An exhausted Kendal cuts his way free
Thinking back to the fall, was Ali lost at sea?
Thoughts: The vines in the flashback look amazing. It’s interesting that the plorb falls apart from seemingly one cut like that, so it’s probably less solid than I thought. And someone give Kendal some healing and a nap right now, my boy is not okay!
. A sword stabs through the orb of vines. It falls apart as the sword slices downwards, Kendal falling to the ground. After a moment, he lifts his head, staring at a piece of vine clutched in his hand.
. He remembers plummeting through the air as the ship is destroyed, reaching out for Alinua, falling below him. Her arms are outstretched, vines spilling from one to envelop him, the other arm facing the other direction, finishing weaving the orb around Falst and demonheart-Dainix.
. Kendal kneels in the sand, slumped, still looking at the vine in his hand.
NOOOOOO KENDAL SO SADDDD he can’t be sad! We must find Alinua!
I took your name @EvilTree lol, demonheart-Dainix is really good
Huh, I was wrong about who was in the Grorb. Vrob? Hmmm
I hope ali wasn’t found by nessie I can’t imagine what might happen if she was. But that depends on how much the collector can see through it’s eyes if she even can
Do NOT underestimate to Collector’s abilities! I won’t even hope her arrogance gives the Floof Squad any extra wiggle room even if the writer is not on her side and Red does love drama…
the floof squad as one advantage over the collector and that is the fact that she doesn’t have any idea of how special this group is, even in a worst case scenario where she can see trought the chimera’s eyes there is no way she knows about falst’s light connection, erin being a void mage and the elemental magus and the extent of alinua’s skill, power and her connection with life, she will underestimate the floof squad, not because of arrogance but because the group that kendal gathered is such a improbable combination that literally no one could foresee it
Oh goodness. Poor Kendal. Not only hurt, but thinking of Alinua (who is mvp for her rescue maneuver) and visibly distraught. I wonder what happened with her. I hope she and Kendal can reunite soon, though I worry they might be separated for a while…
The panel with Alinua from Kendal’s perspective is gorgeous.
Tess & Erin Recovery Time
Falst & Dainix Recovery Time
Kendal Recovery Time
Alinua MIA
I imagine Tess will probably have to fight something big to protect Erin at some point, possibly until the rest of the party reunites to help her, Dainix and Falst might see some Caliban/Tahraim based Divine Meddling, and Kendal will probably meet Rakhn.
Wherever Alinua is, I’m sure she’s got other problems. I hope she gets to meet a mermaid though.
Yeah, I think this might be when the mermaid Chekov’s gun is fired.
Also the “We’re not going there” one for Dainix and Falst maybe? If their glorb sunk somehow? That would also pay off the whole “Soulfire can burn at the bottom of the ocean” thing, potentially.
Epic Shipwrecked Kendal skin? Eh, I was hoping for Purple Cape Falst, but still pretty good.
Nice use of Alinua’s vines as a border in the last panel; separating Kendal’s memory from his present situation. Big contrasts between the two scenes: chaos vs quiet, companions near vs Kendal alone, Kendal appearing large in the flashback with only his hand and hair visible vs how tiny he appears on that beach. Things are less hectic now, but not necessarily better.
For such hastily crafted plorbs done mid-falling overboard, Alinua did a pretty good job. Light and strong vines as the base, watertight to keep buoyancy, can take rough sea beatings on the outside, yet can be easily undone through piercing/slashing from the inside. Alinua didn’t play a big role on the boat trip, as I expected, but when she was called, she came in clutch.
Just as I feared, Alinua didn’t make it into a plant orb in time. Now, how will she survive? Will she:
a) make it to land under her own power, either consciously, unconsciously, or with some help from Life?
b) encounter Nessie herself, and, if it is a chimera, maybe the one who created it too? Defeating and/or taming possible.
c) get saved by some mer-people and go on her own solo sidequest? (which would be new for her) or
d) None or a combination of the above.
Prediction for next week: I’m thinking Kendal getting up and beginning to search the beach for his friends. Or maybe we might cut away to Falst getting out of his pod with demonheart-Dainix.
If it’s the latter, I’m also betting on Caliban appearing. I see Falst wondering aloud how to help his friend, then Cali appears offering a solution, potentially involving Rakhn. Falst would be incredibly suspicious, but ultimately go along if it means helping Dainix.
id love an alinua solo arc!! or even her with mermaids. we havent seen her on her lonesome since she met kendal, except for that downtime shopping trip. i fear she might be a lil codependent (he might be too), but regardless, seeing her fall back into isolation would be very very interesting.
for the vines, i think she planned for this kind of situation well in advance (see: her mistrust before they even left port).
probably the best possible option for who went flying. if kendal and falst weren’t we-are-groot-ed, their healing factors would be put to serious work, but alinua has the ultimate healing factor of favouritism.
