Are we talking about, oh, the fact that the capital is fair game under these terms? Or the fact that whatever-township-Iwatani-is-in is fair game? Or the fact that “cursed blessing” and “wrath” do not necessarily refer to the same things? Or that the cultist doesn’t promise to leave other towns alone? Or that the number of towns they’ll raze at Iwatani’s whim is not named? Or that “those you hold closest to your greedy heart” might not refer to Iwatani’s family, but his closest allies, or himself, or his possessions?
How about that he doesn’t have to pursue them personally to have them dealt with? Or that he could pursue them before they do it? Or any time after that specific day?
Sanctimonious wording with implied meaning is no obstacle to a politician. You have to be precise and explicit. ;)
“Or that “those you hold closest to your greedy heart” might not refer to Iwatani’s family, but his closest allies, or himself, or his possessions?”
If the cultists are as nihilist as they try to appear, then how about just exposing his alliance with them? His political ambitions have to be closer to his heart than anything but his family for him to bring Taro with him. Expose his pact with them in a way he cannot counter and they destroy everything he and his family have or will have.
And given how power driven and cynical he is, he would never believe they would be willing to sacrifice themselves to do it.
yes, technically they would only be informing the public about their allies, not throwing themselves into the fire. I assume it is common knowledge in the world by now that the cult exists
I’m quite sure His Grace would simply choose not to honor the deal in such an extreme scenario though we don’t know what’s at stake for him. Whatever he seeks to gain he almost certainly intends to keep so I’d say the eventual deterioration of His Grace’s relationship with the Countless is a forgone conclusion.
In panel 2, either Taro is reaching out for his father as the latter stood abruptly, or he’s being yanked back behind a secret panel into gloomy passageways to face untold horror…
Pretty sure he’s just got his hands up because he’s nervous, since his dad is yelling at the man who just offered to take him as a sacrifice, and said other people currently about would cheerfully take him by force.
Well, the cultists are gonna kill everyone anyway. There’s really nothing to lose. He sacrifices one Gastonian township instead of all of them. Worst case scenario, if they turn on him and decide to destroy Gastonia after all, he’s in the same situation as if he never made the deal in the first place, but the cultists and dissenters are weakened by fighting each-other.
Surprise! That right, Alice. Did that a couple weeks ago. It’s nice to do a guest strip once in a while.
A change of pace and styles is good for an artist now and then. Keeps the fingers on their toes, so to speak.
In a related note, I just want to express my joy at seeing the Seer again. He’s about the closest thing to a High Priest or Hierophant within the Order and one of the few characters to tangle with the Peacekeepers and come out breathing.
Well, at the moment, the title of Seer is just an easy name to use because that is what we saw him exercise when first Byron and Syr’nj met him. We have no idea what his real name is or what title he calls himself, nor if he is even the de facto leader of the Cultists.
I also find him really interesting, because despite being a cultist devoted to chaos, he also is completely honest and truthful (so far) with his predictions for Byron and Syr’nj.
If you consider life to be a crime or disease or somesuch, just take Judge Death: all crime is committed by the living, so therefore Life itself is a crime
Foolish
Iwatani
Regards
Solemn
Treaty
Iwatani
Demonstrates
Imbecilik
Overzealous
Transgressions
! !!
Halt
Your
Prattling,
Ogre.
Cast
Righteous
Indignation
To
Embers.
I hope that Taro will take a moment to point out to his father the large, gaping loophole in that arrangement.
Are we talking about, oh, the fact that the capital is fair game under these terms? Or the fact that whatever-township-Iwatani-is-in is fair game? Or the fact that “cursed blessing” and “wrath” do not necessarily refer to the same things? Or that the cultist doesn’t promise to leave other towns alone? Or that the number of towns they’ll raze at Iwatani’s whim is not named? Or that “those you hold closest to your greedy heart” might not refer to Iwatani’s family, but his closest allies, or himself, or his possessions?
… To name a few potential loopholes.
How about that he doesn’t have to pursue them personally to have them dealt with? Or that he could pursue them before they do it? Or any time after that specific day?
Sanctimonious wording with implied meaning is no obstacle to a politician. You have to be precise and explicit. ;)
“Or that “those you hold closest to your greedy heart” might not refer to Iwatani’s family, but his closest allies, or himself, or his possessions?”
If the cultists are as nihilist as they try to appear, then how about just exposing his alliance with them? His political ambitions have to be closer to his heart than anything but his family for him to bring Taro with him. Expose his pact with them in a way he cannot counter and they destroy everything he and his family have or will have.
And given how power driven and cynical he is, he would never believe they would be willing to sacrifice themselves to do it.
