 cover by giving him the wrong boots).
Looks like we finally got some confirmation on the location of the extraction point on today's page, it seems to be a bit south of the town of Gylling in the municipality of Odder on the coast just out of Horsens fjord. So Emil and the others still have around 50 km left to walk. I wonder if Emil and Lalli will still follow the route on their map and take the time to avoid the bigger cities for safety or if they'll try to save time by traveling closer to the coast through Horsens.
As I asked on Disqus, what's Norwegian for drama queen?
If Mikkel's walking in the packed wheelbarrow track and therefore not leaving as much in the way of prints -- are we maybe down to the single-track appearance of Reynir's dream? Or for that matter would Reynir maybe not have seen his own prints in the dream, other than behind him?
They'll clearly appear if he waits long enough.
Some day his prints will come.
Some day his prints will come.When they do, will it be a Kodak moment?
I guess it's just as well that Sigrun (or most everyone in the team) isn't the brightest crayon in the box. A different character would have told Mikkel to take his 10% claim and tell it to Tuuri.
...But that'd mean talking about something and we can't have that, can we?
Trivia question of the day: what colour are Taru's eyes?I'm thinking brown. Iirc Tuuri's eye color is blue and while the shading blocks off part of the coloration you can still see they're blue along the bottom edge.
I've been all through chapters 1-4 and other spots where I can find her, and her character description of course, and they are drawn as black only. There is only one scene (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=84), where she is telling Tuuri that Vellamo will look after them, where they look brown, but it's hard to tell if that's the actual colour from the lighting.
Anybody know?
my quick guess is that the ghosts aren't actually interested in reynir, they're interested in lalli and are tied in with whatever supernatural force is hunting the hotakainen mages.
i know there's a page where sleipnope says it will follow somebody forever (i forget who it's addressing), couldn't find that page on a quick trolling through the archive :-[
Here's the page http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=676 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=676)
The problem with Sleipnope (and the Ghostpack) following just Lalli is that, well, it isn't. It's following Reynir right now. It left Lalli back at the cattank, presumably, and followed the guy from Iceland instead.
Maybe they heard the whole conversation about how Lalli and Emil were going to catch up to them?
My take on this is that the ghosts are following both Lalli and Reynir (which is strongly suggested on this page (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=700)), but the house giant incident happening while it was still technically daytime had the unintended side effect of putting lots of distance between Lalli and the ghosts very fast. For all I know, there could be a group of ghosts looking for them right now, that simply hasn't reached/found them yet.
My take on this is that the ghosts are following both Lalli and Reynir (which is strongly suggested on this page (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=700)), but the house giant incident happening while it was still technically daytime had the unintended side effect of putting lots of distance between Lalli and the ghosts very fast. For all I know, there could be a group of ghosts looking for them right now, that simply hasn't reached/found them yet.Yes that could be an option. Even if the murder ghosts don't have any supernatural tracking powers and would have to rely on looking for tracks they could maybe have followed Emil and Lalli since the tracks that the giant made when chasing them would be easy to see. So the main ghost-group might have continued following the wheelbarrow while a smaller group would have investigated the tracks of the giant. However following the tracks after they broke apart would be hard, so if there is a group of ghost hunting down Emil and Lalli right now then they're either good at tracking or have some sort of supernatural tracking power.
As far as I'm concerned, the sweet spot for Emil getting mage abilities would be ghost vision and/or troll detection, but no actual combat/defense magic. This way he gets a glimpse of what Lalli has to live with, but doesn't end up overpowered (or with something he'll probably not have long enough to make any real use out of it, since I don't picture either outlasting Lalli's stay).
So the main ghost-group might have continued following the wheelbarrow while a smaller group would have investigated the tracks of the giant.
These ghosts seem to be surprisingly more capable of speech than the usual variety, they seem genuinely surprised that Emil can see/hear them.
Well, it seems unlikely that these ghosts are under Sleipnope's command. They don't seem hostile, rather passive, actually
And this made Lalli reaction... strange. He is almost paniking, but it isn't kind of "run, fool, or they would kill us!" kind of panic. It is more like... he is worried that ghosts could tell Emil something, that Lalli didn't want him to know.
I wonder if they're ghosts? I mean they probably are, but do we know for certain that there isn't a bunch of trolls behind that wall and Emilalli is seeing their souls with Mage X-Ray Vision™?
I wonder if they're ghosts? I mean they probably are, but do we know for certain that there isn't a bunch of trolls behind that wall and Emilalli is seeing their souls with Mage X-Ray Vision™?
I read it as troll souls within the house based on the fact that Emil saw something "in" there and it looks like they are clinging to the walls and ceiling within the structure, as trolls have been seen doing before.
And does page 158 provide precedent for or against that? (Lalli seeing the troll's spirit above the train, but it was much more "solid")
The two may not be mutually exclusive.
The main thing I'm getting here is that Emil isn't very bright.Or that troll-ghosts just have insanely high charisma stats
The main thing I'm getting here is that Emil isn't very bright.
Looking at his behaviour, I feel like he is being charmed/enchanted/hypnotized. His gaze/expression slackens considerably in the last few panels.
When the voices started playing in Tuuri's head, they also had a bit of a mesmerising effect on her, and while she managed to shake it off, she had to do so repeatedly. In context of Emil's arc here, I'm guessing that Tuuri will have heard about this effect through family crosstalk (hence her use of 'the trapped ones' when talking to Lalli). Poor Emil will likely have never heard of such a thing, to his detriment?
Assuming that Minna will have her characters have realistic personalities, this scene should spell the end of Lalli and Emil ever having a relationship, because of the effect it would necessarily have on Emil. The part of our minds that experiences that drastic get engrained in - the part that makes people stand up and leave the room before they consciously noticed that That Other Guy™ just came in, or prevent them from falling asleep as long as they haven't gotten at least half a mile away from him, or make them refuse to ever be teamed up with him again for another expedition into the Silent World - is not one of the rational "alright, let's talk it out" ones.Spoiler: excerpt show
Assuming that Minna will have her characters have realistic personalities, this scene should spell the end of Lalli and Emil ever having a relationship, because of the effect it would necessarily have on Emil. The part of our minds that experiences that drastic get engrained in - the part that makes people stand up and leave the room before they consciously noticed that That Other Guy™ just came in, or prevent them from falling asleep as long as they haven't gotten at least half a mile away from him, or make them refuse to ever be teamed up with him again for another expedition into the Silent World - is not one of the rational "alright, let's talk it out" ones.
But don't people ever forgive others who did horrible things to them while genuinely trying to help?That was my point, though: Once That Other Guy™ has become a trigger for something as low-level as your fight-or-flight reactions, "forgiveness" is something that newfangled neocortex may waste its time with (if I may channel Mr. Reptilian Brain here).
But that doesn't matter, since looking at the evidence we have so far, I'm pretty convinced Minna is not interested in exploring realistic psychology in this story so they will very likely find a way to work this out.(I agree ...
I was simply offering a real life counter-example to JoB's prediction... which is why this was actually not a prediction for the story.)
Since we're talking realistic personalities, I'll remind you that there are people who stay for decades in abusive relationships.To second Grade E cat, abusive relationships start as not-yet-abusive ones the abused one feels more or less obliged to continue. Once Emil has gotten to the quarantine ship (which at least he is assuming he actually will), there's nothing to force him to stay with Lalli if he doesn't feel like it; no more mission to complete, no established friendship with him (memento soupface and squashflower), no overruling authority of Lalli (as in the parent-child example).
1) Did Lalli cross a line in trying to save Emil's life?*A* line, most definitely. Our RL authorities (if only two guys from the future with a background of several other nations would fall into their jurisdiction, and Minnas depiction of the events were acceptable as factual proof of what happened between them ::) ) would call it assault and battery plus coercion, and then look into the mitigating circumstances.
(I just noticed I was ninja'd by thorny, for some reason I missed their comment earlier)(You posted <8m later, so you might've been already editing your reply when thorny posted, and - assuming that your account has the default setting of messages per page (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?action=profile;area=theme;u=10) - your post went to the next page of the topic. I've picked up the habit, in such a situation, to explicitly flip back to the previous page to check whether other new posts have fallen into that gap.)
(You posted <8m later, so you might've been already editing your reply when thorny posted, and - assuming that your account has the default setting of messages per page (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?action=profile;area=theme;u=10) - your post went to the next page of the topic. I've picked up the habit, in such a situation, to explicitly flip back to the previous page to check whether other new posts have fallen into that gap.)
(But also, I've just pressed "Preview" to check this post, and between the preview and the edit pane, I get a red bar saying "Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post." because Grade E cat just posted again, so there also are countermeasures built into the forum software to combat that.)
That was my point, though: Once That Other Guy™ has become a trigger for something as low-level as your fight-or-flight reactions, "forgiveness" is something that newfangled neocortex may waste its time with (if I may channel Mr. Reptilian Brain here).
Edit: How would I have played this scene? Sing, dammit Lalli, sing - sing a runo, sing the national anthem, sing Incy-Wincy Spider for all I care, just sing, and sing it firmly. That would turn Emil's head.
A lot has already been said, but I want to point out one thing: A lot of people keep mentioning that it was this or facing a "fate worse than death," that is, possibly being trollified. However, Lalli and Emil are both immune. So, if Lalli did nothing, or if this or anything else he chose to do failed, and if Emil doesn't either get away or kill this thing, they're straight up going to die.
For what it's worth my own headcanon is that anyone, immune or not, absorbed by trolls or giants, gets added to the unwilling collective so long as they were still alive when they were absorbed. Bodies of which the souls have already escaped just get eaten/absorbed as meat, fuel, whatever. This may even be common knowledge, especially among mages and their kin, and would explain Tuuri's reaction to the confirmation that she was infected, and the fact that the job description for Finnish mages includes 'freeing the souls trapped in trolls and beasts'.
Bang and Zeetha being all buddy-buddy over cake! Neither of those two seems yet to have figured out who the other is, and I suspect there will be ructions of the extremely violent kind when they do.Actually, this is from a rather old page - each knew exactly who the other was, and, well.... I won't spoil it, I'll let you follow the link:
Ah, yes. On that level they know about each other. What I am waiting for is when Zeetha lets slip to Bang that she (Zeetha) once destroyed a pirate base to which she had been kidnapped while too ill to resist. Whereas Bang wound up with the Baron because she came back to her home base one day to find her folk gone and everything destroyed.......it was very early in the story. My suspicion is that Zeetha did that, and Bang won't be happy when she discovers this.
I still think there is no real malice in either of them, just ignorance, cultural narrowness, and little understanding of themselves or other people.
I suppose I am less outraged by them because in the real world I have known quite a number of uncouth, uncultured and uncivilised folk, and most of them were good people under the roughness.
And I suppose I'm not upset by their not having a long cathartic discussion, and by the group in general's not doing so for that matter, in part because, while the society as I'm living in it now might well indeed expect to deal with problems by sitting everybody down with a counselor and working through every detail, this more-or-less same society, when I was a child and teenager in it, would have been much more likely to do nothing of the sort. I grew up surrounded by adults who had just been through WWII -- and who for the most part didn't talk about it. Awful things happened, and, if you were still alive afterwards, you were just supposed to get on with life.
I think that for a lot of people, the talk-everything-out technique is more useful; though I think that for some people it's the reverse. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if the year 90 society is the result of a fairly long stretch during which the people who survived were the ones who, finding themselves still alive afterwards, spent what spoons they had left dealing with what was likely to come up during the next day or the next week. Much of the trauma experienced during the year 0 transition must have had to be walled off in order to have any chance of making it to year 2. And I would expect that to still be reverberating, if considerably attenuated, by year 90.
The problem may be partly that I get the impression that Minna thought, originally, that she could somehow make a lighthearted story out of this. I don't think that's possible, and I think her story has overtaken her original intentions -- writing has a way of doing that, for many authors. That doesn't mean she can't get lighthearted moments into it (people in even the worst situations often find things to laugh about, and need to); or that the story may not wind up, overall, hopeful -- these humans have made it to year 90, after all, and they're overall gaining ground (sometimes literally), not losing it.
It's like the entire rest of the cast (bar Onni (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=794) and Sigrun (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=833), and not even they ever mention her name, or anything else about her as an individual - it's all about their grief) just magically forgot that Tuuri ever existed, starting a couple of pages after she died, and Minna expects us to forget she existed as well and just move on with the story already.
But then, to go sailing off down another rabbit hole, I'm puzzled in general that this society has to some extent fixated on fictional zombies in the fashion that it has, not so much as a horror but as a fun thing to talk about. Are we trying to tell ourselves on some level that of course anybody can suddenly start destroying everything that they previously loved, themselves included -- and that this is somehow OK? Maybe we're afraid that we're already destroying everything that we love, including eventually ourselves (which may unfortunately turn out to be true) and we're trying to make a joke out of this, so we won't have to try to fix it?
I don't think most people have such deep meaning in mind when they discuss zombies.
These pages have been a gift.
I had an interesting thought of my own last night. Emil's dream happens in a room with a sink in it, and it's been mentioned that the fire eventually spreads to the house. I wonder if he was still in that room when the fire arrived, and the sink helped create some kind of safe spot.
A quick internet search yields mixed results. Holding a wet cloth over your nose and mouth can help reduce smoke inhalation, which is good. But if you drench yourself, the water will quickly heat up and you'll get scalded by it (house fires are really, really hot). Nobody said anything about whether or not it would keep your clothes from catching fire.If my year-old recollection of general chemistry is accurate, the way being wet keeps things from catching on fire is more or less that it takes a Lot of energy to heat up and boil water, so the energy from the fire goes into that instead of burning the thing. So, yes, being wet would probably keep your clothes from catching fire for a bit longer, but it'd do that by cooking you.
Even if you can avoid the flames themselves with water, the toxic gases and smoke will choke you, and the fire will burn up all the oxygen in the air, making it impossible to breathe.To play the cleansers' advocate here, though, the presence of caustic and toxic gasses in a house fire has gone way up with the ubiquity of plastics - which the post-Rash society doesn't have anymore, magically still-watertight plastdunke notwithstanding.
Though the issue of the fire using up all the oxygen in the space is still a serious danger that a wet cloth can't help.Yes. The recommendation to get down and crawl out of a burning room is supposed to help with both the heat and the oxygen problem; few rooms are airtight to the point that the draft from a large fire won't pull some outside air in under the door(s). Which also keeps the fire going in the first place ... ;)
I just realized that Lalli covered Emil in his fur-cape-thing in the second to last panel of the page. So cute!
That's the church! -- isn't it? Those certainly look like pews to me.Yes, it looks like Reynir finally found the real world version of Pastor A's chruch
Yes, it looks like Reynir finally found the real world version of Pastor A's chruch
I wonder if this is a skill mages have to learn - to distinguish between dream/mage world and real world.
Er, Mikkel and Sigrun also could see the trail. So, whatever left them must be material. Not some mage dream object.
Another possibility is that at least some dream entities/happenings are also material; or are linked to material entities/happenings.
Remember Onni's cut ear? A different agency caused the cut in the waking world -- but he got the same cut as in the dream world.
Interesting! I wonder if it's different for Icelandic mages or is it the same...Icelandic spirits, at least, are supposed to be visible to mere mortals if they so choose, unlike their Finnish counterparts. Maybe that includes fylgjur, only that they're anxious to only show tracks and such because themselves being seen borders on a death sentence to their owner?
And in the meantime I'll try to find another site where I can have a link that will actually show as an image on this post... So yay for learning new stuff?! *End EditWelcome to the forum Narnia4Aslan :D I've found that the easiest way to upload pictures to the forum is by using imgur
I see what you're getting at. I somehow think it won't be a similar outcome, though. I also am skeptical that there is going to be any sort of breakthrough from it either.
What I want to know is, why didn't we get a look at that sign? Is that for Mikkel to discover? He does read Danish after all, and it's possible Reynir doesn't read, full stop.
so am I the only one seeing some unfortunate parallels here? (see the image comparison below)
https://further-down-the-spiral.tumblr.com/post/171781927312/this-has-to-be-my-way-to-set-things-right (https://further-down-the-spiral.tumblr.com/post/171781927312/this-has-to-be-my-way-to-set-things-right)
so am I the only one seeing some unfortunate parallels here? (see the image comparison below)
https://further-down-the-spiral.tumblr.com/post/171781927312/this-has-to-be-my-way-to-set-things-right (https://further-down-the-spiral.tumblr.com/post/171781927312/this-has-to-be-my-way-to-set-things-right)
it's possible Reynir doesn't read, full stop.If you mean to say that he might be unable to, even in his own language, please note that he left a letter (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=294) for his family.
If you mean to say that he might be unable to, even in his own language, please note that he left a letter (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=294) for his family.So he did, good catch!
Next question (well, aside from the one of what's on the other side of that tree, and is it the tree he's got his hand on): how much trouble is he going to have persuading Mikkel and Sigrun to take him seriously?
I'm not liking the bit Minna said about Kitty's radar suite being possibly offline or in low power mode.....
We don't really know how long the travel montage was, like you I assumed 2-4 weeks.
Here's a sideways thought:
I wonder whether what Reynir's looking freaked out about on the Friday page is a large and graphic crucifix -- not just a cross by itself, but one that shows Jesus dying on it.
Anybody living in a primarily Christian country sees those often enough not to notice them much. But Reynir knows nothing about Christianity. Think for a minute how you'd react if you'd never seen a crucifix before.
Anybody living in a primarily Christian country sees those often enough not to notice them much. But Reynir knows nothing about Christianity. Think for a minute how you'd react if you'd never seen a crucifix before.
Double posting a bit here, but I made an edit of todays page. I am pretty convinced that the giant is pastor A... and I kinda hope Reynir will not walk away from the door.
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/eb5513512ff44d083db1fef3cf055975/tumblr_p5whe0MAn91ud4cfso1_400.png)
Congratulations Unlos, you managed to make a terrible page even worse O_O
Gonna have so many nightmares...
Pssst -- hey guys. Aren't you making rather a lot of noise?Many churches are reknowned for their acoustics, it's always so uplifting to hear that delightful resonance. Makes you want to lift up your face to the heavens and...<mikkel> mother of God, what is that thing?</mikkel>
Many churches are reknowned for their acoustics, it's always so uplifting to hear that delightful resonance. Makes you want to lift up your face to the heavens and...<mikkel> mother of God, what is that thing?</mikkel>
I'm partial to it being the room in which she invited Reynir and Onni for tea, which between its last use being more than a year ago and Minna's various quirks, ended up on the other side of the entrance compared to where it originally was.
I kind of like the bell tower suggestion; but I don't have a clear enough sense of the layout of the space to tell whether it's right.
It occurs to me -- apparently belief in Christianity does have power in the post-change world. Given that: I wonder why there was so thorough a shift away from Christianity that it's close to entirely forgotten? While some people might well have lost their faith due to the apocalypse and been looking for another one, it doesn't seem that everyone would have, unless outcomes were much better for believers in the non-Christian gods; and, if belief in the Christian god has enough power to allow the pastor to guide souls and to keep her own soul whole even inside a trollified body (which last is more than the pagan gods seem to be able to do), I don't see as much if any benefit to switching beliefs.
I don't think it's confirmed yet that Pastor A's power comes from her Christian belief. It might, though perhaps people just have natural mage inclinations regardless of their religion.
As for the "benefit of switching beliefs", with the risk of delving into a too serious topic, I don't think choosing a religion is such a logical affair for most people. You either believe or you don't.
Also, personally, I wouldn't call having one's conscience trapped in a troll body for 90 years a "benefit", but maybe that's just me
(apropos of not much) Somebody with more time than I can put this onto the current Gru meme.
Tolkien: I have painstakingly crafted all these languages for my OCs, in all of their individual dialects and historical permutations over the thousands of years of backstory. Each syllable has meaning and poetry, every name lovingly crafted.
Now I can write my epic story bringing together nine characters of all these different races and cultures.
Only one of them speaks more than one language....
Screw it, they all conveniently speak a lingua franca, Westron, with no dialectical or accent differentiation.
Minna: I have painstakingly researched the linguistic relationships of all of the Indo-European and Finno-Ugric languages, in all their individual dialects and historical permutations over a thousand years or so. I have lovingly crafted a graphic representation of this, to illustrate how different the two language trees are.
Now I can write my epic story bringing together six characters of all of these different languages and cultures.
Only one of them speaks all of the languages...
MuhuHAHAHAha! Hold my beer...
Screw it, they all conveniently speak a lingua franca, Westron, with no dialectical or accent differentiation.I'm kinda surprised Noodles didn't already jump in on this, but...
I'm kinda surprised Noodles didn't already jump in on this, but...
Examples of Westron dialectal differences Tolkien put in the Appendices to LoTR:
Everyone in Gondor thought Pippin was a prince or some such because he only used informal pronouns--because the Westron of the Shire had lost the formal pronouns;
and
Merry and Théoden King had historical and etymological conversations on how Shire Westron and the Westron of the Rohirrim had retained many old-fashioned or archaic words the Westron of Gondor had lost.
There are others; Tolkien was too serious a philologist to exclude such things altogether, even when he cut them from the main plot.
she didn't seem [ . . . ] even to realize that she is in a troll body
Whoops, I was wrong about that one.
'Who were I'?? Is that a typo sort of error, or some sort of indication of what's going on here? Is our pastor a composite mind?
-- and what a comfortable looking spirit dog! quite properly pleased with himself, too.
