@Niall: I was thinking that myself at first, but now I’m not sure–it doesn’t quite seem like a scene-closing beat. Reaching the heart was a mini-closure. So was the arrival of the tribe. Even Ed’s offer of his ink recipe brought an end to that immediate dilemma. I think this scene will get just a little more resolved and/or twist-endinged before we go back underground.
Murai has the shadow of a god in her head. Worst case scenario, she is very much the concern of every living thing within divine retribution range.
I can still see Boneclaw Mother telling Jhalm that he has one too many eyes to see the situation clearly … (and maybe offering to remedy that for him … )
😉
P.S. My guess is that we’ll shift back to Digger & Ed right after Surka shows up.
I wonder just how much Surka and Grim Eyes were able to fill her in.
—–
Sparky, I’m pretty sure BCM was using “see” in a metaphorical sense. She can’t do so in a literal one, for obvious reasons, but she was close enough to hear at least part of the exchange between Jhalm and Murai, in the June 1st strip ( http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=827 ), so she already knows it’s many of his troops against one girl, and in his conversation with BCM he mentioned an exact count for his team, in the July 27th strip ( http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=851 ).
Joan – Actually, Jhalm could make the argument (if he’s savvy enough about hyena myth) that Boneclaw Mother and Grim Eyes should actively be AVOIDING the situation. He-Is-(adjective) had his name eaten, and thus should not be gone near by any hyena.
@TekServer: Good guess. Possibly too similar to the scene-ending of the hyenas’ arrival, but it’d still work. I can just imagine a troll grabbing Jhalm and carrying him away (though that might be a problem; how close are we to sunset?), and then it’s up to a lower-ranked Veiled to give the order to attack one of their own, and wouldn’t THAT just make anyone think twice.
@Terry: Aha, you just made me think of something. No hyena on the surface WILL go anywhere near He-Is. The only one who IS going … has also had his name eaten. Very nice symmetry there–one exile’s destiny turns out to be dealing with another.
Ooh, I’d fit right in with the Hyenas; that last line of Boneclaw Mother’s should be etched in stone! She’s calling it as she sees it, and is trying to make Jhalm see that too.
Oh, yes, things are about to get very awesome around here…. ; )
I believe we just witnessed the ‘BOOM head-shot’ of this debate. Something’s bound to break next strip. I think that a full-out physical attack by Jhalm would be unlikely and unwise ( I hold that Bone claw Mother MIGHT have been able to take out Grim eyes), but he might get even deeper stuck in the argument, and then at it’s conclusion Bone-claw mother could say something like “well that’s all good and well, but the flaw in your reasoning is that we’ve been here, oh, maybe five hours now, so you’re welcome to go down in the tunnels now, maybe clean up after Digger.”
Alternately, as rueyeet pointed out, Murai’s been out-of-frame for some time now. If she’s not sulking over her stolen thunder, then what is she doing? Hmmmm….
Food for thought. Excellent work as always. I look forward to the next update.
Oh, no, Helriz. This is the setup! Jhalm has been hit with a zinger and is now *in position* to receive the headshot. You haven’t seen it delivered yet, however. He may yet dodge the bullet, but I’m thinking Boneclaw Mother is about to break someone’s neck.
I’m not really sure he’s being a bully… at least not in this situation. The fact that she ‘s a girl with a broken arm doesn’t really invalidate the “I’m crazy and have a sword and will not get out of your way”. I mean, mostly she has sympathy because she is a “focus” character that is on Digger’s side. What is a “Lone Brave veiled with a broken arm” were blocking the Hyenas from going where they wanted to go, does anyone think the Hyenas wouldn’t kill that veiled? Would they be bullies, or just people doing what they need to do?
Which isn’t to say he’s not a self righteous ass, I’m just not sure he’s really a bully in this situation..
Arrrg, now all I can see in my mind is Boneclaw Mother saying “Boom. Headshot.” in the voice of the team fortress 2 sniper! Over and over again! I think it just pushed the knowledge of how to draw a Harris Matrix out of my brain! I needed that!
