My I swear..Its alittle sad but alot mental scarring right now..
I hate to admit this, but...
that last panel made me laugh.
How he can recover from this?
He's thinking about the law?
Is he serious?
Which law?
I can't imagine that his whole impersonating scheme already violated a bookfull of laws. How is he going to try to talk his way out of that?
Very strange.
Or does that mean Cubi laws?
Could Fa'Lina make a dramatic and wrathful entrance soon?
Let's hope so!
Quote from: Zachski on September 15, 2007, 04:28:57 AM
I hate to admit this, but...
that last panel made me laugh.
Made me laugh to,then i realized he is still holding a severed arm.
you know, this could turn out to be bad for Abel, well, even worse, that is..
if his mother gets killed, and folks discover what abel is... well, he'll be in trouble before you can say "Guillotine" >:3
But I tell you..ANiz shouting at her slayed body like that as in note for..Fair warning
I think the word Aniz is looking for is 'Doh.'
I kinda liked hennya so whatever happens to aniz is ok with me, granted all the crap he pulled before killing her was pretty... bastardidious of him at least everyone could have lived on...
"You could have lived. Your men could have lived."
--Skilgannon the Damned, before singlehandedly killing a bunch of soldiers who tried to take him in
Quote from: Turnsky on September 15, 2007, 05:39:21 AM
you know, this could turn out to be bad for Abel, well, even worse, that is..
if his mother gets killed, and folks discover what abel is... well, he'll be in trouble before you can say "Guillotine" >:3
Abel won't, since Aniz' plan always seems to have been to take Abel to SAIA for the next few centuries. Aniz would be if he sticks around.
I have no idea about the laws (it's not the first time that's popped up either... remember Destania and Edward?) and while there would be laws enforced by SAIA or Clans (remembering Abel's clan barely exists) 'Cubi are far too scattered and secretive to be globally policed.
IMHO he must be talking about some Zinvth city law.
Quote from: Dard on September 15, 2007, 04:50:20 AM
Could Fa'Lina make a dramatic and wrathful entrance soon?
Let's hope so!
I dunno how her omniscience power works. Unless Aniz' adventures consist mainly of reporting back to her, he might have been out of touch with her too long for her to be able to predict. Either way, she only seem able to predict things in the Academy itself.
I'm still waiting for Aniz to pull off a ventriloquism show with Hennya's head.
Aniz: Howdy do, Ms. Hennya?
Hennya: Just dandy, thanks. I just feel a bit dis-armed. [Insert epic laughs here]
Now THAT would be some serious mental scarring.
The real question is;
May's screaming in the background or, at least that's what Aniz says.
What's Abel doing? Still paralyzed by his scratch? Or.........
I'm honestly surprised he's even wasting his time yelling at her corpse. I guess he's lost all his composure now that everything is falling apart.
Quote from: Lone_Wolf on September 15, 2007, 06:28:35 AM
What's Abel doing? Still paralyzed by his scratch? Or.........
My money is on a dead faint.
Thinking about the laws again, Aniz seems to be thinking along the lines of self-defence as an excuse for killing Hennya so I'd say it's city law.
Quote from: Turnsky on September 15, 2007, 05:39:21 AM
you know, this could turn out to be bad for Abel, well, even worse, that is..
if his mother gets killed, and folks discover what abel is... well, he'll be in trouble before you can say "Guillotine" >:3
Forgetting for now my earlier point that Abel is likely to be whisked off to the safety of SAIA, I somewhat doubt that Abel would be penalised for being a 'Cubi in a city full of other Creatures.
Aniz would (and probably will) have to flee unless he can prove self-defence, but Abel himself should be fine. Yes, Aniz apparently murdered Cid (although that could have been self-defence too, we don't know) but it took place outside the city and it didn't involve any citizens of Zinvth.
To them, it's just bog standard Creature stuff like Kria's training.
Quote from: Goatmon on September 15, 2007, 06:34:12 AM
I'm honestly surprised he's even wasting his time yelling at her corpse.
It's grief. People will do that. And not just in stories.
Quote from: Dard on September 15, 2007, 04:50:20 AM
He's thinking about the law? Is he serious? Which law? I can't imagine that his whole impersonating scheme already violated a bookfull of laws. How is he going to try to talk his way out of that? [.....] Very strange. Or does that mean Cubi laws?
Killing, impersonating or tricking a Being is hardly a very severe offence anywhere in the world, probably just a misdemeanour. Now, taking the life of Henya (a Creature) on the other hand...who mentioned the guilliotine?
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 06:09:27 AM
"You could have lived. Your men could have lived."
--Skilgannon the Damned, before singlehandedly killing a bunch of soldiers who tried to take him in
Ah, David Gemmell. I must get around to finding a copy of those two books and reading them...
QuoteNow, taking the life of Henya (a Creature) on the other hand...who mentioned the guilliotine?
Turnsky. Although if they have such a thing it would be called something else, and there are probably simpler ways of achieving the same result. Death spells for instance. And Aniz did a pretty good job just by himself.
While Hennya is almost a Being herself as far as we can tell, Zinvth is going to have pretty strict laws on killings within the city. They must have, or Beings and lesser Creatures would never settle there.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 15, 2007, 07:16:37 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 06:09:27 AM
"You could have lived. Your men could have lived."
--Skilgannon the Damned, before singlehandedly killing a bunch of soldiers who tried to take him in
Ah, David Gemmell. I must get around to finding a copy of those two books and reading them...
Read
White Wolf. DO NOT read
The Swords of Night and Day because they are like Highlander and Highlander 2 respectively.
(Actually don't read
White Wolf either, because you'll recognise all kinds of similarities with CJP >:3 )
I'm sondering if he could be referring to laws of magic.
I'm also wondering if the backup plan could be a teleportation spell. After all, that would be a useful spell for an adventurer or evil cubi to have on hand in case things go wrong.
On the positive side, his eyes aren't red, so he's a little less likely to slaughter everybody in the room without thinking.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 06:46:52 AM
Quote from: Goatmon on September 15, 2007, 06:34:12 AM
I'm honestly surprised he's even wasting his time yelling at her corpse.
It's grief. People will do that. And not just in stories.
Do you really think so? It's hard to imagine that he feels that bad about her. I guess living in disguise for 20+ years makes it kind of hard not to get attached to some people. *shrug*
Quote from: Goatmon on September 15, 2007, 07:54:42 AM
Do you really think so? It's hard to imagine that he feels that bad about her. I guess living in disguise for 20+ years makes it kind of hard not to get attached to some people. *shrug*
I don't know if attached is really the word. I don't think Aniz thinks too much of her, but there's a bit of a difference between not liking someone and not caring if they die horribly (or in this case, if you kill them horribly yourself in a fit of blind rage).
Quote from: Naldru on September 15, 2007, 07:40:33 AM
I'm sondering if he could be referring to laws of magic.
Am wondering the same thing
It bears repeating:
Oh dear. I don't see this ending well.
I'm going to say... things start going off without any hitches not already inherent in Plan B... now.
Oh, and Aniz is someone we know. Maybe. Probably not. I think...
Remeber kids .. before you reveal your secret identity and possibily get trapped in a murderous rampage .. always consult your laywer first
Ahh DMFA life lessons :)
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 07:26:02 AM
Read White Wolf. DO NOT read The Swords of Night and Day because they are like Highlander and Highlander 2 respectively.
(Actually don't read White Wolf either, because you'll recognise all kinds of similarities with CJP >:3 )
I'm kind of glad I didn't purchase TSoNaD the other week on my way to Egypt, then. Although I -did- end up reading most of "Midnight Falcon" anyway. After reading "Stardust" and "Smoke And Mirrors" by Neil Gaiman, "Only Human", "You Don't Have To Be Evil To Work Here, But It Helps", and "The Portable Door" by Tom Holt, and "Such A Pretty Girl" by Laura Weiss (that last one was when I was locked out of my room for an afternoon)...
Although I should point out I enjoyed both Highlander and Highlander 2 - and 3, for that matter, although I'll admit 2 and 3 were utter shite. So I may well like both of those....
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 15, 2007, 09:28:26 AM
Although I should point out I enjoyed both Highlander and Highlander 2 - and 3, for that matter, although I'll admit 2 and 3 were utter shite. So I may well like both of those....
