One of them was a Troll and the other was an Avian.
That the concepts of male and female can be assigned across the span of the dimorphic portion of the tree of life in terms of gamete form and investment… any concepts of “gender identity” based on a race’s preconceptions about what holders of a particular gamete type should be are going to be utterly lost in the greater difference between the species.
i.e. It doesn’t even remotely matter whether they’re “non-binary” or not because we don’t have a single freakin clue what “male” even means to an Avian. There isn’t a “binary” when we’re dealing with cross-species romance.
Just taking a moment to appreciate John’s art here. His action scenes are superior, his vista scenes are gorgeous, but the most impressive thing (to me) are his faces, especially when called upon to show ranges of emotion. Gondolessa in panel 4. Penk in panel 5. Very slight subtle changes in style that break through the 4th wall and have us really caring and crying for these characters.
More favorites from the archive:Panel 5 here (Gravedust) Panel 1 here (Faerksch’Nj) Whole page here (Byron and Bandit)
And last 4 panels here (Frigg)
In a certain viewpoint, parents raise their children to be their replacements, to fill the roles they once did when the time comes that they can no longer fulfill the duties their life requires them to. It’s a bittersweet viewpoint, like a long time employee training the young new hire to overtake the position they current fill, whether or not they are ready to leave.
What I really like about this little wrap-up is the juxtaposition of two different scenarios in which a son kills his father and spearheads a movement- I have no idea if this is a purposeful framing or just super neat accidental narrative symmetry, but the comparison between Penk’s killing Harky and Taro killing his father is wonderful. There’s even some similar motivations, if you squint: Taro was raised by his dad to be ambitious and ruthless and carried out those lessons to the easily foreseeable end. Penk was taken under Harky’s wing and taught to be the next, I guess, heroic figurehead of the trolls and the rebellion, and eventually took Harky’s place as warchief. Neither of them did exactly what their ‘dads’ might have wanted, both of them used their fathers as an example of how to act.
That’s where the similarities end and we get the stark differences in the change of power. On the Gastonian side, backhanded politics, assassinations, patricide, secrets and lies. On the side of World’s Rebellion, everything is open, direct, respectful to tradition. Even the killing wasn’t a betrayal, it was a fulfilment of Harky’s wishes. The one person who came in there with an attempt at underhanded tactics was soundly defeated in some straightforward-and brief- combat. It really underlines the different ideals of the leaders in question: (here I refer to Harky, Gravedust, Penk, and Gondalessa in contrast to the Gastonian heads of house.)
God dammit, I’m not crying, it’s just raining in here.
And who left all these onions lying around?
Between the rain and the onions, something managed to get into my eyes and I can’t get it out!
OH NO! IT’S RAINING ONIONS!
The Onion Ninja’s have given up all forms of subtly!
Oh for goodness sake! *Passes everyone some tissues and unshamedly bawls her eyes out*
*blows nose* Thanks.
Y’know, I should probably buy a few boxes of these. Gonna need them as this thing winds down…
Nice onions you have there.
It would be a shame if someone were to . . . cut them.
Attack of the onion cutting ninja’s. Run away.
I am crying. Chive it, at least I’m not the oni-on… Here– pass me somma dose tissues. *sniffles*
I knew it’d be emotional when they talked it out, but even that wasn’t preparation for this. Wow.
Hands above the waist Gondolessa! Penk ain’t that kind of troll.
Hey now. There can only be one cougar in this alliance, and Madam Arfa killed him.
Man, I thought I was done crying over this.
Excuse me, there seems to be something in my eye.
A large chunk of the sads, it looks like.
Even though you killed troll dad, bird dad is letting you know he loves you very much T_T
In these panels, Gondolessa looks honestly more female (and motherly).
I’ve always thought of them as non-binary, myself.
<3!!!
Thank you
I am totally OK with this.
I’m glad, because it wasn’t up for debate :V
One of them was a Troll and the other was an Avian.
That the concepts of male and female can be assigned across the span of the dimorphic portion of the tree of life in terms of gamete form and investment… any concepts of “gender identity” based on a race’s preconceptions about what holders of a particular gamete type should be are going to be utterly lost in the greater difference between the species.
i.e. It doesn’t even remotely matter whether they’re “non-binary” or not because we don’t have a single freakin clue what “male” even means to an Avian. There isn’t a “binary” when we’re dealing with cross-species romance.
tl;dr version: Check your human privilege.
