Page 1237…
So…the “Trojan Horse” is revealed!
Some of you guessed it (great job). And it’s been wonderful listening to your thoughts over the last couple weeks!
You guys are SO wonderful!
As some of you have also mentioned. The comments every day alone are worth coming here.
🙂
Now…
I have some questions…
1) Trying to think “logically” about this. Getting thrown around inside a boulder would probably kill the dwarves.
I was thinking of having them filled with fluid (and giving them snorkels to breathe through holes). Or adding fur for padding. Something.
My buddy Kevin told me to just “have fun with it”. So I did. I just left it.
But wondering if it’s distracting.
2) Do you think there should be noises for the rocks opening?
Fssss
Crackle
Something?
I love hearing your thoughts. So thanks in advance.
Â
YEEEESS!! YOU BEAUTY, SCOTT!!!
DWAAAARFS! 😀
[DavidTennant]
Ohhhhh…BRILLIANT!
[/DavidTennant]
By the by. You are going by logic that dwarves exist anyway…so 🙂
HOLY CRUD THATS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!
Seriously that was really cool!
Clunk, definitely clunk.
And they’re dwarves! Of course they’re fine with being hurled about in boulders. I bet that’s how they bowl for fun on a Friday night. Or something =)
No sound, and no need to explain how they survived the trip. Dwarfs are tough little creatures.
Dunno, but could have someone griping about ‘… tossing dwarves’ 🙂
Well I have to admit THAT was unexpected.
And as far as it the dwarves being killed, dwarves have always had a natural affinity to stone, and depending on what lore you read, they can even meld with stone to some extent….so, it’s not impossible for them to have found a way to survive that.
Hollow boulders ‘opening’? In a pouring rain? I would guess no sound at all. All anyone can hear in the plop plop plop of the raindrops.
I just realized, Nic said that the elven archers expended all of their Ammo without hitting a single target….but in http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-16/page-1226/ you actually SEE an arrow striking it’s mark.
I swear, Nicodemus, your brain is about as big as the eraser on the top of Scott Sava’s drawing pencil…..
WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Sweet page! So excited!
So instead of rock giant children, they were rock giant droppings with dwarf corn kernals. Delightful.
Though Alex’s wink looks more like he is having a stroke/seizure.
I seem to remember a scene where Alex jumped off a castle and survived by stabbing the side of the castle with his sword.
So I have absolutely no qualms about the physics here. It’s dreamland. Maybe the dwarves are made of marshmallow.
Given dwarven constitution, being tossed while inside a rock would be no biggie, as mentioned by others…
Nicodemus isn’t stupid, he simply got overconfident to the point of arrogance, something that can happen with even the most intelligent.
As I read in a book once – “Confident, Cocky, Lazy, Dead”.
Ah, so they really knew about the shades and had that last minute back-up plan
Forgive me… the first thing to my mind was ‘WOO!! SWEET!”
….the second was ‘hmmm… soft, chewy center.’
And it all starts to fall into place! This is such a great idea, and I just didn’t see it coming – but it just makes complete sense. I also don’t think that a fall like that in a rock would kill the dwarfs this easily. It is a rough ride, true, but they can still stabilize themselves by spreading their limbs and holding on to the walls. Plus: dwarfs are a pretty sturdy race. It makes sense to me, anyway. 🙂
That would be very in-character for what we know about dwarves…
VERY happy with the twist 😀
They might hear “CRUNKLE” or something like that.
Also, please tell me I’m not the only one who read “Fsss” and thought “CREEPER!!!!!”? 😀
So it looks like Nicodemus’s suspicion about Dan’s plan being “too” simple was well founded.
Wow..Sturdy guys those dwarves..being hurled through the air ,slamming down and being able to get up unscathed..
Clearly they are not actually rocks, they’re pillows that are made to look like rocks. Ohhh! Yeah, see? No wonder they got up unscathed.
need no onomatopoeia here. the boulders are open already, and the dwarves are clambering out.
That’s the page I wanted to see all the time. ^^ especially after seeing them rocks lying around.
Scott: Master of Story telling! w000000t!
If it had been anyone BUT the dwarves, I would have been concerned about injury.