The thing with Boneclaw Mother is she is definately by now Weatherwaxing him. She knows he’s the head of an order for which pride and honor are the same side of the same coin, and in order to fufill a mistaken duty, he’s about to violate that honor. So she’s thwacking him with a clue by four before he does something he’ll regret.
The fact she’s helping Digger and humiliating the man who spent the past 5 minutes insulting her sanity after having relegating her people to a reserve… well, that’s just gravy on the liver, isn’t it?
Oh, this is a classing Weatherwaxing. “I never did like bullies” from the pesky old grandma, the queen bully herself – but Jhalm is in no position to know that, because he has not taken the hyenas seriously, as people. If nothing else, Boneclaw Mother is repairing that error.
The biggest challenge with Jhalm has always been getting him to listen again, once he’s made up his mind. He’s brave, honorable, capable, and not stupid. His flaw is that he rushes to judgement too quickly, and once his mind is made up, he ceases being willing to consider new information. All he’s interested in is evidence to support his conclusion.
@rueyeet Murai must still have a part to play – the ghost told her she has a “glorious destiny” and Herne confirmed it. She also has the shadow of an evil god in her head. I’m wondering if that’s going to come out and play somehow?
Argh! What a place to get caught up. Another webcomic to add to the stack of ‘waiting for awesome’…. I’m going to miss the immersion of 20-30 pages a night. =(
Lets see now; Boneclaw Mother has Jhalm ethically off balance, out of position, and standing next to a very effective hunter (the boar didn’t survive the encounter, she did). Nope, she isn’t using “The Thing”, she is using “The OTHER Thing”. The Thing that all successful hunters use to catch prey.
@justaguy: That’s a good point, but I think even considering that, from Boneclaw Mother’s perspective, he would still be a bully. Murai may have strong conviction now, but she hasn’t always in the past. He knows this and could have attempted to exploit it, but hasn’t [other than threats of serious injury or death]. He’s also pushed the hyena tribe back and to the wayside by force, as well as insulted their leader by implying she is both senile and sub-human. I can very easily see how she would consider him a bully even if Murai wasn’t involved.
justaguy: That’s a good point, but I think even considering that, from Boneclaw Mother’s perspective, he would still be a bully. Murai may have strong conviction now, but she hasn’t always in the past. He knows this and could have attempted to exploit it, but hasn’t [other than threats of serious injury or death]. He’s also pushed the hyena tribe back and to the wayside by force, as well as insulted their leader by implying she is both senile and sub-human. I can very easily see how she would consider him a bully even if Murai wasn’t involved.
No, Digger has never been in the top 10. But then again, I’ve never seen any voting banners, vote incentives, or other such efforts by Ursula to promote the voting, either; I think I was actually the first to notice that Digger had been added to TWC and started posting the link here.
I don’t know for certain that Digger is the highest ranked comic with no voting incentives or banners, but I strongly suspect it.
Ohsnap! Boneclaw Mother is about to kick her some butt.
Ouch! Looks like something of a sore spot there. Hehehehe.
Aaaaand.. *BOOM*… there we go.
Wait ’till she mentions her daughter, and then his mind will really twist.
She sees?
I wonder just how much Surka and Grim Eyes were able to fill her in.
eeeks now we’re gettin’ down to brass tacks!
And despite his protests, Jhalm is *NOT* a decent creature…
Now this is where things start to get awesome. >:D
Also, don’t forget to VOTE! http://topwebcomics.com/vote/10180/default.aspx By the way, it’s important that you vote now. Digger is in 27th place. Great milestone.
I get the feeling she may have just struck a nerve.
She does see, it’s totally true. It’s part of the Thing.
Jaml just lost the high ground. Wonder when He will notice?
@JewelWolf
>> Now this is where things start to get awesome.
No, THIS is where things started to get awesome.
http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=3
Now we’re at where they’re more awesome than they’ve ever been before!
She smalls the guilt on him, and moves in for the shame.
Annnnnd back to Digger on Tuesday!
