I have always wondered, what would actually happen to a Cubi that loses his headwings?
From what I know, no Cubi would ever let their headwings be removed alive. But that doesn't answer the question at all.
Not even a little bit.
So I'm curious, does a Cubi die if one loses his or her headwings? Does the Cubi lose their magical abilities? Would that include the ability to absorb their nutrition through emotions, and in that case would that mean the Cubi would be doomed to starvation?
Or would they just grow back?
I am fairly sure in the long history of Cubi being existing one would have lost their headwings in battle or an accident, so it would be pretty common knowlege, especially if there's a school set around teaching Cubi everything they need to know. It would be something most would want to know about, and if there is a downside to losing one's headwings it would be pretty important information to spread around.
Any theories?
We've already seen that Demon Wings can be regrown (ala Regina's bone-wing) (http://www.missmab.com/Cast/regina.php), and that Cubi losing their LARGE wings, or at least parts of them (http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_596.php), is equally "routine".
The main issues with losing a wing (assuming there is no special magic tied to it), is that it's an extremity, and a tiny one at that -- therefore, they'd be quite sensitive, just like other certain extremities of your body.
i.e. it'd be survivable, but you wouldn't be happy and you'd probably try to regrow it as fast as possible too.
Awr that theory makes sense.
I was hoping they'd lose their magical ability and be doomed to starvation.
That would be a really rad element to the Cubi race.
Sounds scary, like cutting the fins off a shark. :<
One way to find out. I'll need a volunteer.
Somewhere in the comic there's a scene where Fa'Lina (?, IIRC) says something to the point of "If you won't <something>, I'll rip out all four of your wings."
I vaguely recall reading somewhere around here that people are using that as an argument for the theory that it's painful but won't kill nor cripple abilities of a 'Cubi.
//h
ED: Yeah, that was the wiki article TW linked to.
Nah, I don't think having your headwings lopped off will make a 'cubi less powerful. I think its more of a symbol in a way that shows 'I'm a growned up 'cubi' or something like that, that would be a major embarrasment to have cut off.
But I agree with Jigsaw, they'd probably be easy to reattach with a bit 'o surgery and magic ;)
... and it'd hurt to have them ripped off.
A lot.
http://dmfa.wikia.com/wiki/Headwings
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/Turnsky/danart.jpg)
>:3
Well that answers that question.
Weird is that I actually looked all across the board for a topic about headwings but couldn't find anything.
In DMFA, there are a lot of theories that surround headwings and that is partially done intentionally by Cubi themselves because the less real knowledge someone has over a race, the more one can get away with a lot of things. And as painful as losing ones headwings are, if a Cubi can convince someone that they are suddenly now completely powerless and unable to do anything now that their headwings have been chopped off...one could say it has come in handy a few times on a fight.
At the core of it, the headwings are just another set of little limbs. Symbolic perhaps, but their function seems more decorative than anything truly meaningful. One could say the real threat of getting them cut off is that they are so close to ones head and brain that the bleeding could cause issues there or result in head trauma...which admittedly would do a much better job at auto-killing a Cubi or causing them to lose their magical abilities due to brain damage...which may be what helps lend to the rumour that headwings=something important.
All in all though, headwings are just a very sensitive little set of dongles ontop ones head.
Now that's increadibly helpful, thank you.
Quote from: JaxiD on July 21, 2009, 12:15:00 PM
Now that's increadibly helpful, thank you.
Great, now you can go at and do.....
....okay, you've lost me, how is that information useful in the slightest?
Its helpful in clearing up the debate. :mowtongue
Thanks Amber for clearing that up...I doubted that a pair of exposed, sensitive, delicate appendages on top of your body would be good to have as the source for your power and survival. There's no way the Cubi race could ever have become as powerful as they are with big "KILL ME NOW" targets sticking off them like that.
So head wings are the cubi sign of magical 'puberty'?
Quote from: MT Hazard on July 21, 2009, 06:02:53 PM
So head wings are the cubi sign of magical 'puberty'?
Pretty much.