Not to prolong this OT thread much further, I'll just point out that the problem I had with
Night and Day is that he tries to change the setting retroactively. I mean, after having spent 17 years writing a well-received and well-thought-out swords-and-sorcery fantasy series set in an unknown world, he suddenly woke up one day and decided he wanted to be an SF writer instead. IMHO he did a totally craptacular job of it, attempting to retroactively change the setting to far-future Earth and coming up with an 'explanation' for magic that breaks continuity with the rest of the series. All in all, I was deeply disappointed.
It's interesting to see Aniz looking for someone to blame for his own actions. He didn't think about what he was doing, and now he has to pay the consequences. Aniz could have waited a little while longer until Hennya left. Or he could have sent Hennya home. But he wasn't thinking. And that's Hennya's fault. I still don't get how someone so impulsive could have pulled off that impersonation for 25 years.
It looks like May's going to get cut down in short order. Given Amber's writing style, I predict that Aniz will get cut down mid-swing as he tries to kill May. By Kria.
Obligatory out there theory with absolutely no grounding in reality or what I actually think will happen!
- Aniz uses morphing skills to clean himself up and look presentable.
- He then proceeds to paint May red with Hennya's blood.
- Screaming-wild mother is taken by the law while the father gets to abscond with his catatonic son.
I bet Devin feels bad about throwing those rocks.
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 15, 2007, 10:43:59 AM
Obligatory out there theory with absolutely no grounding in reality or what I actually think will happen!
- Aniz uses morphing skills to clean himself up and look presentable.
- He then proceeds to paint May red with Hennya's blood.
- Screaming-wild mother is taken by the law while the father gets to abscond with his catatonic son.
a perfectly plausible scenario.
I'm quire sure he's not thinking of Plan B...
Though I guess muffins are kinda messy. :3
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 15, 2007, 10:43:59 AM- Aniz uses morphing skills to clean himself up and look presentable.
- He then proceeds to paint May red with Hennya's blood.
- Screaming-wild mother is taken by the law while the father gets to abscond with his catatonic son.
I highly doubt that Zinvth has the Keystone Kops for a police department.
*Charline smirks* You're all forgetting one thing as you contemplate survival probabilities of the remaining characters: only those that appear in the present-time comic are safe. The rest will almost surely die, for Amber must sate her demonic bloodlust... for blood and death and stuff.
In fact, the entire town could be exterminated! Only Abel and Kria are guaranteed survival. It'd be just like anime flashbacks in Naruto...
*listens to Amber scream in torment at the comparison*
>:3
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 06:46:52 AM
Quote from: Lone_Wolf on September 15, 2007, 06:28:35 AM
What's Abel doing? Still paralyzed by his scratch? Or.........
My money is on a dead faint.
I agree. Abel had a screaming panic fit with just a trickle of blood down his muzzle: I imagine by now the whole room is... erm... substantially redecorated. :erk
I wonder: remembering the "success" of Aniz reciting his big revelatory speech, does he remember what his backup plan was supposed to be? After all, he's SNAFU'd pretty much everything else...
Quote from: Turnsky on September 15, 2007, 11:00:55 AM
Quote from: Janus Whitefurr on September 15, 2007, 10:43:59 AM
Obligatory out there theory with absolutely no grounding in reality or what I actually think will happen!
- Aniz uses morphing skills to clean himself up and look presentable.
- He then proceeds to paint May red with Hennya's blood.
- Screaming-wild mother is taken by the law while the father gets to abscond with his catatonic son.
a perfectly plausible scenario.
Frighteningly so. (Seriously. I'm creeped out, and it hasn't even happened.)
This probably makes me a horrible person, but I'm just liking Aniz even more because of this page. Kill me now. AND THAT MEANS YOU CHARLINE!
I get the feeling that May is doomed. :(
I honestly think that Aniz is all the cooler for this page. His mood swing-type things make me laugh. So does the arm.
Quote from: Sajoli on September 15, 2007, 11:45:51 AM
I get the feeling that May is doomed. :(
I honestly think that Aniz is all the cooler for this page. His mood swing-type things make me laugh. So does the arm.
You know, even if Aniz doesn't kill her, she'd still eventually die of old age long before the current timeline..
Quote from: Alondro on September 15, 2007, 11:20:03 AM
*Charline smirks* You're all forgetting one thing as you contemplate survival probabilities of the remaining characters: only those that appear in the present-time comic are safe. The rest will almost surely die, for Amber must sate her demonic bloodlust... for blood and death and stuff.
In fact, the entire town could be exterminated! Only Abel and Kria are guaranteed survival. It'd be just like anime flashbacks in Naruto...
*listens to Amber scream in torment at the comparison*
>:3
If Aniz has a good bring them back to life spell (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_160.php), it isn't assured that Abel will escape death.
May really oughtn't to die, otherwise the keystone speech of the whole story so far (Flowers on grave) become virtually defunct.
I just like the use of perspective on this one. A gruesome scene sanatised, but not censored.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 09:48:35 AM
Not to prolong this OT thread much further, I'll just point out that the problem I had with Night and Day is that he tries to change the setting retroactively. I mean, after having spent 17 years writing a well-received and well-thought-out swords-and-sorcery fantasy series set in an unknown world, he suddenly woke up one day and decided he wanted to be an SF writer instead. IMHO he did a totally craptacular job of it, attempting to retroactively change the setting to far-future Earth and coming up with an 'explanation' for magic that breaks continuity with the rest of the series. All in all, I was deeply disappointed.
Bloodstones and John Shannow again? Yeah, that sortof annoyed me, back about three or four years ago, when I ran across it.
Probably why I haven't kept up with his stuff - still, when he does S&S, he does them well. *shrug*
Well, now we know why he was cursing in the last comic. Killing Hennya was bad, and everyone will know about it, because she's supposed to be having a wedding. Who were the people who speculated that?
ungh.
*Charles hmms and has it!* Plan B is actually a wacky bit of humor! Aniz shapeshifts into Henya and marries the person she was supposed to marry! And thus many hilarious antics ensue, kinda like "Tootsie"!
:mowhappy
Quote from: Psaakyrn on September 15, 2007, 11:53:12 AM
You know, even if Aniz doesn't kill her, she'd still eventually die of old age long before the current timeline..
Well, I see at least two methods that May could be alive in the current timeline: suspended animation (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_726.php) and bottling preserves (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_234.php).
Quote from: Alondro on September 15, 2007, 03:19:15 PM
*Charles hmms and has it!* Plan B is actually a wacky bit of humor! Aniz shapeshifts into Henya and marries the person she was supposed to marry! And thus many hilarious antics ensue, kinda like "Tootsie"!
:mowhappy
Why haven't you killed me yet Charline? I TOLD YOU TO KILL ME!
*Pokes Charline to anger her*
:giggle Aniz's expression in the last panel is really funny.
I'm not gonna offer any speculation this time around. No reason; I just don't have any.
Quote from: AnizInDisguise on September 15, 2007, 04:03:10 PM
Quote from: Alondro on September 15, 2007, 03:19:15 PM
*Charles hmms and has it!* Plan B is actually a wacky bit of humor! Aniz shapeshifts into Henya and marries the person she was supposed to marry! And thus many hilarious antics ensue, kinda like "Tootsie"!
:mowhappy
Why haven't you killed me yet Charline? I TOLD YOU TO KILL ME!
*Pokes Charline to anger her*
*Charline hmphs* You ain't the boss of me! In fact, I'm going to make sure you live for a really really long time now just to spite you! >:3
Woah. I was all kinds of wrong. Fair 'nuff. Way to go to everyone who called that the problem was Aniz having lost control.
So now what? I would assume that "plan B" involves silencing May in some way. I'm also going to assume that the law he broke was against the killing of a Creature, meaning that Aniz may be stuck facing the Creature council. Their punishment could be why we don't know Aniz in the DMFA timeline...
We'll see, I guess.
EDIT: Or he'll just bamf himself and Abel out of there. To SAIA, maybe? We know that he knows Fa'lina, so maybe she'd help him out.
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 15, 2007, 05:58:18 PM
So now what? I would assume that "plan B" involves silencing May in some way.
EDIT: Or he'll just bamf himself and Abel out of there. To SAIA, maybe? We know that he knows Fa'lina, so maybe she'd help him out.
Yeah. 'Grab him and go' would be the sensible option. After all... why complicate things any further?
If we look at strip 92/94 (http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_94.php), we'll see that his plan always was to leave, presumably with Abel, and since he mentions Fa'Lina in the same breath, it seems quite logical that his plan is to take Abel to SAIA.
