FA+
Shop
9881
Views
Views
277
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Artwork (Digital) / Comics
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 900 x 1498
File Size 1.35 MB
Report this content
More from Valsalia
Listed in Folders
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
Against a heaven enforced
Shading
oniontrain
(High-res version available for free over on my Patreon!)
https://unitedhelpukraine.org/ https://savelife.in.ua/en/
Against a heaven enforced
Shading
oniontrain(High-res version available for free over on my Patreon!)
https://unitedhelpukraine.org/ https://savelife.in.ua/en/
Category Artwork (Digital) / Comics
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 900 x 1498px
File Size 1.35 MB
Listed in Folders
The old baxxid reminds me of that murderous robot in Pluto. Spouting wisdom while full capable of telling the Three Laws where they can be stuffed. Also, given the old baxxid is still alive... I get the feeling that, even with their very divergent views, they are more important to the 'hive' than you've shown. As if they're a 'queen'.
Well, there was the acid test of both sets of beliefs. The older one has diminished, but is impossible to eradicate. The new one is unsure of itself, and has very good reason to be so. When you can't stop a theft without obliterating the thief, how suited ARE your species for peaceful interaction? But... the other species could, should, and probably will learn to make allowances and take precautions.
I'm just super curious if there will be any issues with the ecosystem with them not heading out as a group to hunt and such. Taking a major predatory species out of a long set pattern, lots of ways that could go wrong.
But! It's probably been long enough since they settled that either things weren't that reliant on them, and people may have noticed if something was off kilter. Or with the humans moving in the ecosystem just shifted a little since humans will eat practically anything, not to mention the Yinglets.
Or maybe their migrations were over such long cycles it will be a long time from now that they would feel the need to head out again. *shrugs*
Anyway, awesome page, absolutely adore how Baxxid speak, and lets hope no one got anything unpleasant carved on their face plates.
But! It's probably been long enough since they settled that either things weren't that reliant on them, and people may have noticed if something was off kilter. Or with the humans moving in the ecosystem just shifted a little since humans will eat practically anything, not to mention the Yinglets.
Or maybe their migrations were over such long cycles it will be a long time from now that they would feel the need to head out again. *shrugs*
Anyway, awesome page, absolutely adore how Baxxid speak, and lets hope no one got anything unpleasant carved on their face plates.
"To a hell you have chosen."
Says the old and bitter baxid who hasn't done the slightest bit of introspection in gawds knows how long he's been down there.
And by what other Baxids who have met him or who imposed the sentence on him say, he never had any intention of doing so.
Screw him. Hellz yes for Kal!
Says the old and bitter baxid who hasn't done the slightest bit of introspection in gawds knows how long he's been down there.
And by what other Baxids who have met him or who imposed the sentence on him say, he never had any intention of doing so.
Screw him. Hellz yes for Kal!
Revanchists aren't big on introspection. Zealots in general don't look at themselves, they are just Right and all others are Wrong and need to be shown the path of Rightness. Or eliminated.
They have always existed in human history and the Baxxid knew exactly what to do with theirs. Isolate them and use them as a test to see who wants to live in the past, and who wants to hold their head high and march together into the future.
They have always existed in human history and the Baxxid knew exactly what to do with theirs. Isolate them and use them as a test to see who wants to live in the past, and who wants to hold their head high and march together into the future.
Except - Kalghur has the right of it. Things change. Things are better for the Baxxid allied with humans. He Who Knows What He Did, like any reactionary, thinks his version of the Old Ways is the only way. He wants to slither backward into an imaginary past. Kalghur, as naive as he can be, wants to be part of the future. And he wants to have a human friend, even if he outlives her, because nothing can take those years away.
And that's the Judgement. I hope he passed.
And that's the Judgement. I hope he passed.
Wonderfully well said.
He Who Knows took actions that effectively made the Baxxid leaders isolate him from everyone else.
And he embraced that, effectively making himself into a living fossil in mind and body.
His way of thinking could never survive or compete when other sentient races are constantly growing and learning.
He Who Knows took actions that effectively made the Baxxid leaders isolate him from everyone else.
And he embraced that, effectively making himself into a living fossil in mind and body.
His way of thinking could never survive or compete when other sentient races are constantly growing and learning.
His way of thinking ends in war and genocide, as it has throughout human history. Very deep thoughts for a comic about body switching!
The Elder's way of thinking results in two peoples growing together in symbiosis, both benefiting the other and both rising together. We could learn from the Baxxid.
The Elder's way of thinking results in two peoples growing together in symbiosis, both benefiting the other and both rising together. We could learn from the Baxxid.
To HECC with that old fosil - fudd!!!