"Lookie! I got my big boy wings!"
:giggle I will now always refer to my headwings as.. "dongles"
makes me wonder how the muscles and bones are attached to the skull to make them twitch and move. They can't be attached the brain... that would be silly! and attaching to the skull at a 90 degree angle doesn't seem like it would get much support... unless they also grew socket joints...where their brains are so it doesn't affect the curvature of the skull... :mowdizzy ...
I've got it! They've got no brains!
Quote from: ooklah on July 21, 2009, 11:02:56 PM
makes me wonder how the muscles and bones are attached to the skull to make them twitch and move. They can't be attached the brain... that would be silly! and attaching to the skull at a 90 degree angle doesn't seem like it would get much support... unless they also grew socket joints...where their brains are so it doesn't affect the curvature of the skull... :mowdizzy ...
I've got it! They've got no brains!
Alternatively, Cubi wings aren't totally biological, and are mostly magic given form with little actual bone: it's all literally just something like biological magic, which allows the easy shapeshifting and such. They only work because that's how wings are "supposed" to work/look. I'd almost say that demon and angel wings were the same, except A) their wings don't show the same morphability of Cubi wings and B) at least one Demon wing (Regina's) is shown to have actual bones, though to be fair since those bones now seem to be all that's left of one of her wings I guess we can say that angel and demon wings are likewise at least partially magical in addition to being biological. Wings on Furrae seem to demonstrate magical abilities in the beings that have them. But either way, Cubi headwings are most likely pure magic given a biological form on their head. Or something like that. Amber could answer this question better. Help?
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 21, 2009, 11:59:21 AM
dongles
There's something about that word that makes me burst out laughing anytime I hear it.
Quote from: Netrogo on July 22, 2009, 10:58:10 AM
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 21, 2009, 11:59:21 AM
dongles
There's something about that word that makes me burst out laughing anytime I hear it.
Well, it is one of the world's inherently funny words.
Quote from: Netrogo on July 22, 2009, 10:58:10 AM
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 21, 2009, 11:59:21 AM
dongles
There's something about that word that makes me burst out laughing anytime I hear it.
(http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/harveybirdman/images/thumb/0/04/Phil_Ken_Sebben.jpg/270px-Phil_Ken_Sebben.jpg)
HA! HA! Dongles.
The dictionary lists a dongle as an electronic device that must be attached to a computer in order to use protected software, but I always viewed it as any device that plugs into the computer to carry out a function. (such as USB thumb drives and cell phone data modems) However, those of you whose minds tend to travel in certain directions can always have your own definitions.
Of course some people find explanations very disturbing while I view them as normal. For example, I remember once explaining to a colleague the definition of male and female connectors. She had a very strange look on her face. I'm not sure what would have happened had I described such things as hermaphroditic, male to male, and female to female connectors.
So for those of you with excessively prurient thoughts, I will leave you with the thoughts of dongles dangling around you.
Nal: Yeah, I burst out laughing the first time I heard that "male" and "female" were official names for plugs and sockets. I thought the guy describing them was just being humerous at first.
Quote from: Kenji on July 21, 2009, 03:09:45 AM
One way to find out. I'll need a volunteer.
as much as we munch, nibble, and chew on Jouster's ears / headwings? Don't we already HAVE a volunteer?
I have a licensed version of Lightwave. It came with a dongle. I hope I still know where it is...
Quote from: Sofox on July 21, 2009, 01:19:59 PM
Great, now you can go at and do.....
....okay, you've lost me, how is that information useful in the slightest?
I don't know why but I can never find complete admiration for any race or species or character who is literally perfect in every sense of the word. I wanted to know more about the headwings because it seemed to me like a very possible weak spot of the Cubi race, the written description didn’t give me the answer as to what the headwings are actually for and what would happen if a Cubi were to lose them so I decided to find out directly.
If you check out the tower of art I am trying to put together a fan comic set in the same universe as DMFA and I really do need to know everything I need to know if I’m to do it right.