Personally, I like it how it is now- silent and just coming out of the rocks! 🙂 Dwarfs are tough! Them not being able to handle being tossed while inside of rocks didn’t cross my mind~!
Actually, you can’t really see that the boulders AREN’T padded on the inside so, no problems there…
An the ‘pods’ are already open in this view, so no sound needed.
GREAT JOB Scott! Really!
The Dwarfs! The Dwarfs! The DWARFS!!!!!!!! I WONDERED where those guys were. I even asked about it. Now I know we were seeing them all along! I LOVE this!
Good job on setting it up for us dude. 🙂
DAMMIT! I _KNEW_ I should have written about that thought!!!
And yes, I thought of dwarves inside the rocks, because they were the only ones that would be tough enough for such rough handling.
But hey – why have Alex yell the “NOW!”? How high up are these rocks – most should be on street level? Surely Nastajia or one of the rock giants could have yelled both louder and closer to the Trojan rocks? Even one of the fairies could have flown in and either magically cracked the rocks open, or have cast a noisy signal spell of some kind, or just about anyone could have blown a horn, etc etc.
That way, Nicodemus would have to wait for intel to know that something was happening. Now, he will know INSTANTLY that he’s been had – isn’t that a bad thing? He can start redeploying his defences immediately. The time that could have been won, even if it were only a few seconds (dozens of’em) would have been VERY valuable.
Just sayin…
So at this time, I figure it must be part of the big plan to LET Nicodemus know, and to HAVE him act against it. I figure it needs to go something like this from now on:
(Nic:) “SO! You had a secret scheme! Very well, I have reserves to deal with such things.”
*Nic calls his reserves to battle the dwarves*
TOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!! *Nastajia blows her horn*
“NOW! ATTACK!!!”
From a hidden giant fish-tank, hundreds of Mer-people, equipped with special water-breathing devices crafted by Daniel, emerge and charge towards the gates, as well as the rest of the rock giants who have been hiding out of sight. They quickly smash the gates open and pour into the city of Astoria, along with the rest of the Centaurs and Elves, quickly and mostly unopposed seizing key positions…
As Nic’s reserves are engaging the sturdy dwarves, he has nothing left to stop the main attack with. Oh wait… what’s that wheezing sound? OH NO!!! Its… its… ITS THE FLYING NIGHTMARE REALM BEASTS!!!! We’re doomed…!!! 8-( )
I had a feeling there was someone inside those boulders! 😀
And I’m with those who said it before:
Dwarves are incredibly tough and can take a beating. And considering their stone affinity, well, it’s no surprise they survived.
Sound-wise? They’re open, so none. If you were to show another boulder opening, I might do a “creak” or something of the hinges, but as-is, the page is awesome.
d ^_^ b *two thumbs up!*
The thought of dwarfs crossed my mind. They’re dwarves! ’nuff said. BTW, I love Alex’s wink, it’s funny :D! Of course, NOW Nic gonna be like “LOL, I knew that.”
I agree.
Dwarfs are tough, they don’t need padding, and seeing them emerge wearing snorkles would be really weird. Heck, you could’ve trebucheted the dwarfs themselves, and they’d land solid and dent the stone under them!
Well, maybe not, but I doubt being tossed around would bother them, just make them a tad dizzy.
I think sound effects might be distracting with so many opening at once. We can imagine how opening hollow rocks might sound. At least I could…yep, I heard a distinct “click-crunkle-clunk” as they opened.
This is dreamland, a place where adults and children alike can fly! I’m sure the dwarves can similarly survive a 100ft drop from the sky.
whoa, I totally didn’t mean to rhyme.
Well, you got me that time. I never thought of that one. It is 4:30 am in my world and all these posts already. Gee, one would almost think you have a good story going here. 🙂
Nick: The old “Dwarfs hidden in the stones trick”.
That the second time this month I fell for it.
Great plot development!
I’d maybe have one of the dwarfs in one of the next few pages complaining about having a slight headache from the impact, and saying that if they ever do the same thing again then they ought to use padding.
*Monicle’d*
Ought to have one of the dwarves come out saying “It’s about time! I was getting a cramp in there!” 😀 Dwarf Grenades for the win!
i’m one for adding a few soft clunks, but since at the bottom they are already open, showing them in small letters at the very bottom of the panel where Alex says NOW, is where it should be.
