So... it is noticed finally Abel has headwings. One wonders where this is headed. =-)
Nowhere good, it's safe to assume. :)
I'm wondering what else Hennya knows and is likely to blurt out. How much more damaging things could she say?
Mostly bat in the hair joke agains
So...does this mean that `cubi are rare even by creature standards, or does it mean that creatures are rather parochial in their knowledge?
Also, given May's reaction, I think we can effectively rule out the ``May is a succubus'' theory. Unless she's intentionally deceiving Abel, and at this point, I really don't see what benefit that would have.
I do think that May will soon decide what she has to tell Abel--even though it may be a few centuries before Amber lets know what that is...
Edit: Also, is there any chance that we will ever see some Jack Chick style ``HAW HAW HAW'' laughing?
I thought that creature/being hybrid children took after the being parent, which already rules out May being the succubus in the relationship.
Quote from: Goatmon on March 22, 2007, 01:16:10 AMI thought that creature/being hybrid children took after the being parent, which already rules out May being the succubus in the relationship.
The quote is ``What I do know of genetics plays into things, like for example in creature/being offspring, children tend to gain a lot of the physical appearence of their being parent.''
Note the word `tend.' That's the word that people will use to claim that it's still possible. It's also a pretty good word to use for misdirection. Today's strip makes it just that much less likely.
And the only babies I eat are jellybabies...Its like a long Dr. Who refrence for some :rolleyes
Hmmm, most noticing I guess is that demons and mythos and probably a few other creature races live together without a single cubi living there. So Fa'lina has managed to make cubi much more mythical by keeping them out of circulation.
I wonder what is that thing on henya's shoulder
Quote from: Fex on March 22, 2007, 03:44:44 AM
I wonder what is that thing on henya's shoulder
That would be the snake-head, with the ring on it.
What I don't get is how they're so misinformed about cubi >.>
A genocidal war against the Cubi occurred less than ten thousand years ago, and survival rates for known Cubi out in the world have historically been low. Even Destania, a 7000-year-old SAIA professor, got her butt kicked by a group of Beings. Keeping a low profile would seem the most sensible course of action.
:shapeshifters
As Cubi rarely reveal their true natures in public (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_620.php), it's unsurprising that Hennya has never recognized anyone she's met as such. May is presumably a small-town girl, and Cid didn't necessarily talk shop at home; we can excuse her for being a bit provincial. We don't yet know if Abel's "Za?" indicates ignorance about Cubi or mere confusion/disbelief. Hennya recognized the headwings immediately on sight, and she and Abel have similar education levels. (Well... she's pursuing some kind of continuing education or graduate studies in Magical Artifacts, and he's already in the workforce, but library work isn't all that far from academia.) Her explanation may have been primarily for May's benefit.
Still, with a holocaust recent enough for the older generations to remember, Cubi numbers must be relatively small regardless. Given the competitive advantage of a SAIA education, it's a safe bet that most Cubi now send their kids there and therefore that it's home to a majority of adult Cubi under 400. We have indirect measures of SAIA's population (such as the fact that roughly 3000 Warp-Aci inhabit SAIA in Dan's time--popular even though not everyone has one). Even extrapolating with some fairly generous demographic guestimates, one of Furrae's larger population centers wouldn't host more than a handful of (disguised?) Cubi. Older Creatures might know a few, but Cubi would still be "read about them in a book" material to the twenty-something crowd (possibly full of stereotypes left over from pre-SAIA days).
I just found the fact that no one screamed, "There's a Bat on your head!!!!" and tried to whap Abel disappointing. That would have been a real highlight.
And a thought, Is Abel's Story going to include any of his time at the Cubi Academy?
May: "A whatcubis?"
Well there went my theory that she was an Succubus in disguise. :<
Quote from: Zedd on March 22, 2007, 01:23:20 AM
And the only babies I eat are jellybabies...Its like a long Dr. Who refrence for some :rolleyes
"They
say the Evil One eats babies!"
--Leela, Dr. Who - Face of Evil
I would say Tezkat is right on the money. 'Cubi are fairly rare, and they would definitely want to keep hidden unless they're extremely cocky. Possibly not so much in a place like Zinvth, but definitely in Being-run territories.
And while I don't like to say "I told you so", the notion that she didn't know about 'Cubi does not really surprise me, although that probably makes her a Being. I'm more concerned about whether adventure-boy knows - he might come in any moment, see the monster disguised as his presumably-dead son and try to vanquish it.
As of the present, Amber has claimed there are under 30'000 'cubi in total. Whether this number was larger or smaller in Abel's childhood is unknown except by Amber.
See Amber's incredibly informative (if slightly addled) replies:
http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php?topic=2262.msg93719#msg93719
Quote from: Tilvan the Storyweaver on March 22, 2007, 05:59:51 AM
I just found the fact that no one screamed, "There's a Bat on your head!!!!" and tried to whap Abel disappointing. That would have been a real highlight.
And a thought, Is Abel's Story going to include any of his time at the Cubi Academy?
:) I hope so... but we havent quite gotten that far yet.
My bet, however, is on Amber being lazy, with him getting into the cubi acadamy and then OMG cut-off (with Fa'Lina saying something like "You'll fit in perfectly here!", either that or "X# of years later...."). No offense, Amber. :U
This immediately begs the question of just how great the population of furrae is. However, seeing as I Amber would most likely not tell us, it would be more interesting to see some kind of pie chart or percentage relation between species.
Of course, we would most probably never see that either, so... Perhaps one could just sum up which species are greater or lesser in terms of numbers? Beings>Insecti>Merfolk>Demons? I imagine that both Dragons and Fae are pretty damn rare, seeing the space, time and territory they might require...
Quote from: Tilvan the Storyweaver on March 22, 2007, 05:59:51 AM
I just found the fact that no one screamed, "There's a Bat on your head!!!!" and tried to whap Abel disappointing. That would have been a real highlight.
Well, his headwings don't resemble a bat much, since they emulate his normal wings.
Quote from: Tezkat on March 22, 2007, 05:51:19 AM
Even extrapolating with some fairly generous demographic guestimates, one of Furrae's larger population centers wouldn't host more than a handful of (disguised?) Cubi.
It's possible there are more around than that. Even so, they'd be fanatic enough about remaining hidden that it wouldn't surprise me to learn that more than a few Cubi-Cubi marriages have happened with both believing the other side was Being...
.. which I believe Amber has implied, somewhere, although I couldn't tell you where...
Two interesting points:
1. Shapeshifting is not one of the traits Hennya has listed.
2. Matilda knew exactly what Dan was the moment she saw him. This in itself is rather interesting, how did she know he wasn't an Angel, for instance? Lucky guess? More to the point, that implies that 'Cubi are more well-known/tolerated in Dan's era. (Or area...)
I will like to point out what even in Dan's time, we have a group of Adventures coming to Lost Lake Inn investigating Cubi sightings, and seeing if there was any trouble brewing. And they left feeling that something funny was going on.
Being are still not be very knowledgeable about Cubi if they whack them in the head think they have a bat or bird on their heads. Creatures maybe better informed, but not much more, because Fa'lina wouldn't want too many "secret" out. Given the "cold war" hostilities between the Creatures and the clans of Dan's time.
PBH
CIIIIIIIIIIDDDD! D:
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 06:07:07 AMI'm more concerned about whether adventure-boy knows - he might come in any moment, see the monster disguised as his presumably-dead son and try to vanquish it.
More likely, he'll say something like the following:
Cid: Oh, hey! Your headwings came in! Now, granted, they're not as sexy as mine (*reveals headwings*), but I think we need to celebrate!
Or even:
Cid: Oh, hey! Your headwings came in! I figured they'd be coming shortly after I saw the clan marking. See, a few years ago, May had sex with an incubus...
May: No, I didn't!
Cid: May, we've been over this before. I wasn't in town...
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on March 22, 2007, 08:45:16 AM
I will like to point out what even in Dan's time, we have a group of Adventures coming to Lost Lake Inn investigating Cubi sightings, and seeing if there was any trouble brewing. And they left feeling that something funny was going on.
They weren't very good at it, but they knew what they were and they knew they could shapeshift, even if they didn't really understand the mechanism. May doesn't know what they are, period, and nor did Devin - a professional adventurer.
QuoteBeing are still not be very knowledgeable about Cubi if they whack them in the head think they have a bat or bird on their heads.
True.
QuoteCreatures maybe better informed, but not much more, because Fa'lina wouldn't want too many "secret" out. Given the "cold war" hostilities between the Creatures and the clans of Dan's time.
Unless you know something I don't, it seems more to be Dragons vs Cyra Clan, rather than the whole wide world vs the 'Cubi, but who can tell...
More likely, Cid's reaction upon entry will be bitter sadness, and May will slowly descend (or ascend...) into hysteria. Then there will be shouting, equally bitter sadness from Abel's side coupled with a bit of resent, revelations about just what happened and then the departure of Abel, who will seek out loneliness to try and avoid being more wounded than he already is. A loneliness he will try and cling to for the rest of his life...
...FUTILELY! HAHAHA!
"Abel! There's a bat on your head! Hold still while I get it with this broom!"
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 22, 2007, 09:44:40 AM
"Abel! There's a bat on your head! Hold still while I get it with this broom!"
Horrible thought - there's probably still bits of Devin in his hair :(
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 09:52:33 AM
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 22, 2007, 09:44:40 AM
"Abel! There's a bat on your head! Hold still while I get it with this broom!"
Horrible thought - there's probably still bits of Devin in his hair :(
Snackbowl! Everybody pounce!
WHy do people think Cid would have to flip? If May is not a 'cubi than Cid has to be a 'cubi unless May had extra-marital relationships. :P I don't think two non-cubi parents could randomly have a cubi child so ONE of them has to be such.
