Tales From the Low Roads, Chapter 22 (F/F, feet; *s/F, full body).

[Low_Roads]

… in which duets sing more sweetly than solo voices...

Tickling scenes:
#1. */*, full body - page 6.
#2. */*, full body - pages 8-9.
#3. F/F, feet - page 14-15.
#4. **/F, foot - page 20.
#5. F/F, sides - page 31.
#6. *s/F, full body - 34-38.

Pages 1-5:

 

[Low_Roads]

Pages 6-10:

 

[Low_Roads]

Pages 11-15:

 

[the_jimmy_james]

That...

That bird has a face. :blink

Srsly, though. Super-awesome as always, LBH! 😀

 

[Low_Roads]

Pages 16-20:

 

[Low_Roads]

That...

That bird has a face. :blink

Srsly, though. Super-awesome as always, LBH! 😀

The bird isn't wholly bird... not even principally, really, only an outrageous disguise! Easier to see the truth, once she's been plucked!

Thanks for the early compliments, Jamie!

Pages 21-25:

 

[Low_Roads]

Pages 26-30:

 

[Low_Roads]

Pages 31-35:

 

[Low_Roads]

Pages 36-38:

 

[limbo123]

oh boy oh boy
Little Big Head has come to the theater bringing gifts to all the.....

yeah to soon for Christmas...or any holiday near December hehe

oh but what a joy it is to see more from you as it was and as it will be for quite a while

oh to my eye it would appear that Mercy is not as weak as she assumed she was in the dream world

able to go against the behemoth Fiona did not even seem as much of a challenge as we had previously thought huh
in fact Mercy was the winner in this brutal fight hehe

and what an astounding gift Angie possesses, to see all there was to see in the waking without any real strenuous action, yes it is limited but is indeed a powerful ability

i am glad miss...Tingle was it, is (for now) safe at her home town

at the village where Angie and the traveling circus are residing at now have the most amazing serpents i have ever seen
very innovative ticklers as well

also as a side thought Mercy's dream companion does seem very mailable
we have all seen how he/she/it...cough has shifted but the thought struck me here

all aside my thoughts it was yet another well done comic hope to read and give my thoughts for the next one

 

[10 armed tkler]

Dude....I love your story telling. I am way into it. I can not believe that Mercy defeated Fiona. I always thought since she was more experienced that she would have had the edge. That action sequence was very nicely done. I too am glad miss Tingle was able to get home as well. But what a horrible week for her. Even if it was filled with laughter.

And I noticed at the end that someone did not have no humor. Looks like we are going to find out about that...in a few months. I CANT WAIT THAT LONG. Please keep up the good work. I wonder whats going to happen next. Will Mercy start yet more training to make her armor stay together in the waking world? Will Fiona get ehr rematch with Mercy? How will Angie fair with this ritual? And what of Mercy's sister or the other bogeys? And that nefarious litte big head!? Toon in next installment! Same Big Head time! Same BigHead station!

 

[Low_Roads]

oh boy oh boy
Little Big Head has come to the theater bringing gifts to all the.....

yeah to soon for Christmas...or any holiday near December hehe

True, too early for Christmas… but maybe Chapter 23 will be better timed! If only I can climb off my lazy butt and deliver an episode in less than four months…

oh but what a joy it is to see more from you as it was and as it will be for quite a while

Thank you! Most happy to enjoy your thoughtful, thought-provoking take on these stories once again! "Quite a while" is right! The series is only about half done (maybe a little less than that)… which means another five years a least to wrap things up. Probably considerably more, at the rate I'm going...

oh to my eye it would appear that Mercy is not as weak as she assumed she was in the dream world

able to go against the behemoth Fiona did not even seem as much of a challenge as we had previously thought huh
in fact Mercy was the winner in this brutal fight hehe

Mercy wasn't at all the opponent Fiona supposed. Our avian changling was taken entirely off-guard; Mercy, conversely, might have been aided by her lack of expectation. Then again, Mercy has gotten into scrapes her whole life. Dust-ups are second nature to her, a mind-set that should aid her enormously in her quest for proper protection.