If you or anyone else thinks 'Cubi are perfect, you haven't been reading Abel's Story or the main comic. Notice the arse whupping Danny boy has been receiving from DP or that Abel received in the SAIA arc? Hello clan extinction at the hand of one dragon? Fae and, to a slightly lesser extent, Dragons on the other hand....
As Mao said, Cubi are far from perfect. They have a very interesting bag of tricks, but its just a bunch of tricks. When you get past the tentacles and the shifting and the empathy, Cubi are relatively weak. They just make a better job of puffing themselves up to look like they are the top class.
If you want some weaknesses:
Cubi are less magically powerful, which is probably why the clan leader system is set up. The Clan leader in a way acts as a power reserve which then boosts the magical and powerful abilities to the individual Cubi because on their own...Cubi are not all that magically adept in comparison to some of the other creatures about.
Cubi can shapeshift, but they cannot make themselves indestructable. A demon or an angel can have any part of their body go rock solid indestructable as a reflex. A Cubi only has that option with their wings. Now granted they can morph their wings to go around their body or some really clever ones can make a really fine layer of that across the skin of their vital areas...but they have to make an effort for something demons get naturally. And even than, some demons can even punch through that.
But really, a Cubi's biggest weakness is often just themselves. A Cubi that relies on thought-reading will often be led astray by someone who knows how to mislead their own thoughts. A Cubi that relies on using magic or their wing tentacles in fighting will be at a complete loss when situations occur that don't allow them access to those abilities. Cubi by nature are show-offs, and like a magician...take away their special effects and at their base they are quite pushovers.
Nice info Amber.
Actually, I was wondering a bit about how Demons seem to be seen as more powerful then Cubi in your universe, despite them seemingly not having as many abilities.
Thanks for clearing it up a bit.
Demons don't have the shiny jazz hands that Cubi have...but their abilities are much more solid and reliable. Which makes them seem less impressive, but in actual practice most demons can wipe the floor with most Cubi.
Granted it will also vary on individual basis as well. That's the problem when people base a race's effectiveness only on if they can be beaten in a fight. Because even a being can take down a demon if the being has the skills, training, or just a really lucky shot. There's really only two races in DMFA that can be considered unstoppable.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 12:01:10 PM
Demons don't have the shiny jazz hands that Cubi have...but their abilities are much more solid and reliable. Which makes them seem less impressive, but in actual practice most demons can wipe the floor with most Cubi.
Granted it will also vary on individual basis as well. That's the problem when people base a race's effectiveness only on if they can be beaten in a fight. Because even a being can take down a demon if the being has the skills, training, or just a really lucky shot. There's really only two races in DMFA that can be considered unstoppable.
Mows, and Girl Scouts.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 12:01:10 PM
Demons don't have the shiny jazz hands that Cubi have...but their abilities are much more solid and reliable. Which makes them seem less impressive, but in actual practice most demons can wipe the floor with most Cubi.
Granted it will also vary on individual basis as well. That's the problem when people base a race's effectiveness only on if they can be beaten in a fight. Because even a being can take down a demon if the being has the skills, training, or just a really lucky shot. There's really only two races in DMFA that can be considered unstoppable.
with proper training, that would mean Dan would have an(however slight) advantage over most Cubi in being actually combat proficient to a degree.
also, cubi must be hell at a game of poker.. >:3
Quote from: Turnsky on July 23, 2009, 12:20:01 PM
also, cubi must be hell at a game of poker.. >:3
Yes they are.(http://missmab.com/Demo/Cubi01.php)
Quote from: Garsemor on July 23, 2009, 12:27:55 PM
Quote from: Turnsky on July 23, 2009, 12:20:01 PM
also, cubi must be hell at a game of poker.. >:3
Yes they are.(http://missmab.com/Demo/Cubi01.php)
i was more referring to the 'bluffing' thing. :U
What is that phrase?
The fox has a bag of tricks, the hedgehog has one very good one.
Quote from: Lucheek on July 23, 2009, 12:44:18 PM
What is that phrase?
The fox has a bag of tricks, the hedgehog has one very good one.
