Jsyk, I’ll probably be later than usual for the pages this summer, maybe even a day or two late, because I don’t use my computer that much during summer break and writing these on my phone is a PAIN. I’ll try to remember, though!
The ship zooms away from the city, quickly receding to a dot on the horizon. On the docks, Tarren yawns, then turns to head back, saying, “I should prototype one of the flyers for the next time he’s that desperate.”
On the sea, the ship speeds on, a circle of calm water surrounded by waves.
Where I’m from, all schools end in July (unless you’re in college or university, but college is more like 6th form). Also, my school year just ended because I FINALLY finished my month of GCSEs (Y11s get leave early, in late June hehe)
Yeah I’m American, I didn’t realize it was so different in other places though. Every school I know of here ends some time between late May and mid June.
Huh. Turns out there’s more rune circles. Alrighty then:
Water ring sequences:
Outer ring: “CALM QUIET STILL”, we’ve seen this one before.
Bow ring: “PUSH DOWN FLOW AWAY”, again, seen this earlier.
Stern ring: “DRAW UP WELL PULL”, this one is new.
What the bow and stern ring sequences do is what Tarren was described back in 2.1.4 which was a weird version of the Alcubierre drive. Except, you know, with water instead of spacetime.
So, Tarren really did everything they could to make the Ship of Fools as fast as theoretically possible, huh? Like, we’ve gone beyond mere PRACTICAL and dipped into ABSURD levels of Speed Freak Engineering.
It’s even implied by the brightness of the water; the bow ring water is dark like a dip in the water light ins’t getting to and the stern ring water is light like a bump of water that more light is hitting.
listen. dragon wants to eat the sun. sun is in space. if red wants the gang to go to space she has plenty of in-universe justification for it that’s all im saying
I’m no sailor, but if the summoned wind is coming straight from behind, wouldn’t it be more efficient to turn the sail to get maximum sail area?
A square sail might be better, too, I think the triangular sails are better at harnessing wind from other directions or something, which isn’t an issue.
I can think of some lore reasons though. Tarren isn’t the most physically able person and they would be doing the most testing of the ship by themselves, so having a fixed, simple sail might be better for them to test without worrying about complicated and strainful work. Plus most of the testing and complications of the ship are in the metal hull and lacrima arrays; it doesn’t matter what shape the sail is or what angle it’s at to test those.
This prototype doesn’t need the perfect sail to test the main features. However, once Tarren completes their testing and sets out to deliver a final product for full ship crews, then I’d wager we’d see more attention given to the sail shape.
Let’s not forget to consider that a “production model” would almost certainly want to be able to rig normal sails for use if the lacrimas are discharged or something goes horribly wrong (in a way that doesn’t involve a crew of misfits fighting a sea monster or such). Even if you want a metal sail to stand up to that level of force being applied when set to Ludicrous, having it be the right shape for a backup sail means that you can potentially detach it and use the normal sail if it comes down to that. Of course, this all assumes that there is any more logic to it than “looks cool, dagnabbit!” — which there really need not be.
Interesting secondary note: the wake appears to indicate that the water beneath the bow is effectively coherent or stilled enough that the wake is forming across the broad front curve of it, rather than from the bow of the boat itself. There’s definitely some advantages as to wear and tear there, but future designs might want to consider going for a more narrowed and tapered shape, that much of a “front” is going to be spending way more effort forcing water out of its way than it needs to.
Epic music should be playing for that final panel, but my brain is playing the music from the David Hasselhoff scene from the first Spongebob movie. I am a mess.
Ah, that blue-grey ocean you get at a calm dawn and dusk, lovely. Great showing of the water runic circles doing their jobs in the final pannel. The two inner ones moving the water for the ship to fall into; the water even looks darker in front of the ship and lighter at the back to suggest this. Then the outer one, and by extension the wind circles, calming the water around the boat; the brighter water implying this, free of movement from water or wind.