*Charline sighs* It's all true. We do indeed like to eat babies and steal dreams. Oh how I long to eat fat babies! Don't they sound delicious? Fortunately, I have a conscience that keeps me from eating them... :3
*Charles erms* You have a conscience? Since when? :erk
*Charline smacks Charles* Silence! I must remove suspicion for all the recent baby disappearances! :shifty
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 09:29:33 AM
QuoteCreatures maybe better informed, but not much more, because Fa'lina wouldn't want too many "secret" out. Given the "cold war" hostilities between the Creatures and the clans of Dan's time.
Unless you know something I don't, it seems more to be Dragons vs Cyra Clan, rather than the whole wide world vs the 'Cubi, but who can tell...
Really, I must clarify a bit, We have the Beings (who have Kingdoms/nations somewhat, ex...Twinks and whatever nation Lost Lake is in) vs the Creatures. Inside the Creatures group, we have the Angels vs Demons for control of the world and Demons seem to have their own internal conflicts, and Angels are not much better than the demons in cooperation with each other. Dragons vs Cubi or I should said any other Creature race. Dragon seem so long living, so powerful, and smart, that they look down at the other races. Cyra Clan seems to be on the frontline of the Cubi-dragon feud. Abel has an instead dislike of any dragon, and Fa'lina failed to tell Abel that only one Dragon was "good" enough to trust...which implies that dragons in general are not to be trusted for Cubi race. They have a Council of Beings and Creatures, but it seems to be only marginally effective in solving problems and finding really solutions...
PBH
Block of text attacks you for 3 DMG. You counter with paragraph breaks! Block of text defeated!
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on March 22, 2007, 10:53:47 AMReally, I must clarify a bit, We have the Beings (who have Kingdoms/nations somewhat, ex...Twinks and whatever nation Lost Lake is in) vs the Creatures. Inside the Creatures group, we have the Angels vs Demons for control of the world and Demons seem to have their own internal conflicts, and Angels are not much better than the demons in cooperation with each other.
Dragons vs Cubi or I should said any other Creature race. Dragon seem so long living, so powerful, and smart, that they look down at the other races. Cyra Clan seems to be on the frontline of the Cubi-dragon feud. Abel has an instead dislike of any dragon, and Fa'lina failed to tell Abel that only one Dragon was "good" enough to trust...which implies that dragons in general are not to be trusted for Cubi race.
They have a Council of Beings and Creatures, but it seems to be only marginally effective in solving problems and finding really solutions...
The quote from 728 is ``The second any dragon finds out Dan is from Cyra's clan they are going to try to kill him...except for one dragon. He's nice.'' Fi wanted to get Dan out of Lost Lake, but seemed to care less about Abel. Abel said ``there's no way [Aaryanna] would let a dragon near
Dan,'' not ``near her.''
Also, we don't really have beings of the Lost Lake region vs creatures. Mab's a creature. So are Azlan, Pip, Pyro, Kria, Lorenda, Matilda...er, maybe Bon? There doesn't seem to be a general creature/being war.
Quote from: Akisohida on March 22, 2007, 10:47:40 AM
WHy do people think Cid would have to flip? If May is not a 'cubi than Cid has to be a 'cubi unless May had extra-marital relationships. :P I don't think two non-cubi parents could randomly have a cubi child so ONE of them has to be such.
She might have had an extra-marital relationship without
knowing. Remember Abel's line:
:shapeshifters
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on March 22, 2007, 10:53:47 AM
Really, I must clarify a bit, We have the Beings (who have Kingdoms/nations somewhat, ex...Twinks and whatever nation Lost Lake is in) vs the Creatures.
I don't think it's that cut-and-dried, even in Abel's time. Dragons consider themselves above most other races. Creatures usually consider themselves to be above Beings.
But that doesn't mean that they never interact or that they only interact violently.
Cities, for instance usually seem to have a Creature patron (or patrons) who will protect the citizens in exchange for a tithing of some kind, but it seems to be Beings rather than Angels (who don't have any cities of their own) or Demons who actually build them.
QuoteInside the Creatures group, we have the Angels vs Demons for control of the world and Demons seem to have their own internal conflicts, and Angels are not much better than the demons in cooperation with each other.
True to some extent, but we do have the Creature Council.
QuoteDragons vs Cubi or I should said any other Creature race. Dragon seem so long living, so powerful, and smart, that they look down at the other races. Cyra Clan seems to be on the frontline of the Cubi-dragon feud. Abel has an instead dislike of any dragon, and Fa'lina failed to tell Abel that only one Dragon was "good" enough to trust...which implies that dragons in general are not to be trusted for Cubi race.
I still don't know for sure if there
is a Cubi-dragon feud or just a Cyra-dragon feud.
Aary and Abel's reaction could be explained by their wanting to protect him as an individual, if they knew that Cyra Clan have it coming.
I wonders if Dan's hatred/fear of dragons stems from things his mother told him as a child?
QuoteThey have a Council of Beings and Creatures, but it seems to be only marginally effective in solving problems and finding really solutions...
Definitely for Being-Creature issues. Creature-Creature issues it's probably better for, but we don't really know.
And now it emerges. Here's a hypothosis, and I may have mentioned this before, I don't recall, but lets see what some people think. Sometimes, when a cubi knows it's life is about to end, rather than breeding to create more of them, they transfer a small portion of their cubi essence into the adventurer who will defeat them. Thereafter, the first child the adventurer has after that recieves that portion and becomes a cubi themselves. How does that sound as a possibility?
boy, there sure is a lot of misinformation floating around... I mean everyone knows Cubi have a seam in their head which means they don't have a soul, which means they have to eat babies to survive.
Quote from: Aleolus on March 22, 2007, 11:32:00 AM
And now it emerges. Here's a hypothosis, and I may have mentioned this before, I don't recall, but lets see what some people think. Sometimes, when a cubi knows it's life is about to end, rather than breeding to create more of them, they transfer a small portion of their cubi essence into the adventurer who will defeat them. Thereafter, the first child the adventurer has after that recieves that portion and becomes a cubi themselves. How does that sound as a possibility?
I think 'cubification is a bit more involved than that, but I don't really know.
IMHO it's more likely that an incubus from Abel's un-Clan seduced May in disguise in a desperate attempt to prolong his line. I don't think we've entirely disproved the theory that Devin was a failed attempt at this (i.e. the 'Cubi side didn't take so he left and then quasi-raped May while Cid was off somewhere).
**EDIT**
Which means he might be coming
back to claim Abel.
I forgot to mention: Abel hates shapeshifters who disguise themselves as other people. This seems a more reasonable explanation to that than your theory :P
You know... I seem to remember reading Cid tell May that exposure to magical energies like he's had as an adventurer can cause wierd things to happen to adventurer's children. Maybe Cid was exposed at one point to magic or energy from a cubi, and that's why his son is one?
But aren't clans hereditary in Cubi?
Seems if it happened that way, Abel would be his OWN clan.
Okay Dan was the one in danger...So
What of the prophecy?
What of the Phoenix who fortold the Prophecy?
Do the Dragons know of the Prophecy and of Dan, and that Dan would be of the Cyra Clan.?
Did the dragon try to destroy the Cyra Clan?
Is that why Destrina is out to kill the Dragons?
IS everyone trying to protect Dan from the Dragons before he has reach his full power?
What does Mab know? Or Fae?
and Who wants to bet the Phoenix got it wrong?, but just by everyone believe in the prophecy and acting on it, this will make Dan, the chosen one. or is Abel the one of prophecy?
:hug
PBH
Quote from: Lydiell on March 22, 2007, 12:41:46 PM
You know... I seem to remember reading Cid tell May that exposure to magical energies like he's had as an adventurer can cause wierd things to happen to adventurer's children. Maybe Cid was exposed at one point to magic or energy from a cubi, and that's why his son is one?
And maybe it is a cover story for May, that Cid is a Cubi.?
Quote from: Akisohida on March 22, 2007, 10:47:40 AM
I don't think two non-cubi parents could randomly have a cubi child so ONE of them has to be such.
We now know that May is possibly not a succubus... However, shall I remind you of the concept of Generation Skipping? For all we know Cid could have been offspring of a cubi that carried the Cubi Gene but it was dormant or consider to skip a generation.
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 08:41:17 AM
2. Matilda knew exactly what Dan was the moment she saw him. This in itself is rather interesting, how did she know he wasn't an Angel, for instance? Lucky guess? More to the point, that implies that 'Cubi are more well-known/tolerated in Dan's era. (Or area...)
Dan was a customer, so she had a financial incentive be nice to him. Well, that and the other reasons (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_640.php). >:3 Cubi were poorly received even 26 years ago (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_297.php), and experienced adventurers had some knowledge of their abilities.
Given that Dan looks like an Angel (or miscellaneous Angel-winged Being) on first glance, though, we can safely assume that Matilda immediately identifying his race results from some sort of magical perception. There is precendent for that sort of thing: Merlitz's Being adventuring buddies detected and identified shapeshifting magic through casual (or at least discrete magical) observation. As a Mythos, Matilda's abilities may be good enough to catch natural shapeshifters (possibly related to her third eye?).
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 11:16:57 AM
I wonders if Dan's hatred/fear of dragons stems from things his mother told him as a child?
Heh... Dan hates/fears dragons enough to borrow money from them (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_142.php)? :mowdan
Quote from: KarlOmega1 on March 22, 2007, 01:12:52 PM
Quote from: Akisohida on March 22, 2007, 10:47:40 AM
I don't think two non-cubi parents could randomly have a cubi child so ONE of them has to be such.
We now know that May is possibly not a succubus... However, shall I remind you of the concept of Generation Skipping? For all we know Cid could have been offspring of a cubi that carried the Cubi Gene but it was dormant or consider to skip a generation.
Unlike hybrids of Angels, Demons, and certain Mythos, who can express partial Creature traits, the Cubi phenotype is an all or nothing thing (sans Gareeku, but he's a fan character). Amber has yet to officially admit or exclude the possibility of it skipping a generation. The upcoming Hybrid Genetics thing might put that to rest, but until then...
