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Annotations Every Day - Written by T Campbell & Flo Kahn - Illustrated by John & Jason Waltrip

'That's not true! I'm way better at turning it into ale. Unfortunately, it's a trick I can only do at the tavern.'

Chapter 12 – Page 10

on August 12, 2011
Chapter: Chapter 12
└ Tags: Bandit, E-Merl, Gravedust, Rachel, Scipio, Syr'Nj
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Discussion (99) ¬

    • To Belgium! Again! | E-merl.com ~ New Experiments In Fiction
      December 6, 2011, 11:09 am | #
  1. Pikey
    Pikey
    August 12, 2011, 12:03 am | # | Reply

    Yeah, so what, I can turn ale into urine. Next!

    • Valdrax
      Valdrax
      August 12, 2011, 3:57 am | # | Reply

      I’m American. I don’t find myself all that impressed by the “change.”

      • Phil
        Flo
        August 12, 2011, 10:39 am | # | Reply

        Gold Star.

  2. Moe Lane
    Moe Lane
    August 12, 2011, 12:04 am | # | Reply

    He’s going to need better sleeves. As in, ones that actually exist.

    • gangler
      gangler
      August 12, 2011, 12:10 am | # | Reply

      He has short sleeves. They go all the way to his elbows. That’s more sleeve than anyone will ever need.

    • SteelRaven
      SteelRaven
      August 12, 2011, 12:16 am | # | Reply

      What better way to prov you have nothing up your sleeves than by removing them.

      • Rowen Morland
        Rowen Morland
        August 15, 2011, 9:12 am | # | Reply

        :D

  3. gangler
    gangler
    August 12, 2011, 12:09 am | # | Reply

    Okay, he’s awesome. With just those three tricks alone we’ll find like a thousand and one uses for him and he’s got a 100% winning personality. Someone called him a Dandy of the Streets and that is just the perfect term for him.

    I’m so excited I don’t even want to do the rest of the preparation and introductions. We need to just run off and into the field right now so we can see him in action^^

    • Dotcom
      Dotcom
      August 12, 2011, 8:02 am | # | Reply

      ITA. So the question is can he be someone new who logged in or is he part of the “game.” He seems a little too…I don’t know…charismatic….*real*. This whole game thing really made things more complicated. :)

  4. Tatsu
    Tatsu
    August 12, 2011, 12:09 am | # | Reply

    I’m from the Streets..now imagining kick ass strete level gang fights..WITH MAGIC

    • SteelRaven
      SteelRaven
      August 12, 2011, 12:19 am | # | Reply

      Looks more like the type that got his ass kicked

      • Mujaki
        Mujaki
        August 12, 2011, 4:59 am | # | Reply

        That only happened ONC… er, okay TWI…. No, wait, there was that other time that… Well, let’s just say that it has been quite a while since the last time, okay?

    • Lee Cherolis
      Lee Cherolis
      August 12, 2011, 6:23 am | # | Reply

      @Tatsu – it’s not magic but close: Jedi Gang Fight http://youtu.be/KG1ECAkTEfA

      • Tatsu
        Tatsu
        August 12, 2011, 9:03 am | # | Reply

        Ah thanks very nice.But somethin bout it seemed a bit cheesy. I’d have just been long distance electric spamming people

  5. Sentora
    Sentora
    August 12, 2011, 12:11 am | # | Reply

    This might be a crazy thought but…this guy reminds me so much of Best’s player that I’m wondering if it’s one of the personalities he mentioned.

    • SteelRaven
      SteelRaven
      August 12, 2011, 12:17 am | # | Reply

      It would be crazy if Best was a NPC and this guy was the dude in the tube.

    • Ash
      Ash
      August 12, 2011, 2:46 am | # | Reply

      I think it is possible.

    • Ash
      Ash
      August 12, 2011, 3:42 am | # | Reply

      I agree with this theory. I think it’s a distinct possibility.

    • Valdrax
      Valdrax
      August 12, 2011, 4:02 am | # | Reply

      I dunno. Because of that bit about “many stage personas,” I won’t be surprised if the system finds a way to stick him back in as someone else, but I would be surprised if it’s this soon.

