Girl Genius XXIV: Ask Vit a Bit More Terror

[HandofShadows]

Martellus' innovation is that his hound men can change back to loyal servitors.

IIRC actually all he does is put them in some kind of armor that makes then look and sound normal. No physical change.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Now I'm trying to remember the story where the officer recites somebody's rap sheet, then refers to it as their qualifications for the job.

[Lethologica]

Now I'm trying to remember the story where the officer recites somebody's rap sheet, then refers to it as their qualifications for the job.

Sounds like Vetinari talking to Moist in Going Postal.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Or more likely someone trying to imitate Pratchett. Lord knows I've read enough of that stuff.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Now, that is interesting - Krosp was created after Klaus started working on Vapnoople's brain.

Dare I put forward the possibility that Vapnoople was faking it, well enough to fool Klaus, and that it is Vapnoople who is doing the killing?

True, we have Albia's word for the condition of his brain, but that might not stop him from being an effective killer.

EDIT:

Now I'm trying to remember the story where the officer recites somebody's rap sheet, then refers to it as their qualifications for the job.

Sounds vaguely like something from the early Stainless Steel Rat stories by Harry Harrison (in which case they probably wouldn't have been aping Pratchett).

[Rogar Demonblud]

Well, more likely it means Krosp was created at some point during the lobotomization process, so he's successfully bioengineered but apparently lacks many of the more monstrous traits.

[keybounce]

So how likely is it that Tobber, whose "nose" they found, is actually still alive and the nose was just a "throw them off my scent"?

[SZbNAhL]

I've really got to wonder how he led the cetaceans against Albia without getting killed or captured. From what we've seen and heard, I get the impression that those who go into direct battle against her don't get away unless she wants them to.

[Caerulea]

I've really got to wonder how he led the cetaceans against Albia without getting killed or captured. From what we've seen and heard, I get the impression that those who go into direct battle against her don't get away unless she wants them to.

It is an indicator that he is really good. Also, they look like ancient sea monsters, that probably live up to whatever legends they have. And then Vapnoodle warped them, and made them worse.

[Mando Knight]

So how likely is it that Tobber, whose "nose" they found, is actually still alive and the nose was just a "throw them off my scent"?

Tobber is Professor Homnomium (though initially, that was spelled Homlomium, with an "l").

[Traab]

I've really got to wonder how he led the cetaceans against Albia without getting killed or captured. From what we've seen and heard, I get the impression that those who go into direct battle against her don't get away unless she wants them to.

He probably "led" from the rear. Like just outside the borders of france "to the rear"

[keybounce]

So:
1. What was supposed to be Tobber Honnium is just some meat.
2. The two people that were investigating it are now dead
3. Someone returned Tobber's notes, and a $10 that Tobber owed while the lights were out.

... That about right?

[geoduck]

So:
1. What was supposed to be Tobber Honnium is just some meat.
2. The two people that were investigating it are now dead
3. Someone returned Tobber's notes, and a $10 that Tobber owed while the lights were out.

... That about right?

Plus someone killed Smokes to get at and erase Tobber's blackboard notes, and someone (probably) killed Lord Bunstable via drink-tampering.

[Fyraltari]

And somebody plotting something against the queen is at large within the dome (or possibly just outside).

[PraetorDragoon]

It is an indicator that he is really good. Also, they look like ancient sea monsters, that probably live up to whatever legends they have. And then Vapnoodle warped them, and made them worse.

Worse? I think you mean "Improved"

[Shining Wrath]

Possibly Vapnoople survived the battle against Albia because her powers diminish as you move away from London?

Anyway, that's one seriously big whale - if that thing broached it'd create a tidal wave.

[Caerulea]

Worse? I think you mean "Improved"

Yes, of course. After all, what sort of person wouldn't want to improve the massive sea serpents under your command when invading a country (or in general, really. )

[geoduck]

Yes, of course. After all, what sort of person wouldn't want to improve the massive sea serpents under your command when invading a country (or in general, really. )

For the record, cetaceans are aquatic mammals, not serpents.

[T-Mick]

Could somebody recap what's happened since they arrived in England? I lost track in the early stages, and haven't gone back to re-read.

[eee]

Could somebody recap what's happened since they arrived in England? I lost track in the early stages, and haven't gone back to re-read.

