1.16.19
on March 28, 2022
at 3:00 am
Feels self indulgent writing my own characters complimenting my art. I should do it more often.
Aurora
A fantasy webcomic. Updates M-W-F.
Feels self indulgent writing my own characters complimenting my art. I should do it more often.
oh this page looks GOOD like really good what the hell that lighting is amaaaaazing and i love Caliban in the second panel, you really went all out on this one
Tahraim technically for Zuurith it could be the end of the world if his city dies. Loving the weird morals of Caliban and Tahraim here
love some good true neutral characters (although Caliban is definitely closer to chaotic neutral if I’m being honest)
Lol. Poor Zuzu, but also lol
Despite how interesting everything else is in today’s page…I am also *very* much interested in that person-sized hole melted through the gate over yonder…
I think we’ve found the Statler and Waldorf of Aurora…
Admire the tree
While the two are bantering
Zuurith spoils the mood
I feel like this is some of the best punishment (sorta meta wise) for Zurrith. He’s incredibly prideful and takes a lot of pride in appearances, but was immediately destroyed by Tynan, and now the ‘weapon’ he’s been degrading for PAGES is fighting his battle for him, while he’s left trying to reform in the dust, getting sassed upon by two smaller fire gods. He kinda looks heartbroken in the last panel, I’m almost sad? i dont think he’ll get therapy too but id be intrigued if he did.
Speaking of the two fire gods, i’m living for their chill sibling energy.
Feels a little unfair to compare the two, but Zuurith’s would-be rival Vash wouldn’t just stand there moping while his citizens were in danger like that. Really shows which was the more effective god, despite all the former’s claims.
yeah okay i love their friendship with all i have. It reads like a bunch of highschoolers working on a group project together only their actually having fun with it (while yelling out insults at people they don’t like)
Yeah okay i love whatever this friendship is, it reads like a bunch of highschoolers doing a group project and actually having fun with it (also while maybe getting back at a teacher or someone they aren’t a fan of)
Bright Caliban and Tahraim look on,
And mock the prideful Zurrith.
“Pull yourself together!” Tahraim cries,
That great and fiery Smith.
F@#£&#ing British Summer Time, now this comes in the middle of period one at school.
I don’t get Caliban’s statement in the second panel.
@CapitainCutlet I’m guessing it’s referring to how Tahraim directly spoke to Dainix and showed him how to control the soulfire.
To DragonMaster66: I don’t think they’re “smaller” deities. Caliban is said to be god of an entire nation, and Tahraim represents the concept of smithing, I’d place them a bit above Zurrith in terms of power/importance, but I may be wrong.
looking a bit rough there, Zuzu
Ah, the melted gate in panel 3. Seems like Dainnix is making his way to the big battle.
@CapitainCutlet
as in “‘nudge’ Danlix in the direction they want” towards Tyan apparently.
I need more info on these two. I just need it.
if Zuurith if the embodiment of his people, i wonder if he’s having the godly equivalent of a panic attack? i do feel a little bad for him, in a way. the personification of a city of people is multifaceted like that, i guess. he’s a dick, but he has innocent citizens, children, y’know
Caliban: “the only thing worse than being stuck in here with YOU, is being stuck in here with HIM!”
Tahraim: “HOHOHOHOHOHHOHO”
@CapitainCutlet back when we first met Caliban and Tahraim, and Tahraim told us the story of Tynan, Caliban spoke of how he wanted to take Dainix out of Zuurith so that he wouldn’t ‘stagnate’ as Caliban’s champion/weapon. Tahraim told Caliban not to intervene, only to nudge Dainix in the right direction, so that he wouldn’t completely lose his sense of agency, and that “four world-shaking forces were converging” on Dainix, so he was about to be “very nudged”
I mean, just because semi-corrupt Mr. Lawful Neutral has had how much of an idiot he is shoved down his throat sideways, I don’t know why he’d be having an Existential Crisis.
