. Dainix hesitates, watching Falst, then looks away awkwardly. “I… I’m sorry. Everything’s a blur after the Paladin attacked, but I never wanted to scare you–”
. “I wasn’t scared!” Falst bursts out. “I was CORNERED,” he continues raggedly, eyes narrowed in anger, pushing up onto hands and knees. “And Caliban used that. Used ME to drag Kendal into it! We knew we were being played, and I just let it all happen! I trusted them! I HAD to! I couldn’t–” Dainix looks at him, surprised then sad, as Falst continues, “I-I couldn’t risk…”
. “Don’t feel too bad, furball,” Caliban says, startling Dainix and Falst. Falst’s eyes widen, teeth clenched in anger. “If that trick DIDN’T work on you, I wouldn’t have trusted you with Dainix either.” Caliban sits butterfly pose on a slight hill of rock, grinning, head propped on a fist. The tips of their hair and brown cloak dissolve into flame, swirling yellow patterns glowing on their gray skin.
Calling a derrogative nickname to the person you just tricked into mortal peril is nasty. Shamelesness lvl 1 billion. Like we get that you’re a god and can’t be meaningfully harmed by mortals but that attitude must have come back to bite you at some point.
(Also, small theory. Will the “Illumination” begin with Dainix finally getting a chance to ask Caliban what the hell they even need a Crucible for? I think this is the only patreon deity whose motivations we still don’t know, so I feel like this is a good opotunity to at least give us a hint of what their plans for Dainix are.)
To me, the lighting on the chapter cover looks like the Lady’s/Paladins’ magic, but I really hope we get more explanation on what being a Crucible means!
“I wasn’t scared. Maybe I was a little CONCERNED, but that’s not the same thing.”
Caliban should have told the cat that Dainix doesn’t get eaten by the eels at this time.
Hellloooo Caliban, you git! One git point for being a git, one more for interrupting this heart-to-heart, and another one for sitting so temptingly close and knowing *exactly* what you’re doing. But also a lot of points for being very cool and interesting, and making sure this fire-fur pair got into a bridal carry situation and furthermore grew closer.
10 bucks says Falst tries to throw hands with the Fire God on Monday because he was THIS CLOSE to getting some actual emotional katharsis and violence is a good enough substitute
Falst: … Ok, choose. Stabbed by the fireseed shard, strangled with the scarf, or both!
Dainix: Falst NO! (Dainix grabs and tries to hold back Falst as he struggles to attack Caliban)
Falst has been played in the past by people pretending to want to help him (see Jolon), however, I don’t think he’s been tricked by someone as he’s tried to help someone else. The first kind I assume Falst to be used to and always suspicious of; the second I’m willing to bet is new territory for him. You can definitely see the level of turmoil in his dialogue, and face in panel 3.
Given that Caliban’s a trickster god, I’m not sure if they’re even capable of envisioning a plan to save Dainix that doesn’t involve some level of deception. They still feel the need to wrap Falst in a trick to truly trust him.
However, I do think there’s layers to this that Falst isn’t considering; getting the fireseed shard, how the Ignan’s allowed them to leave with said shard, and the Rahkn distraction speak of something more. Could Caliban have had a chat with those Volcano Ignans some time before and briefed them on parts of the plan?
Caliban could have messaged them indirectly via an emissary among the Rakhnan population. Knowing Caliban, it would’ve been some cryptic shit meant to, like, idk, thin the patrols at the fireseed shrine or smth, idfk.
Ooooof. Poor Falst, simultaneously in denial (bruh was so clearly terrified of losing Dainix) and letting some honesty slip through his battered, crumbling walls.
And Caliban’s being, unsurprisingly, a smug butt! And appearing out of nowhere! This just got extra interesting. I wonder how Dainix will react to them. I know Caliban is god of his people, but my guess is not favorably, given what they put Falst through.
I don’t think the word “trust” applies, Falst. You don’t do trust. At best you believe the facts as presented, and these were facts they had no way of verifying.
There once was a very smug git
Who’s committed to the trickster bit.