The usual sort of death and destruction. Uncle Tik-Tock is dead, but Madwa probably isn't. The Queen has developed a passion for Agatha and is planning to keep her in England, more fool her. Towards this end she's trying to pair Gil off with Trelawney, but he's more interested in mirrors. Tarvek and Higgs have reached an understanding. There are more conspiracies and plots and subplots going on than you can shake a very big stick at, none of which we understand at the moment. And Bang has gotten religion and left the Empire's employ to become a minister.

OK, that last one may be a BIT off...

(I wonder when we're going to be re-introduced to Master Payne's Circus? Hopefully they're all doing well...)

[The Glyphstone]

The usual sort of death and destruction. Uncle Tik-Tock is dead, but Madwa probably isn't. The Queen has developed a passion for Agatha and is planning to keep her in England, more fool her. Towards this end she's trying to pair Gil off with Trelawney, but he's more interested in mirrors. Tarvek and Higgs have reached an understanding. There are more conspiracies and plots and subplots going on than you can shake a very big stick at, none of which we understand at the moment. And Bang has gotten religion and left the Empire's employ to become a minister.

OK, that last one may be a BIT off...

(I wonder when we're going to be re-introduced to Master Payne's Circus? Hopefully they're all doing well...)

You know the answer to that - at the worst possible moment.

[SZbNAhL]

(I wonder when we're going to be re-introduced to Master Payne's Circus? Hopefully they're all doing well...)

It occurs to me that both the Boilerghast and Master Payne are experts in misdirection who have an interest in helping Agatha and a desire to hide their involvement. And he is a spark...

[HandofShadows]

Not a bad idea. But Payne was smarter than this. He was trying hard to stay out of the spotlight and sparky business. Being put in Albia's lab runs counter to all this. And he wouldn't have been dumb enough to loose his nose.

[PraetorDragoon]

Not a bad idea. But Payne was smarter than this. He was trying hard to stay out of the spotlight and sparky business. Being put in Albia's lab runs counter to all this. And he wouldn't have been dumb enough to loose his nose.

I thought Payne's plan was to be in the spotlight so he can stay out of the spotlight?

[Fyraltari]

Not a bad idea. But Payne was smarter than this. He was trying hard to stay out of the spotlight and sparky business. Being put in Albia's lab runs counter to all this. And he wouldn't have been dumb enough to loose his nose.

The situation has changed a lot since we've last seen him. For the worst. I can see him bringing his circus to England in search of a haven of stability and ending up on Albia's radar, somehow.

[Rockphed]

The situation has changed a lot since we've last seen him. For the worst. I can see him bringing his circus to England in search of a haven of stability and ending up on Albia's radar, somehow.

Obviously the piemaster published his seminal work dissing Brilat Sevarin and attracted Albia's attention.

[geoduck]

During her conversation with Agatha, Albia mentioned her "amusingly clever Circus friends", so unsurprisingly she's at least aware they exist, and has probably interacted with them personally.

[Ellen]

"Papa" is probably safe so long as the bears are there (unless I'm tempting fate/the Foglios by saying that).

Although they haven't interacted too much, I can see why the bears and Jagers seem to get along (although the Jagers are funnier when they ignore someone who didn't have a right to give them orders and "accidentally" tear open walls. But, they've had centuries to work on comedic timing).

[geoduck]

"Papa" is probably safe so long as the bears are there (unless I'm tempting fate/the Foglios by saying that).

Although they haven't interacted too much, I can see why the bears and Jagers seem to get along (although the Jagers are funnier when they ignore someone who didn't have a right to give them orders and "accidentally" tear open walls. But, they've had centuries to work on comedic timing).

Actually, the Bears were contemptuous towards Dimo, and were even going to eat him, until they noticed their Leader's scent on his hat.

[Rockphed]

"Papa" is probably safe so long as the bears are there (unless I'm tempting fate/the Foglios by saying that).

Although they haven't interacted too much, I can see why the bears and Jagers seem to get along (although the Jagers are funnier when they ignore someone who didn't have a right to give them orders and "accidentally" tear open walls. But, they've had centuries to work on comedic timing).

I think it is heavily implied that the power of the Heterodynes came not from their strong sparks, but from the devotion they inspired in their town and minions. Largely that devotion was inspired by recognizing that destructive testing on minions and townsfolk resulted in shortages of both. Then again, they had some odd definitions of protecting the town.