Kalgkur... You are NOT going to hecc by wanting to be with someone other than a Baxxid!
Not all of us old farts are FUDDS! Go live your dream!
Heccin' Valsalia... Makin' me feel all these heccin' feelz !!!
Keep it up, Story Teller!!
Kalgkur... You are NOT going to hecc by wanting to be with someone other than a Baxxid!
Not all of us old farts are FUDDS! Go live your dream!
Heccin' Valsalia... Makin' me feel all these heccin' feelz !!!
Keep it up, Story Teller!!
You can tempt Kalgkur with all the murder and violence you want, but he's got the power of being-horny-for-another-species on his side. He's immune to such rhetoric!
I'm going to take it as a good sign that He-Who-Knows-What-He-Did things things won't work out between him and his human would-be-girlfriend. Seems like he's got a lot of bad takes.
I'm going to take it as a good sign that He-Who-Knows-What-He-Did things things won't work out between him and his human would-be-girlfriend. Seems like he's got a lot of bad takes.
No one choice is hell, nor heaven. Life is full of ups and downs. All that truly matters, is how we effect the world with our choices.
Selfish choices often means our Hells are solitary. But selfless choices often means our Hells are with friends and family.
Misery loves company. But company repels misery.
Selfish choices often means our Hells are solitary. But selfless choices often means our Hells are with friends and family.
Misery loves company. But company repels misery.
The guy doesn't seem to have investigated what the prisoner did, or why. He just knows the prisoner's position is "coalescence [whatever that is] is our purpose", and not what specific crime he committed. I don't think we even know he's a murderer, yet.
Kalgkur doesn't seem to have learned anything here other than "that dude's scary". It could be that He-Who-Knows has a point even if he's wrong overall, and that it would've been worth trying to understand the situation on a deeper level than "New Culture Good; Old Culture Pure Evil!" That stance is a problem when even the "good" people notice there are innate biological problems they're trying to ignore rather than work around. So far the baxxid I think has a better stance is that hunter who admits that killing things is satisfying, but learns to do it in a controlled and helpful way. I'd wager he's got better mental health than the ones chanting "we're peaceful now, end of story!"
I'm reminded of the plot of "Forbidden Planet" here, which is a good thing.
Kalgkur doesn't seem to have learned anything here other than "that dude's scary". It could be that He-Who-Knows has a point even if he's wrong overall, and that it would've been worth trying to understand the situation on a deeper level than "New Culture Good; Old Culture Pure Evil!" That stance is a problem when even the "good" people notice there are innate biological problems they're trying to ignore rather than work around. So far the baxxid I think has a better stance is that hunter who admits that killing things is satisfying, but learns to do it in a controlled and helpful way. I'd wager he's got better mental health than the ones chanting "we're peaceful now, end of story!"
I'm reminded of the plot of "Forbidden Planet" here, which is a good thing.
You pretty much described Kuldra. I dunno if she has a full-on human "sona," but she always wears wigs and emotes in a highly elaborate way with very human-like gestures. And of course, she's deeply enthusiastic about tales of romance and friendship between the species. I dunno if Val Salia ever flat-out said if she's cosplaying as a human, but that's definitely the impression I seem to get.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23533263/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37507929/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55987820/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/23533263/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37507929/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55987820/
HWKWHD may have a point with the gap of lifespans between humans and baxxid, but Kalgkur doesn't have to let that stop him, and neither does Nell. Even if one outlives the other by leaps and bounds, what they feel for them and carry with them doesn't have to end with the beating of their hearts.
Coalescence is the process in which two become one, via *mutual* assimilation, usually referring to droplets of liquid and other identical things merging. I feel as though they're using the term somewhat inaccurately, to refer to "predation". The act of killing to consume. Baxxid do not want to even hunt anymore!
Have we seen a Baxxid eat before now? That was fresh, raw meat. I wonder if that is all He Who Knows is willing to eat, but "civilized" Baxxids don't eat raw meat anymore? I wonder what their preferred diet is, and if they're doing something unhealthy like going vegetarian despite being carnivores...
Have we seen a Baxxid eat before now? That was fresh, raw meat. I wonder if that is all He Who Knows is willing to eat, but "civilized" Baxxids don't eat raw meat anymore? I wonder what their preferred diet is, and if they're doing something unhealthy like going vegetarian despite being carnivores...
Not exactly. It seems like that particular life-phase is less "when they grow old" and more an emergency-survival trait that misfires sometimes. It's originally tied to starvation - if there's not enough food, baxxid go into the hibernation-state, which can last a VERY long time but does eventually end. This fits with what we know about their original cyclical feeding cycles - they'd leave the nest-site and disappear en-mass into the surrounding region, for long enough that humans could build an entire city on top of their nests.