I’m sure that seeing a Tree powered by raw Life magic splitting his prison apart isn’t adding to his issues at all, it’s just providing a nice soothing view. It should be comforting even.
I think Zuurith needs a hug
‘He’s acting like it’s the end of the world.’ On the other side of the coin, you two are holding a casual conversation while the city around you is flooding and all of the people in it are panicking, a tree is destroying a mountain, and one man is fighting a storm god.
After all the posturing about the absolute laws in his perfect city, the realization of how it all is so fragile and how powerless he is must be slapping Zuurith pretty hard huh? Specially because the ones that he dismissed as undesirables and lawbreakers are actually trying to help.
@AdamB, yeah, the cheer symbolism of nature easily breaking apart the physical representation of his authority must be really soothing.
“Breaking news: Control freak loses control for the first time in his life! Mind-breaking event?”
Poor Zuurith.
Ooh, partially-manifested Caliban and Zuurith look so pretty. It looks so much nicer than when Caliban appeared in the prison.
TL;DR: just a little “let’s try to understand each other while the city crumbles around us” moment.
Also, big oof for Zuurith. I still don’t like him but I can’t help feeling sorry for him. He looks so distraught.
This page is full of so much comedy it’s great
Wait I thought Dainix had somewhere to be, thats why there was no time to ask questions?
Great chapter though!
I love the detail of the melted bars in the background of the third panel. Plus, the first thought I had when I read the full page was that they had a great view of Zuurith struggling to pull himself together and were now getting bored.
Zuury’s having an existential crisis, methinks. Kind of deserved. Sometimes mental breakdowns are needed in order to realize you were wrong for being such a lawful neutral prick and need to do some serious reform. However, as much as I love Tahraim and Caliban commentating on his downfall, I think it’s kind of insensitive and kicking him while he’s really, really down. He does need to pull himself together to try and help his people in the face of Tynan’s threat as Vash once did, but telling him to just “get it together already” isn’t that helpful. I could be overthinking but either way rip Zuurith
To I had a squirrel named Fluffy and Gogo the mimic:
Thanks. I misread it and so it didn’t make sense.
By the way, I think Tahraim wat commenting that he has a good view on the fight, but I’m not entirely sure. Also, I think Zurrith taking more time to form a body might mean he took Tynan’s advice, and is intending to make it so that it won’t go down so easly. That leaves a possibility that Tahraim may be telling him to hurry because he’s going to miss the fight, while he could help.
Dainix loose in the city, what will he do
Look on the bright side, Zuurith; your prison is so much prettier now!
Interesting to note that Zuurith’s aura here is a very similar shade of purple to Dainix’s guilt-tinged soulfire.
TamyM:
Caliban: *snorts* “Zuzu?”
Bluefire:
Tahraim and Caliban: *surrounded by utter chaos* “This is fine.”
Tahraim seems to be enjoying Ali’s big broccoli. Gives good shade.
Also I agree with @GoodbyeBallad, British Summer Time is a freaking pain
It IS the end of the world for Zuurith. He’s basically god of the mountin, and it’s getting torn to shreds before his eye.
A god of “order and rules” might very well be having an existential crisis during a chaotic event like this, when his people, his town, everything’s in a raw panic, desperately scrambling for survival. He has a connection to his people, and not a single one of them currently cares about the concepts he embodies.
Is someone dying, and by dying I mean soul bursting out of your body?
alt text: lookit statler and waldorf over here judging the man for indulging in a little existential crisis
The banter and heckling from these two have made this my favourite page of the comic so far. I love it
This is definitely one way to keep the pacing in check for a bit. Also since I forgot the fun fact on Friday I shall do 2 today!
Did you know…
Naked Mole Rats (Heterocephalus glaber) unlike almost every other mammal is eusocial, like bees and ants. They also live significantly longer than most other rodents, with a captive lifespan that go from 10-30 years. (ps: I did this on my school iPad and it hated whenever I included the “naked” part of their name.)
