And off the bat, we’re flashing back to the end of Ch. 3 with the snea snek. Ali seems knocked tf out. Can’t blame her. At the height she was, hitting the water is like hitting concrete. She’ll be fine, Life Mum won’t let anything bad happen to her.
Cheers! (Lift coffee mug) (Summers Mondays used to be good for kids before they had longer school years, ah the old days!) (Apologizes for wool gathering!)
YYaaaayyy! (I hope we get a flasback or two of Alunia’s foster family – they must have left an impression for her to care so much that she exiled herself to save every one from her consumption from the Chimera plague)
Also, would this count as ‘Alinua is self-destructive’? She did put herself in danger to save the other three, but there wasn’t really time to do anything else. Could be counted as ‘tactical’, but methinks that’s reserved for a certain pair xD
Can anyone more well versed in comic speech say whether this counts as a ‘full splash page’ without dialogue? I think that it probably has to be at least mostly just one panel to count.
I think it could be explanded with “Kaiju fight!”, “Narrator of exposition turns out to be Erin”, “Falst stealing Erins stuff”, “Tess gets to punch a dragon” and “another super powered transformation”
these ideas are all *fantastic* and I was in fact considering “Tess punches something” and “kaiju fight” for squares, but there were simply too many things and not enough squares, alas. good thinking though!
also, @AsTheLightFades, thank you for making this comment high up enough that people could see it!! many thanks for your thoughtfulness!! and btw I wouldn’t count this as a full page splash bc it’s technically multiple panels, and arguably Alinua did her self-destructive ‘save the others! but I can just fall it’s fine’ thing *last* chapter… but that could be up for debate (and yes, “tactical” is in fact reserved for a certain pair <3)
Maybe someone (not neccasarily you, don’t want to force anything on you xD) could make a new bingo sheet once it’s complete, with some of these new ideas? Also thank you for doing this, it’s going to be great fun!
Wait, Alinau’s hair coloring looks off! Is that due to the lighting underwater? Or did it get sun bleached on the trip out? Or is this due to the use of her magic! I am I just reading too much inti this! Poor Alinua! (still shaking in nervous excitement like ice cream headed dog [from Rave?] too many anime memories!)
I think it’s just underwater and it’s dark because of the storm above surface. This make light dim and bluish, now I wonder how her hair will look like underwater. Is it like human hair or waterproof because she is a cloud elf
Wait a minute … the embodiment of life itself is falling into the depths of the ocean with unknown mutant sea monsters watching.
The Bionicle Barraki commercial is playing in my head, and I can’t get it to stop!
After a chapter of mostly fire and lava drawing effects, we’re starting this chapter with water effects. A nice return of the water surface from below texture from chapter 3, plus a new featureless depths with light rays background. Not a lot to say about that one, but that may be the point; all our attention in panel 3 is focused on Alinua, the wreckage, and the monster.
Alinua will survive drowning thanks to Life, I’m sure of it, so the real threat is Nessie. We’re still not certain what it is, but a chimera of sorts does sound likely; Alinua was given visions about it early, maybe due to Life’s aversion to chimeras, and it’s positively leaking life energy from its very skin. Now, is it under the Collector’s influence, another life mage’s, or is it masterless?
I know, right? Essenger’s ambient remix of Creeping In My Soul is running on loop through my head as I’m picturing Alinua’s arc this chapter.
As for Nessie aka the snea snek… well, I’ll just copy-paste the theory I posted on the Discord a couple of months ago.
The Northern Wyrm typically manifests as a sea serpent (per Word of Red). It’s territories have recently experienced chimeric activity according to Argist.
And I just remembered something Gleicann said back in 1-9-19: “Even a divine incarnation is a living body. Were this form to undergo mutation, it could be ripped from my control and run wild.”
Collie’s already experimented on nature gods without results, she has no reason to kidnap the Wyrm, plus it’s impractical (it’s an oceanic current). But its incarnation could’ve been made an asset (i.e. chimerically mutated and now controlled by the Collector).