That is NOT who I was expecting to be in there. I wasthinking rither Falst or Alinua, not the indestructible guy who can probably breathe underwater (or rather, doesn’t need to breathe air)
Does Kendal realize this is probably how Ali felt when he put himself in that coma near the end of last arc? If so, maybe he’ll have a better understanding of why she was so upset. Hope they’re reunited soon so they can talk it out
ough that made me realize that kendal probably could have survived the ocean but alinua still saved him over herself anyways,,,,, crying screaming throwing up etc
Gotta say, I *love* these kinds of “Scattered Heroes” story points. It’s like a soft reset that can help combat power creep, gives the characters to demonstrate their growth when they can’t rely on others, and can give a spotlight to some that can be very surprising.
I mean, it sucks for THEM. But I’m enjoying the hell out of the story.
Alinua…. did you choose to save everyone else before saving yourself?
i guess you kinda have to since you cant save them from inside a plant ball. but if you start learning the wrong lessons from kendal i swear t the twins i will do a bad thing that you will not like i havent decided what yet
I really truly am interested in what’s going to happen to Ali! I feel like there’s so many options for her these next few chapters and really can’t see where the story is taking her.
What a pleasant transition form the tranquil boat ride. Seriously, if any of these characters somehow came across mortal peril, I would probably stop reading, specially with how little precedent there would be for such a thing.
An exhausted Kendal cuts his way free
Thinking back to the fall, was Ali lost at sea?
Thoughts: The vines in the flashback look amazing. It’s interesting that the plorb falls apart from seemingly one cut like that, so it’s probably less solid than I thought. And someone give Kendal some healing and a nap right now, my boy is not okay!
Kendal cuts free and falls to the ground;
He grasps a vine, grieving,
Remembers Alinua, through water she fell,
The orb around him weaving.
Lots of room for air in that plorb!
No relief for the boi. Only angst.
Oooh, Kendal solo adventure coming up?
Sounds like a perfect time for the local god to give Kendal a visit!
Alt text: the plorb (plant orb) comes with a special prize inside!
Image source: vines
tumblr text: me waking up at 4 AM to post this tbh
Bluesky text: hello fellow awake people
. A sword stabs through the orb of vines. It falls apart as the sword slices downwards, Kendal falling to the ground. After a moment, he lifts his head, staring at a piece of vine clutched in his hand.
. He remembers plummeting through the air as the ship is destroyed, reaching out for Alinua, falling below him. Her arms are outstretched, vines spilling from one to envelop him, the other arm facing the other direction, finishing weaving the orb around Falst and demonheart-Dainix.
. Kendal kneels in the sand, slumped, still looking at the vine in his hand.
NOOOOOO KENDAL SO SADDDD he can’t be sad! We must find Alinua!
I took your name @EvilTree lol, demonheart-Dainix is really good
Huh, I was wrong about who was in the Grorb. Vrob? Hmmm
Is it alright if your doc is shared in the Aurora Fan Server on Discord?
I hope ali wasn’t found by nessie I can’t imagine what might happen if she was. But that depends on how much the collector can see through it’s eyes if she even can
Do NOT underestimate to Collector’s abilities! I won’t even hope her arrogance gives the Floof Squad any extra wiggle room even if the writer is not on her side and Red does love drama…
the floof squad as one advantage over the collector and that is the fact that she doesn’t have any idea of how special this group is, even in a worst case scenario where she can see trought the chimera’s eyes there is no way she knows about falst’s light connection, erin being a void mage and the elemental magus and the extent of alinua’s skill, power and her connection with life, she will underestimate the floof squad, not because of arrogance but because the group that kendal gathered is such a improbable combination that literally no one could foresee it
Oh goodness. Poor Kendal. Not only hurt, but thinking of Alinua (who is mvp for her rescue maneuver) and visibly distraught. I wonder what happened with her. I hope she and Kendal can reunite soon, though I worry they might be separated for a while…
The panel with Alinua from Kendal’s perspective is gorgeous.
(also: screw you insomnia. screw you.)
So we’ve split the party. I’m expecting:
Tess & Erin Recovery Time
Falst & Dainix Recovery Time
Kendal Recovery Time
Alinua MIA
I imagine Tess will probably have to fight something big to protect Erin at some point, possibly until the rest of the party reunites to help her, Dainix and Falst might see some Caliban/Tahraim based Divine Meddling, and Kendal will probably meet Rakhn.
Wherever Alinua is, I’m sure she’s got other problems. I hope she gets to meet a mermaid though.
Yeah, I think this might be when the mermaid Chekov’s gun is fired.
Also the “We’re not going there” one for Dainix and Falst maybe? If their glorb sunk somehow? That would also pay off the whole “Soulfire can burn at the bottom of the ocean” thing, potentially.
Not worried about Ali, sure an she can make her plorb grow fins and regroup every one. Life herself seems like she wouldn’t let Ali die that easily.
Epic Shipwrecked Kendal skin? Eh, I was hoping for Purple Cape Falst, but still pretty good.
