Tag: Amuletts

Pg 10: Ground 1; Dirk Nil

This week in Epic Fail: With either incredibly good or incredibly bad timing Amuletts orders Andy to release Dirk just when he happens to be straining to his utmost. Gravity plays its part; Dirk falls on his arse. Tinuvielle helps him up, and berates him sternly for allowing himself to be baited. He resolves never to let it happen again. This is put to the test immediately when Amuletts decides to create an illusion re-enacting his fall.

Creator’s Commentary: I wasn’t sure whether this page was going to work out, because it has a lot of Dirk in it and his character design was the least worked out. But now it’s all done I think it’s pretty funny. *Snigger*

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Fanart from Sacred Pie

epicfail_sacredpiefanart
Today I recieved this brilliant, action-packed piece of fan art from Phil Shaw of Sacred Pie. It’s of Martin, Clodin and Amuletts versus a Cave Troll. I really appreciate the attention to detail here and especially the character nuances. It’s a wonderful mix of action and humour – I only hope I can do as well when I get to the big fight scenes! At least I know who to go to for advice.

Sacred Pie is an epic science fiction webcomic. It begins with a mysterious traveller stumbling through a portal into Sid, Roonas and Bob’s living room. Following a portentous demand involving the fate of the universe, he disintegrates on their carpet leaving a stain and several artifacts.

It’s the story of ordinary guys turned super-heroes with resemblances to Star Wars and The Last Starfighter. The art inproves as the story progresses with some experimentation along the way. There’s a lot going on which can be hard to keep track of sometimes, but if you are looking for variety and a comic that doesn’t take itself too seriously this is the perfect read.

Pg 9: This isn’t the argument you’re looking for

This week in Epic Fail: Amuletts, exasperated by Clodins stubbornness, laments that Martin paid her so little. Hearing this the dwarf is even more outraged. Amuletts realises she has hit a brick wall and, growing impatient, uses the force magic to manipulate him.  It works.  Clodin accepts her apology,  however, Dirk is still being held by her minion, Andy Roid.  She thinks it is funny, but agrees to order his release after Tinuvielle threatens her.  Tinuvielle is most embarrassed to discover Amuletts finds her ‘cute.’

Creator’s Commentary: So now you’ve been introduced the main abilities Amuletts receives from her God, Loki.  She can produce fire and use a minor charm spell (like the Force magic can have a strong influence on the weak-minded).   These mimic abilities the deity himself has, but are far less powerful.  Unlike normal spells they require no preparation and are used at will, so she tends to throw them off rather casually.

Pg 8: How can you be deaf with ears like that?

This week in Epic Fail: Amuletts, in an act of friendship, explains to Martin that he should expect her to try and cheat him.  (If she hitherto succeeds Amuletts will consider Martin responsible since he was warned but let her do it anyway).  Unfortunately, with a mix of subtlety and a word of over three syllables, she merely manages to confuse him.star_trek_huge_ears

She offers Clodin a rather glib apology which only in angers him further.  Finally, the irate dwarf feigns deafness.

Creator’s Commentary: The title for this page is a quote from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Look, I took a screen capture of the alien Dr.McCoy was referring to.  Yep – them’s some huge ears!  Anyway, I used it in this instance to poke a little fun at my own cartoon style.  I tend to, shall we say, exaggerate ears a bit.

Pg 7: Because you can’t get something for nothing

This week in Epic Fail: Clodin throws an axe into Amuletts’ negotiations with Martin. Martin figures 100 gold is a small price to pay for her to behave herself. She explains, rather cryptically, that he has been cheated, but pockets the money anyway.

Creator’s Commentary: Now you know why Clodin responded so violently.  As for Amuletts… she’s greedy.  Mind you, she didn’t think Martin would take her offer, after all, it was extortionate!  He was supposed to barter.  Gold to Amuletts is rather like a pocketful of coppers, but “look after the pennies…”

Incidentally I like the close-ups on Clodin.  They worked out better than I expected.