Really they’re just happy that you got troll-dad’s strength and bird-dad’s wisdom.
Now make us proud, son.
Imagine if Penk is just doing some hardcore trolling right now.
Player: metaceryn
Status: afk [sobbing uncontrollably]
“… are you going to stab me in the back now?”
“What? NO! … but the next dude who offers to hug probable will.”
Well, I guess crying is just a thing that’s happening to me now.
Dang.
Thank god for the alt-text, otherwisse I was gonna need a tissue.
I DIDN’T GET A PERMISSION SLIP FOR THIS FEEL TRIP.
Too bad! This Feel Trip is mandatory – the slip was to opt-out!
Just taking a moment to appreciate John’s art here. His action scenes are superior, his vista scenes are gorgeous, but the most impressive thing (to me) are his faces, especially when called upon to show ranges of emotion. Gondolessa in panel 4. Penk in panel 5. Very slight subtle changes in style that break through the 4th wall and have us really caring and crying for these characters.
More favorites from the archive:Panel 5 here (Gravedust)
Panel 1 here (Faerksch’Nj)
Whole page here (Byron and Bandit)
And last 4 panels here (Frigg)
Kudos to Mr. Waltrip!
Groan. So much for my linking skill. Those archive favorites are:
– Chap 18, pg 6
– Chap 18, pg 18
– Chap 12, pg 22
– Chap 35, pg 37
Great choices!
Thank you, biggmac!
“Harky sends his regards”
*stabs*
In a certain viewpoint, parents raise their children to be their replacements, to fill the roles they once did when the time comes that they can no longer fulfill the duties their life requires them to. It’s a bittersweet viewpoint, like a long time employee training the young new hire to overtake the position they current fill, whether or not they are ready to leave.
As expected.
Gondi is the father figure many people wish they had.
This is my favorite page.
so touching, well done
:'( *Sniff* It’s beautiful!
This was very well done, kudos.
I’m going to miss the alt texts when this finally ends.
Is it just me, or is Madame Arfa literally wearing a target on her back?
That can’t possibly be an accident.
Could be a target, could be an eye. We just don’t know enough about their religion and how symbolism works for them to know for sure.
Sign of strength for Gnoll leadership? “I’m so strong, I welcome all to try and kill me. It won’t work.”
The King of the Golden Bough http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/frazer/gb00101.htm
Ugh the feels hit me like a truck.
Buh… Buh… Buh… Bastards! I knew he would forgive, but I didn’t think it would be so beautiful. And now my eyes are drowning.
Y’know, this is just like Iwatani and Li’l Iwatani … except Li’l Iwatani did it a little sooner than expected.
I do like the way Penk cleans up after himself. That’s off-the-battlefield courage.
What I really like about this little wrap-up is the juxtaposition of two different scenarios in which a son kills his father and spearheads a movement- I have no idea if this is a purposeful framing or just super neat accidental narrative symmetry, but the comparison between Penk’s killing Harky and Taro killing his father is wonderful. There’s even some similar motivations, if you squint: Taro was raised by his dad to be ambitious and ruthless and carried out those lessons to the easily foreseeable end. Penk was taken under Harky’s wing and taught to be the next, I guess, heroic figurehead of the trolls and the rebellion, and eventually took Harky’s place as warchief. Neither of them did exactly what their ‘dads’ might have wanted, both of them used their fathers as an example of how to act.
That’s where the similarities end and we get the stark differences in the change of power. On the Gastonian side, backhanded politics, assassinations, patricide, secrets and lies. On the side of World’s Rebellion, everything is open, direct, respectful to tradition. Even the killing wasn’t a betrayal, it was a fulfilment of Harky’s wishes. The one person who came in there with an attempt at underhanded tactics was soundly defeated in some straightforward-and brief- combat. It really underlines the different ideals of the leaders in question: (here I refer to Harky, Gravedust, Penk, and Gondalessa in contrast to the Gastonian heads of house.)
That. Was. Brilliant.
Nice catch!