I’m not so sure which is better.
Caliban intentionally keeping it from Kendal, because giving the distraction his all was a crucial part of the plan that wouldn’t have worked if Kendal knew Rakhn wouldn’t mind the attempted robbery if the distraction failed.
Or that Caliban was going all “shit shit shit” freaking out the last 2 minutes because their elaborate plan just failed. And then it miraculously still worked.
Though I think because of the Ignans living in Rakhn Caliban would have grounds to have expected this, and the trickster god personality to have not told them.
Yeah. I can see how unkind readers would accuse Red of taking the lazy way out here, but I’d have to disagree. Rakhn’s motivation has been almost entirely neutral this entire time. I would say this feels startling, but entirely plausible. Well played, Red. Well played.
Yeah, Kendal was more correct than he thought he’d be last page when he offered “Being robbed” as a novel experience. Literally the only thing Rahkn wanted was something to break up the monotony of his days.
Honestly, being a volcano in the middle of a harsh ocean is probably more boring than any mainland city god could imagine, since there’s new people coming and going on a daily basis and, depending on how many people live there, there’s odd things happening all the time.
Yeah, to make it worse the only guys who do live there are such heat fiends they think the eternally molten caldera is too cold and stay inside all day. Like imagine living in a city where everyone is a complete neet and doesn’t come outside. Absolute ghost town.
Not to mention that this sort of bait-and-switch character beat is an older-than-television trope. Comes up in mythology sometimes, it’s usually the bored giant/god or otherwise unpredictable, differently-sane character.
Compare to the stereotype “Russians react to politeness with suspicion,” as in The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman, when Professor Mayakovsky is unresonably hostile to Quentin until Quentin loses his temper and yells at him, which Mayakovsky reacts to by cheerfully welcoming what he considers to be the “real” Quentin.
He’s happy now. I love him so much, he just wants interesting stuff to happen.
By the way, any more hobby ideas for the guy, and feel free to mention other characters and the hobbies you think they would have, I think it’s interesting.
Just ship Terren to the island. Not lots of regulation, plenty or raw resources, an ever curious god, the neighbors aren’t too noisy. Honestly the only downsides are weather and lack of infrastructure, but then I think Terren would be up for the challenge.
Yes my answer to “what other hobbies should this god have” is to say a person.
I like that Red managed to hide his softer features with the fire hair. He still has a large stocky frame, but it feels more welcoming once we can see that his face is actually much rounder and softer than one might expect. Going back to his introduction, you can see that his face is still the same, but the fire adds edges and sharpness to it that makes it much more intimidating.
I am also amused by the flame off moment there. He looks way more chill now.
Also, dude, we need to get you like an internet connection or something. Fire proof books? Your level of mental stimulation has to be super low for you to be so happy to be stolen from.
He has one day of the year where the ignans present New stuff to him (stories, music, poetry and etc) as Exchange for the heat he provides só yeah he is Very much content starved
Hol’ up, wait a minute, I just had one of them good 3am (MST) intrusive thoughts/inquieries and I just had to get it down here before I forgot it: Could Falst purr?
We know Falst = Lion
Lion = Big Cat
Big Cat = No Purr
But still, can he?!?!?!
…Y’know, I bet one of the things Rakhn does in his off time is working on his speeches and mannerisms. The “I am the cycle” diatribe he pulled mid-fight is hardly something someone does off the cuff (excepting dramatics like Tynan or people who have had centuries to stew like the Void Dragon). To that end, I wonder what he might do if he flubbed one of his dramatic lines while begging for something interesting.
Falst: Oh sure, have a nice chat with the local god, make some tea like you did with the last one. Just forget about the guy still fighting for his life inside a volcano!
Alinua: Yeah. Being forgotten sucks.
Falst: Oh s**t, we still haven’t gotten back to you yet, sorry.
Well … that went better than I was expecting. Looks like Kendal’s assessment of Rakhn, hostile, hates being bored, but not inherently malevolent, was right. He’s even giving me some Gleicann vibes in that final panel. Fire being the seat of emotion has been well-established in Aurora, so it’s fitting that when Rakhn calms down, his fire dies down too.
Just as well they didn’t make an enemy of the native god; the gang is in no state to quickly evacuate a hostile island.
This is all good for Kendal, but Falst is still in an active volcano crawling with lava centipedes, and no obvious exit. Plus the Ignan guards likely saw him break off a piece of the Fireseed, and I doubt they’ll assume their host will be cool with it; they’re going to try and stop Falst, unless Rakhn tells them otherwise.
