Our Comic Lab in the Playground: An experimentation class

[licoot]

Can someone tell me whether this is a good fan comic idea,
Basically its called epic fail, its about a group of terrible adventures who think they're amazing, well some of them do anyway.

Spoiler

There is the party leader, a wizard who bunked off wizard school:


The barbarian whose skills include flower arranging, flower pressing and knitting:


A ninja who doesn't know what a shiriken is:

(just realized I never did his arms, oh well.)

A morbidly obese baby dragon:


I also made a banner just for the sake of it:

Needs some work, but does any one think it is s good idea, I've literally just come up with it so as of yet I have no storyline, names, etc.

[Keveak]

Originally Posted by licoot

Can someone tell me whether this is a good fan comic idea,
Basically its called epic fail, its about a group of terrible adventures who think they're amazing, well some of them do anyway.

Spoiler

There is the party leader, a wizard who bunked off wizard school:


The barbarian whose skills include flower arranging, flower pressing and knitting:


A ninja who doesn't know what a shiriken is:

(just realized I never did his arms, oh well.)

A morbidly obese baby dragon:


I also made a banner just for the sake of it:

Needs some work, but does any one think it is s good idea, I've literally just come up with it so as of yet I have no storyline, names, etc.

I think it could be good

Perhaps they could actually end up solving some problem or be mistaken for having done so with the actual hero(es) not wanting thge fame/not being belived? Just an idea.

[licoot]

Originally Posted by Keveak

I think it could be good

Perhaps they could actually end up solving some problem or be mistaken for having done so with the actual hero(es) not wanting thge fame/not being belived? Just an idea.

thats actually a pretty awesome idea, I ]think i'll try it out.

[Dvandemon]

Since one is a wizard, how about they solve small problems by turning them into world threatening disasters*. Or they just barely win with well-written dumb luck. Nice banner BTW

*Do you know the wizzard i'm referencing?

Can someone help me brainstorm a plot for incentive comics about demon cockroaches and hobgoblins? I'm making loads of characters for my other comic idea (you know the one with the Psion, the Druid, Sorcerer and Monk?)can someone pitch a Macguffin they could all go after? Maybe something to do with the cosmology... and would it be bad if I base the planet on one of the world descriptions from "The Color of Magic" and "Equal Rites"?

EDIT: Oh no, I didn't mean it like that, i am talking about Rincewind (I make esoteric references like that all the time )

[licoot]

Originally Posted by Dvandemon

Since one is a wizard, how about they solve small problems by turning them into world threatening disasters*. Or they just barely win with well-written dumb luck. Nice banner BTW

*Do you know the wizzard i'm referencing?

I'm guessing this should be blatantly obvious, making me look stupid because I don't understand, but, what wizard

[Keveak]

Originally Posted by licoot

I'm guessing this should be blatantly obvious, making me look stupid because I don't understand, but, what wizard

Don't feel stupid, I haven't heard of him either

Granted, I'm a fifteen year old Dane, I'm lucky I know who Gandalf is

[licoot]

Originally Posted by Keveak

Don't feel stupid, I haven't heard of him either

Granted, I'm a fifteen year old Dane, I'm lucky I know who Gandalf is

who's Gandalf

Incase you don't realise, that was a joke

[Dvandemon]

Maybe the baby dragon is obese because he's half red dwagon or fries all his food with his breath weapon. Can't wait to see it


Oh and Rincewind was a wizard that flunked school as well. He was a massive coward that always got into serious trouble because of divine intervention. Its a great read and you should check it out from your local library sometime.

[licoot]

I made comic one of epic fail, but ironically, it seems to be an epic fail

Spoiler

does anyone have any tips.

also, come on, vote for the enslaved aliens (the klinacio)

[Dvandemon]

Confusing...but your art is good

So would it be wrong to set the campaign world like the ones described in "The Color of Magic" and "Equal Rites"

[MethosH]

Only 2 more days to vote. If you still have votes and want to use them, please do it as soon as possible.

On another note:

I've added licoot's request for input on his upcoming comic to the "Important" section of the main post.
When this comic gets its own post it will be granted the status of a "Comic from the Lab" and added to the first post.

[Emperor Ing]

Originally Posted by licoot

Spoiler

snip

does anyone have any tips.

Ya gotta make sure that it's clear as to what's going on, clearly there was a battle before but you imply it as if it's a dream sequence.