@Niall: I was thinking that myself at first, but now I’m not sure–it doesn’t quite seem like a scene-closing beat. Reaching the heart was a mini-closure. So was the arrival of the tribe. Even Ed’s offer of his ink recipe brought an end to that immediate dilemma. I think this scene will get just a little more resolved and/or twist-endinged before we go back underground.
Now this, this is starting to be The Thing. Diplomatic hamstringing!
Toche, Barry. That is a very good point.
Of course it’s her affair! It’s her tribe’s god they’re fighting over!
Murai has the shadow of a god in her head. Worst case scenario, she is very much the concern of every living thing within divine retribution range.
I can still see Boneclaw Mother telling Jhalm that he has one too many eyes to see the situation clearly … (and maybe offering to remedy that for him … )
😉
P.S. My guess is that we’ll shift back to Digger & Ed right after Surka shows up.
Boneclaw mother is as strong as her name, and she’s got her claws into Jhalm, for sure!
The one who hits first shall lose, and she’s a good provoker
She sees?
I wonder just how much Surka and Grim Eyes were able to fill her in.
—–
Sparky, I’m pretty sure BCM was using “see” in a metaphorical sense. She can’t do so in a literal one, for obvious reasons, but she was close enough to hear at least part of the exchange between Jhalm and Murai, in the June 1st strip ( http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=827 ), so she already knows it’s many of his troops against one girl, and in his conversation with BCM he mentioned an exact count for his team, in the July 27th strip ( http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=851 ).
Joan – Actually, Jhalm could make the argument (if he’s savvy enough about hyena myth) that Boneclaw Mother and Grim Eyes should actively be AVOIDING the situation. He-Is-(adjective) had his name eaten, and thus should not be gone near by any hyena.
@TekServer: Good guess. Possibly too similar to the scene-ending of the hyenas’ arrival, but it’d still work. I can just imagine a troll grabbing Jhalm and carrying him away (though that might be a problem; how close are we to sunset?), and then it’s up to a lower-ranked Veiled to give the order to attack one of their own, and wouldn’t THAT just make anyone think twice.
@Terry: Aha, you just made me think of something. No hyena on the surface WILL go anywhere near He-Is. The only one who IS going … has also had his name eaten. Very nice symmetry there–one exile’s destiny turns out to be dealing with another.
I feel kinda sorry for Murai; everyone keeps stealing the show out from under her. Since the hyenas showed up, she’s been out-of-frame entirely.
Ooh, I’d fit right in with the Hyenas; that last line of Boneclaw Mother’s should be etched in stone! She’s calling it as she sees it, and is trying to make Jhalm see that too.
Oh, yes, things are about to get very awesome around here…. ; )
I believe we just witnessed the ‘BOOM head-shot’ of this debate. Something’s bound to break next strip. I think that a full-out physical attack by Jhalm would be unlikely and unwise ( I hold that Bone claw Mother MIGHT have been able to take out Grim eyes), but he might get even deeper stuck in the argument, and then at it’s conclusion Bone-claw mother could say something like “well that’s all good and well, but the flaw in your reasoning is that we’ve been here, oh, maybe five hours now, so you’re welcome to go down in the tunnels now, maybe clean up after Digger.”
Alternately, as rueyeet pointed out, Murai’s been out-of-frame for some time now. If she’s not sulking over her stolen thunder, then what is she doing? Hmmmm….
Food for thought. Excellent work as always. I look forward to the next update.
That last line is a classic “Enter the Badass” line, too…
Them’s fightin’ words, ma’am.
I’m waiting for the Mortal Kombat music to cue.
Also, as of my vote this evening – #22!!!
Oh, no, Helriz. This is the setup! Jhalm has been hit with a zinger and is now *in position* to receive the headshot. You haven’t seen it delivered yet, however. He may yet dodge the bullet, but I’m thinking Boneclaw Mother is about to break someone’s neck.