Given that the Soulshaper Monks may not have the means to help Erin (plus the myriad of people on their tails), the next time he’s desperate could be pretty soon, Tarren. I also wonder whether the gang might, for better or worse, visit the Archipelago Nimbus at some point, necessitating a flyer. First the bath, then the prototype.
Since last page, I’ve been imagining S.S. Aqua from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Crossing the Sea from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as potential tracks to be playing right now.
I for one would absolutely love a fantasy/Star Trek Aurora spin-off with Tarren.
If the ship is ‘Ship of Fools’, the flyer could be ‘Skyfool’.
Like Skyfall
Because I like puns
I’m getting far too excited over a potential skyship lol
I do like that Red basically took the principle of the theoretical Alcubierre Warp drive and used magic to apply that to water travel: Pull in front, push in back, flat in middle. When you don’t have dead plants or spicy rocks to boil water, use the next best thing!
I like seeing ship from top down with its magic affects. Red did really intricate and masterful job with clearly draw runes! Truly master level art work!
Excuse me but “ONE” of the fliers? He has multiple prospective flying machines that have passenger capacity? Oh this will be fun. Also How much magical flight is there in Aurora, we have only seen a small slice of the world so far.
So this is purely speculation but back in like chapter eight we saw light’s avatar was “an ocean away” and now our gang is crossing an ocean. Something tells me they are about to run smack dab into each other.
Last panel makes it obvious that Tarren’s Masterwork doesn’t NEED a proper hull shape. As long as the lacrima works and is properly operated, the boat can be any damn shape he feels like making it.
And seeing the sail make a wing shape from above is frickin’ cool. Anyone who wants to quibble about sail aerodynamics, I’m tapping the comic’s art style as if it was a sign.
Oh, by the way, the Capt. Reynaud International Schooner Race starts on the 21st, so sail-powered zoominess is very timely. Sadly, Tarren’s lateen-and-headsail-rigged catboat isn’t a schooner and therefore not eligible. But if you had a few lacrimas handy, and a strong, sturdy, fast hull…
re the alt text: ok but space aurora would be SO COOL
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: tarren will return in SPACE AURORA
Image source: prototype
Tumblr text: oh dang it I already used “gotta go fast”
Jsyk, I’ll probably be later than usual for the pages this summer, maybe even a day or two late, because I don’t use my computer that much during summer break and writing these on my phone is a PAIN. I’ll try to remember, though!
The ship zooms away from the city, quickly receding to a dot on the horizon. On the docks, Tarren yawns, then turns to head back, saying, “I should prototype one of the flyers for the next time he’s that desperate.”
On the sea, the ship speeds on, a circle of calm water surrounded by waves.
Twitter text: gotta go… faster?
Now that my school year is over I can read the new pages when they come out
Lucky, I have a whole MONTH left to go. And exams are starting this week
What kind of school ends in July? And why do you have a MONTH of exams?!
What r u on about?
Where I’m from, all schools end in July (unless you’re in college or university, but college is more like 6th form). Also, my school year just ended because I FINALLY finished my month of GCSEs (Y11s get leave early, in late June hehe)
Are you from America or summut?
Yeah I’m American, I didn’t realize it was so different in other places though. Every school I know of here ends some time between late May and mid June.
Is the boat called Deja Blue?
Tarren, the quintessential academic and magical scientist <3
Ooh, guess that last panel is for the rune decipherers
Huh. Turns out there’s more rune circles. Alrighty then:
Water ring sequences:
Outer ring: “CALM QUIET STILL”, we’ve seen this one before.
Bow ring: “PUSH DOWN FLOW AWAY”, again, seen this earlier.
Stern ring: “DRAW UP WELL PULL”, this one is new.
What the bow and stern ring sequences do is what Tarren was described back in 2.1.4 which was a weird version of the Alcubierre drive. Except, you know, with water instead of spacetime.