    • Rook
      Rook
      August 12, 2011, 5:33 am | # | Reply

      If that’s how it is I would have to wonder why Best didn’t just go straight to playing this persona

      Because already E-Merl’s like 10x more interesting <.<

      • zack of hiskatana
        zack of hiskatana
        August 12, 2011, 10:43 am | # | Reply

        also ten times less of a douche.

        sure he stumbles with insulting pretty much everybody, but it was entirely accidental. So hey, i forgive him

    • Doop doop
      Doop doop
      August 12, 2011, 5:36 am | # | Reply

      The Payet Best character wasn’t enjoyed by his fellow players so he decided to get on his alt?

      Who is AWESOME. He’s some kind of thief mage thing. On top of his low powered nuke, illusion magic, and his oddly powerful shield, he probably has incredibly knife skills. None of that dickish hero self with a legendarily powerful one character only weapon.

      If this is Best’s alt you could say he E-merliorated (ameliorated) his old character.

      • gangler
        gangler
        August 12, 2011, 6:30 am | # | Reply

        He’s a traveling street performer with a minor understanding of magic and a collection of magical items from his journeys that he uses with skill and grace. A social creature by nature who’s entirely too charming and seems like he’d work best by allowing the manifold companions he gathers over the course of his journeys to work to their full potential. A well rounded jack of all trades with a trick up his short sleeves for many an eventuality.

        He’s a bard.

    • Gundi
      Gundi
      August 12, 2011, 8:30 am | # | Reply

      I don’t see why this guy can’t just be virtual. If this “game” has the sort of technology necessary to make virtual reality a reality,(No pun intended.) I don’t see why it couldn’t have programmed characters that were, for all intents and purposes, thinking and feeling. Otherwise I think the PCs would get suspicious. I mean imagine walking up to somone and the only thing they’d say to you is “I am Error.)

      • Gundi
        Gundi
        August 12, 2011, 8:31 am | # | Reply

        Also, I love that I got Gravedust.

        • The Auld Grump
          The Auld Grump
          August 14, 2011, 4:51 am | # | Reply

          Gravedust works for me, too….

      • Gillsing
        Gillsing
        August 12, 2011, 1:41 pm | # | Reply

        What do you mean, “no pun intended”? Are you some kind of heretic in these lands? Last I heard, every pun is sacred.

        • Phil
          Flo
          August 12, 2011, 8:30 pm | # | Reply

          Every pun is good.

          • Geigan
            Geigan
            August 13, 2011, 2:59 am | # | Reply

            If a pun is wasted, the comments get quite irate.

            • Robtimus
              Robtimus
              August 13, 2011, 2:13 pm | # | Reply

              Indeed.

              • centuriancode
                centuriancode
                August 14, 2011, 5:11 am | # | Reply

                You know, GA could do with an official anthem…

                • Jean-Luc
                  Jean-Luc
                  August 14, 2011, 4:09 pm | # | Reply

                  It has one: http://dainsaint.com/post/2421513905/ive-been-itching-to-write-a-piece-that-felt-like

                  • centuriancode
                    centuriancode
                    August 16, 2011, 7:41 am | # | Reply

                    Now, to split hairs to the part of ridicularity, is that not soundtrack? An athem needs words! And a second verse that no-one can remember so we just sing “nyeh, nyeh, nyeh” until the chorus comes ’round again!

      • Mightysmiley
        Mightysmiley
        August 14, 2011, 3:02 pm | # | Reply

        an awesome bard

  6. alicemacher
    alicemacher
    August 12, 2011, 12:11 am | # | Reply

    I like this E-Merl guy already.

  7. Oamu
    Oamu
    August 12, 2011, 12:15 am | # | Reply

    I like this guy. I feel like he’ll be the first one that gets maimed or horribly killed when things go wrong, but I like him.

    • Randonimity
      Randonimity
      August 12, 2011, 1:40 am | # | Reply

      Seconding this. Plus, that grin makes him adorable *w*

  8. Fairportfan
    Fairportfan
    August 12, 2011, 12:19 am | # | Reply

    Oh – i like Big Swordy Cigar Guy.

    And E-Merl will be useful if only as something to keep the Bad Guys’ attention off the dangerous people.

  9. Fairportfan
    Fairportfan
    August 12, 2011, 12:19 am | # | Reply

    Oh – i like Big Swordy Cigar Guy.