Quote from: Amber Panyko
Magic makes things much more complicated, and tends to fill the gaps where simple genetics would fail. The general rule of it can stand that if the odds are there for something strange to happen, it is very likely it has happened.
:mowcookie
Quote from: superluser on March 22, 2007, 09:18:44 AM
....
Cid: Oh, hey! Your headwings came in! I figured they'd be coming shortly after I saw the clan marking. See, a few years ago, May had sex with an incubus...
May: No, I didn't!
Cid: May, we've been over this before. I wasn't in town...
Come to think of it, Incubi have been known to prey on unsuspecting females as they sleep, who wouldn't know they'd been taken advantage of, as Amber illustrated with the evil Rafecubus here:
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/Rafecubus.jpg)
You look like you're wearing a diaper. :<
You'll have to ask Amber, but I assume it's a wallaby-fit Speedo.
Oh, well ok then. Just as long as you aren't raping sleeping women in a diaper.
..
Don't want you going Cupid on us or nothing.
Quote from: Rafe on March 22, 2007, 05:52:57 PM
Come to think of it, Incubi have been known to prey on unsuspecting females as they sleep, who wouldn't know they'd been taken advantage of, as Amber illustrated with the evil Rafecubus here:
... Here's a thought. How about the "evil incubus" taking advantage of May in her sleep... While keeping Cid asleep next to her.
For bonus marks, making each think they were making love to the other....
Quote from: Tezkat on March 22, 2007, 01:43:08 PM
Dan was a customer, so she had a financial incentive be nice to him. Well, that and the other reasons (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_640.php). >:3 Cubi were poorly received even 26 years ago (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_297.php), and experienced adventurers had some knowledge of their abilities.
Given that Dan looks like an Angel (or miscellaneous Angel-winged Being) on first glance, though, we can safely assume that Matilda immediately identifying his race results from some sort of magical perception. There is precendent for that sort of thing: Merlitz's Being adventuring buddies detected and identified shapeshifting magic through casual (or at least discrete magical) observation. As a Mythos, Matilda's abilities may be good enough to catch natural shapeshifters (possibly related to her third eye?).
There might even be a simpler explination. There could be a ward on the shop door. Some simple little magical doodad that tells the shop keeper the spieceis of the person who's just walked threw the door.
Quote from: Rafe on March 22, 2007, 05:52:57 PM(http://24.106.113.210/otown/Rafecubus.jpg)
It never gets old.
Quote from: thegayhare on March 22, 2007, 06:12:59 PM
There could be a ward on the shop door. Some simple little magical doodad that tells the shop keeper the spieceis of the person who's just walked threw the door.
If the 'cubi is living as a Being (Dan wasn't quite) having their S.O. or other members of a shopping party being told that they are really an incubus would
not be apropos. Even if they didn't turn violent, she'd lose at least one customer at best :B
[Looks at the picture of Rafe and May]
You know, I had a dog that could sleep quite happily in the same position as May there. At least, she would until she actually hit the floor.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on March 22, 2007, 06:10:47 PM
... Here's a thought. How about the "evil incubus" taking advantage of May in her sleep... While keeping Cid asleep next to her.
I believe I suggested that once, i.e. forcing Cid and May into a deeper sleep so he could do the deed undisturbed...
QuoteFor bonus marks, making each think they were making love to the other....
...but that's a damn good improvement.
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 06:21:26 PM
I believe I suggested that once, i.e. forcing Cid and May into a deeper sleep so he could do the deed undisturbed...
Aww, you mean I'm not original? :-/
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 06:21:26 PM
QuoteFor bonus marks, making each think they were making love to the other....
...but that's a damn good improvement.
Well, it would explain why neither of them thinks May has been, erm, "disloyal". Although I can see Cid not wanting to let people know he's been cuckolded, or even wanting the child to not suffer for the sins of the parent....
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 11:50:32 AM
I think 'cubification is a bit more involved than that, but I don't really know.
*Charline shakes her head* No, it's very simple. Ink jabs a needle in yer butt, an' you become a cubi just like that! :3
Quote from: Lydiell on March 22, 2007, 12:41:46 PM
You know... I seem to remember reading Cid tell May that exposure to magical energies like he's had as an adventurer can cause wierd things to happen to adventurer's children. Maybe Cid was exposed at one point to magic or energy from a cubi, and that's why his son is one?
I thought that as well for a while, until I learned about Clan markings. If he didn't have one I might believe that, but because he has one it means he likely descended from an actual Cubi parent. Unless someone else has info relating to the species that might disprove my belief?
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on March 22, 2007, 12:49:20 PMWhat of the prophecy?
What of the Phoenix who fortold the Prophecy?
Do the Dragons know of the Prophecy and of Dan, and that Dan would be of the Cyra Clan.?
1.) The prophecy? Do we actually know what the prophecy is, or are we still guessing (Kind of like the Question of Life, the Universe and Everything)?
2.) Do we even know that it was a phoenix that made the prophecy? I've never seen any indication that anyone else can prophesy, but we don't *know* that.
3.) Oddly enough, the dragons seem concerned that Dan is related to Ed, but the `cubi seem concerned that Dan is related to Cyra. We haven't seen dragons show any concern that Dan is a Cyra. Maybe they got two different versions of the same prophecy?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on March 22, 2007, 06:27:19 PMWell, it would explain why neither of them thinks May has been, erm, "disloyal". Although I can see Cid not wanting to let people know he's been cuckolded, or even wanting the child to not suffer for the sins of the parent....
Yeah, just because Cid hasn't said anything on-screen about it doesn't mean that he doesn't know.
Quote from: Goatmon on March 22, 2007, 07:20:25 PM
Quote from: Lydiell on March 22, 2007, 12:41:46 PM
You know... I seem to remember reading Cid tell May that exposure to magical energies like he's had as an adventurer can cause wierd things to happen to adventurer's children. Maybe Cid was exposed at one point to magic or energy from a cubi, and that's why his son is one?
I thought that as well for a while, until I learned about Clan markings. If he didn't have one I might believe that, but because he has one it means he likely descended from an actual Cubi parent. Unless someone else has info relating to the species that might disprove my belief?
Something I thing I mentioned last time this came up was the Possibility Cid was cursed while out adventuring. "All you children will be monsters!" kind of thing. If the Cubi are that rare, this sounds like a useful way to boost numbers, magical alter beings so they produce Cubi children, kind of a cuckoo type arrangement. After all demo. 101 mentions creatures often have ways of turning beings into creatures. Of course I guess he could just wait for the answer...
I'm surprised the Devin's father is Abel's father speculation hasn't popped up again.
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 22, 2007, 06:21:26 PM
[Looks at the picture of Rafe and May]
You know, I had a dog that could sleep quite happily in the same position as May there. At least, she would until she actually hit the floor.
I don't think that was May in that picture. It doesn't really look... well maybe it, uh...
...
[turns picture, puts in some color]
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/RafecubusMay.jpg)
Aaaah! What has Rafe done! Abel can't be... Nooo!
Quote from: Alondro on March 22, 2007, 06:32:34 PM
*Charline shakes her head* No, it's very simple. Ink jabs a needle in yer butt, an' you become a cubi just like that! :3
It's quite the frightening needle. I have enough trouble with normal sized ones! :x
Nice try Rafe ... But Amber's pencil show clearly your victim is a Cute Bunny girl...
Or I might have to ask
"Rafe, Does Central knows just how many kids you have fathered? with how many females?"
PBH
Quote from: Prof B Hunnydew on March 22, 2007, 08:20:19 PM
Nice try Rafe ... But Amber's pencil show clearly your victim is a Cute Bunny girl...
Oops, my bad. I thought that was part of the hair.
I dunno if it's hair or what.. And if May likes to sleep with bunny ears, I have no problem with that.
Quote from: Goatmon on March 22, 2007, 07:05:54 AM
Quote from: Tilvan the Storyweaver on March 22, 2007, 05:59:51 AM
I just found the fact that no one screamed, "There's a Bat on your head!!!!" and tried to whap Abel disappointing. That would have been a real highlight.
Well, his headwings don't resemble a bat much, since they emulate his normal wings.
"There's a Chocolate Chip Cookie Bat on your head!!!!"
To be honest, I forget where it is, (Demonology maybe?) but Amber once mentioned that the 'cubi nature of a person can skip many generations and just show up out of nowhere, though I believe it was also mentioned that manifestation is *more* likely the larger the % of 'cubi you are. Of course you combine that fact with the fact they tend to be deliberately mysterious and hide themselves and you have cause for unbelievable amounts of speculation. (As this thread proves.) As for Rafe and this unknown person, even if it is May, that'd have been in a past life from what we've seen. :mowwink
Rafe, you really shouldn't be wearing ladies underwear.
Because thats someone elses job? :shifty
no, because it isn't casual Friday yet.
Well, I think I understand some of what's been going on, and here's my thoughts:
1) May is not a cubi, and there is no challenging her being his mother -- I'm sure she remembers everything during childbirth.
2) Devin's dad just takes one look at him after he was born and leaves. Obviously disappointed.
My line of reasoning is that Devin's dad, an incubus of Abel's clan, was trying to perpetuate his virtually extinct clan. And since Devin was born without wings, it was an immediate sign that his offspring was a "failure" - this indicates that crossing a cubi and a being doesn't always result in cubi offspring.
Disappointed with his offspring, and desparate to ensure the continuation of his clan, he impersonates one of the town's heroes (Cid) who was on a mission at the time, and with Cid's wife, produces a new offspring (Abel) -- whose roll of the cosmic dice dictated that he was to be rated Cubi Positive.
This is sort of hinted by the principle who May pummeled early in the story. Only that May really is innocent of wrong doing (adultry), since the cubi impersonated her husband, an object of complete trust in her world.