Subjunctive: A verb in the subjunctive mood deals with hypothetical situations or with ideas that are contrary to fact.
It's not a singular past tense, unless it were in the subjunctive. But that's not a proper use of the subjunctive (which I did just use in the second half of my first sentence.)Hmmm, hmm, subjunctive confuses me - it has almost completely disappeared from norwegian. I became almost familiar with it when I was learning spansih, but I've sadly forgotten a lot of that. I admit I'm pretty blank on when it's used in english.
It may just be a grammar error. But it's not any sort of proper formal English, unless the speaker is plural. The Queen of England might use it in formal language, because as I understand it the Queen when speaking formally uses the plural for herself; but a pastor's not the Queen.
ETA: Unlos, the site you cite says:
Hmmm, hmm, subjunctive confuses me - it has almost completely disappeared from norwegian. I became almost familiar with it when I was learning spansih, but I've sadly forgotten a lot of that. I admit I'm pretty blank on when it's used in english.
So (I do love geeking out about languages) unless she were the queen, she should have been using was?
It actually isn't used much in English any longer, either; at least in practice. I'm probably one of about six people left in the USA who still winces a little inwardly whenever somebody says 'I wish I was'. And I do usually try to keep it inward.
Assuming the speaker's singular, yes.
Which is why I was wondering whether Minna meant that to indicate that the speaker's not singular: that is, maybe not only Pastor A, but some composite of the remains of multiple people.
Although when you say "heck you!" (or some other equivalent, feel the blanks), it is technically a subjunctive (it cannot be an imperative since an imperative doesn't admit a subject pronoun - otherwise it would rather be "heck yourself!")
So I was rereading page 333, and I realized something. Onni refers to something that's searching for them. We still don't know what "It" is, do we?No, no clue, but beaucoup speculation. Another thread where theories on It are first hashed out: https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=75.45 (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=75.45)
Taking a wild jump to most recent page --
am I the only one seeing a cross in those beams?
Her backtracking is shown in the two first pages of Chapter 18.
That's interesting. I hadn't realized Sigrun had backtracked all the way to the location where Lalli and Emil were attacked.If we wanted to get technical, she's including the possibility that *one* of them was eaten and the other drowned etc?
But if she thinks they might have been eaten, what does she think killed the giant?
From what I read on the page discussions, this seems to be the general idea. I'm personally wondering if getting the info will be enough, or if there is going to be some kind of obstacle that will keep him from going there and require getting Onni involved.
I'm personally wondering if getting the info will be enough, or if there is going to be some kind of obstacle that will keep him from going there and require getting Onni involved.Like, a sparkly force field around the head in question? :P
It's got functioning brains enough to dress itself in a sun shield; if not an entirely effective one.
I originally though that was some sort of leaf-camouflage/armor growth that was part of it, but looking more closely, it does look more like sun protection that it intentionally built. The concept of a more intelligent, seemingly a little more sentient, type of troll is kind of scary, even if it’s more, erm...friendly...than most and not as aggressive, plus, as mentioned before, it seems quite happy and not distressed or trapped. It’ll be interesting to see exactly what makes this little guy different (other than what we’ve already seen) and why.
I just had a thought about the dusklings. Lalli mentioned that their hide only offers partial protection from light. This could mean that they are exposed to very small doses of sunlight on a regular basis. I'm thinking along the lines of not enough to make them retreat back to shelter, but still enough to have some kind of effect, like some kind of "getting a suburn on an overcast day" phenomenon.Hm… sounds plausible. I like it!
Brief exposure to sunlight was enough for a dog's mind to be restored to an extent in Chapter 7. I'm wondering if the regular partial exposure to sunlight had a more gradually acting version of this on the dusklings, and they have white speechbubbles because they accidentally got rid of whatever the Rash does to the mind over time.
I just had a thought about the dusklings. Lalli mentioned that their hide only offers partial protection from light. This could mean that they are exposed to very small doses of sunlight on a regular basis. I'm thinking along the lines of not enough to make them retreat back to shelter, but still enough to have some kind of effect, like some kind of "getting a sunburn on an overcast day" phenomenon.Pastor Anne wasn't being hurt by sunlight too if I remember correctly. Maybe the more corrupted by the Rash the mind is, the less resistant it is to sunlight? The dusklings seem pretty intelligent, with their sun covers, forming packs and ability to recognize danger.
Brief exposure to sunlight was enough for a dog's mind to be restored to an extent in Chapter 7. I'm wondering if the regular partial exposure to sunlight had a more gradually acting version of this on the dusklings, and they have white speechbubbles because they accidentally got rid of whatever the Rash does to the mind over time.
Pastor Anne wasn't being hurt by sunlight too if I remember correctly. Maybe the more corrupted by the Rash the mind is, the less resistant it is to sunlight? The dusklings seem pretty intelligent, with their sun covers, forming packs and ability to recognize danger.
I was also thinking... given how exposition to the sunlight for an hour can replace the usual decontamination process - it all seems to be connected to the fact that sunlight weakens the Rash. What if when it takes over completely, it makes the person "think" that the sunlight hurts? Kind of like the parasites that alter their hosts' behavior patterns, making insects climb up to exposed places so the parasites can infect birds, or making insects drown in the water so the parasite can reproduce, etc etc
I just had a thought about the dusklings. Lalli mentioned that their hide only offers partial protection from light. This could mean that they are exposed to very small doses of sunlight on a regular basis. I'm thinking along the lines of not enough to make them retreat back to shelter, but still enough to have some kind of effect, like some kind of "getting a sunburn on an overcast day" phenomenon.
Brief exposure to sunlight was enough for a dog's mind to be restored to an extent in Chapter 7. I'm wondering if the regular partial exposure to sunlight had a more gradually acting version of this on the dusklings, and they have white speechbubbles because they accidentally got rid of whatever the Rash does to the mind over time.
Pastor Anne wasn't being hurt by sunlight too if I remember correctly. Maybe the more corrupted by the Rash the mind is, the less resistant it is to sunlight? The dusklings seem pretty intelligent, with their sun covers, forming packs and ability to recognize danger.
I was also thinking... given how exposition to the sunlight for an hour can replace the usual decontamination process - it all seems to be connected to the fact that sunlight weakens the Rash. What if when it takes over completely, it makes the person "think" that the sunlight hurts? Kind of like the parasites that alter their hosts' behavior patterns, making insects climb up to exposed places so the parasites can infect birds, or making insects drown in the water so the parasite can reproduce, etc etc
I just had a thought about the dusklings. Lalli mentioned that their hide only offers partial protection from light. This could mean that they are exposed to very small doses of sunlight on a regular basis. I'm thinking along the lines of not enough to make them retreat back to shelter, but still enough to have some kind of effect, like some kind of "getting a sunburn on an overcast day" phenomenon.
Brief exposure to sunlight was enough for a dog's mind to be restored to an extent in Chapter 7. I'm wondering if the regular partial exposure to sunlight had a more gradually acting version of this on the dusklings, and they have white speechbubbles because they accidentally got rid of whatever the Rash does to the mind over time.
Ah, like zombie ant fungus and spider nematodes?Yes, exactly! I mean, it might be a bit too far-fetched, but these creatures are so fascinating, it would be cool to see something similar in the comic.
All kinds of interesting thoughts!
-- "I can't do any of that" -- he could, of course, if he abandoned Lalli's body.
I don't think the thought even enters his head. Which says something about Emil.
Akkk!
What a place for a chapter break!
do we have casualty numbers from the over-run during the reclamation effort?No, but the Danes supposedly inscribed the names of all the ones fallen at Kastrup on the inside of the Drogden tunnel's gate (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=215).
unrelated to the current bit of the story, do we have casualty numbers from the over-run during the reclamation effort?
No, but the Danes supposedly inscribed the names of all the ones fallen at Kastrup on the inside of the Drogden tunnel's gate (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=215).
I wonder whether the notoros will think -- as I did at first, and as some others in the comments apparently did -- that that was a gunshot?
And, if so, whether it'll cause them to at least partly retreat?
I have no theories on what affects it; but I wonder whether the Notoros were ever humans at all, or anything other than trolls. They show no signs of the distress of the trolls that used to be humans or other creatures. And they seem to be pretty close to identically shaped -- not as if they're the misshapen results of conversion, but as if this shape is normal for them.
I have no theories on what affects it; but I wonder whether the Notoros were ever humans at all, or anything other than trolls. They show no signs of the distress of the trolls that used to be humans or other creatures. And they seem to be pretty close to identically shaped -- not as if they're the misshapen results of conversion, but as if this shape is normal for them.
Couldn't help but notice that the orange thingy that may or may not be "it" is still relatively close as far as we know. I really hope that call for help had some kind of property that made Onni the only one able to hear it.Speculation: it's Reynir, who charges in against the monster before Onni can show up, thus getting back into Onni's good graces without even trying.
Speculation: it's Reynir, who charges in against the monster before Onni can show up, thus getting back into Onni's good graces without even trying.
... why is the comment section of page 940 closed already? Did I miss another Kung Fu Storm?
And in other news, that malevolent spirit cracking Lalli's air bubble... O_O nuuuu
And in other news, that malevolent spirit cracking Lalli's air bubble... O_O nuuuu
Strange how the bubble is being cracked instead of popped. Will it be a significant detail, or is it just a thing?
Now it's anyone's guess what it means to be injured in dream space, but it can't be good O.O
Strange how the bubble is being cracked instead of popped. Will it be a significant detail, or is it just a thing?
Wyrm, from the incident with Onni's ear it looks as though Minna is using the same rules as apply in many our-world magical traditions: damage to the spirit is reflected in the flesh. For example, someone drowning in the dreamworld might choke on their spit because they are unconscious and haven't been put in the 'recovery position' that one learns about in first aid courses, or their house might flood, or they might fall asleep in the bath and drown.
Cracking both the air bubble and the shield might do similar things, or induce the breaking of bones from some 'natural' cause, or induce a stroke?
Maybe a particularly heavy notoro flies through the window and lands on Lalli?We have a clumsy Swede currently trying to tango with them to do that kinda job. Remember Doc Doormat?
My headcanon mill churned up something over more cruel: Emil accidentally causes the damage while trying to shield Lalli from whatever will first looks like it's going to cause it.That would be so so sad, but if Emil brings Lalli back alive, then it's okay overall. As long as they both make it.
PS: Writing the above down made me think of this, if anyone has four minutes to kill (sorry, not sorry):Watching that scene again gave me chills. I never considered that [HTTYD spoilers I guess?]
/>
Waaaait. The embroidery on Lalli's tunic is red now? I realised it only after the stream, yes
Eh? I'm almost sure it has always been blue no matter what
Maybe we'll just chalk it up to being an image out of continuity?
Waaaait. The embroidery on Lalli's tunic is red now? I realised it only after the stream, yes
Eh? I'm almost sure it has always been blue no matter what
I tried to track down when, exactly, the color had changed.Conclusion:
Blue version is last seen on page 909, during the brief glimpse of Lalli in Emil's dreamspace (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=909). The lining on Lalli's tunic has been more or less red from the Chapter 21 cover onwards.
One headcanon I’ve developed is that the design of mages’ clothing in the dreamspace can fluctuate—not dramatic changes, but small ones like the color of an accent piece or some other detail. I have noticed slight variations in Lalli’s dream clothing between some different scenes, which it’s entirely possible is due to Minna drawing it differently, but I like my explanation for preserving continuity (plus I think I saw that it was confirmed in one of the streams that mage’s clothes don’t have real-world counterparts, which gives this theory a little bit more credibility? Maybe?) :)That would make a lot of sense given Minna’s statement in the stream the other day that the dream clothes are subconsciously (unconsciously?) created. I’m curious to know why the lining changed recently, but I also don’t want to attempt a psychoanalysis :P
For me he's always been a pretty boy :PThe prettiest boi
On the other note: in the archive with thumbnails (http://www.sssscomic.com/mainimages/) there's already a thumbnail for the next page. I see an arm above the water on it. PromisingOh cool I didn’t even know that page existed! Time to get my hopes up about a rescue ;D
I thought Lalli was unconscious, no?
I think it would be both narratively appropriate and funny to have Onni be in such a rush that he lands with Lalli in the first safe area he spots, without checking whose it is, and it turning out to be Reynir's safe area. This way, Reynir would be quickly made aware of Lalli's survival and we would have Onni "breaking into" Reynir's space for once.That would be so, so funny. Poor Reynir would be so confused, though. “I thought you were mad at me...?”
That would be so, so funny. Poor Reynir would be so confused, though. “I thought you were mad at me...?”"I AM!! DON'T THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO PUT UP %&§#!! PROPER RUNWAY LIGHTS IN ICELAND!?!?!"
Hmmm. Wonder why he didn't ask if Onni could help?
Also wondering whether Onni will now go yelling for Reynir. Though it would help if Lalli had at least told him the last point he recognized on the map.
-- there's an owl calling outside my window right now, I think; though I suspect it's the wrong kind of owl.
Plot twist: The Swan of Tuonela is still so shook up from its traffic incident earlier that it can't do its job, meaning Lalli is effectively immortal for a few hours.
Maybe the missing flag is to keep us on our toes, like the Swedish flag when Lalli first entered Emil's dreamspace!Sounds likely.
I posted this in the comment thread:
Have now spent a few hours imagining Friday's cliffhanger ending with Lalli getting chomped in the jugular by a Notoro, and then Monday's page like:
Panel 1: Lalli and all the Notorii look up at the sky in anticipation
Panel 2: The Swan and Onni standing at the side of the dream lake arguing and passive-aggressively exchanging insurance information, while a traffic cop tries to figure out who to write the ticket to
Panel 3: Lalli grinning, pulling out a puukko and jumping right back into the fray of Notorii, who are powerless against him
I just noticed in the transcripts of the live stream, confirmation from Minna that the vague red form in the clouds, that Lalli tried to swim away from, was that thing that Onni and Lalli are afraid of - the infamous It! Obviously, we haven't seen the last of this. *fret*
Are they running toward Emil?
Or are they running toward the site of the explosion?
Looks more like the latter to me --
The latest page encourages much shipping. That is all.
Not sure if magespace, or Emil is just having magic induced hallucenations.... the fact that Lalli wakes up and is frowning at Emil's sleep makes me believe they're still linked in magespace somehow.The dream bubble in the first panel has two minibubble trails leading to it ...
The dream bubble in the first panel has two minibubble trails leading to it ...
Huh, didn't even notice that on my first read this morning.I didn’t notice it at first either...it’s pretty easy to miss. I really want to know how they’re still linked and whether or not this is going to be a regular occurrence, since the bucketspace isn’t exactly either of their regular dreamspaces.
Yip yip yip yaaaaayyy!
-- did they really just leave that hole in the fence like that?
Maybe something they have found is so important as to get them sent out again to find out more?Everyone believes Denmark is flat, but this crew kept encountering cliffhangers, so they want seismic analysis of all those cliffs! ::)
-- did they really just leave that hole in the fence like that?Sigrun: "Didn't you repair that hole, Mikkel ... ?"
Maybe something they have found is so important as to get them sent out again to find out more?
Maybe something they have found is so important as to get them sent out again to find out more?
I'm thinking it'll have something to do with the imperfect vaccine they found.I'm not so sure. Didn't Minna say somewhere that they would be covering new ground instead of retracing their first journey.
I'm thinking it'll have something to do with the imperfect vaccine they found.
I'm not so sure. Didn't Minna say somewhere that they would be covering new ground instead of retracing their first journey.Could be both. The Danish attempt at creating a cure or vaccine obviously fell way short of the objectives, but there are three more nations whose research facilities were just as qualified and are now sitting in nearby silent lands, not to mention the somewhat farther nations that flat out vanished. Though it sounds a bit like Charon ex machina for them to get sent
I wonder if Onni decides that this time he goes and Lalli stays? I mean Onni is afraid -- but after losing Tuuri he might be more afraid something happens to Lalli. And the others... well, none of them can speak Finnish and Lalli can't speak anything but -- and Onni speaks Icelandic. Language barrier was originally solved by Tuuri but she's not there anymore. :'(
Onni could translate for Lalli, perhaps? Also, Lalli has learned a few words of Swedish already. And if that were my little cousin, I would want to be in the same place to look after him.Yeah, my guess is that Onni is going to want to go with Lalli to protect him instead of replacing him. If the new crew outfit designs are any indication, Lalli will get to (have to?) go adventuring too.
If the new crew outfit designs are any indication, Lalli will get to (have to?) go adventuring too.
Hold up.... what? NEW uniform designs?Yep, on the stream. (Can't link from here, will edit later if no one else has it.)
Good grief, capes?!*cue series of Minnions all channeling their inner Edna Mode and going, “No capes!”*
Yes. There might be times when Swedish and Danish aren't mutually understandable. They'd need Norwegian in the middle. So it may be that Emil talks to Sigrun who talks to Mikkel who talks to Onni who talks to Lalli... Going trough everyone but Reynir that is. Good thing Emil and Lalli are beginning to learn each others languages. if very slowly. Maybe the others will be learning too (would be quicker than between Emil and Lalli I guess).
In terms of translations, though I guess they have things mostly covered.
Mikkel, Sigrun, and Emil can (mostly) understand each other.
Mikkel can translate for Reynir.
Mikkel can translate for Onni, who can translate for Lalli...going through two layers of translation is going to have comedic results, I’d think.
Good grief, capes?!
*cue series of Minnions all channeling their inner Edna Mode and going, “No capes!”*
BUT those new designs have already been used in one piece of artwork that's on the official site's gallery, so here's a glimpse of them:
"Still water" drawing (http://www.sssscomic.com/mainimages/art/still_water.jpg)
Good grief, capes?!Capes and cloaks are simpler to make than coats.
Capes and cloaks are much easier to make than a coat. Also it depends a lot on the cut. I wouldn't wear one with lots of dags and tags and floaty bits that could catch on things. But I have a plain hip-length cape made of a heavy dull-green woollen felt that is one of my favourite winter garments. The collar is extended into two scarf-like ends which wrap around my neck and lower face and which serve to make it easier to breathe in freezing conditions (a bit like the collar on Lalli's coat but the scarf-like bits are about twice as long and not as rigid). It is made from a roughly rectangular piece of wool felt, and does up at the front with a few big buttons, then I can wrap the scarf bits around my throat and face if it is cold enough, or just leave them hanging down. They are not as long as the cape, and quite heavy, so don't get in the way - I can and do wear the garment in the bush in winter, but it is plain and tidy enough to wear in town. A friend gave it to me years ago, and I've worn it for more than twenty years without problems.
For more formal occasions (and for wearing to reenactment events) I have a couple of plain straight calf-length woollen cloaks of more conventional design, one made from finely woven dark brown wool and the other from a piece of Isles tweed fabric one of my aunts gave me. Both are very warm and comfortable, but I wouldn't wear them in rough bush, because a longer garment is more prone to catch on things.
*cue series of Minnions all channeling their inner Edna Mode and going, “No capes!”*I'm still amazed they came up with a character whose name is "Edna Mode" working in a business that's called "fashion" in English but "Mode" in German (and, of course, same or close in several other languages).
I can just imagine a superhero in one of those floaty decorative ones getting caught up in some machinery and dragged to death.
Well, the comic has ended...Now we wait for the next beginning!
Now what?
Now we speculate about the next adventure!
I'm thinking of it pretty much as another chapter break. The length's apparently going to be similar.
-- they're not going to keep Kitty in that little box for a month, are they?!! She'd be horribly upset, and unable to move around properly. Maybe at least she gets an entire isolation cell? though sharing one with a human would be better. She's not much past being an infant, after all; and she doesn't understand the reason for isolation, or that it's temporary.
... the premise (?) of the first adventure hasn't concluded yet. Like, compared to the Harry Potter-books (because everyone knows about them) the setup is that "Harry goes a year to Hogwartz" and what follows is Preparations for the year, Actual year, and then Returning home. Here the setup was "The crew goes to Denmark to fetch books which then gets sold for large sums of money". While the "large sum of money" was always questionable we still need to actually see them return with the books and attempt to sell them off to Danish scholars or something for this adventure to be concluded.
Tuuri was keeping records...Whether they actually did is another matter.
That's a good point, Windy. Things do feel incomplete until we see them reunited with the crew back home, processing what has happened, and deciding if the expedition was a success or not. It doesn't make sense to end the adventure in a place that feels conflict-free but not all "wrapped up", and without a conclusion or thought given to the reason why they set out in the first place. I almost feel like a (short) chapter would have been in order to tie up the minor loose ends even knowing we won't get answers to the bigger questions such as what is "It".
Minna said in the stream that the red vagary seen in the mists while Lalli was swimming, was the infamous 'It', and we would learn more about this in the next adventure. I assume that since Minna was planning further stories, that she was setting up some loose ends to be examined later.
Remember that it took us many chapters to get glimpsed updates of Sleipnope & Pastor Anne's arc, and the summoning of Kokko to repel the horde was not the end of Sleipnope's arc at all.
I know it sounds like I might be pointlessly criticizing Minna's writing, but I just like pulling comics apart and figuring out what works and what doesn't. I also hope I'll eventually make my own long comic and talking about the craft feels like it helps.
So why is Mikkel standing there so calm and relaxed while everybody else is running away?
-- and why, come to think of it, is he the one with the firearm, when it's been established that he's the one no good at using one?
Maybe they're all running away from Mikkel, because they're afraid he'll shoot them by accident!
The latest page pleases my inner shipper. That is all.