And I agree, Alex should say NOOOOOOW (and in a bit larger typeface too, because it would be hard to hear just “NOW” through the rain, the bit of distance between alex and stones, and then THROUGH the stone.
Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!
Me too, and the “Crackle” after didn’t exactly make me think it less XD
Fsssssssssssssssssssssssss…CRACKLE
The rocks are already open so the only noise will be the war cry of the dwarves and the sound of axes and shields banging together. Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggblarglrblargleblargle bang! bang! bang!
“Trojan Boulders” or “Astorian Rocks”?
Anyway it seems that Daniel read Homer but not old Nic.
Dwarves are an excellent fighting force and usually an “against all odds” troops, meaning that in a desperate situation like this they are the best solutions.
Finally it seems that Alex and only him know the whole extent of Dan’s plan as we clearly see Nastajia order the rock giants to “hit something” meaning that she don’t know that inside these boulders are dwarves.
Maybe Scot will give us the full pla’s details later, is that correct Scott?
correction: “full plan’s details later” 🙂
You forget that Nic probably has a pretty sizable force that is now being attacked on two sides. A big army requires time to move at all. Plus with the rock giants looking big and menacing on one side and the dwarves being inside the city and looking like a smaller threat, I think about half of the otherwise competent officers in Nics army are going to ignore orders from him and keep on shooting at the army outside the gates.
I think she knows. She just wants some rocks to hit people so it isn’t so painfully obvious that they are missing on purpose.
So Nic lied.. It wouldn’t be the first time by a long shot!
Oh by the way Scott – I’d say that Alex is winking with the wrong eye. If you wanna do it at least SLIGHTLY hidden, then you’d do it with the eye that is farthest away from the one the joke is on.
Don’t worry about the “killing dwarves” thing. Those guys are tough 😀
Anyone else reminded of “Cocoon”?
That is awesome! I laughed so hard when the dwarves popped out of the rocks.
I knew that there had to be a trick. Of course Alex and Dan knew they were being spied on.
To reference a meme; “SURPRISE DWARFBEATDOWN”.
If there was any sound at all, I could maybe think of a rumble or something of similar effect. Like the sound of a pile of boulders that shifted. But nothing really more than that, as most of the rocks were settled into place so only the parts the dwarfs had to move would be making any noise if at all.
First he said “I”, then he said “alright”, and finally “now”.
What a sophisticated speech, how many other words Alex knows ?
About your questions…
1) I agree with JalenJade: “No sound, and no need to explain how they survived the trip. Dwarfs are tough little creatures.” But if you really want to do it, add some fur for padding. In a fluid, the dwarves would be shaked with fluid movement.
2) Explosions don’t make noise in space because of vacuum. Oh! Sorry, it’s for Star Wars… 😉 But no noise!
Well…I *should* have seen this coming. I didn’t.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m sure Nicodemus is thinking the same thing right now.
I do not know if this has been said or not, since I am tired, and don’t feel like reading all the comments at the moment, BUT:
I am a huge D&D nerd, and I love to play dwarves. Dwarves are stalwart, and at home in mines, mountains, caves, basically anything made of stone. Also, they are tough little buggers, so I would say they are fine the way you left it. I do think maybe a few “THOOM!”s or similar crash sounds would be good since the rocks are heavy.
But all in all, GREAT JOB!
well, that was unexpected. sure, this is your story, but the critic in me is raising an eyebrow. I was expecting something like the dwarves sapping the ground on which the walls stood.
I am thinking a loud popping or cracking sound as they open. I suppose it would depend on whether or not the rocks had a means to be opened or if the dwarves are just hacking they way through. I agree with Arvamas though. Dwarves are fantasy creatures and generally considered as tough as nails. They probably considered the thought of padding to be an insult!
make the rocks go CRRRAAACCKKKK
like the dwarfs are Falcon Pawnching their way out of the rocks
The sprites have kinetic magic, as shown by the one stopping an arrow, so they could have cooked up some anti-dwarf squishing mojo.
I agree, I think the dwarves are just fine in the rocks and every rock is open so no sound effects. Nice to see Alex in charge and prove he can be kingly.