Nowadays it sounds less like the hibernation-state is triggered by starvation so much as it just misfires occasionally and someone slips into the torpor for... a few decades? A century? We know it ends, eventually.
Nowadays it sounds less like the hibernation-state is triggered by starvation so much as it just misfires occasionally and someone slips into the torpor for... a few decades? A century? We know it ends, eventually.
I suspect it's being used to describe some sort of eusocial-state, actually. See how He-Who-Knows-What-He-Did makes a point of saying Kalgkur wants connection with /one/? And how their disagreement centres around individual choice?
Baxxid may be a naturally eusocial species that has made efforts to promote individuality since meeting humanity. They are, biologically, designed to act as one organism, one coalesced horde of predators with some manner of built-in caste system (see: baxxid that overfeed undergo a physiological adaptation, akin to perhaps a queen or a honeypot ant).
Baxxid may be a naturally eusocial species that has made efforts to promote individuality since meeting humanity. They are, biologically, designed to act as one organism, one coalesced horde of predators with some manner of built-in caste system (see: baxxid that overfeed undergo a physiological adaptation, akin to perhaps a queen or a honeypot ant).
That bond is two sided, as humans have a unique skill. They can pack bond with anything. And the human in question is very much wishing to join this Baxid as a friend.
If it's attraction? That may take time but, friends always have a better chance then a complete stranger
If it's attraction? That may take time but, friends always have a better chance then a complete stranger
Hey, all you OOPs fans! I'm here to remind you once again that there's a place called "Top Web Comics" https://www.topwebcomics.com/?home=3 that compiles comics from various places. There's a bunch of cool stuff there. They have monthly votes, so you can support OOPs there. You can vote once a day per device, so your PC, laptop, tablet, phone, etc.
I've noticed that you can sometimes even get in extra votes from different IP addresses, or if you're disconnected from your IP and open up again later.
It closed out last month at 1127 votes and 41st place. It's currently at 609 votes and 63rd place. The highest it's reached is 36th place, and the top vote getters seem to end up with something close to 20,000 votes.
Vote early, vote often! Help OOPs get noticed!
I've noticed that you can sometimes even get in extra votes from different IP addresses, or if you're disconnected from your IP and open up again later.
It closed out last month at 1127 votes and 41st place. It's currently at 609 votes and 63rd place. The highest it's reached is 36th place, and the top vote getters seem to end up with something close to 20,000 votes.
Vote early, vote often! Help OOPs get noticed!
Now I wonder what a baxid's beauty regime consists of. The chained up one looks like their head crest and bone spikes have either grown out of control, or are covered in additional deposits of whatever they're made of, which suggests a baxid has to regularly grind or file their bone parts down to keep the smooth, balanced look.
Am I thinking about this the right way?
Am I thinking about this the right way?
You are almost right! This aspect was covered in one of the Regional Field Guides: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/22686752/
I really enjoyed this writing. We see the old ways versus the new ways. It would have been easier to just kill "He who knows..." Instead he is being used as a living reminder of how they once acted and thought, in direct contrast to what they are striving to be. I'm curious how this 'trial' will end. Is it enough that Kalgkur has seemingly the new way over Coalescence? Kalgkur has seemingly rejected "He who knows..." argument but is it enough?
I hope we find out what is the purpose of The Judgment and is it something that can be passed outright or is it an ongoing process?
It is good that Kalgkur denied Coalescence outright, without hesitation. Perhaps he will find forgiveness. I would think there would still be some punishment for his actions, but hopefully it won't be as severe.
Kalgkur succinctly describes that he understand what his purpose is and it isn't something that is instinctual but something that he has CHOSEN. An ideal that he must continually work towards, even if it goes against the baxxid's natural instincts, hell, especially that it goes against the baxxid's natural instincts.
VERY WELL WRITTEN Valsalia! <3 <3
I hope we find out what is the purpose of The Judgment and is it something that can be passed outright or is it an ongoing process?
It is good that Kalgkur denied Coalescence outright, without hesitation. Perhaps he will find forgiveness. I would think there would still be some punishment for his actions, but hopefully it won't be as severe.
Kalgkur succinctly describes that he understand what his purpose is and it isn't something that is instinctual but something that he has CHOSEN. An ideal that he must continually work towards, even if it goes against the baxxid's natural instincts, hell, especially that it goes against the baxxid's natural instincts.
VERY WELL WRITTEN Valsalia! <3 <3
"ah. How tragic. You yearn for connection with -one-. Even as you know the agony that will result from such a bonding. In Time. INEVITABLY."
My wild ass guess here?