Either that or there are enough chimeras in the area that it has taken their form, same as Gleicann became scary when his forest did. But that would mean the Northern Wyrm sunk their boat intentionally, which it wouldn’t have a reason for (that we know of). So yeah, I think your theory holds some weight, but it’s also terrifying if that’s true.
It makes the most sense that this is the collector’s work, but i remember someone mentioning that there might be an instance of chimeric plague somewhere in this ocean? In which case the Wyrm’s incarnation could have been mutated by that. We do know that Life magic can allow a God’s vessel to survive independently, after all.
That was Argist speculating why there was chimerical activity underwater. Recall that, at the moment, nobody outside the Floof Squad (and Vash) knows Alinua is the current chimeric carrier. The timeline given by Argist doesn’t line up with the chimeric plague because there’s only ever one carrier at a time.
Oh, that’s true — for some reason I hadn’t made the connection that Life’s connection with Alinua *succeeding* would probably eliminate the need to try again with someone else, so there wouldn’t be another one!
Ohh! I’ve heard Essenger’s ambient Closer to the Truth before, but not that one, nice!
(great, now I’m imagining his Vahki parody commercial “Metru Nui Sucks”, but replaced with the city of Zuurith and Shrike’s hunters as the Vahki)
That’s a pretty sound theory, Collie or another life mage performing a targeted mutation of a god’s incarnation to place it under their control/influence, or just to be a mindless beast to cause chaos.
Then again, a god making a body then a mage mutating it into something of it’s own sounds very similar to Kendal’s origin, and he’s been hyped as a one-of-a-kind deal.
Maybe Nessie is a similar situation, but its body never developed a soul, thus doesn’t have the internal support a soul gives. Might explain why it’s seeping life energy; perhaps the absence of a soul means it has to constantly heal itself to avoid falling apart.
Or maybe the Northern Wyrm is still in the body but the mutations, both existing and ongoing if that’s what that life energy is doing, mean it’s beyond their control.
Whatever the reason, I get the feeling Alinua could be the key to solving this problem, which I am very excited for. This whole story happened because Ali thought she had the chance to do a little good and help people in her last days and took it; a solo arc that rekindles that drive of hers, and showing what she can do alone, would be great.
Oh my God, the Barraki arc. That was intense. I salute you, sir, for having excellent taste. Hopefully, we get to see some Matoran…that is, Merfolk in this arc. Here we go!
So I’m gonna comment on how cool the water’s surface looks in this? It’s GORGEOUS, look at it with the gradients and layering, it’s so well-accomplished and… pensive.
Alinua is decidedly in the worst situation of the lot, because she does *not* have a rescue team and Definitely Normal Friend to be dedicated to saving her with. She is alone, and the big-ass Chimera/wyrm (we’re concluding that based on it emanating Life energy so there is a bit of wiggle room, who knows)
But yes, we have *another* pretty scene that I suspect may appear on Redbubble sooner rather than later if previous trends continue with relation to really pretty scenes.
Hmm, with the green lines, this is almost certainly a creature of the Collector. I think Alinua might be a hard counter to the collector’s ability to control creatures. But it has to be Alinua using life’s power, not life working through Alinua.
i am overjoyed to see Alinua! as soon as i saw the page, i could not restrain myself from saying her name out loud, in various emotions as i realized that though she may be alive, she is definitely not safe.
I wonder how this is going to work. Alinua probably can’t breathe underwater, so Mother Life will probably have to pull some strings to keep her alive. But will that come in the form of briefly gaining the ability to breathe underwater (maybe even with temporary gills), or will Life just be constantly cramming Alinua’s departing soul back into her unconscious body like a too-full suitcase? For Alinua’s sake, I hope for the former.
Well, Red has said that (within the world of Aurora) it is theorised that ‘true shapeshifting’ (e.g. growing gills) may be possible with Life magic, but that no-one has ever managed it. To change a body that significantly — especially if done quickly — would damage the soul massively (which can drive a person mad). Red has also said, however that Alinua’s powers are very unique, so it may be possible, but I expect that it would be a *very* big deal if she did it.