Calling it (assuming no one else has already), Alinua is in for a chat with the collector in the belly of the chimeric whale, iirc last we saw of her was a floofy profile flung into the air right above the maw.
Looking at Kendal’s face in panel 5, he wasn’t expecting Rakhn to laugh. Honestly, I thought it would be the sudden appearance of Dainix that would interest the fire god–and, I expect, because he has no plans to use Dainix, he might have some interesting information for our firey friend.
I still think Falst should quickly insert Flamespark into Dainix’s skin as quickly as he can, so Dainix can help Falst get away from the lava loving centipedes(?) Or at least tame them? And get up top side. Heist is not yet complete until Dainix escapes with Falst. At least for me!
Dainix has to sing the praise of friends at the end for completeness sake. (Though I am pleased Rakhn now feels appeased.)
Pottery. Specifically, I think he would enjoy testing different firing techniques and mixing/testing glazes, due to their unpredictability. Especially with the Raku technique, the outcome is unique and unexpected every time.
Also, is Rakhn going to finally be the first one to realize that creating his own demigod could be useful and, more to the point in this case, incredibly entertaining? Not only would it be a novel experience, but mental connection would let Rakhn see the world through the eyes of his demigod.
Assuming all he has to do is 1) create a body that’s built to last, 2) disinhabit it without destroying it, and 3) flood the body with life magic and wait for ambient soul energy to accumulate inside it, then it might be possible if they can find Alinua. But then, maybe there’s some critical step in that process I’m missing.
Poor dude is just really bored. Maybe this could have gone more smoothly if they’d brought the poor dude a fidget toy or a copy of magic Skyrim or something.
…Huh. You know, these two could bond over craving new experiences, what with Kendal only ever having seen the world through Vash’s eyes, and Rakhn being isolated where he is.
Thoroughly delighted that we have once again be thwarted by placing human views on a deity. Lookit him! His laugh is so cute!
I appreciate the subversion from Red. He is completely open about his motivation of being bored, and Kendal is entirely correct (even if he may have meant it sarcastically) that being stolen from is a novel experience, a worthy offering for him.
Rakhn accepts the news with mirth
Sees the surprise as of sufficient worth
And thank the gods for that!
why is he so cute in that 4th panel
Hes just so happi
He is! He’s so cute. The last panel too.
Can you imagine only knowing about not-on-fire Rakhn for years, and thinking people’s horror stories about him are just slander or jealousy?
“WTF u talkin bout? Rakhn’s cool, actually! Always cheerful, has a great sense of humor!”
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: kind of has “guy with beard becomes babyfaced when he shaves” energy
Image source: talk
Bluesky text: did everyone have a restful weekend?
Tumblr text: level clear!
Oh thank fuck we are doing the wholesome route
… OKAY THEN
Ayyyy! The sass paid off!
Oh it worked!
Wonderful!
Wait a minute, did Caliban know this would work?!
Doubtful, but I think that makes it even better.
I’m not so sure which is better.
Caliban intentionally keeping it from Kendal, because giving the distraction his all was a crucial part of the plan that wouldn’t have worked if Kendal knew Rakhn wouldn’t mind the attempted robbery if the distraction failed.
Or that Caliban was going all “shit shit shit” freaking out the last 2 minutes because their elaborate plan just failed. And then it miraculously still worked.
Though I think because of the Ignans living in Rakhn Caliban would have grounds to have expected this, and the trickster god personality to have not told them.
What a chill guy, all he wanted was someone with crippling kleptomania
He’s being a surprisingly good sport about this, ngl.
Yeah. I can see how unkind readers would accuse Red of taking the lazy way out here, but I’d have to disagree. Rakhn’s motivation has been almost entirely neutral this entire time. I would say this feels startling, but entirely plausible. Well played, Red. Well played.
Yeah, Kendal was more correct than he thought he’d be last page when he offered “Being robbed” as a novel experience. Literally the only thing Rahkn wanted was something to break up the monotony of his days.
Honestly, being a volcano in the middle of a harsh ocean is probably more boring than any mainland city god could imagine, since there’s new people coming and going on a daily basis and, depending on how many people live there, there’s odd things happening all the time.
Yeah, to make it worse the only guys who do live there are such heat fiends they think the eternally molten caldera is too cold and stay inside all day. Like imagine living in a city where everyone is a complete neet and doesn’t come outside. Absolute ghost town.
Also a great story to tell and swap for other stories with visitors. You have to hear about the time I was robbed, it was so novel.