I thought it was "The hedgehog can never be buggered at all."
of course, this whole discussion leads to "if they're chopped off, can they grow back?", and the absurd mental image of a Cubi watering little pots with teeny headwings growing in them. :U
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 12:01:10 PM
Demons don't have the shiny jazz hands that Cubi have...
Great now I'm trying to picture DP doing Jazz Hands. Thanks a bunch Amber.
Now I pretty much think of Cubi as exactly as I did before hand, except now I know what happens if they lose their headwings.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:29:28 AMCubi are less magically powerful, which is probably why the clan leader system is set up.
I just wanted to clarify: 'cubi are less magically powerful than a wide variety of Creatures, or (as it seems to be an issue more often) than the average magically-inclined Being?
Quote from: Caswin on July 23, 2009, 08:39:32 PM
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:29:28 AMCubi are less magically powerful, which is probably why the clan leader system is set up.
I just wanted to clarify: 'cubi are less magically powerful than a wide variety of Creatures, or (as it seems to be an issue more often) than the average magically-inclined Being?
A lot of this stuff depends on several variables: the upbringing of the individual, the culture they are raised in, family quirks, personal personality, etc.
If you were to go hypothetical and have an average Cubi and an average magically inclined being...had them raised in a similar environment with similar classes...etc...on a pure magic to magic scale they would likely be dead even. But obviously there are a lot more factors one has to consider other than pure magic.
An example could be given that if it was a pure magic combat, Merlitz would likely be able to wipe the floor with Abel and Aaryanna and Dan. But there is obviously a lot more to fighting than just throwing spells around.
Flipside, Kria could likely wipe the floor with Merlitz simply because (though it hasn't been shown all quite yet) magic isn't very effective on her. So she would likely be able to walk right through Merlitz' spells and deck him. Which flipside, Abel would be highly effective against Kria because he has been trained to deal with up close and physical fighting...which Dan in theory would be able to dominate Abel since Dan specializes in weapons rather than direct hand to hand...and so on and so forth.
It's like I'm watching a DnD scenario playing out in comic form! :U
Roll for initiative! :B
Quote from: Mao Laoren on July 23, 2009, 09:10:31 PM
It's like I'm watching a DnD scenario playing out in comic form! :U
I was thinking more Rock-Paper-Scissors!
Kria beats Merlitz, but Abel beats Kria...
That's verrrrrrrrrrry interesting.
...and it helps put words to where I think the recurring complaints are coming from: How Cubi stack up against Beings -- Beings being the "normal" ones of the lot, the most common race in Furrae, and by far the most relatable to the human audience, making them the most common point of reference by which to judge everyone else. Even if certain individual matchups between Cubi and Beings (specifically involving seasoned fighters like Dan or Merlitz) could go either way, and Cubi themselves don't rank very high on the "Mighty Folk of Furrae" list, compared to Beings at large, Cubi seem to be set apart by nothing but advantages -- tendrils-on-command, shapeshifting, thought-reading, physical strength(?), and a penchant for inflicting pain and terror on weaker creatures to boot.
Therefore, even if Cubi have an inflated ego or an over-reliance on their personal shtick compared to Beings, while a trained adventurer might be able to turn that to their advantage, the average Being is just going to be eviscerated, or otherwise fall prey to whatever that particular Cubi has in mind. Outside of specific and relatively rare scenarios such as a well-prepared adventurer taking the offensive, Cubi range from equal to greatly superior to the "normal" Beings in every practical way.
Quote from: Caswin on July 23, 2009, 10:44:58 PM
Outside of specific and relatively rare scenarios such as a well-prepared adventurer taking the offensive, Cubi range from equal to greatly superior to the "normal" Beings in every practical way.
This is a suprise?
The average Cubi versus the average being? Landslide.
The average Demon versus the average being? Landslide.
The average Mythos versus the average being? Landslide.
The average Dragon versus the average being? Landslide.
The average Fae versus the average being? ...I think it goes without saying.
The only thing I ever wonder is why Cubi get called out on their overpoweredness.