By the way, Fiona isn't likely to be so easy a target in any subsequent match-up. She's on notice now.

and what an astounding gift Angie possesses, to see all there was to see in the waking without any real strenuous action, yes it is limited but is indeed a powerful ability

Angie's ability is indeed a passive one; however, creative use could turn its vagaries into weaponry. Expect to learn more about this once the Feare troupe reaches its ultimate destination, the island of Pandataria.

i am glad miss...Tingle was it, is (for now) safe at her home town

Fairview may not supply all the safety Tessie Tingle would desire (however much that may be. A late-blooming curiosity led her into bogey peril to begin with… that spark hasn't exactly been extinguished, despite her moaning). The town is hardly attack-proof… a sad fact its residents will soon realize.

at the village where Angie and the traveling circus are residing at now have the most amazing serpents i have ever seen
very innovative ticklers as well

Thank you! I'm very pleased you think so! Ordinarily I'm drawn to slimy ticklers… snails, worms, octopi, etc.; furry ones, in gentle Easter colors, make for an distinct change of pace. Snakes are an unusual choice, admittedly. I've always had a particular aversion to snakes… softening their image this way might be a strategy for dealing with that discomfort.

also as a side thought Mercy's dream companion does seem very mailable
we have all seen how he/she/it...cough has shifted but the thought struck me here

Yeah, well… She'hilde was intended to be a bit androgynous from Mercy's first meeting onward. Surrounding characters insist on using the pronoun "him" when referencing the demon (more properly, everyone should be saying "it". I tried that initially, but it just didn't track right); all the same, he's chosen to base his looks on Mercy's features, which by rights would make him female. Ethereal beings of his sort don't have any gender identification until they adopt a guise; She'hilde has proved most comfortable in swapping back and forth (as in Chapter 20). An adaptable sort.

all aside my thoughts it was yet another well done comic hope to read and give my thoughts for the next one

I'm very pleased you enjoyed this latest! Thanks for writing! I look forward to reading your special perspective once I've delivered Chapter 23!

Dude....I love your story telling. I am way into it. I can not believe that Mercy defeated Fiona. I always thought since she was more experienced that she would have had the edge. That action sequence was very nicely done.

My most grateful thanks, Dae! I'm delighted you enjoyed the opening action scene! It was most important to me that it should work well! Mercy should indeed be brimming with confidence after that win! Fiona's no push-over, though to be fair her attention had to be compromised by concern for Angie's safety. She was the senior wake-walker, and her neophyte partner was her primary responsibility. In unrestricted combat, Fiona might have fared better.

I too am glad miss Tingle was able to get home as well. But what a horrible week for her. Even if it was filled with laughter.

The lady definitely ended up with more excitement than she could possibly have expected! I don't doubt that the experience was traumatic; whether it kills off her taste for titillating adventure is something we'll have to wait to discover!

And I noticed at the end that someone did not have no humor. Looks like we are going to find out about that...in a few months. I CANT WAIT THAT LONG.

I'm glad you spotted that; I was none too sure I'd made the point (about the kid's skepticism) clear enough. Depend on it; we'll begin to learn all about this new character in the next chapter! Alas, it probably will take the usual brace of months; I'll shave that down as much as I possibly can.

Please keep up the good work. I wonder whats going to happen next. Will Mercy start yet more training to make her armor stay together in the waking world? Will Fiona get ehr rematch with Mercy? How will Angie fair with this ritual? And what of Mercy's sister or the other bogeys? And that nefarious litte big head!? Toon in next installment! Same Big Head time! Same BigHead station!

Cliffhangers and unanswered plot points can be cruelty incarnate! But I thank you so much for your unbridled enthusiastic encouragement! I promise to address all these story aspects and as many more as I can manage as quickly as production considerations will allow! Your expectations will serve as a powerful energizing force!

 

[10 armed tkler]

Take your time LBH. All good things come to those that wait...and with the Holidays approaching the next chapter would be a nice holiday read. I will take quality over quanity every time. Another thing...did those people turn into stone or something? or are they made out of stone?

And I did not comment on the Newspaper yet, but it seems Cid is the biggest threat right now. At this stage are there no one truly strong enough to stand up to his might?

 

[Carnivore]

Always fun to see a new chapter out! Loved the dream world bit: the outlandish tactics permitted by dream time make for compelling action in that slippery world. One can never tell what will happen next. Those snakes were interesting, too. Not much action from those bogeys in this episode... I wonder what they're up to? Slinking off into the night with a townsgirl for a night of slow teasing and torment? Something more devious? I can't wait to find out!