QuoteI'm also going to assume that the law he broke was against the killing of a Creature, meaning that Aniz may be stuck facing the Creature council. Their punishment could be why we don't know Aniz in the DMFA timeline...
I don't know if they had a Being-Creature council then. Someone suggested that it was a fairly recent development, e.g. within the last 30 years.
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 15, 2007, 05:58:18 PM
EDIT: Or he'll just bamf himself and Abel out of there. To SAIA, maybe? We know that he knows Fa'lina, so maybe she'd help him out.
Actually, I was thinking of him teleporting Abel, May, himself, and the pieces of Hennya to Saia where he would give a speech something like the following.
"Look, I know you told me I'd mess it up. I know I messed it up. Could you please help me put her back together again. Then we can argue about the rest."
***
Edit: I seem to remember something about Aaryanna discussing taking Merlitz's soul and putting it in some jewelery for her to keep, but had a feeling that Merlitz wouldn't like it. Does anybody remember where that was in the archives? I just hope that that isn't a standard Cubi method of ending relationships. He could still put flowers on May's grave and then tell her about it.
****
Edit to edit: Thanks Tapewolf. That explains why I couldn't find it by going through the archive.
Quote from: Naldru on September 15, 2007, 06:26:55 PM
I seem to remember something about Aaryanna discussing taking Merlitz's soul and putting it in some jewelery for her to keep, but had a feeling that Merlitz wouldn't like it.
That's from Aary's journal: http://aary-kitty.livejournal.com/
Ugh. Aniz is reminding me of the kind of guy who beats the crap out of his wife, all the while telling her she made him do it.
**** sake, they never taught you nonlethal measures. You hold no excuse, may you pay the price in full as the devils flay your carcass on a daily basis.
Am I a bad person for thinking he might absentmindedly take abite out of her arm while he tried to figure something out
All hope may not be lost!
Maybe he'll bring her back as an undead.
Plan B: Zombies!
Quote from: Alondro on September 15, 2007, 05:32:19 PM
Quote from: AnizInDisguise on September 15, 2007, 04:03:10 PM
Quote from: Alondro on September 15, 2007, 03:19:15 PM
*Charles hmms and has it!* Plan B is actually a wacky bit of humor! Aniz shapeshifts into Henya and marries the person she was supposed to marry! And thus many hilarious antics ensue, kinda like "Tootsie"!
:mowhappy
Why haven't you killed me yet Charline? I TOLD YOU TO KILL ME!
*Pokes Charline to anger her*
*Charline hmphs* You ain't the boss of me! In fact, I'm going to make sure you live for a really really long time now just to spite you! >:3
That's just what He wants you to think. D: You're falling into his evil trap. :U
I don't have much to go on, but my opinion is that the 'rules' Aniz broke are rules that apply only to him and only in the 'here and now'. I think that, at best, he's lost a bet,a nd at worst he's failed in the rules/orders that he may be following from higher up. Kinda like a soldier or a cop breaking the 'rules of engagement', perhaps by killing an innoscent by stander.
Quote from: Reese Tora on September 15, 2007, 08:06:58 PM
Kinda like a soldier or a cop breaking the 'rules of engagement', perhaps by killing an innoscent by stander.
I would agree with you, if it weren't for that word "laws." If the guidelines were situation-specific, I'd've thought he would've said "rules."
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 15, 2007, 05:58:18 PMEDIT: Or he'll just bamf himself and Abel out of there.
I don't think he has a warp-aci. So maybe smoke bomb and run out the door?
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 15, 2007, 06:23:57 PMI don't know if they had a Being-Creature council then. Someone suggested that it was a fairly recent development, e.g. within the last 30 years.
There's no reason for it to go to the Being-Creature Council. We don't know how old the Creature Council is, though.
Also, to further comment on why Aniz shouldn't try to frame May, it would be pretty hard to convince a jury that May had the means to instantaneously slice Hennya into 9 pieces while tearing her arm off. And without means, you wouldn't even need to go to motive or opportunity.
Quote from: superluser on September 15, 2007, 08:25:52 PM
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 15, 2007, 05:58:18 PMEDIT: Or he'll just bamf himself and Abel out of there.
I don't think he has a warp-aci. So maybe smoke bomb and run out the door?
You don't need a warp-aci to be able to teleport. Warp-Aci at their best are simply novelty ways to show off as they do your teleporting and simple errands for you.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 15, 2007, 08:30:15 PM
Quote from: superluser on September 15, 2007, 08:25:52 PM
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 15, 2007, 05:58:18 PMEDIT: Or he'll just bamf himself and Abel out of there.
I don't think he has a warp-aci. So maybe smoke bomb and run out the door?
You don't need a warp-aci to be able to teleport. Warp-Aci at their best are simply novelty ways to show off as they do your teleporting and simple errands for you.
Tapewolf's probably going to like that little piece of information ;)
Or is this old news?
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 15, 2007, 08:31:49 PMOr is this old news?
I certainly wasn't aware of it. Maybe this means that all `cubi can teleport? Quick! Before she gets away, let's pin Amber down and force her to reveal more secrets!
Quote from: superluser on October 10, 2102, 02:01:15 AM
I certainly wasn't aware of it. Maybe this means that all `cubi can teleport? Quick! Before she gets away, let's pin Amber down and force her to reveal more secrets!
Cubi can teleport as well? Dang, they have everything, don't they?
Quote from: superluser on September 15, 2007, 08:41:15 PM
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 15, 2007, 08:31:49 PMOr is this old news?
I certainly wasn't aware of it. Maybe this means that all `cubi can teleport? Quick! Before she gets away, let's pin Amber down and force her to reveal more secrets!
Somehow, I suspect that pinning Amber down would be difficult.
However, we do know that there are some limitations on cubi teleporting. Otherwise, Abel would have won the race (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_673.php).
Quote from: Naldru on February 24, 2166, 05:12:21 AM
Somehow, I suspect that pinning Amber down would be difficult.
Not unless you get something as big as a castle to pin her with. Those things are heavy.
I would like to re-examine Amber's post, as several people are assuming/implying something I think might be incorrect.
Quote
You don't need a warp-aci to be able to teleport. Warp-Aci at their best are simply novelty ways to show off as they do your teleporting and simple errands for you.
No where in there do I see anything that says that this is limited to only Cubi. I think that any creature, given the right circumstances, can learn how to teleport.
To that same token, it slightly irks me how most people thing only Cubi can summon Warp-Aci. As it has been explained, Warp-Aci are composed of dark energy, and the spell to summon them leans a little the same way. Cubi, as a race, can be prone to any type of magic (with a few spells from oter types on the side), yet they seem to be seen as the only ones with the dark magic to summon. What about, for example, Demons? They are all about dark magic, and little else. I actually imagine there are more Demons teleporting around with Warp-Aci than Cubi.
Techmaster is correct. Teleporting isn't limited to Cubi. Really any creature or being with enough magic and know-how could be able to teleport. Or summon a warp-aci. The only reason they are currently so common around Cubi is that they are the current trendy thing to have.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 15, 2007, 10:37:51 PM
Techmaster is correct. Teleporting isn't limited to Cubi. Really any creature or being with enough magic and know-how could be able to teleport. Or summon a warp-aci. The only reason they are currently so common around Cubi is that they are the current trendy thing to have.
So are they the slim new model that fits in your pocket?
I just figured that a Cubi skilled enough to convincingly portray a being for 2 1/2 decades would have the magical skills necessary to teleport both himself and whoever else he felt like taking along.
As far as Warp Aci and Cubi are concerned, if Warp Aci are really just a kind of flashy novelty, is it really all that surprising that Cubi would be into them? From what we know about Cubi temperament, that seems right up their collective alley.
Just to, y'know, stereotype an entire race.
EDIT: AAAND Amber comes along and confirms everything I was saying as I was saying it.
Aaaanyway, back to the topic at hand: the comic. ;)
I've suspected for a while now, that our tendency to judge Aniz' actions by our own standards (he hit May => he's abusing his spouse; killing Hennya == self-defense...or not) just isn't accurate. One thing that Amber established is that 'cubi are pretty nasty pieces of work.*
So, Aniz tossing May around probably meant little from his perspective, no more than throwing a pillow at someone would mean to us. Consider, too, that today's comic confirms that Aniz killed Hennya by mistake, by losing his temper and reacting without thinking.** Frankly, I shudder to think what a 'cubi could do with intent. :eek :grave
So, given what I believe 'cubi could do, I think Aniz' behavior so far suggests that he had no intention of killing anyone. Just frighten the girls into irrelevance, then make his exit, Abel in tow, on their way to SAIA. Which he's rather screwed up royally at this point.