Not to mention that this sort of bait-and-switch character beat is an older-than-television trope. Comes up in mythology sometimes, it’s usually the bored giant/god or otherwise unpredictable, differently-sane character.
Compare to the stereotype “Russians react to politeness with suspicion,” as in The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman, when Professor Mayakovsky is unresonably hostile to Quentin until Quentin loses his temper and yells at him, which Mayakovsky reacts to by cheerfully welcoming what he considers to be the “real” Quentin.
He’s happy now. I love him so much, he just wants interesting stuff to happen.
By the way, any more hobby ideas for the guy, and feel free to mention other characters and the hobbies you think they would have, I think it’s interesting.
Tyanan for theatre kid.
In a perfect world, Rakhn and Tynan would have founded a traveling theater troupe together and all of their issues would have been solved instantly.
Just ship Terren to the island. Not lots of regulation, plenty or raw resources, an ever curious god, the neighbors aren’t too noisy. Honestly the only downsides are weather and lack of infrastructure, but then I think Terren would be up for the challenge.
Yes my answer to “what other hobbies should this god have” is to say a person.
whuh–
YESSS! Yes yes yesssss! Oh, I love this, what a fantastic twist! Go team! Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Also, sans fire hair, Rakhn is surprisingly… cute? O,o
I 100% agree, Rakhn is adorable
I like that Red managed to hide his softer features with the fire hair. He still has a large stocky frame, but it feels more welcoming once we can see that his face is actually much rounder and softer than one might expect. Going back to his introduction, you can see that his face is still the same, but the fire adds edges and sharpness to it that makes it much more intimidating.
For once, the whole “Stealing fire from the gods” is actually working out (at the moment)
Feel like that smith god planned for this.
AW YAY Okay I love Rakhn so much with this twist. That laughter is so cute!!
YES! He likes having been surprised by a theft!
I am also amused by the flame off moment there. He looks way more chill now.
Also, dude, we need to get you like an internet connection or something. Fire proof books? Your level of mental stimulation has to be super low for you to be so happy to be stolen from.
He has one day of the year where the ignans present New stuff to him (stories, music, poetry and etc) as Exchange for the heat he provides só yeah he is Very much content starved
This is the first time I’ve read a page ‘when it comes out’ (thank you, insomnia) and I am just, confusion?
Hol’ up, wait a minute, I just had one of them good 3am (MST) intrusive thoughts/inquieries and I just had to get it down here before I forgot it: Could Falst purr?
We know Falst = Lion
Lion = Big Cat
Big Cat = No Purr
But still, can he?!?!?!
How marvellous! I love that he enjoyed this. OMG Red, you have the BEST deities!
I am extremely surprised but also delighted.
Ooh the hair works like Caliban’s where it’s on fire when they’re mad
Oh my days I’m so glad that worked
…Y’know, I bet one of the things Rakhn does in his off time is working on his speeches and mannerisms. The “I am the cycle” diatribe he pulled mid-fight is hardly something someone does off the cuff (excepting dramatics like Tynan or people who have had centuries to stew like the Void Dragon). To that end, I wonder what he might do if he flubbed one of his dramatic lines while begging for something interesting.
“I am the cycle… I AM the cycle… I am THE cycle… I am the CYCLE… No, no… I am… The Cycle!”
Aww, he really is just bored.
Falst: Oh sure, have a nice chat with the local god, make some tea like you did with the last one. Just forget about the guy still fighting for his life inside a volcano!
Alinua: Yeah. Being forgotten sucks.
Falst: Oh s**t, we still haven’t gotten back to you yet, sorry.
Well … that went better than I was expecting. Looks like Kendal’s assessment of Rakhn, hostile, hates being bored, but not inherently malevolent, was right. He’s even giving me some Gleicann vibes in that final panel. Fire being the seat of emotion has been well-established in Aurora, so it’s fitting that when Rakhn calms down, his fire dies down too.
Just as well they didn’t make an enemy of the native god; the gang is in no state to quickly evacuate a hostile island.
This is all good for Kendal, but Falst is still in an active volcano crawling with lava centipedes, and no obvious exit. Plus the Ignan guards likely saw him break off a piece of the Fireseed, and I doubt they’ll assume their host will be cool with it; they’re going to try and stop Falst, unless Rakhn tells them otherwise.
Calling it (assuming no one else has already), Alinua is in for a chat with the collector in the belly of the chimeric whale, iirc last we saw of her was a floofy profile flung into the air right above the maw.
By the gods, there’s a based er, god, on the loose!