Now, all those facts are not going to be immediately obvious to everyone in the story at this point. So I'm curious to see what happens. Is Cid going to go "He's not my son!" or "May, you're a cubi?!?" Can't use the "switched at birth" routine, since it's probably not very likely other babies at the time that were a species similiar to May were available.
And, of course, the status of Abel's cubi father is in question. Is he watching Abel from afar, or did he just tried to have another baby and left it to fend for itself, without knowing whether or not he was successful in propagating his clan? If he went through all the effort to impersonate Cid, and is still alive by this time, that seems rather unlikely.
Interesting times ahead indeed. Poor, poor Abel.
Who's Abel's real father ? We can assume who the mother was, and we know who Abel's legal father was. Was there a Cubi Cuckoo , as pointed out by Shadowcatcher ? Or if it wasn't caused by a creature cuckold , is it caused by magical energy that has been collected by adventurers ? ( Remember Cynthia, with the eye in her hand ? ) Is there going to be a battery on Abel's form now , and how will his immediate friends and relations react ? Some plot convenience may come soon ...
Ah, sounds like the possible corruption that can come from a life of adventure. We've never seen what's behind the eyepatch of his father, and who knows, it could be more than just an empty socket.
Magical energy can play havoc on a lot of things, and adventurers usually come in contact with a lot of that energy.
Is Cid, ( Abel's legal father ), actually an incubus ? He goes out at times as an adventurer. So did Azlan, and he was a fae. Azlan used a 'magical' device to have the appearance of a fox being. ( In the end, a patch ), but if Cid was a Cubi, then he would have the power to "shapeshift" into full being appeance. Also, Cid may have a green eye. The patch may just be a way to stop beings noticing a green eye. However, as an incubus, what does Sid really look like ? (Remember how Dan was made to look like his sister ? ) Also, did another Incubus do a bit of dreamsurfing in the house ? Will we be told ?
Here's another option, then, while we're all speculating wildly.
Cid was killed on one of his adventures, and replaced by a Cubi.
Any takers?
A very good point. With the spells of various types that May, ( the mother ), might have picked up at the Zvinth school while maybe sitting in with Abel's Classes, she and the cubi 'Cid' would last a long while with her using magic . Notice how May had got to the point where she ate little, but didn't appear to age ?
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 05:18:54 AM
A very good point. With the spells of various types that May, ( the mother ), might have picked up at the Zvinth school while maybe sitting in with Abel's Classes, she and the cubi 'Cid' would last a long while with her using reguvinite magic
One of the points in support of 'May-is-a-Succubus' was that she turned down the offer to learn magic. (Because she'll already know if she is a Creature - and she has family in Zinvth)
If it's is Cid, his clan marking might be beneath eyepatch. And as Llearch says, it could be that the real Cid died 25 years ago or so and was replaced by an incubus. That it might be his last dying request to prevent May from becoming distraught is a nice variant, but probably too nice to account for Abel's shapeshifter hangup.
And with the Initial shapeshifter anxiety that Abel showed, that could be just be due to post operative shock from after the battle, and his escape back to Zvinth with the aid of kria's aumlet . Also, he had a fair reaction from what his appearance was after the stone was removed. Mebbe a choc-Chip bat in the head. ( P.S. Remember how he gave Dan over the head in the chapter " Unwilling and Abel at the Cubi Acadamy" ? )
Then if Cid is a Incubus then the real Cid is Dead and this other Cid maybe fullfilled his last request. I don't know it's farfetched but it does hold water as the saying goes.
But if that incubus who's acting like Cid they have to be some descreptinsies that May has noticed come on you are married for a long time and you should know your husbands nature by now.
Am I right on this or not?
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 07:10:42 AM
And with the Initial shapeshifter anxiety that Abel showed, that could be just be due to post operative shock from after the battle
No, that wouldn't be it. It says on his cast page (and he hints at it in the Alexsi-kidnap arc) that "Abel has a severe dislike of Cubi who use their abilities to assume complete alternate identities".
To me that says he has issues with his 'Cubi parent (whoever it is).
Quote from: ShiningShadow on March 23, 2007, 07:20:12 AM
Then if Cid is a Incubus then the real Cid is Dead and this other Cid maybe fullfilled his last request. I don't know it's farfetched but it does hold water as the saying goes.
But if that incubus who's acting like Cid they have to be some descreptinsies that Mny has noticed come on you are married fro a long time and you should know your husbands nature by now.
Quite. That could suggest that someone disguised themselves as Cid for a one-night-stand. If 'Cid' is really dead and the guy we're seeing is an impostor, that might mean that it happened when they were only just married. Or Cid always has been a 'Cubi and has been living in a shape that May would find attractive.
I'm not sure about this ``Cid was replaced by the incubus who killed him'' thing. Cid would have been using a mind shield, right? And the first rule of Adventurer Club is you do not talk about your family. Now, Abel seems to know well that mind shields can be dispelled, but I suspect that Cid would have been using a quality spell.
As to the theory that Devin was a failed incubus, I don't get it. Devin's mom said, ``It's your fault he left! I never wanted you! Any of you! I should have killed you like the others!''
So apparently, she had at least three kids and killed at least two of them. If his dad were trying to have `cubi babies, he would have presumably left after the first one.
And as to what's under Cid's eyepatch? It's his headwings.
Quote from: superluser on March 23, 2007, 07:48:32 AM
I'm not sure about this ``Cid was replaced by the incubus who killed him'' thing.
Quite. But it doesn't necessarily follow that it was his killer who replaced him. They might have found him when he was dying and read what they could. Remember Abel and Devin's dying 'words' - no mind shield there.
QuoteAs to the theory that Devin was a failed incubus, I don't get it. Devin's mom said, ``It's your fault he left! I never wanted you! Any of you! I should have killed you like the others!''
So apparently, she had at least three kids and killed at least two of them. If his dad were trying to have `cubi babies, he would have presumably left after the first one.
He might have quit after the third try failed, or he might have even been her third husband.
Heck, all these theories have flaws, that's why we don't have a candidate for 'this is probably it' :P
We are now coming towards the ultimate in plot convenience here ? remember , Dan is in a similar position now with his missing father , and the mother, Destina. ( Bye the way, Destina probably deserves a position on the cast page now. That's my opinion ) Also, with Abel's anxiety , remember the 'negative energy' Dan suffered when his wings first appeared...
*Charline confronts Abel in battle! Both are on an observation platform high over a great chasm!* Abel... I AM YOUR FATHER!! >:3
*Abel* Nooooo! That's not true... That's... slightly plausible...
*Charline* And Dr. Ink is your sister! >:3
*Abel :erk * That's... highly unlikely...
*sometime later... Charline* And you know those Cubi powers? They're actually brought about by tiny Smurfs in your blood.
*Abel :P * Look, if you're not gonna take this seriously, I'm outta here.
*take that speculators!* :3
I still stand by my 'cursed to have creature children' theory. After all what better way to punish the adventure who hurt/killed you?
Of course I'm assuming anyone will read this, probably ignore it, never mind. A lot of text on the internet is selectively ignored.
Anyone else have trouble try to get their photobucket account working?
Nevermind
So we may agree that abel became a cubi by genetics or magic fields. What caused the green eye and clan mark ?
And May, is she cubi ? She seems to have a lot of magic .........
Cid is an unknown factor and kria seems to know too much. When will Amber make a plot convenient answer ?
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on March 23, 2007, 05:01:27 AM
Here's another option, then, while we're all speculating wildly.
Cid was killed on one of his adventures, and replaced by a Cubi.
Any takers?
That's quite possible, I wouldn't rule it out, that's for sure.
However, I don't think that Cid is a cubi. Modern day Abel is carrying a lot of baggage from his past, which leads me to believe that some kind of schism has/will occur between Abel and his parents. Otherwise, with the support and love of his parents, he probably would not have wanted to simply not leave the safe confines of the academy.
The events at the fort where Abel watched everyone (including, potentially, his half brother) died was bad, very bad. But I don't think bad enough to force him into academic seclusion.
Until I have reason to believe otherwise, I'm categorizing Cid as a Being. At this point, I truely think that something is going to break between Cid and May, if the truth is that Abel is not Cid's biological son.
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 08:29:06 AM
And May, is she cubi ? She seems to have a lot of magic .........
May's never demonstrated magic in any of the comics. Kria suggested that she ought to try learn magic too, but May sort of brushed that aside.
Assuming May's reaction to Abel's headwings is genuine, the fact that Abel sprouted head wings should have not been a surprise. So I'm heavily leaning towards May not being a cubi.
And Cid's eyepatch -- it could just be a regular eyepatch. He might have gotten his eye poked out by a dragon. Until we have more evidence there's no reason to think that it's anything more then what it appears to be, a cosmetic coverup for a socially unacceptable disfigurement.
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 08:26:44 AM
So we may agree that abel became a cubi by genetics or magic fields. What caused the green eye and clan mark ?
I'm pretty sure that magic field exposure just causes random mutations, not the transmogrification to an existing species, complete with genetic lineage details.
Of course, there's one other thing, and this might be getting into detail that some might find distasteful, but how was Abel conceived? The old natural way? Or in-vitro? Could a cubi have snuck into a clinic and swapped out some of the male samples with his own? A targetted swap? Do they even have those services available even? More food for thought.
While the clinical mistake is probably the more socially acceptable outcome, I think it's pretty likely that a cubi pretended to be Cid :shapeshifters, and that propagated Abel's existance. I don't think Devin's father's reaction to seeing him after he was born is something that should be ignored.
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 08:33:15 AM
Cid is an unknown factor and kria seems to know too much. When will Amber make a plot convenient answer ?
What? and spoil the Fun,
Amber only comes to correct us when we are sooo far in Left field that we are out of the ballpark and swimming in the bay.
Now, I am going to add some thing to the "cubi" Cid is an imposter of the real Cid.