Did you also know…
While the Appalachian Mountains had more recent developments more recently, they existed in a capacity for around 1.1 billion to 541 million years, meaning it first arose even before the Cambrian Period.
ChewableJuice:
I would love if they just became recurring characters later on, not actually doing anything plot relevant just popping in making witty remarks about the situation, maybe roast an antagonist who who’s just had everything fall apart.
GoodByeBallad:
Meanwhile in a New Jersey spring, its currently a high of 32, and then in three days it is 74.
I think this might be one of my favourite pages visually, up next to when Kendal, Alinua, and Falst fought those evil guys in the forest. Something about the lacrima and there was a rock-candy lizard. Really great!!
me: yes yes your city is in danger and everything is falling apart but my problems are bigger because STUPID STATE TESTING
Silver lining, things can only go up from here for Zuurith. And as a bonus, he’s not going to be building a second hollowed-out mountain prison, now is he?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is what I was thinking, but then I realized that only applies if you didn’t actually die. Let’s go with: Dying every once in a while is good for you; it builds character.
Thank you ImyunMagoCat, I had missed that I an sure your guess is right.
(I mean considering Vash stated that he could feel his people screaming in 1.1.15, I think Zuurith’s reaction isn’t entirely unjustified, given the similarities (city breaking, people panicking, etc)(sorry if this has already been noted and I missed it))
I want to be friends with Tahraim, even when he’s sassy he still is chill. Very chill for a fiery god I suppose xD
And alas, the tree is still struggling to open a rock!
@Monkey In A Shoe
Related: the creators of Kim Possible confessed that they made Ron’s pet Rufus a naked mole rat *purely* to force Disney to repeatedly air the word “naked”
I agree with @LilacSpiral. The God’s life forces and selves seem very connected to their cities. The collector could only take Vash’s soul once she had destroyed the city, right? I wonder how much of Zuzu’s fractured self at the moment is connected to the fear and destruction of his people, and/or maybe his system. It’s a pretty powerful image to see the cracking prison above the broken Zuurith. Perhaps even the citizen’s lack of faith in Zuurith helped make it so easy for him to be cut down. The storm gains power from people’s belief in it too.
@Aulde
Welcome =)
@Monkey in a shoe
Yeah I do hope they pop up every once in a while.
Poor little meowmeow
It’s the end of the little world Zuurith lives in at least.
Amazing view of the tree I agree. Also helps put it’s sheer size into perspective with the odd root coming out of the windows. Alinua isn’t just breaking it open to save people, she’s breaking it to the point it can never be used as a prison again. This could be a long term change that may alter Zuurith for years to come.
A storm god disintegrated him and is attacking his city, a people god and a concept god are sassing him as he reforms and another seemingly godly force is turning his prison into a treehouse. If Big Z ever found out about V.D. possessing Erin he’s probably burst his incarnation out of sheer rage.
Zuurith’s slow reforming might be down to his wounded pride and/or the turmoil of his city. Or maybe he could be focusing on making this incarnation stronger; what’s the point of reforming if Tynan can just one shot him again?
As everyone’s said already, Caliban and Tahraim are absolute gold together. I kinda want the Demon/Fire primordial theory to be true if only for a potential interaction between three fire-themed gods. Maybe Hesta could come too.
Hiii hasn’t commented in a while. I hope they are alright.
All of these panels are fantastic in and of themselves, and together as a whole. Possibly the first one is my favourite at the moment? But seeing Caliban and Tahraim together is such a treat. And that humanoid-shaped-melthole in the grill door says so much… And melty Zuurith with a suddenly expressive face?
Delicious delicious art and delicious delicious story!
Well, it may be the end of *his* world.
I regret that I didn’t comment on this page earlier, because everything here slaps. The appearance of our favorite two fire deities slaps, the fact that they’re making commentary of recent (in chapter) events slaps, that melted gate in the background slaps. Zuurith reforming slaps, that pained look on his face sla- actually, the guy’s probably in a lot of pain right now, so not as much slap there. Oh, and the TREE! Everything here is amazing and glowy and I love it :-).