“Ohhkay…I’m about to go to the next page on a comic that’s been gone for a month and it’s going to focus on my favorite character from that comic…so, uh, deeep breaths……” *click* “OH GODS IT’s ALINUA!!! We’re so back—oh NO~”
And we are back!
And off the bat, we’re flashing back to the end of Ch. 3 with the snea snek. Ali seems knocked tf out. Can’t blame her. At the height she was, hitting the water is like hitting concrete. She’ll be fine, Life Mum won’t let anything bad happen to her.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: Mondays, am I right?
Image source: bloosh
Well, Red, this Monday happens to be my 28th birthday, so in my case, you’re not right. /lh
Happy birthday!!! ❤️
Happy birthday Zer0 W0lf! Your work is greatly appreciated by the mobile users
Happy birthday!!!!!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday
Happy birthday! And to many more.
Me, birthday buddies with THE zer0 wolf? it’s more likely than you think!
Thanks for your work and Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday to you as well! How old are you now?
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!!!
Happy bday!! thank u for always writing the alt text out for us !!
Happy birthday!
tumblr text: and we’re back!
happy birthday, Zer0 W0lf! thanks for being a part of this community
Happy birthday, Zer0 W0lf!
Cheers! (Lift coffee mug) (Summers Mondays used to be good for kids before they had longer school years, ah the old days!) (Apologizes for wool gathering!)
@Lipsie (glug!)(smile)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Happy bday Zer0 W0lf! I’m a mobile user so ty sooo much for transcripting the alt text every time!! Luv ya <3
Happy birfday, Zer0!!
Happy birthday!!
Happy Birthday!! May your day be bright and your contact with stupidity limited!
Happy birthday! 😀
ALINUAAAA
YYaaaayyy! (I hope we get a flasback or two of Alunia’s foster family – they must have left an impression for her to care so much that she exiled herself to save every one from her consumption from the Chimera plague)
I’m sure they’re friendly, imma gonna call them Levy the leviathan.
WHOOOO! SHE IS BACK!
@curious and curiouser suggested an Aurora bingo game near the bottom of the last comment section, and I thought I should post it here for anyone who is interested but didn’t read that far down! https://myfreebingocards.com/bingo-card-generator/30-free-cards/nc3799u
Also, would this count as ‘Alinua is self-destructive’? She did put herself in danger to save the other three, but there wasn’t really time to do anything else. Could be counted as ‘tactical’, but methinks that’s reserved for a certain pair xD
Can anyone more well versed in comic speech say whether this counts as a ‘full splash page’ without dialogue? I think that it probably has to be at least mostly just one panel to count.
I think it could be explanded with “Kaiju fight!”, “Narrator of exposition turns out to be Erin”, “Falst stealing Erins stuff”, “Tess gets to punch a dragon” and “another super powered transformation”
Great ideas! But its not my project, so let’s hope @curious and curiouser sees it xD
these ideas are all *fantastic* and I was in fact considering “Tess punches something” and “kaiju fight” for squares, but there were simply too many things and not enough squares, alas. good thinking though!
also, @AsTheLightFades, thank you for making this comment high up enough that people could see it!! many thanks for your thoughtfulness!! and btw I wouldn’t count this as a full page splash bc it’s technically multiple panels, and arguably Alinua did her self-destructive ‘save the others! but I can just fall it’s fine’ thing *last* chapter… but that could be up for debate (and yes, “tactical” is in fact reserved for a certain pair <3)
Maybe someone (not neccasarily you, don’t want to force anything on you xD) could make a new bingo sheet once it’s complete, with some of these new ideas? Also thank you for doing this, it’s going to be great fun!
“Protagonist is self distructive” should be in the center.
Or it each person should be a line on the side.
We can cross off “Alinua is self-destructive”, because she is sinking because she saved everyone else.
First?
(Also goddamn red you’ve done it again)
Wow I was way off, still happy to be this early tho😁
Omg we’re back, we’re backwe’rebackwe’rebackwe’reback… IT’S BACK! Everyone stay calm! STAY FUCKING CALM!!!!