So, Tarren really did everything they could to make the Ship of Fools as fast as theoretically possible, huh? Like, we’ve gone beyond mere PRACTICAL and dipped into ABSURD levels of Speed Freak Engineering.
Ludicrous speed!
How? Where is your Rosetta stone? Did you really just look at the patterns and frequencies of the lettres? In any case, good job!
It’s even implied by the brightness of the water; the bow ring water is dark like a dip in the water light ins’t getting to and the stern ring water is light like a bump of water that more light is hitting.
Thank you for helping us again with the secrets hidden in Aurora, @Mat Cypher-scholar and insight-sharer!
dang the change in air pressure must be bonkers if it triggered a yawning reflex
Remember, they’ve been up for about 36 hours. Coffee only carries you so far.
Tarren watches their prototype race off,
Across the ocean’s sheen.
For next time Erin’s that desperate,
They plan a flying machine.
A ring of runes drives the air behind it,
One each ‘neath bow and stern,
The biggest holds the water smooth,
The waves around it turn.
listen. dragon wants to eat the sun. sun is in space. if red wants the gang to go to space she has plenty of in-universe justification for it that’s all im saying
Knowing Red, she doesn’t need an excuse to involve space in her story
I’m no sailor, but if the summoned wind is coming straight from behind, wouldn’t it be more efficient to turn the sail to get maximum sail area?
A square sail might be better, too, I think the triangular sails are better at harnessing wind from other directions or something, which isn’t an issue.
Exactly my thoughts. Yes it would be significantly more efficient. As it is now, the wind lacrima would actualle blow the boat slightly sideways.
Ah, Red did answer this in a tumblr post (link below). She choose the sail, a lateen sail to be exact, out of a personal preference because her sailing buddies like them. Since the boat moves via magic for the most part you don’t need to re-angle the sail.
https://comicaurora.tumblr.com/post/746114004418740224/hi-red-curious-about-the-last-few-strips-of
I can think of some lore reasons though. Tarren isn’t the most physically able person and they would be doing the most testing of the ship by themselves, so having a fixed, simple sail might be better for them to test without worrying about complicated and strainful work. Plus most of the testing and complications of the ship are in the metal hull and lacrima arrays; it doesn’t matter what shape the sail is or what angle it’s at to test those.
This prototype doesn’t need the perfect sail to test the main features. However, once Tarren completes their testing and sets out to deliver a final product for full ship crews, then I’d wager we’d see more attention given to the sail shape.
Let’s not forget to consider that a “production model” would almost certainly want to be able to rig normal sails for use if the lacrimas are discharged or something goes horribly wrong (in a way that doesn’t involve a crew of misfits fighting a sea monster or such). Even if you want a metal sail to stand up to that level of force being applied when set to Ludicrous, having it be the right shape for a backup sail means that you can potentially detach it and use the normal sail if it comes down to that. Of course, this all assumes that there is any more logic to it than “looks cool, dagnabbit!” — which there really need not be.
Interesting secondary note: the wake appears to indicate that the water beneath the bow is effectively coherent or stilled enough that the wake is forming across the broad front curve of it, rather than from the bow of the boat itself. There’s definitely some advantages as to wear and tear there, but future designs might want to consider going for a more narrowed and tapered shape, that much of a “front” is going to be spending way more effort forcing water out of its way than it needs to.
Sof blasts off in the sunrise so bright
Tarren yawns, makes a comment and calls it a’night
Consider this my official endorsement of the name of the ship as Ship of Fools. Credit to @Evil Tree, I believe?
Yep, that was me, though last page @Hellkat18 (AuroraSins) suggested “Ship of Floofs” which is also pretty fitting.
SPACEAURORAWHEN
In the grim darkness of SPACE AURORA there is only floof.
What would that look like? would it be space opera or literally fighting stars?
We could use the flyer prototype to go visit the cload elves and make Ali confront her backstory.
