The eagle, obviously, is a symbolic representation of the sky elves. Eagles, Falcons, and birds of prey are often represented as majestic rulers of the sky (See, US Bald Eagle, Horus, Falcon/Sky God of Egypt, etc). Therefore, it seems likely that Sky Elves would use these creatures to symbolize their strength.
Secondly, these symbolic representations are structured to be as pillars, either guarding or holding up that which is behind them. This means that they could be literal stone guardians of the basin, or the underlying belief system upon which sky elf achievements have all been built. If we assume they are symbolic representations of the pillars of their society, then we must move on to decipher the meaning of the rose and bone.
Another thing to note, the birds of prey look to be some hybridization or eagle/lions rather than strictly an avian form. This means that the sky elves seemed to recognize that, despite their superiority of the air, there is a necessity for the land as well. Anyway, back to the rose and bone.
The rose is oftentimes a symbol of love in our society. Yet among them there exists a pretense of “every rose has its thorns” or that there exists pain in beauty as well. Further, the rose in hand is not extended outwards in a gesture of giving or love, but is instead grasped tightly and held close to its chest. This could symbolize the idea that “you must take to get what you desire” or “I will not let go of this gift easily.”
Next, the bone held by the other statue is broken at one end. It, then, is more of a bone/stake than a full bone. Bones are a symbol of death or dying in many societies, and the added meaning of a bone “that is broken” would be death “through violence.” It could also be meant as a warning to against those who come to grasp the basin.
Excuse me, sorry. My bullshit meter is running low. Believe you me, if I were in top condition I could write like 10 pages on this one page alone.
Actually those aren’t Eagles, they appear to be Gryphon’s which represent something else entirely. Gryphons have always been depicted as guardians of treasure. Gryphons themselves depict gold, as they represent the wealth of the sun at dawn, the gold in the east. They are also said to line their nests, called Eyries, with pure gold, woe be to the traveler looking to steal it.
In Christian symbolism, the Gryphon originally represented Satan and evil, but later came to represent Christ, especially his dual nature, both divine and earthly, as the Gryphon had mastery of both land and sky, and was noble and majestic. Gryphons were said to kill serpents and basilisks, both embodiments of evil, thus protecting mankind. Gryphons symbolize both strength and wisdom combined in heraldry. On medieval buildings, Gryphons were often used as gargoyles, great stone guardians.
If i remember right (and i#m far to lazy to look for the exact archive page now) ,his whole prophecy thing that he has gotten from a village Granny was false,or at least it was not Best that was the hero but someone who came shortly after him in the village.
sooo…… i#m reallly interested what the Basin will show Best,or better how our mighty hero will react if he is not such a important hero as he thinks.
On the other hand, he IS a Player Character and they always are the important ones….meh i guess something will workout.
I think Best may be in for a shock, then the others may be able to help him realize that he’s capable of writing his own destiny. The simple act of believing what everyone was saying about him turned him into a hero when he thought he was a nobody. Now he just needs to realize that he had the potential to be a hero all along, he just lacked self confidence.
Is it odd of me to say I actually really like the back view of Byron? I mean he just looks several times mroe badass for some reason. Thoughts? Comments?
I love how everyone in the group looks like they knew that was coming as much as we did. There’s likely some serious eye-rolling going on on the other sides of those heads right now.
Also I keep wondering why Best is being so thankful and humble about this venture. They’re in there with him because he helped bring them back from the dead and he demanded they pay their debt to him. I would have thought he’d be eager to remind them of that instead of tell them how grateful he is.
His behavior is inconsistent, wobbling among “classic Best”, “hammy hero Best,” “Hey, he does care Best” and “Aw, he has feelings after all Best.” His behavior toward Byron alone since the resurrection has been all over the map. This is why, no matter how competent an adventurer he is, it seems to me that no matter what he does or says or who he saves, everything ultimately comes back to what’s best for him (no pun intended) in any given situation, and wanting people to adore him. If he were a real person I had to deal with, I would find him very suspicious, particularly since all of his nice and many of his heroic moments come across as overacted.
Now, he could very well be a complicated person wrestling with his identity and how to behave, but it will take a lot more to make me like him or accept him as a true hero.
1) He’s thrilled at the idea of the Spirit leading him to his destiny, but annoyed that he it would involve as lowly as digging. He is understandably angry that he’s been tricked, but shows no concern over the reason why.
2) He’s condescending: he blows off Gravedust’s thanks. The party are a bunch of inept losers. Byron is a coward and a murderer and wimp.