Also, please use the Blur tool sparingly.

[licoot]

I was trying to show them coming in to try and steal from/slay the dragon, but being interrupted by someone else, then waking to find the dragon and its hoard gone, and a baby dragon left.
Do you have any suggestions on how to show that better.

also my last two votes go to...
...the zodahanni and....
H2.0

[MethosH]

The votes are now over and we end up with 6 final species/factions/stuff. Here are the winners:

1. The Zodohaani
2. The Nakessh
3. The Caz
4. H2.0
5. The Krashningrions / The Pleocygrans
6. The Argotanians United

Now its time for us to move on the the second step. Design the galaxy/universe/system.

Things we need to figure out now:

1. Are we going to be working with galaxies, systems or planets?
2. Who lives where? What territory belongs to who and what is just null sec?
3. Who is next to who? Are there going to be alliances?
4. In case of a "galaxies map" we need to define our galaxies
5. In case of a "systems thing" (where we all live in the same galaxy but there are many solar systems) we need to come up with the systems and the planets within.
6. In case of planet (they are all in the same system and we limit ourselves to design just one big solar system) we need to come up with the planes.
7. Now is a good time to figure out "travel technology". We will go with FTL Drives? Jump Gates?

[licoot]

Originally Posted by MethosHazara

The votes are now over and, due to a tie, we end up with 7 final species/factions/stuff. Here are the winners:

1. The Zodohaani
2. The Nakessh
3. The Caz
4. H2.0
5. The Krashningrions / The Pleocygrans
6. The Argotanians United

Thats only six, whats the seventh?

[Herpestidae]

I was recently thinking that the H 2.0 could be some kind of cult-type people that tries to spread the way of Biomechanism to the universe... or something like that.

[BRC]

Originally Posted by Herpestidae

I was recently thinking that the H 2.0 could be some kind of cult-type people that tries to spread the way of Biomechanism to the universe... or something like that.

How would they get along with the Nakeesh, who used to be reliant on Nanotech, and are now seeking to eliminate it after it grey-goo scenario'd their homeworld.

[Herpestidae]

Originally Posted by BRC

How would they get along with the Nakeesh, who used to be reliant on Nanotech, and are now seeking to eliminate it after it grey-goo scenario'd their homeworld.

Then those two would be enemies.

[Keveak]

Originally Posted by BRC

How would they get along with the Nakeesh, who used to be reliant on Nanotech, and are now seeking to eliminate it after it grey-goo scenario'd their homeworld.

Quite well, I'd say. Biotechnology can't spread like Nanobots since it's essentially just a change in the individuals biology, not an addition of a technological third-party with it's own, if primitive, free will.

It's up to them, though.

[BRC]

Originally Posted by Keveak

Quite well, I'd say. Biotechnology can't spread like Nanobots since it's essentially just a change in the individuals biology, not an addition of a technological third-party with it's own, if primitive, free will.

It's up to them, though.

It would probably depend on the Nakeesh in question.
The way I see it, there are three types
Type 1 still uses Nanotech, but only limited, very primitive, non-self-replicating forms. Stuff to diagnose illnesses, or give a temporary strength boost, or to serve as super-caffeine or something. This type of Nanotec can't reproduce and stops working after a few hours tops. They have a list of Safe varieties (Some of it far ahead of what other races have), and they refuse to develop more.
Type 2 hates all Nanotech, refuses to use it, and encourages other races to not develop it.
Type 3 is rare. They still embrace the full range of Nakeesh nanotechnology, in some cases going even farther than Nakeesh did before the plauge. They boost themselves with loads of nanotech. Their brains work in overdrive, their bodies self repair rapidly, they are monstrously strong, and can go for days without food or sleep.

However, they tend to live very short, intense lives as complications from so much boosting breaks them down. After a couple years, they are totally reliant on their nanobots for survival, and require more and more frequent treatments. When they can't get those treatments, they die.
Type 3 Nakeesh, Nanoheads as they are known, are considered dangerous criminals by most others. Most Nanohead communities are either pirates or mercenaries.
Edit: about 45% of Nakeesh are Type 1 with another 45% being type 2. About 10% are type 3.

[Keris]

Originally Posted by MethosHazara

• Are we going to be working with galaxies, systems or planets?

I say solar systems. An entire galaxy is absolutely huge (billions of stars, tens of thousands of light years across) and multiple galaxies would mean we have the means to cross the gaps between galaxies (on the order of millions of light years).