I'm so cool I get to double post. Cause I don't want it to constantly look like I'm changing my previous post as I add more things.
Don't get me wrong. I get it to an extent. Cubi are definately not lightweights when it comes to a fight.
But the thing I have generally tried to stress is there is more to power and winning the day than just who can beat who in a fight. While people may relate the most to the beings, they seem to also be so focused on how they can come up with scenarios to beat the snot out of everything around them...which is ironically...more something the Demon race would relate to well enough.
While the races play to an extent, I generally have always hoped the main focus would be on the individuals and the impacts they did moreso than the race in general. And that it seems to not be the case based on the commentary and speculation means that this is probably a failing in my own storytelling which I will have to focus on fixing in the future.
Average being vs Mow?
Quote from: Chaos on July 23, 2009, 11:57:01 PM
Average being vs Mow?
Oh god...the fanfictions. :<
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:56:17 PM
I'm so cool I get to double post. Cause I don't want it to constantly look like I'm changing my previous post as I add more things.
Don't get me wrong. I get it to an extent. Cubi are definately not lightweights when it comes to a fight.
But the thing I have generally tried to stress is there is more to power and winning the day than just who can beat who in a fight. While people may relate the most to the beings, they seem to also be so focused on how they can come up with scenarios to beat the snot out of everything around them...which is ironically...more something the Demon race would relate to well enough.
While the races play to an extent, I generally have always hoped the main focus would be on the individuals and the impacts they did moreso than the race in general. And that it seems to not be the case based on the commentary and speculation means that this is probably a failing in my own storytelling which I will have to focus on fixing in the future.
That's just the way people are, always wondering who is the strongest. Go to any Gundam forum, and you'll find
dozens of topics along the line of "[blank] Gundam vs. [blank] Gundam, which would win," which eventually degrade into arguments and fanboy tantrums and sulkings and moderators coming down on things... um, anyway. People just like to compare two things to see which is "better." Elves vs. dwarves, angels vs. demons, Star Wars vs. Star Trek... you're just lucky enough to have enough of a fanbase that you get to see this competition firsthand, I guess. And really, when it comes to might makes right contests, beings kinda sorta have to play by Demon rules rather than their own, or at least that whole mentality of the most powerful one being the right one. It kinda sucks.
Cubi really seem to be a more brains over brawn type race, given their limitations. Arguably, I'd say that makes them a bit more dangerous than a demon. But then again, I'm not entirely certain.
I've always found that while some might be more powerful, Cubi would just be the most fun to BE!
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:57:42 PM
Quote from: Chaos on July 23, 2009, 11:57:01 PM
Average being vs Mow?
Oh god...the fanfictions. :<
i see mows being launched over nets with badminton raquets
Silly question time: Would a Cubi be in any way distressed at being stuck in a crowd of Beings who have catchy tunes stuck in their heads?
:mwaha(When Earworms Attack!) :mwaha
"Most Cubi set up filters that pass through only thoughts containing specified keywords"
That should deal with most typical "catchy tunes"... at least I hope so.
//h
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:57:42 PM
Quote from: Chaos on July 23, 2009, 11:57:01 PM
Average being vs Mow?
Oh god...the fanfictions. :<
Slash?
"The Mow slowly undressed, showing just one shoulder at a time, teasingly..."
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:56:17 PM
I'm so cool I get to double post. Cause I don't want it to constantly look like I'm changing my previous post as I add more things.
Don't get me wrong. I get it to an extent. Cubi are definately not lightweights when it comes to a fight.
But the thing I have generally tried to stress is there is more to power and winning the day than just who can beat who in a fight. While people may relate the most to the beings, they seem to also be so focused on how they can come up with scenarios to beat the snot out of everything around them...which is ironically...more something the Demon race would relate to well enough.
While the races play to an extent, I generally have always hoped the main focus would be on the individuals and the impacts they did moreso than the race in general. And that it seems to not be the case based on the commentary and speculation means that this is probably a failing in my own storytelling which I will have to focus on fixing in the future.