Means something... about your world being upside down I suppose. Lalli must be feeling like a fish out of water -- no one speaks his language, he can't go outside etc. Maybe the flying wish are the spirits of REAL fish that the ship's crew has caught, killed and cooked? Don't know about the bird though... it doesn't look like Tuuri...Did anyone else expect the bird to cough up a talisman when Lalli disengaged it from the hook?
Lalli must be feeling like a fish out of waterI see what you did there :>
In case nobody else noticed, Tuuri had a couple stealth cameos in the flash-backs. We see the corner of the bed in which she was sleeping in the train from Chapter 3 and the snoring sound coming from the side when Emil remembers sleeping in the tank has to be hers.I hope that, when Minna talked about Tuuri being seen again some time later in the comics, she wasn’t just talking about small cameos like that. Though I do appreciate the cameos.
moving to the 3rd level of increasingly-unlikely hypotheticals, if somehow somebody managed to get back to civilization, they would have brought a ghost/troll horde back with them -- do people in Y90 even know how to deal with ghosts? difficult to predict what would have happened in that scenarioI'm under the impression that they might to some extent, but probably not well enough to have known what to do in that specific scenario. Onni is a pretty experienced mage, for example, and he didn't really know how to get rid of them. Maybe the Icelandic mages would have had some other ideas, but I'm not so sure. 90 years isn't exactly a long period of time; there's still a lot they have to discover/rediscover, and I imagine that dealing with those ghosts is just one out of many of the magical things mages still have to figure out.
If we assume that...(Sorry, but as far North as Denmark, the Moon's terminator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminator_(solar)#Lunar_terminator) travels exclusively right to left, resulting in ... : )
3) The moon seen on page 504 is waxing gibbous.
The more I think of it, the more I'm tempted to peg "Aunt Helga" as a member of Ragnar's generation rather than of Árni (Ragnarsson)'s, as I've seen assumed by some people in the comments. She's pretty much stated to be dead, presumably of old age, in the present day and she's shown to have typical "old lady" complaints in the childhood flashback.
(Sorry, but as far North as Denmark, the Moon's terminator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminator_(solar)#Lunar_terminator) travels exclusively right to left, resulting in ... : )
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Moon_phases_en.jpg)
(I hope Kiraly doesn't mind if I use her most best Ragnar. Look at this guy...) (https://66.media.tumblr.com/ef89e9cedd7abf273a6bfb38dce3e1f2/tumblr_pj8wf6VS4a1qjas7jo2_r1_1280.png)
<Darth Vader voice> So... you have a...sister...
I don't think the changelings are actually triplets - Sune (the Emil lookalike) is definitely younger than the other two. I'm not sure whether Anna or Håkan is older. (Merely being drawn on the same branch on page 629 is not enough to indicate twins, as Mikkel and Michael are not.)
I'm sure it isn't really; but does anyone else think that last panel looks like Reynir's waving to indicate 'here's my home, under this bridge'?
Surprise plot twist! Reynir's family are actually all old-style trolls!
I... I actually thought Sune was the oldest. Probably because I've only read one of the Sune-books and I remembered that Håkan was the younger brother and he had a younger sister and he had a sister named Anna and I assumed Anna was the younger sister because of that. Turned out Anna was the oldest of the siblings haha.
Of course obviously Minna doesn't have to have Torbjörn and Siv name their kids in the same order as the books the names are from but I still assumed that. I'm slightly ashamed now.
On a slightly more serious note, between the town being built after the Rash outbreak and Fullmetal Alchemist being one of my old fiction flings, my brain went in a "the town is shaped like a rune and Reynir never really paid attention to the fact due to living there all his life" direction in terms of possible reveals for Monday.
"The books"? They're named after book characters? I seemed to have missed that, which books are those? (Boo for my ignorance, but YAY for Swedish culture knowledge upgrade?)
Also ignorant about FMA, but I really like the idea of the town being built as a living rune. That would be mind-blowing indeed.
"The books"? They're named after book characters? I seemed to have missed that, which books are those? (Boo for my ignorance, but YAY for Swedish culture knowledge upgrade?)
Lalli. Wait a minute. What are you doing on top of a bed?
-- oh. He's a cat. He's claiming the space somebody else was about to use; and the space in the nice sunny window, at that. But still, it's kind of unlike this particular cat.
Someone over in the disqus comments made the excellent point that for the first time in his life, there are no voices in his head.
Wonder whether he's going to refuse to go back home?
GradeECat: anent towns shaped like, if not a rune, a magical pattern of another kind: check out an ærial photograph of Adelaide. Our Founder, Colonel William Light, was a pretty serious Mason as well as a soldier. While some of his innovations, such as the parklands that surround the city being a cannonshot wide, were purely military, others were not. Consider the pattern formed by the squares and fountains. He also incorporated the native sacred sites into his pattern, centred around what became the fountain in Victoria Square, and including the old sites of springs that became the fountain in Light Square, the fountain near Tandanya, the lake in the East Parklands, and the gardens at Montefiore Hill. Fascinating to see such an early attempt at combining traditions.Here's a map of Adelaide for reference (I hope it helps illustrate):
"Welcome to Iceland. If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes."
-- A souvenir I saw in Reykjavík a couple summers ago
Strangely enough, while Onni's words were kind of sad, what opened the waterworks for me was seeing Sigriður dote on Lalli and Emil, because one of my semi-subconscious headcanons is that neither of them got cared for like this by someone who wasn't simply earning their salary in quite a while.
Lambing season would be early spring.It's not everyday your younger sibling comes back from the silent world anyways.
It's also possible they came home to see Reynir, and to celebrate his return. They must have all been worried about him, after all.
Hmmm. Somebody else could keep Reynir's mom company . . .
and it looks like Mikkel's about to spill the beans.
And whoops here comes the weekend --
Quite aside from knowing that Keuruu is separate from Saimaa, he doesn't know that the distinction in the destination would be pertinent. (He'd gloat a lot more of he did know.)He might even have tried to stop Onni, honestly, if he’d known what the importance of Saimaa is. Maybe.
Hmmmmm ... right now, "telnet www.sssscomic.com 80"It works fine for me...I guess the issue must have gotten fixed?Any chance that HiveWorks is having a bit of trouble with its backbone routing ... ?
- times out in our company LAN (through the primary Internet uplink),
- gets an ICMP NETWORK UNREACHABLE from 92.79.244.193 on the secondary uplink,
- connects when run on our remote sites.
It works fine for me...I guess the issue must have gotten fixed?Yeah, went away after some 10-20 minutes. Wasn't a problem with a single provider here, obviously, but possibly a disturbance only in the force of Europe's BGP announcements / routing ...
Yeah, went away after some 10-20 minutes. Wasn't a problem with a single provider here, obviously, but possibly a disturbance only in the force of Europe's BGP announcements / routing ...
Hey, yung, long time no see! Good to see you.
Hey, am I the only one who's a little confused about the timeline of Taru and Mikkel's conversation? Because to me, it looks like it started with Reynir reading downstairs, only to have him sleeping in his room with the book on his face by the time Lalli goes to bug him, without being shown going upstairs.For all we know, there's a time skip involved - with Lalli having to ponder his next actions, or waiting for the next coach to Reykjavík, or insisting on not running off on an empty stomach, or whatever. Would've been clearer if it suddenly were night outside, of course, but if his plans involve taking a coach, chances are that they only go during the day ...
I think what I'm confused about is who's where when. Wasn't Lalli supposed to have gone off with Emil before Reynir got back from his classes? Or are they all still based at the farm, Emil and Lalli still staying there?
It goes like this:
Lalli: Onni?
Reynir: Saimaa
Not too weird, I guess. Lalli had the letter, he heard Taru say one thing and Mikkel something else -- concluding with "I don't know" when he asks the ONLY person he can ask as Taru is only one speaking Finnish. But if you're looking for a person and ask someone who knows that person by name... do you actually need to say anything but the name?
I can see the next step being Lalli trying to get Emil into their joint dreamspace (where the language problem doesn't apply), so Lalli can ask Emil (who probably can't answer the question himself) to ask Reynir to find out where Onni went --
Soooo regarding Reynir's magic/dream-related abilities, is he able to walk across those giant seas because of that? I didn't notice until today because of how Lalli was standing on the precipice of some underwater cliff or something, so it looked to me that it wasn't anything that any dream-faring person could do. Also, it's cute that the dog can do what Reynir can. What a sweet little dog...
Soooo regarding Reynir's magic/dream-related abilities, is he able to walk across those giant seas because of that? I didn't notice until today because of how Lalli was standing on the precipice of some underwater cliff or something, so it looked to me that it wasn't anything that any dream-faring person could do.
If you look back to when Reynir and Onni were adventuring around, Onni could only get across the water by jumping on Reynir's footprints like stepping stones :)That was Lalli (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=327). When he took Onni over to A's church, Reynir started shoving (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=563) him along, and then they somehow changed places while already on open water and Onni seemed to not step exactly on Reynirs footprints ...
That was Lalli (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=327). When he took Onni over to A's church, Reynir started shoving (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=563) him along, and then they somehow changed places while already on open water and Onni seemed to not step exactly on Reynirs footprints ...Ummm, then, maybe the Finnish mages need to rely on their abilities to stay afloat. At least, I think Onni is the more experienced mage in the story. Either that, or he was depending on Reynir's touch to not plunge into the... abyss-sea thing...?
That was Lalli (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=327). When he took Onni over to A's church, Reynir started shoving (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=563) him along, and then they somehow changed places while already on open water and Onni seemed to not step exactly on Reynirs footprints ...
Definitely unrelated to this particular page (I couldn't find a general discussion thread, so sorry to disrupt the "latest update" trend), but there's something I've been wondering about for a while.Wow, I never noticed that before. That's a really good catch. I wouldn't be surprised if they're at least somewhat related...to steal language from some of the page 383 comments, "self-protection mode" is on in both, even though one looks more "epic" than the other.
Is it possible that what Lalli does on this page (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=846 (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=846)) is somehow related to what he does on this one (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=383 (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=383))? I know there was some discussion on page 383 about what Lalli may be doing, and I think all of them are possible answers, but the movements seemed to be similar. Maybe that's why Tuuri was so upset about his actions, because he knew it was hurting him?
It's been bothering me for ages, and I hadn't seen anyone else mention the possibility.
Lalli's actually done quite a good job of getting his question across.
The problem is that the people he's dealing with aren't as good at translating their answers. -- or rather, none of them seem to be trying to translate their answers at all, except in the sense of pointing.
Lalli's actually done quite a good job of getting his question across.Icelandic is the lingua franca of the Y90 world, so everyone in Iceland would assume that Lalli would understand something they said, even if Lalli didn’t.
The problem is that the people he's dealing with aren't as good at translating their answers. -- or rather, none of them seem to be trying to translate their answers at all, except in the sense of pointing.
Icelandic is the lingua franca of the Y90 world, so everyone in Iceland would assume that Lalli would understand something they said, even if Lalli didn’t.That's a rather braindead assumption, seeing that Lalli should be expected to at least try to speak up if he had any knowledge of Icelandic at all. (Though I admit that him throwing a "hello" in Finnish, just to demonstrate he isn't mute, would have been worthwhile.)
1. Reykjavík → Bornholmthen dude #2 already would have known that "we're sending junk to Bornholm" doesn't mean that Lalli needs to go elsewhere ...
by Krabben
2. Bornholm → Saimaa
???
My own crack prediction for Monday's page:
:lalli: By the way, how did Reynir manage to come here without his parents noticing?
:reynir: Well...
* Cut to Guðrún and her beau discussing wedding plans with the parents "
As in "Hello... Any non-trollified humans here? No? Okay... Come on guys, let's reclaim that important asset and expand our borders to include it.".In Y0, the locks were operated remotely, while in Y91, as the info pages say, they need to be guarded by on-site troops. The Finns obviously took possession of the canal in a very hands-on way, at least.
In Y0, the locks were operated remotely, while in Y91, as the info pages say, they need to be guarded by on-site troops. The Finns obviously took possession of the canal in a very hands-on way, at least.
Any Finnish mage posted there, however, should be very much aware that the neighborhood is spirit-screaming in Russian, rather than Finnish.
All snickering at "spirit-screaming in Russian" aside, I've always wondered about the language.
Hearty Jane On the Train spoke untranslated Swedish to Emil, the radio static was fragments of Danish and translated English.
The notoros and luring house-troll spoke directly to Emil in what we presume was Danish but clearly enough for Emil to understand and speak with them, although Lalli seemed to think that the presence of Lalli's consciousness in Emil's mind was sufficient for translation.
The mages understand the troll- and ghost-speak directly, regardless of language, and not just while they are in the spirit realm. Sleipnope (a composite of Danish grosslings) taunts Lalli (who doesn't understand Danish) during the battle, "How are you less weak?" Lalli didn't answer, but we presumed he understood the taunt, and then later he confirms the ability to Emil as per the above.
Tuuri experiences the voices in translated format as well, when she manifests the Rash.
Reynir is not shown communicating with any ghost ("uh, hi?" doesn't count), and communicating with Pastor Anne only in the spirit world, where the language isWestronuniversally understood. Neither he nor Onni understand Danish.
tl;dr So Lalli and any crew with mage ability will just be hearing, and ignoring, the usual blather. What, if anything, will Reynir hear?
-- why is Lalli scratching?Weird, isn't it? Pulling his collar like that, it looks like nervousness, especially since he seems to be looking at a distinctly cross Emil. Many possibilities occur me to explain why he would be nervous right now.
I would suspect that scratching in public, especially in an area that doesn't go in for quarantine, would be a lot less socially acceptable in the SSSS world than it is in ours.In the next page: One team embarking on their mission, sans supplies, at gunpoint. :P
Considering how he's eying the clothing store and the fact that he isn't wearing his outfit from the artwork yet, I suspect that Lalli is suddenly realizing that the clothes he's currently wearing are too itchy for his liking.
Map! yay map!
I notice that a lot of the non-immune settlements are flanked or even surrounded by adjacent mostly-immune settlements. I wonder whether what's been happening is that some of the immune people born in a non-immune settlement move out to claim more area, but remain close to their non-immune relatives both for easy communication and to help protect them by forming a buffer for the more vulnerable?
Anybody know where on that map our crew are at this point? If that's shown, I must have missed it.
I notice that a lot of the non-immune settlements are flanked or even surrounded by adjacent mostly-immune settlements. I wonder whether what's been happening is that some of the immune people born in a non-immune settlement move out to claim more area, but remain close to their non-immune relatives both for easy communication and to help protect them by forming a buffer for the more vulnerable?To repeat my Disqus comment, the settlements are kept fed by hunting and outside-the-fortifications agriculture, both of which is immunes' work. Which means that a settlement of mostly non-immunes has a very serious problem with the not-starving business. They need to get it from the Immunopolises surrounding them -. and I'm still trying to come up with a really convincing idea of what they could possibly trade for that without it being a very lopsided deal.
Anybody know where on that map our crew are at this point? If that's shown, I must have missed it.As far as the non-row boat goes, they came on an official other-Known-World-to-Saimaa connection and the ship approached the port pretty much perpendicularly from the "high seas", so I have little doubt that that was indeed one of the two places where the dotted line marking the official connection ends, as Temteno suggested.
To repeat my Disqus comment, the settlements are kept fed by hunting and outside-the-fortifications agriculture, both of which is immunes' work. Which means that a settlement of mostly non-immunes has a very serious problem with the not-starving business. They need to get it from the Immunopolises surrounding them -. and I'm still trying to come up with a really convincing idea of what they could possibly trade for that without it being a very lopsided deal.
One of my guesses would be labor. For example, the immune would be the ones harvesting the grain, but the non-immunes would be the ones making it into flour and baking the bread. Or using the fleece to make fabric and clothes.Certainly, but ... can't say I've ever done any of that myself, but I'm not sure that that alone's a fair trade already. The idiom "to live off the land" is IIUC quite literal, in that there's much more work that needs to be done on the fields most of the year 'round than goes into postprocessing what came from there. And there's only so much need for pottery, teaching everyone's children at the local school, forge, etc. etc. ...
To repeat my Disqus comment, the settlements are kept fed by hunting and outside-the-fortifications agriculture, both of which is immunes' work. Which means that a settlement of mostly non-immunes has a very serious problem with the not-starving business. They need to get it from the Immunopolises surrounding them -. and I'm still trying to come up with a really convincing idea of what they could possibly trade for that without it being a very lopsided deal.They might be where the powder mill and the Haber-Bosch oven are, thus where everyone gets their bullets, explosives and fertilizer from; this would also make sense from a "protect-the-non-immunes" perspective, since they would have the best defensive supply in the area.
.... There's a whole lost settlement named Mikkel... I'm absolutely certain that's just a coincidence and not foreshadowingIt’s a city called Mikkeli. Coincidentally, the prologue Hotakainens lived there.
*flaps hands at page 108* Confirmation that Tuulikki, Jukka & Juha all died in the whatever went down in year 79. And now Tuuri's stone is next to her father's, so sweet of Onni to look after that way.
But
where is Anne-Mari's stone? *gasp*
(also, it's nice to verify that they are definitely in Y91 now, as per Tuuri's headstone - it's been a topic of speculation for some time)
That's an interesting page.
I wonder which one of them did that? And/or is Lalli there also?
I meant, mostly, which of them either pulled the other(s) into the same dreamspace, or moved themselves into another's dreamspace. But whose dreamspace it is is also an interesting question. I wonder whether combination dreamspaces are possible?Hey, maybe they're all in Mauri's space! :))
Hey, maybe they're all in Mauri's space! :))I guess that would be another explanation as to why they're all younger in this dream?
Hey, maybe they're all in Mauri's space! :))In post-Rash
I'm excited to see where this goes in the next story arc. As far as I can remember, (and based on what Minna said on livestream) this is going to be the first chapter wherein our Terrible Trio can all speak to each other using a common language. I wonder what they'll say to one another, now that they have the chance?
Also, fat kid Emil is adorable. But why is he in a shared dream with the other two? Reynir and Lalli I can understand, but Emil's not a mage. Maybe he has some residual magic from when Lalli was stuck in his head for a few days. We shall see!
I suspect that last point is correct, but we've also seen Lalli (in his ever-so-charming manner) ask Reynir to meet him on purpose. I don't think this particular meet-up is at all on purpose, though, especially seeing Lalli's face. Does this Lalli have the same self-awareness that Emil showed in his dreamspace?
Also very excited to see.
I think I can't just stay quietly and wait, so better just to have conspiracy over what maybe happens.
There are road signs pointing to Keskusta (Centre) and Niemelän tila (Niemelä's farm). Lalli and the crew are coming from Center (possibly meaning the center of the village) and going towards the Niemelä's farm. As the map of Saimaa has established before, the farming parts are surrounding the village centers.
They might just go past it but you know, I can't help but have a bad feeling about every small detail o___o
Trolls aren't the reason why the village got wiped off from the world map, but would the farm connect in any way? Only times shows.
We do have somewhat of a record of the length of Reynir's hair at different ages. (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=292)
The page suggests that he didn't really start growing it until his childhood was fairly advanced.
I just had a hilarious realization while looking back at this page: Bjarni is a mechanic. What happened on his job to make him say, "...and that's when I knew what death looks like." ? XD
I think that a stream transcript that got posted before the people taking care of it got too busy has Minna explain that Bjarni once had to make a repair a little too close to the location of a fight between his crewmates and a sea beast, or something like that.
The exact transcript is:
Q.: So how did he find out "how death looks like" as a mechanic?
A. (1:08:04): Well, first you go working on a sea-beast hunting ship as a mechanic, and you look out the window, and the warriors that are supposed to fight sea-beast on little hunting vessels get completely crushed by the monster and there you are, the mechanic looking out the window, seeing all of it while you’re fixing a leaky pipe or something, and then you have nightmares for the rest of your life.
[...] something tells me Lalli isn't going to join his cousins to escape quite yet. If only because he has yet to acquire Ensi's rifle.
It's eating him! And then it's going to eat us!... OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOD!
I know that it's probably not the bag that's eating him, but it looks like it is, and all I can think of is this book from Harry Potter:
(https://www.sideshow.com/storage/product-images/902310/the-monster-book-of-monsters_harry-potter_gallery_5c4e0ae5b5712.jpg)
I remember from reading the book magical beasts and where to find them, there's literally a creature that's an animated cloak that eats people that potentially is closer to what's stop the table.Oooo interesting! Just Googled it and apparently the Harry Potter creature is called a Lethifold, but I wasn't able to find whether or not it was based off of any folklore/mythology. I was getting so excited about maybe being able to use a connection to figure out what Hilja's package was ^_^' Oh well
Did Hilja have the thing tied up in there?
I can't tell whether all that stringy stuff is bindings -- in which case why is it partly undone? or part of the troll -- in which case why did it stay in the bundle?
dunno. methinks she may have used it to taint the food/water supply though and that's what happened to the town.
I keep thinking of that blood trail starting at the bed. Something that was still partly Hilja, and that must have been in pain, went and lay down on the familiar bed in the familiar comfortable cottage, probably seeking comfort. And then what she turned into split her body apart and climbed up into the rafters --Yes, the lovely bed with the sun streaming down onto it, which would have been so comforting to Hilja but so intolerable to the troll. 8(
I suspect Illmari is going to be "in dire need of less itchy clothes" soon...
