I’m thinking that it’s a readout of *input signals* to their brains, not output signals from their brains. Computer data that’s modified to alter brain functions, as a “substitute” for sensory input. It would appear to be similar to an EEG, but it’s meant to over-ride normal brainwave signals…Being in sensory deprivation tanks just makes the brain easier to fool that way. You know…Matrix-style.
At this point pulling the other players out would be really bad. They’re the only ones that have a chance of defeating HR, but not if Shanna and Xan don’t believe any of what Carol tells them and try to pull them out.
There’s all kinds of irony in the idea that HR may be defeated by the very ones he was originally trying to save (and in Carol unwittingly being a party to that defeat if she prevents Shanna and Xan from interfering with the tubes).
Considering he has literal magic that also works in the real world, presumably his success in Arkerra could be very bad for things. The guy isn’t going in without a plan, I would think.
Also, particles of long-dead creatures, not just insects that died in the corner, but also dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals in the plastic, and let’s not forget all the dead trees the paper was made from!
And that’s not even counting all the dead creatures consumed and absorbed by the people in the room!
Well, unless you are trying to possess molding or drywall. Then it works pretty well. Only really useful for haunted houses and death trapping rooms you own, though.
OK, that juxtaposition of the in-game panel with the sepia scene is pretty ominous. I’m guessing something from one is about to break out into the other. And with a really big boom, if “the core” is anything to go by.
Shanna, does that trick still work to seeing if Carol’s lying by listening for her voice to raise in pitch?? Because if she’s not lying, then she’s been lied to and really believes those are brain… papers. (lol)
Also, I’m a bit nervous about taking HR out of the tubes. He had magic BEFORE going in, that worked in THIS world. However… his goal IS the same as theirs; get the five out of the tubes. Maybe he’d be willing to help? But I mean, that’s what his plan sorta was by going in, right? That he could get them out from inside? He might be angry if they pull him out because he was in the middle of trying to get them out.
(Though, correct me if I’m wrong; his endgoal is no longer trying to get the five out, is it? He likes his godhood, and now he’s crazy world eater beast without logic maybe? No idea how corruptor beasts work/think.)
I think becoming a god was always his endgame. The Five were just supposed to be beta testers. If everything had gone according to plan, they would’ve been sent home with blown minds and a big fat NDA, and HR would’ve jumped in the tube before the comic even started.
Might not even have an NDA – if everything went as planned, it’d probably be good for the company for there to be buzz about this awesome new VR technology.
I’m fairly sure that most people who can casually and fluidly pronounce electroencephalogram might also be likely to know what one is supposed to look like.
Why would anyone expect a device that is capable of direct neural interface sufficiently well to do full-immersion VR to give readouts on the occupants with something as primitive as an EEG? It’s capable of *far* more detailed readings than that…
Love that alt text.
Close to home and all.
Okay Mister McShitpants… what are they?
That’s no EEG.
It’s a space station.
Calling it now: some sort of ‘magic energy’ output in part of a grand scheme by Daedalus to merge Arkerra with Sepia World
I’m thinking that it’s a readout of *input signals* to their brains, not output signals from their brains. Computer data that’s modified to alter brain functions, as a “substitute” for sensory input. It would appear to be similar to an EEG, but it’s meant to over-ride normal brainwave signals…Being in sensory deprivation tanks just makes the brain easier to fool that way. You know…Matrix-style.
thumbs up. you get my vote.
I was wondering myself – has Carol been lied to about what the readings are, or is this simply a set of brain readings that Xan isn’t familiar with?
I suspect we’ll found out in a couple of days.
Arrgh, *find* out!
Possibly just the two brainwaves of Sepia and Arkerra person interfering each other on the readout.
Gonna go with “been lied to”. Or at least she misunderstood something, or lives in denial.
Carol is so far in denial, she might as well call it Sudan. But that doesn’t mean the printouts aren’t some form of arcane brain activity graph.
Carol believed what she was told. Her boss would never lie to her – or would he?
Did H.R. mistake something else for EEG readouts?
Seismograph. He had her staring at a pointless machine that always shows activity.
They’re obviously DPS meters.
It feels weird to see Arkerra and SepiaWorld together on the same page!
This is the first time, isn’t it?
It’s kind of neato to see the contrast of texture use and non-use on the same page, I must say.