My bet is he hits Abel with a stun spell and heads off to SAIA post-haste.
*(Dan didn't have nightmares for no reason after finding out that he was an incubus, y'know.)
**(I know what reacting without thinking has done to me. :( No end of damage, that's what.)
Quote from: candide on September 15, 2007, 10:47:20 PM
Everything in his last post.
Well put and I agree, my Voltairian friend!
... ... ANIZ... MUST... DIE!!!!!
My plans tend to have backup plans this is generally my basic tear of plans.
Plan A - Simple plan to get the job done.
Plan B - Cause as much confusion while having your team mates complete the objective.
Plan C - Improvise on plan A and/or B.
Plan D - Run away.
Plan E - Eat pizza. (everyone has a plan like that (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_424.php), see (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_426.php))
Plan F - shoot everything that moves
Plan G - Blow the whole place to the next planet and back.
Plan H - Goof off/fall asleep
I know all to well how loosing your temper can lead to bad things. I almost 'put a notch on my gun' after loosing my temper one time years ago. (true story that you Will never hear of)
Plan B = OJ Did It! :)
I thought plan B was to sit down and eat muffins?! :erk
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 15, 2007, 10:37:51 PM
Techmaster is correct. Teleporting isn't limited to Cubi. Really any creature or being with enough magic and know-how could be able to teleport. Or summon a warp-aci. The only reason they are currently so common around Cubi is that they are the current trendy thing to have.
Awesome. I had a hunch that would be the case... (and I'm glad I won't have to rethink that chapter :P). Even if you can teleport, I imagine you'd probably want them for interplanar travel since that seems to be how they are summoned.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on September 15, 2007, 08:31:49 PM
Tapewolf's probably going to like that little piece of information ;)
Or is this old news?
Old news. But nice to have it written down in b&w. ;-]
I actually don't think that Aniz's relationship with Fa'Lina is a pleasant one, to be honest. I'm starting to suspect that he was hoping to "educate" Abel to be a good little soul-stealing bloodthirsty Incubus without any interference from the SAIA. He could've felt that Fa'Lina and SAIA's influence would destroy any chances of him making Abel a shining example of bloodlust, and wanted to take Abel away before they could whisk him away to the Academy after being informed of his newly-manifested head-wings. As for who would inform SAIA, maybe Kria?
But damn. I wasn't really expecting for Aniz to start screaming at Hennya's corpse. Plus what he said only seems to exacerbate the situation. :< Someone really needs a good impaling at this point...
~Keaton the Black Jackal
Could it be that even though Hennya needs to pull herself together, she isn't dead yet, and that her type of mythos is able to survive even though everything has fallen to pieces? That would explain Aniz yelling at her.
However, I think that it is fair to say that Aniz is really upset at this point, and he is not exactly acting rationally.
Should be interesting few weeks. I will definitely tune in this furry web site same furry time next furry week.
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 16, 2007, 10:11:31 AM
I actually don't think that Aniz's relationship with Fa'Lina is a pleasant one, to be honest. I'm starting to suspect that he was hoping to "educate" Abel to be a good little soul-stealing bloodthirsty Incubus without any interference from the SAIA.
He could've felt that Fa'Lina and SAIA's influence would destroy any chances of him making Abel a shining example of bloodlust,
Personally I'm not sure that would wash. Firstly, SAIA has a tendency to teach evil things such as rape, torture, murder, soul-stealing and worse, soul-eating. Remember the HE class!
You seem to have a rather optimistic view of Fa'Lina's morality. From what I've seen so far, she thinks all of this nasty stuff is a good laugh for the most part, although she apparently draws the line at executing children.
On the other hand, she is intelligent enough to realise that not everyone will go for this, or indeed
could go for this. Like humans can be allergic to various kinds of food, it is more than likely that there are 'Cubi who cannot easily metabolise pain. And that's without considering moral objections, which I suspect would be something that must be taken into account, like vegetarianism for us.
Now it might be that 300 years there will grind down your objections, although Abel still seems to have come through it with a relatively Being-like set of morals.
What I'm saying is that SAIA's influence is
more likely to turn him into a bad little 'Cubi than pretending to be an adventurer and keeping him in the dark about his true nature is.
Who would have guessed that Aniz was swearing because he hadn't wanted to kill anyone? Someone call a Cleric! We need a Resurrection spell, post haste!
I'm...... gravely disappointed of the inconsistency that was just permited. (A character as intelligent as Aniz screws up when he almost certainly should have had a plan in case some stupid person decided to attack him.)
But, I guess even good writers can't avoid inconsistencies all the time...
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 16, 2007, 11:53:25 AM
You seem to have a rather optimistic view of Fa'Lina's morality. From what I've seen so far, she thinks all of this nasty stuff is a good laugh for the most part, although she apparently draws the line at executing children.
On the other hand, she is intelligent enough to realise that not everyone will go for this, or indeed could go for this. Like humans can be allergic to various kinds of food, it is more than likely that there are 'Cubi who cannot easily metabolise pain. And that's without considering moral objections, which I suspect would be something that must be taken into account, like vegetarianism for us.
These two taken together suggest to me that she might well think that murdering children is, indeed, a good laugh - but she's intelligent enough to know where it likely will lead to if she let Destania start doing that in class.
Which is -very- different to -personally- objecting.
And, frankly, we just don't have the details to figure out -why- Fa'Lina objected to Destania's suggestions. :-/
Aniz didn't plan this particular event. It was sprung on him when Abel's head wings popped up.
Aniz's real plan probably involved only HIM and Abel one-to-one, and maybe May. Still, I doubt 'the truth' coming up unexpectedly wasn't a part of his plans, nevertheless he couldn't have predicted another person's prescence in the ordeal, especially a creature who could do a great deal of damage to him.
The problem is Aniz planned too much, and eventually stopped worrying about it and focused on his acting. He thought his plot was flawless. He had whatever it was that made him invulnerable to Abel, and his mother emotionally tarnished, and physically unable to do anything to stop him. But no matter how intelligent you are, you can't predict a third party like that unless you're omniscient. Which cubi equals not. Infact, 99% of the time, cubi equals arrogant, which means ignorant.
edit: spelling.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 16, 2007, 11:53:25 AM
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 16, 2007, 10:11:31 AM
I actually don't think that Aniz's relationship with Fa'Lina is a pleasant one, to be honest. I'm starting to suspect that he was hoping to "educate" Abel to be a good little soul-stealing bloodthirsty Incubus without any interference from the SAIA.
He could've felt that Fa'Lina and SAIA's influence would destroy any chances of him making Abel a shining example of bloodlust,
Personally I'm not sure that would wash. Firstly, SAIA has a tendency to teach evil things such as rape, torture, murder, soul-stealing and worse, soul-eating. Remember the HE class!
You seem to have a rather optimistic view of Fa'Lina's morality. From what I've seen so far, she thinks all of this nasty stuff is a good laugh for the most part, although she apparently draws the line at executing children.
On the other hand, she is intelligent enough to realise that not everyone will go for this, or indeed could go for this. Like humans can be allergic to various kinds of food, it is more than likely that there are 'Cubi who cannot easily metabolise pain. And that's without considering moral objections, which I suspect would be something that must be taken into account, like vegetarianism for us.
Now it might be that 300 years there will grind down your objections, although Abel still seems to have come through it with a relatively Being-like set of morals.
What I'm saying is that SAIA's influence is more likely to turn him into a bad little 'Cubi than pretending to be an adventurer and keeping him in the dark about his true nature is.
True. Then again, this was simply a random theory, as I really am starting to doubt that Aniz is a representative of SAIA. He just comes across as
too ruthless to me to operate as such, but I can't speak for Fa'Lina's judgment. He could've been a former representative of SAIA for all I know, and estranged from it, or still works for it, as people are popularly speculating. Though yes, I see what you mean by SAIA teaching that.
I'm also rather guilty of being sort of optimistic of Fa'Lina's morality, but again, I'm uncertain of the restrictions that are placed in SAIA's education system and where she stands on such matters. Judging by what Destania taught, any borders are probably flimsy at best. So I definitely see where you're coming from.
~Keaton the Black Jackal
Quote from: Keaton the Black Jackal on September 16, 2007, 02:16:03 PM
True. Then again, this was simply a random theory, as I really am starting to doubt that Aniz is a representative of SAIA. He just comes across as too ruthless to me to operate as such, but I can't speak for Fa'Lina's judgment.