To be honest I've always had it in mind that when it comes to fighting it comes down to the individual rather than what race the character belongs to but there's been no proof to back this up, to the point that I began to wonder if what I thought was right or not.
Mainly because every single being character is comic relief almost, how do you say, I can never take any being character seriously whilst Abel and Dan both have gigantic backstories and tons of explanation as to why Cubi are super special awesome.
I mean Cubi are great and everything, but I'd personally like to see some more action involving Merlitz. Casting fire, and all that. Then there would be no contest that beings are capable of being hard core. Or better yet, some being character who can't use magic but makes up for it on the merrit that they are really good at fighting with swords and other weapons. I can't think of who would fit into that.
I do not know, I always liked the underdog.
Well that's just what I think, who else thinks along the same lines? Or am I just stupid?
Quote from: JaxiD on July 24, 2009, 06:59:36 AM
Mainly because every single being character is comic relief almost, how do you say, I can never take any being character seriously whilst Abel and Dan both have gigantic backstories and tons of explanation as to why Cubi are super special awesome.
As I've heard it, a core part of Amber's design process hinges around thinking up backstories for pretty much everyone, because everyone is a person. They don't just appear, they have lived and grown up.
I imagine that DMFA will never feature a rock concert because coming up with the life histories of a 100'000-person audience would kill her :P
Quote from: Tapewolf on July 24, 2009, 08:14:36 AM
As I've heard it, a core part of Amber's design process hinges around thinking up backstories for pretty much everyone, because everyone is a person. They don't just appear, they have lived and grown up.
I imagine that DMFA will never feature a rock concert because coming up with the life histories of a 100'000-person audience would kill her :P
What?
I'm sorry did you misunderstand the point I was trying to make?
I'm saying that most creatures in the comic I see as serious, whilst the beings are basically comic relief.
Quote from: JaxiD on July 24, 2009, 08:47:01 AM
I'm sorry did you misunderstand the point I was trying to make?
I'm saying that most creatures in the comic I see as serious, whilst the beings are basically comic relief.
Perhaps. You appeared to be asserting that only a few Creature characters have full backstories, and that's not exactly true. If that's not what you meant I apologise, but that's how I parsed it.
As for your wider point, I'm not entirely sure I agree. Pretty much every race seems to be fair game for comic relief in the main story - in Abel's Story things are different anyway, but Devin, by and large was pretty serious.
The wings are POWER REGULATORS!!!
If they get ripped off, the cubi will asplode!! :U
Quote from: Tapewolf on July 24, 2009, 08:58:31 AM
but Devin, by and large was pretty serious.
Before getting shot in the head and killed instantly.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:44:28 PM
The only thing I ever wonder is why Cubi get called out on their overpoweredness.
Most likely because they're the most prominent Creatures in the comic by far, from general exposition to eating habits. If we had a general idea about both races, but more Krias eating people whole and less Destanias sucking out the delicious filling, I'm sure it would be Demons catching the flak.
I have nothing I can add to this conversation anymore. I guess I'm done here.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 24, 2009, 10:32:43 AM
I have nothing I can add to this conversation anymore. I guess I'm done here.
you can always add sprinkles! :U
Quote from: Turnsky on July 24, 2009, 10:37:29 AM
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 24, 2009, 10:32:43 AM
I have nothing I can add to this conversation anymore. I guess I'm done here.
you can always add sprinkles! :U
True. :B
Apologies also if that post sounded a bit rude. I mainly wanted to let peeps know that while I did read the thread, I don't really have anything I can add anymore and didn't want people to be left with the impression I didn't even acknowledge their comments. I realize reading it a second time that it could be taken as "well poo on your discussion. I'm done with you." which wasn't my intent.
