Combo-Platter, an Oots- style comic.

[Herpestidae]

About Combo-Platter:
Combo-Platter is my comic about a partially-homebrew world where everyone is gestalt. It follows the journey of Ryan Hybitel, A multiclass Monk/Sorcerer/Wizard, as he journeys to stop an evil guild of necromancers who want to use an ancient artifact powerful enough to control all of the undead in the world.

That's the gist of it, but I have a tendency to focus on Comedy and general awesomeness over plot. You'll see what I mean soon enough.


About (General Plot):
Soon


About (World map):
Still working on that, but let's just say that The Northern continents are home to Elves and other Goblinoids, good and evil. Humans, Halflings, and Dwarves live in the southern and Eastern.

About Homebrews/Houserules


General Houserules:

1: No spell can raise the dead. Speak With Dead replaces Raise Dead in its spell slot, and is used when most of the body is intact. Likewise, "Contact Dead" replaces Resurrection, where there is a substantial portion of the body missing. "Commune With Dead" replaces True Resurrection's slot, where there is no body. The DC is determined by how much of the body is there and the relationship to the dead person. These spells work similarly to Contact Other Plane, and are used to speak with souls in the afterlife.

Feat: Pragmatic

Prerequisite: higher INT (and WIS) score than STR.

Benefit: Add your INT (or WIS, but not both) modifier to your attack roll when you win initiative.


About (Updates):
Once a week, any time from Wednesday to Friday
Intermittent until Last day of school (late May/ early June)
Hiatus until Inkscape problems fixed.
Once to three times a week, starting Monday, May 17th.


Character Info and (Outdated) Cast Page
http://i49.tinypic.com/osh5yh.jpg
Ryandrian (Ryan) Hybitel - LG Sorcerer 13/ Wizard 7/ Monk 6
Taggu- CG Barbarian 11/ Rogue 11. The Bauble in her hair is a magic item that increases her Int. She needs it because of a homebrew feat that allows her to add her Int modifier to her Base Attack Bonus when she uses an improvised weapon. Also, the only non-spell caster in the group. I should fix that...
Sandy- Upcoming. CN Fighter 10/ Bard 10. Standard quasi-psychopathic fighter who enjoys killing things, but thinks it best to keep people off her case by being a hunter of the Undead.



Current Comic:
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8274/comic7.png

Archives:

Intro: No Reference Too Hackneyed. (http://i49.tinypic.com/osh5yh.jpg)
1: At Least They Didn't Meet in a Tavern (http://i49.tinypic.com/168wvti.jpg)
2; Magic is Pointy (http://i45.tinypic.com/dxb4zk.jpg)
3: Building Blocks (http://i40.tinypic.com/2e1ag5g.jpg)
4: And He was Enjoying the Climb, too (http://i44.tinypic.com/nq9tsi.jpg)
4B: Message to the Readers (http://i43.tinypic.com/20r1d2t.jpg)
5: This is Going to End Badly, Isn't It? (http://i49.tinypic.com/4kcg84.jpg)
6: Chivalry is Death. (http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8274/comic7.png)

[Herpestidae]

Comic #2: Magic is Pointy
http://i45.tinypic.com/dxb4zk.jpg

[Cizak]

Seems pretty good, allow me to give you some constructive critisism.

As the name suggests, the Poorly Drawn Cliff is exactly that. Try adding some black, squiggly lines to show that there's parts where you can grab. It looks like he's just grabbing a very very very flat rock.

Keep it up, I'll be reading.

[Green-Shirt Q]

Breathing is not a free action? You need to take a turn to breathe?! WHAT?! :smallconfused:

[Wreckingrocc]

Trying to pluralize "Plus" seems extremely awkward in general, as it's an awkward word. It serves as a verb, not a noun or adjective, to denote the addition of one thing to another. I think it would be much less awkward to use the word "Bonuses".

Also, the amount of fourth wall breaking seems a little excessive for the first two comics; I'd try to dumb it down in the future.

Other than that, I'd like to see where this gets going. It could be interesting.

[Herpestidae]

I know I have a tendency to be a bit meta, but the fact that it's a Gestalt campaign can only be explained away by some very convoluted arse-pullery, so I'm just going with the flow. That being said, The next comic will be up by the middle of the week, but It'll be a character introduction comic that should have been the first comic.

[Herpestidae]

Intro Comic. Note: Depending on your monitor, Sandy may inexplicably have the skin of an Azurite.
http://i49.tinypic.com/osh5yh.jpg

[Evil Mustache]

Hm... it has potential, I think. However...

I agree that the Cliff is poorly drawn and you should add some details to it such as places for him to grab onto.