I must admit I never thought of that. I pegged him as a student, or even just an ex-student who wants his son to attend the Academy. In the former case, what he's doing is either a 25-year leave of absence to father a child, or in the latter case, he's simply been in contact with Fa'Lina to sort out his son's application.
Quote from: Alondro on September 15, 2007, 05:32:19 PM
*Charline hmphs* You ain't the boss of me! In fact, I'm going to make sure you live for a really really long time now just to spite you! >:3
D: Why do they always refuse?!
Anyway, I wonder, could plan B involve some memory erasing perhaps? Probably not, just throwing it out there.
Quote from: Aleolus on September 16, 2007, 12:33:58 PMSomeone call a Cleric! We need a Resurrection spell, post haste!
Resurrecting a body that's been sliced isn't always the best idea (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=051110) (warning: blood).
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 16, 2007, 01:38:17 PMThese two taken together suggest to me that she might well think that murdering children is, indeed, a good laugh - but she's intelligent enough to know where it likely will lead to if she let Destania start doing that in class.
I dunno. She seems to have a thing for babies. She's adopted two people (one of which wasn't even from the `cubi race), she's rather keen on Pyro having kids, and we know that she disliked the idea of using babies for torture class. Sounds to me like she's got some psychological hang-ups around kids.
Quote from: The DXM on September 16, 2007, 01:46:52 PMAniz's real plan probably involved only HIM and Abel one-to-one, and maybe May. Still, I doubt 'the truth' coming up unexpectedly wasn't a part of his plans, nevertheless he couldn't have predicted another person's prescence in the ordeal, especially a creature who could do a great deal of damage to him.
I think one of the first things that you think of when planning something is to think about what happens if you get caught. Like I said, it wouldn't have been difficult at all to send Hennya away so that the family could have a private discussion.
As to whether or not Aniz is working for SAIA, he's clearly expecting to meet Fa'Lina again, and expecting that getting there any later than he already is will result in a worse fate.
Quote from: superluser on September 16, 2007, 05:23:23 PM
I dunno. She seems to have a thing for babies. She's adopted two people (one of which wasn't even from the `cubi race), she's rather keen on Pyro having kids, and we know that she disliked the idea of using babies for torture class. Sounds to me like she's got some psychological hang-ups around kids.
You make a good point. Nuts. So much for my speculation. ;-]
Quote from: superluser on September 16, 2007, 05:23:23 PM
Quote from: Aleolus on September 16, 2007, 12:33:58 PMSomeone call a Cleric! We need a Resurrection spell, post haste!
Resurrecting a body that's been sliced isn't always the best idea (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=051110) (warning: blood).
The medical staff at SAIA does have experience in gluding people back together again (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_595.php). Considering how some of the students deal with their emotional issues (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_545.php), this is probably a good thing.
There are also less atruistic reasons for having skills in resurrection and reassembly. If Fa'lina really wants to crush somebody five times (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_566.php), you have to repair them between crushings. Otherwise, they won't be able to truly experience the full extent of the pain. (On issues of this type, I can't see Fa'lina making figurative statements.)
However, you are correct when you state that restoring mangled and severed bodies is something best left to the professionals. Don't try this at home.
I think Fa'Lina meant that he's said something four different times that she would have crushed him for - presuming that simply existing is enough reason to crush him the first time - had she not been holding back for Aaryanna.
Which is slightly different. I kinda like your interpretation, though. ;-]
Quote from: Naldru on September 16, 2007, 05:53:46 PMThe medical staff at SAIA does have experience in gluding people back together again (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_595.php). Considering how some of the students deal with their emotional issues (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_545.php), this is probably a good thing.
I should note that in an earlier draft, I had suggested that they first employ a tailor, but it sounded too sarcastic and mean.
I do completely agree with you
Quote from: superluser on September 16, 2007, 05:23:23 PM
I think one of the first things that you think of when planning something is to think about what happens if you get caught. Like I said, it wouldn't have been difficult at all to send Hennya away so that the family could have a private discussion.
Ofcourse you do, but you can't anticipate EVERYTHING because no one is all knowng. Atleast Aniz isn't.
Aniz didn't anticipate Hennya to be a threat. When you first start thinking about what can go wrong, you go to assess the most immediate threats. At the current time, Aniz really didn't have time to go planning some drawn out affair with an outsider, especially when that outsider has a few aces up her sleeve she isn't showing anybody. I don't care how intelligent, old, or skilled he is. He was thinking about how to get out with his son, and maybe kick a few people in the ego on the way out. But then Hennya severely injured him, the last thing he had expected.
Remember that many Cubi are naturally arrogant, and I doubt Aniz is much of an exception. They don't expect their plans to go wrong because they don't expect much of others.
It isn't bad writing, it's what any vastly aged and depraved jerk would do.
Quote from: Mock AV on September 16, 2007, 01:34:05 PM
I'm...... gravely disappointed of the inconsistency that was just permited. (A character as intelligent as Aniz screws up when he almost certainly should have had a plan in case some stupid person decided to attack him.)
But, I guess even good writers can't avoid inconsistencies all the time...
Who said it was inconsistent? Really, I think that if you're already mad and badly injured, then when something suddenly tries to kill you it doesn't matter how intelligent you are. You go blind with rage and the will to survive, and attack that thing back with everything you've got, your mind suddenly filled with the same intent to kill.
But you are right on one matter: no matter how good of a writer you are there will be some inconsistencies in your work.
Quote from: AnizInDisguise on September 16, 2007, 06:34:03 PMif you're already mad and badly injured, then when something suddenly tries to kill you
...and I'll say it again. Why do so many people assume Hennya was trying to kill him, when there's nothing suggesting she was and Amber has stated during her first attack that she specifically wasn't?
Quote from: Caswin on September 16, 2007, 07:00:57 PM
Quote from: AnizInDisguise on September 16, 2007, 06:34:03 PMif you're already mad and badly injured, then when something suddenly tries to kill you
...and I'll say it again. Why do so many people assume Hennya was trying to kill him, when there's nothing suggesting she was and Amber has stated during her first attack that she specifically wasn't?
I don't think they're assuming that she was. I think they're assuming that Aniz would assume that she was.
... which doesn't make it any more correct - after all, she as much as said she was going to kill him, after attacking, then giving him a chance to run away, thereby suggesting that she -could- have killed him first time around, but chose not to.
Quote from: The DXM on September 16, 2007, 06:11:37 PMAniz didn't anticipate Hennya to be a threat. When you first start thinking about what can go wrong, you go to assess the most immediate threats. At the current time, Aniz really didn't have time to go planning some drawn out affair with an outsider, especially when that outsider has a few aces up her sleeve she isn't showing anybody.
My first thought would be, ``Witnesses are bad. I should get rid of this one.'' I don't think I'm that strange to think that this would be most people's initial reaction. There are countless entries in the Evil Overlord list about how pitifully weak opponents might not be able to defeat you, but they would certainly throw a wrench into your plans.
Certainly, this would be taught at SAIA. If you've got an airtight plan, and the current situation is reducible to that plan, don't try to modify the plan; modify the situation. The plan calls for Abel and May. So you get Hennya out in the way that will make people take the least notice. He already knows that other people know about Abel's headwings, so it's not like he can keep Abel's `cubi nature a secret by killing Hennya, and he'll face certain justice for killing her.
Or he could have told her to go home. That's not really elaborate planning.
Quote from: The DXM on September 16, 2007, 06:11:37 PMIt isn't bad writing
You said it, not me. Because I don't think it's true.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 16, 2007, 07:09:59 PM... which doesn't make it any more correct - after all, she as much as said she was going to kill him, after attacking, then giving him a chance to run away, thereby suggesting that she -could- have killed him first time around, but chose not to.
The way I read it, Aniz would have read Hennya's thoughts and killed her immediately if she had tried for a fatal wound.
I have known some people who beonged to Mensa and still acted pretty stupid when it came to working on technology. I have known world reknowned computer scientists who couldn't figure out how to work the remote control. (I do mean these literally. I am not going to name names.)
Dumb people screw up. Brilliant people screw up. There's no point in saying that Aniz should have been smart enough to do this or that, Plus the cubi are known for random acts of violence (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_657.php) and have a reputation as jerks (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_658.php). Regardless of how smart they are or aren't, I can't see them as great successes in the area of crisis resolution or transcendental meditation.