I'm sure had the timing been different I'd have a lot more to say. But honestly, I'm just about to slam myself with Abel Stories this week and I'm somewhat stressed out from other things. So I'm not going to give any answers of anything that they want. Particularly because I get the feeling we're looking at the same comic but seeing completely different perspectives.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 24, 2009, 10:44:26 AM
Quote from: Turnsky on July 24, 2009, 10:37:29 AM
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 24, 2009, 10:32:43 AM
I have nothing I can add to this conversation anymore. I guess I'm done here.
you can always add sprinkles! :U
True. :B
Apologies also if that post sounded a bit rude. I mainly wanted to let peeps know that while I did read the thread, I don't really have anything I can add anymore and didn't want people to be left with the impression I didn't even acknowledge their comments. I realize reading it a second time that it could be taken as "well poo on your discussion. I'm done with you." which wasn't my intent.
I'm sure had the timing been different I'd have a lot more to say. But honestly, I'm just about to slam myself with Abel Stories this week and I'm somewhat stressed out from other things. So I'm not going to give any answers of anything that they want. Particularly because I get the feeling we're looking at the same comic but seeing completely different perspectives.
That's fair enough, truth be told i'd do the same if i were in your shoes. now sit back, relax, have a cold drink, and try and soothe your soul, sounds like you need it. :3
Careful, the sprinkles are also cursed.
I...
I love spinkles...
Quote from: Mao Laoren on July 24, 2009, 10:47:55 AM
Careful, the sprinkles are also cursed.
Do the sprinkles come on a frogert? Which is also cursed? :3
Quote from: JaxiD on July 24, 2009, 06:59:36 AMMainly because every single being character is comic relief almost...
They are? I certainly don't view Alexsi, Biggs, and Wildy as any more comic relief than Dan or Able are, and they seems less so of comic relief than Kria, Fi or Regina.
Quote from: JaxiD on July 24, 2009, 10:00:14 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on July 24, 2009, 08:58:31 AM
but Devin, by and large was pretty serious.
Before getting shot in the head and killed instantly.
Sorry, but that part of Able's story wasn't exactly the part that had me laughing, if that was intended to be comedic; then I guess I should have thought Saving Private Ryan was supposed to be a side splitting comedy too.
Quote from: JaxiD on July 24, 2009, 06:59:36 AMI mean Cubi are great and everything, but I'd personally like to see some more action involving Merlitz. ...
If I'm not mistaken I think Merlitz was someone else's character from Frucadia, and Amber was asked to remove him from the story line.
Quote from: Kage on July 24, 2009, 11:52:27 AM
If I'm not mistaken I think Merlitz was someone else's character from Frucadia, and Amber was asked to remove him from the story line.
When I saw that line, what came to mind was the idea of the online community of Fruitcakeia. Everybody crazy, all the time.
Quote from: Kage on July 24, 2009, 11:52:27 AM
If I'm not mistaken I think Merlitz was someone else's character from Frucadia, and Amber was asked to remove him from the story line.
While I've not heard that one, it is important to point out that all of the main characters are someone else's character that Amber was just given permission to use, and they've all grown and developed as their own characters since that day. Though, as always, Amber knows better than me.
It is true there were several characters at the start of DMFA that were based off friends of mine. While characters like Dan and Jyrras are pretty much mine for the sake of things, there are several characters who's ownership is still relatively the other individuals. Merlitz, Aaryanna and Azlan in particular come to mind as characters who I personally consider more the original owners than my own. (Wildy comes in close but in terms of hands-onlyness Wildy's owner has generally been very easygoing over the antics of her character in the comic)
If people really want the nitty gritty as to why Merlitz has never been featuered much even though he would probably be the best example of a being with decent abilities...its really two parts. The main one being that due to the fact I don't consider Merlitz my own character so much as someone else's, I feel less free to take liberties with the character and as a result the character's personality became crippled. Merlitz is, unfortunately, a very boring character in terms of personality. Outside of him being the straight-man or the guy who gets annoyed at the other characters, he doesn't really have all that much interesting personality to him. And he likely never will because I don't feel comfortable using that character outside of general non-intrusive instances. Hence partially why he got written to a very off distant character. I will never be able to write Merlitz as a character I want to write because I would always have to worry about whether or not the original Merlitz is out there reading the comic and being upset at how his character is now being portrayed.