@veggiesnake: Oof, maybe, yeah.
@GoodbyeBallad: I was confused, because I went there recently and the days were great, but then I looked it up and yeah, it kinda does.
@Evil Tree: Yeah, I would totally dig a Divine Fire Trio (Caliban, Tahraim, Hesta)
In Zurrith’s defense, his domain is on the brink of destruction and his incarnation got disintegrated, he’s got a right to be upset.
Tahraim and Caliban: I wonder why he looks like he thinks it’s the end of the world
Zuurith: I AM IN IMMENSE AND ALL-CONSUMING PAIN PLEASE HELP ME
Vash: Oh oh oh you think your in pain we-e-ell buddy the amount of wrong you are
LIFE: A̴̘̱͔͆͒͂̆̚͘͠͝Á̷̧̭̂̔̈͝͠G̴̱̥̙̗̪̈̑͆̈͗̃̅͝C̶̢͙̜̝̘͗̃̈́̉X̶͔̔̈́̔̎͝X̶̪̯̰̗̟̯̋̇̇͠͝C̷̭͇͚̳̣̮͇̝͛̑̀̃̐̒̾͜K̵̨̡̠͚͙̰̥̮̝̿́C̷̛̬̳͙̬̯̓̌̔I̶̹̬̰̫̠̟͛͋͌̈́̀́͗X̶̨̧̘̼̤̖͍͌͋̀̀̽̂X̶̼̪̩̂͗̊̎̌̑͠C̴͈̺̳̖̔͊̇̾<̵̝̤͆̈́̍K̴̡̫̰̍͐̉̽V̴̧͕͚̱̣̬̏̀̏̀͛̽̀Ľ̶̢̢͕͚̩̙̠̲̈́͊̎̈̐́͠C̸̡̮͉̞̙͔̻̭̍̕͘Ṿ̸̦͔͔͙͖̂̀̍̈́̐̾̕G̴̡̨̨̙̺̜̟͎͐͜Ĉ̸̣̣̩͜͝F̸͕̫̽C̷̥̝͍͉͗̉̈͆͛̉̚Ţ̶̼̭͕̉H̸͓̱̩͖̬̱̭͎̓Ẋ̶͓̺͉̝̦̽̉̒͜͠_̶̣̞͉͉͍͒̐̓̔̈͠)̶̜̋́̉́̽̀̂̉+̷͓̩͔͔̟͔̓̂I̵͓̩̹͖̣̮̞̋̀̆́͝(̴̨̮̻̺̥̤͑̏͆̐͆͒͊́͝Y̴̨̞̯͓͔͙̯̋̍͒͂̈́̈́̕͠&̷̡̪͎̟͚͚͙̔̚ͅ^̴̢̞͓̾͗̇͘͠Ė̴̟͔͎̒̔*̴̢̙̝̼͐̈̋͛̃͝^̶̗̤̐͂͝W̶̡̡̡̻̺̺͊͒̎͛#̴̘̦̭̘̞͉̟̔͒̊ͅ#̵̢̨̝͓̘̮̎̀̎̒͝ͅ%̷͕̔͋͒$̵͇͕̞̄̀́^̴̖̍̓̑&̴̧̗͈͍̮̰̣̼̗͆*̵̝̦̫̱͉̝̫̭̰̆̈́͐̈́̇̏̈́(̴͕̣͕̬̃̒͋̌̉̎!̵͓̦̱͇̙̭͂@̷̬̓̾͝͝#̸̧̧͈̞̱̻͇͍̊̿́͑̐̓̕͠$̸̨̟̙̘͉͚́̉̔͒̈́ͅ%̶̠̯̘̰̮̱̮͎̣̑͋́̽̔͝^̷͔̉͆̎̒͐̌̈́͒͘&̶̨͍͈̝͈́͊͋̏̑̋͘͠*̴̢̳̌̀̒͐̌̽̚͝͠(̷̱̰̥̊̂͑͘)̸̧̛̯̞̝̓̓̆͠ͅƠ̴͉̖̐̒K̴̻͙͎̀̿̋̍͋̾͝M̶̢̟̦̝͓̯̌̾̑̊̓̎̕N̴͇̣̲̼͈̒̃̒͆ ̸̭̭̓̈́̎͌̓̄͛͛V̴̘͈̦̩͍͌̈́̉̑͑̀̑̈́̔C̸̨̜͓̿̒̎͂͒̀͑͠D̶̨̖̳͈̙͎̞͔͂̏͌̕S̷͚͙̮̦̪̓̓́̾̃͝E̸̡̨͈̞̭̙̐͒̀̿R̸̯̝͔̬̥̽̄̇̅̀̔̕͜T̸̛̺̺̦̎̉͒̓̀̚̚͠Y̴̨̹̻̹̥͕͍͖͕͒̒̓̃́U̶̱̺͒̈J̴̢̬̖̮͙̘̌B̵̠̭̮̟̳͙͑̔͑͝V̶̭̜͖̩͈̱̮̔̎̌͆̂̈́̕̚Ċ̴̬͋̾͒̇͘X̸͈̭̫̺͇̱̫͙̽̊̋̓͛́̿̽͘Ś̵͔͖͍̺͇͊͝W̶̨̛̼͉͓̣̯͓̭̓͑̓̇̾̃͘͝Ȇ̶̼̠̘̞͈̣̌̊͜R̶͉̩̥̖̓͂̆̓͜
A prediction. Tahraim’s words here aren’t meant to be a cruel jab at Zuurith, but more an attempt to shatter his ego and leave him open to change. Because let’s be real, this event is going to scar him forever, and it would truly be a waste for him to come out the other side with his hypocrisy intact.
Sometimes, you can mold your metal with ease. Other times, you need to hit it with a hammer 😛
Z-dog?
tahraim looks confused in the second to last panel.
@Humaniod Clay I’d listen to a band called The Divine Fire Trio.