    And E-Merl will be useful if only as something to keep the Bad Guys’ attention off the dangerous people on Our Side.

    • Fairportfan
      Fairportfan
      August 12, 2011, 12:20 am | # | Reply

      Sorry about the double post. Don’t know what happened.

  10. 1d4caltrop
    1d4caltrop
    August 12, 2011, 12:35 am | # | Reply

    Yes, I consider myself to be above combat. Y do you axis?

    • Karishi
      Karishi
      August 12, 2011, 2:19 am | # | Reply

      No, Byron! I said “axis,” not-
      *trisected*

      • Tachyon
        Tachyon
        August 12, 2011, 4:18 am | # | Reply

        BAM!

    • ahdok
      ahdok
      August 12, 2011, 6:06 am | # | Reply

      I wondered if you could rise to the challenge.

  11. Jean-Luc
    Jean-Luc
    August 12, 2011, 12:47 am | # | Reply

    Cool guys keep their eyes closed and their cigars clenched.

    I’ve a feeling that even though Merl isn’t a front line type of guy, he’ll still be saving the party’s ass a lot.

  12. Doma
    Doma
    August 12, 2011, 1:34 am | # | Reply

    Big Guy with the short n’ sweet zinger.

    • Valdrax
      Valdrax
      August 12, 2011, 4:04 am | # | Reply

      Personally, I would’ve gone with “hot air,” but a good first line, nonetheless.

  13. Tecani
    Tecani
    August 12, 2011, 1:37 am | # | Reply

    I think I like this shit elf way better than the last one.

  14. Timelost
    Timelost
    August 12, 2011, 1:41 am | # | Reply

    This guy is clever and charming and likable, I bet he’s a traitor of some sort.

    We should kill him now.

    • Pikey
      Pikey
      August 12, 2011, 2:19 am | # | Reply

      I had a party whose watchword during any given encounter with NPCs was “He’s a doppleganger, kill him!”

      Sometimes between PCs, too.

      Good times, good times.

      • Nekropancser
        Nekropancser
        August 12, 2011, 1:38 pm | # | Reply

        There is a saying, a last line of sorts:
        “Why is that, that if priests say: it is an illusion, the monsters vanish, but if we say: it is an illusion, we are eaten?” By a guy, who refused to play magic users, stating, that it is a form of cheating. Yeah… he was half right.

        • Running joke
          Running joke
          August 13, 2011, 3:27 am | # | Reply

          I think there’s one in every other gaming group. Ours called magic “condoned cheating”.

          • centuriancode
            centuriancode
            August 14, 2011, 5:14 am | # | Reply

            For us, it was the skill checks. Apparently, with a high enough bluff, the goods will believe they are fish. The campaign never quite recovered.

  15. Karishi
    Karishi
    August 12, 2011, 2:31 am | # | Reply

    And now, the guild members check their E-Merl.
    Can we just Scipio ver the other two? I’d rather see whether Byron’s rage’ll win out versus Syr’nj’s Science.

    Anyone got a better pun for Rachel than “rage’ll”? For such a common name it’s a doozy to pun.

  16. The Indomitable Eric
    The Indomitable Eric
    August 12, 2011, 2:46 am | # | Reply

    Next thing you know he’ll berate people for looking for miracles.

  17. Alex "Flipside"
    Alex "Flipside"
    August 12, 2011, 2:46 am | # | Reply

    I, for one, think that someone who’s character concept is relying on “magic doodads” that he didn’t enchant is asking to be disarmed.

    • FoolishOwl
      FoolishOwl
      August 12, 2011, 4:01 pm | # | Reply

      So are “sword saints”. They’re still useful people to have around.

    • Timelost
      Timelost
      August 13, 2011, 12:29 am | # | Reply

      Isn’t that like saying relying on a sword you didn’t forge, or a horse you didn’t breed, or a pat of butter you didn’t churn, is asking to be disarmed, unhorsed, and caused to suffer through a dairy spread of unpalatable texture, respectively?

  18. MoodyDK
    MoodyDK
    August 12, 2011, 3:46 am | # | Reply

    I have a similar trick at the auction House. I can turn gold into less gold.

  19. Cos
    Cos
    August 12, 2011, 4:39 am | # | Reply

    New favorite character.