Any plan that *counts* on trollification happening cannot be a good plan, seeing as how only a small percentage of infected persons turn into trolls.
I have an unpleasant guess about the next page:
Cats still puffed up. Ilmari, who just said 'it's over now', says to the cats, why are you still fluffed? is there another troll here somewhere? and reaches out to pick up a cat --
and they both back away and start hissing at Ilmari.
Since there's been quite a lot of discussion on kade lately I thought to put together a small kade introduction!
Kade
First things first - anyone could be a kade. There's even a saying that the whole land is full of witches and kade, which refers to people generally having an ill will towards each other. Kade translates roughly as "envious" or "jealous", a person who feels so powerfully negative about lacking something that this negativity itself twists them into a kade and makes their every act an act of malice. A kade could steal all the happiness from a house, or according to another saying "envy can empty a whole lake of fish"; a sudden turn of bad luck or loss of reputation for someone/s who hitherto had been enjoying good fortune was usually explained as work of a kade.
Kade didn't even have to do much, although occasionally they were said to use magic against people. Usually a mere glance at your direction could give you bad luck (which is why newborn children were kept hidden until their first tooth grew = until they had gained themselves a luonto-soul). Not every kade was this dangerous however, a normal person turning kade could not cause much damage simply because their power level was not high enough. A dangerous kade would either be a talented witch, or a person who enjoyed a powerful position in society. Occasionally a lifetime of bitterness and envy could also grow a dangerously strong kade.
Kade could for example make the cows stop giving milk, turn good luck to bad, cause accidents or sudden damage to property (without being present in the actual calamity), cause arguments, turn best friends or even happy, married couples against each other, send nightmares and creatures called "night-cry" that make newborn babies cry all night long and so forth. Kade could also spread illness, boils and rash...
In the old Finnish calendar the last Thursday of each month is "day of kade", a day when anything you try goes wrong and everything you start ends up badly. In comparison the 8th and 9th day of each month are good luck days, and if you have to start a project that'll take a while to finish, it's always best to start it in the beginning of the month and especially on the 8th and 9th days.
I was re-reading the TVTropes entry I wrote about the prologue Hotakainens foreshadowing stuff about the present-day ones (mostly Tuuri's fate, though), and I rememebered a piece of dialog that looks like someone had a good hunch of what would happen within his niece's lifetime: Bans on public gathering places, uh? (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=31) (last panel)
Yes.. and, coming with all the preparation and food storage, maybe he's had some other hunches too. Tuuli and the sauna-birth -- well, I think that did end up happening...
Also... Eino calling Helmi a witch -- maybe he's not that far off...
Something just hit me concerning the possible reason next week's pages are spoilery. The Adventure II cover (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=1) shows the white bird-thingy some of us suspect to be Tuuri in some form in landscape full of cars. There's certainly plenty of cars around the crew right now.
[Pg. 190 (https://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=190)]
Yikes! It looks like mini-car troll cast Summon Bigger Fish. Giant truck monster looks a LOT scarier, and way harder to deal with.
Is the crew gonna run, or stand their ground and fight? Given that they have a non-immune among them (Reynir), fighting it may not be the wisest option...
Also, all in favor of calling these car-trolls "Hermits"? They look like hermit crabs with those pointy legs...
Who is Onni talking to? Himself? Tuuri? Other? Anybody wanna guess?While I agree that Tuuri, already having been shown in a panel as far as we can tell, is the likeliest answer, I'd like to point out that there are plenty of other possibilities. We know (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=411) that major spirits/gods have remained from pre-Rash times, and the hallmark of a Finnish mage like Onni is the ability to perceive - and, I suppose, communicate with - them. Picture a regionally important entity getting fed up with said region having turned into a Supertroll Zone and a cooperation with whatever professional noita shows up there - note that Väinö insists on staying out and observing from a distance - becomes a distinct possibility ...
We know[/url] that major spirits/gods have remained from pre-Rash times, and the hallmark of a Finnish mage like Onni is the ability to perceive - and, I suppose, communicate with - them. Picture a regionally important entity getting fed up with said region having turned into a Supertroll Zone and a cooperation with whatever professional noita shows up there - note that Väinö insists on staying out and observing from a distance - becomes a distinct possibility ...
Is Lalli detecting trolls by scent?
a few things:
1. it just occurred to me that each person in the group has a bond with everybody else -- even lalli connected to sigrun a little bit in the last page with some swedish (plus they already had a good working relationship). but reynir has basically no personal connection to emil (except age) and even less with sigrun. so it's funny to see a page where we actually see sigrun and reynir being awkward haha.
[good grief. Did I just hit 1000 posts? Didn't notice that till afterwards.]
They may not be demonstrative about it; but there's quite a bond through the whole band of them. Even Lalli almost certainly didn't try to go without the rest of the group because he didn't want them, but because he didn't want to endanger them.
Agreed. Not being demonstrative is also, I believe, a cultural thing. It's the way (most) Northern Europeans behave.
And I think this would have been reinforced by the trauma first of Year Zero, and then of the continuing situation.Agreed. And probably physical contact would became much more limited. Maybe not touching would be a social rule. You would have to be very close to someone to overlook that.
seeing this latest page i'm reminded of the info page showing the distance that the rash can travel depending on what the source is.
"some trolls have been known to spit."
but have trolls been known to expel bile from tanks on their back? O_O
I don't know who, but I agree with whoever said that someone on this expedition really needs to start taking notes!!! Never mind valuable books, never mind Onni, think of what they could do with all this information of the silent world!*cries in missing Tuuri*
I don't know who, but I agree with whoever said that someone on this expedition really needs to start taking notes!!! Never mind valuable books, never mind Onni, think of what they could do with all this information of the silent world!
I have a headcanon that Mikkel penned his memoirs after these expeditions, but skewed somewhat to cast himself in a more favourable light and liberally laced with 'true stories,' while ignoring the role of magework. This memoir became the prevailing reference document for histories of the events...That's amazing, Wave! I love the details in the Opera drawing and how you managed to put all the characters there, and...
Haa! It’s Mikkel the Greek God again
Haa! It’s Mikkel the Greek God again 😍
That's amazing, Wave! I love the details in the Opera drawing and how you managed to put all the characters there, and...
...and of course Mikkel the Greek God, facing their enemies with its bare hands!
With his bare chest!
I especially love the detail of how one of the trolls wounds Tuuri by pulling the red scarf into the air. I take you know a lot about stage productions, Wave!
I have a headcanon that Mikkel penned his memoirs after these expeditions, but skewed somewhat to cast himself in a more favourable light and liberally laced with 'true stories,' while ignoring the role of magework. This memoir became the prevailing reference document for histories of the events.Spoiler: shameless self promotion irrelevant to the thread show
I have now stared at that opera image on three different occasions, and each time I find a new detail.(Actually, the picture is of the Nutcracker, with the big Mikkel being the Nutcracker grown large. There was a large cattank in the pencils, in the back of the stage, but I couldn't get it to work and it didn't make the final image. I substituted the star pendants as a last-minute addition.)(But thanks!)
Just noticed that the Cat-Tank is now in Mikkel's image. I am now deceased.
Calling it now -- Mikkel's plan is to make the troll fall over on its backI already asked myself how that thing stands over those spiky legs. I seems that it moves on fours and now is standing just because it has the glass to support. If that's the case maybe it will get immobilized, turtle-style, if it falls on its back. If only it didn't have so many friends...
I
BTW Lalli's concept of "not big, not many" needs clarification :)
I was clearly wrong so I'd like to take this time to issue my most sincere and heartfelt apologies to all of you.
Ok, but... about what?
Calling it now -- Mikkel's plan is to make the troll fall over on its back
I was clearly wrong so I'd like to take this time to issue my most sincere and heartfelt apologies to all of you.
Are those probably-not-exactly-bears walking into the dawn light?
Also, certainly sunset, as per the laundry, bathing, and subsequent zZz.
That makes sense; I don't know why I took it for dawn -- except maybe in the hope that tent sleepers would wake up before the bears get there, if the bears are headed toward them. Seems likely to me they're headed either for Onni or the group following Onni.
Minna confirmed in the stream that oh yes the bears are definitely beasts. But when asked whether Onni is following them or they following Onni, she wouldn’t say.
Anybody else wonder whether portions of that info page are a reaction to current reasons to object to people sneezing/dripping in public?
I have a headcanon that Mikkel penned his memoirs after these expeditions, but skewed somewhat to cast himself in a more favourable light and liberally laced with 'true stories,' while ignoring the role of magework. This memoir became the prevailing reference document for histories of the events.Spoiler: shameless self promotion irrelevant to the thread show
Have we ever considered whether horseflies and such are a vector for the Rash? Minna confirmed that mosquitoes are not, but I'm thinking about horseflies gouging at your skin. Their saliva may not be able to transmit the Rash, but what about them infesting the herd of beast cows, then plaguing (literally) Reynir's poor neck with their icky feet trampling all over the spot they've just gouged?That's an unpleasant possibility. I guess if they haven't bitten any of the beast cows (since trolls = toxic, and consuming trolls seems to = death), then their feet seem like a pretty likely vector...although if Reynir's skin is unbroken, then would they be able to infect him? Also, should he be washing his neck, then? Hygiene doesn't seem like an extremely possible thing at the moment.
[...]
Have we ever considered whether horseflies and such are a vector for the Rash? Minna confirmed that mosquitoes are not, but I'm thinking about horseflies gouging at your skin. Their saliva may not be able to transmit the Rash, but what about them infesting the herd of beast cows, then plaguing (literally) Reynir's poor neck with their icky feet trampling all over the spot they've just gouged?
(and the ones in Chthulhund's eyes were a kind of rash specific worm that lives just in rash beasts)[decides that "The Book of JoB" shall actually be about the lifeforms that have evolved into the ecological niche of Rash-infested mammal bodies - remember, those are taken out of the hands of the usual parasites and detritivores - and their special adaptations therefor]
[decides that "The Book of JoB" shall actually be about the lifeforms that have evolved into the ecological niche of Rash-infested mammal bodies - remember, those are taken out of the hands of the usual parasites and detritivores - and their special adaptations therefor]That's a nice... humm, maybe not the best word to describe it. Let's say fascinating theme, but how the Known World would live in Y95 without the technological aspects that made "the book" so famous? Maybe we should change the title to "JoB's Encyclopedia" and the other eleven volumes would be in the other bookshelf* :)
[orders half a dozen of the really paranoid hazmat suits to do the research with]
On the opening page my first impression was that Lalli has shot Reynir! O_O It’s not (Minna mentions Reynir being “sad for some reason”) but still it looks like that to me.
But almost at the end on a page of pose practice there is a sweet sketch of Mikkel and Sigrun sitting back to back. Mikkel is reading a book and Sigrun is leaning on him and looking like she’s simply enjoying being close to Mikkel <3 :sigrun: <3 :mikkel: <3
...
On the opening page my first impression was that Lalli has shot Reynir! O_O It’s not (Minna mentions Reynir being “sad for some reason”) but still it looks like that to me.
...
... I checked and my first impression was the same! "Oh no! Lalli shot Reynir!" but it seems that it (thank gods) never crossed Minna's mind! ...
It could be good to have a thread, could also link the videos there.
I was wondering if anyone knows if the Dusklings from the last chapters of the first adventure were supposed to be trollified children/babies (if Minna has stated this)?They are trolls, thus by definition former humans, as evidenced by their possession of speech. Even more striking, because it's so highly unusual even for trolls, was their capability to have a sorta meaningful dialogue with Emil - normally, a troll noticing a human nearby will come screaming and tearing at him, a stance that beasts can reproduce.
Because, there seems to be a lot of evidence pointing towards that: the fact that they can speak and the way they do it, their ability to recognize a weapon (“GuN!”), their stature (tiny) and Minna calling them trolls.
We don't know much about the science of trollification.
I echo what JoB said. Every troll is sad, and the haunting cries of loss and loneliness coming over the airwaves distress me too. Are the Notoros children? Maybe, but the same hand-waving fantasy physics that gives rise to grossly elongated bodies can give rise to shrunken ones, or shapeless blobs, just as easily.
Minna has verified that similar conditions may give rise to a cluster of trolls.
We've seen with the Covid-19 pandemic that epidemiologists have been sequencing the various strains of the virus in order to establish a timeline for mutations and therefore trace the path of spread of specific strains of the virus. Here in NZ that's being used to tie cases to clusters.
It's always bothered me to have clusters of similar trolls (like notoros or bladderbarbies) if only 0.5% of the infected population trollifies, but perhaps this technique gives science to it - it's possible that specific strains of Rash have mutated to trollify a greater percentage of its victims than the overall average.
I suspect there's a really good reason for that.Oh, of course. I just like to think of possible reasons why things would be as they are.
It's story-magic, not science; and I don't think Minna has actually tried to work out anything remotely resembling a coherent quasi-scientific basis for it. I think she writes what she wants to put in the story, and then sometimes works out a partial explanation to fit, but mostly just handwaves it.
My headcanon (with nothing to support it) is that when a group of infected people develop the Rash simultaneously and are kept (for some reason) at close distance of each other, there's a higher chance of a magical "resonance" or "tuning". This connection between infected persons, or animals, reduces mortality and makes their mutations "align", creating those groups that we saw.I like this!
I suppose this is the only video-record of beastification… or something...
In honour of our favourite aquatic bovines making a re-appearance, here are some perfectly normal cows...
Nope! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQO-aOdJLiw) :))
Cyriak's YouTube channel is full of those funky animations :D There's one (or two?) with hands, too
Since you are putting up warning after those previous videos, I'm most definitely not going to watch it! Thanks LilG!
[Meow Mix][ . . . ] on the other hand is mostly delightful, and a fitting tribute to the blessed felines.
JoB, that is..........extremely strange! What is it?In a nutshell, yet another one of Cyriak's videos that just happens to also feature cows; chanced on it looking through his YouTube channel.
I’m seriously thinking you should put a well visible warning on each of these. Please!Done. (Interesting find that [youtube] inside of [spoiler] doesn't work anymore.)
I started to watch that, and immediately had to shut it back off due to appearance of agitated cat looking for the interloper.... ear-/headphones ... ? (It's not like the audio's absolutely indispensable, either, IMHO.)
Maybe at some point when there's no cats near the computer (if such a thing ever happens while I'm at the computer --)
... ear-/headphones ... ? (It's not like the audio's absolutely indispensable, either, IMHO.)
Believe it or not, I don't have any earbuds/headphones. Probably ought to get some sometime.(Heh, I can believe that, easy-peasy. If corona hadn't happened and people hadn't complained about the echo when I was videoconferencing with just the builtin speakers and microphone of the laptop (so they handed me a proper headset to use), I would have to make do with some old leftovers as well.)
Hope Lalli's not going to go back for it!I'm kinda wondering if it'll show up in his dream place, since he is dreaming about it now, apparently.
I'm kinda wondering if it'll show up in his dream place, since he is dreaming about it now, apparently.
What if someone shows up with the cube in the dream space?What if ... the cube isn't immune and, once infected, starts to follow
What if ... the cube isn't immune and, once infected, starts to followhis masterLalli on its own? >:D
Something like this? :DSpoiler: show
Then the question would be: How big would the cube grow to be?? Would it be following Lalli around at the size of an action figure or would it be human sized? Or would it be towering over everyone like a giant? O_O (Keeping them out of harms way perhaps?)I for one welcome our cube overlords
Hope Lalli's not going to go back for it!
Surma didn’t solve the cube, so it isn’t highly intelligent... maybe, though it might just have not bothered with the cube (or couldn’t solve it due to massive claws) and it is instead watching our stick-y boi from the shadows while he’s distracted with his lil’ toy, which is still quite intelligent if you ask me.What if Surma didn't solve the cube because Surma IS the cube *dramatic music*
Either that or it’s staring at Lalli, as Lalli is staring back at it, not bothering to hide, cuz’ it’s so damn CHONKY!
What if Surma didn't solve the cube because Surma IS the cube *dramatic music*
Did Minna ever state that there would be another major character death in adv 2 or 3 in one of her streams, comments, etc.?I never heard any comment about that, at least in the comments section or in the Forum, but there may be somewhere, and I seldom watch the streams. I think, however, that something so big would have been mentioned by now.
I saw someone in a relatively recent (as in around one year old) 4chan /co/ thread say that Minna confirmed this at some point.
...
It’s not multilingual, so you can swear in your own language if it’s not English :)
It’s not multilingual, so you can swear in your own language if it’s not English :)
P...y tails (think of kitten tails). Right silly!
Also, JoB... friend... pal... buddy... chum chum... darling (n-no homo)...Sure, just hit "reply" to that post and keep your eyes peeled! >:DSpoiler: show
Heh... probably the same or a similar plant with toes instead of tails was responsible for an entire report going missing - government email nanny kept deleting the email and attachment with no trace, so the folks waiting for it kept asking where the report was, someone would send it, they'd wait for a couple weeks, not get it, repeat... I forget how they figured out the problem.I remember the troubles of a luxembourgish bank with their e-mail scanner. One day, the (luxembourgish) admin of the thing turned around to me (German) and asked whether that e-mail he was working on might keep getting blocked because of the customer's name.
JoB, Ngl I was really confused for a bit and was about o give up, but then I realized you were talking about “quoting” your post.Ooooooooooops, sorry. I must've slipped to Thunderbird (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Thunderbird_60_Windows.png)-ish for a moment there ...
May I share this fine power with the rest of the Jedi cult?I don't have the slightest idea what the Jedi equivalent of an exorcism looks like, but if you're dead set to finding out ...
Again, it leaves me scratching my head, wondering at the things that apparently can be seen as a "good" idea by someone, somewhere.I don't think that those specific cases ever made it to the level of a thought with the developers until the bug reports started to flow back in, much less saw an evaluation that could've led to anything like "yup, wanna" ...
On one hand, this is too convoluted by my own abritrary standards. On the other, I'm too much of a forgiving optimist at heart to not be onboard with the "monster assumed to be a big danger was protecting the protagonists all along" twist. And come to think of it, that could work even if it's not Ensi. Maybe Surma isn't attracted by gunshots because its instincts are less "FoOd", and more "SoMeOnE nEeDs HeLp". But the help takes a form that gives people the wrong idea and makes them assume they'll be next if they don't scatter away while it's taking care of the trolls that were attacking them.Interesting theory. I don't think, however, that it's going this way. I believe that all points (particularly the info pages about Kades) to Ensi being ensnared by the Kade and somehow part of its internal "community". And I also believe (but that's the writer in me) that the upcoming epic boss fight with the Kade will be somehow played in the dreamworld... Inside the Kade's dreamworld, to be more precise. :)
Just thought of the fact that neither Ensi nor Anne-Mari's graves were shown in the graveyard (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=108), and that we have only gotten an in-story explanation for the absence of Ensi's. And that Anne-Mari was definitely not immune. ;)Oh, so we could have a scene with Onni trapped between Surma and a chasm, where "she" invites him to join the dark side and adds "Onni, I'm your mother" ?
Just thought of the fact that neither Ensi nor Anne-Mari's graves were shown in the graveyard (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=108), and that we have only gotten an in-story explanation for the absence of Ensi's. And that Anne-Mari was definitely not immune. ;)
I currently subscribe to "It" being what Onni calls the Kade, while Surma would be a different entity, possibly mutated from Anne-Mari.
Oooh, now I get what you're saying. Interesting! It never occurred to me to connect Surma with the Hotakainens, I figured it was yet another scary monster, that's all. But whatever it's origins, I do wonder why it's so darn touchy. The nature of each troll seems to be connected to its former life. Who was this scary creature?A librarian? :)
A librarian? :)
(They usually get very touchy with noises...)
If we find out that its lair is on the former Joensuu library we will have an answer.
...
On the other hand, as Ensi was immune, she shouldn't have physically trollified like that, especially if not integrated into the Kade. Surma notwithstanding, maybe there still is an inkling of hope something of Ensi survives within the Kade?
If we find out that its lair is on the former Joensuu library we will have an answer.Heh. I remember waiting for Minna to reference this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Diamond_(library)) way back when ... ^-^
Heh. I remember waiting for Minna to reference this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Diamond_(library)) way back when ... ^-^
Agreed. While what drives Onni is probably the desire to kill the thing that destroyed his previous life (even if he gets killed in the process), I'm quite sure that there will be a part of Ensi inside the Kade (considering that part about exorcism in the info page), and that bit of Ensi will play a central role in the big boss fight closer to the end of this story.Gonna jump in here cause I'm glad someone mentioned the info page. Your theory opened my eyes up to other possibilities, but I was kinda predicting something else. Particularly that Onni or Lalli might look at the Kade and the other would have to help the infected one. It would be super tense and would totally enforce their brotherly(-ish) bond. They realize just how important they are to each other, y'know?
Gonna jump in here cause I'm glad someone mentioned the info page. Your theory opened my eyes up to other possibilities, but I was kinda predicting something else. Particularly that Onni or Lalli might look at the Kade and the other would have to help the infected one. It would be super tense and would totally enforce their brotherly(-ish) bond. They realize just how important they are to each other, y'know?Yes, the info about the Kade, in this story context, looks like a "Chekhov Info"... ;)
Maybe I just watch too many sappy movies, idk
I also think it’s more likely the exorcism will be needed for one of the team (team includes Onni, whether he wants it or not!). The page specifically says “recent” infection may be exorcised. Then again, if Ensi were able to hild on to part of herself, it could be a different thing.I hadn't even thought of that, but that is amazing
My favorite idea so far (assuming someone has to get ensnared) is that it’s Onni, and then Reynir uses his finding knack and finds him in the black storm that is the Kade. And when he says “do you remember me”, Onni does, partially because he’s heard the exact same thing from Reynir so many times.Spoiler: show
I hadn't even thought of that, but that is amazingNow we are all expecting you to write that! ;)Spoiler: show
My favorite idea so far (assuming someone has to get ensnared) is that it’s Onni, and then Reynir uses his finding knack and finds him in the black storm that is the Kade. And when he says “do you remember me”, Onni does, partially because he’s heard the exact same thing from Reynir so many times.