 

[Abadon XXX1]

awesome chapter as always ^_^

 

[Low_Roads]

Take your time LBH. All good things come to those that wait...and with the Holidays approaching the next chapter would be a nice holiday read. I will take quality over quanity every time. Another thing...did those people turn into stone or something? or are they made out of stone?

Thank you for your patience! I promise not to hurry the material more demandingly than quality (my version of it, at least) will allow!

Dang… that second-to-last panel! I wondered if anyone would get the impression that the audience had been ossified! They sure do look like statues, no question! The real reason that so many figures are cast in gray is so that the frowning center figure stands out better (an early test, in which everyone was colored the same, didn't grant him nearly enough prominence), not because the background characters have been turned to rock. My apologies for the misimpression; I may redo the page if there is ongoing confusion.

And I did not comment on the Newspaper yet, but it seems Cid is the biggest threat right now. At this stage are there no one truly strong enough to stand up to his might?

Certainly not at present! Even the differing bogey factions have grave concerns. Their intention to build a unified force under single leadership is a reaction Sid's threat; the resulting tussle likely to attract far more attention than they'd like!

Always fun to see a new chapter out! Loved the dream world bit: the outlandish tactics permitted by dream time make for compelling action in that slippery world. One can never tell what will happen next.

Thanks for more of your insightful commentary, Carnivore! I had a ball coming up with all the elastic Dreamtime landscape and logic… it's so pleasing that these details have proved enjoyable rather than simply tricky. Further little twists are upcoming… I hope they're able to entertain just as much!

Those snakes were interesting, too. Not much action from those bogeys in this episode... I wonder what they're up to? Slinking off into the night with a townsgirl for a night of slow teasing and torment? Something more devious? I can't wait to find out!

The bogeys did get something of a vacation in this chapter. Only idealized versions of Sid and Bloody Head put in appearances, and they were dismissed rather abruptly! Well, as you intimate, they can't be up to anything good; giving them the day off isn't likely to reform their attitudes at all. Actually, I don't think any of them are slated for duty in Chapter 23, either. They'll be wound up like watch springs once they're allowed back!

awesome chapter as always ^_^

I'm delighted you enjoyed it, Abadon! Thanks once again for your kind compliments!

OOOOOOOH the amazement and the suspense! Whereas Mercy might compare it to an accursed tickle, it feels like to me more like an older cousin providing a hellish charlie-horse to the quads! Who is the red stranger in the last panel and what is his story, I ask myself! A traitor in the midst???

Thanks FF! Most kind of you! Mercy, alas, will just have to bear up. No one's forcing her into situations where abuse and indignities are inevitable; it's all her own crazy notion! As to the guy in the penultimate panel, he's got special motives and interests all his own! We're going to see plenty of him in the next few chapters… things aren't likely to be entirely comfortable for him, either!

I found this very educational :] I learned about other cultures and the always fascinating science of the dream world.

That's wonderful! The travelogue nature of Angie's road trip is meant to invoke a feeling of wanderlust, a hunger to see new places and meet new people, and I couldn't be more pleased that you're experiencing it that way! Angie's quest to use these stops as stepping-stones for personal growth lends her progress more gravitas than if she were simply sight-seeing… hopefully, the reader can vicariously enjoy some of that giddy excitement, as well.

She'hilde certainly is a devious little bastard, preferring to tease Mercy's big vulnerable feet even in her most serious moods, but at least now she understands the kinds of dangers Nightcrawler has to work with often.

Remember kids, if it's not your portal, you keep your little ass away from it >:I

Heh heh! Nightcrawler always accomplished his dimensional jumps with more polish and alacrity than my poor characters ever have! That's why he became a superhero while Mercy remains little more than a former farmer! Showmanship counts for plenty!

It is quite a coincidence that She'hilde went straight for the soles at the first opportunity… almost as though he was lying in wait for a legitimate excuse. 'Course, I'd have done exactly the same thing. You as well, you foxy tickle-fiend!

Wouldn't mind owning a few of those snakes. The day we can cross breed koalas and pythons, I'll be paying Petco a visit..... followed by a trip to local sorority houses 😉

A feathered boa is about the only serpent I'd feel confident taking into my home. Snakes unfailingly give me the willies, even though my kitty (my real, not literary one) is likely to give me a more savage mauling than a ball python would. But your plan for prospective gene-spliced pet-pals is an idea everyone can love! What lady wouldn't dote on an adorable furry, whatever his configuration or instinct to prod! A sneaky but winning strategum to break the ice (and melt resistance) at parties!