  20. anonymous coward
    anonymous coward
    August 12, 2011, 5:44 am | # | Reply

    I’m guessing this is a total credit-card player that bought shit from the Korean farmers. Expect him to log out and stop playing one day in the middle of a fight with either a big ragequit or sudden crippling boredom attack.

    • zack of hiskatana
      zack of hiskatana
      August 12, 2011, 10:47 am | # | Reply

      except that apparently they are all stuck forever in the game that they do not realize is a game….

    • Anonymsly
      Anonymsly
      August 16, 2011, 8:54 pm | # | Reply

      You know, I still doubt that there’s actually any other PCs on the characters’ server aside from the tube people and maybe the occasional mod-type monitoring the game. MMOs tend to keep test servers, where they test new features and ‘jack directly into the game to play it with your consciousness’ is definitely a new feature. I can’t imagine just releasing it onto the live servers, what if they crashed?

      On top of that, in live MMOs, the servers get shut down sometimes – for updates or maintenance or just restarts. I’m nearly sure that’s not happening here, because there has to be a reason why they’re trying to permakill the tube-people’s characters instead of just shutting down the test servers and dumping them out that way.

  21. Quebrith
    Quebrith
    August 12, 2011, 6:04 am | # | Reply

    “Yes, I’m E-Merl…. time to kick it up a notch! Bam!”

  22. ahdok
    ahdok
    August 12, 2011, 6:08 am | # | Reply

    It doesn’t look like E-Merl actually has any ability other than using magic items.

    • FoolishOwl
      FoolishOwl
      August 12, 2011, 4:15 pm | # | Reply

      Often it’s more important to know how to use tools than it is to know how to create tools. They’re related and synergistic, of course — and E-Merl has some ability to cast minor spells himself. Often, a wizard with a wand of fire can do more damage than a wizard who can cast fire spells.

      • centuriancode
        centuriancode
        August 14, 2011, 5:18 am | # | Reply

        There’s a nasty little trick that rogues can pull with magic items along those lines. You set up a stick as trapped stick to release fireball (or other spell of your choice) and then reset itself whenever the pressure pad (a small, painted spot on the stick) is tripped. The fireball will release from on end, while you hold the other. Essentially, it’s a wand of infinite fireballs.

        Oh, and then you can get into tippyverse, but most DMs stop things when you go that far.

  23. zero
    zero
    August 12, 2011, 6:52 am | # | Reply

    bet he can only do one each a day, the cost of only using magic items…

  24. Robtimus
    Robtimus
    August 12, 2011, 7:24 am | # | Reply

    “The hat used to be magic too, but…well, let’s just say that rabbit is in a better place now.”

  25. Dotcom
    Dotcom
    August 12, 2011, 7:59 am | # | Reply

    So the big question is are all these new characters players? Because the magician elf guy seems like he could be someone who logged it. :)

  26. Dotcom
    Dotcom
    August 12, 2011, 8:03 am | # | Reply

    Hmmm… E-merl definitely sounds like some kind of name of someone who logged into a game.

    • zack of hiskatana
      zack of hiskatana
      August 12, 2011, 10:50 am | # | Reply

      i generally use LeetOne. But i have a few up my sleeve; Leetl Boi, Dat Won-Gai, a few more that i will not mention for reasons of having forgot….

  27. Larissa
    Larissa
    August 12, 2011, 8:29 am | # | Reply

    I love this guy, they have to keep him around!

  28. shagbark
    shagbark
    August 12, 2011, 10:08 am | # | Reply

    E-merl is the name of a webcomic site.

    • Merlin
      Merlin
      August 12, 2011, 11:04 am | # | Reply

      I know, right! I hereby heartily endorse this new member of the cast.

      • Phil
        Flo
        August 12, 2011, 12:11 pm | # | Reply

        He is named in your honor, Merlin!

  29. Jean-Luc
    Jean-Luc
    August 12, 2011, 11:07 am | # | Reply

    ~ And what about you Raeg?

    – I beat people up.

    ~ K.

    • Nekropancser
      Nekropancser
      August 12, 2011, 1:41 pm | # | Reply

      And look nasty enough for the other people to run ‘way.

      • SteelRaven
        SteelRaven
        August 13, 2011, 8:02 pm | # | Reply

        “Magic? You swing a sword and your enemy disappears in a cloud of red mist. That’s magic.”