Sandy's hair, I couldn't see and I thought he was a boy till Rakyr said 'he' was a girl now. You could make the hair more visible, have her put it in a bun or have it more out to make it clearer. The way you drew it made it look like she was wearing a cloak the same color as her hair.

That's really most of my constructive criticism. :smallsmile: Good job, though.

[CrimsonAngel]

I suggest copy/pasteing actual oots comics into inkscape to copy the skin tones.

[Herpestidae]

My comment on the skin tones was because on my laptop, they look normal, but when I uploaded it on my parents' computer (No Wi-Fi in my house), the skin tones came out all wacky.

Breathing is not a free action? You need to take a turn to breathe?! WHAT?! :smallconfused:

The idea is that she's crushing him with the hug, so he's having difficulty breathing. But talking is still a free action.

[CrimsonAngel]

How does that change the color?

[Herpestidae]

How does that change the color? I have no clue, but it does. I'm on my parents' computer right now, and Taggu looks like a goblin, but on my laptop, she's around Thog's color, with a tiny bit more dark green.

[Evil Mustache]

I have no clue, but it does. I'm on my parents' computer right now, and Taggu looks like a goblin, but on my laptop, she's around Thog's color, with a tiny bit more dark green.

Interesting. Very, very interesting. Next time we'll find out more.

Do you have a time set up for when you're going to post?

Weekly? Daily? Monthly? Sporadically, like Order of the Stick?

[Herpestidae]

I'm going for every week, around Wednesday, give or take about 2 days.

[Evil Mustache]

M'kay so... Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

[Herpestidae]

Here's a reprint of the intro comic, to see if I've fixed the color issues.

http://i45.tinypic.com/16jr71v.jpg

[Cizak]

Why is everyone multiclassed?

[Herpestidae]

Not multiclassed, gestalt. It's a variant where everyone takes 2 classes every level, resulting in a game-breaking combination for practically everyone involved. My entire world is like this. More Here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltcharacters.htm)

EDIT: Ryan is Multiclassed, though. He's thirteenth level; Wizard/Sorcerer for his first 7 levels, and he's been Sorcerer/Monk for the past 6. Everyone else is tenth level.

[Herpestidae]

Due to midterm exams, I fear that cannot complete this week's comic, so I'm combining this week and next week's into one giant one, which will hopefully be up by next week Thursday.

[Herpestidae]

Due to one final midterm tomorrow, I was unable to complete this week's comic. I do, however, have the script planned out (40+ speech bubbles, Color coded for your convenience) and should be able to churn out a 3-part update by this week.

On a related note, I've edited my designs for Sandy and Rakyr: what do you think?

http://i39.tinypic.com/126bgjo_th.jpg http://i40.tinypic.com/2a94i6f_th.jpg
*Not to scale

One final related note: If the colors are wonky, try highlighting the image. Worked for me.

[Darklord Xavez]

I like the new designs, but bards don't really use magic like that (purple flashes and stuff). They use spells by playing their instrument. In addition, don't make Sandy play guitar. It should be pipes or something. Don't use the lute cliche.
-Xavez

[Herpestidae]

The magic thing was just part of the template design that I made for any character who's a caster. You should see it, 5+ Characters in the same pose, with the same shape of magic on their left hands, except for Arsam, who has been flipped around for reasons I don't quite remember.

[Evil Mustache]

Cool. Sandy now officially looks like a girl with hair instead of a hair colored cloak thing. I'm glad you took the criticism and did something constructive with it instead of not even paying attention to it.

[Herpestidae]

Notes: The final panel isn't much of a punchline. Furthermore, I had no idea what to do with the hands in this one. Though, this comic introduces one of my many homebrews, which I will add to a section in the first post. I'll be leaving the 4th wall alone for a while after this comic.
Comic 3: Building Blocks
http://i40.tinypic.com/2e1ag5g.jpg

[CrimsonAngel]

"Were it's less" what? :smallconfused:

[Herpestidae]

"Were it's less" what? :smallconfused:

I just noticed that. Inkscape's "wrap to text" function has a way of cutting off text when I add the bubble joiners, or whatever they're called. Fixing.

EDIT: And I have a bad habit of making a tonload of typos. Go figure.

[CrimsonAngel]

Don't use word wrap then.

[Herpestidae]

Alas, the life of a comic maker is a harsh and cruel one. Comic is running late, as I realized the sheer amount of scenery I'll need for the next couple of strips. So, as a small semi-update, I give you part of an upcoming scene.

http://i41.tinypic.com/331mxl3.jpg

Discussions and WMG's welcome.

[CrimsonAngel]

Can i recomend making the spikey haired girls (bow and spell caster ones) have multiple paice hair? That looks a bit weird.

[Evil Mustache]

I have a bad feeling about this. :smalleek: I think that they'll probably have to run away.