Forget sound effects, add some speech bubbles!
“Lucky I landed on my head!”
“Padding? We don’t need no stinking padding!”
“I think I broke a fingernail”
“That’s the last time I fly economy”
“Crap, I locked the keys in my boulder”
“I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more, Toto” (put some stripy socks and ruby slippers underneath that boulder)
…
anyone else?
great, now i imagine the rock giants eating the dwarfs in order to produce this >< thanx Exxos @_@
And is that a girl watching them? She needs a one-liner as well.
“I must have been really bad this year…”
“It’s raining men! Alleluia!”
“I really need to lay off the chocolate frosted sugar bombs”
Ah, now we understand ^^
I like the idea of just them being in the rocks. Dwarves are pretty tough creatures.
Wow, 68 comments already?
Love the wink!!!
My take, I wouldn’t worry about the dwarfs getting tossed in boulders. They made their home underground, I’m sure they are quite used to the “roughness” of the earth. They probably all laughed and agreed quite quickly to the plan to stuff them in boulders.
I’d cast my voted for leaving off the sound effects on the boulders opening. You already showed some in the previous page. Plus, I think it would make the page a bit too … busy?
Great page! Looking forward to tomorrows page!
Personally, I was too busy going “AAAAAAH! DWAAARVESS!! :D:D:D:D:D” to miss sound effects. And thinking about it, it would take more from the page than it would add. I say leave it as is. It’s perfect.
Super Awesome! I love the fact that Dwarfs were in the rocks since they actually know Nic’s real agenda.
I agree about not worrying about explaining how the dwarfs survived, its fiction and some things are assumed. If you went into explaining everything it would get way too complicated IMHO (Although a Wiki with expanded universe info would be totally cool).
BTW, I’m new to posting comments here Scott and I just have to say what a wonderful job you and your team have done with this comic. I have recently re-discovered online comics and I sat down and read this from the beginning to about # 1200 when I started following it online. I can tell you from reading all of that at one time to now having to wait every day for an update its very hard!! Keep up the good work.
Being locked inside a boulder, flung ruthlessly by rock giants over a huge wall and smashing on the solid ground…
Of course they’d be fine! These ARE dwarves after all!
😉
I agree with IamMac for the sound effects, it seems fine as it is.
Great page!
Wheeeeeeeee!! finally the turn of events we’ve all been waiting for =D
I agree, the dwarfs should be fine being thrown in a rock~ The dwarf complaining idea is excellent! Very in character and cute~ Though it’d change the mood a bit, as the dwarfs in the final panel here seems to be too serious to joke around or complain.
No sound needed for rocks opening in rain, unless you want to add in sound effects for each rain drop too =3
And I thought it was a bit weird for Alex to yell now… as other people said, can they hear him? Is it wise to have Nicodemus, the mastermind of the enemy, be the first to know of your secret plan? Is it wise to leave Felicity unattended and turn your back on a fire breathing dragon to initiate something that’d irate said dragon? But maybe Alex has other plans in mind? We’ll see! =D
Yeah.. I think instead of ‘Now,’ I would have preferred a snappy comeback to NicK. How could the dwarves have heard him say anything from (1) So far away, (2) In the rain, (3) Inside fake boulders.
But, this is fine. It gives Alex an image of command and control. Also, it’s possible that their plan hinges on Nick being right where he is, so Alex was the ‘bait,’ and “Now” is exactly correct.
Wow!
77 posts already!
🙂
THank you all! I’ve read (and laughed with) each post.
You guys are the best!
How did they hear him?
I also agree that the Dwarves are fine in the rocks. As it has been pointed out, they are some of the sturdiest creatures in fantasy, and since Bognok was tough enough to rumble with Nicodemus himself for long enough to allow them to get away, it shows that the Dwarves here are just as hearty. I agree, as well, that there is no need for sound effects, since they are already climbing out, and I think it sets the grim tone of these Dwarves seeking revenge better to have it be silent.