I gave my Mother the comic to read and she did so out loud.  She did Clodin’s lines with a squeaky little voice, presumably because he is small.  It made me laugh.

BONUS 01: Valentines Day 09

Happy Valentines Day!

So, under the influence of a love potion – a gift from Amuletts – Tinuvielle and Clodin do something absolutely unmentionable.  (An elf and a dwarf together?!  There’s gotta be a law against that)!  Martin pulls some absolutely wonderful facial expressions in response and Dirk goes blind.

Being a holiday special this page does not fit into the story-line.  I told Miriam (the player who controls Tinuvielle an our role-play game) about this page and she was absolutely horrified!  So I put it up anyway.  I may be punished for it later.  See how nice I am to you guys, putting out a comic despite great personal risk?

Pg 6: Just fight amongst yourselves…

This week in Epic Fail: Despite Dirk’s efforts fighting has broken out between Clodin and Amuletts. The King isn’t happy and hints at dire consequences.

Creator’s Commentary: So, we have our first fight scene, and it’s infighting.  I’m not sure how well this scene flows, especially with Dirk and the Golem (known as Andy Roid), but hopefully it makes sense.

Amuletts is my namesake.  I use it a lot online.  I decided I wanted a nickname like Trillian (Patricia McMillan) from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.  So I joined Amy Letts together by bastardising the U.  Of course, using variants and anagrams of your own name is a long-standing tradition in rpgs, originating from the great Gygax himself (Zagyg being the most obvious example).

Pg 4: Some messengers are asking to be shot

So, the messenger delivers her message (if you thought she was a man you are forgiven.  I drew her pretty androgynous to add to her mystery.  But in page 1, frame 8 you can see the curve of her left boobie).  In case you haven’t guessed she is a lead-in character, and you probably won’t see her again.  That said she has quite a strong personality and I will miss her.  She is determined and practical.

Not there are a lot of mistakes on this page.  “Shoot mess-anger” is one, Tinuvielle’s left arm is another.  I won’t point out the others.  Perhaps you won’t notice them. Mistake fixed!

Pg 3: Why you don’t tease a Pyromaniac

Amuletts gets her vengeance by setting fire to the dwarfs beard.  He panics.  Everyone tries to be helpful.  The mysterious blue-robed figure tries to approach, but is halted by a guard.  She seems to have a scroll in her hand…

I like this layout, though it may be a bit tricky to read on the screen – sorry about that.  I like to action/reaction frames.  It’s good to say things without words!  I found the extreme perspective fun too.  It may not be wholly accurate, but it creates the right impression.

By the way, Amuletts produced that fire magically.  I thought I’d mention it in case you thought she was using a lighter.  She’s actually clicking her fingers (though the lighter effect is not unintentional).

Pg 2: My Kindom for some Phat Loot

On this page the focus has moved away from the blue riders (somewhat like in 1914¹) and concerntrated on the figures on the red carpet.  Oo look!  They get lines!  These must be core actors instead of low-paid extras.  (What, did you think making a comic was cheap?  I’ll have you know that King fellow is top-notch, he starred in a deck of playing cards)!

So, these guys have performed some kind of heroic deed and the kingdom is very thankful.  But someone isn’t satisfied and rants accordingly.  She may be within earshot of the monarch but doesn’t seem to care.  The dwarf annonces her to the crowd – knowing full well how she’ll hate it.  Everyone laughs uproariously.  Amuletts vows revenge.

I have carefully worked out concept drawings for all the main characters, except Dirk.  Nothing really seemed to work out.  But then I had to draw him, properly, for the comic.  So I decided not to worry so much.  I had a kinda Samurai-style in mind, so I went with that.  He looked too girly so I added a beard.  Voila!

¹ This is a bad art joke, reflecting my sense of humour and too many years of art education.  It refers to Der Blaue Reiter, a short-lived expressionist group of artists with many prestigious members.  It ended in 1914 after only three years due to the war.  Not really funny at all.