3) He insists the party is in debt to him and demands their help, and insults Byron into agreeing…but why, given his disdain, highly-successful hero career, and claims the basin quest should be a cakewalk? Well, I’m guessing it’s so he can have an audience for his heroics, and show them who’s awesome.
4) At the library, he insults Byron again, and shoves him in front of a guardian. Why? To cause a distraction so he can do his thing. But then he saves Byron, and appears incredulous that Byron would be surprised. Why save Byron? It makes him look good…heroes save people, and oh, poor Byron needed saving.
5) In the early chapters, he largely ignores Syrn’j, but literally changes his tune to a subtle “I’m sensitive” serenade…when she figures out how to get him out of the mirror trap, in which he is clearly afraid.
6) He prevents Byron from going berserk by singing a suddenly really relevant sympathetic tune–brave and impressive and totally in contrast to his prior dialog with the man–and then seems so overtly wounded that the others would be surprised. The bottom line is it saved himself, and made himself look good and “sensitive” to the others.
7) He tries to tell the group that he appreciates them, and wants to share his vision of his destiny in the basin–but doesn’t suggest they use it. He accidentally calls them “backup.” He has a well-timed tear in his eye–or maybe it’s genuine…because he thinks he’s about to get what he desires. And after declaring how much he wants to share the moment with his “comrades,” he dashes off without them.
My interpretation is that everything has to do with what will make him the Beloved Epic Hero of Prophesy. Just because he performs astonishing feats and saves people doesn’t mean he cares. So, I agree with the people who argued that “hero doesn’t equal good and moral”…what I’m not buying is that he is changing or has any level of sincerity except where his own self is concerned.
I agree with the majority of what you say. Certainly the overall analysis of his character seems spot on to me. The angle you come at it from though is quite illuminating. As a whole it’s all quite well laid out and formulated.
Wow. Run Best, run! I’m curious to see what’s in the basin now. :3
A shark, obviously.
“You will choke to death on your own vomit”
“goddammit!”
Heh. I got a bad feeling about this. Maybe it’s the Sephiroth pauldrons.
Holy crap, cannot unsee!
“Ha ha ha. It’s not me!”
might explain why he uses the term “mother”
Oh God. I’m actually getting caught up in his excitement. He’s like a kid on Christmas.
…disappointments are coming aren’t they?
Of course not. The creators would never be that cruel to their characters. Ever. How can you suggest such a thing? :)
I bet it kills him. >:-D
Oh, wow. Best’s face is quite face-like, here. It’s like he’s trying to face his face through the screen and show me just what a face his face is.
And is that a tear? Oh Best, you ham.
translation: This seems really serious.
First panel, I heard the theme to Raiders of the Lost Ark
Last Panel, I heard the theme to a Bennie Hill skit.
oh my god that’s too funny – “Make the music STOP” Damn you Bennie
Argh! Not “Yakety Sax”! Now I’m going to be hearing it in my head at work all day…Gah…
The world can always use more “Yakety Sax.” :P
…what? No cowbell?
Oh. Right. Sorry, wrong skit show…
The ultimate horror: a mashup of Eminem’s “Without Me” and Yakety Sax laid over Doctor Who clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5A05MaeGNM
Particularly frightening is how well the mashup itself works. Warning: it will infest your brain.
My brain hurts.
Be careful, shit elf. Destiny is a mother.
Maybe he’ll find he’s all washed up. Or see how he’ll kick the bucket.
10 skittles says that the basin has been stolen by Bandit.
A rose and a bone… Hm. Motifs?
Rose and a Bone could symbolize Life and Death.
It’s a blooming trap is what it is.
Someday you’ll die and rot away to become a skeleton, and that’s you’re bloomin’ lot.
What isn’t?
Life is full of thorns, and when you die you’re boned.
Pretty sure that’s all that needs to be inferred.
Possibly something about boning and deflowering.
I think good sir you mean interred.
You wilt me, good sir or madam. To the skeletal core!
Well, let’s take this piece by piece.
The eagle, obviously, is a symbolic representation of the sky elves. Eagles, Falcons, and birds of prey are often represented as majestic rulers of the sky (See, US Bald Eagle, Horus, Falcon/Sky God of Egypt, etc). Therefore, it seems likely that Sky Elves would use these creatures to symbolize their strength.
Secondly, these symbolic representations are structured to be as pillars, either guarding or holding up that which is behind them. This means that they could be literal stone guardians of the basin, or the underlying belief system upon which sky elf achievements have all been built. If we assume they are symbolic representations of the pillars of their society, then we must move on to decipher the meaning of the rose and bone.