I hadn't even thought of that, but that is amazingI´d also read that.Spoiler: show
I agree with you in that Mikkel, Sigrun and Emil probably are safe from the Kade, or from its gaze attack in any case. As for Reynir - Icelandic battle mages are rare, Kades are extremely rare, and Finnish noitas don’t seem to think highly of the Seiður and vice versa. So, the likelihood seems remote of there being any actual data about the potential vulnerability of an Icelandic mage to Kade influence.I agree with you (that's becoming a tradition) :)
The fact that Onni doesn’t know about anything common between Finnish and Icelandic magic doesn’t mean there isn’t anything at all. They surely do share the same dreamworld.
I agree with you (that's becoming a tradition) :)
Now, while we wait, I'll entertain the idea that in the middle of the battle, a cowed Reynir will try to help (of course) in what he sees as an act of insane bravery (and probably sacrifice), just to find out that he's immune to all the Kade's spells. Thus, using his built-in "God mode", Reynir defeats the Kade and saves the day! \o/
I must go off and make a list of all the ideas, to see who comes closest when we finally find out!
Or, we could just necro the heacanon thread (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=509.0).
Just caught up! I'm very excited to see Tuuri again; it's interesting that she returned. I wonder what called her?Good to see you here! :) I also wonder if it was Onni initiative to call for her sister or if she surprised him at some point, offering to join his quest or trying (unsuccessfully) to convince him to quit, (as pointed by or Finnish fellows, in their tradition some places of memory, like the tombstones at the island, facilitate contact with the spirits, so maybe there?) or yet if that happened by someone else intervention (is some deity trying to help?).
Is the thing killing everything their grandmother, or the big threat, or both?
The bears are so aesthetic (I know, old, but new person!)
Is the thing killing everything their grandmother, or the big threat, or both?
My favorite idea so far (assuming someone has to get ensnared) is that it’s Onni, and then Reynir uses his finding knack and finds him in the black storm that is the Kade. And when he says “do you remember me”, Onni does, partially because he’s heard the exact same thing from Reynir so many times.
Spoiler: stream of consciousness show
That combination would result in all of the living Hotakainens having taken up residence inside of Emil’s head at one point or another.I'm pretty sure that the present non-living ones would be able to find some spiritual backdoor to join the family-plus-one reunion.
That combination would result in all of the living Hotakainens having taken up residence inside of Emil’s head at one point or another.
And what better place could there be to have your soul ejected to? I mean, you’ve got cake, food, a nanny to take care of you, fire in the background that never quite reaches the house - sounds like a nice little vacation destination!
Now that circus troop is a Fic Wanting to Happen!It is (https://archiveofourown.org/works/8665393)?
Do they cry for joy of sparkles?Something something sparkle fairies (https://archiveofourown.org/works/9505088/chapters/24727857) something something.
I'm curious how Onni knows what a clown is. Do they have circuses in the known world?
(There's probably even better examples, as lice do still exist, but I can't seem to think of them right now.)(The standard idiom in German is "to believe that a Zitronenfalter (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Falter) folds lemons". I suppose that the animal's English name, "brimstone butterfly", could be made into a similarly nonsensical quip.)
(http://i.imgur.com/ybfzaqU.jpg)
What I want to know is, what is that squashed in his hand that he looks so freaked out about?And yes, that gives a scary/alarm cliffhanger! I mean, you usually look at your hand when you slap an insect just to know what it was, but in this comic nothing happens without a reason…
Judging by the glove the hand is wearing, it only can be either Reynir himself or Lalli, everyone else has fully colored gloves. But I agree that Reynir looks too surprised to have done it himself conciously. So either posession or Lalli is what I think.Your comment made me compare gloves, and Lalli's gloves seem to be too long. The two lines below the wrist seem to fit with Reynir's gloves.
Interesting, and yet another reason why attempting to apply too much science to SSSS is fruitless. I found myself trying to extrapolate the effect upon the critters that feed upon mozzies, but it's not worth it.Well, I kind of like the idea of having mosquitos as some kind of markers - you know what to expect if you see that marker...
That mosquito welcoming party on the bottom left panel ;DOh, the horror! :'D
Well, I kind of like the idea of having mosquitos as some kind of markers - you know what to expect if you see that marker...Y91 mnemonic rhyme: "By the pricking of my face, nothing's wicked in this place!" :3
Mirasol, sorry, but I can't resist: spiders aren't insects but arachnids C:-)
Spiders are bugs! But not insects. (You are right, critter doesn’t work here)
Spiders are bugs! But not insects. (You are right, critter doesn’t work here)
English seems to lack a common term for all these creatures. Maybe "creepy-crawly"?Considering that most people would include lifeforms up to and including (nematodes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode) and) annelids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annelid) into the concept, I suppose that a proper term would be "protostome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protostome)" ... which would promptly gain the novel pronunciation "protest-o-me", I guess. >:D
ETA: And if those are squirrels, they sure don't look like our (NE USA) squirrels!If only all species were as easy to tell apart as your and our (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_squirrel) squirrels ... :3
I didn’t even know there is a thing that is officially “bug”!You got to be kidding me (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Beetle) ... >:D
Oh you just had to start discussing arthropod terminology, didn't you? ;)
In entomologist-speak, "bug" refers to true bugs (Hemiptera, e.g. stink bugs, cicadas), which is an order of insects, so spiders aren't really bugs, either. But English seems to lack a common term for all these creatures. Maybe "creepy-crawly"? Not a word, as such, but a term that covers all those things with more legs than many people can cope with. One could use "arthropod", but that's more technical.
Or you can ignore the pedantic entomologist and continue calling them all bugs. ::)
If I may offer a further piece of pedantry: while I know that the American usage is to call any small insect-like or arachnid-like thing a bug, bugs are strictly speaking a type of insect, soft bodied, distinguished by factors such as body type, wing structure, and piercing/sucking mouth parts. I think the order might be Hemipteræ?
Considering that most people would include lifeforms up to and including (nematodes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode) and) annelids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annelid) into the concept, I suppose that a proper term would be "protostome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protostome)" ... which would promptly gain the novel pronunciation "protest-o-me", I guess. >:D
Why would all the mammals be immune? If there's no source of infection on the island, non-immunes would have survived there, wouldn't they?Perhaps there used to be sources of infection, leaving only immune animals, who then get immune young?
Perhaps there used to be sources of infection, leaving only immune animals, who then get immune young?If that island has had an outbreak, then - according to what Onni said - it had necessarily lost its mosquito population at that time, too. Where did the current population come from, with mosquito-free infested Silent Lands all around?
If that island has had an outbreak, then - according to what Onni said - it had necessarily lost its mosquito population at that time, too. Where did the current population come from, with mosquito-free infested Silent Lands all around?Spontaneous Generation. /mikkel
Those are European red squirrels, and look exactly like them except perhaps a bit on the chubby side
Considering that most people would include lifeforms up to and including (nematodes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode) and) annelids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annelid) into the concept, I suppose that a proper term would be "protostome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protostome)" ... which would promptly gain the novel pronunciation "protest-o-me", I guess. >:D
I didn’t even know there is a thing that is officially “bug”! In Finnish we have “ötökkä” which is usually used for insects and arachnids, but may include various other “creepy-crawlies”. Caterpillars etc are usually included.
You know what, maybe I´ll just paraphrase the sentence so I don´t even need a word for that... :'D
Why would all the mammals be immune? If there's no source of infection on the island, non-immunes would have survived there, wouldn't they?
Perhaps there used to be sources of infection, leaving only immune animals, who then get immune young?
If that island has had an outbreak, then - according to what Onni said - it had necessarily lost its mosquito population at that time, too. Where did the current population come from, with mosquito-free infested Silent Lands all around?
Maybe the local mosquitoes survived thanks to surviving human settlements, and then spread via stagnant water around the area.
If that island has had an outbreak, then - according to what Onni said - it had necessarily lost its mosquito population at that time, too. Where did the current population come from, with mosquito-free infested Silent Lands all around?The eggs in still water places. THOSE would die out before laying eggs unless there was some non-infected mammal-blood for them.
Maybe the local mosquitoes survived thanks to surviving human settlements, and then spread via stagnant water around the area.They're deep into Silent Finland (though I have no information about what distances a mosquito would or wouldn't call "a marathon") and Reynir apparently did not meet any in "the capital" / Finlands int'l harbor, either, which should be on the rather large side of existing settlements.
Any arriving beasts are few and far between, and can't infect any of the resident animals. I wonder if for that reason they move on?Hm. The rules stated in-comic say that beasts aren't inclined to do much wandering, and don't have a "move on or starve!" motivation forcing them to. When I think about them having a nonzero chance of winding up on this Rash-free island, I'm primarily thinking along the lines of "washed into the lake in a storm and unwilling to just pop out some gills and fins" ...
I'm no mosquito expert, but at least some that bite birds also bite humansThe logic implied by Onni is that "if they're willing to bite mammals and there are any infected within range, they'll randomly try to nom one of those sooner or later and promptly die", which makes it somewhat irrelevant who their usual victims are.
The eggs in still water places.... IIUC you're assuming that the Rash had come to the island and gone again in between the eggs being laid and having evolved into an imago? Fat chance, given the near-immortality of grosslings ...
I think a lot of people would include echinoderms and acorn worms (Hemichordata) among the creepy-crawlies, and they're deuterostomes.The problem with that is that "deuterostome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuterostome)" (and thus the next-higher clade encompassing both, nephrozoa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephrozoa)) does contain all the critters people usually want to not associate with "creepy crawly" and similar terms of endearment. :3
most people use "bug" in the broadest sense. I just get caught up sometimes in the futile crusade to reclaim "bug" for the Hemiptera.So you're saying that that topic does not personally bug you? 8)
Speaking of faces: I have had another thought, based on recent greater experience with face masks. Reynir must be wearing his 24/7, no?Actually, no. Even if we assume that Minna will occasionally just not draw it at all (in addition to half-transparent versions), it has been established (https://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=420) that Reynir is sometimes out and about sans mask. After all, most grosslings (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=437) have to bite him to get him infected ...
So you're saying that that topic does not personally bug you? 8)
If I tried to clean English of all non-Hemiptera uses of "bug", I'd go buggy! ;DIt'd be downright hopeless (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug_(engineering)#History) for sure. I recommend quitting at the "bug-eyed" stage instead! ::)
I’m jumping in with a question that is a little off of the theme of the thread, but I couldn’t find a better place to ask... I was looking through the official store (the one that always has a link to it under the pages of the comic) and I couldn’t find a way to buy the first two books in the hard cover... Is there some other place Minna sells them or they are just out of stock? I missed the time they were printed and didn’t buy them right away, so... does anyone know if there is a hope that they will be back in stock or I just lost my chance of getting them?I went to the Hivemill store and had no problem in adding to the cart the first book hardcover for 39$, and the second one for $35. I didn't proceed further, but it seems that they have them in stock. Maybe some browser problem on your side?
The handful of brain cells that's still shipping Reynir and Tuuri after all this time approves of the latest page. :tuuri: <3 :reynir:
She did, after all, call him stupid.
I noticed that. Seems like she thinks he's now part of the family, at least.Or a loved one...
Seems like she thinks he's now part of the family, at least.
Or a loved one...Or she assumes that the rest of the team must've heard it often enough from the Hotakainens that they're under the impression that it's the term Finnish uses when a heavier synonym like "you" isn't warranted. :P
The handful of brain cells that's still shipping Reynir and Tuuri after all this time approves of the latest page. :tuuri: <3 :reynir:
She did, after all, call him stupid.
I noticed that. Seems like she thinks he's now part of the family, at least.
Or a loved one...
So is Onni jumping off that cliff in the dreamworld?I believe the cliff is in the real world, seeing Onni's clothes and weapons.
Or is Tuonela supposed to be a physical place, which he knows how to find?
in Finnish tales there are special places called "Lovi", usually at the bottom of lakes, where cracks between the real world and Tuonela exist, allowing those with the right knowledge (and lots of courage) to cross.
So who wants to take bets that the swan will reference the events of A Redtail's Dream in some way in the next few pages?
Or the events of Kalevala?I'm with Lallicat. I'd love if both were somehow referenced :)
And I've lost track. What do these bears have to do with saving Grandma?They're the kade's goon squad. To get to the kade (who has Ensi's soul trapped), Onni et al need to get through them first.
So, everyone is ambidextrous, we might as well go with Róisín’s suggestion that they are all trained to be so on purpose :)
Rather think that living in their world would be a good incentive to ambidexterity. Many people do have that potential
So, everyone is ambidextrous, we might as well go with Róisín’s suggestion that they are all trained to be so on purpose :)
I actually included that in my "cat hat"-YoinkTober-picture. (I know that one doesn´t really have lighting per se, but it was my train of thought when deciding to make her lineart orange.) :tuuri:
So, it could in theory be Emil as well, but Reynir seems to be the official cat herder now, so I think it's him.
Minna has said she has trouble telling right from left (chirality issues). It seems she doesn’t find it worth it to check for consistency, because items (such as Lalli’s rifle) and people keep moving around for no reason, and probably everyone is seen both right and left handed things over the course of time. So, everyone is ambidextrous, we might as well go with Róisín’s suggestion that they are all trained to be so on purpose :)/me shuffles in nervously
Annuil, I’m pretty sure it’s Onni. All the boys have black gloves, Mikkel has black cuffs and Sigrun has fancy brown gloves :)
Minna has said she has trouble telling right from left (chirality issues). It seems she doesn’t find it worth it to check for consistency, because items (such as Lalli’s rifle) and people keep moving around for no reason, and probably everyone is seen both right and left handed things over the course of time. So, everyone is ambidextrous, we might as well go with Róisín’s suggestion that they are all trained to be so on purpose :)
Why was I reminded up playing the The Wind Waker while seeing Emil today?
So what do you guys think made the bears turn away? Where do you think they’re going that’s so important that they don’t have time for a nice tasty snack? (From the bears’ point of view. I don’t want Emil to get eaten.)
The more I see of those cubs, the more I think that's not two cubs, but one cub in two pieces. I don't know why that makes it seem more horrible, but it does.
That seems to be a popular theory in the Disqus comments. The fact that there are spines for each of them wouldn't necessarily be a logical stop when you have so many trolls adapting their ribs for other purposes.
But now we will need even more patience, since in the coming weeks the update pace will be halved... :((http://orig13.deviantart.net/3dbe/f/2015/194/5/7/tuuri_3_by_aquaaurion-d913xkh.png)(https://36.media.tumblr.com/1e010c6104c5b2b5219aeff7ea589646/tumblr_nqf7djOa7p1r6soqlo8_r1_500.png)(http://i.imgur.com/EUV5IKl.jpg?1)(http://i.imgur.com/gCLwTxH.jpg?1)
But it seems that Minna considers them fully separate entities, since she even named them
So, if all the mages just got yanked into the dreamworld, as the Discus comment seems to think: what are Mikkel and Sigrun and Emil seeing? Would the mages' bodies appear to collapse into sleep or coma?No 100% proof, but the last panels before our POV changes to the magescape suggest that their RL bodies hold the same position that the magescape equivalents start out with - standing, with the same hand(s) over their eyes. I sure hope, however, that their RL bodies will not start to run around when their magescape presences do, what with the Bear Hole still nearby..
So, if all the mages just got yanked into the dreamworld, as the Discus comment seems to think: what are Mikkel and Sigrun and Emil seeing? Would the mages' bodies appear to collapse into sleep or coma?
I still wonder if non-mages can see Kade? Like, does it have a full form, when it’s not in somebody’s mind? Minna presented us some kind of its visual form but we still don’t know if it’s what normal people see (that being wrapped in something that has one eye)
-disclaimer: entering full theory-territory here-Hah, this is always so fun!
Interesting ideas, but since Kade has many beings trapped inside of it, it might be able to fight both DW and RL worlds...
*covers eyes like mages* LALALALA I CAN'T READ YOU!!! ;D ;DPhaha, well, I suppose regular people cannot see Kade at all, as the latest page suggests. Maybe it has a potential danger only for mages, so we dont have to worry much about the non-mages... Nonetheless, now we know that Kitty can sense Kade too, which means that it has some mortal base, it's not just a lump of souls glued together that's flying around attacking mages in the DW.
Also, I was wondering, was Hilja immune or not? She did turn into a beast after being infected with, appearently, Kade's type of Rash illness, so, does the Kade-infection turn even immune peopleAccording to Ensis on-the-spot diagnosis, Hilja infected herself with the vermin beast she had smuggled past Ensi earlier, which suggests that she was not immune. Also, Tuuri told Emil that "almost no-one" in her native village had been immune, with Lalli and Ensi being notable exceptions.
My guess was that Ensi may have been doing the masks and quarantine thing because everyone had to? For all they knew, there might have been variants of the rash that could affect the previously immune? One of the fan writers, I think Seilann, played with that idea in a story called ‘Burning’, a few years back. It’s on Archive. And real-world diseases do that. Consider the variant strain of Covid that has turned up recently in the UK.Certainly, there can have been any number of reasons back then - except one: Ensi had already started to train Lalli instead of Onni, so they already knew about immunity (because it is established that Onnis lack thereof was the reason why Ensi switched padawans).
Certainly, there can have been any number of reasons back then - except one: Ensi had already started to train Lalli instead of Onni, so they already knew about immunity (because it is established that Onnis lack thereof was the reason why Ensi switched padawans).
Doesn't change a iota about the fact that the flashback doesn't offer us a reliable indication of who exactly has been immune or not - beyond "it is already known" (Ensi and Lalli), "... not" (Onni, Tuuri, and the entire rest of the family, per Tuuri's statement to Emil), "looks like she wasn't" (Hilja), "sounds like he wasn't" (Tapsa), and "few were" (Tuuri's statement, as well as the final death toll), though.
I'll have to go back and look it up, but haven't the bears returned to a base they use? Is Onni being overly optimistic about them leaving the town?Onni has been pursuing the kade all the way from Väinös post to Joensuu. We don't know at what point the kade hired some bear muscle, but if that happened to have been late enough to occur near Joensuu, Onni would be excused for not knowing about the bears' habits ...
The bears seem to be in a station next to some highway, so at least they would be outside the central areaThe University of Eastern Finland, where the team caught up with Onni, is less than 2 km from highway 5 (https://www.google.de/maps/place/University+of+Eastern+Finland/@62.610937,29.7457004,13.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x469b8665df05a50d:0x601790016cff7e27!2sJoensuu,+Finnland!3b1!8m2!3d62.6010155!4d29.7635719!3m4!1s0x469b8685aeba782d:0xe19bf69fbaa04305!8m2!3d62.6036136!4d29.7470284), and residential areas sit a stone throw away from it in places ...
That takes me to one question: What happens to trolls and beasts when they are exposed continuously to daylight?We have no information on that beyond what the cleanse cycle (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=118) implies, that is, that exposure over winter (cold) is more effective than over summer (light), and that the occasional grossling will still find suitable shelter.
We know they don't like it, that it hurts, but what would happen if Emil set the building where the bears are hiding on fire, forcing them out on an area without cover? Would they die from the exposure, like melting or burning, vampire style?
The University of Eastern Finland, where the team caught up with Onni, is less than 2 km from highway 5 (https://www.google.de/maps/place/University+of+Eastern+Finland/@62.610937,29.7457004,13.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x469b8665df05a50d:0x601790016cff7e27!2sJoensuu,+Finnland!3b1!8m2!3d62.6010155!4d29.7635719!3m4!1s0x469b8685aeba782d:0xe19bf69fbaa04305!8m2!3d62.6036136!4d29.7470284), and residential areas sit a stone throw away from it in places ...Agreed, but at least they (probably) won't be surrounded by several multi-storey buildings that can be filled with grosslings
We have no information on that beyond what the cleanse cycle (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=118) implies, that is, that exposure over winter (cold) is more effective than over summer (light), and that the occasional grossling will still find suitable shelter...Also agreed. But as you mentioned the grosslings seem to be affected only by direct sunlight. They seem to be fine in the shadows. That would be the reason why the cold is more dangerous to them: because it "penetrates" all spaces. We still don't know what happens due to a longer exposition to direct sunlight (or UV lights - we just know that those can neutralize the infectious agent).
Guys, we have to celebrate it! There is going to be a new chapter WITHOUT a Chapter Break! XoX(https://imgur.com/OB2UK8s.png)
What a wonderful thing to happen!Phahahahaha, Lallicat, I’m rolling on a floor! :'D Now I cannot think anything else but this phrase when looking at the page!
(I'm not the only one who though, "My, what big teeth you have grandma!" the first time I saw the page, right?)
-- but she's not going to have that other project done on time, is she?Hopefully not... (how cruel of us) >:D :'D
I do think the cable does pull it though.