Puts Falst through hell
To get Dainix well,
Then shows up to rub their faces in it!
Kudos to Ell for calling Caliban a git, because he so is!
The way Caliban phrases it made me think that to them this was about Falst showing he cares for Dainix and not about using those feelings to manipulate Falst (although they did do that. They very much did do that. I just don’t think Caliban saw it that way.)
And as a reward for Falst proving that he’d literally jump into an inferno to save Dainix without hesitation, Caliban has sneakily given Falst the power to do that and survive from now on. *He gets to keep the scarf.*
Which let’s be real; Falst probably wouldn’t have kept/trusted the scarf if an irritating Trickster God he mainly knows from leaving Dainix to rot in prison just handed it to him, explained what it was for, and said out loud that it was a surprise tool that will help is later.
Caliban I believe Dainex is the one that gets to choose that?
On a related note… Falst, Kendal would have been sucked into helping Dainex even if you weren’t there. Kendal helps everyone, that’s kinda his thing. I get being frustrated by having to do a God’s dirty work because someone you *ahem* care for is in peril. My DND PC sympathizes with your plight.
So is no one else concerned that Caliban is sitting on the edge of a cliff which Falst might tumble over if he pounces on the infuriating trickster god too rashly? Which he might actually do in his current state?
The most *annoying* thing about gods in this setting is how they know that basically nothing can actually hurt them. The Collector is an existential threat to them only because she’s the first actual *predator* they’ve ever seen.
I imagine the only other way to even cut down a god is to attack their worshipper base, but that doesn’t necessarily seem to cause them to stop existing, just get less powerful.
I imagine Dainix might be able to inflict a little bit of emotional damage here, but that’s probably it as far as “personal consequences for Caliban” is concerned.
Caliban is here to ragebait and doing a FANTASTIC job!
Who wants an over-under on Falst trying to attack a deity and going over that cliff? Dainix is a confounding factor to consider…
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: ain’t I a stinker
Image source: cornered
Tumblr text: excuse me while I poke the bear
Bluesky text: looks like you’re pretty angry! would you like to be MORE angry?
. Dainix hesitates, watching Falst, then looks away awkwardly. “I… I’m sorry. Everything’s a blur after the Paladin attacked, but I never wanted to scare you–”
. “I wasn’t scared!” Falst bursts out. “I was CORNERED,” he continues raggedly, eyes narrowed in anger, pushing up onto hands and knees. “And Caliban used that. Used ME to drag Kendal into it! We knew we were being played, and I just let it all happen! I trusted them! I HAD to! I couldn’t–” Dainix looks at him, surprised then sad, as Falst continues, “I-I couldn’t risk…”
. “Don’t feel too bad, furball,” Caliban says, startling Dainix and Falst. Falst’s eyes widen, teeth clenched in anger. “If that trick DIDN’T work on you, I wouldn’t have trusted you with Dainix either.” Caliban sits butterfly pose on a slight hill of rock, grinning, head propped on a fist. The tips of their hair and brown cloak dissolve into flame, swirling yellow patterns glowing on their gray skin.
All three of these texts — alt text, Tumblr, and Bluesky — are all just so perfect
I’m here when the page came out, wow. don’t be too hard on yourself floofy cat boy.
Calling a derrogative nickname to the person you just tricked into mortal peril is nasty. Shamelesness lvl 1 billion. Like we get that you’re a god and can’t be meaningfully harmed by mortals but that attitude must have come back to bite you at some point.
(Also, small theory. Will the “Illumination” begin with Dainix finally getting a chance to ask Caliban what the hell they even need a Crucible for? I think this is the only patreon deity whose motivations we still don’t know, so I feel like this is a good opotunity to at least give us a hint of what their plans for Dainix are.)
To me, the lighting on the chapter cover looks like the Lady’s/Paladins’ magic, but I really hope we get more explanation on what being a Crucible means!
Yeah. Caliban just dropped a whole reputation tier with me. Namecalling like that is a kick-the-dog move.