Aniz had a plan. Aniz screwed up. Part of the measure of a man (or furry) is how they deal with things going wrong. That's what we'll see about Aniz in the next few weeks.
Quote from: superluser on September 16, 2007, 05:23:23 PM
Quote from: Aleolus on September 16, 2007, 12:33:58 PMSomeone call a Cleric! We need a Resurrection spell, post haste!
Resurrecting a body that's been sliced isn't always the best idea (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=051110) (warning: blood).
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 16, 2007, 01:38:17 PMThese two taken together suggest to me that she might well think that murdering children is, indeed, a good laugh - but she's intelligent enough to know where it likely will lead to if she let Destania start doing that in class.
I dunno. She seems to have a thing for babies. She's adopted two people (one of which wasn't even from the `cubi race), she's rather keen on Pyro having kids, and we know that she disliked the idea of using babies for torture class. Sounds to me like she's got some psychological hang-ups around kids.
Quote from: The DXM on September 16, 2007, 01:46:52 PMAniz's real plan probably involved only HIM and Abel one-to-one, and maybe May. Still, I doubt 'the truth' coming up unexpectedly wasn't a part of his plans, nevertheless he couldn't have predicted another person's prescence in the ordeal, especially a creature who could do a great deal of damage to him.
I think one of the first things that you think of when planning something is to think about what happens if you get caught. Like I said, it wouldn't have been difficult at all to send Hennya away so that the family could have a private discussion.
As to whether or not Aniz is working for SAIA, he's clearly expecting to meet Fa'Lina again, and expecting that getting there any later than he already is will result in a worse fate.
That's a good point, and brought something up that I hadn't thought of before. Could Fa'lina have had children before her clan was slaughtered? Could explain her motherhood obsession-type thing.
ARGH! TWAS OFF-TOPIC! *punches self in punishment*
*Charles wonders if DMFA will eventually go the route of "Sluggy"* If you're not a main character, you have a 90% chance of a gruesome death... a 6% chance of many gruesome deaths, and a 4% chance of a humerous death that will have everyone rolling in the isles as your blood gushes out. :B
Quote from: Naldru on September 16, 2007, 08:14:54 PMDumb people screw up. Brilliant people screw up. There's no point in saying that Aniz should have been smart enough to do this or that,
I'm just saying that this level of stupidity is enough to put Aniz on the pages of News of the Weird along with the guy who tried to rob a bank disguised as a tree or the guy who nearly set fire to his trailer trying to dispose of counterfeit money.
It seems hard to imagine that this is the same guy who could keep up such a ruse for 25 years. There must be something else going on here.
Well there's still a chance that he has multiple personalities....I guess. From acting like someone else for so long its possible. It would be beyond bizarre if suddenly the "Cid" in him came up again and he freaked out from Hennya lying skewerd on the floor. :B
I think this whole day has taken Aniz by surprise. Even though we know that he expected some variation of this scene — he had a speech prepared, after all — he certainly wasn't expecting Abel to suddenly be sporting headwings this afternoon when he got home as Cid. And I seriously doubt that he was expecting Hennya to be there for this little confrontation at all. So, in spite of all his planning, he's had to pretty much improvise the whole thing.
He freaked out and killed Hennya, and he's smart enough to know that that's a problem. Honestly, he's behaving exactly as I, at least, would expect him to.
Besides, what evidence do we have that he's particularly intelligent? That he pulled off his Cid impersonation? He's a mind-reader; he could simply have gotten by by behaving as May would expect Cid to.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 16, 2007, 07:09:59 PM
Quote from: Caswin on September 16, 2007, 07:00:57 PM
Quote from: AnizInDisguise on September 16, 2007, 06:34:03 PMif you're already mad and badly injured, then when something suddenly tries to kill you
...and I'll say it again. Why do so many people assume Hennya was trying to kill him, when there's nothing suggesting she was and Amber has stated during her first attack that she specifically wasn't?
I don't think they're assuming that she was. I think they're assuming that Aniz would assume that she was.
... which doesn't make it any more correct - after all, she as much as said she was going to kill him, after attacking, then giving him a chance to run away, thereby suggesting that she -could- have killed him first time around, but chose not to.
You are correct about me assuming that he would assume she wanted to kill him.
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 16, 2007, 09:47:48 PMBesides, what evidence do we have that he's particularly intelligent? That he pulled off his Cid impersonation? He's a mind-reader; he could simply have gotten by by behaving as May would expect Cid to.
The plan required a lot of forethought. We have evidence that he's planned a lot of this, and that he can be quite patient. He was intelligent enough to realize that he had to wear bracers and he's intelligent enough to incapacitate Abel with one finger. He's not a dummy. He's just extremely impulsive. And I'm having a hard time reconciling his impulsiveness with his patience.
"The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go awry" was a statement by Robert Burns, and it appears to apply to cubi as well. To borrow a word from another thread, many very intelligent people find it inconceivable that things won't go as they plan. After all, since they are so intelligent, they must be right. Right? This is a thread that usually unravels in real life, as shown by the statements "No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy" and "Murphy was an optimist".
Frankly, the fact that he messed up so badly could be a point in his favor since it shows that he isn't an experienced enough cad to have worked out all the wrinkles.
I can't remember which detective show it was (it might have been Columbo) but the detective came up with a line similar to the following: "Intelligent people sometimes think they can get away with murder because they're so intelligent. And it may be that they're more intelligent than me. But they only murder people once. I track down murderers every day."
In the final analysis, those people who say they wouldn't have messed it up are actually the most likely to have messed it up.
Quote from: superluser on September 16, 2007, 10:34:17 PM
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 16, 2007, 09:47:48 PMBesides, what evidence do we have that he's particularly intelligent? That he pulled off his Cid impersonation? He's a mind-reader; he could simply have gotten by by behaving as May would expect Cid to.
The plan required a lot of forethought. We have evidence that he's planned a lot of this, and that he can be quite patient. He was intelligent enough to realize that he had to wear bracers and he's intelligent enough to incapacitate Abel with one finger. He's not a dummy. He's just extremely impulsive. And I'm having a hard time reconciling his impulsiveness with his patience.
I just think that our evidence of both his patience and his impulsiveness are a bit skewed. Yeah, he's patient enough to keep up the Cid charade, but I'm sure he was enjoying the challenge and the deceit. Plus, he's an incubus; what's 25 years? Likewise, our impression of his impulsiveness is from this Hennya thing, when something he didn't expect pissed him off until he did something dumb. Can we really call him impulsive based on that? It's just a lot to call him "intelligent," or "impulsive," or
anything. We really know nothing concrete about this character.
So, based on what I, personally, have gathered from the comic, here is all I feel sure about regarding Aniz:
- He is at least somewhat intelligent. Again, I don't see anything suggesting that he is especially so; the fact that he would have to cover his clan marking is a bit of a no-brainer. Though I'll give him the little hemophobe-manipulation thing. That was pretty good.
- He has some skill at long-term planning. However, as a mind-reader, winging it (there's a pun there somewhere) wouldn't be particularly hard. Kill adventurer, devour his emotions, mind-read his memories, find his wife, and mind-read her to the point that you can passably portray her husband. Pretty straightforward.
- He's fairly patient. As I said, though, I believe that he's been enjoying himself quite a lot.
- He's not very good at short-term, off-the-cuff action. Note: his forgotten speech, his Creature-killing faux pas.
- He's arrogant as all hell.
AAAAND I'm realizing that I'm contradicting myself all over the place. Honestly, I've kind of forgotten the point I've been trying to make, so I'll settle for this one:
We still really don't know anything about Aniz. However, given the
kind of patience we've seen from him, and the kind of impulsiveness we've seen, I don't feel that they contradict each other.
Wow. Don't answer the phone in the middle of typing a post. It makes your thoughts go all askew.
Quote from: Naldru on September 16, 2007, 11:18:39 PMThis is a thread that usually unravels in real life, as shown by the statements "No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy" and "Murphy was an optimist".
You don't kidnap people in front of witnesses. I'm not saying that he's Mensa material, just that it takes a special type of stupidity and impatience to kidnap people in front of witnesses. I did find one guy who kidnapped someone in front of some witnesses. He was apprehended later that day.
Quote from: Naldru on September 16, 2007, 11:18:39 PMIn the final analysis, those people who say they wouldn't have messed it up are actually the most likely to have messed it up.
Oh, I'm sure I'd have messed this up. But I'd be sure that when I messed it up, I'd be alone or with people that I could kill with impunity.