Here’s a video of the rideThere clearly is *A* cable pulling the car; in the video, you can see it sitting in rollers on the uphill side, empty rollers as the camera shows the downhill side, and the bobbin rolling it up as the car approaches the upper terminal. However, it's a steel cable less than an inch thick, not the "fat yellow cable" seen in my Streetview link.
although it’s a lot nicer in winter.I suppose that whoever has to dig it, especially the termini where the rails approach ground level, out of the snow repeatedly would likely disagree. >:D
And the Visitor Centre is indeed Luontokeskus i.e. Nature Centre :)New headcanon: By Y91, the concept of "nature" fell into disuse, essentially being superseded by terms a la "Silent World". Hence, once the team arrives at the resort and Lalli sees the ancient sign, he grabs Emils hand and tries to pull him aside to have the non-Finn "naturalized" a bit ... :))
"Ominous raisins" sounds like an appropriate Minnionly supply. I wonder if the squirrel cookies contain ominous raisins?
There seems to have been “The Pillow Fort (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=51.0)” on the forum, but that thread is relatively old. I’m sure Jitter or Crumpite could tell you more.
There is some (ancient) thread on the forum that explains some of the inside jokes. But I couldn’t find it ’till now. Maybe I’ll find it later.
The blanket fort and the pillow fort are the same thing :) It’s an interdimensional haven and sanctuary for all Minnions, where we gather to huddle together when the comic gets too scary. Some while ago the welcome for new commenters included a long list of supplies, among them a “pass to the pillow fort”. I can’t recall when it was changed to blanket fort, may have been a misnomer by myself.
Anyways it’s a recurring item in the Disqus comments which usually comes up when the team is threatened. Maybe this discussion is prompted by the ominous raisins? People keep adding to it, at some point we were talking about how the Fort is inviolable and withstands any attack, keeping Minnions within safe, and Crumpite commented that he’ll nevertheless check the Tesla coil just in case. So, the fort has a defensive Tesla coil (and occasionally also artillery) now.
Sometimes such as when the tanker troll was rolling over Lalli, there are comments such as “the Fort is taking multiple hits over several sectors, but hull integrity is maintained” so I guess it’s a bit like a spaceship too. Only it’s in imaginary space :)
And we might write about the term "grossling". I was once very surprised reading that term in a fanfic, because I considered it to be a term made up by fans and non-canonical (not being used in the comic). But maybe Minna used it in a commentary once.
Groupoid, I was also surprised with the "grossling" term...Dialogue box over panel 5 here (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=232); the speaker is, as you might expect, Sigrun.
"butter good" is such an unforgettable joke that Minna explained under the page about the letter, that I don't know if anyone will ever forget it.
Not everyone pays attention to the language jokes :) And surprisingly many people forget such important things :)
Dialogue box over panel 5 here (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=232); the speaker is, as you might expect, Sigrun.Colour me surprised. Thanks for the reference. I (must) have missed this when reading. Such references I’d expect from a wiki or glossary.
JoB does setup and the actual admin stuff. (If you can understand his discussions on the topic in the Website board, you may be competent enough to consider assisting.)Actually, no, the Wiki never had another "admin" ("bureaucrat" and "sysop" groups) than its founder, Nimphy (https://sssscomic.fandom.com/wiki/User:Nimphy_I), last edit in 2014. Installing a new admin requires that one of the active contributors goes through the process of "adopting" the Wiki - or at least that was the procedure when I last checked (back when they still were Wikia, not Fandom ...).
Actually, no, the Wiki never had another "admin" ("bureaucrat" and "sysop" groups) than its founder, Nimphy (https://sssscomic.fandom.com/wiki/User:Nimphy_I), last edit in 2014. Installing a new admin requires that one of the active contributors goes through the process of "adopting" the Wiki - or at least that was the procedure when I last checked (back when they still were Wikia, not Fandom ...).That complicates things... According to Nimphy's profile the last time she was active in the forum was July 11, 2016...
Which is why I can't do anything about the color scheme, which did get FUBARed by one of the changes introduced by Fandom a while ago. The background used to be a much paler orange that allowed the "W" in the logo (https://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141116183216/sssscomic/images/8/89/Wiki-wordmark.png) to be seen as more than just a relief ...
If no one else has access to that at admin level and we don't have a way to contact her (that's why there should be at least two admins), wouldn't be better if we create another wiki, one that we could control?The main reason for me not to submit a request to adopt the SSSS Wiki myself so far was/is that I'm majorily unhappy about the way Fandom forces their updates down the throats of "nascent"/small wikis that don't have the technician workforce to deal with the fallout of that on top of trying to work on what they want their wiki to be, so I've been mulling the idea of "what if we move out?" some time ago. There is (was?) a way to download the entire Fandom-based wiki without admin privileges, but I have no idea how readily you can import that into a newly-created site.
I remember certain bits, like Frances' comments about frantically knitting socks to help her through the stressful bits; this became the Urgent Socks. The Dream Duck would have arisen after the sequence in chap 21 where Lalli & Emil fell asleep in the trash can, with people tying in that imagery with the duck in the Old Stone Bridge print, and other views of birds. The Mead-Moose and squirrel cookies and the commentary surrounding that long predate my participation, but there has been some discussion reminiscing about the squirrel cookies, right about the timne Mirasol made that awesome Advent Calendar contribution.
Oh btw, not really related to the current page but to current date: February 28th is Onni’s name day in Finland. Happy name day, Onni! (The other name for 28.2. is Sisu. Sadly, no name day for Tuuri or Lalli)Oh, wow, that's fun! I have read something about name "Onni" being one of the most popular names to gave a child in some year in Finland. Don't know if it's true though. Name "Lalli", on the other hand, is almost never used. Just a fun fact that most of you probably know, if you ever googled "Lalli". Lalli was one of the most famous killers in Finland :'D
:onni: :onni: :onni:
If I recall correctly, someone posted last December a picture of squirrel cookies. I looked for the post, didn’t find it, but I came across the Minnion Memes (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=391.0) thread I’d mentioned. And at the Yarncrafter’s thread (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=299.msg27412#msg27412) I found a post mentioning many varieties of cookies.
People who have baked their own squirrel cookies, what did you use for the crunchy bits?
I believe Mirasol is the current cookie chef and probably a honorary squirrel! (Or, actually, this being the internet - we don’t really have proof she’s not an actual squirrel!) But alas, the mystery of the mystery ingredient still remains :) (check the Advent Calendar 2020 thread)
Also, Jitter, I wanted to ask you, knowing that you speak Finnish. Do you have the keyboard on your computer (if you have a computer) with all the letters that Finnish has but regular "QWERTY" doesn't? I mean, Russian keyboard has both Cyrillic and Latin letters, so I was wondering if you guys in Finland have special keyboards too. ;)
Oh, that´s interesting! Do you then have more keys on the keyboard or can you switch modes so either the Cyrilic or Latin letters show? Because that would be a real lot of more keys.
Oh, that´s interesting! Do you then have more keys on the keyboard or can you switch modes so either the Cyrilic or Latin letters show? Because that would be a real lot of more keys.Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters where as latin consists of only 26, so the keyboard is just a little bigger. I have layouts for both Russian and English keyboard on my laptop, they are just mixed together, two letters on one key. It's just the matter of switching the language on the computer and switching the keyboard and the language in your own head :'D It is very confusing at the beginning but I have mastered both keyboards to type with equal speed on both. ;) I bet Chinese keyboards are waaaay more complicated!
JoB, what is the "Updates from Hell"?
I once offered around Toll House cookies (which are an actual thing, as Americans probably know), and it was either Windfighter or JoB (probably JoB) who immediately dubbed them Troll House. (This was before we actually had the Troll House in canon, btw.)The forum search suggests these (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=391.msg28070#msg28070), three (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=271.msg22832#msg22832), posts (https://ssssforum.com/index.php?topic=131.msg103156#msg103156) as possible origins ...
Fun stuff! That is very interesting, Jitter! I do have a Finnish keyboard on my phone, those are easily switched, I was curious about permanent computer keyboards. Very cool!
Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters where as latin consists of only 26, so the keyboard is just a little bigger. I have layouts for both Russian and English keyboard on my laptop, they are just mixed together, two letters on one key. It's just the matter of switching the language on the computer and switching the keyboard and the language in your own head :'D It is very confusing at the beginning but I have mastered both keyboards to type with equal speed on both. ;) I bet Chinese keyboards are waaaay more complicated!
Here is a pic of my Mac keyboard (they actually make Macs with Russian keyboard!):
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsSnHPIBASO_wQxB0rl00_O2u2bT
I can't imagine how she does it (choosing colors & such).You can watch it on her Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Hummingfluff/videos (https://www.youtube.com/c/Hummingfluff/videos).
I worked out quite a few of the real world locations from Minna's "Saimaa Settlements" map for my upcoming fic. I realized there are too many to keep in mind so I made a reference map for myself. Would you like to see it? If yes, where would be a good place to post it?I'd say that such a map would be reference material for anyone who wants to know about the canon facts of the comic (if only Minna would reliably stick to such ephemerally established facts later on), so a) yes and b) that's what the stated purpose of the Wiki is, short of case-by-case better-suited tools (like Google Maps is for recording the protagonists' itinerary).
I'm trying to find a link to the Minnion-maintained map that tracks their journey? Why am I not finding this? Last I saw, it was maintained as at landing in Finland in Adv. II.The Wiki('s Main Page) has a link to the old Journey Map, the one that turned unusable ... uh ... it was either lost admin access or a change of the provider's Terms and Conditions incompatible with our use case, I'm not sure anymore. Changing that to the new Journey Map (that's being referred to here in the forum and in Disqus every now and then) is one of the many many OH SO MANY updates to do to the Wiki once I get a Round Tuit™, I'm afraid ...
Also, thanks for your thoughts, guys, very interesting. When I read the Russian translation of SSSS, people on that website kept saying in the comments that the author of the comic got tired that's why the drawing style became so much looser. That made me feel bad, so I was wondering what do you, guys, think.She’s probably trying to draw quicker, by leaving out details. In a stream/video, during the second adventure I think, she mentioned that it’s important to her to draw comic pages with few details, so she could draw them quicker, and drawing posters and such with more detail.
By saying “the story arc” is she saying that SSSS will be done after this one adventure with the Kade? I think she was going to continue with new adventures as long as she was into it, did she confirm that’s not happening or did I misread?
My understanding from what Minna said it that she will keep this story arc as initially planned, and that will be the end of SSSS.
My understanding from what Minna said it that she will keep this story arc as innitialy planned, and that will be the end of SSSS.That's my understanding, too, though I wouldn't be surprised if it suddenly ended at some chapter close with lots of loose ends instead ...
There was a time when she had many other stories on her head and intended to keep doing SSSS for a long time. But now she seems headed in another direction, to create another project.At one time, she mentioned having material for a handful of arcs and inspiration to keep at it for an entire worklife, if only it'd work out economically. I'm not sure she cut all of that just now, though. Anyway, she specifically announced that her next project will sit in the light of her newfound religion, so I'm not holding any hope of it being even remotely related to her earlier works.
My understanding from what Minna said it that she will keep this story arc as innitialy planned, and that will be the end of SSSS.
There was a time when she had many other stories on her head and intended to keep doing SSSS for a long time. But now she seems headed in another direction, to create another project.
That made me sad. I really enjoy SSSS, and I enjoy even more this wonderful community that we have here. In some way it's a utopic place, where people respect and care each other while they politely share their thoughts and experiences. I pictured myself wandering the halls of this Forum and finding it empty and silent, and that's one sad picture.
But nothing stays forever, and we still have some time (I'd say a year or a little more). What we will do? I don't know, but I do know that I don't want to loose contact with the wonderful people that I met here. :)
(Hi, I have been lurking for months but this comment is what drove me to make an account.)Hi Maple! It's good to have you here.
It is a little sad to think of SSSS ending, but at the same time, it's not really an end. The beauty of fandom and the internet is that it is transformative. I wouldn't be surprised to see several "What If" stories and several "After the end of the comic" stories popping up once the comic ends. Even if Minna's part in the comic ends when this adventure ends, fandom will keep the comic alive.
So while I am sad now (even if I don't expect the comic to end 'soon', I figured it would be about as long as Adventure 1 so we have a couple years yet to go), I know things will eventually be okay. And hopefully you can find comfort in that too.
Agreed, as I read the tea leaves Adv. II is the end, whereas at one point we were led to expect 5 adventures, one in each country, specifically with Iceland being the last.I also felt that "rushed" feeling too. Adventure 1 ended and I was: What? Just that? Most important we never got to see the crew talking among each other and sharing their experiences. Damn, Lalli just blew a giant with his magic! Sigrun saw the battlefield after and was convinced no one could survive that. And yet we saw no consequences...
I am bracing myself because the end of Adv I seemed rushed, like she just wanted to get it over with. We missed out on many aspects most of us were expecting to see, like scenes at the pickup point (we got a hug from Mikkel and great joke from Sigrun, and that was wonderful, but that was all), the news broken to the HQ crew (esp Onni), and the HQ crew travel to Iceland and debrief with the Nordic Council.
Adv. II loose ends to date are fewer, but include:
-- Reynir's brother Bjarni was the only character outside of the crew and HQ to get his own introduction synopsis, which would indicate he was a major character. Why?
-- Will we see the Sentinel Mage, or his grisly cabinet, again? (esp if things turn pear-shaped for any of the crew)
-- Will Lalli get his boat 'deposit' back? (okay, that's a joke)
-- The Swan is expecting to bring back two souls to Tuonela - whose?
Things that may get glossed over in a grand rush to finish up:Those things will, hopefully, not get glossed over. It would be a pitty. As for Sigrun, I see it going the opposite way, with Mikkel assuming a house (and eventually kids) while Sigrun keeps doing what she does best.
-- We are expecting to see Tuuri's return to Tuonela (aside from fix-it feels), and a full culmination of the bargain made with the Swan (however it pans out)
-- We are expecting to see Ensi's fate as something other than an off-screen *poof* and/or pile of twisted flesh
-- Reynir having a point in this adventure other than a high perch for the cat to observe from
-- Sigrun & Mikkel's apparently burgeoning relationship (for the record - I'm in the camp that doesn't want to see Sigrun rendered into a housewife or other 'womanly' post-adventure role, like Reynir's sister), it would be nice to at least see if anything comes of this.
I sincerely doubt that we will ever get those portions of the overall backstory we've been holding out for. These include: the story behind the fire behind Emil's house, the ongoing effects of Lalli camping in Emil's brain, Mikkel's backstory including the fate of his twin, and *snerk* what blackmail Trond had on Captain Asa.
This consoles me, too. If Minna's abandoning SSSS after the end of this arc, that leaves people free to create their own ongoing adventures as fanfic in her world. I like that idea. This is one of the few stories I've read that has me truly emotionally invested in the characters. I look forward to seeing all the myriad ways the fanbase continues the story. I might even be bold enough one day to make a contribution to that myself. :)
Right now, I'm trying to work my way through all the thread topics and posts and ... there's just so MUCH here. I'm kicking myself for not joining sooner! There's so much content here it's a little confusing right now, but I'll get it sorted.
I already feel comfortable here and am certainly more chatty here than I ever was in Disqus. The Commentariat was always the nicest group of people on the whole dang internet and I feel like this place is The Commentariat, cubed. :)
-- Reynir having a point in this adventure other than a high perch for the cat to observe fromI thought that question at least got answered rather empathically on page 263 (https://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=263)?
I thought that question at least got answered rather empathically on page 263 (https://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=263)?
Thank you for coming to my Powerpoint presentation.Thank you, Wave, for making me laugh with your Powerpoint presentation! That last one is really well chosen. :)
[/spoiler]
From the last panel, it seems that Surma, while being very sensitive to piercing sounds, is not that bad at hearing much deeper sounds as well...Yes it seems, as long as those sounds are loud enough. So now we have many variables:
Welp, I have added a new image to the Reaction Image Hoard. I think we all feel this one this week.
(https://i.imgur.com/JPPhSGO.png)
Onni is out of the dreamworld alread, see here: http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=410Thanks! I thought it was Lalli behind Sigrun. My eyes were draw to the poor bears.
What happened with the Kade, we don't know. Presumably it slipped away.
...Maybe that's going to be Reynir's part? Either Onni or Lalli is going to look into the eyes of the kade, and then Reynir will be the mage that breaks them from the kade's spell.Many, myself included, see that as a likely scenario.
why is Kade using three bears as protection, when it could just as easily be vibing around Surma.Could be. But we don't know if the Kade and Surma crossed paths before. The Kade, being ethereal and therefore silent, may be unaware of Surma.
conclusion: Surma can and would harm Kade.
I think there's just something about those hands that strikes me as an exaggeration of a thin old woman's hands."The original trait of the Finnish version of 'Red Riding Hood' is the grandmother getting eaten and still not needing anyone on the outside to cut the wolf open."
"The original trait of the Finnish version of 'Red Riding Hood' is the grandmother getting eaten and still not needing anyone on the outside to cut the wolf open."
Hah! I'd like to read that version -- tried finding it by googling, but failed. Have you got a good link (in English)?
Hah! I'd like to read that version -- tried finding it by googling, but failed. Have you got a good link (in English)?
I would love to read that too, but JoB needs to write it first, I believe.... you oughta know better than to tempt me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWunj7Yw3PQ) ...
... you oughta know better than to tempt me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWunj7Yw3PQ) ...
and i wonder
why is Kade using three bears as protection, when it could just as easily be vibing around Surma.
conclusion: Surma can and would harm Kade.
I know it's unlikely -- she was immune, so even if she didn't get taken into the kade it seems unlikely she could trollify -- but I've still got the idea stuck in my head that Surma might be Grandma, having managed to fight the kade off enough not to get subsumed but not enough to have remained fully herself. In which case, I'd think the kade would most certainly want to stay well away from her.
I think there's just something about those hands that strikes me as an exaggeration of a thin old woman's hands.
Peace and food sounds good to me! I knew how to do oldstyle gingerbread, but the fig rapé recipe is different to mine.
thorny and Wavewright, I think both are correct. The seagull mage Vaino, if I remember correctly, refers to Surma as a troll, that is, the base form from which it developed was a human. But the name of Surma, given by humans referring to it, refers to the symbolic embodiment of violent death. There seems to be a usage of giving individual personal names to the really heavy-duty monsters, as was done for the bear beasts?
Anyway from what we can see Surma looks very anthropoid, and it seems unlikely that another animal would take that shape... Unless it was an ape. (perhaps a gorilla? I wonder if there could be any on a zoo in Finland, or nearby Russia. Maybe a monkey on a lab...)Aye. It's a biped now, and thus very likely has been before its infection as well. Other details (arrangement of leg joints and spine on the hip, lack of tail, ...) support a biped/human blueprint as well.
Therefore between beast or troll I'm still betting on troll! :)
Well, would you look at that. In recent news, it seems that a contagious disease has appeared that turns bears into monstrosities with totally aberrant behaviour, eventually causing brain death.And there's this... (https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/time-traveller-films-bomb-shelter-23813569)
Extra, extra, read all about it (https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/unknown-disease-turns-bear-cubs-23829469) ...Spoiler: show
I don't know about the 'time traveller', but the bear thing seems to be legit - I found it covered in a number of places. Here's one (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/puzzling-illness-killing-bears-western-us-180977375/) that's considerably less over-the-top (zombie bears, pfft).Oh, but that one is written in a completely different tone! Now I can believe in the story! (thanks!)
Oh, but that one is written in a completely different tone! Now I can believe in the story! (thanks!)
(and of course the "time traveller" is real, but we cannot and will not believe in it because if we did the future from which it came wouldn't become real, so he would not come at all and his story could not exist... Unless we go to the "multiverse" option, where those paradoxes can fit without great trouble. :) )
BTW the new page, chapter cover for Chp 14 is up. And it looks very good and very scary!Comments appear to be back now. I'm not sure if that was deliberate on Minna's part, but they're definitely working.
Comments will be back after the break.
Tough to say whether it's intentional. It still says they'll be closed until the new chapter, but since it comes after the LP promo and its stubbornly unmodified description, it may be an oversight. Or, forgetting to close them may be an oversight. Who knows?Seriously! I'm really loving this chapter page. :)
Also, kudos on the best chapter cover framing device since (at that time unintroduced) Reynir's braid.
Hopefully, everyone continues to "play nice" in the comments and it won't matter if they stay open.
I well know the problem, thorny, having spent much of a long life as a woman working in male-dominated fields of science and mining, and as a Pagan woman living in a masculinist Christian society. The only answer I know is to endure, persist and never surrender, to be as good an example as I can to the young, and to hold to my own ideas of courtesy, decency and honour. And I will keep getting on the bus, and stubbornly holding my place, while trying to give others a hand up. Persistence and endurance is what I do.
Does that umbrella feel like a Chekhov's gun to anybody else? . . . Like, maybe Surma's/the kade's only weakness is yellow vinyl (or maybe polyester, I don't know which is more likely to survive 90 years of neglect), and that will be the only thing that saves our heroes from annihilation. . . .
Why in the world Taru asks Torbjörn to show her his foot on page 106, Adventure 1??You might want to reread this page (https://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=81). ;)
So . . . stair bears. Where bears? On stairs. Bears glare. Prepare for scares from stair bears.Who dares to bear their stares?
JoB, if we want to bring the discussion of rhyming bears around to birds, did you know that as well as the obvious meaning, ‘stare’ is an Irish/English dialect word for ‘starling’?Can't say that I'm firm in all sorts of English dialects, so no, but starlings are "Stare" (singular "Star") in German, hence, consider it covered. ;)
What was this building, anyway?