Cubi are mind readers and May doesn't have a mind shield. CUBI Cid could read the answers May wants to hear from May.? Any errors on "Cubi" Cid part can be explain away by being away adventuring and forgetting some things. Believe me, when a couples are separated for months at a time for any reason, and then come back together there is always a period of reconnecting with each other. People change over 3-6 months which the spouses must figure out once they re-unity.
:mowtongue
PBH
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 05:18:54 AM
Notice how May had got to the point where she ate little, but didn't appear to age ?
Actually, no...May appears to be aging along with Cid. Not everyone ages at the same rate, and being an adventurer, time might be a little harsher with Cid. I think it was just Cid being mirthful and making a joke.
Something that does come to mind, after thinking about it. Cid managed to reach old age, where it was said that most adventurers don't make it past 21 (Dan retired at the "old" age of what, 22, 23 was it?) That does perhaps give the "Cid is the cubi" camp a point or two in their favor.
All I can say right now is, here's the evidence we've been presented with so far. Here are some theories (postulated in previous posts), but so far nothing that an honest jury can find anyone guilty with.
You know, not to be mean, Shadowcatcher, but this "brotherhood theory" of yours is old (I myself was a speculant when Devin's background was first revealed), though probably not a reiteration.
Anywho, I do believe it to be plausible; we have not seen any evidence against it as of yet. I remember someone contesting it, but the information was Out Of Comic, and I... well, I am not liable to trust anyone save Amber when it comes to claims in that case.
I have not seen anything that speaks for Cid being a Cubi. Logically, May would recognize the clan marking on Abel's back if that was the case. The whole deal with May's impregnation would also become a bit more complex than what is logical as well. The remark on May's eating might also have been just something Cid said. All in all, nothing points to either of Abel's parents being a cubi.
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 09:21:31 AM
And Cid's eyepatch -- it could just be a regular eyepatch. He might have gotten his eye poked out by a dragon. Until we have more evidence there's no reason to think that it's anything more then what it appears to be, a cosmetic coverup for a socially unacceptable disfigurement.
In response:
Quote
"Why are you wearing a mask? Were you burned by acid, or something?"
"Oh, no, it's just that it's so terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing one in the future, don't you?"
.. or, it might well be not "socially unacceptable", but simply that Cid thinks he looks better with an eyepatch. And, of course, it's how Cid feels about things that controls what he wears, mostly. Even if bending to social pressure...
Quote from: Stygian on March 23, 2007, 09:38:50 AM
I have not seen anything that speaks for Cid being a Cubi. Logically, May would recognize the clan marking on Abel's back if that was the case.
If, and only if, she
knew that Cid was a Cubi. If he's been hiding his Cubi-ness all these years, then that would fit with Abel's professed dislike for hiding as someone else, as well as where Abel's Cubi-ness came from.
And Amber has said that Cubi-Being mixes tend to take after the Being parent. This implies, to me, that Abel is such a mix, and that one of his parents is therefore a Cubi. The only questions then boil down to Is May his parent, and is Cid his parent. For all we know, -neither- is his parent, and he's been dumped with them because he resembles May, and the Cubi who left him overwrote their memories to show him being born... Amber's statement also implies that May is, indeed, Abel's Being parent. However, Amber is good at leading us all astray, so while we can guess, we really don't know...
But that's starting to go a bit afield in theory hunting. We can, most likely, just wait and see what happens. The whole reason for having Abel's Story is so there's a back history of Abel - that would suggest that, sooner or later, we'll find this stuff out.
Once Abel's Story is finished, we can ask more questions of Amber. heck, maybe we'll get Questions From The Readers back again for a while... :-]
Ponder what Amber said earlier, that cubi-ness (cubism?) is not neccessarily directly hereditary. She also mentioned, or at least suggested, that the union of two beings with partial cubi heritage might result in a cubi child, and was backed by Alondro, unless I am mistaken.
Still, once again, this does not explain much or account for much of events unless they were a lot more complex than has been suggested until now. Unneccesarily complex, that should be...
It has to be both of the parents May with cubi in her and Cid maybe cubi doppleganger with a touch of incubus in him and behold we have Abel. Plain and simple in my book unless Amber explain things in the future strip which we are witnessing slowly as it unfolds.
*sighs* Cid's eyepatch is actually a lil monster made by the Bureau of Special Technical Affairs headed by Dr. Inky Kurotsochi. It eats his excess riatsu so he can fight with his opponents longer. :B
Quote from: Alondro on March 23, 2007, 10:54:49 AM
*sighs* Cid's eyepatch is actually a lil monster made by the Bureau of Special Technical Affairs headed by Dr. Inky Kurotsochi. It eats his excess riatsu so he can fight with his opponents longer. :B
So in another words a reject from Pirates of the Carribean *arrrggggghhhhh* :B.
Quote from: Alondro on March 23, 2007, 10:54:49 AM
*sighs* Cid's eyepatch is actually a lil monster made by the Bureau of Special Technical Affairs headed by Dr. Inky Kurotsochi. It eats his excess riatsu so he can fight with his opponents longer. :B
[claws his face because of the reference, and then gets out a big bucket of industrial bleach and pours it over Charline]
Quote from: Stygian on March 23, 2007, 11:00:25 AM
Quote from: Alondro on March 23, 2007, 10:54:49 AM
*sighs* Cid's eyepatch is actually a lil monster made by the Bureau of Special Technical Affairs headed by Dr. Inky Kurotsochi. It eats his excess riatsu so he can fight with his opponents longer. :B
[claws his face because of the reference, and then gets out a big bucket of industrial bleach and pours it over Charline]
Yeahhhhhhhhhh platiumn Blonde Charline *Wolf Whistle* >:3.
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 09:27:06 AMI don't think Devin's father's reaction to seeing him after he was born is something that should be ignored.
Note, however, that Devin doesn't resemble his mom that much. There are significant differences in the ears, and since the kids tend to resemble the being parent, that should put Devin's dad in the being camp.
I'm still in the ``The lady doth protest too much, methinks'' camp in #16.
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 09:33:39 AMActually, no...May appears to be aging along with Cid.
Which any competent shapeshifter would mimic if she were trying to blend in.
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 09:33:39 AMSomething that does come to mind, after thinking about it. Cid managed to reach old age, where it was said that most adventurers don't make it past 21 (Dan retired at the "old" age of what, 22, 23 was it?) That does perhaps give the "Cid is the cubi" camp a point or two in their favor.
There is the story of Cohen the Barbarian in the Discworld series. Cohen has been continuously adventuring for 90+ years.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on March 23, 2007, 10:27:01 AMFor all we know, -neither- is his parent, and he's been dumped with them because he resembles May, and the Cubi who left him overwrote their memories to show him being born...
Except that the memories of the entire town would have to be overwritten.
``Oh, hey! Why didn't you tell me you were adopting?''
``Excuse me?''
``Well, we just had you two over for dinner last month, and I don't remember you being pregnant...''
Quote from: Alondro on March 23, 2007, 08:10:29 AM
*Charline confronts Abel in battle! Both are on an observation platform high over a great chasm!* Abel... I AM YOUR FATHER!! >:3
*Abel* Nooooo! That's not true... That's... slightly plausible...
*Charline* And Dr. Ink is your sister! >:3
*Abel :erk * That's... highly unlikely...
*sometime later... Charline* And you know those Cubi powers? They're actually brought about by tiny Smurfs in your blood.
*Abel :P * Look, if you're not gonna take this seriously, I'm outta here.
*take that speculators!* :3
Sounds like someone is a fan of
Robot Chicken.
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 04:44:05 AM
Is Cid, ( Abel's legal father ), actually an incubus ? He goes out at times as an adventurer. So did Azlan, and he was a fae. Azlan used a 'magical' device to have the appearance of a fox being. ( In the end, a patch ), but if Cid was a Cubi, then he would have the power to "shapeshift" into full being appeance. Also, Cid may have a green eye. The patch may just be a way to stop beings noticing a green eye. However, as an incubus, what does Sid really look like ? (Remember how Dan was made to look like his sister ? ) Also, did another Incubus do a bit of dreamsurfing in the house ? Will we be told ?
Wait, what's so big about him possibly having a green eye. Last I checked green was a perfectly normal eyecolor.
Quote from: Manawolf on March 23, 2007, 05:13:11 PM
Quote from: kaskar on March 23, 2007, 04:44:05 AM
Is Cid, ( Abel's legal father ), actually an incubus ? He goes out at times as an adventurer. So did Azlan, and he was a fae. Azlan used a 'magical' device to have the appearance of a fox being. ( In the end, a patch ), but if Cid was a Cubi, then he would have the power to "shapeshift" into full being appeance. Also, Cid may have a green eye. The patch may just be a way to stop beings noticing a green eye. However, as an incubus, what does Sid really look like ? (Remember how Dan was made to look like his sister ? ) Also, did another Incubus do a bit of dreamsurfing in the house ? Will we be told ?
Wait, what's so big about him possibly having a green eye. Last I checked green was a perfectly normal eyecolor.
Oh, people just think that because Abel has a green eye that cid has to have one.
However, Cid has brown eyes, which means that whether or not he had a green eye is a moot point: he could have a green-eyed gene no matter what, it would just be recessive.
So Abel got his recessive green eye from Cid and blue eye from May. That could be true no matter if Cid's other eye is brown or green. Sheesh people, bone up on your genetics =P
Wow, didn't expect this many people to quote me.
Stygian Replied:
"You know, not to be mean, Shadowcatcher, but this "brotherhood theory" of yours is old (I myself was a speculant when Devin's background was first revealed), though probably not a reiteration"
Sounds like this was a hotly debated topic some time ago, for which I was likely not party to. Til recently, I've only paid speckled attention to the forums, and have only been posting my own messages very recently. However, I still see no evidence to close this hypothesis with prejudice. The story about Devin's parents might be directly related to Abel's origins, or it could be utterly disjoint. At this time there simply is insufficient evidence to go either way; thus it stays on my list of possibilities.