Is Caliban finally here to give answers? Or will they be even more cryptic this time? Either way, hiiii, Caliban, I missed you!
i’m caliban fan but i would let falst wring their neck here. i think he needs it tbh
Aw, dangit, now we have to wait until Monday XD
“I wasn’t scared. Maybe I was a little CONCERNED, but that’s not the same thing.”
Caliban should have told the cat that Dainix doesn’t get eaten by the eels at this time.
Hellloooo Caliban, you git! One git point for being a git, one more for interrupting this heart-to-heart, and another one for sitting so temptingly close and knowing *exactly* what you’re doing. But also a lot of points for being very cool and interesting, and making sure this fire-fur pair got into a bridal carry situation and furthermore grew closer.
You fuckin’ dickhead get outta here!
Next page I assume: Caliban gets attacked by our favorite cat boi
He can most certainly try. I think there might be a page or two of dialogue first, then Falst attacking as a Friday cliffhanger.
naw he gonna go for the punchies and scratchies first. but i feel like caliban would dodge. or barring that, dainix would hold him back.
Man, Caliban is such a delight. What a troll. Here’s hoping that they and Dainix get to have a good and emotionally charged chat.
Good grade in useful minion, both normal to want and possible to achieve
Countdown to Falst (and possibly also Dainix) going off on Caliban in 3… 2…
10 bucks says Falst tries to throw hands with the Fire God on Monday because he was THIS CLOSE to getting some actual emotional katharsis and violence is a good enough substitute
10 bucks says DAINIX is going to throw hands
Falst: … Ok, choose. Stabbed by the fireseed shard, strangled with the scarf, or both!
Dainix: Falst NO! (Dainix grabs and tries to hold back Falst as he struggles to attack Caliban)
Falst has been played in the past by people pretending to want to help him (see Jolon), however, I don’t think he’s been tricked by someone as he’s tried to help someone else. The first kind I assume Falst to be used to and always suspicious of; the second I’m willing to bet is new territory for him. You can definitely see the level of turmoil in his dialogue, and face in panel 3.
Given that Caliban’s a trickster god, I’m not sure if they’re even capable of envisioning a plan to save Dainix that doesn’t involve some level of deception. They still feel the need to wrap Falst in a trick to truly trust him.
However, I do think there’s layers to this that Falst isn’t considering; getting the fireseed shard, how the Ignan’s allowed them to leave with said shard, and the Rahkn distraction speak of something more. Could Caliban have had a chat with those Volcano Ignans some time before and briefed them on parts of the plan?
Caliban could have messaged them indirectly via an emissary among the Rakhnan population. Knowing Caliban, it would’ve been some cryptic shit meant to, like, idk, thin the patrols at the fireseed shrine or smth, idfk.
So, obviously, Falst’s next course of action is to try and slash/punch Caliban here. Only question is how much offense Caliban takes at it.
They didn’t seem to take too much offense to Kendal breaking their hand off, so I feel they’ll not be too terribly offended.
did… did caliban just give ferinheit his blessing? XDDD
right that’s what I was thinking
The slowburn is burning … slowly
Seems Falst has been infected with the classic protagonist weakness of caring too much about their friends. There is no cure.
Ooooof. Poor Falst, simultaneously in denial (bruh was so clearly terrified of losing Dainix) and letting some honesty slip through his battered, crumbling walls.
And Caliban’s being, unsurprisingly, a smug butt! And appearing out of nowhere! This just got extra interesting. I wonder how Dainix will react to them. I know Caliban is god of his people, but my guess is not favorably, given what they put Falst through.
Next time Flast jumps on Caliban mid sentence whilst Dainix looks on
Maybe we’ll finally figure out what a crucible actually is, and why two gods are so interested in getting one!
Speak of the devil
What a fun little rascal
So Falst you weren’t scared huh? Well you know what they say de nile is a river in egypt
whatever just happened to making Dainix believe in his own agency, huh?
I don’t think the word “trust” applies, Falst. You don’t do trust. At best you believe the facts as presented, and these were facts they had no way of verifying.