The outside shot looked to me like some sort of commercial building; but inside we've got first what looks like some sort of sitting room with a bookcase, then a lot of individual closed-door rooms off a staircase upstairs, then a large kitchen wherever it is that Onni ran to. A hotel with a kitchen for its own restaurant, maybe? I didn't notice anything like a check-in desk, but maybe it just wasn't shown, or looks different there than I'm used to.
Does your work team need inspiration and never ending peace
Does your work team need inspiration and never ending peace to make decisions or to spice up daily routines? Do you need to improve team spirit or do you need a burst of energy?
*shudders* I hope the hotel also provides rampaging bears.Waxing (https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/koli/sokos-hotel-koli/treatments-and-wellness), anyone? 8)
Barricaded into a walk-in fridge thing with no immediate threat coming behind them . . . I dunno, this feels like a heart-to-heart moment between Reynir and Onni/Tuuri. It's been bears bears bears for months now, though, I can't think of what they might have a heart-to-heart about. . . . Maybe Tuuri's about to tell us a story?
Mama bear went upstairs, but have we seen where rug-bear is?Last seen at mama's heels as she started to climb the stairs on page 418 (https://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=418), but yes, it seems to have slipped underneath the camera angle ever since. ;)
Heey, happy days, I’m getting some of the excitement back! Once in a blue moon today’s page feels like a proper cliffhanger. Also it seems likely it will be the first show of major magery since a long long time. I’m actually looking forward to this!
In the initial introduction to Finnish magic, spirits are mentioned as a prominent feature for the noitas, but so far we haven’t seen anything about themOnni did give us a glimpse of them way back when (https://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=525), and that was in Sweden, so I'm fairly sure that "they're around", but it certainly isn't much intel to go by. I suppose that that lehto's chock full with them, if not downright run by them, though ...
User Epimetheus (are you here as lwise?) has mentioned a couple of times already in the Disqus comments the nature spirits at Koli, which are supposedly very strong.
Use glow-in-the-dark paint and freak someone out completely!Actually doing that would be bad. I can agree. But doing that here, in the other hand...
No, don’t! That’d be bad. I actually hate getting spooked so I’m bad for suggesting it 😔
eventually scary if you have a vivid imaginationCuuuute, glowworms. >:D
Glow in the dark paint is good for one thing: I know a couple of kids who have night skies done on their ceilings like that.Oh, there are a couple more uses ...
The entire S-team is looking kind of compressed like Windy mentioned on page 426. But yeah, it’s weird. Even the trolls are looking silly rather than terrifying. Sufficiently terrifying so that I wouldn’t want to meet any of them :) But the scene is less menacing than it could be! Writing-wise it’s powerful but the cartoon-y feel of the art reduces the effect.Agreed! Compare with that sequence in the hospital on the first adventure (when Mikkel pushed the archive into the troll's open mouth). Less critters, but a lot more frightening.
Or so vile they will appear in your nightmares, and Emil’s (yes, Tooth Scary I am indeed calling you vile. Sorry not sorry.)You're 100% right! To me that nightmerish vision that Lalli had in the train is still the worst (managing, at the same time, to be beautifully drawn).
grey, you are spot-on with your personal rant.Thanks. And you're right about the cliffhanger, but as Jitter said the cartoonish style softens the visual impact, making our heroes situation almost comic instead of terryfying. In line with my rant, I get the feeling that the script is well done, but the picture doesn't do justice to the text quality.
On another note, I don't think we've had a double-cliffhanger in a while!
Agreed! Compare with that sequence in the hospital on the first adventure (when Mikkel pushed the archive into the troll's open mouth). Less critters, but a lot more frightening.Spoiler: personal ranting show
Spoiling, more ranting:I would very much prefer less action and more thriller/horror. Also I can't wait to move to the dreamworld, to the (supposed) epic battle between Onni and the Kade.Spoiler: show
However I must agree that it's not scary or horrifying at all (as Jitter mentioned before, the lack of detail/cartoonish style doesn't help) and that it adds very little to the plot, just another action sequence in a long series. And if the idea is to gross out the reader it misses by a long shot.
It will not be unnecessary if events flow like this: Sigrun, Mikkel, and Emil just fell on top of a bunch of the trolls summoned by the Kade, so they are now in the position to defend the mages. Meanwhile, Mama Bear, who would not know that this has happened, would run into BlobBlob, with the resulting battle weakening both and possibly defeating one.Yes, there's that possibility (that I find too optimistic) and several others that can make that fall really useful. I don't believe they landed on the kitchen, but droping back to the lower floor may allow them to avoid facing mama bear right now and, after finding their way out of the
It will not be unnecessary if events flow like this: Sigrun, Mikkel, and Emil just fell on top of a bunch of the trolls summoned by the Kade, so they are now in the position to defend the mages.
When she did something similar to Emil, way back near the beginning, (if I remember right she dropped a very dead and squashy troll on top of him), it at least seemed to have to do with Emil's character in particular, as he started out way too concerned with looking neat and attractive; it was both mildly funny for that particular reason, and a way of presenting a wake-up call that, hey, Emil, that's not going to work out here. But this seems to be just gratuitous.
...I think the last scene where the personalities were shown significantly was at the lehto. Since then there just hasn't been much dialogue and gestures other than exclamations or "technicalities". Except planning how the chain is used at Koli, but that was also rather free of emotion (at least as I recall).
The thing that I've noticed is that the characters' individual quirks don't really take the stage at any point anymore, but I wasn't sure how to interpret that. Sigrun's much less stubborn and energetic, Mikkel's less of a mystery, Emil's a bit less particular about his appearance now, Lalli's less "catlike" in behaviour (as I've heard people describe him), and Reynir is less clueless, though that last one is justified. Did they just get better at working with each other? Or did the author forget about their quirks?
I'm not sure there's another thread I should be posting this in ... there are just SO MANY! Which is fine of course but I'm still wandering around a bit lost.
I received the hardcover Books 1 - 3 in today's mail and YAY! for that but it's also a bit sad? I'm looking at Minna's art from 2015 and comparing it to the most recent pages and it's pretty obvious looking at them side by side that something vital seems to have been lost. Her commentary in Book One and her obvious love for the story she was telling is just ... gone. :'(
the unknown mage (who probably didn't know that's what they were) who was the first to get consumed. [ . . . ] Onni was very dismissive of the first person (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=338) so I doubt that he would be much interested in helping them. But still, I can hope!
which is that Sigrun and Mikkel took sauna separately from the other three.
Also the original command structure has fallen apart, because they're doing this on their own time. They each decided to follow Onni for different reasons, so Sigrun isn't technically in charge, and often leaves decision-making to others, particularly Mikkel. Which to me is a more traditional and thus less interesting dynamic - the eldest male is in charge, ho-hum. I found Mikkel more interesting when he was subtly steering things from the background, as he was through much of A1.
Ooh, as long as I'm blethering on... re Onni vs the kade: I was thinking it would be really interesting if he picked it apart mage by mage, like peeling layers off an onion, until he gets to the unknown mage (who probably didn't know that's what they were) who was the first to get consumed. Unfortunately, I think that's unlikely, for two reasons. First, the info page about kades (http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=151) says that mages can be rescued "under ideal circumstances" and in "the initial stages of corruption"... although that would suggest that Onni's plan is doomed, as it's been quite some time since Ensi was taken over. Second, Onni was very dismissive of the first person (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=338) so I doubt that he would be much interested in helping them. But still, I can hope!
GUYS GUYS
(http://i.imgur.com/lex8Ede.jpg)
IT'S AN ONNION
I'm so sorry
I like this *heheheeee* it's a wicked development, with much potential for Drama.
For better or for worse, it also puts me in mind of this image from the day everybody was editing the crew as food:
Looking again at that page --
are we looking at that mage who was the first to get turned into the kade? Panel 3, crouched by the toilet, holding her (probably her) head, very likely in pain and confusion?
I wonder if there wasn't quite a story there. Which, I'm afraid, we probably won't get to see.
It would make more sense for them to all follow Onni now, since Onni is the one who knows the area and is the main focus of all of this. Let the person with the most information lead.
-- okay, who or what just flew past that window?
Onni is decidedly not leading, in the sense of leadership. I'm really not sure who is - sometimes Sigrun calls the shots, other times Mikkel, most of the time all of them seem to independently be looking after whatever they're best at. Onni just wants them all to go home and leave him to his insane mission.
Onni appears to be coming apart at the seams, if he hasn't already done so.Maybe ... it's supposed to be character development for Lalli? Onni may be older and in theory a more powerful mage, but Lalli isn't helpless as a mage and he's got the added bonus of being immune. There are potentially things he is capable of doing that Onni can't because he's immune. Perhaps it's time for Lalli to step up and take some responsibility, at least in regard to the Group of Mages. Remember, it was Lalli that showed initiative in A1 when Reynir first proved he had mage abilities. Lalli was the only one who thought to have him draw up a stack of protection runes and to draw more on the ground around the Cat Tank. Everyone else in the group at that point ignored Reynir except Lalli.
He cried out to Tuuri when she died that he mustn't be alone. He then pushed Lalli away, trying to ensure that he'd be alone. He did reach out to Tuuri's ghost for help, but she's dead, and she can't stay. He tried, indeed, to take this on alone otherwise, even though it lowers his chances for success; and is refusing to lead or try to coordinate the team, even though that also lowers his chances. I don't know if this is character development, exactly; more like character disintegration.
I agree that Ensi is beyond salvage in the sense that is meant on the Kade infopage where it talks about emergency exorcism. But, we still don't know what happens to the bodies of the possessed mages. So the emergency exorcism could apply to a situation where the mage's body is still viable and if it succeeded, the mage could be free and go on living. This is of course pure speculation. If it means this, then the case of releasing a mage's spirit from the Kade and letting it go to its normal death (move to Tuonela) could still be possible after a longer time. Based on what Onni bargained with the Swan, this appears to be the goal he's after in any case.
I too would love to see a proper story of the various souls within the Kade, but I'm afraid that will not be forthcoming. At least not from Minna
The tale of the souls within the Kade would provide a nice theme for the fanfic writers?
Ooh, as long as I'm blethering on... re Onni vs the kade: I was thinking it would be really interesting if he picked it apart mage by mage, like peeling layers off an onion, until he gets to the unknown mage (who probably didn't know that's what they were) who was the first to get consumed. Unfortunately, I think that's unlikely, for two reasons. First, the info page about kades (http://sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=151) says that mages can be rescued "under ideal circumstances" and in "the initial stages of corruption"... although that would suggest that Onni's plan is doomed, as it's been quite some time since Ensi was taken over. Second, Onni was very dismissive of the first person (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=338) so I doubt that he would be much interested in helping them. But still, I can hope!I don't have to value an onion's outer layers or have a particular use for them to see the need to have the whole thing peeled ...
It would make more sense for them to all follow Onni now, since Onni is the one who knows the area and is the main focus of all of this. Let the person with the most information lead.He has an information advantage WRT the kade, maybe, but not the area. Onni was a non-immune protected youngster in Toivosaari (until the survivors got picked up and relocated to Keuruu), a place that adv2 passed through (https://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=108) even before getting to Väinö's checkpoint.
(Which implies that if Onni succeeds he'll live, come to think of it; though I don't think it guarantees that.)Let's say that it would give Onni the Allfeather's permission to live, if he can fit that achievement onto his adventurous plate as well.
I’m sure no one is laughing, let alone pointing! But yeah, I believe it’s fairly widely known :) I have looked at the family tree page for dozens of times (I’ve written several little fanfics qbout the prologue characters) that it’s never occurred to me someone has not seen or registered that page!I'm clearly just having a colossal derp moment. :) I never really thought about how *OLD* Ensi is/was, and put those two pieces of information together before. I must have missed the family tree page - or simply forgotten it because my brain does that to me sometimes.
Speaking of which: I also asked Minna whether it’s safe to assume only the branches leading to current main characters are shown. I.e. that Kaino for example could have had children. And she said yes, not everyone is shown there.I do think that's cool. Maybe there's still a chance of meeting some of the extended family.
It seems to me that we will get the story of the Kade. <snip> Also, narratively, Mikkel asked who the Kade was originally and Onni arrogantly dismissed the question, so naturally the question must be very important.
<snip>
On the talk of Kades: I'm pretty sure the salvaging that was stated on the info page would've only been useful back when Ensi still had a human form. <snip>
I think Jitter already covered most of this pretty accurately. Either way, I'm more familiar with the concept of a soul needing some body to return to as one of the hard rules in stories of the more magical sort. Not that this necessarily applies to Finnish mythology or folk beliefs.
Is anyone besides me getting a 404 error for the comic as a whole?
Reinforced concrete where its head should be?? O_oMy current theory on Surma's head: At some point during the early process of this person's trollification, someone tried to kill them by smashing their head in. It didn't quite kill them and Surma ended up developing into a full troll around that chunk, incorporating it into the new form. Either that or it was just in a very unfortunate position when a large piece of rubble fell on them, to the same effect.
I just don't know what to make of this one. How did it even end up with concrete on... in... instead of its head? And how is it so BIG? O_O
Answers will be forthcoming, I hope!
Interesting point by JoB, re no eyes thus no kade control. I hadn't even considered the possibility, figuring that anything trollified would have so little self left that it wouldn't be susceptible to the kade, but I suppose... kind of a sobering possibility, actually.
FYI, page 436 went up, author comment and all, but has apparently been entirely removed - first the image, now the author comment - again. :-? Only the starting Disqus comments remain ... for now. (Yes, the image file is gone from the directory, not just inaccessible somehow.)
Spoiler: cliffhanger show
Maybe we should dig up the Cliffhanger Challenge thread :)
<snip>
I didn't expect Surma to just sit down and contemplate life, though. <snip>
I thought that was the bear at first, and was wondering how she got in there, and whether she was also roaring in the waking world. But it's the luonto lynx.
Anyways, what I was also going to say: I know there's been discussion of the change in Minna's art style before (I don't remember wether it was on this thread or somewhere else), and the point to be made that it has become less meticulous and meticulously detailed over the years, especially recently, but I kinda like it! I mean, I love that incredibly detailed, more complex of earlier times, but I think the gradual change has made the current style more... fluid? Expressive? Dynamic? I was looking at this most recent chapter cover specifically and admiring the lines in our three Mages and all the swooshy patterns and colors. It all looks more fast and I really like it!
Did the Kade digest the soul-bird of Ensi (or someone else)? We have no confirmation yet, that the glowing ball of goo is related to Ensi, I think.No, we don't. Yet something attracted Tuuri to that particular place. Perhaps some spiritual sixth-sense? Anyway I'm really enjoying the way we readers are being juggled from one cliffhanger to the next. :)
Is SSSSComic.com offline for others as well?
Catbirds, I don’t feel like this situation would be comparable to either the notoros or Pastor Anne, although obviously this is an opinion only.
Catbirds, I agree with you that in SSSS conflict resolution tends to be something else than protagonist fighting until splendid victory
But, Minna says the chapter is ending (ends today? Or tomorrow?) I’m sad that there seem to be no info pages any more :onni:... so, "infaux pages" chapter break filler?
This is coolest chapter cover I've seen in an age. The red bird in the distance intrigues me: while it could represent Onni, or The Swan, I think it's Väinö, or specifically one of the lookout gulls he works with. So, who needs an exorcism?Also loved the cover! To me it represents the Swan going away and, after it, a very small white soul bird, that I hope would be Ensi's soul. :)
And I love the Ensi / crane / kadeling. It would be so beautiful if it weren't for the eyeball. Even with that it's otherwise lovely.Agreed, I like them better without (http://arbreauxherons.fr/en/a-shared-project/). 8)
”… that will allow passengers to…” Passengers!? No way!Well, all I can say is that the engineers behind this project do have experience with passengers on steampunk animals (https://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/discover/the-grand-elephant/).
I wonder whether Reynir's about to ask the Swan to take the kade?Sure good that souls do not increase/multiply with time. Imagine The Swan replying "Oh no, that is a long-term investment of mine ... the interest rate is to die for!"
All its component souls are certainly overdue.
Reynir's different religion meant I was never worried for him in the first place.Maybe the swan is a fan of syncretism.
Feeling worse yet?
So -- are they climbing (now swimming) around inside the kade? (Their and its spirit selves, anyway.)Well, however "real" their magescape-side perception is - yes, precisely that.
Maybe that's why it was itching.If you're referring to the actual "itching" incident (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=458), that one happened when (and apparently because) only Tuuri was present (and doing some Open Boil Mining) inside the kade.
I wonder how & why the inside of the Kade is arranged like this.
I think Lalli should be the one climibing onto the eye. He's an expert eye-poker, after all.
if it’s on Twitch the recording can be watched for two weeks after.
(We've all been there - we know where the story needs to go, but puzzle over how we can get it to come to pass.)
Sadly I think Emil’s dreamfire will forever be shrouded in mystery, only shown in tantalizing glimpses of fanfiction.
I apologize for the late reply, but seriously?! That and the dream connection plotline were honestly what I was most looking forward to in this adventure. :-\
Shame, because this is the best the art has looked in ages...
However, I think if Emil, Sigrun, or Reynir died, it'd make for an interesting albeit heavy arc in the country they're from, working through their idea of death and the afterlife with the remaining members of the crew. It'd be very hard to write, though. And definitely a giant exercise in empathy.
She may have just elected to post on Monday! Check the notes section, it's mentioned that it'll be either today or Monday.
Did Ensi let them know it was not their fault? I mean the original attack on their village, which she would have views on.Considering Onnis referral to "grandma's one mistake", I don't think that they ever thought of it being their fault in the first place. A task to address and clean up matters at some point during their lifetime maybe, but not personal guilt.
Considering Onnis referral to "grandma's one mistake", I don't think that they ever thought of it being their fault in the first place. A task to address and clean up matters at some point during their lifetime maybe, but not personal guilt.
Blame and guilt are not a zero-sum game. To me, the fact that Onni blames grandma does not imply that he does not blame himself for some aspects of the death of his family.
In fact, he seems to have expanded that blame, or at least a terror of it, to the entire surviving family.
He tells Lalli that because they're Hotakainens they can't afford to make any mistakes at all. Grandmother only made one and look what happened!
Oy?No, incorporated (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/oy#Finnish). ;D
Is the Swan Jewish?
Wavewright, I am much amused by that reference.
But you didn't respond with the requisite OY OY OY! ? (which, for the uninitiated, is the appropriate response to both of those calls in Australia)*pouts*
No, incorporated (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/oy#Finnish). ;D
‘Borst’ sounds like it should be some awful kind of sausage!Well, as far as sausages go, I guess it is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borscht). :P
Beetroot borscht! Or barszcz as we Poles call it.(German insists on doing the whole ordeal, "Borschtsch". It's my go-to example to explain how there's not just one Cyrillic Alphabet, and that the Shcha (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shcha) has a very tangible purpose within its natural range. Pretty much in line with the attempts to have the "sch" replaced by the Háček-S ("š") in German actually ...)
(German insists on doing the whole ordeal, "Borschtsch". It's my go-to example to explain how there's not just one Cyrillic Alphabet, and that the Shcha (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shcha) has a very tangible purpose within its natural range. Pretty much in line with the attempts to have the "sch" replaced by the Háček-S ("š") in German actually ...)
Well, the szcz in the Polish barszcz, which our neighbours in Germany might be emulating, is a consonant cluster, so could be naturally represented by two consonants (one representing sh and one representing ch, to make bah-r-sh-ch).No way to be certain short of obtaining a time machine to go ask the Germans originally picking the transcription, I'm afraid, but nonetheless my guess would be that "Borschtsch" is more likely mimicking the "ʃt͡ʃ" cluster the Shcha (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shcha) stands for "in Ukrainian and Rusyn" ...
We also have ś and ć (and ź for that matter), but they represent different sounds. And we love to squish them together in clusters, as with out word for hello, cześć (/t͡ʂɛɕt͡ɕ/).Your language wouldn't happen to get raided every now and then by envious Klingon speakers, would it? >:D
...which sounds a bit like a spitting fire?
We'll never know. But I suppose that the Germans had no other way to represent the ʂ of barszcz in their barbaric language...As surprising as it sounds, even barbarians have standards. :P
I am surprised that nobody else is commenting on the page. I am actually looking forward to today's update! (Unless it boils down to 'trolls all dead, the group leaves the hotel and goes back to fighting the bear' -- I so want to see them fight something other than a bear. Or Surma. Maybe Sigrun could be awesome again?)I suppose that there's a broad consensus that the BOOOM and smoke mirror changing conditions in the mages' real world surroundings, i.e., within the walk-in freezer. Which would indicate that a) some sort of powerful firearm/explosive/incendiary was discharged but b) did not have much effect inside the freezer (else -> crispy mages), which, in turn, leaves the trollpile immediately outside as the likeliest target, and thus the other team members as the ones who discharged it.
I am actually looking forward to today's update! (Unless it boils down to 'trolls all dead, the group leaves the hotel and goes back to fighting the bear' -- I so want to see them fight something other than a bear. Or Surma.
unless the hotel had a powder room
(Yes, I know what you actually meant --)Too late, I already prepared the live demonstration ... !
Too late, I already prepared the live demonstration ... !