I have not seen anything that speaks for Cid being a Cubi. Logically, May would recognize the clan marking on Abel's back if that was the case. The whole deal with May's impregnation would also become a bit more complex than what is logical as well. The remark on May's eating might also have been just something Cid said. All in all, nothing points to either of Abel's parents being a cubi.
Agreed. The eating remark is likely day-to-day, normal life banter between family.
Ponder what Amber said earlier, that cubi-ness (cubism?) is not neccessarily directly hereditary.
That would definitely change the equation. Can anyone put a link (or paste) info on known facts of Cubi heraditary rules?
llearch n'n'daCorna Replied:
.. or, it might well be not "socially unacceptable", but simply that Cid thinks he looks better with an eyepatch. And, of course, it's how Cid feels about things that controls what he wears, mostly. Even if bending to social pressure...
At this point, all theories are equally valid, as no evidence has been presented on why Cid has an eyepath. In all likelyhood, it's just a character detail with no more significance then having either an 'innie' or an 'outie' bellybutton and probably shouldn't be read into too deeply.
The only questions then boil down to Is May his parent, and is Cid his parent. For all we know, -neither- is his parent, and he's been dumped with them because he resembles May, and the Cubi who left him overwrote their memories to show him being born...
I'm pretty sure that Cid and May *think* that Abel is their child, together. Page 5, May tells Cid "He gets that from your side of the family, you know". While it is Possible that one could say that they were simply brainwashed to think Abel was their biological son, I don't suspect that's the direction Amber is going.
superluser replied:
Note, however, that Devin doesn't resemble his mom that much. There are significant differences in the ears, and since the kids tend to resemble the being parent, that should put Devin's dad in the being camp.
I dunno, I see a lot of resembelence between Devin and his mom. But it does make me wonder, it is said that a Cubi positive Cubi/Being crossbreed takes after the Being side regarding body morphology/physiology. What about those those who are Cubi negative, those who have a cubi as a parent (or further in ancestry) but the cosmic dice roll said that they shall not be Cubi? What are the rules for body morphology and physiology for them? Still taking after only the Being parent, or do different rules apply?
There is the story of Cohen the Barbarian in the Discworld series. Cohen has been continuously adventuring for 90+ years.
Discworld != Furrae. Dan's bio states "Dan is claimed to be a well-known adventurer though Dan himself seems to not mention those years. It is known that he has defeated Dark Pegasus thrice now. He then retired at the age of 24, which considering some adventures, thats pretty old." -- the fact that Cid made it past 24, into old age, says that he was a very competent adventurer, or might be a bit more then what he appears to be. I don't think we'll have any good evidence on the Cid side of the equation until we see his reaction to Abel expressing his Cubi genetics.
manawolf said:
Wait, what's so big about him possibly having a green eye. Last I checked green was a perfectly normal eyecolor.
No problem with green eyes, none at all, except for the occassional crusty ancient chinese guy trying to marry them. :) ( reference to Big Trouble in Little China, rent it! ;) )
I think I was thrown off by Yuna and her green eye in FFX.
Quote from: superluser on March 23, 2007, 04:52:37 PM
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 09:27:06 AMI don't think Devin's father's reaction to seeing him after he was born is something that should be ignored.
Note, however, that Devin doesn't resemble his mom that much. There are significant differences in the ears, and since the kids tend to resemble the being parent, that should put Devin's dad in the being camp.
Yes.. there is that difference in the ears.. but as far as I can tell thats about the only difference. Nowhere dose it say they need to be Identical.. Able is not Identical to May, She has that black eye patch of fur, able dose not. Also.. the flash back is not in color.. its it those sepia tones, so we can not tell if she has blue fur like Devin or not.. I think he resembles his mother enough that it is possible that his father could be a cubi.. yada yada..
Hehe...
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 06:50:41 PMI'm pretty sure that Cid and May *think* that Abel is their child, together. Page 5, May tells Cid "He gets that from your side of the family, you know". While it is Possible that one could say that they were simply brainwashed to think Abel was their biological son, I don't suspect that's the direction Amber is going.
I'm not sure about that. I think that May figured it out (``protest to much,'' again), though she may not have figured it out by then. She might just be keeping up appearances and be unwilling to let Cid know. Cid, himself, might know. He just figures that her infidelity was his fault, and he can't really broach the subject without damaging his integrity.
Quote from: Shadowcatcher on March 23, 2007, 06:50:41 PMThere is the story of Cohen the Barbarian in the Discworld series. Cohen has been continuously adventuring for 90+ years.
Discworld != Furrae.
I know; I just like the image of 90 year old barbarians with varicose veins and false teeth. It just goes to show you that there *can* be exceptions. Odysseus and Nestor, too, probably lived to Cid's age.
Does it really matter what Abel's real biologicalparentage is . May, at times, can be a bit of a mystery, and the full story on Cid has to yet arise. Yet May still seems to love him, and Cid still wears the horns in the family with dignity . ( See what happened to someones horns of the family when he annoys Jyarras in # 102 of the usual strip )
Ok, I think we need to reveiw the theories for Able's parentage. I will list as many as I can, and how likely I think they are.
Ok
Theory #1: May is the Cubi parent.
Judging by her reactions and ignorance to basic cubi traits, she must be an extreamly good actor AND quick thinker in order to be the cubi parent. I would say this might be possible, if it were not for another reason I will soon bring up.
Verdict: It is borderline impossible she is the Cubi parent, for a reason that is about to be explained.
Theory #2: Cid is the Cubi Parent.
I would have to say, this is much, MUCH more likely, if not for one fact. No matter what they do, a Cubi CANNOT hide their clan marking. Even if one was skilled enough to morph into some sort of monstrous blob, that marking would still be somewhere. Whenever May and Cid are in the house, I would assume they sleep together, and on occasion, do more than just sleep *wink wink*. May thinks the marking on Able's back is a tatoo. This means that she has never seen it before. Not even on Cid. I seriously doubt Cid could hide his marking every night they are in bed together. "what if his marking is under the eyepatch?" I doubt he sleeps with it on. Even if he does wear it to hide the mark, I'm sure May would have taken it off herself at some point, knowing that she loves him enough even if she thinks the reason he wears the eyepatch is because he is missing an eye. An if Cid were to try to stop her, that would raise some sort of tension between them, and she might just take it off anyway in HIS sleep.
Verdict: Just like May being the cubi, so unlikely as to be amost impossible.
Theory #3: Random magical energies influenced Able's birth.
First off, magical energies can only cause what some would consider deformities. Cynthia is a perfect example of this. There is no way any RANDOM energies could have caused Able to become fully a Cubi. It could possibly cause someone to be born with wings, but like Cid said, doesn't make him an angle.
Verdict: Pretty much impossible.
Theory #4: Cid was cursed with a non-random, structured spell specifically designed to make him have a Cubi child.
I really dont think that is possible. I doubt any spell could actually do that, and even if it could, It would have to somehow carry clan implications, which I don't think is possible. And even if that were the case, I can't see any good reason why Cid would not tell May about it.
Verdict: Mostly unlikely.
Theory #5: May, or Cid, or both, are partially cubi, or have some distant cubi heritage.
First off, you cannot be "partially" cubi. This is a fact, you are either fully a Cubi or you arn't one at all. "Cubism" also seems to be a dominant trait (look at Destania and Dan) and since it cannot be partially transferred, no matter what a cubi mates with, the child will be a full cubi, with cubi abilities and traits, but may get extra traits from the other parent, be it a Demon, Mythos, Being, or whatever. However, I may be mistaken, and "cubism" may not be a dominant trait, enabling it to skip generations. In that case BOTH Cid and May would have to carry the Cubi gene for it to take hold in Able. I would say that it also has to be in very recent ancetry, because the odds of Cid and May carrying the gene from thousands of years back is off the charts. Especially taking in May's repeated ignorance to cubi traits, she would not seem to have cubi parent or grandparent herself, which would mean either a) she doesn't have cubi ancestry at all, or b) it was hidden form her. I find that unlikely. But if she doesn't have cubi ancestry, she wouldn't have the gene, which means that while Cid might still carry it, there is no possible way it could have taken hold in Able, so that is impossible.
Verdict: Overall, I think this one is also borderline impossible, unless May's ancestry was hidden from her, and , while possible, is very unlikely.
Theory #6: A Cubi has killed and replaced Cid or May.
Like some pointed out erlier, the 'new' Cid or May would have to be able to act just like the originals. While that is entirely possible with cubi mind-abilities, there is STILL the simple and show-stopping "hide the marking" problem.
Verdict: Impossible.
Theory #7: A Succubus tricked Cid.
If that were to happen, the succubus would have to kidnap and somehow keep May out of the picture for at least 8 months, starting from the time said cubi had sex with Cid, ending at the time of Abel's birth. Then the succubus would have to implant all of it's memories into May so she would think she was there the whole time. and THEN there is the damn "hide the mark" AGAIN, because the succubus would have to pull it off for at least 8 months.
Verdict: Borderline impossible.
FINALLY Theory #8: An Incubus tricked May.
Yes, this is the last one, and that being said, you probably know where this is going. Cid is out on one of his many long adventures. May is asleep, dreaming about him. An Incubus chances by, enters May's mind, and finds about Cid. Incubus takes Cid's form and has a nice night with May, probably making her think she is still asleep. Cid finally returns, and neither of them know the difference, even when May turns out pregnant, because genreally, couples don't lead sexually inert marriges. And with Cid constantly being gone, they probably do it as often as they can (Until Able was born, and Cid gave up adventuring). Backing up a bit, hell, the Incubus doesnt even need for Cid to be on an adventure, Cid could just be gone in town for just one night and the incubus could pull it off. And there isn't the "hide the mark" problem, because the Incubus would only have to try to hide it for one night, not for months or years on end. Easily doable.