As for who should have yelled, I actually think it works well that Alex yelled. After all, he is just yelling from the balcony into the streets, without anything in the way, really, but if Nastajia had tried to yell, the walls would have muffled her voice too much for the Dwarves to hear her. With Alex yelling one, brief, “NOW!” it would allow him to project all of his air into one short syllable, thus increasing the volume enough for them to hear, especially since a balcony like that, being for the king, would probably have been designed to provide good acoustics for speaking to those down below.
More to the point, he exaggerated to make a point
Nic: You just shot all of your arrows, and you didn’t even hit anything!
Alex: Nuh uh, we got that guy over there!
Nic: Oh of course, how could I have missed the TWO people you hit. Now surely my entire reign will end because you hit a couple footsoldiers. Get a grip of yourself.
So we’ll have to see yet what they were planning on doing with the arrows if anything.
Would that really be such a…. crime?
I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but think of this when I saw it.
http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1091
David, your link is brilliant. BRILLIANT I TELL YOU! (thunder cracks in the horizon, maniac laff)
Compliment asides…
YES! SO HOPED FOR THIS!
Me thinks the bad guys are going to have trouble. I mean, Dwarves are like the very representation of Down-To-Earth people: they’re your average tough, rough-sided, pragmatic-minded, golden-heart-under-a-100ton-armor-plate crowd.
Tossing them inside giant rocks are like “meh. I do this ten times a day” for ’em. As someone posted earlier too, dude they could’ve shake it off after landing on their feet (how freaking awesome would’ve that been, I’ll leave it up to you).
No noises for the rock thingie. Also, may I add a suggestion… you haven’t used any kind of potions on this comic. How about a potion so Dwarves can move faster inside the castle? Or make them arrow protected for a while? Some really freaky and cool magic (your kids can give you a lot of inspiration on this). You know, something that really shakes things up and makes that silly (but waaaaay too big) dragon go like
“Hmmm… Ok, not bad –wait, WHAT?!” oO
Just think about it.
It would be EXCELLENT. It wouldn’t be less epic and besides, these guys still are gonna have it tough. We haven’t seen 10% of Nic’s Army… and we still don’t know half of the ‘Mare realm.
Thanks Scott. 🙂 Have a good one!
*click* *click* *click* for ads
Wow, I can’t believe how many posts today…. but what an awesome reveal.
Great work Scott, we all keep coming back for a reason…
Hey, Yoshi essentially does this too if you think about it. 😛
no sounds! they aren’t needed! and i agree with those saying that dwarves are tough, they would probably scoff at the idea of padding.
Dwarves are pretty tough creatures, used to mining and moving rock around.. I think all you’d really need would be air holes for them. And as for sounds.. if any.. maybe a creak or a pop ..
I think it would make much more sence if the only sound effect was something like a Ca-Thunk for the tops of the boulders hitting the street.
Brilliant.
YES! I think the rest of my day will be good now. Go Team Dan/Alex!
No, in fact, it makes for quite a good…time.
Dwarves are sturdy by definition. Great job!
Throwing the dwarfs in boulders didn’t distract me at all; I assumed that dwarfs can stand most any kind of throttling lol 😛 There skin is made of steel! haha
What DID really distract me was the little dwarf with glasses in the middle of the last panel. He doesn’t have beard, and he looks really different from all the rest… I don’t know what I’m seeing! I must be looking at it in a weird perspective, or is he a character I forgot about? I’m so confused!! lol
I guess a big THUNK would be appropriate at the bottom right of the last panel. It looks like that dwarf with the blue gloves really knocked the big half of the rock down. And a CRACK for the dwarf above him? :O)
Most people only wink with one eye, not the other. For instance, I only wink with my right eye; it feels unnatural to use the left.
The rock opening works best without noises, I think.
As for the dwarves dying without padding… Well, who knows the tolerances of Dreamland dwarves? Or maybe the fairies added magical air padding so they could breather inside those shells and survive the impact?
It’s a cool moment in a story that doesn’t rely on hyper-realism anyway. i think you should just run with it as is 🙂
A better logical question would be: How did the dwarves hear his signal from inside those rock shells? Especially with how high up he is. In pouring rain. >.>
good point! i feel much better now =D
I think Nic was mainly referring to the boulders, which did not in fact hit one single target. Of course now we know that was intentional.
“Don’t tell the Elf.”
… only she’d know anyway, I’d think.