  30. banjo2E
    banjo2E
    August 12, 2011, 2:36 pm | # | Reply

    E-merl?

    He’s obviously a bot.

    • Karishi
      Karishi
      August 12, 2011, 5:48 pm | # | Reply

      That robot looks totally rad.

      • gangler
        gangler
        August 13, 2011, 1:07 am | # | Reply

        One might even say it looks way past cool.

    • Magistrate of Mediocrity
      Magistrate of Mediocrity
      September 16, 2011, 4:45 pm | # | Reply

      I have a thing for AIs.

  31. Tatsu
    Tatsu
    August 12, 2011, 2:42 pm | # | Reply

    Hey..I just thought of something.I’m probabbly wrong in this but…

    Has our lovely little gnome lady and Best, storyline wise, been together?I have a odd suspesion they could be played by the same character? Or Multi boxing?

    • CorrTerek
      CorrTerek
      August 12, 2011, 3:34 pm | # | Reply

      Multi-tubing?

    • Karishi
      Karishi
      August 12, 2011, 6:49 pm | # | Reply

      Given how little we know of the way minds and Arkerra interact, it’s theoretically possible. However, this page is a notable break if we’re dealing with someone who can only play one persona at a time.
      Also, the title page (click “First” under the comic).

    • centuriancode
      centuriancode
      August 14, 2011, 5:21 am | # | Reply

      We’ve looked into that theory a couple of times now. However, chapter 2 (I think), pages 7 through 9 would rule out the Bandit/Best alt theory unless Multi-tubing is permitted.

  32. Recca
    Recca
    August 12, 2011, 5:36 pm | # | Reply

    IT CAN TALK?!

  33. gangler
    gangler
    August 13, 2011, 1:17 am | # | Reply

    So question. The band is his ring, the talisman is his amulet, but his hat looks nothing like a circlet. Are we indeed talking about his magic hat or is the circlet something else?

    • Joe
      Joe
      August 13, 2011, 1:54 am | # | Reply

      I think the circlet is the other ring. He’s got one on each hand. The gold one is for summer, the silver for winter.

      • gangler
        gangler
        August 13, 2011, 2:15 am | # | Reply

        Ah, that makes sense. Nice catch. Thanks.

      • nielspeterdejong
        nielspeterdejong
        August 14, 2011, 7:37 am | # | Reply

        It’s either the second ring, or his gloves :) He does rub them

        • gangler
          gangler
          August 14, 2011, 8:17 am | # | Reply

          Which brings up an interesting question. He rubs his hands to conjure the fireballs, he twirls the amulet to create the illusion, and then he does a little cup and blow thing before creating his frigid winds. Is any of that actually necessary or is it just showmanship?

          I think there’s a bit more flair to all of this than I’d typically expect of an activation trigger. I’m personally betting he’s having fun with the performance. The fact that he chose to juggle the fireballs instead of throwing them to display their damaging nature, not to mention the illusion of choice seems to reinforce the notion.

          Really, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a character make magic look so fun. That’s gotta be an intentional and conscious thing he’s doing there. All his smiles, man. All his smiles.

  34. Knoevenagel
    Knoevenagel
    August 13, 2011, 2:11 pm | # | Reply

    Whoa, whoa, whoa. Constantly closed eyes on a new character… it’s ol’ purple-tie’s assistant!

  35. King of Zeroes
    King of Zeroes
    August 13, 2011, 6:33 pm | # | Reply

    The best magic item ever is for cloning yourself and giving yourself the thumbs up. YEEEEAAAAHHH.

  36. Random Guy
    Random Guy
    February 28, 2013, 10:46 am | # | Reply

    The human version of Hell Boy has just joined the cast.

  37. The Sandman
    The Sandman
    August 4, 2013, 9:58 pm | # | Reply

    E-merl looks dangerous now, but once he gets a spell with “BAM” for a sound effect we’ll know he’s really kicked it up a notch.

  38. DarknessShallFall
    DarknessShallFall
    October 20, 2017, 2:01 pm | # | Reply

    He’s probably more likely to catch himself or others on fire first before turning his gold into Oxygen. 4

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Guilded Age is co-written by T Campbell & Flo Kahn, and illustrated by John Waltrip. Site design by Samantha Kyle. Fonts by Blambot.com.
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