Sooo.... the title of the coming chapter.... i have theories about it.... all of them good 😉 😉 😉

I don't doubt your musings are well thought out; you have the best possible excuse for being prescient! And everyone will get to benefit from your sly reasoning next time!

 

[Ilohnoh1]

So, another great illustrated story! We expected no less, of course. 🙂

If the movie Inception teaches us anything it's that dream can be a dangerous place... Nothing short of that is true here too. It's interesting to see that Mercy thinks Fiona is a hostage and that her 'guide' has already a much better idea of what's going on. Good thing that she was stopped, but I wonder what will happen once she gets a better grip of the dream, and what that will bring to her. All she basically needs to do is break through the barriers that are keeping her from doing all that she wants to do. Forget about realities and believe in the dream.

It highly amused me that one of the villagers 'surrendered' being a sacrificial offer. If it would have been an actual offer (i.e. where one would die as usually in a sacrifice) then it would have sounded like 'phew! escaped that one!" but this is a sacrifice a ticklee would gladly volunteer for!

The snakes are cute. Having feathered scales, that's awesomely invented.

Then about the statues (which nobody has yet commented on I think). It's great to see Emmi and Emma being depicted this way and you did an awesome job at them. Thanks also for the honour of including my characters in your story!

I like how Emma and Emmi look angry at first, but Emma clearlier less friendly than her sister. That's showing a bit of their character I think. Also great to see them presented 'in the flesh' in the story-telling bit. Nifty legend too and it brings good explanation why laughter is so important in this village.

The Emma statue looks suprised on the last frame of page 34, if I'm not mistaken, I wonder why that is, but then there's a nice transfer where they both show the joy they obviously shared way back in the time the legend was born. By the way, the snakes have learnt to use a good deal more than just their feathered tail to bring the needed pleasure. 🙂 I bet Angie forgets all about being so high up during this experience... Good thing she's tied up - for her own safety.

Kudos, loved the chapter!

Ilo.

 

[Low_Roads]

So, another great illustrated story! We expected no less, of course. 🙂

Thank you, Iloh! Glad you liked this chapter, especially as I had the special privilege of featuring your twin bunny sisters, Emmi and Emma! After all the kind cameos Mercy has enjoyed in your artwork, it was well past time to return the favor!

If the movie Inception teaches us anything it's that dream can be a dangerous place... Nothing short of that is true here too. It's interesting to see that Mercy thinks Fiona is a hostage and that her 'guide' has already a much better idea of what's going on. Good thing that she was stopped, but I wonder what will happen once she gets a better grip of the dream, and what that will bring to her. All she basically needs to do is break through the barriers that are keeping her from doing all that she wants to do. Forget about realities and believe in the dream.

Ah, good one! "Believe in the Dream" would be a useful motto for Mercy, as she's not terribly enamored with her present circumstances in Tabor County. And Dreamtime's a place in which fantastic musings can literally become reality (for a short period, at least). As you say, she's rather at sea right now, still woefully ignorant about the rules of a realm that might bite her badly if she becomes careless. The potential benefits are far too tempting to ignore, though.

Mercy's meeting with Fiona and Angie was indeed a cluster foul-up of misunderstanding! It's a miracle that so much good came from it: Mercy now has found a regular sparring partner and Angie has proved her competence under combat conditions. Their progress may be an incremental struggle, but that's the only way most folks learn to do anything.

It highly amused me that one of the villagers 'surrendered' being a sacrificial offer. If it would have been an actual offer (i.e. where one would die as usually in a sacrifice) then it would have sounded like 'phew! escaped that one!" but this is a sacrifice a ticklee would gladly volunteer for!

Yes, that was meant to give both Angie and the readers and initial jolt, since the word "sacrifice" sounds pretty ominous! Happily, all the sacrificial object was asked to surrender was her laughter; for Angie (as arch a ticklee as this series features!), that's no hardship at all! As Miss Allgoode is innately rather reserved and soft-spoken, it's a chance she might not have capitalized on without brash Fiona to egg her into it!

The snakes are cute. Having feathered scales, that's awesomely invented.