I think.

Never know. There could be another reason for some crazy orcs looking angry but that's a matter of opinion.

[Herpestidae]

New Comic. Page-Stretcher, too. I was fighting a losing battle with the facial expressions, and decided to screw it since it was just exposition anyway. I also got lazy with the cliff face about halfway through, glad that the last few panels took place on the same section of cliff. So... yeah.
#4: And He Was Enjoying the Climb, Too.
http://i44.tinypic.com/nq9tsi.jpg

Also, as you may be able to tell, I gave Ryan a re-design. The Asymmetrical sash thing was a pain.

[Cizak]

Is... that a purple monkeywrench? :smallconfused:

[Herpestidae]

It's Sandy's Axe

Funny story guys. Inkscape is bugging out on me, and until the problem gets resolved, I'll be on hiatus. Sorry. :smallannoyed: :smallfrown:

[Evil Mustache]

Funny story guys. Inkscape is bugging out on me, and until the problem gets resolved, I'll be on hiatus. Sorry. :smallannoyed: :smallfrown:

Aw... that sucks. I hope it gets resolved. ASAP! I get what you're going through with this.

I like the new comic. The cliff is designed well this time. *sarcasm* Hmm... I wonder who's axe that could be. */sarcasm* :smallcool: Oh yeah. I went there.

[Herpestidae]

Inkscape issues have been solved for now. I'll start working on the comic tomorrow. And It'll be huge. 18 panels.

[Herpestidae]

Alright, comics set to resume in 2 weeks. Until then, I hope to entertain you with a few character designs, which will be uploaded as I draw them up.
Here's the first, a recurring villain:

http://i39.tinypic.com/21c9kld.jpg

Speculation of Race/Classes commence!

[Evil Mustache]

Alright, comics set to resume in 2 weeks. Until then, I hope to entertain you with a few character designs, which will be uploaded as I draw them up.
Here's the first, a recurring villain:

http://i39.tinypic.com/21c9kld.jpg

Speculation of Race/Classes commence!

Hmm... kind of looks like a magic user so I'd say a wizard or a sorceror. And with a bow... a rogue or a ranger. But that's just me.

And as for the race, I have no idea what he (or she) is.

[Traker]

I think its perfectly plausible that his just a ranger, i mean they get spell's at level four and considering that they are all much higher level then that i'm assumeing he is to.

[Herpestidae]

New Character designs. I fudged with the general template for the female body, as well as r-did Ryan's robe. Note that he still has sleeves; I just don't draw them to save time.
http://i44.tinypic.com/ff78n6.jpg

And Ryan has 2 colors of magic because he's a wizard and a sorcerer. That's important for later, too.

[CrimsonAngel]

I think they looked better before. They look a little silly.

[Herpestidae]

Alright, I figured I should make this announcement in comic form, since it directly affects the continuity.

Comic 4B: Message to the Readers
http://i43.tinypic.com/20r1d2t.jpg

[CrimsonAngel]

I don't like these changes. :smallsigh:

[CoffeeIncluded]

I think the path you're taking with this could be very interesting. And of course the lack of resurrection spells is going to be a plot point. :smallamused:

I'm not to sure about the lack of speech bubbles though. You'll need a different color for every character speaking, and what happens when colors run together and are difficult to tell apart? Also, without the speech bubbles, the text might blend in with the background and be difficult to read.

[Darklord Xavez]

Alright, I figured I should make this announcement in comic form, since it directly affects the continuity.

Comic 4B: Message to the Readers
http://i43.tinypic.com/20r1d2t.jpg

I'm glad that you recognized you mistakes. Most people don't, ending up with a cheesy webcomic.
-Xavez

[Herpestidae]

A test of the new speech system. I know I'll have to do something about the D's. Anything else need work? Note: Colors aren't finalized yet.
http://i41.tinypic.com/e87ayd.jpg

[CrimsonAngel]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e381/CrimsonAngelChris/oots/g3770.png

I forgot to set the size of the image but you should read it fine.

[Herpestidae]

I forgot to set the size of the image but you should read it fine.

I kind of like the pointer lines, though. They go where regular triangle tails cannot, without blocking the imagery too much.

[CoffeeIncluded]

I kind of like the pointer lines, though. They go where regular triangle tails cannot, without blocking the imagery too much.

They look nice, but as I said before, sometimes the problem is that there's too much going on in one panel and it gets difficult to keep track of. Also, that neon green isn't exactly easy on the eyes.

I like the novelty of it; you just need to be aware of any potential drawbacks (Like we all do), and work out the kinks.

[Herpestidae]

Retesting speech. Decided to leave colored bubbles for outsiders and the like.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2uemt8k.jpg

[CoffeeIncluded]

Retesting speech. Decided to leave colored bubbles for outsiders and the like.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2uemt8k.jpg

That is much better and easier to read. I think you should stick with that.

