Payet and E-Merl are (ass far as the old Payet was concerned) so different.
Speaking of shit elves… No offense to E-Merl, but is he one? I’m sort of confused by
a) how he does his magic and
b) how magic works here in general.
E-Merl demonstrated that he uses magical items to cast his spells. Are they completely the source of one’s magic or are they spell components/foci through which a spellcaster channels their own innate magical power?
E-Merl’s a half-elf. His class is magician. Considering how much training in magic he got and still has to pay for, I’m pretty sure he’s somewhere (well) behind Caneghem on the “learning to relocate floating cities” track, not someone as nonmagical as Byron who happens to have a magic hat.
I had kinda figured his elven half to be of Sky Elf heritage. Wood Elves are woodsy and druidic, Shit Elves are… well, you know, and Winter Elves have their whole prescience thing that E’Merl doesn’t seem to exhibit, though no other magic that we’ve seen, but it’s the Sky Elves that seem to be particularly gifted in magic, maybe even inherently.
E-Merl has magical ability, he just doesn’t quite have enough to be able to use it ‘independently’ for the most part. He uses his Focus items to bring out the full potential of his limited skills, but it’s not like just any random guy would be able to do the things he does with them.
Shortly before (or during?) the last time we saw him, he did end up producing some flame entirely on his own, without the help of his magic items. While this was uncontrolled and the result of a fit of rage, E-Merl absolutely has independent magical power inside of him. It’s possible he’s spent the time since then working to hone his newfound potential, and it’s a fair chance that we’ll see the fruits of some offscreen labors within the next few pages.
I changed my mind, your art is too good. Panel 2 absolutely crushes me. I think the worst part is that I was expecting him to be crying when I scrolled down, yet this… this really makes me sad to see. Especially with the lack of insight that we the reader possess, the world has simply cast him aside while others seemling walk off scot-free, as far as he knows. And with no faith in anything better coming his way, he’s barely holding on with some good deeds, but in the end the smiles he gets for them are only hurting him more.
Whenever I think of things in this comic that really break my heart, Best hearing about his lonely grave always hits me first. I think that one has simply left a massive impression on my mind because of how much it resonates with me. Then Harky’s death more recently, which you made us really invested in but at least there was resolution in that. A lot of these things things have had some resolution to iron out the feels. But E-Merl’s misery has really been a slow burn that I didn’t think could get worse. Yet the way you’ve drawn him these past few panels has just cranked up the heartstring-tugging. I especially… like? Like. I really like the way I can feel him being pulled back into a frown once we get back up close. I’d say love, but it’s really hard to look at right now. The feels are too strong.
I heartily agree with Blake. The art is consistently outstanding in every way, but especially in the subtleties, like facial expressions. Great writing and great art make a thoroughly enjoyable story.
“You are like, the creamed corn of the Shit Elves!”
My gawd, that sounded like Lahey from Trailer Park Boys…..
That may just be the least appetizing, most nauseating, barely-PG-rated insult I’ve ever heard in my life.
Don’t you mean the least appetizing, most nauseating, barely-PG-rated compliment?
It has the word “Shit” in it. How can it be PG?
Is E-Merl a Bestie?
Sgt Pepper reference?
I didn’t catch it, if so.
I mean, other than tangentially, through the Beatles, what with the reference inherent in Best’s name.
“Oh yeah, he also died and came back to life.”
“Him too, I’m starting to wonder who doesn’t get back to life in this world.”
“Well, your girlfriend.”
“…”
“Too soon ?”
Damn it, that made me sad even.
…This has the potential to be *magical*.
Calling for Lexxx meta-plotting in the alt-text, eh?
Is Sepia World the Dark Zone?
Since the Dark Zone apparently has Earth in it, that wouldn’t be a stretch.
But if you’re suggesting that Arkerra is in the Light Universe… well, we know what happens to THAT eventually.
I ship it.
Payet and E-Merl are (ass far as the old Payet was concerned) so different.
Speaking of shit elves… No offense to E-Merl, but is he one? I’m sort of confused by
a) how he does his magic and
b) how magic works here in general.
E-Merl demonstrated that he uses magical items to cast his spells. Are they completely the source of one’s magic or are they spell components/foci through which a spellcaster channels their own innate magical power?
E-Merl’s a half-elf. His class is magician. Considering how much training in magic he got and still has to pay for, I’m pretty sure he’s somewhere (well) behind Caneghem on the “learning to relocate floating cities” track, not someone as nonmagical as Byron who happens to have a magic hat.
I had kinda figured his elven half to be of Sky Elf heritage. Wood Elves are woodsy and druidic, Shit Elves are… well, you know, and Winter Elves have their whole prescience thing that E’Merl doesn’t seem to exhibit, though no other magic that we’ve seen, but it’s the Sky Elves that seem to be particularly gifted in magic, maybe even inherently.
E-Merl has magical ability, he just doesn’t quite have enough to be able to use it ‘independently’ for the most part. He uses his Focus items to bring out the full potential of his limited skills, but it’s not like just any random guy would be able to do the things he does with them.
Shortly before (or during?) the last time we saw him, he did end up producing some flame entirely on his own, without the help of his magic items. While this was uncontrolled and the result of a fit of rage, E-Merl absolutely has independent magical power inside of him. It’s possible he’s spent the time since then working to hone his newfound potential, and it’s a fair chance that we’ll see the fruits of some offscreen labors within the next few pages.
That alt-text driving the lead car in a parade through feels town.
I changed my mind, your art is too good. Panel 2 absolutely crushes me. I think the worst part is that I was expecting him to be crying when I scrolled down, yet this… this really makes me sad to see. Especially with the lack of insight that we the reader possess, the world has simply cast him aside while others seemling walk off scot-free, as far as he knows. And with no faith in anything better coming his way, he’s barely holding on with some good deeds, but in the end the smiles he gets for them are only hurting him more.
Whenever I think of things in this comic that really break my heart, Best hearing about his lonely grave always hits me first. I think that one has simply left a massive impression on my mind because of how much it resonates with me. Then Harky’s death more recently, which you made us really invested in but at least there was resolution in that. A lot of these things things have had some resolution to iron out the feels. But E-Merl’s misery has really been a slow burn that I didn’t think could get worse. Yet the way you’ve drawn him these past few panels has just cranked up the heartstring-tugging. I especially… like? Like. I really like the way I can feel him being pulled back into a frown once we get back up close. I’d say love, but it’s really hard to look at right now. The feels are too strong.
Thank you, Blake!
I heartily agree with Blake. The art is consistently outstanding in every way, but especially in the subtleties, like facial expressions. Great writing and great art make a thoroughly enjoyable story.
Thank you.
E-Merl looks so old.
I’ve read ALL your books!
Umm, I did not write any?
And you are SO modest!
“You owe me money, you sonofabitch!”