Thanks for saying so! It was a notion suggested by the current trend in paleontology to represent certain species of dinosaurs (the small raptor breed, mostly) with a downy covering. I'm not as a rule crazy about fad trends in science, but I'm all too willing to borrow such outside-the-box thinking for my story's benefit!

Then about the statues (which nobody has yet commented on I think). It's great to see Emmi and Emma being depicted this way and you did an awesome job at them. Thanks also for the honour of including my characters in your story!

It was an honor and privilege for me, I assure you! Your ladies are conceived with a neat design and proved great fun to draw, facts that were never better appreciated than when I tried to adapt them into my style! Happily, our artistic approaches seem to be rather similar and the crossover was a primarily painless one. No one will ever be as expert at drawing the twins than you are, of course!

I like how Emma and Emmi look angry at first, but Emma clearlier less friendly than her sister. That's showing a bit of their character I think. Also great to see them presented 'in the flesh' in the story-telling bit. Nifty legend too and it brings good explanation why laughter is so important in this village.

Emma has always seemed more of a contentious rebel to me (all that punk-style jewelry, maybe), while Emmi came off more conciliatory in her comix appearances. While presenting them as venerated statuary had appealing novelty value, it soon became clear that some incarnate representation should also be attempted. That allowed, as you say, for the underlying legend to be visualized more vividly, while also offering a fresh opportunity for tickle action. Not much satisfaction in trying to tickle a statue; you're sure to bloody your fingertips!

The Emma statue looks suprised on the last frame of page 34, if I'm not mistaken, I wonder why that is, but then there's a nice transfer where they both show the joy they obviously shared way back in the time the legend was born. By the way, the snakes have learnt to use a good deal more than just their feathered tail to bring the needed pleasure. 🙂 I bet Angie forgets all about being so high up during this experience... Good thing she's tied up - for her own safety.

Stone Emma does in fact appear a mite more surprised than I intended in the panel you site. I meant for her features to be quizzical rather than startled (as a bridge between glowering hastiness and burgeoning interest), but the reaction ended up rather stronger than was strictly necessary. Most glad you like their later attitudes of gaiety; for obelisks, they're uncommonly expressive!

The boas are indeed instinctive kneaders and prodders (and tasters)… similar to the way a cat rubs up ingratiatingly, but magnified a dozen-fold times. Even a wake-walker like Angie is apt to be distracted, especially when instructed to ignore her training!

Kudos, loved the chapter!

Ilo.

I'm most proud you do! I wanted your ladies to have a memorable outing, in light of the grand time Mercy had during the Tickle Olympics and numerous other Ilohnoh presentations!

 

[Relent<]

Forever a day late, but i'll make up for the tardiness in jovial commentary:
I was so elated to see Aileen featured here again X3 I've actually been meaning to do a new image of her sometime in the near future; she's been neglected much too long. As for the rest of the chapter, that misunderstanding between Mercy and Fiona had me quite on edge for the first few minutes. Good thing that shape-shifting thing was there to clear things up; though I can't recall its name {XD
And Angie certainly has her work cut out for. For a fur coat no less. The mythology you concocted was rather eloquently done, even if I must say so myself. Laughter of gods coalescing into human form is certainly a new creationist perspective. lol

 

[Ilohnoh1]

Forever a day late, but i'll make up for the tardiness in jovial commentary:
I was so elated to see Aileen featured here again X3 I've actually been meaning to do a new image of her sometime in the near future; she's been neglected much too long.

Hell, even I might. I think Aileen is looking awesome, significantly different and interesting. If that would have your permission, of course (and if I remember it because I have a lot of things going on simultaneously... 😉 )

Thank you, Iloh! Glad you liked this chapter, especially as I had the special privilege of featuring your twin bunny sisters, Emmi and Emma! After all the kind cameos Mercy has enjoyed in your artwork, it was well past time to return the favor!

You're welcome. I think you did an awesome job integrating them into this story. Congratulations!

Yes, that was meant to give both Angie and the readers and initial jolt, since the word "sacrifice" sounds pretty ominous! Happily, all the sacrificial object was asked to surrender was her laughter;

The readers, and the main characters I assume. You succeeded at that (although I didn't expect there to be a bloody sacrifice as I don't see that fitting too well into your much lighter-hearted story-telling). And I was pretty sure that this chapter wouldn't be 'The End' for Angie either. If this wouldn't have been such a 'holy event' to the people of the village, I'd think that 'humiliation' may have been the other part of the sacrifice, but I doubt anyone looks at it from that perspective. By the way, it makes me wonder what would happen if the villagers stopped doing these sacrifices... Would the statues get angry and what would they do? (or is their angry look at the beginning already a sign that a sacrifice is needed again). Clever.