I don’t think Zuurith is interested in intervening in the fight. We can presume that a god’s incarnation is constructed from preexisting materials in the environment. When Zuurith incarnated in front of Kendal at the cathedral, his body was formed with what I can presume were fine materials set out for him in bowls. When he incarnated in the arena, it seems that he was prioritizing making a show of his presence over building a body suitable for a fight. I don’t think it would have made much of a difference as far as Tynan’s lightning is concerned, but if he really was looking to fight I don’t think he’d be wasting his time trying to piece a weak incarnation back together. He’d be forming back at his cathedral where all the good stuff is.
As Zuurith is partly a manifestation of his people’s view of him, I would not be surprised if his inflated ego and overconfidence in himself was largely influenced by their faith that his system was strong. Just as Gleican’s appearance became more fearsome in response to the way people perceived his domain, Zuurith’s ability to form a strong incarnation may have been compromised by the shattered faith of his people. That, and he probably no longer has any confidence that he can protect his people. Just as Vash could hear his people screaming in peril when the mountain closed over his city, Zuurith can probably hear the cries of his people as they abandon his city echoing in his head.
Zuurith is wallowing in his own despair right now. He has no hope left, and for a god that is a manifestation of a city, that can’t be a good sign for his people.
As always, infinitely impressed with how the art gets better each page. These are a joy to look forward too every week.
All the glowiness on this page is really darn pretty. Zuurith in particular
This page.
Just… yes
Also I swear i cant be the only one thinking this, but is it just me or is tynan remind anyone of zues and ares combe
Me trying to comfort my friend while they’re having a mental breakdown
Tahrain and Caliban are the best. I love their dynamic.
Tahraim is officially my second favorite fantasy blacksmith.
Who’s your favourite?
Who’s your favourite fantasy blacksmith?
Officially my favorite god duo ever. The “pull yourself together already” kills me.
Why did Caliban’s ponytail go out in panel three?