I like starmetal, as it was basically a magical metal IRL. Just imagine what meteoric iron must have seemed like in a society that hasn’t developed iron smelting capability. It is metal that fell from the sky, and is just all around better than the materials that they can make themselves. Why WOULDN’T people think it is magical or divine? 🙂
I have actually read a fantasy story set in the Bronze Age where this was a plot point, and the reason behind iron’s ability to repel supernatural creatures
I would also like to note that this wasn’t entirely limited to fiction either! I know the Egyptians made a couple iron weapons like that during the bronze age, although I believe they were just knifes and there were only a couple of them, and I’m sure other civilizations did similar things.
Regarding Egypt and iron weapons, Egypt is our main source on the sea peoples (of Bronze Age Collapse fame), and apparently there’s some indication that they were among the first to have a militarily viable supply of iron weapons.
Of course, Egypt’s historiography is…problematic…when it comes to accuracy. So it’s possible they didn’t have any more than Egypt did, just that there were some looted after a major battle and the “historian” recording it just inflated that to being their main equipment. It’s also entirely possible said “historian” just invented it to make the Sea Peoples sound scarier, thus making the Egyptian victory over them more impressive. (This is all well before anyone really nailed down anything approaching how to actually do organized history – records like these were as much boasts as actual records of events that happened, so there’s a lot of inflation and fabrication going on.)
I guess this is as close to “Half the Man He Used to Be” as you can get for a storm god.
As for differentiating this power-up from the head paladin’s I’d say mission accomplished. The paladin’s power feels very sterile with it’s wholly white glow and, while powerful, controlled and honed to a knife edge. Vash’s power here is erupting from him, white and blue coiling, sparking and shining in all directions, so much he can barely contain it.
Doesn’t matter if this isn’t a twist for us lore junkies, still great to see it told this way.
I’m remembering the Kusanagi No Tsurugi Miscellaneous Myth where it turns out that the ancestral divine sword controls the wind, and I really hope we get a “We had this sword the whole adventure and it could do THIS the WHOLE TIME?!” moment.
I love this ! The colors and aesthetic definitely give off a folktale, tapestry vibe.I wonder who our omniscient narrator is this time? My bet is on a fire themed god/goddess/divinity.Maybe one of the neighboring city gods saw Vash defeat Tynan?
Reply to TheUnknown Game: let’s not forget that Kendal (the person) has metal woven into his bones, probably of the same material… It’ll be interesting to see if perhaps then he can ‘grow into’ his own power. Maybe bit-by-bit becoming a kind of ‘independent partial-god’ of his own, a true demigod.
Hey guys, sorry to comment on something irrelevant but hey, it’s my birthday tomorrow…and it happens that it’s the anniversary of this wonderful webcomic! (I couldn’t believe it was the same day as my birthday when I figured it out). So mainly, happy anniversary to everyone (tomorrow) and…well, I’m glad I live another to see another year!
Alt text: for the record it was pretty difficult giving Vash a blue glowy powerup that was visibly distinct from Glowy Wing Dude’s blue-white glowy powerup
THIS IS SO GOOD, THE LIGHTING MAKES IT EVEN BETTER
HAKSJDAJHOOOHOHOOOHOHOOOOO
Ha, that look on Tynians face… priceless 😀
I know right, It’s amazing 🙂
Tynan: HEY BLONDIE!
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE?
A WEAPON FORGED TO KICK YOUR BUTT!
I like starmetal, as it was basically a magical metal IRL. Just imagine what meteoric iron must have seemed like in a society that hasn’t developed iron smelting capability. It is metal that fell from the sky, and is just all around better than the materials that they can make themselves. Why WOULDN’T people think it is magical or divine? 🙂
I have actually read a fantasy story set in the Bronze Age where this was a plot point, and the reason behind iron’s ability to repel supernatural creatures
what story? that sounds interesting
The Gods and Warriors series, by Michelle Paver. The iron is a plot point in the final book of the series.
I would also like to note that this wasn’t entirely limited to fiction either! I know the Egyptians made a couple iron weapons like that during the bronze age, although I believe they were just knifes and there were only a couple of them, and I’m sure other civilizations did similar things.
Regarding Egypt and iron weapons, Egypt is our main source on the sea peoples (of Bronze Age Collapse fame), and apparently there’s some indication that they were among the first to have a militarily viable supply of iron weapons.
Of course, Egypt’s historiography is…problematic…when it comes to accuracy. So it’s possible they didn’t have any more than Egypt did, just that there were some looted after a major battle and the “historian” recording it just inflated that to being their main equipment. It’s also entirely possible said “historian” just invented it to make the Sea Peoples sound scarier, thus making the Egyptian victory over them more impressive. (This is all well before anyone really nailed down anything approaching how to actually do organized history – records like these were as much boasts as actual records of events that happened, so there’s a lot of inflation and fabrication going on.)
Attila the Hun allegedly had a sword made out of meteoric iron – and Sir Terry Pratchett definitely had one.
Yes he did didn’t he the madman
hoo boy!!!!