Cue the expected dialog:
Nic: I’m afraid so. I can’t compete with your sword, and you’re no match for my brains.
Alex: You’re that smart?
Nic: Let me put it this way: have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Alex: Yes.
Nic: Morons.
Alex: Really. [pause] In that case, I challenge you to a battle of wits.
Nic: For the City?
Nic: To the death?
Nic: I accept.
Alex: Good. Then sniff the air coming from the streets below.
Nic: I smelled nothing!
Alex: What you did not smell is dwarves. Odor-full, Colorful, despise disolving in water, and one of the more deadlier rock fillings…..
All right, what else have we hidden from your spies? The battle of wits has begun. It ends when you decide whether to fight or run like a coward, and we do battle, and find out who is right…..and who is dead.
Nic: INCONCIEVABLE!
(not QUITE how it runs, but close enough!)
I considered that as well. But I think it’s better this way – less damage to the infrastructure, and civilian casualties will probably be minimized as well.
While I won’t postulate on the whole survival issue for the dwarves (which others have already hashed out thoroughly here), I would mention that it is the whole reason they’ve been up there talking with Nic and encouraging his monologues…..they needed a few minutes for the dwarves to recover from the impact (which would definitely disorient/stun them a bit.)
Welcome, fellow Dreamer!
Re: “Although a Wiki with expanded universe info would be totally cool”
Ask and ye shall receive!
😉
I was surprised about the dwarfs. Nic is probably going to be furious. 😀
If you are going to use sounds, don’t use Fsssss or Crackle. I only think of Steam Punk or Rice Krispies if I hear that. XD I agree with Thump, Whump, DON, Dun dun DUUN or no sound. 🙂
likes this. *thumbs up* 😀
I’m pretty sure that’s not only suprise. I don’t think that this single trick will be enough to win whole battle. Most likely soon Nic will be all liek: “Bah, Dwarfs, thats stupid”, and Alex will be like “You’re stupid”, And Nic will be like: “No, U!”, and Alex will be then all like: “N-uh, u” and then they will engage in one last heroic duel. Story would suck without heroic duels
Yes! That! 😀
I totally bought that dwarves would survive that flinging. I wouldn’t give it a second thought.
“If you have any dwarves, now is the time to fling them.”
the … the … the dwarves? the… THE DWARVES!! YEAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA! THE DWARVES! so cool!
I think it works just fine as is, Scott!
Did not see that coming at all O_O. Really brilliant idea, Scott!
Crunchy on the outside chewy on the inside.
I think that just because they are dwarves they can handle being tossed around,
my opinion: just let it be and don’t worry
What a grand page!
The dwarfs would have designed these things, and any attempt to show how they survived, would be distracting, I think. My own initial reaction, once I understood what I was looking at, was a good feeling that Old Nick was tricked, and I want to find out the rest!
I think the sound effects should sound something like “chk” – just a short vowel-less sound that means something has shifted or opened and slid back and away, or another type of indescript sound – maybe ‘clunk’ when the top hits the ground.
BTW- It took me a few seconds to ‘see’ and understand the last panel – I wasn’t entirely sure at first what was happening there because it is such a surprise, and the rain kind of threw my 47 year old slowly-melting-brain down a little. You may want to slightly lessen some of the rain effects, so it is a little easier for the ‘elderly’ like me to see what is happening on the page. 😀
Ah Ha. The old Trojan Rock ploy. Honestly, I love it. Dwarves spend most of their lives in rock and stone. I’d expect they’ve evolved to be extremely hardy, able to weather cave-ins and the like, so getting tossed inside a rock would probably not do them much damage. I suppose the rocks could have a lining of hay and wool or some such to cushion the impact.
Yes, I’d like to “hear” sounds as the rocks crack open. Not sure just what, whether it should be a crack, hiss, or pop.
I can’t wait to see the rest of Dan’s plan.
That is one epic wink.
Now keep that up, kid, and you’re face’ll stay that way….
Dwarf Tossing is a time honoured tradition and due to this, they have developed a certain durability to being flung about.
Of course, HOW they got them into the rocks is probably an interesting story. 😉
I think Shelley had the best idea about the sound effects. When shown in the last panel, the rocks are already open, so it doesn’t make sense to have sound effects there.