OMG, he seems so sweet now. This is absolutely fricking awesome.
—–Glorious Success—–
Holy shit the meme answers from last time were right.
wow, that worked?
Oh I like Rakhn much more now (Also is it just me or did he get 10000 times hotter when he put out his hair)
He is reasonable and just genuinely bored! I wonder if some of the anger is for show?
Oh no, he’s HANDSOME. Red, how DARE you give me another crush in this series!
To all the doubters, welcome to the Rakhn fan club. I brought snacks. 😀
“GG you win”
Looking at Kendal’s face in panel 5, he wasn’t expecting Rakhn to laugh. Honestly, I thought it would be the sudden appearance of Dainix that would interest the fire god–and, I expect, because he has no plans to use Dainix, he might have some interesting information for our firey friend.
oh my god his hair calmed down agsags cutie
I still think Falst should quickly insert Flamespark into Dainix’s skin as quickly as he can, so Dainix can help Falst get away from the lava loving centipedes(?) Or at least tame them? And get up top side. Heist is not yet complete until Dainix escapes with Falst. At least for me!
Dainix has to sing the praise of friends at the end for completeness sake. (Though I am pleased Rakhn now feels appeased.)
Rage fades leaving mirth
Lonely man looking for joy
Perhaps a new friend
Aww! So cute!
Aurora Question #48: What hobbies or activities do you think Rakhn would enjoy?
Pottery. Specifically, I think he would enjoy testing different firing techniques and mixing/testing glazes, due to their unpredictability. Especially with the Raku technique, the outcome is unique and unexpected every time.
Don’t be intimidated Kendal, just try to imagine him without the fire hair…..
OH NO HES HOT
Does he accept hugs? I wanta hug him. ^w^
Omg I love Rakhn. New favourite character achieved! Ding!
I did not know bro was chill like that.
Also, is Rakhn going to finally be the first one to realize that creating his own demigod could be useful and, more to the point in this case, incredibly entertaining? Not only would it be a novel experience, but mental connection would let Rakhn see the world through the eyes of his demigod.
Assuming all he has to do is 1) create a body that’s built to last, 2) disinhabit it without destroying it, and 3) flood the body with life magic and wait for ambient soul energy to accumulate inside it, then it might be possible if they can find Alinua. But then, maybe there’s some critical step in that process I’m missing.
Dont be intimidated kendal, just try to imagine him without his scary fire hair….
OH NO HE’S HOT!
LMFAO
No, he was hot, now he’s cool. Well, cooler…
help why is he suddenly a cutie
also no more lava hair?? 💔
lmao that’s what i was thinking
like bro hear me out…
giant angry lava god that suddenly doesn’t have a temper or flaming hair anymore
Poor dude is just really bored. Maybe this could have gone more smoothly if they’d brought the poor dude a fidget toy or a copy of magic Skyrim or something.
That’s the happiest I’ve ever seen anyone be at their own robbery. Someone get this man a fantasy ipad.
I knew it! The plan actually worked despite Red ominously implying it wouldn’t! Trope subversion for the win!
The only problem with being made out of lava is that all your books burn when you get heated near the third act.
…Huh. You know, these two could bond over craving new experiences, what with Kendal only ever having seen the world through Vash’s eyes, and Rakhn being isolated where he is.
Thoroughly delighted that we have once again be thwarted by placing human views on a deity. Lookit him! His laugh is so cute!
RAKHN: Enrichment? In MY enclosure?
Oh no he’s HOT
TASK FAILED SUCCESSFULLY?? Oh my god.
Also I love how he visibly cools off and becomes a normal height when he chills out.
OH THANK GOODNESS *massive sigh of relief*
Man, didn’t know you were cool like that Rakhn.
TL;DR: Who knew you could defuse a volcano by robbing it?
HES SO CUTE
First panel Kendal looks like he’s dabbing
Wholesome end
I appreciate the subversion from Red. He is completely open about his motivation of being bored, and Kendal is entirely correct (even if he may have meant it sarcastically) that being stolen from is a novel experience, a worthy offering for him.
Meanwhile, Falst continues to tear his own body apart to heal his boyfriend but now for no reason. (Dramatic Irony is delicious)
See Zurrith? THAT is what a mountain god’s incarnation looks like.
There once was a mountain god
Whose flames were scary and broad.
They went out with his laugh
At Kendal’s gaffe–
Oh no, he’s got a cute bod!
I bet you’re glad you don’t have to draw that firey glow on his mane anymore huh red