Another thing to note, the birds of prey look to be some hybridization or eagle/lions rather than strictly an avian form. This means that the sky elves seemed to recognize that, despite their superiority of the air, there is a necessity for the land as well. Anyway, back to the rose and bone.
The rose is oftentimes a symbol of love in our society. Yet among them there exists a pretense of “every rose has its thorns” or that there exists pain in beauty as well. Further, the rose in hand is not extended outwards in a gesture of giving or love, but is instead grasped tightly and held close to its chest. This could symbolize the idea that “you must take to get what you desire” or “I will not let go of this gift easily.”
Next, the bone held by the other statue is broken at one end. It, then, is more of a bone/stake than a full bone. Bones are a symbol of death or dying in many societies, and the added meaning of a bone “that is broken” would be death “through violence.” It could also be meant as a warning to against those who come to grasp the basin.
Excuse me, sorry. My bullshit meter is running low. Believe you me, if I were in top condition I could write like 10 pages on this one page alone.
Actually those aren’t Eagles, they appear to be Gryphon’s which represent something else entirely. Gryphons have always been depicted as guardians of treasure. Gryphons themselves depict gold, as they represent the wealth of the sun at dawn, the gold in the east. They are also said to line their nests, called Eyries, with pure gold, woe be to the traveler looking to steal it.
In Christian symbolism, the Gryphon originally represented Satan and evil, but later came to represent Christ, especially his dual nature, both divine and earthly, as the Gryphon had mastery of both land and sky, and was noble and majestic. Gryphons were said to kill serpents and basilisks, both embodiments of evil, thus protecting mankind. Gryphons symbolize both strength and wisdom combined in heraldry. On medieval buildings, Gryphons were often used as gargoyles, great stone guardians.
Reminds me of the movie Dellamorte Dellamore which, of course, has a death/love theme.
The film is known as “The Cemetery Man” to you yanks.
And what of the Asians? ;_;
They better start learning Italian.
Ahh yes, that movie was as bizarre as it was amusing. Those Italians sure have some curious themes. :)
It’s probably my most favorite movie of all time. It’s actually loosely based on the Dylan Dog comics.
I think best is in for a case of future shock
I bet it turns him into Bandit.
Bake likes this.
Man, why do I get this bad feeling that something analogous to Sephiroth finding out his a Monster Fetus is going to occur?
If he puts his identity disk in that beam, he can communicate with the Users….
You know, that would be horrifically appropriate…
+1
If i remember right (and i#m far to lazy to look for the exact archive page now) ,his whole prophecy thing that he has gotten from a village Granny was false,or at least it was not Best that was the hero but someone who came shortly after him in the village.
sooo…… i#m reallly interested what the Basin will show Best,or better how our mighty hero will react if he is not such a important hero as he thinks.
On the other hand, he IS a Player Character and they always are the important ones….meh i guess something will workout.
One moral of the story that will be expressed through Best is going to be that relying on someone else to dictate your future is retarded.
That’s my prophecy, anyway. Hopefully Best stops running after prophecies and stops looking through reams of newspapers for the astrology sections.
The next page better not be a chapter title. }:-[
Bucket of Truth, called it 10 pages back.
All he’s going to see in that basin is a giant mustache.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/564322
Well, we did name him Colonel Pornstache for a reason…
I keep wanting to make a “Pick of Destiny” joke, but I can’t find the right way to go about it.
Best reaches the top of the stairs to find Bandit iflagrante delecto enjoying a magic warmed soak in the basin.
Err, I hope you know that term doesn’t just mean “naked.”
Pretty sure there’s a horcrux in there…. (pushes up glasses)
Man, I slept late, and everyone got all the comments I was gonna make. I’m slipping down on mah job! :P
I have to say, though, that first panel is pretty damn epic. Really nice job on the art today John!
Thank you, Hawk.
I think Best may be in for a shock, then the others may be able to help him realize that he’s capable of writing his own destiny. The simple act of believing what everyone was saying about him turned him into a hero when he thought he was a nobody. Now he just needs to realize that he had the potential to be a hero all along, he just lacked self confidence.
Also, Glowy-Eye Gravedust is kinda creepy. Reminds me of- ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOGRAVEDUST.
Someone needs to make this .gif
What, no string of punnies today? I’m bowled over by disappointment. D:
To be fair, the alt text often steals our thunder nowadays.