Edit:
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 16, 2007, 11:18:53 PMI just think that our evidence of both his patience and his impulsiveness are a bit skewed. Yeah, he's patient enough to keep up the Cid charade, but I'm sure he was enjoying the challenge and the deceit. Plus, he's an incubus; what's 25 years?
He doesn't seem to have enjoyed it all that much. Every thing that he has said about those years has been said with extreme antipathy, tending towards disgust. As for what 25 years is to an incubus? About 3 months. It's still a long time.
Quote from: pseudocompulsion on September 16, 2007, 11:18:53 PMLikewise, our impression of his impulsiveness is from this Hennya thing, when something he didn't expect pissed him off until he did something dumb. Can we really call him impulsive based on that? It's just a lot to call him "intelligent," or "impulsive," or anything. We really know nothing concrete about this character.
But we do know that he could have asked her to leave right at the beginning. After all, it looked like Cid and May were going to have a talk about infidelity, and it would be perfectly natural to expect that Cid would ask Hennya to leave, since she's not from the family. We know that he did not. We also know that he tends to go for cheap, fast shots rather than slower, more effective ones (viz his slapping May).
We see him being impulsive, and we see him being really dumb. Neither of those fit with the plotting Aniz that must have existed for the past 25 years. There's something else we're missing.
Quote from: superluser on September 16, 2007, 11:53:22 PM
You don't kidnap people in front of witnesses. I'm not saying that he's Mensa material, just that it takes a special type of stupidity and impatience to kidnap people in front of witnesses.
For a human, yes. For Aniz it can work. What good are witnesses if you can teleport to a magical academy where you can wait until the witnesses are long-dead? The ability to assume a completely new identity via shapeshifting would also make it a viable proposition.
Granted Abel will remain the same, but the object of the kidnapping is to send him to boarding school for the next three centuries so that doesn't matter.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 05:21:09 AMFor a human, yes. For Aniz it can work. What good are witnesses if you can teleport to a magical academy where you can wait until the witnesses are long-dead?
While Aniz may be able to teleport in theory, he hasn't shown the ability to do so in practice. Specifically, he's had about half a dozen opportunities to take Abel and zap out of there, but he hasn't yet.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 05:21:09 AMThe ability to assume a completely new identity via shapeshifting would also make it a viable proposition.
Not in a demon city. `Cubi aren't the only creatures that can assume alternate forms, and I'm sure that the police have worked out ways of telling what your true identity is. Heck, one of them is lying on the floor right now.
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 07:42:10 AM
While Aniz may be able to teleport in theory, he hasn't shown the ability to do so in practice. Specifically, he's had about half a dozen opportunities to take Abel and zap out of there, but he hasn't yet.
He might be about to do that now, of course. Even if he just cleans himself up slightly and walks out
carrying Abel, it doesn't matter. He'll be gone long before the police can figure out what happened.
QuoteNot in a demon city. `Cubi aren't the only creatures that can assume alternate forms, and I'm sure that the police have worked out ways of telling what your true identity is. Heck, one of them is lying on the floor right now.
Ah, you're assuming he's going to remain in Zinvth. If I were in his position, I'd assume another form and never come back.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 07:47:38 AMAh, you're assuming he's going to remain in Zinvth. If I were in his position, I'd assume another form and never come back.
Politics is a tricky business. If I were the police, one of the first places that I'd check would be the safe havens. If Fa'Lina wants to keep SAIA's autonomy, she would have to respond. Failure to do so would result in rather serious consequences. I'm not sure how feasible a creature raiding party on SAIA would be (specifically because I'm not sure if they could get there), but they would risk losing a seat on the council, among other diplomatic offices, should she refuse to respond.
This would have rather serious consequences for all `cubi.
(Don't believe me? Remember the furore over Elián González)
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 08:08:25 AM
Politics is a tricky business. If I were the police, one of the first places that I'd check would be the safe havens. If Fa'Lina wants to keep SAIA's autonomy, she would have to respond. Failure to do so would result in rather serious consequences.
True, but on the other hand it sounds a little too neat and organised for Furrae. Kria has even gone around killing people in built-up areas, with little in the way of repercussions. What Aniz has done isn't a patch on that.
(http://www.it-he.org/morrow/dmfa287.png)
'Cubi seem to spend much of their time pretending they aren't 'Cubi, so short of a witch-hunt (which is likely to harm more innocents than actual 'Cubi) politics are largely irrelevant, with the exception of SAIA which I think is too well-protected.
Finally, unless he's actually still studying, Aniz doesn't have to return to SAIA after his son is safely there. He could just melt away into some Being village and lie low there. No-one would be able to tell.
**EDIT**
Now soul-stealing... I imagine that would cause big trouble.
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 08:08:25 AM
If Fa'Lina wants to keep SAIA's autonomy, she would have to respond. Failure to do so would result in rather serious consequences.
(http://www.missmab.com/WRY/Bwahaha.jpg)
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:25:51 AM
Finally, unless he's actually still studying, Aniz doesn't have to return to SAIA after his son is safely there. He could just melt away into some Being village and lie low there. No-one would be able to tell.
Is there a hint somewhere that he wanted Abel to go to SAIA in the first place?
Maybe he had other plans for him and now fears loosing control over Abel.
Perhaps Abel being stuck at SAIA is a future result of unwanted attention to his existence.
Edit: My what large teeth you have! :erk
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 17, 2007, 08:30:32 AM
(http://www.missmab.com/WRY/Bwahaha.jpg)
Dammit, you can only give one point of karma at once. That deserves at least ten...
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 17, 2007, 08:30:32 AM
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 08:08:25 AM
If Fa'Lina wants to keep SAIA's autonomy, she would have to respond. Failure to do so would result in rather serious consequences.
http://www.missmab.com/WRY/Bwahaha.jpg
*snerk* Subtle, Amber. Nicely drawn, though. ;-]
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:40:29 AM
Dammit, you can only give one point of karma at once. That deserves at least ten...
... let me help you with that...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 08:47:53 AM
... let me help you with that...
Aw, thanks :P
Quote from: Timothy on September 17, 2007, 08:33:28 AM
Is there a hint somewhere that he wanted Abel to go to SAIA somewhere?
Maybe he had other plans for him and now fears loosing control over Abel.
Yes, but it's just a hint.
http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_92.php
http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_94.php
In the first one, he's saying that his plan is to take Abel and leave. In the second one, he's mentioned Fa'Lina with the implication that his mission has taken too long and he's going to catch it from her.
The inference is that he's going to take Abel to Fa'Lina, or in other words, SAIA.
Now I could quite possibly have put two and to together and made five, but that's my line of reasoning. You seem to be suggesting that he's trying to evade or outwit Fa'Lina... frankly I think that's doubtful, or at least doomed to failure if he
is some kind of truant. I guess we'll find out eventually...
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:25:51 AMKria has even gone around killing people in built-up areas, with little in the way of repercussions. What Aniz has done isn't a patch on that.
Sure it is. He's killed another creature.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:25:51 AMNow soul-stealing... I imagine that would cause big trouble.
I doubt it. Not as much as killing a creature.
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 17, 2007, 08:30:32 AMhttp://www.missmab.com/WRY/Bwahaha.jpg
Well, I guess that settles that. Until you say otherwise, however, I'm going to clutch my theory that the council might refuse (or at least threaten to refuse) to seat the `cubi representatives. Because that's the sort of thing that would happen on Earth, and that's the only reference that I have to go by.
*Charline giggles along with Fa'lina* I concur whole-heartedly! Hate us all you like, but we cubi are not vulnerable to the simplistic actions of those below us. We are even better liars than lawyers! More powerful than the ACLU! More manipulative than Michael Moore! And more evil than Bill Gates. :veryevil
*Charles gasps!* Such... horrible power! There is no hope anymore. :U
*Charline continues* There is only one thing we fear! Mab's cooking. :B
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 08:52:10 AM
Sure it is. He's killed another creature.
That almost happened to Abel in the forest. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't look like Hennya was much more than a normal Being anyway.
QuoteQuote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:25:51 AMNow soul-stealing... I imagine that would cause big trouble.
I doubt it. Not as much as killing a creature.
By any sensible definition, killing a creature's soul must be a greater crime than simply killing their body. (I meant to put soul-eating, by the way)
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:50:31 AM
Quote from: Timothy on September 17, 2007, 08:33:28 AM
Is there a hint somewhere that he wanted Abel to go to SAIA somewhere?
Maybe he had other plans for him and now fears loosing control over Abel.