If you do do the sound effects, very small, in the second panel, if at all. It works out well as it is.
And btw, called it! 🙂
“Captain, there be Dwarfs here!” The previous day where the boulders were laying all around was the giveaway for me.
Dwarf survival needs no explanation.
If you need a sound, how about the crack of a dwarf axe cleaving through the rock shell?
Well done again, Mr. Sava
LOVE these comments!
LOL!
I had no idea that “Dwarf Tossing” would be relevant to Dreamland at any time.
Yikes.
Also…I was originally going to have the boulders be smoother. More “clearly made” with markings and such.
But thought “Nah. Why give away the surprise”.
Ack! I’ve been blindsided with a link. Now (several hours later), I am hooked on another webcomic. Thanks, David …
😉
Besides, would that not warn Nick’s people that something’s “off” about the boulders if they had markings and whatnot?
Y’all are good at this. Quite … sublime.
😉
I am at school and don’t have time to read 121 comments, so I apologize if this has already been said.
I definitely think there should be noises as the rocks crack open.
Dwarven grumblings and curses.
I didn’t have time to read all the comments! But I think it’s great just the way it is. It’s Dreamland. People can /fly/ for Heaven’s sake, I’m sure the dwarves can survive somehow, and it doesn’t need explaining. And it seems sneakier without sound effects!
Also, Gimli would be displease. You know, cause no one tosses a dwarf. I’m sure I’m not the first person who’s said that, but like I said- no time to read the comments! 😛
Yea, I thought they would be rock giant children as well, or something like that. I didn’t really expect different creatures (dwarfs) to come OUT of the boulders.
Just a few things as I was reading through:
1) glad that the ad revenue has increased 🙂
2) many people read your blog and may not want to comment (because you already get so many comments and you’re only one person, after all)
3) glad to hear that things are going well for you and for your family (now). Sorry to hear you had a rough go of it near the end of the year.
As most people have said, dwarves should be just fine with being tossed around in boulders. Heck, it sounds fun to me even. Breaching a city to get into a huge brawl by being tossed over a wall by rock giants? Sounds like a fun Friday afternoon to me. Maybe I’m part dwarf….
But on the other note, nah. No sound is needed. If they were magically sealed, they might just be falling open as the magic wears off. Makes sense to me.
Dwarfs in rocks – no problem. As for sound, a loud noise in not scary, an almost subliminal ssssss-tic is!
Agreed
No, that can’t be. Then we might have rock creatures mistaking the ammunition for snacks with marshmallow filling.
Well, he IS the king. Maybe the good dreamlanders can hear the call of their king in beyond normal ways. :>
Agreed with all the others, dwarves are sturdy folk and well able to handle such impact. And no sound is needed.
Now for general discussion, I find Nic’s comment extra enlightening. The giants threw at the lowest part of the wall. Nic’s manner of deriding this suggests that the giants are well capable of throwing at the higher levels. I’m going to say that they tossed the rocks into the lowest level with the intent that the dwarves would not merely fight from the inside, but be placed to quickly fight their way to the gates and open them for the Centaurs and others. Once the gate is open, the city is breached and it becomes a whole new type of battle.
And finally, we shall echo Month’s comment: “Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu!”
Which for any non-Tolkein fan is Tolkein dwarf-speech for “The axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!”
Stop rhyming! I mean it! (waits for inevitable response)
Maybe make them go ‘pop!’ as the rocks open. It would be kinda comedic, but it would be fun to look at as well.
Obviously, Fairies inside the arrowheads. 😀
Oh Snap!
I like the idea of sound for the boulders opening… makes me think of the last Godzilla movie specifically the scene near the end when is quiet around all the eggs and all of a sudden you start hearing them crack open.
Goodness! Looks like this page is popular!
I expected Alex to wink the other eye in order to keep Nic in the dark for just another second or two. Instead he winked the eye that Nick could easily see.
Also, it’s inconsistent that Felicity kind of gave a little grin when she looked at Alex a couple of pages ago, but obviously is in the dark as to the actual plan here.
Anyone want a peanut?
I was thinking that maybe they don’t need to be boulders at all, but rather a sort of plant-like food that look like boulders. With these plants being native to where rock giants live, it could make sense… maybe.