Originally Posted by MethosHazara

• Now is a good time to figure out "travel technology". We will go with FTL Drives? Jump Gates?

I'd personally like to avoid hyperspace methods, as it seems somewhat overdone to me. Jump gates would require someone to have placed the exit gate at your destination already, which would be detrimental to any space exploration going on.
Jump drives, warp drives or inertialess drives all hold potential in my eyes, although if jump drives are used and are instantaneous I think there should be some limit on where they can be used. Outside of a gravity well, inside a gravity well, wherever, so long as you can't simply disappear at will.

Originally Posted by licoot

Thats only six, whats the seventh?

The seventh are the Typo Imps. It was originally planned to have 5 factions, but the votes went like this, according to Methos's summary:
1. The Caz (5 votes)
 - The Nakessh (5 votes)
 - The Zodohaani (5 votes)
4. H_2.0 (4 votes)
5. The Argotanians United (3 votes)
 - The Pleocygrans (3 votes)
6. The Klinacio (2 votes)
 - The Voltor (2 votes)
8. The Ablinai (1 vote)
 - The Columbian Confederation (1 vote)
9. Elfishness (0 votes)

Originally Posted by Herpestidae

I was recently thinking that the H 2.0 could be some kind of cult-type people that tries to spread the way of Biomechanism to the universe... or something like that.

Some of H_2.0 would probably be proselytising the incorporation of machinery, others would be merely advocating it, but I think most would simply accept that others have made their own decision. They might have made the wrong decision, foolishly spurning the benefits of technology, but it was their decision to make.
However, I would be strongly against applying it to the entire faction. Factions, while themed, should be diverse, and the H_2.0 culture is already geared towards individualism.

[licoot]

Surely the remaining Nakessh would have the ability to wipe out
entire planets belonging to their enemies useing the same technology that destroyed their own, of course i'm not saying that the ones that hate nanotechnology or the ones that accept it in small amounts would do this, but surely the nano-tecnology crazed ones might do this.

[Keris]

Originally Posted by licoot

Surely the remaining Nakessh would have the ability to wipe out
entire planets belonging to their enemies useing the same technology that destroyed their own, of course i'm not saying that the ones that hate nanotechnology or the ones that accept it in small amounts would do this, but surely the nano-tecnology crazed ones might do this.

I'd damn certain there would be inter-faction treaties forbidding the use of WMDs, and imposing heavy control over largescale terraformers. Also, the destruction of the Nakessh's planet was helped along by nuking nanobot infested areas.

On another note, I foresee good relations between those Nakessh who embrace nanotechnology and those H_2.0 who don't spurn it (i.e., the great majority of them). Heck, the 'Type 3' Nakessh pretty much are H_2.0, or perhaps more accurately N_2.0.

[Darklord Bright]

Just some Zodohaani cultural thoughts:

Spoiler

I was thinking, for the Zodohaani, that the warrior caste's final initiation into being a true warrior ends with the Zodohaani in question being marked with cheek and stomach tattoos. Not sure the significance yet, but it's a thought.

Also, when I was thinking about male roles in society, I realised that a man born into a noble family would still be noble, but with different obligations. For instance, they might be schooled from birth to learn the typical housework, and some fighting to protect the family at home, or they might act as one of the warrior caste, capable of directly defending their families. Typically, though, I'd think that they'd never raise above the same rights and liberties as those of a warrior (which are high, but not as high as most noblewomen, who might someday come in full control of an entire house.)

I'm also wondering what sort of relations the beings who generally prefer covert ops. and negotiations would have with the other species. Due to the resources found on their planet, I had decided before that they're probably star-traders, but undoubtedly there are some who have used the freedom of space to break free of their caste system if they were able to, and I'm not sure what would become of them.

[BRC]

Originally Posted by licoot

Surely the remaining Nakessh would have the ability to wipe out
entire planets belonging to their enemies useing the same technology that destroyed their own, of course i'm not saying that the ones that hate nanotechnology or the ones that accept it in small amounts would do this, but surely the nano-tecnology crazed ones might do this.

Oh, definitely. However, Weaponized Nanotech is banned by every treaty imaginable, the Nakeesh have an especially intense hatred for the idea. Nanokeesh (The type 3's), while some of the more insane ones might be willing, most of them consider the idea despicable.