Nice use of Alinua’s vines as a border in the last panel; separating Kendal’s memory from his present situation. Big contrasts between the two scenes: chaos vs quiet, companions near vs Kendal alone, Kendal appearing large in the flashback with only his hand and hair visible vs how tiny he appears on that beach. Things are less hectic now, but not necessarily better.
For such hastily crafted plorbs done mid-falling overboard, Alinua did a pretty good job. Light and strong vines as the base, watertight to keep buoyancy, can take rough sea beatings on the outside, yet can be easily undone through piercing/slashing from the inside. Alinua didn’t play a big role on the boat trip, as I expected, but when she was called, she came in clutch.
Just as I feared, Alinua didn’t make it into a plant orb in time. Now, how will she survive? Will she:
a) make it to land under her own power, either consciously, unconsciously, or with some help from Life?
b) encounter Nessie herself, and, if it is a chimera, maybe the one who created it too? Defeating and/or taming possible.
c) get saved by some mer-people and go on her own solo sidequest? (which would be new for her) or
d) None or a combination of the above.
Prediction for next week: I’m thinking Kendal getting up and beginning to search the beach for his friends. Or maybe we might cut away to Falst getting out of his pod with demonheart-Dainix.
If it’s the latter, I’m also betting on Caliban appearing. I see Falst wondering aloud how to help his friend, then Cali appears offering a solution, potentially involving Rakhn. Falst would be incredibly suspicious, but ultimately go along if it means helping Dainix.
id love an alinua solo arc!! or even her with mermaids. we havent seen her on her lonesome since she met kendal, except for that downtime shopping trip. i fear she might be a lil codependent (he might be too), but regardless, seeing her fall back into isolation would be very very interesting.
for the vines, i think she planned for this kind of situation well in advance (see: her mistrust before they even left port).
Last panel: sad
It looks like alinua made a second orb… Probably for falst and rock.
Look at panel four. The saddest man in the world. Sopping wet (literal)
yo! she caught air!
probably the best possible option for who went flying. if kendal and falst weren’t we-are-groot-ed, their healing factors would be put to serious work, but alinua has the ultimate healing factor of favouritism.
IS SHE IN THE OCEAN NOW???????
OH NO I THOUGHT ALINUA WOULD BE IN THE PLORB WITH HIM BUT NO AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (T⌓T)
where is aliuna, is she safe? is she alright?
You’re probably wondering how I got into this situation. Honestly, so am I.
That is NOT who I was expecting to be in there. I wasthinking rither Falst or Alinua, not the indestructible guy who can probably breathe underwater (or rather, doesn’t need to breathe air)
Does Kendal realize this is probably how Ali felt when he put himself in that coma near the end of last arc? If so, maybe he’ll have a better understanding of why she was so upset. Hope they’re reunited soon so they can talk it out
ough that made me realize that kendal probably could have survived the ocean but alinua still saved him over herself anyways,,,,, crying screaming throwing up etc
TL;DR: This only accounts for one of us…
Gotta say, I *love* these kinds of “Scattered Heroes” story points. It’s like a soft reset that can help combat power creep, gives the characters to demonstrate their growth when they can’t rely on others, and can give a spotlight to some that can be very surprising.
I mean, it sucks for THEM. But I’m enjoying the hell out of the story.
I know, right? Like we might get FOUR solo arcs over the next chapter(s)?! We’re gonna be absolutely feasting on characterization moments
Plorb
Alinua…. did you choose to save everyone else before saving yourself?
i guess you kinda have to since you cant save them from inside a plant ball. but if you start learning the wrong lessons from kendal i swear t the twins i will do a bad thing that you will not like i havent decided what yet
I really truly am interested in what’s going to happen to Ali! I feel like there’s so many options for her these next few chapters and really can’t see where the story is taking her.
WE ARE APPROACHING THE MERMAID EVENT
No! Not the plorb! My new favorite character! How could you take him away from us when he was just learning what it is to love?!
Oh, so it was a Kendal egg. Ooh, is he going to wrap the seaweed vine thing around his wrist in a cliche “Always remember her” way?
Oh I’ve seen this game on Steam before. It’s cool they let you start with a sword in this one though. Makes the initial tree-chopping easier.
That last panel is GORGEOUS! The way the vines from Kendal’s past pov serves as the border for the present is just *chef’s kiss*
Oh he is gripping that vine. I’m so not okay.
THAT LAST PANEL IS PRETTY.
The contrast! the lighting! the sheer vibrancy! the GLOW
The vines look so solid, I can feel them wrapping around my arm.
What a pleasant transition form the tranquil boat ride. Seriously, if any of these characters somehow came across mortal peril, I would probably stop reading, specially with how little precedent there would be for such a thing.
You gotta pull an Alexander and cut the Gordian knot.
I know this isn’t news but… Reds art is so pretty!!! The glow effects and the composition and contrast!!! Amazing 😍
Okay, so everyone went in different directions, in their own ball. That is not going to complicate things at all.
Maybe there’s an up side. This a great time for character devel– I mean, by scattering they may be more difficult for their various enemies to find.
Nooo Alinua