I’m not really sure he’s being a bully… at least not in this situation. The fact that she ‘s a girl with a broken arm doesn’t really invalidate the “I’m crazy and have a sword and will not get out of your way”. I mean, mostly she has sympathy because she is a “focus” character that is on Digger’s side. What is a “Lone Brave veiled with a broken arm” were blocking the Hyenas from going where they wanted to go, does anyone think the Hyenas wouldn’t kill that veiled? Would they be bullies, or just people doing what they need to do?
Which isn’t to say he’s not a self righteous ass, I’m just not sure he’s really a bully in this situation..
Arrrg, now all I can see in my mind is Boneclaw Mother saying “Boom. Headshot.” in the voice of the team fortress 2 sniper! Over and over again! I think it just pushed the knowledge of how to draw a Harris Matrix out of my brain! I needed that!
The thing with Boneclaw Mother is she is definately by now Weatherwaxing him. She knows he’s the head of an order for which pride and honor are the same side of the same coin, and in order to fufill a mistaken duty, he’s about to violate that honor. So she’s thwacking him with a clue by four before he does something he’ll regret.
The fact she’s helping Digger and humiliating the man who spent the past 5 minutes insulting her sanity after having relegating her people to a reserve… well, that’s just gravy on the liver, isn’t it?
Oh, this is a classing Weatherwaxing. “I never did like bullies” from the pesky old grandma, the queen bully herself – but Jhalm is in no position to know that, because he has not taken the hyenas seriously, as people. If nothing else, Boneclaw Mother is repairing that error.
The biggest challenge with Jhalm has always been getting him to listen again, once he’s made up his mind. He’s brave, honorable, capable, and not stupid. His flaw is that he rushes to judgement too quickly, and once his mind is made up, he ceases being willing to consider new information. All he’s interested in is evidence to support his conclusion.
I think he just made her mad…
@rueyeet Murai must still have a part to play – the ghost told her she has a “glorious destiny” and Herne confirmed it. She also has the shadow of an evil god in her head. I’m wondering if that’s going to come out and play somehow?
Argh! What a place to get caught up. Another webcomic to add to the stack of ‘waiting for awesome’…. I’m going to miss the immersion of 20-30 pages a night. =(
And she said she couldn’t do “The thing” to him….
Oh dear -things are definitely ‘warming up’. BTW – when I checked the talley after I voted, Digger is at #24!!!!
Lets see now; Boneclaw Mother has Jhalm ethically off balance, out of position, and standing next to a very effective hunter (the boar didn’t survive the encounter, she did). Nope, she isn’t using “The Thing”, she is using “The OTHER Thing”. The Thing that all successful hunters use to catch prey.
@justaguy: That’s a good point, but I think even considering that, from Boneclaw Mother’s perspective, he would still be a bully. Murai may have strong conviction now, but she hasn’t always in the past. He knows this and could have attempted to exploit it, but hasn’t [other than threats of serious injury or death]. He’s also pushed the hyena tribe back and to the wayside by force, as well as insulted their leader by implying she is both senile and sub-human. I can very easily see how she would consider him a bully even if Murai wasn’t involved.
justaguy: That’s a good point, but I think even considering that, from Boneclaw Mother’s perspective, he would still be a bully. Murai may have strong conviction now, but she hasn’t always in the past. He knows this and could have attempted to exploit it, but hasn’t [other than threats of serious injury or death]. He’s also pushed the hyena tribe back and to the wayside by force, as well as insulted their leader by implying she is both senile and sub-human. I can very easily see how she would consider him a bully even if Murai wasn’t involved.
Has Digger ever been in the top 10 to anyone’s knowledge?
Dangit, I caught uuuuuuuup!!!
AAARGH! Now I have to wait…
@Seaspray: “The thing with Boneclaw Mother is she is definately by now Weatherwaxing him.”
There’s the word I’ve been looking for to describe this, thanks. 😀
No, Digger has never been in the top 10. But then again, I’ve never seen any voting banners, vote incentives, or other such efforts by Ursula to promote the voting, either; I think I was actually the first to notice that Digger had been added to TWC and started posting the link here.
I don’t know for certain that Digger is the highest ranked comic with no voting incentives or banners, but I strongly suspect it.
YOU GO! I love Boneclaw Mother even more ^^