What, the fire entity is capricious? Doesn’t seem to care who they hurt? Who could have seen that coming.
There once was a very smug git
Who’s committed to the trickster bit.
Puts Falst through hell
To get Dainix well,
Then shows up to rub their faces in it!
Kudos to Ell for calling Caliban a git, because he so is!
The way Caliban phrases it made me think that to them this was about Falst showing he cares for Dainix and not about using those feelings to manipulate Falst (although they did do that. They very much did do that. I just don’t think Caliban saw it that way.)
And as a reward for Falst proving that he’d literally jump into an inferno to save Dainix without hesitation, Caliban has sneakily given Falst the power to do that and survive from now on. *He gets to keep the scarf.*
Which let’s be real; Falst probably wouldn’t have kept/trusted the scarf if an irritating Trickster God he mainly knows from leaving Dainix to rot in prison just handed it to him, explained what it was for, and said out loud that it was a surprise tool that will help is later.
Caliban I believe Dainex is the one that gets to choose that?
On a related note… Falst, Kendal would have been sucked into helping Dainex even if you weren’t there. Kendal helps everyone, that’s kinda his thing. I get being frustrated by having to do a God’s dirty work because someone you *ahem* care for is in peril. My DND PC sympathizes with your plight.
So is no one else concerned that Caliban is sitting on the edge of a cliff which Falst might tumble over if he pounces on the infuriating trickster god too rashly? Which he might actually do in his current state?
Hello Caliban, you’re looking very gender today – and also very punchable.
Seriously, I only just noticed the cape also turns into fire and it slaps, as in holy- I would like to slap Caliban across their smug face rn.
OMG Caliban’s cape! Thank you for pointing that out, it’s AWESOME. (Caliban is SO GENDER.)
Caliban’s whole incarnation this time slaps utterly. Lookin so good I almost nissed the Namecalling!
oh my goodnesss it’s Dainix oh my gosh
I’m so curious of how Dainix will react to literally meeting his patron deity. How much is he going to learn about Caliban and Tahraim’s plan for him?
Also, I just laughed so hard at the alt text.
Caliban, you smug little git. He’s so fun!
I can feel the rage building
Falst about to go punch a god
The most *annoying* thing about gods in this setting is how they know that basically nothing can actually hurt them. The Collector is an existential threat to them only because she’s the first actual *predator* they’ve ever seen.
I imagine the only other way to even cut down a god is to attack their worshipper base, but that doesn’t necessarily seem to cause them to stop existing, just get less powerful.
I imagine Dainix might be able to inflict a little bit of emotional damage here, but that’s probably it as far as “personal consequences for Caliban” is concerned.
That only really applies to gods where they are tethered to a physical location, Caliban could just dematerialize which makes him extra smug.
Yeah, and lots of the gods dont even seem to be fueled by active worship, just by the presence of people and their perception of their domain
Caliban, be a dear and hold still while Falst uses your avatar as stress ball.
It will probably involve claws.
Oh I doubt it’s gonna work, but Falst is definitely going for the devine jugular.
Welp, Caliban’s finna get jumped. Hope Dainix is fast/strong enough to stop Falst, lol
the question isnt if dainix is fast/strong enought to stop falst is if falst really can jump caliban in this condition XD
Caliban called falst furball lmao xD
Hello Caliban, would you like a punch to the face? Perhaps I can interest you with a claw mark through both eyes? Or maybe a simple slap will do?
Caliban, this is a great way to get Faust to launch himself at you, and he’s in no condition to do so, you should feel sorry.
Caliban is here to ragebait and doing a FANTASTIC job!
Who wants an over-under on Falst trying to attack a deity and going over that cliff? Dainix is a confounding factor to consider…
I’m betting money on Falst attacking him, consequences be damned.
Also, remember to look BEHIND Caliban, this is taking place in a gorgeous setting
DAMMIT CALIBAN YOU HAVE NO EMPATHY
Poor timing Caliban, Falst was almost honest with his feelings.