It was an honor and privilege for me, I assure you! Your ladies are conceived with a neat design and proved great fun to draw, facts that were never better appreciated than when I tried to adapt them into my style! Happily, our artistic approaches seem to be rather similar and the crossover was a primarily painless one. No one will ever be as expert at drawing the twins than you are, of course!

Interesting you shoudl say that. I have never felt great difficulty drawing Mercy either. Maybe they are indeed so similar that they can be easily adapted. And I always have fun drawing Mercy too. So feel free to show them again if you ever wish or the occasion arises that you need to. Oh, I almost forgot: I really liked the large earrings you added to Emma. I might even introduce them at a later point myself. 😉

While presenting them as venerated statuary had appealing novelty value, it soon became clear that some incarnate representation should also be attempted.

I'm glad that you did. It added to the completeness (well-shapedness) of the story a great deal I think!

, but the reaction ended up rather stronger than was strictly necessary. Most glad you like their later attitudes of gaiety; for obelisks, they're uncommonly expressive!

Not a problem. Some emotions are also hard to get right for me. Or don't have the exact effect I want them to have at times. For obelisks they are most definitely very expressive! I wonder what force of wonder has brought these things to be. Not hard at all for the villagers to really believe in these goddesses!

I'm most proud you do! I wanted your ladies to have a memorable outing, in light of the grand time Mercy had during the Tickle Olympics and numerous other Ilohnoh presentations!

You succeeded in that spectacularly. Thanks a bunch for this! 😀

 

[Low_Roads]

I was so elated to see Aileen featured here again X3 I've actually been meaning to do a new image of her sometime in the near future; she's been neglected much too long.

Great to hear from you, Relent! Thanks so much for the loan of Aileen; her bright-eyed presence is a comfortable fit for Tabor County and she's welcome back any time… in fact, I'm most keen she should return to take part in an upcoming bogey donnybrook, scheduled for an undetermined number of chapters from now (I'm not exactly sure when it's going to take place, but it shouldn't be more than half a dozen chapters away. I'll PM you with details once I've got things tacked down better). As for new Relent art featuring Aileen, I'm all eagerness to see it! The woolly little cutie is an ideal tickle victim, particularly winsome when caught in the web of her fairy tale landlady, Ms. Muffette! Of course, any scenario featuring Aye would be a treat!

As for the rest of the chapter, that misunderstanding between Mercy and Fiona had me quite on edge for the first few minutes. Good thing that shape-shifting thing was there to clear things up; though I can't recall its name {XD

That's understandable… its hardly common and I just now introduced it! "She'hilde" is the moniker; one you're not liable to locate too readily in the any phone directory! And it's true, he does have a better grasp of the visitor's interpersonal play than the principals! 'Course, he's had ages to do nothing better than stand around gawking from the sidelines, so I suppose that's understandable. He's a resource Mercy should access more often. Working at cross-purposes won't get any of these girls anywhere; they really need organize themselves!

And Angie certainly has her work cut out for. For a fur coat no less. The mythology you concocted was rather eloquently done, even if I must say so myself. Laughter of gods coalescing into human form is certainly a new creationist perspective. lol

Hey, I've known folks who'd go through a whole lot more for a fur coat! XD Thanks for your kind words about my attempt at myth-making! I've always wanted to try my hand at concocting a creation legend. It was fun sewing tenants of our fetish into its foundation! I like the idea of making some aspect of tickling fundamental to mortal existence; it becomes that much easier to justify its constant presence in the storyline. At least it's a local legend, so no one outside the Stonedene clan needs to feel bound to it!

Thanks so much for your detailed observations and compliments, and especially for creating wonderful Aileen! I've loved having her aboard and hope to be able to do so many times more!

The readers, and the main characters I assume. You succeeded at that (although I didn't expect there to be a bloody sacrifice as I don't see that fitting too well into your much lighter-hearted story-telling).

That's true; I don't think any regular reader would expect an actual Mayan style eviseration. I was counting on a spot of temporary confusion, the same kind Angie experienced before sorting things out, to serve as a hook for reader attention. It never hurts to shake things up slightly, long as it isn't overdone.