[runs and hides behind a very large tree][cross-references the current page, for a change]
oh please, please, do not give us another long batch of pages about kaded bear and Surma fighting --
Also, a TPK is probably not necessary even if they fail to sneak. If they all scattered the bear might miss some.
the team obviously has no chance against either one of these monsters
Neither one appears to be in any danger, or even to feel pain (more just anger and annoyance). So why should I care what happens to them, so long as the team gets away while they fight?
I wonder where that fight takes them. Will one of the Sentinel Mages call backup or something? I mean what would Väinö do if there was Surma and one big Bear Beast fighting too close?
I have the impression that they're quite a ways away from any of the Sentinel Mages; and that what those mages are doing is guarding the edges to make sure nothing gets out, but not trying to police the area inside.Google says that, based on today's road infrastructure, of course, Koli to Kerma(nkoski) is 130-some kilometers. Including an option to avoid the Joensuu area entirely.
Pah, Mikkel can probably carry one Hotakainen per shoulder. Also the later parts of the journey are by boat, which is a great way to transport comatose mages. Especially ones who get boat-sick when awake, or even ones that hate fishing.I'd guess that getting Mikkel involved would imply the return of his best buddy Barry. Or is there a Finnish (horti)cultural taboo I'm not aware of ... ?
I mean, none of the physical fighters can do anything about a bunch of immaterial glowing eyeballs, right? Or maybe they're not immaterial?Right now, those're apparently incorporated into a very physical Kaunoinen that you do not want attacked by anyone but whoever qualifies as the team's tank ...
Please, please, please let there be some team bonding exercise between the mages soon. This would've been a great place for them to realize they had to ~open up to each other to overcome the odds~ or something!
Her story of her full-immersion baptism has a weird parallel in what happens to Surma.
Surma was just trying to get some peace and quiet. (Though I suppose they've got it now. At least, if that kind of troll can be killed by drowning.)
And Mama Bear was just trying to care for her babies; and will never be able to do so again.
And if Minna's been some sort of background Christian all her life: wasn't she already baptized? Or is it likely that her family are members of an adult-baptism sect? Or is the theory that the first baptism didn't count for some reason? Or do Christians sometimes get re-baptized, sort of like married people renewing their vows? Though I don't suppose I'll get answers to any of that either; except maybe the last, as it seems likely there's somebody on these boards who knows the answer to that.
If Minna's end of Adventure II is as flat as it may turn out to be - no further interaction with our crew, no apparent character development or glimpses of possible futures... then it wouldn't happen "around January/February" IMHO, but right now. I mean, if mommy continues to fight, there currently isn't anyone but the team for her to go up against, and if she trots off instead, we're left with the team and their need to return to civilization. We'd need either a new monster ex machina to engage Kaunoinen or a switch to an entirely different theater to avoid getting the team involved.
I have this horrible feeling that Surma is going to pop up againI have to admit that, with Kaunoinen having landed with a CRUNCH! on what now looks like it has been Surmas chest, that ribcage in the last panel still looks amazingly convex ...
... then it wouldn't happen "around January/February" IMHO, but right now. I mean, if mommy continues to fight, there currently isn't anyone but the team for her to go up against, and if she trots off instead, we're left with the team and their need to return to civilization. We'd need either a new monster ex machina to engage Kaunoinen or a switch to an entirely different theater to avoid getting the team involved.
The team will surely show up and do something, but it could be as simple as running for their lives in the background of panels while the bear chases them, roaring, in the foreground.Emil has just cleaned out an entire room packed with trolls, to the effect (we hope) of getting the mages back into action outside the magescape. The complication that had kept him from doing more of that, Surma, is no more (we hope), and the kadéballs now animating Kaunoinen apparently qualified as little more than magescape scenery to the mages back when they were released from the kadragon. I don't think that the team will need Väinös services for this one - not to mention that they IMHO don't stand a chance to run all the way back without Kaunoinen catching up to them. Heck, getting all the way back to a working boat (that they left in Joensuu?) to save themselves onto open water would be quite the feat.
(I still think the Seagull Mage could deal with possessed Mamma Bear, and would choose to do so if she heads towards his border. So that might be the endgame.)
Sooo, the one more option for getting out of this was NOT kadettes just leaving. I am... I don't know what I am, but happy isn't it.
The kadeds weren't looking for a body, they were supposedly just trying to help out? Why? Were they conscious all the time in the kade, and thought Mama Bear was on their side? If so, was it because they had Stockholm or something and identified with the kade, or because they identified with Mama Bear as a sort of fellow captive?There is another possibility: All those souls the kade absorbed supposedly were Finnish mages, with the major task (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87) to guide (other) trapped souls to the afterlife. If they have been freed from the kade's influence in any meaningful way, they might have looked at the fight and seen one soul they could do that with (Surma, with a human soul) and one they have to leave for others (because Kaunoinens beast soul requires a kallohonka and, thus, physical hands to clean her bones).
Spoiler: show
There is another possibility: All those souls the kade absorbed supposedly were Finnish mages, with the major task (http://sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=87) to guide (other) trapped souls to the afterlife. If they have been freed from the kade's influence in any meaningful way, they might have looked at the fight and seen one soul they could do that with (Surma, with a human soul) and one they have to leave for others (because Kaunoinens beast soul requires a kallohonka and, thus, physical hands to clean her bones).
She usually takes a break over Christmas / New Year's, so it's possible we may have only on the order of a dozen pages left in the story proper.
Side note: Minna did say that she'd like to end SSSS on a place where she could pick it up again if she ever felt like it.
Lalli going to help the bears, maybe?
Interesting. I wonder whether she might be having second thoughts.
Sometimes new and vehement converts . . . don't stay that way.
(Definitely not counting on that, though. And if she does have second thoughts, they won't necessarily be thoughts I'd be any happier with.)
Nothing but mental and emotional maturity can really change such things anyway. Or direct Word of God(s).
Minna lives on the proceeds of her art, and I’m fairly sure that whatever she made would sell, even stuff like Lovely People.
Wonder what he's going to do about the missing skulls?Reynir the
Yeah, this page was decent! I can't believe the resolution that SSSS was headed towards for the past eight years was Nepotism though, but it's funny so oh well!
Good that Lalli successfully made it up there too.
Mikkel's ghost shoulder on the left is kind of distracting, but I'm sure it'd make sense once the page is formatted into a full spread.
Wasn't there an info page alluding to exorcism as far back as like... Adventure 1?(No, kades and sentinel mages are specific to Finland, if not the particularly silent parts of the Saimaa lake system, and did not get introduced until adventure 2 brought the entire team there.)
have we met the guy in the last panel before? or does he just look like somebody we've met before?I flipped through the part of adv2 where the team's in Finland and meets actual people¹, but the best I can say is that he looks like (but cannot be) a younger version of Tapsa the cat-wrangler (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=126).
If only we could ask Remembering Man...Hmmm, you think (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=82)? I take the nose and the dome, and buy Finnish origin and reading glasses bending the ears forward, but why would he switch from dock worker at the Bornholm hub to shopkeep in Saimaa, shave off the mustachiolo, and grow out the rest of his beard in the meantime?
Nah, he's just some rando, we haven't seen him before. Plot twist: everybody in Finland outside of Keuruu actually spoke Norwegian all along, including the bears.Yes, well... It's not too much a stretch, really. Presumably most of them take Icelandic lessons starting at the age of 10 and study other languages later, unless they have clear plans for their job that definitely doesn't require any. Lalli was already set for becoming a mage/scout (and well, he had enough communication problems in Finnish, so language studies outside of report-writing lessons were out).
Probably those ducks, too.
I flipped through the part of adv2 where the team's in Finland and meets actual people¹, but the best I can say is that he looks like (but cannot be) a younger version of Tapsa the cat-wrangler (http://www.sssscomic.com/comic2.php?page=126).
¹ Saimaa canal to Väinö's, so, pages 80-150-ish
unlikely to be shown in the comic as it does not advance the plot.)[/li][/list]
I agree that he looks familiar! I even went back to see if maybe he was the gardener from Lalli's 'old home place', since that was another surprise Norwegian speaker, but no.
I might reread the start of the adventure tomorrow to see if I can spot his double there.
So, nobody's guessing what the letter contains? My suggestions (not all serious):So... a new person -- maybe a descendant of a vague prologue character? Or-- well, it could be whoever had that photo-collection of the prologue! Someone making a historical study or something. A second job? Why not -- some other books to loot? Eh, Sigrun's parents/Trond sending her a ship that would somehow make it from Baltic to Saimaa?Also: as someone already said in the comments, we know that there are boats out of Keuruu all winter. So they're not necessarily stuck. It's unclear whether moving around Finland in late summer is easy, though.
- My favourite: some new person or persons who read about the expedition in a newspaper (that photo could be a newspaper clipping!) offering them a new job somewhere reachable from where they are. (Maybe even outside the Known World? A girl can dream.) Question is: would they accept such an offer? (Reynir definitely, Emil doesn't have a reason not too especially if the pay is good, the Hotakainens have nothing better to do, Mikkel will do whatever is sensible... Sigrun can be tempted by promise of adventure, can't she?)
- The expedition organizers, offering them a job again, this time with some extra justification of some sort. Like extra cash. (Why did the crew other than Sigrun turn them down anyway? Mikkel had Sigrun's offer, but surely Reynir for one would love more adventure?)
- Sigrun's parents and/or Trond, informing her that a longship is on its way to pick her up.
- Trond in general, with a secret mission as per fanfics.
- Reynir's parents, angry at Reynir. (Seems likely to actually happen, unlikely to be shown in the comic as it does not advance the plot.)
- Reynir's sister, with an invitation for her wedding to Beefy Horse Guy. (Ditto.)
- Emil's parents, who want to know him again now that he's semi-famous and possibly rich.
- Some sort of outerwear company offering them endorsement deals.
- A rabid fan with a marriage offer.
So, nobody's guessing what the letter contains?Ah, durnit, I just posted a lengthy comment almost on that to Disqus ... lemme do some copypasta ...
For example, how about a mission to recover seeds from Svalbard? (I think Minna said it hasn't been accessed yet?)More specifically, she said that the post-Rash societies have not yet seen a need to pop it open. Of course, Svalbard is polar bear territory even pre-Rash ...
More specifically, she said that the post-Rash societies have not yet seen a need to pop it open.
They may have enough seed without it to plant all the land that's safe to plant, yes -- but the point of that seed storage isn't quantity; it's variety. They've been dealing with a sudden change in environment including a massive change in what species are present and in what numbers (which is going to affect everything, not just mammals); probably a significant climate change as almost all human climate influence suddenly disappeared; and the results of there no longer being human supervision of large numbers of sites of storage of hazardous materials all over the planet -- some of those time bombs are most likely still going off, and while they've probably defused all the remaining ones within the Known World some of the ones in the Silent World will have repurcussions for quite a distance.Hm, I can't quite comment on the "time bomb" part, because I honestly have no idea how much of whatever noxious substances may be in storage at any given time; I'd be pretty confident that the plants producing them aren't running and producing any more of them, however. Chemical hazmats aren't quite up to the levels of nuclear waste or biological weaponry WRT required longevity of precautions, luckily.
The rest, however, I'd like to doubt. Agriculture doesn't have much of a problem with the established fauna going away, short of the pollinators, and bees, for one, are quite cosmopolitan.
And it's not like we really reacted to the ongoing climate change with the selection of plants yet AFAIK, so those changes reverting would restore favorable conditions for the long-standing selection ...
And tehta's entirely right: the varieties that work for large scale monocropping of crops grown in large part for export from their local area are rarely the ones that work best for subsistence agriculture.
There are crops which are nitrogen fixers: in combination with the right bacteria living in their roots, they pull nitrogen out of the air, making it available for themselves and for the following crop and/or for other crops grown intermixed with them in the field.
It's not going to be just a matter of no mammalian critters eating the crops. Removing almost all the mammals from the ecology is going to produce huge shock waves. Minna may not have been thinking of this; but that will throw everything wildly out of whack, and yes it will impact those species not susceptible; plants and insects and birds and fungi and all sorts of soil life normally interact with mammals as well as each other in a net of interconnections we've only recently started paying any attention to. The effects are going to be by humans unpredictable, but they'll be considerable, and will take years to settle down -- they may well have mostly worked their way out by year 90, except for some of the longest-lived species; but it's going to be a big part of what people are dealing with in the early decades.OK, that I can believe. But the minor problem with this scenario is that that entire vault in Svalbard isn't going to simply hand you proven-suitable crops for an ecosystem that just fell out of the mixer and has never existed on the planet before. In order to solve a problem of that magnitude, we'd need experiments, cross-breeding, possibly downright genetic manipulation, possibilities which the post-Rash society, reduced to subsistence farming, may simply not have ...
Whatever's growing in people's home gardens will be a lot more useful than whatever's being grown on the farms; but most people's home gardens contain only limited produce and no grains.Yes, most. But keep in mind that the survivors in the early post-Rash times had to find refuge and immediately jumpstart their own food production in pretty rural areas, which must've led them to raid however few suitable gardens they could find ... my mother always wanted to redesign our family's gravesite "medieval style", i.e., into sort of a herb-and-small-produce garden, as graveyards were (surprise!) the most nutrient-rich uncovered soils within city walls, so I guess one can find a couple such graves on every larger graveyard ... (Never got a round tuit, as we didn't live nearby anymore, though.)
Okay, let the betting begin: who will disturb Emil?The innkeeper, not speaking any other language than Finnish, will knock, come in, and hold up one of the signs he has at hand to make standard communication with non-Finns.
There are such plants. And in the region where I am from they where traditionally grown before growing wheat or barley. They where not edible but they bring a lot of nitrogen into the ground. Growing nothing edible for regenerationin in my opinion is a clear sign that nitrogen was the limiting factor for agriculture.Ah, but peas are edible and bring in nitrogen. Or maybe you treat it with ash or compost soil? And well, you can also have some other piece of land growing the crops while this one is getting nitrogen treatment...
There are such plants. And in the region where I am from they where traditionally grown before growing wheat or barley. They where not edible but they bring a lot of nitrogen into the ground. Growing nothing edible for regenerationin in my opinion is a clear sign that nitrogen was the limiting factor for agriculture.
OK, that I can believe. But the minor problem with this scenario is that that entire vault in Svalbard isn't going to simply hand you proven-suitable crops for an ecosystem that just fell out of the mixer and has never existed on the planet before. In order to solve a problem of that magnitude, we'd need experiments, cross-breeding, possibly downright genetic manipulation, possibilities which the post-Rash society, reduced to subsistence farming, may simply not have ...
Don’t start me on this topic, it is one of the things I teach as a volunteer at our local community garden, and I won’t shut up for hours![goes online shopping for an industrial-sized (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel#/media/File:Volin.jpg)-flywheel mouse (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scroll_wheel)]
Minna has said that she will leave the story in a place where she can pick it up if at some far future time she feels like it. Now don’t get your hopes up, this is not a likely possibility. But just to take into comments about the letter. So, some sort of new job / mission opportunity seems likely.
And fanfic can come up with a hundred different ideas as to what the job might be, or as to what might await them in Norway, or what might happen en route to the job or to Norway or even right where they are just now --"We need you to go to Dalsnes and bust out our mastermind Trond. He went to visit family there, and the local authorities promptly had him locked up in that retirement home (https://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=138) again!"
(But, allegedly, the ancient viking culture was not into (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%84ttestupa) retirement homes...)... you mean they ran out of nurses (https://satwcomic.com/off-to-the-rave)? >:D
Well, it's definitely a bear. And with normal-bear eyes.
Why are people in the Discus comments talking about three cubs? I only remember two. -- hmm. Apparently while two's the most common number per birth, three and even four are possible. But I still only remember two with our particular Mamma Bear.
Oh, good. Bears for the rest of the month. *Sigh.*
From tonight’s stream, the pages we are seeing now are the original epilogue. But the upcoming “extended epilogue” is extra, and will be about the characters.If what we're seeing now is the *original* epilogue, did she seriously just drop the team while they wait until spring for a boat and that's how she intended to leave them? After all the years of emotional investment in those characters, we get a month of closure for ... the bears.
Apparently not bears for all the rest of January; at least, not unless we're about to jump to next spring.
Seeing all this bear stuff actually has me excited for the implications. Does it mean souls that were able to pass on can be reborn? Are we going to see Tuuri reborn as someone's future kid or something like that?
I already have a few ideas for something to write as a continuation from here. It will have to wait for my current project to finish, but the extra epilogue should be done by that time.
Are these snowmobiles using some kind of gasoline? Because if yes, where did that come from?
If not, why are they making such noise? Electric snow mobiles exist even now, and one of the best features is relative silence.
The Cattank appears to be electric, as is the Dalahästen train. The battery technology and electric motors in Adventure 1 are greatly advanced in comparison to ours, well within realm of science fiction.Plus its batteries were recharged by "a multifuel engine" (https://sssscomic.fandom.com/wiki/The_Cat-tank#Propulsion_and_Steering), again with a wide range of suitable fuels, again limited to liquids.
Also that the work of scavengers, though dangerous would yield a lot of valuable stuff.
Exactly! There seems to be too little scavenging, considering. Of course we haven’t seen much of how everyone else but the team lives, but also we don’t see much evidence of any such loot. Someone could become very rich, looting not just books but various resources. Or maybe Y90 is past that, I don’t know. Just the lack seems conspicuous.
Then again, this is the small peek Minna has wanted to give us into this world. We now have very near all of it to play with!
Water, sun and air for stationary things (Though solar panels are very technical and once they died, I do not think sufficient technology would remain to make more)Good photovoltaic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics) panels are high tech. Thermal collectors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_collector) are essentially black pipeworks under glass, and if you want to power "a steam engine", those (and a collector fluid with a low steam point) might work just as well. Either will, however, suffer from the Nordic's latitudes.
Not to sound too much like a Jurassic World villain but it might even have been very worthwhile to weaponize Surma. All Old Man Seagull needs to do is use a few of his seagulls to lure rash creatures into a kill zone (far away from the border, in case things go awry) and have them drop bits of sheet metal or just scream a lot and wait for Surma to arrive and duck shit up. Or, for maximum precision, have a gull personally find Surma and lead it there. If a team wants to move in and scavenge with minimal resistance, the gulls find Surma again and lead it away while the team does its thing.It's established that "normal" grosslings are attracted by manmade noises, too, just not as fast as Surma. So, set up a remote-controlled Dune-style thumper in the middle of an ancient city and watch the town square troll-fill in the time Surma needs to arrive at the banquet ... ?
Whatever it could be, four pages does not seem like enough time for some new important thing to happen but we shall see."Important" can be done within half a page, just let the sentinels get off their snowmobiles and say "there's a giant the size of a mountain coming, we fled here because there's nothing we can do against it on our own!"
JoB, your Surma-suggestions are good ones. The team has had so much experience of 'surviving while the monsters fight' (long before Surma vs Bears, there were Dusklings vs Duskling-killer, Barbie-leg trolls vs Giant, etc.) Surely they must be aware of this as a strategy?
Jitter, I like your unserious predictions.
So... what sort of "vacation" does Väinö Väänänen like?He seems to be the nature-loving type (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdwatching).
ok I though that scavenging should be explored a little more. I came up with this on the fly. If folks are interested.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/37885927/chapters/94606966
I was thinking that with Väinö coming by for "vacation", I can see this as a last page:
Everyone comes with the first boat of the season. Emil's aunt/uncle, Varu (sp?), Trond, Sigrun's family, Reynir's family etc.. Any of the other people that met along the way happens to be in town.
they all meet for a welcome spring party and a group photo!!
Two words:Dance Party
In Finland, foreigners have the possibility to have mail sent to the Finland Travel Bureau in Helsinki, where it will be handed out free of surcharge Monday through Friday between 08:30 and 17:00. For the address, useThe Bureau still exists at the same address, save for the PO box number apparently having been shortened to "319" (and the int'l standards now asking to drop the "SF-" and instead put the country name IN UPPERCASE), but I could not find any indication that the service has survived into any mentions on the WWW ever ...Quote(Name of recipient)
c/o Finland Travel Bureau Ltd.
Mail Department, Box 10319
Kaivokatu 10A
SF-00101 Helsinku 10
Suomi/Finland
Poste restante was certainly a thing in the real world when I was travelling, and when I lived in the serious Outback, and may still be for all I know. I think it may still be available in Australia, certainly it is in the Outback, in small-town post offices such as in the little bush town where I now live, or general stores that handle mail for their local areas. Whether this is just country tradition or whether it is still the usage in cities I do not know.The entry on Wikipedia's page on poste restante (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poste_restante#Australia) actually has something to say about that. In fact, glancing at the other entries in the per-country list, it seems to be a service that usually gets offered throughout a nation's PO system, rather than only in hotspots (rural areas?) requiring it.
I suppose one day people may eventually look the same way to that odd habit of people (mostly from the previous century) writing actual letters...I do work in the "hybrid mail"¹ business in Germany and have to admit that I had no idea that Deutsche Post has a poste restante system running ...
You've got the right page but that comment isn't there at all, nor on the next page.There are six deleted comments on the page, with no replies indicating that someone felt offended by whatever the poster wrote. I remember at least one longer-standing poster not just leaving the comic after a disagreement, but deleting the Disqus account (and all their posts along with it). In particular, deleted post #4524216171 seems like a good candidate for having contained the poem ...
Further research would be needed, as I'm now thinking it was posted here in the Forum, or the Discord.Nothing that the forum search could find for me ...