Well maybe you shouldn’t be basin your expectations on vague insight.
Sir, I am appalled. Surely you could come up with a better pun than the one stair-ing you in the face?
If Payet falls off the right side of the stairs, perhaps he’ll find he has a bone to pick.
Also, I’m amused by how often Payet just reverted back to full-throttle douchebag.
*quickly. No idea why I wrote often. (Probably a tagalong from my previous post)
I’m hoping Best will either see this:
http://pabloperez.files.wordpress.com/2006/12/tv-bars-desk.gif
Or this:
http://www.pegasusventures.net/wordpressblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/8ballaskagain.gif
There’s light coming from above…perhaps Byron’s new friend is using it as a birdbath.
Is it odd of me to say I actually really like the back view of Byron? I mean he just looks several times mroe badass for some reason. Thoughts? Comments?
It’s probably just hindsight.
In panel 1, Syr looks kinda like Jughead.
I’m … trepidatious. Something tells me that basin is going to be full of killy things, or is itself a killy thing pretending to be a basin.
I love how everyone in the group looks like they knew that was coming as much as we did. There’s likely some serious eye-rolling going on on the other sides of those heads right now.
ESPECIALLY Gravedust’s.
Also I keep wondering why Best is being so thankful and humble about this venture. They’re in there with him because he helped bring them back from the dead and he demanded they pay their debt to him. I would have thought he’d be eager to remind them of that instead of tell them how grateful he is.
His behavior is inconsistent, wobbling among “classic Best”, “hammy hero Best,” “Hey, he does care Best” and “Aw, he has feelings after all Best.” His behavior toward Byron alone since the resurrection has been all over the map. This is why, no matter how competent an adventurer he is, it seems to me that no matter what he does or says or who he saves, everything ultimately comes back to what’s best for him (no pun intended) in any given situation, and wanting people to adore him. If he were a real person I had to deal with, I would find him very suspicious, particularly since all of his nice and many of his heroic moments come across as overacted.
Now, he could very well be a complicated person wrestling with his identity and how to behave, but it will take a lot more to make me like him or accept him as a true hero.
I find your attitudes towards him interesting. Enlightening. Brought some factors to the table I hadn’t considered.
Particular recent examples:
1) He’s thrilled at the idea of the Spirit leading him to his destiny, but annoyed that he it would involve as lowly as digging. He is understandably angry that he’s been tricked, but shows no concern over the reason why.
2) He’s condescending: he blows off Gravedust’s thanks. The party are a bunch of inept losers. Byron is a coward and a murderer and wimp.
3) He insists the party is in debt to him and demands their help, and insults Byron into agreeing…but why, given his disdain, highly-successful hero career, and claims the basin quest should be a cakewalk? Well, I’m guessing it’s so he can have an audience for his heroics, and show them who’s awesome.
4) At the library, he insults Byron again, and shoves him in front of a guardian. Why? To cause a distraction so he can do his thing. But then he saves Byron, and appears incredulous that Byron would be surprised. Why save Byron? It makes him look good…heroes save people, and oh, poor Byron needed saving.
5) In the early chapters, he largely ignores Syrn’j, but literally changes his tune to a subtle “I’m sensitive” serenade…when she figures out how to get him out of the mirror trap, in which he is clearly afraid.
6) He prevents Byron from going berserk by singing a suddenly really relevant sympathetic tune–brave and impressive and totally in contrast to his prior dialog with the man–and then seems so overtly wounded that the others would be surprised. The bottom line is it saved himself, and made himself look good and “sensitive” to the others.
7) He tries to tell the group that he appreciates them, and wants to share his vision of his destiny in the basin–but doesn’t suggest they use it. He accidentally calls them “backup.” He has a well-timed tear in his eye–or maybe it’s genuine…because he thinks he’s about to get what he desires. And after declaring how much he wants to share the moment with his “comrades,” he dashes off without them.
My interpretation is that everything has to do with what will make him the Beloved Epic Hero of Prophesy. Just because he performs astonishing feats and saves people doesn’t mean he cares. So, I agree with the people who argued that “hero doesn’t equal good and moral”…what I’m not buying is that he is changing or has any level of sincerity except where his own self is concerned.
I agree with the majority of what you say. Certainly the overall analysis of his character seems spot on to me. The angle you come at it from though is quite illuminating. As a whole it’s all quite well laid out and formulated.
Thank you! That’s what I’ve been trying to get across!
And then he got raped…
It’s always the pretty boys :C