Vash is the Winter Soldier confirmed
i’d like to imagine that the “sound beyond description” to these people was just a straight up electric guitar riff
Agreed. Specifically, Brave Heart from Digimon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYse-EWXxSA
The first time you hear that music in cartoon is when Patamon turns into Angemon and does the same thing to main villain that Vash did to Tynan here.
Vash and Kendal being anime protagonists confirmed!
Oh, the metal arm, I like that trope in mythology.
“a sound that defied description” let’s be honest it was probably Vash screaming “AIYAIYAIYAR” or something
He was just giving the classic Xena yell
Or this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7IfOwcaxwc
I guess this is as close to “Half the Man He Used to Be” as you can get for a storm god.
As for differentiating this power-up from the head paladin’s I’d say mission accomplished. The paladin’s power feels very sterile with it’s wholly white glow and, while powerful, controlled and honed to a knife edge. Vash’s power here is erupting from him, white and blue coiling, sparking and shining in all directions, so much he can barely contain it.
Doesn’t matter if this isn’t a twist for us lore junkies, still great to see it told this way.
As a fellow lore junkie, I wholly agree on that last point there.
TL;DR: He’s done it, folks! Blue city god has pulled off the surprise victory with some strange jewel and ingot… Was he even allowed to bring that?
Referees have declared that, since the jewel and ingot are now a part of the contestant’s body, they are and always were legal. Vash wins!
I keep being increasingly astounted bry the way Red manages to draw light.
The is beautiful
I kinda predicted that the sword and Vash were interconnected! Kinda… a bit…
Yeah idk what my last prediction what either
THIS LOOKS SO FUCKING COOL!
ohhhh, when you said the sword meant right hand i thought it was like the “your weapon is an extension of your arm” thing, but it was literal, clever
Also: if Kendal the sword has retained this power, then Kendal the lad might be a hell of a lot stronger than we’ve already seen…
I’m remembering the Kusanagi No Tsurugi Miscellaneous Myth where it turns out that the ancestral divine sword controls the wind, and I really hope we get a “We had this sword the whole adventure and it could do THIS the WHOLE TIME?!” moment.
Wow, images aside, even the writing on this page is magnificent! Amazing job, Red!
Also also: the last panel resembles the tapestry seen in Magistrate Luran’s office in Windscrest. Neat little detail!
omg you’re right!!! https://comicaurora.com/aurora/1-4-19/
I love this ! The colors and aesthetic definitely give off a folktale, tapestry vibe.I wonder who our omniscient narrator is this time? My bet is on a fire themed god/goddess/divinity.Maybe one of the neighboring city gods saw Vash defeat Tynan?
Oooh, no wonder Kendal has metal in his skeleton! Nice foreshadowing.
WELL then.
…Badass.
“Kendal” takes on a bit of new meaning here.
Space Sword!
Space Fist!
oh so thats why he didn’t wanna put down the sword
Good old thunderbolt iron. Never fails…
Is this a Kendal origin story?
HELL YEA
YES GO VASH THIS IS YOUR TIME TO S H I N E
Irish mythology called, they want their silver hand back
Nuada in particular is pissed that someone stole his whole-ass arm
MAD LAD!
All efforts put into creating the blue glowy power-up was well worth it, imo. This page looks awesome! Vash looks like a total badass.
Reply to TheUnknown Game: let’s not forget that Kendal (the person) has metal woven into his bones, probably of the same material… It’ll be interesting to see if perhaps then he can ‘grow into’ his own power. Maybe bit-by-bit becoming a kind of ‘independent partial-god’ of his own, a true demigod.
Hey guys, sorry to comment on something irrelevant but hey, it’s my birthday tomorrow…and it happens that it’s the anniversary of this wonderful webcomic! (I couldn’t believe it was the same day as my birthday when I figured it out). So mainly, happy anniversary to everyone (tomorrow) and…well, I’m glad I live another to see another year!
I hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. *salutes*
Have a wonderful birthday!
Happy Birthday!
So which incarnation of Vash is this? Does this mean that Kendal has the metal arm and laser eye power up?
Attila the Hun allegedly had a sword made out of meteoric iron – and Sir Terry Pratchett definitely had one.
“Vash Airgetlám” just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
THESE GUNS
OOOH! We finally get to see this Saber’s noble phantasm!
I loove how the poses are brimming with energy and emotion in all their little details.
Also that moment when somebody on their last ropes starts laughing as they stand up is suuper juicy trope.
Unrelated, but to everybody who told me “Varda you don’t have short hair”… I HAVE SHORT HAIR NOW. I AM CURLY ERIN
WOW, can Kendal’s sword do that?
i think were gonna get a description of that sound
Alt text: for the record it was pretty difficult giving Vash a blue glowy powerup that was visibly distinct from Glowy Wing Dude’s blue-white glowy powerup
Ah, foreshadowing
When you’re in a Jaeger, suddenly you can fight the hurricane. And you can win.
w-wait. arm got sliced off. got a shiny silver hand. nuada airgetlam anybody?
Image source: starmetal
The line of “Tynan’s confidence boiled away with the rain” goes so hard and more people should be talking about.