Verdict: Yes, I would have to say this is probably the only answer. Now someone go get Amber to read this so she doesn't choose another option and end up with a plot paradox.
one last note, just to be thourogh. All of the theories that are halted by the marking problem, you might say that the marking-bearer could pretend it was a tatoo. Well, if that was the case, then why did May express surprise, and not suspicion, when she saw Able with the very same tatoo? "Able, that tatoo looks just like Cids!", not "What, praytell, is that on your back?" would have to be what she should have said in order for that to be possible.
There's a way around the "marking under the eyepatch" thing.
If you look, the marking looks a lot like a circle with a hole in the middle. Now, if that's directly over the eye, the pupil makes the hole... and the vertical slash mark would make it look quite different, particularly if you then have the marking the same as the other patterns on the coat.
Given this, it's not totally out of reason to think that May may have seen it on Cid, but he's good enough at disguising it, or masking it, that she doesn't recognise it.
And, bear in mind that she saw Abel naked when he was a baby, and while he was growing up, so strips 25 (http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_27.php) and 26 (http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_28.php) shouldn't really come as that much of a surprise...
As for theory #5, whilst you are either a Cubi or you are not, it wouldn't be terribly surprising for non-Cubi to not be aware of having a Cubi in their ancestry, since Cubi are hated and hunted, and, as such, if I were one, I'd be damned sure I was hiding, you can bet on that. So someone being unaware that their great grandfather or great great grandmother - or even their grandmother, if we bring it a little closer - was a Cubi is not within the realms of impossibility.
If nothing else, you can take my wife's example of her father, who walked out on her and her mother and her siblings when she was very young. Her mother won't talk about his side of the family at all, mostly. Not even to explain -why- she won't talk. And this is not unusual with people, I find...
All in all, I don't think Theory #8 is as much the be-all and end-all you make it out to be. But you've done well at summarising most of the theories....
Just my 2c, then...
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 26, 2007, 10:59:55 PMMay thinks the marking on Able's back is a tatoo. This means that she has never seen it before. Not even on Cid.
Maybe May saw it and was reminded of a similar `birthmark' on Cid, and thought that Abel might have gotten it as a sort of father-son bonding.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 26, 2007, 10:59:55 PMI seriously doubt Cid could hide his marking every night they are in bed together. "what if his marking is under the eyepatch?" I doubt he sleeps with it on. Even if he does wear it to hide the mark, I'm sure May would have taken it off herself at some point, knowing that she loves him enough even if she thinks the reason he wears the eyepatch is because he is missing an eye.
Or he could have sewn his eye shut (not uncommon for those who lose an eye), making the mark invisible. Or explained the mark as a scar.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 26, 2007, 10:59:55 PMHowever, I may be mistaken, and "cubism" may not be a dominant trait, enabling it to skip generations. In that case BOTH Cid and May would have to carry the Cubi gene for it to take hold in Able.
Not so. Male Pattern Baldness is hereditary (Or not (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050819.html)?). It skips a generation. And men can only inherit it from their *mothers*. The Male Pattern Baldness gene is on the X chromosome. Men never get X chromosomes from their fathers(*), so they can only inherit the trait from their mothers, who cannot express male pattern baldness.
Now compare the royal disease (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemophilia). It's a recessive sex-linked trait, so you need a copy of the gene on every X chromosome. If you're a man, and your mother is a carrier, you have a 50/50 chance of getting it. If you're a man and your mother has two copies of the gene, you are guaranteed to get it. If you're a woman, both your parents must be at least carriers to inherit the disease.
Similarly, if May had one copy of the gene, half of her sons could be `cubi, despite the fact that she is not one herself.
(*) Yes, yes. Polyploidy. Shut up.
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on March 26, 2007, 11:37:16 PM
Given this, it's not totally out of reason to think that May may have seen it on Cid, but he's good enough at disguising it, or masking it, that she doesn't recognise it.
And, bear in mind that she saw Abel naked when he was a baby, and while he was growing up, so strips 25 (http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_27.php) and 26 (http://missmab.com/Comics/Abel_28.php) shouldn't really come as that much of a surprise...
While i concede that i may have been mistaken about pretty much everything im not quoting, like said a cubi CANT mask or disguise their clan mark in any way. At first glance, it might be mistaken for his actual eye, but close inspection will show it isn't, and i cant see May not recognizing it on her son. And yes it should come a surprise, becuase cubi ARE NOT BORN with the marking. they get it in their late teens as their magical powers increase, as abel himself once explained. Thats why May never saw it on abel as a baby.
Also, When i was originally organizing my thoughts to put all the theories together, i didnt start out with the intention of making #8 the end-all option, as you say. I was perfectly for Cid being the cubi, until i realized the mark problem. Though like the other person above me said, this entire thing becomes moot if Cid sewed his eye shut. So I may be mistaken there. I also concede that the probability May's heritage being hidden from her isnt so improbable after all, i was mistaken there as well, i guess. But until someone comes up with other ideas, which could be entirely possible, i still hold to my verdicts on my other theories.
That all being said, with new possibility shining on Cid being the cubi, i'm looking forward to him walking in the room, seeing Abel, sighing, and revealing both sets of HIS wings. Poor May is gonna faint.
As far as I know, the "cubi gene" doesn't skip a generation, because it doesn't exist. being a cubi or not, if i'm not mistaken, was said by amber to be magic-related.. or something. I don't remember enough to put it all together...
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on March 27, 2007, 12:26:43 AM
As far as I know, the "cubi gene" doesn't skip a generation, because it doesn't exist. being a cubi or not, if i'm not mistaken, was said by amber to be magic-related.. or something. I don't remember enough to put it all together...
Good point. If that is true, then all the genetic stuff becomes moot as well.
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on March 27, 2007, 12:26:43 AMAs far as I know, the "cubi gene" doesn't skip a generation, because it doesn't exist. being a cubi or not, if i'm not mistaken, was said by amber to be magic-related.. or something. I don't remember enough to put it all together...
The term gene predates the term deoxyribonucleic acid by about a century. If you inherit the `cubi nature from your parents, it's genetic, regardless of adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine, or even uracil.
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 26, 2007, 10:59:55 PM
Theory #2: Cid is the Cubi Parent.
I would have to say, this is much, MUCH more likely, if not for one fact. No matter what they do, a Cubi CANNOT hide their clan marking. Even if one was skilled enough to morph into some sort of monstrous blob, that marking would still be somewhere. Whenever May and Cid are in the house, I would assume they sleep together, and on occasion, do more than just sleep *wink wink*. May thinks the marking on Able's back is a tatoo. This means that she has never seen it before. Not even on Cid. I seriously doubt Cid could hide his marking every night they are in bed together. "what if his marking is under the eyepatch?" I doubt he sleeps with it on. Even if he does wear it to hide the mark, I'm sure May would have taken it off herself at some point, knowing that she loves him enough even if she thinks the reason he wears the eyepatch is because he is missing an eye. An if Cid were to try to stop her, that would raise some sort of tension between them, and she might just take it off anyway in HIS sleep.
Verdict: Just like May being the cubi, so unlikely as to be amost impossible.
Cubi cannot alter their clan markings through
natural shapeshifting. They can easily hide them with such low tech means as clothing or dye. Self-mutilation works too, though Amber has indicated that Cubi would regenerate such damage. Illusion magic represents another possibility. Amber's official words on the matter thus far do not preclude the possibility of hiding them through spell-based shapeshifting, magical tattoos, patches, and the like. Efforts to hide a clan marking certainly reduce the flexibility of natural shapeshifting, but that would not be an issue for a hypothetical Cubi Cid wearing the same disguise for 25+ years. He also has a whole life out of the house and apart from May with plenty of time to re-dye fur, refresh concealment spells, etc. before coming home to his family.
I don't think Cid's clan markings or lack thereof represent reliable evidence for either side of the debate.
Far more interesting is Cid's failure to comment on
Abel's clan marking. Although it's possible that he has yet to notice, a Cubi Cid would probably have been on the lookout for such traits in his offspring, and May seems the type to have delivered a "Do you know what your son did?" speech after spotting it. I'd consider that a point against the Cubi Cid theory, though hardly a slam dunk.
dang you people think to much give your brains a rest :D
my guess is either may is a very good actor - or more mystery afoot
aka wait and see what happens :D
Quote from: techmaster-glitch on March 26, 2007, 10:59:55 PM
Theory #6: A Cubi has killed and replaced Cid or May.
Like some pointed out erlier, the 'new' Cid or May would have to be able to act just like the originals. While that is entirely possible with cubi mind-abilities, there is STILL the simple and show-stopping "hide the marking" problem.
Verdict: Impossible.
I beg to differ. This is not impossible, just unlikely.
If the substitution took place early enough in their marriage this could still happen. Additionally, the 'Cubi might have been able to do a deep enough probe of Cid's mind to be able to imitate him. This would not be easy, but if the 'Cubi were good enough and Cid was wholly in their power for days on end, it might be doable.
There are other variants, including the incubus coming across a dying Cid and taking on his persona as his last wish to prevent May from being left heartbroken by his death.
If 'Cid' returned from his adventure critically wounded so that May had to nurse him back to health, that would give him time enough to learn about his new identity from her mind, and if he had a head injury she might not be so surprised if he isn't the same afterwards.
So I don't think it's wholly impossible - although I do think the 'cuckoo' theory is more likely given Abel's detestation of full shapeshifting.
All the propositions give so many scenarios , and I just wonder what , if any , of these amber may adopt ?
Quote from: kaskar on March 27, 2007, 06:24:10 AM
All the propositions give so many scenarios , and I just wonder what , if any , of these amber may adopt ?
Has adopted. She's planned the core storyline out years in advance :P
If the core storyline has been planned years in advance , are you under a secret vow not to divulge the future plotlines , or is it a wait and see thing ? I was just wondering , what awaits us in the future ?