Red, you can’t tempt us with space aurora and not deliver. You can pull a She-Ra and have them just go to space. I’m just saying-
Epic music should be playing for that final panel, but my brain is playing the music from the David Hasselhoff scene from the first Spongebob movie. I am a mess.
Ah, that blue-grey ocean you get at a calm dawn and dusk, lovely. Great showing of the water runic circles doing their jobs in the final pannel. The two inner ones moving the water for the ship to fall into; the water even looks darker in front of the ship and lighter at the back to suggest this. Then the outer one, and by extension the wind circles, calming the water around the boat; the brighter water implying this, free of movement from water or wind.
Given that the Soulshaper Monks may not have the means to help Erin (plus the myriad of people on their tails), the next time he’s desperate could be pretty soon, Tarren. I also wonder whether the gang might, for better or worse, visit the Archipelago Nimbus at some point, necessitating a flyer. First the bath, then the prototype.
Since last page, I’ve been imagining S.S. Aqua from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Crossing the Sea from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as potential tracks to be playing right now.
I for one would absolutely love a fantasy/Star Trek Aurora spin-off with Tarren.
If the ship is ‘Ship of Fools’, the flyer could be ‘Skyfool’.
Like Skyfall
Because I like puns
I’m getting far too excited over a potential skyship lol
I do like that Red basically took the principle of the theoretical Alcubierre Warp drive and used magic to apply that to water travel: Pull in front, push in back, flat in middle. When you don’t have dead plants or spicy rocks to boil water, use the next best thing!
I love Tarren with all my heart and soul
The deep yawn and “all nighter” look on their face has killed me dead.
Also, “flyerS”. Plural. Poor Erin XD
I like seeing ship from top down with its magic affects. Red did really intricate and masterful job with clearly draw runes! Truly master level art work!
So does this ship basically work like an Alcubierre drive, but for water?
TL;DR: Hmmm… Next up, the sky, then the stars!
Appare Ranman incoming.
One piece theme kicks in.
Excuse me but “ONE” of the fliers? He has multiple prospective flying machines that have passenger capacity? Oh this will be fun. Also How much magical flight is there in Aurora, we have only seen a small slice of the world so far.
**They
Red actually made a post about mages attempting flight on her tumblr! https://www.tumblr.com/comicaurora/634079003076067328/can-you-use-life-magic-to-give-yourself-a?source=share
It apparently doesn’t go well. Although if after its been mentioned we DON’T get to see this Cyclonic Flight spell, I’ll be devastated XD
It seems more about growing wings than flight in general
**The post, I mean
True! I wasn’t thinking of it in terms of magical vehicles. I wonder if there are other lacrima powered vehicles like Tarren’s?
My bad! I keep making that mistake. Tarren is non binary right? “They/them” as the pronouns of reference?
Yep!
Space Aurora! With more dragons! And primordials! Yeah that’s something I’d definitely read.
So this is purely speculation but back in like chapter eight we saw light’s avatar was “an ocean away” and now our gang is crossing an ocean. Something tells me they are about to run smack dab into each other.
The bubble around the ship looks like one of those theoretical FTL drives. Which is very cool.
Tarren in SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE
Last panel makes it obvious that Tarren’s Masterwork doesn’t NEED a proper hull shape. As long as the lacrima works and is properly operated, the boat can be any damn shape he feels like making it.
And seeing the sail make a wing shape from above is frickin’ cool. Anyone who wants to quibble about sail aerodynamics, I’m tapping the comic’s art style as if it was a sign.
Oh, by the way, the Capt. Reynaud International Schooner Race starts on the 21st, so sail-powered zoominess is very timely. Sadly, Tarren’s lateen-and-headsail-rigged catboat isn’t a schooner and therefore not eligible. But if you had a few lacrimas handy, and a strong, sturdy, fast hull…
what if the sail on the next version was pointy?
like a pinched sheet, pointed in front of the boat
yeah I know it’d probably look awful but maybe, just maybe, it *could* look ok
I love how *fast* it disappears over the horizon and how it swamps the dock.