And I was pretty sure that this chapter wouldn't be 'The End' for Angie either. If this wouldn't have been such a 'holy event' to the people of the village, I'd think that 'humiliation' may have been the other part of the sacrifice, but I doubt anyone looks at it from that perspective.

I'm personally not crazy about the concept of humiliation and don't usually incorporate it into my scenarios (I prefer that characters maintain some dignity and vestige of control, even when they're being victimized). The Stonedene ritual is entirely voluntary; locals consider it an honor to be chosen, and visitors are under no obligation to take part. Angie got roped into it through Fiona's promise. Uncertainty alone made her hesitant; had she known all the facts from the start, she probably wouldn't have had any qualms at all.

By the way, it makes me wonder what would happen if the villagers stopped doing these sacrifices... Would the statues get angry and what would they do? (or is their angry look at the beginning already a sign that a sacrifice is needed again). Clever.

It's unlikely that the clan would ever discontinue the ritual, as it's too deeply ingrained into their religious makeup. But if it were someday to end, I don't see the goddesses being vengeful about it. Their aim, after all, of populating the mountain lands has been accomplished. The flourishes and trappings may be nice, but it's only gravy to the main course.

I have never felt great difficulty drawing Mercy either. Maybe they are indeed so similar that they can be easily adapted. And I always have fun drawing Mercy too. So feel free to show them again if you ever wish or the occasion arises that you need to.

Thank you! I'm very eager to maintain an active class of deities (I feel it gives the storytelling grand scope, not unlike Homer's epics), so I'll be most happy to take you up on your generous offer! Should a plot development call for them, I'll be sure to inform you first and explain in detail, same as this time!

For obelisks they are most definitely very expressive! I wonder what force of wonder has brought these things to be. Not hard at all for the villagers to really believe in these goddesses!

My concept is that an early generation of artisans sculpted the sisters' likenesses into the grotto rock, probably so long in the past that current clan members have lost all memory of the act. For today's residents, these ever-present figures would seem as natural as the surrounding untouched cliffside; their superstitions are so near the surface (as opposed, say, to Fairview residents, who are functionally agnostic) that the idea of living alongside their gods would not seem daunting or unreasonable. And it is, in fact, partially the truth; the statues serve as receptacles for sisters' ethereal presence so that they may attend the ritual. Emma and Emmi wouldn't be there at any other time, though I doubt the clan recognizes this distinction.

 

[Ilohnoh1]

It's unlikely that the clan would ever discontinue the ritual, as it's too deeply ingrained into their religious makeup. But if it were someday to end, I don't see the goddesses being vengeful about it. Their aim, after all, of populating the mountain lands has been accomplished. The flourishes and trappings may be nice, but it's only gravy to the main course.

Ah yes, of course. They created the village so they are not likely to want to destroy it. 🙂 That would seem rather counter-productive indeed.

Thank you! I'm very eager to maintain an active class of deities (I feel it gives the storytelling grand scope, not unlike Homer's epics), so I'll be most happy to take you up on your generous offer! Should a plot development call for them, I'll be sure to inform you first and explain in detail, same as this time!

Sure, any time. 🙂

 

[Relent<]

LBH- you don't have to have my permission to use Aileen; I believe you know her better than I do at this point {XD I look forward to seeing her make regular appearances, if thats what you were implying before. Or as regular as a minor character can be. Lol

Iloh- thank you for showing an interest in Aye, but your work has a history of being a bit "out there" in terms of content. She's an innocent young thing, you know? Lol Though if you're as busy as you say, then it's likely you'd forget her face easily anyway 😛 best of luck with your latest chapters. ^__^

 

[Low_Roads]

My thanks to you both! I promise to employ your characters judiciously and responsibly!

 

[Ilohnoh1]

Iloh- thank you for showing an interest in Aye, but your work has a history of being a bit "out there" in terms of content. She's an innocent young thing, you know? Lol Though if you're as busy as you say, then it's likely you'd forget her face easily anyway 😛 best of luck with your latest chapters. ^__^

Hm, yes, I know what you mean regarding 'my work'. You haven't seen much of my more gentle / kind side in the things I have been doing here. However I wouldn't have involved your character in such practises you are thinking of. I only use my own characters for that, not guest characters. 😉