Quote from: kaskar on March 27, 2007, 06:44:54 AM
If the core storyline has been planned years in advance , are you under a secret vow not to divulge the future plotlines , or is it a wait and see thing ? I was just wondering ?
Nah, I don't know anything. She's just explained the creative process a couple of times on the forum.
And many times snap at us for trying and figure out the future plots (Don't smite me Amber). Anyway I think when Cid walks in I think the whole thing will be out in the open.
Cid revealing himself as a Succubus May will be in shock and Abel hmmmmmmmmmm I might be wrong on this but hey it could happen.
Quote from: Tezkat on March 27, 2007, 04:01:58 AMCubi cannot alter their clan markings through natural shapeshifting. They can easily hide them with such low tech means as clothing or dye.
You know, I had a similar theory--specifically that Destania is the same color as her clan marking, and that that isn't necessarily her natural color. Everybody dumped on me for it.
Anyways, I do note that Abel's hair can cover his marking, so presumably you could shift a flap of skin over your clan marking and cover it up.
Quote from: ShiningShadow on March 27, 2007, 07:04:36 AMCid revealing himself as a Succubus
Now that's a possibility I hadn't even considered. Bow chicka bow wow!
Quote from: ShiningShadow on March 27, 2007, 07:04:36 AM
And many times snap at us for trying and figure out the future plots (Don't smite me Amber). Anyway I think when Cid walks in I think the whole thing will be out in the open.
Cid revealing himself as a Succubus May will be in shock and Abel hmmmmmmmmmm I might be wrong on this but hey it could happen.
Does Amber just leave all of these scenarios hanging in mid air , or is it done to make us concentrate more . If she has a pre -planned plot , is it just using a " teaser " ?
Quote from: kaskar on March 27, 2007, 07:45:40 AM
Does Amber just leave all of these scenarios hanging in mid air , or is it done to make us concentrate more . If she has a pre -planned plot , is it just using a " teaser " ?
Don't know. My understanding is that the basic storyline is already worked out in advance, but exactly how it's presented and some of the finer details are done on-the-fly.
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 27, 2007, 07:53:17 AMDon't know. My understanding is that the basic storyline is already worked out in advance, but exactly how it's presented and some of the finer details are done on-the-fly.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Abel 78 was done in response to your speculation that Cid will freak out and try to kill Abel. That strikes me as unlikely, and I suspect that the original plan (while still leaving this a cliffhanger) was probably less dramatic.
Something makes me highly doubt Cid would try to kill his only son, a loved member of his family of many years just because he's got headwings and is technically a creature.
I really hope his love for his son wouldn't be that shallow.
It's why I think He's maybe going to go "WTF" and maybe have a bit of a panic attack. But I don't think anything overly rash is gonna happen with Cid.
Quote from: Drathorin on March 27, 2007, 09:48:16 AM
Something makes me highly doubt Cid would try to kill his only son, a loved member of his family of many years just because he's got headwings and is technically a creature.
I really hope his love for his son wouldn't be that shallow.
Well, the idea came from one of my favourite films. Granted in that case it was less obvious that she was her father's only daughter, but it might still pan out that way here if Cid gets the idea that his son has been killed and impersonated by a shapeshifter.
It
would explain the cover picture and the reason Abel is trying to survive entirely on his own, without relying on others in any way.
Quote from: Drathorin on March 27, 2007, 09:48:16 AMSomething makes me highly doubt Cid would try to kill his only son, a loved member of his family of many years just because he's got headwings and is technically a creature.
I think he's proven that he's not that shallow. He doesn't care that his son has wings. He doesn't care that his son's friend has an eye in her hand. Heck, he even left them alone together.
No, the theory (and it's not a bad one, just unlikely) is that Cid will see Abel with headwings, freak out and assume that it's a creature come to kill them all, and kill Abel. This might be an instant reaction, but if he takes even a second to think about it, he'll realize that any `cubi that come to impersonate and kill his family would make sure to hide the headwings. And that at the very least, unlike the clan marking, they must be able to hide the headwings, or else any adventurers that claimed not to know that they were dealing with an impostor would be rather incredible.
One of the easiest ways to tell though, would be to ask something that only the person being impersonated would know. And it could be incredibly vague.
It's what I would attempt to do anyways, though, I could easily mess up on something like that and end up blowing up the house. =P
Quote from: superluser on March 27, 2007, 07:32:44 AM
You know, I had a similar theory--specifically that Destania is the same color as her clan marking, and that that isn't necessarily her natural color. Everybody dumped on me for it.
Anyways, I do note that Abel's hair can cover his marking, so presumably you could shift a flap of skin over your clan marking and cover it up.
The way I understand it, the immutability of the clan symbol merely provides constraints on innate Cubi shapeshifting abilities; it isn't meant to be a giant "Here there be Cubi!" sign. For example, your scenario of shapeshifting one's fur colour to match a clan symbol sounds a bit too easy on first glance, but the end result is an even greater limitation of flexibility. Replacing "must have a red symbol on his back" with "must have red fur" is hardly an improvement. Neither is needing to have hair long enough to cover a marking or a body so fat as to hide it under rolls of skin. It's not unreasonable that Cubi would perfect a Being disguise specially tailored to hide the clan marking, but most practical uses of shapeshifted disguises lie in being able to emulate other people (or at least types of people)--i.e. working with external constraints under which shapeshifting around the clan marking may not be viable.
Quote from: kaskar on March 27, 2007, 07:45:40 AM
Does Amber just leave all of these scenarios hanging in mid air , or is it done to make us concentrate more . If she has a pre -planned plot , is it just using a " teaser " ?
I would be shocked to learn that Amber hadn't worked out all the details of Abel's parentage before she even started that storyline. She works with no buffer, however, so there's a lot of room for the story to evolve on the fly. A number of recent Abel strips appear to have roots in community reactions. For instance, page 73 (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Abel_75.php) does little to advance the storyline--Amber likely inserted it in response to the whole "medical healer" debate here on the forums. Page 76 (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Abel_78.php) turned up in the wake of a thread full of speculation on what the amulet would do to Hennya.
The moral of the story is that if we
really want a conclusion to the mystery, we should all just shut up and stop giving Amber fodder for filler strips. Yeah, yeah... fat chance of that happening.
:mowtongue
... besides, filler strips are Fnu! :)
Would it not just be so simple as to use an amulet or a really powerful transfiguration spell instead of mere shapeshifting, if it were really a matter of having to perfectly impersonate someone? Or a patch, perhaps? All might be useful. Unless, of course, a cubi's clan marking is pervasive, and shows through even such effects somehow.
Still, I state that if it was about really impersonating someone, I think even a cubi would have the sense not just to rely on shapeshifting, but also to do research and use multiple mind-affecting and reading magicks.
Or they could use a spell/enchant like Kria did. :p
Quote from: Drathorin on March 27, 2007, 01:15:46 PM
Or they could use a spell/enchant like Kria did. :p
I said that. Weren't you wa... Oh, never mind.
Well, there's a problem with really powerful transfiguration spells.
Although magic is generally a better tool if you want to impersonate someone (with a great deal of precision); It's also something that properly trained beings can readily detect like a huge billboard sign that says 'here be 'cubi' (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_711.php). (Normal incubi/succubi shapeshifting in this instance is better, since the group never realized that 'Merlitz' was Abel. Then again, that could be because they assumed that Merlitz' magic was working.)
Quote from: Drathorin on March 27, 2007, 10:56:39 AMOne of the easiest ways to tell though, would be to ask something that only the person being impersonated would know. And it could be incredibly vague.
This would not work, since `cubi are mind-readers. They could just pluck the answer out of your thoughts.
On the other hand, you could ask the person in question something that you *don't* know. They can't read your mind, and you can tell if the response is the sort of thing that they'd say. For example, you probably don't know if I'd prefer something set in Caslon or Baskerville, but if someone impersonated me, I'd like to think that you could tell by the way the answer was phrased whether or not that was me.
Quote from: Tezkat on March 27, 2007, 12:35:08 PMNeither is needing to have hair long enough to cover a marking or a body so fat as to hide it under rolls of skin.
I'm not talking about rolls of fat. More like eyelids or fingernails.
Quote from: Stygian on March 27, 2007, 01:09:12 PMUnless, of course, a cubi's clan marking is pervasive, and shows through even such effects somehow.
Don't know about each of those, but Abel's marking was still there when he had the brooch.
Mind if I add another cubi parentage theory?
What if one of abel's parents (assuming cid here) was transformed like abel did to dan, and then brainwashed to forget and ignore his heritage? That'd work too. It almost worked in Dragonsphere.
Due to the current topic of this thread being a bit off from the original, and may not be obvious to people as to what the current topic is when they look at the tread, I am starting a new thread with all the theories, with the new input data that people have suggested. This way, everyone will know to go to "Abel's Heritage Theories" if they want to debate and offer information.
Please don't flame me if you think this is uneccesary, I think this is a huge topic that will be talked over in just a few days, until the next Abel's Story update.
I just hope that Cid actually does enter the house and sees Abel like this... I think many forum-goers may die of suspense if he does something like "Oh yeah, did we need milk? I'm going to pop down to the store now! Bye!"
I know I just might...
Quote from: Reaver225 on March 28, 2007, 06:35:46 PMI just hope that Cid actually does enter the house and sees Abel like this... I think many forum-goers may die of suspense if he does something like "Oh yeah, did we need milk? I'm going to pop down to the store now! Bye!"
Yeah. ``Ladies! I'm home from being gone all day! And I bring good news! And I forgot to get milk so I'm going to go right back out and not tell you what the good news is!''
Also, what if you got home and your wife told you that your daughter had her first period today? I don't think you'd yawn. Neither would Cid be blasé about Abel getting his headwings, even if he expected them.