Natural One - an OotS-style webcomic

[Chronicled]

Though you can't tell with certainty from the comic (her skin is a bit greyish), she is actually a Whisper Gnome.

This is awesome. I love whispergnomes; one of my favorite characters was a whispergnome swordsage (when the Hide checks of 50+ started rolling in, the DM's expression was priceless).

[Holammer]

Nice selection of characters in this party! Most of them quite the surprise. I never expected Leo to be a Cleric or Udaf a Caster or even Ginver being a rogue'ish character. Can't wait to see a strips that deals with their respective alignments. If Leo was lawful good and Ginver being any form of evil would be too easy... hmm

Catharsis, you should also consider redrawing your forum avatar. One that reflects your current skill in [Craft: Epic OOTS-style Webcomic]. It looks so good that Rich might wanna watch his back. But you still give it its own distinct look by using gradients to increase visual depth and atmosphere in the scenery.

[Catharsis]

Nice selection of characters in this party! Most of them quite the surprise. I never expected Leo to be a Cleric or Udaf a Caster or even Ginver being a rogue'ish character.

I'm glad to break the cliché, then.

Can't wait to see a strips that deals with their respective alignments. If Leo was lawful good and Ginver being any form of evil would be too easy... hmm

I'll just say that much: I don't think evil characters have a place in a D&D party. It works exceedingly well with Belkar, but only because Rich makes it work. If it weren't for a series of coincidental circumstances, he'd be a villain by now. That's Rich's thing, it would be rather lame to copy it.

Catharsis, you should also consider redrawing your forum avatar. One that reflects your current skill in [Craft: Epic OOTS-style Webcomic]. It looks so good that Rich might wanna watch his back. But you still give it its own distinct look by using gradients to increase visual depth and atmosphere in the scenery.

Thanks! I never realized that the gradients set my style apart from Rich's, I kinda assumed he used them too. Good observation.

You're right about the goofy avatar, of course. I'm replacing it with Aiven.

[Hoplite]

I really like the fact that the cleric has conquistandores (sp???) armor. You do not see that often enough. My next D&D character will look like that.

[Admiral_Kelly]

I just started reading this comic and I like it. Nice job!

[Holammer]

I'll just say that much: I don't think evil characters have a place in a D&D party. It works exceedingly well with Belkar, but only because Rich makes it work. If it weren't for a series of coincidental circumstances, he'd be a villain by now. That's Rich's thing, it would be rather lame to copy it.

Of course you're right. Evil characters in a largely Good or Neutral group is mostly a complete disaster, especially Chaotic Evil ones whom just like Belkar usually translate into full-blown raging psychos that choose to attack everything the group encounters. I would however argue that an Lawful Evil character is doable in a sense. Scheming and manipulating the unwitting good guys to his/her own ends like some unusual stock character.

New Avatar rawks, keep it up.

Hoplite, they're called conquistador. Tricky spelling innit?

[Catharsis]

I really like the fact that the cleric has conquistandores (sp???) armor. You do not see that often enough. My next D&D character will look like that.

It's a bit of an anachronism, but hey, they have dinosaurs, too. I was originally going to give Leo an Italian accent, but found that it made his quip in the banner (about Mr. Wight) even harder to understand, so I dropped it. Too bad I don't get to end a strip with things going horribly wrong and Leo saying "Crappa."

I also tried to made the mace look post-mediaeval. I would have given him a schiavona or a partisan if it had fit the build. Don't know about the shield, though. Did they even use shields in those ages?

And by all means do use the look for your next character.

Tricky spelling innit?

And that from someone who just misused the word "whom"?

[Chronicled]

I also tried to made the mace look post-mediaeval. I would have given him a schiavona or a partisan if it had fit the build. Don't know about the shield, though. Did they even use shields in those ages?

Short answer: yes.

[wadledo]

Witty.
Good work.

*Bookmarks*

[Mordokai]

Just found this one out and it looks really promising. Keep up good work!

[Cuttlefish]

This comic looks great! Good humor, the renaissance style of the characters is refreshing and the landscapes are very well done. If Natural One continues to be this good it might even compete with Anti-Heroes as my favorite fancomic.

[Catharsis]

@Cuttlefish: I am in awe at Zarah's prolific creativity and don't expect ever to be able to match her output. But thanks for the heads-up.

Issue #5 is up! This one was particular fun to draw, I hope some of that fun will seep through to the reader.

[FoE]

Nice strip. Just one question:

I am in awe at Zarah's prolific creativity and don't expect ever to be able to match her output.

"Her?" You can't recognize male goats from female ones?

[Lyinginbedmon]

The bedroll bite line is excellent

[mockingbyrd7]

So far, this is going incredibly well. I love the action sequence in comic three... very creative and well-executed. Your comedic timing is spot on, the characters are already original and likeable, and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[Dihan]

I love how they ignore the grass right behind them.

I also love this webcomic. Moar I say! MOAR!

[Catharsis]

"Her?" You can't recognize male goats from female ones?

Ack, I should know better. The name keeps deluding me. As for the goats, I don't know if my ranks in Knowledge-nature suffice for that.

[Maulrus]

Wow. Like, really wow. These are incredible. If I'm ever able to use gradients a quarter as well as you do, I'd be elated.

Just out of curiosity, what do you use to make these?

[Skjaldbakka]

What is a gradient? Other than apparently part of the awesome of this strip?

[Maulrus]

Not exactly the best explanation, but take a look at this picture:



The smooth color transition is a gradient. Somebody else will probably explain this better.

[Kettle]

Just wanted to say I'm enjoying your comic. It's nicely drawn, and quite funny. Looking forward to the updates!

[Mee]

Why don't they just move back about 20 feet?
Oh well, their loss.
Great comic by the way.
Keep them coming.

Please?

[Chronicled]

This one didn't make me laugh nearly as much as the others. Still good, though.

[Icewalker]

I like the looks of it. Interesting characters. Definitely looks promising as a good long-term comic. I look forward to reading more.

[Zar Peter]

Damn... another fan art comic I have to follow every now and then. Good work!

[Pocketa]

Yes!

Something to tide me over between strips!

[Holammer]

While reading strip #5 it suddenly dawned on me, the reason why the comic is called "Natural One". I have actually been wondering what the name might imply... I'm so daft I hurt those around me.

[Maulrus]

While reading strip #5 it suddenly dawned on me, the reason why the comic is called "Natural One". I have actually been wondering what the name might imply... I'm so daft I hurt those around me.

Hey, me too...

I feel really stupid right now.

[Catharsis]

Don't, it happened to other people too. I presume "natural twenty" would have been more obvious, but less fitting for the reality of adventuring life.

There is also an alternate interpretation available: Aiven, the point-of-view character of the comic, is the only wilderness-oriented hero in a party of otherwise very urban people. You could say she is the "natural one" of the party. But you should say that very quietly and far away from her. She has keen ears.

[Wreckingrocc]

Firstly: Nicely done; I like the fact that there are several jokes in each issue.

Secondly: I think OOTS is made by Rich Burlew, not Rick Burlew.

Thirdly: Call it 'Natural 1' if at all possible.

Please continue making this series in all its excellence. Failure to comply will result in spam, violence, and prank phone calls.