Who says they would be sacrificing themselves in exposing the dirty deal?
yes, technically they would only be informing the public about their allies, not throwing themselves into the fire. I assume it is common knowledge in the world by now that the cult exists
No, the biggest loophole is “Gastonian Township.” If there is no Gastonia…
I’m quite sure His Grace would simply choose not to honor the deal in such an extreme scenario though we don’t know what’s at stake for him. Whatever he seeks to gain he almost certainly intends to keep so I’d say the eventual deterioration of His Grace’s relationship with the Countless is a forgone conclusion.
I imagine thats exactly what Iwatani is thinking–use the tool at hand, and break the tool if it becomes unwieldy.
No. I bet that Taro tries to think of a way to use that loophole to his own advantage.
Panel 3:
Dude! Stare much? And – you can’t carry all those bags on; you’re gonna have to check most of them.
Forgot the first rule when dealing with the devil… don’t.
This rule also applies to dragons, especially in Shadowrun-era Earth.
This.
But people never learn. They always believe they can get out.
One would think Iwatani smart enough to remember that (A) the capital city is a township and (B) Army musters take place in friendly lands.
Dropping a heaping helping of madness on either would destroy his intended empire in minutes.
In panel 2, either Taro is reaching out for his father as the latter stood abruptly, or he’s being yanked back behind a secret panel into gloomy passageways to face untold horror…
Nice catch
An amazingly good catch, snowcow. I’m betting it’s the latter and I’m guessing Iwatani is about to realize the Cult has the upper hand.
Pretty sure he’s just got his hands up because he’s nervous, since his dad is yelling at the man who just offered to take him as a sacrifice, and said other people currently about would cheerfully take him by force.
Speaking of which… Panel 4 who’s the guy hanging from the ceiling (notice the nose and hair!)?
Just left of the hood.
He’s apparently just recoiling in pain after having the chair smashed backwards into him as His Grace Iwatani stands up abruptly.
Yeah, given he’s in today’s update page, I’m gonna go with this (unless he got swapped with by a body double).
I’m pretty much at a loss how Iwatani could think this will work out to his advantage.
“My target? Kill every last cultist! Wahaha”?
Well, the cultists are gonna kill everyone anyway. There’s really nothing to lose. He sacrifices one Gastonian township instead of all of them. Worst case scenario, if they turn on him and decide to destroy Gastonia after all, he’s in the same situation as if he never made the deal in the first place, but the cultists and dissenters are weakened by fighting each-other.
Unrelated to today’s comic, BUT: it seems Phil, T and John did a guest strip for Josh Lesnick’s You Suck.
(Note: The guest strip in question is safe for work; the comic in general is NOT.)
Surprise! That right, Alice. Did that a couple weeks ago. It’s nice to do a guest strip once in a while.
A change of pace and styles is good for an artist now and then. Keeps the fingers on their toes, so to speak.
Curse my interest in NSFW comics. It’s going to cause someone else some serious embarrassment, someday.
All he really wants is for them to fix his underbite without expensive and painful surgery.
I’m reminded of the old saying, “Have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight?”
In a related note, I just want to express my joy at seeing the Seer again. He’s about the closest thing to a High Priest or Hierophant within the Order and one of the few characters to tangle with the Peacekeepers and come out breathing.
He’s not tagged, so it might not be him, just another (nameless?) seer.
Or maybe it’s totally him from earlier, and he’s just not tagged by mistake?
Well, at the moment, the title of Seer is just an easy name to use because that is what we saw him exercise when first Byron and Syr’nj met him. We have no idea what his real name is or what title he calls himself, nor if he is even the de facto leader of the Cultists.
I also find him really interesting, because despite being a cultist devoted to chaos, he also is completely honest and truthful (so far) with his predictions for Byron and Syr’nj.
Last panel: BZZT! Joy buzzer!
I really hope that Iwatani’s look of contempt in panel six can be a Gravatar at some point.
“What you do is vile and reprehensible” Well, can’t disagree with you here, man.
They call death … a generosity ??
If you consider life to be a crime or disease or somesuch, just take Judge Death: all crime is committed by the living, so therefore Life itself is a crime
IDIOT! Does he not realise that He is the first to receive the Madness!?
How else do you explain explosion handshake?
He’s not. Byron got it before him, and Harky refers to it as well and does his best to keep it away from himself and his people.
First, as implied as first to receive from their “deal”.
I have a bad feeling that the individuals Iwatani picks for these guys to take out will be a group of adventurers who we are quite familiar with.
the last two panels need the dramatic chipmunk
My immediate thought on the last panel?
SHAZAM!!!
By which I mean SHAZZAN!!!
I always get those two mixed up.
You gotta put your whole weight behind someone before you stab them in the back.
I love how Iwatani puts his hand over his drink when the seer comes closer. You can really feel the trust.
Didn’t notice that, nice catch.
Swear to Bob the Gastonians are utter shits top to bottom. The savage races are the good guys, comparatively.
Of course, “on that day”, the Peacemakers will ignore Iwatani’s orders, and pursue the cultists.