The same goes for Aaryanna and triply with Alexsi, who's original owner was no only a friend but who passed away due to cancer. Even though at this point I likely would have full rights to Alexsi...it feels INCREDIBLY unnerving doing stuff with Alexsi outside of general harmless...but ultimately boring instances.
All in all, it boils down to an unfortunate situation in that the reason some of the creature characters get more depth and interest is simply because I can get away with it. Characters like Dan, Abel, Lorenda, Mab, Jyrras, Kria, Dark Pegasus, Destania, Fa'Lina, even Regina...I can go to town and back with those characters without worrying about offending a secondary owner. I can smack em around, drag em through the mud, take potshot jokes at their expense much easier. Where as characters like Alexsi, Merlitz, Aaryanna, Wildy, and Azlan will always have something holding them back to an extent.
So yeah...there is probably an issue where beings aren't getting as easily represented. And part of it is because the main being representatives are characters who I also have my hands tied in how to handle them...which has been resulting in my slowly trying to idle them to the side. Where as the majority of Creature characters are fully my own so I have full leverage to go crazy with. Which granted...like in the case of Devin...resulted in him getting his stupid head killed but then brought back later as an Undead. But it's a freedom that I could never do with Merlitz or Aliyka.
In future comic projects, I have learned to avoid sprinkling too much other property into the pot. However in DMFA's case, while I realize there is a dichotomy of interests thus it seems like there is a dichotomy of power...the solutions short of just a story arch of Beings slaughtering Creatures are not as easy to bring about overnight. Particularly with my update schedule.
I'm getting lost in translation, sorry.
I think any storyline involving beings would be pretty rad, or any race other than Cubi.
What I wanted to know was answered long ago in any case.
Sorry if this seems off topic but seeing as the topic was suposed to be about headwings it seems anything I say would fit in regardless of the topic. What I feel about DMFA, the most appealing part of the comic is the ideal of the universe it is set in. It is why I keep reading it, because I want to know more about the world the characters are in. It is an amazing world with a very in depth and detailed story behind it, so I will read the comic because everything that you write is completely canon and just adds more to the Furae universe. The comics themselves are great, although as I don’t think in English I can’t actually understand most written jokes because of them being lost in translation.
So if someone can make someone who cannot understand jokes like a comedic comic, then that person must be doing something definitely right.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 24, 2009, 12:49:20 PM
*character ownership commentary*
You know, every time this comes up, I'm always worried that it's touching a nerve with you. I know that comment alone could spark rumors upon rumors but I really hope that it's just my imagination.
Aww... too bad. I was looking forward to seeing more of Merlitz. But I understand that it's hard to write other people's characters. The few times I've thought about doing it I realized I just couldn't.
As someone who enjoys a good story, and even more so, the mechanics behind said story, I found this thread, with all of it's various topic twists and tangents (and author/artist commentary) both highly informative, and highly entertaining.
Quote from: Amber Williams on July 23, 2009, 11:56:17 PM
While the races play to an extent, I generally have always hoped the main focus would be on the individuals and the impacts they did moreso than the race in general. And that it seems to not be the case based on the commentary and speculation means that this is probably a failing in my own storytelling which I will have to focus on fixing in the future.
Amber, to be honest, I've always gotten the DMFA is far more about the characters and their reactions to events then any sort of species/race divisions or categorizations. You've always just like playing around with personalities, with different races just being another thing in the mix that they deal with.
To be honest, I've always preferred character based stories. You gain insights into new ways at looking at the world, and events progress more naturally when they are motivated by a characters decisions and personality, rather then an author-ordained plot (not that plot can't be used or anything).
And yeah, it is ironic that when talking about different races which springs up ideas such as how cultures would be different, how society would stabalise itself, how to deal if you're a being invited to an all demon wedding (it's had to have happened in your universe at some point); that a lot of readers seem to focus on ye old "who would win in a fight?" It gets more rediculous when you consider a fight can have numerous variables from terrain to state of the fighters to reason to fight, pure unadulterated blind luck and so forth. The idea that one fighter would be "stronger" then another, on a general non specific basis covering all areas, as you've said is a very demonic concept.