Yes, but it's just a hint.
http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_92.php
http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_94.php
In the first one, he's saying that his plan is to take Abel and leave. In the second one, he's mentioned Fa'Lina with the implication that his mission has taken too long and he's going to catch it from her.
The inference is that he's going to take Abel to Fa'Lina, or in other words, SAIA.
Now I could quite possibly have put two and to together and made five, but that's my line of reasoning. You seem to be suggesting that he's trying to evade or outwit Fa'Lina... frankly I think that's doubtful, or at least doomed to failure if he is some kind of truant. I guess we'll find out eventually...
Interesting ... Yes I interpreted it the other way around.
That yes he wanted to take Abel with him but that he feared Fa'Lina interfering with his plans.
Time will tell. ;)
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 09:03:56 AMThat almost happened to Abel in the forest. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't look like Hennya was much more than a normal Being anyway.
I'm sure Hennya's family would disagree. Also, the situation with Abel in the forest was different for quite a number of reasons. It was a different jurisdiction--probably an unincorporated area. It was a free-fire zone. When the attackers engaged the group, they all appeared to be beings. I'm probably forgetting some other differences, here.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 09:03:56 AMBy any sensible definition, killing a creature's soul must be a greater crime than simply killing their body. (I meant to put soul-eating, by the way)
Well, eating a creature's soul, yes. I thought you meant a being's soul.
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 09:21:12 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 09:03:56 AMin the grand scheme of things, it doesn't look like Hennya was much more than a normal Being anyway.
I'm sure Hennya's family would disagree.
I daresay. The authorities might not, though. If they are going to prioritise by class, there's going to be something of a pecking order within 'Creatures', and I suspect that Being-like Creatures will be towards the bottom of the list. 'Course, we don't know what kind of a thing Ahnora is.
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 09:21:12 AM
Well, eating a creature's soul, yes. I thought you meant a being's soul.
Either is a greater crime than simply killing said Being or Creature.
The problem is, from the Creatures' point of view, killing a Being rates somewhere around parking fines in terms of evil, so eating a Beings' soul probably rates somewhere around, oh, I dunno. Maybe 3 unpaid parking tickets? Still more evil than just killing them.
Now, from a Creatures' point of view (ie, not mine, just in case anyone thinks I'm really thinking this) killing a Creature is bad. Eating a Creatures' soul, therefore is really bad - if only because there's a -lot- of Creatures that would be happy to wander over and make life difficult for Cubi, and are likely to hold a grudge for a -long- time - bear in mind that Mythos, for example, have varied lifespans, some of which are longer than Cubi. And Hennya is almost certainly a Mythos.
-And- note that Amber has stated that if Hennya wanted to, she could have taken out Aniz before he could react - she deliberately went for a non-fatal blow, to "scare him off". Take into account that Hennya is young, and less experienced than many of her kind (one would presume, although it -is- just an assumption) an all-out war between Hennya's sub-race of Mythos and Cubi would involve a lot of fatalities on -both- sides. And I'd put money (although not much) on the Mythos eventually losing such a war; but the win would be Pyrrhic, no matter which way it went.
... this is probably reading a bit much into the minor dribs and drabs, though. And bear in mind, this is all just as I see it, not as Amber sees it...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 09:57:43 AM-And- note that Amber has stated that if Hennya wanted to, she could have taken out Aniz before he could react - she deliberately went for a non-fatal blow, to "scare him off". Take into account that Hennya is young, and less experienced than many of her kind (one would presume, although it -is- just an assumption) an all-out war between Hennya's sub-race of Mythos and Cubi would involve a lot of fatalities on -both- sides. And I'd put money (although not much) on the Mythos eventually losing such a war; but the win would be Pyrrhic, no matter which way it went.
That's what I was trying to say. (All except the bit about Hennya being able to kill Aniz if she had gone for a fatal wound. She just said that the fight would have been over immediately had she tried it, not that she would have succeeded.)
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 10:12:01 AM
All except the bit about Hennya being able to kill Aniz if she had gone for a fatal wound. She just said that the fight would have been over immediately had she tried it, not that she would have succeeded.
Oooo. Mrs Tailsteak is sneaky. I missed that.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 08:40:29 AM
Dammit, you can only give one point of karma at once. That deserves at least ten...
Seconded. That was one of the funniest and dead-on accurate comments I've seen on any forum for a long time. And it's such a good fit to what we've seen so far of Fa'lina's personality — I can easily see and hear her doing exactly that, right down to the >snrk< ... ;)
BTW, how do you do that karma thing, anyway? I thought I had a link to an explanation, but I can't find it now.
You click on the Karma tags, Applaud or Smite - currently they're labelled "In a fat suit?" and "Crossdressing?", under the "John Travolta:" header above each person's avatar over on the left.
I believe, from memory, that they might not work on some of the themes. The forum default is, sadly, one of those that hasn't been fixed yet. You could try the "SMF Default" or "DMFA" themes, in that case.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 01:58:48 PM
currently they're labelled "In a fat suit?" and "Crossdressing?", under the "John Travolta:" header above each person's avatar over on the left.
Ah, gotcha. Thanks. The changing labels were what confused me, but the browser status bar when I mouseover clearly shows the real links. Are there any limits, like the number awardable each day/week/whatever?
Quote from: SpottedKitty on September 17, 2007, 02:10:15 PM
Ah, gotcha. Thanks. The changing labels were what confused me, but the browser status bar when I mouseover clearly shows the real links. Are there any limits, like the number awardable each day/week/whatever?
I think you can only give the same person karma every 15 minutes. If you give them good karma and bad karma in quick succession, i.e. during the 15 minutes, it will add to the bad and take away from the good. And vice-versa.
Quote from: Tapewolf on September 17, 2007, 02:14:00 PM
Quote from: SpottedKitty on September 17, 2007, 02:10:15 PM
Ah, gotcha. Thanks. The changing labels were what confused me, but the browser status bar when I mouseover clearly shows the real links. Are there any limits, like the number awardable each day/week/whatever?
I think you can only give the same person karma every 15 minutes. If you give them good karma and bad karma in quick succession, i.e. during the 15 minutes, it will add to the bad and take away from the good. And vice-versa.
Yeah. Something like that. Of course, us moderators aren't limited in that way. Although it's tempting to see if I can limit mods to one per 2 seconds or something, just to stop insane numbers... ;-]
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 09:21:12 AM
Well, eating a creature's soul, yes. I thought you meant a being's soul.
*Charline sings!* Souls, glorious souls! *sung to the tune of "Food, Glorious Food"... with the same connotation* >:3
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 02:31:43 PM
just to stop insane numbers... ;-]
Is that anything like irrational numbers, only they're even more difficult to multiply or divide without a calculator...? (http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/frech/a025.gif)
(Sorry, maths joke, it just sorta slipped out...)
Quote from: SpottedKitty on September 17, 2007, 06:23:13 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 02:31:43 PM
just to stop insane numbers... ;-]
Is that anything like irrational numbers, only they're even more difficult to multiply or divide without a calculator...? (http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/frech/a025.gif)
(Sorry, maths joke, it just sorta slipped out...)
Well, there's certainly nothing rational about Darkmoon's karma... ;-]
Quote from: Amber Williams on September 17, 2007, 08:30:32 AM
Quote from: superluser on September 17, 2007, 08:08:25 AM
If Fa'Lina wants to keep SAIA's autonomy, she would have to respond. Failure to do so would result in rather serious consequences.
(http://www.missmab.com/WRY/Bwahaha.jpg)
Thank you snickering pink misstress of pain...
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 06:30:47 PM
Quote from: SpottedKitty on September 17, 2007, 06:23:13 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on September 17, 2007, 02:31:43 PM
just to stop insane numbers... ;-]
Is that anything like irrational numbers, only they're even more difficult to multiply or divide without a calculator...? (http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/frech/a025.gif)
(Sorry, maths joke, it just sorta slipped out...)
Well, there's certainly nothing rational about Darkmoon's karma... ;-]
Well, if these are supposed to represent rational thought around here, I would say that they are imaginary numbers.
By the way, with regard to Fa'lina's response to inquiries from the outside, she might encourage it in order to get volunteers for the home economics class (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_553.php). After all, Home Economics is where you would get your just desserts.
You know, he can still frame Cid since presumably no one except May and Abel knows his real identity at the current moment. Of cause that involves removing witnesses; Abel's no problem since he's slated for relocation, but May's a bigger issue. I'm still taking the odds that May is about to suffer deletion.