HWKWHD isn't talking out of his ass here. He's not speculating. He's speaking from EXPERIENCE. Imagine you found your one true soul mate. And then, after a very, very short time, to you, they died, and left you utterly alone. It might drive you insane. It might drive you to utterly reject the philosophy that brought you to that point in the first place. It might drive you to seek solace in an Old Way that never would have allowed you to suffer that pain in the first place. Twisted by grief as you were, you might seek to lead others back to the Old Way that they might be spared your pain.
My wild ass guess here?
HWKWHD isn't talking out of his ass here. He's not speculating. He's speaking from EXPERIENCE. Imagine you found your one true soul mate. And then, after a very, very short time, to you, they died, and left you utterly alone. It might drive you insane. It might drive you to utterly reject the philosophy that brought you to that point in the first place. It might drive you to seek solace in an Old Way that never would have allowed you to suffer that pain in the first place. Twisted by grief as you were, you might seek to lead others back to the Old Way that they might be spared your pain.
Well, it would seem Kalgkur has no doubts he’s letting on, assuming he has any. Not that it want him to have doubts, but he does seem very set in his ways much like how He-Who-Knows-What-He-Did is set in his; which comes across as close-minded. It’s weird to open your mind to a sociopathic bone worm, but it was what he was sent down there to do and Kalgkur was rather dismissive of HWKWHD’s ideals, only willing to concede some of the satisfaction that comes from coalescence. Makes me wonder if he did in fact succeed in his judgement.
Then again, it’s not like you can’t listen to everything someone has to say and have your opinion unchanged. Perhaps, I’m not giving him enough credit. I don’t know, man. Did he succeed or fail? This is why I’m not a wise old elder. I’m the bumbling idiot in the main character’s story. If anything, I’m a yinglet because I’m dumb and skinny.
One nice little detail I noticed was Kalgkur licking the blood of his jaw. Very neat. Much wow.
Then again, it’s not like you can’t listen to everything someone has to say and have your opinion unchanged. Perhaps, I’m not giving him enough credit. I don’t know, man. Did he succeed or fail? This is why I’m not a wise old elder. I’m the bumbling idiot in the main character’s story. If anything, I’m a yinglet because I’m dumb and skinny.
One nice little detail I noticed was Kalgkur licking the blood of his jaw. Very neat. Much wow.
It's interesting, the two sides of the nature of the Braxxid. Undoubtedly, those that live in Val Salia are of one way that they feel is the enlightened upper path away from what they see as the savage, feral roots that they came from initially. We do not know exactly what it is that the prisoner has been incarcerated for, but we can tell by the state they are in, that it has been for a very, very long time. We do not know if they are some manner of violent criminal such as a deranged serial killer or outright mass murderer, or is one who just happened to accidentally kill someone as Kalgur did, if they are some manner of anarchist, or other who is against the socio-political stance of and thus is rebelling against Val Salian Braxxid society, if they are a Braxxid from outside of Val Salia who was captured and is being held as a hostage against the retaliation of other Braxxid tribes outside of the city. There is so much we do not know about their situation and what crimes they are being punished for. But we do know this. Whether justly imprisoned criminal or chained barbarian, they do make a valid point. You can't divorce yourself from your feral nature. One can take the stance and not let it rule oneself, but it cannot be denied. It's there, it is a part of one, and cannot be separated as much as one may wish it were so. The Braxxid have to learn to live with it and evolve naturally. The Braxxid in Val Salia are what one would call in other fictional universes, 'Culturally Contaminated'. They are taking on ways and customs that are not their own, from a society that they see as 'superior' to what they were. And to them this is good, this is noble, this is an evolution of themselves and their culture, raising themselves above their barbarian forerunners. But then you have another who just may be one of them who is not a mindless savage, but who is high functioning and highly intelligent, essentially saying 'Look at what you are doing, at what you and these others have become, trying to be something that you are not and can never be. You are chasing a pipe dream, rather than accepting and coming to terms with what you are and embracing it, going forward with our true culture. You can never be these people as much as you wish it to be.' Now, whether this was intended or not, the seed of doubt has been planted. It remains to be seen just what will happen. Was this meeting a good thing, or the beginning of something disastrous? Only time and the future pages will tell.
Actually went and recorded it! :D
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56826784/
(in case you didn't see it on Discord already)
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56826784/
(in case you didn't see it on Discord already)
Is it clear only to me that the Baxxid are trying to indefinitely postpone the next phase of their life cycle, where they coalesce and merge into a single giant bone-worm being, powered by the energy gathered through the Devouring Impulses, and destroying all life within a hundred miles? Ran mentions the giant rock-worm that made The Teeth way back in FG01. And He Who Knows calls connection with one tragic. Because the Purpose is connection with all.
Comments