Here is specifically what went wrong on Nak (The Nakeesh homeworld). A disease started spreading very quickly, and it was tough enough to get through the boosted immune systems of Nakeesh. It was spreading fast, and they decided that individual treatments were too slow, so they allowed the Nanobots to spread virally through air, food, and water, letting the cure propagate faster than the disease. Now, while this specific cure had gone through plenty of tests, and the idea of viral nanobots had been tested before, they didn't really test the two together. For the first few weeks, things seemed to be working fine. However, each nanobot learn to identify the healthy cells of the individual it's inside, and spreads that knowledge on to nanobot's it builds. Because these Nanobots were spreading from person to person, they would get confused. A directly implanted subject was fine, as was somebody who "Caught' the cure from them, and so on. The problem arose when Nanobots that originated from one Initial subject "infected" somebody already carrying nanobots from somebody else. They shared data, got confused, and started attacking everything, while making new nanobots at an accelerated pace. Everytime one of these "Bad" nanobots got into a target with Healthy nanobots, they would spread the confusion. What's more, the nanobots started spreading to plants and animals, destroying them as well.

As soon as the plauge had started, people had started fleeing to orbit. Now that the aftereffects of the Cure were becoming known, a new wave of refugees arrived. After three orbital habitats were destroyed by the nanobots, the others began to refuse new refugees. Then, one of the largest surviving habitats got infected by a stowaway, and people started panicking. Nak's orbital defenses were turned against the planet, attempting to sterilize the infected areas, but so many places were infected. Not to mention, firing defenses designed to handle incoming asteroids or fleets at a planet's surface has some serious side effects (Besides, you know, the massive craters everywhere). Dust filled the atmosphere, radiation caked the surface, the sea temperatures rose from the heat of discharges, forests burned, ect. Ironically enough, one of the few things that survived were the nanobots, who carried on in the land between the craters. After the smoke cleared, the Nakeesh gave up on their homeworld, moving to colonies, or simply wandering the stars forever.


Nanokeesh (Type 3's) and H2.0 do in fact get along rather well. Nanokeesh are generally descended from those Nakeesh that lived far away from Nak itself, usually in small groups or on planets dominated by other races, so they didn't receive much in the way of refugees, or hear about the Devastation firsthand. H2.0 looks upon the Nanokeesh as good, if slightly extreme, friends. They both agree on the full use of technology to advance their lives, but I have a feeling H2.0 focuses more on general improvements. Nanokeesh on the other hand tend to focus on maximizing themselves. Making themselves as strong, fast, smart, tough, ect as possible with little regard for the consequences. They try to push themselves to the absolute limit. Tomorrow, you may die of organ failure, but today you can shrug off gunshots and rip a door off it's hinges with one hand. H2.0 learns from them, but dosn't want to be them.
The general opinion amongst Nanokeesh is that it wasn't Nanobots that destroyed Nak, it was Viralized Nanobots. Therefore, provided you don't let your nanobots spread between people (as most don't), you're fine.
Who H2.0 (as I imagine them) probably has more in common with is pre-cataclysm Nakeesh. Every Nakeesh had some Nanotech in them. They were generally stronger, healthier, and longer lived than they would have been naturally (Not to extremes. Basically the Average Nakeesh was at a level that would have been considered in the top 70% of Nakeesh without Nanobots). I wouldn't be surprised if the Nakeesh (Before the cataclysm of course) were what inspired H2.0 in the first place. "Those aliens embrace their technology, and look at them. We can do the same thing!"

[Herpestidae]

Don't let me interrupt the worldbuild going on, but I've been recently working on an adaptation of "Burlew" Style.



I'm thinking of making the head a bit bigger, probably giving him fingers, but what I really need help with is eyes. I want them to have colors, but realistic eyes launch it into Uncanny Valley. So... Help?

[T-O-E]

Have you posted that before?

[licoot]

Originally Posted by T-O-E

Have you posted that before?

If he has he hasn't for a while

[Keveak]

Originally Posted by Herpestidae

Don't let me interrupt the worldbuild going on, but I've been recently working on an adaptation of "Burlew" Style.



I'm thinking of making the head a bit bigger, probably giving him fingers, but what I really need help with is eyes. I want them to have colors, but realistic eyes launch it into Uncanny Valley. So... Help?

Something like these?

That's all I got, sadly

[Herpestidae]

Originally Posted by T-O-E

Have you posted that before?

Yeah, i did, actually. Just not in this thread. I think.