Yes! Weird but in a good way!
Oh no. Sundar’s doing his own thinking again. Bring out the lead lined umbrellas.
I dunno, he DID successfully figure out the altruist conspiracy. Give the guy some slack.
WHAT
IS
GOING
ON
HERE
!?
At this point pulling the other players out would be really bad. They’re the only ones that have a chance of defeating HR, but not if Shanna and Xan don’t believe any of what Carol tells them and try to pull them out.
There’s all kinds of irony in the idea that HR may be defeated by the very ones he was originally trying to save (and in Carol unwittingly being a party to that defeat if she prevents Shanna and Xan from interfering with the tubes).
What about pulling out HR?
What’s the sepia world / ‘real world’ danger if HR triumphs in Arkerra? He’s only a backup generator failure away from non-existence.
Considering he has literal magic that also works in the real world, presumably his success in Arkerra could be very bad for things. The guy isn’t going in without a plan, I would think.
In addition to the other guy’s response, there’s also an implication arkerra is a real world, which is also in danger.
Sweet Jesus, these are auction house readouts and they’re showing a massive purple inflation!
…I suppose that’s what they get when they include a Phoenician-like culture in the game world…
“No one is dead in this room. Well, except for the guy that skull used to belong to. I’m pretty sure *he’s* dead.”
Also, particles of long-dead creatures, not just insects that died in the corner, but also dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals in the plastic, and let’s not forget all the dead trees the paper was made from!
And that’s not even counting all the dead creatures consumed and absorbed by the people in the room!
Unless the skull is plaster.
Pshaw! Everybody knows that plaster skulls are not efficacious in performing ritual magic.
Well, unless you are trying to possess molding or drywall. Then it works pretty well. Only really useful for haunted houses and death trapping rooms you own, though.
well yea… they removed last body in there year or two ago:)
Mam, this is clearly squiggle porn. In an EEG the lines don’t touch.
They do, sometimes. It’s never a good thing, but they do touch – and cross, even.
Welp this isn’t gonna end very well. Time to bring out the popcorn and make the bets on what will happen.
Turns out, they are all braindead. So the question is: which part of their anatomy does the thinking?
Well we definitely know for Frigg.
I find it darkly humorous how Shanna keeps trying to turn everything that’s said into an “AHA!” euphemism for how evil HR’s schemes are.
Holy shit this is the first truly unbearable cliffhanger I’ve had from this comic. WHAT ARE THEY
OK, that juxtaposition of the in-game panel with the sepia scene is pretty ominous. I’m guessing something from one is about to break out into the other. And with a really big boom, if “the core” is anything to go by.
“These aren’t electroencephalograms. Imaginary elephants that only Big Bird can see, I mean.”
Shanna, does that trick still work to seeing if Carol’s lying by listening for her voice to raise in pitch?? Because if she’s not lying, then she’s been lied to and really believes those are brain… papers. (lol)
Also, I’m a bit nervous about taking HR out of the tubes. He had magic BEFORE going in, that worked in THIS world. However… his goal IS the same as theirs; get the five out of the tubes. Maybe he’d be willing to help? But I mean, that’s what his plan sorta was by going in, right? That he could get them out from inside? He might be angry if they pull him out because he was in the middle of trying to get them out.
(Though, correct me if I’m wrong; his endgoal is no longer trying to get the five out, is it? He likes his godhood, and now he’s crazy world eater beast without logic maybe? No idea how corruptor beasts work/think.)
I think becoming a god was always his endgame. The Five were just supposed to be beta testers. If everything had gone according to plan, they would’ve been sent home with blown minds and a big fat NDA, and HR would’ve jumped in the tube before the comic even started.
I think.
Might not even have an NDA – if everything went as planned, it’d probably be good for the company for there to be buzz about this awesome new VR technology.
“No one is dead in this room. Currently. Well, not anymore.”
Seriously though, the lack of trigger discipline…
They are triggerunhappy.
I’m fairly sure that most people who can casually and fluidly pronounce electroencephalogram might also be likely to know what one is supposed to look like.
Why would anyone expect a device that is capable of direct neural interface sufficiently well to do full-immersion VR to give readouts on the occupants with something as primitive as an EEG? It’s capable of *far* more detailed readings than that…