(pat @Zizi calmly while shaking like a leaf myself {and not just cuz of my age. durn it!})
Pats @Aulde on the back as best as i can while bouncing off of walls and screeching excitedly
Alinua pulling absolute MVP behavior at the end of that fight, now gets to drift in ocean with shards of ship and the big snek
This page has so pretty colours!
Wait, Alinau’s hair coloring looks off! Is that due to the lighting underwater? Or did it get sun bleached on the trip out? Or is this due to the use of her magic! I am I just reading too much inti this! Poor Alinua! (still shaking in nervous excitement like ice cream headed dog [from Rave?] too many anime memories!)
I think it’s just underwater and it’s dark because of the storm above surface. This make light dim and bluish, now I wonder how her hair will look like underwater. Is it like human hair or waterproof because she is a cloud elf
Oh boy 3 AM upload! I’ve never been happy about being stuck finishing work before!
Wait a minute … the embodiment of life itself is falling into the depths of the ocean with unknown mutant sea monsters watching.
The Bionicle Barraki commercial is playing in my head, and I can’t get it to stop!
After a chapter of mostly fire and lava drawing effects, we’re starting this chapter with water effects. A nice return of the water surface from below texture from chapter 3, plus a new featureless depths with light rays background. Not a lot to say about that one, but that may be the point; all our attention in panel 3 is focused on Alinua, the wreckage, and the monster.
Alinua will survive drowning thanks to Life, I’m sure of it, so the real threat is Nessie. We’re still not certain what it is, but a chimera of sorts does sound likely; Alinua was given visions about it early, maybe due to Life’s aversion to chimeras, and it’s positively leaking life energy from its very skin. Now, is it under the Collector’s influence, another life mage’s, or is it masterless?
I know, right? Essenger’s ambient remix of Creeping In My Soul is running on loop through my head as I’m picturing Alinua’s arc this chapter.
As for Nessie aka the snea snek… well, I’ll just copy-paste the theory I posted on the Discord a couple of months ago.
The Northern Wyrm typically manifests as a sea serpent (per Word of Red). It’s territories have recently experienced chimeric activity according to Argist.
And I just remembered something Gleicann said back in 1-9-19: “Even a divine incarnation is a living body. Were this form to undergo mutation, it could be ripped from my control and run wild.”
Collie’s already experimented on nature gods without results, she has no reason to kidnap the Wyrm, plus it’s impractical (it’s an oceanic current). But its incarnation could’ve been made an asset (i.e. chimerically mutated and now controlled by the Collector).
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Either that or there are enough chimeras in the area that it has taken their form, same as Gleicann became scary when his forest did. But that would mean the Northern Wyrm sunk their boat intentionally, which it wouldn’t have a reason for (that we know of). So yeah, I think your theory holds some weight, but it’s also terrifying if that’s true.
It makes the most sense that this is the collector’s work, but i remember someone mentioning that there might be an instance of chimeric plague somewhere in this ocean? In which case the Wyrm’s incarnation could have been mutated by that. We do know that Life magic can allow a God’s vessel to survive independently, after all.
That was Argist speculating why there was chimerical activity underwater. Recall that, at the moment, nobody outside the Floof Squad (and Vash) knows Alinua is the current chimeric carrier. The timeline given by Argist doesn’t line up with the chimeric plague because there’s only ever one carrier at a time.
Oh, that’s true — for some reason I hadn’t made the connection that Life’s connection with Alinua *succeeding* would probably eliminate the need to try again with someone else, so there wouldn’t be another one!
Ohh! I’ve heard Essenger’s ambient Closer to the Truth before, but not that one, nice!
(great, now I’m imagining his Vahki parody commercial “Metru Nui Sucks”, but replaced with the city of Zuurith and Shrike’s hunters as the Vahki)
That’s a pretty sound theory, Collie or another life mage performing a targeted mutation of a god’s incarnation to place it under their control/influence, or just to be a mindless beast to cause chaos.