[Darklord Xavez]

Retesting speech. Decided to leave colored bubbles for outsiders and the like.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2uemt8k.jpg

Use this one. In he first suggestion, the text was too thick, making it hard to read. Maybe you should make the textbox borders a bit thicker, because it's hard to distinguish between text colors on a gray background.
-Xavez

[Herpestidae]

New comic by tomorrow at the latest, or in a few hours at the earliest. Until then, here's a sneak peek of the new characters.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2j19xsn.jpg

[CWater]

Niice!:smalltongue: I like that guy in the black cloak, and the small girl(a gnome perhaps?), she looks friendly.:smallsmile: Though the one in black looks cooler ...or maybe I just have thing for vampire-like teeth.:smallwink:

[Herpestidae]

Since I'm incredibly lazy, I'm trying to find ways to digitally make the rock texture. Thus, I have two versions of this comic, with a slight change in dialogue between them, but that's not the point. Which texture looks better on the rocks?
Comic 5: This Is Gonna End Badly, Isn't It? (Version 1)
http://i49.tinypic.com/4kcg84.jpg

Comic 5: This Is Gonna End Badly, Isn't It? (Version 2)
http://i49.tinypic.com/bg4bwy.jpg

I don't use pointer lines when there aren't that many bubbles on screen. Frees up space.

[Darklord Xavez]

Since I'm incredibly lazy, I'm trying to find ways to digitally make the rock texture. Thus, I have two versions of this comic, with a slight change in dialogue between them, but that's not the point. Which texture looks better on the rocks?
Comic 5: This Is Gonna End Badly, Isn't It? (Version 1)
http://i49.tinypic.com/4kcg84.jpg

Comic 5: This Is Gonna End Badly, Isn't It? (Version 2)
http://i49.tinypic.com/bg4bwy.jpg

I don't use pointer lines when there aren't that many bubbles on screen. Frees up space.

Hmm...

They both have a few problems. In the first version, the fills were a bit fuzzy, and in the second version, the lines were a bit fuzzy. Try using the same (or similar) style of art as the first four comics for backgrounds, and the example of your changes i complimented earlier for your text.
-Xavez

[Herpestidae]

Right now, I've gone through 7 or 8 scripts for each fight scene, and am halfway through Ryan's Fight scene with Araya (going a bit crazy with the blur/opacity tool). Should have it up by tomorrow.

[Herpestidae]

Comic 6: Chivalry is Death.
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4900/comic6.png

Note: Do me a favor and pretend that Araya has her mouth open in the first panel.

[Anitar]

Note: Do me a favor and pretend that Araya has her mouth open in the first panel.
Well, I would, but at first I couldn't tell if that was her or an offscreen character talking.

[Herpestidae]

Comic 7: Might Guy Would Be Proud
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8274/comic7.png

[CWater]

Niice...:smallsmile:

6.Another guy who doesn't "hit girls"..oh well, he got a lesson why it is a bad idea to try act like a gentleman on a battle field.:smallamused:

7.Physics used in a fight, I approve!:smallbiggrin:

[NXTangl]

1. Why is a paladin working with an outsider from the lower planes? (Or is he a 4e paladin?)

2. Isn't Taggu good, therefore decreasing her need to be rescued from Smite Evil?

[Herpestidae]

1. Why is a paladin working with an outsider from the lower planes? (Or is he a 4e paladin?)

2. Isn't Taggu good, therefore decreasing her need to be rescued from Smite Evil?

1: Without spoiling too much, the reason for that is in the paladin's eyes. Compare the colors a bit.

2: She's already taken a hammer blow to the back of the head. A hammer to the face, with Smite Evil or not, won't help things.

[NXTangl]

Hey, your first page appears to be broken. Some of the links are bad & I can't view the latest comic.

--Regards.

[Herpestidae]

Really? Geez, just when I'm about to finish the latest one. Well, I was planning to re-do the first few comics anyway. Better get started on it.

[Herpestidae]

Comic 8: Technically, She Hasn't Multiclassed Yet.
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2850/comic8.png

Sorry it's so late. Got a job and stuff.
I am aware that my first few comics have gone away. Well, good for me, since I've been meaning to re-draw everything in my new style for a while, now. SHould be done soon.

[Prince Zahn]

"These days, 'Fighter' is just a better way to say 'Wizard sitter'."
Funny comic, I liked reading this.:smallsmile:

[NXTangl]

Seriously, Taggu? You're a STR-based attacker, you didn't use INT as a dump stat, took pragmatic...and you can't even read?

...but on the other hand, you travel with a bard/fighter, who can definitely read. So, not awful.