Then again, a god making a body then a mage mutating it into something of it’s own sounds very similar to Kendal’s origin, and he’s been hyped as a one-of-a-kind deal.
Maybe Nessie is a similar situation, but its body never developed a soul, thus doesn’t have the internal support a soul gives. Might explain why it’s seeping life energy; perhaps the absence of a soul means it has to constantly heal itself to avoid falling apart.
Or maybe the Northern Wyrm is still in the body but the mutations, both existing and ongoing if that’s what that life energy is doing, mean it’s beyond their control.
Whatever the reason, I get the feeling Alinua could be the key to solving this problem, which I am very excited for. This whole story happened because Ali thought she had the chance to do a little good and help people in her last days and took it; a solo arc that rekindles that drive of hers, and showing what she can do alone, would be great.
Oh my God, the Barraki arc. That was intense. I salute you, sir, for having excellent taste. Hopefully, we get to see some Matoran…that is, Merfolk in this arc. Here we go!
Whichever way this chimera thing goes, the Northern Wyrm is going to be VERY angry.
In Alinua’s case, it’s not so much ‘When last we left the boat…’ as much more ‘When the boat left YOU’.
Within the depths, a sinking shape
The weeping shadow who could not the boat escape
I wonder if this will be the chapter that Alinua leans more into her warlock vibes? The page is definitely giving cthulhu.
So I’m gonna comment on how cool the water’s surface looks in this? It’s GORGEOUS, look at it with the gradients and layering, it’s so well-accomplished and… pensive.
Alinua is decidedly in the worst situation of the lot, because she does *not* have a rescue team and Definitely Normal Friend to be dedicated to saving her with. She is alone, and the big-ass Chimera/wyrm (we’re concluding that based on it emanating Life energy so there is a bit of wiggle room, who knows)
But yes, we have *another* pretty scene that I suspect may appear on Redbubble sooner rather than later if previous trends continue with relation to really pretty scenes.
Oh, hard transition from fire to water. Nice.
Hmm, with the green lines, this is almost certainly a creature of the Collector. I think Alinua might be a hard counter to the collector’s ability to control creatures. But it has to be Alinua using life’s power, not life working through Alinua.
We are so back
shoutout to the guy that called an underwater Aliuna adventure
AURORA HIATUS COMPLETE WE’RE SO BACK!!!!!
“Say, can Alinua breath underwater?”
“Well, life…finds a way.”
i am overjoyed to see Alinua! as soon as i saw the page, i could not restrain myself from saying her name out loud, in various emotions as i realized that though she may be alive, she is definitely not safe.
I wonder how this is going to work. Alinua probably can’t breathe underwater, so Mother Life will probably have to pull some strings to keep her alive. But will that come in the form of briefly gaining the ability to breathe underwater (maybe even with temporary gills), or will Life just be constantly cramming Alinua’s departing soul back into her unconscious body like a too-full suitcase? For Alinua’s sake, I hope for the former.
The latter is a funny image tho
Well, Red has said that (within the world of Aurora) it is theorised that ‘true shapeshifting’ (e.g. growing gills) may be possible with Life magic, but that no-one has ever managed it. To change a body that significantly — especially if done quickly — would damage the soul massively (which can drive a person mad). Red has also said, however that Alinua’s powers are very unique, so it may be possible, but I expect that it would be a *very* big deal if she did it.
Oh shit I’d completely forgotten about the sea dragon!
Under the sea! Under the sea!
Everything’s better down where it’s wetter take it from me!
So far this environment is not living up to the hype.
IS THAT A FUCKING SEA DRAGON???
TL;DR: Something snakey this way swims…
Me, seeing the new page: ALI!!!
Me, actually paying attention to the contents of the new page: oh no, Ali…
Yay! Time to check in on my favorite girl Alinua!
“Ohhkay…I’m about to go to the next page on a comic that’s been gone for a month and it’s going to focus on my favorite character from that comic…so, uh, deeep breaths……” *click* “OH GODS IT’s ALINUA!!! We’re so back—oh NO~”