And for a sound, I’m thinking something along the lines of like a space-pod opening. Or you can pick anything really. It’s harder to pick a bad sound than a good one.
The small red dwarf in the middle of the last frame. Is that Mario? 🙂
I really like the setup for this. I was thinking the Rock Giants were missing all of their shots because they were pacifists.
1st Dwarven Airborne, charge!
A) omigod! The rock babies hatched!!! lol 😛
B) This is DREAMland. Anything can happen in dreams. Yes. Dwarfs can survive being thrown in hollow rocks then crashing into the hard ground 😀
C) I was thinking if rocks were to open there would be a grinding sound. ‘Fssst’ sounds too much like machinery :/
Ha ha. Love the referance! 😀
Foomsh! That’s kinda a hollowish sound…
Dwarves are exceedingly hardy. I doubt being tossed in a rock could rattle them in the slightest.
but……….
there must be death!
oh wait, I forgot the webcomic rating. never mind………….. 😀
uh oh (for the enemies)
*waves hand airily* Oh dwarfs are tough. they can handle being thrown around in giant rocks.
As for the sound effect, maybe it should be cracking, like a rock slide.
I’m with them. If someone utterly insists on padding, the best–aside from magic–would be furs or something like that. But why make things harder to draw or render for yourself?
Inconceivable!
As others have said, I just sort of figured the dwarves were generally just badass enough to survive the buffeting.
Really rather believable.
ahha! i knew there something up with those rocks, why they didn’t hit anything.
i love alex’s wink. lol.
YES! I’ve been DYING to know what was up their sleeve! XD
Alex: “Come on, Nick! Weren’t you at least a LITTLE suspicious a just HOW miserably our plan failed?”
I had just chalked it up to dwarfs being very tough. Maybe you could give them helmets, though. And I think it’s fine without the sound effects, they might distract from the dramatic reveal. >=D
Marshmallow filling with Big, Well Sharpened Axes. I don’t really see the problem.
Exactly what I was thinking. That, and dwarves are supposed to be super tough, so a little bouncing around shouldn’t be an issue.
Besides, there’s nothing to say that the insides couldn’t have been cushioned with something. (Presumably something which happened to be dark in color.)
But yes, I would suggest a cracking sound for breaking the dwarf eggs open.
sparks there is a kid on this website (me) no offence
Nah, probably more like the size of my pencil eraser. (I make a LOT of mistakes!)
Lol. This comment. Where is the ‘Like’ button? 😛
Falcooo PUUUNCH!!! as said by Kirby.
I agree with the curses and grumblings. I want to see a dwarf landed somewhere awkward. Maybe on a roof or wedged in a doorway.
Why did the princess say to hit something with the rocks if they were in them?
Getting thrown around like that doesn’t break my suspension of disbelief too much. Padding wouldn’t be bad, but you shouldn’t go overboard. And I don’t know what a Trojan Rock sounds like when it breaks open. 😀 Maybe *crack*?
Here’s my soapbox today…
Dwarves = bocce balls for rock giants. Who got closest to the Red Dragon. HA!
I wouldn’t worry much about the dwarves handling the “toss,” but the rocks are hollow. Wouldn’t they crack or break? That being said, how do they get opened? Not by breaking them open. (The landing would have done that so *crack* and *crumble* are not appropriate sound effects) So there has to be a form of sealant for entry, and a release for exit. So an opening sound is the legit approach, but a landing on the ground sound is… (see below)
@ Pete: YES!!! The little girl needs a scared/surprised *huH*
@ mightycleric: Agreed. This IS DREAMLAND. Alex is King. Anyone he wants to have hear him could do so. (But a larger font ‘NOW’ would be acceptable)
@ littlelark & Seshiro: the sound Ca-Thunk is perfect. What’s that sound? *begin singing* …”everyone look at what’s going down… stop! Hey!” … oh sorry
-Try dropping a large rock on the ground, then on concrete.
Ground = Tunk
Concrete = ca-thunk = 2 sounds.
Oooh! It doesn’t really matter, I love it the way it is anyway.
Or… it’s clobbering time! Fant4
…ouch time! SW ep1
Thoughts:
I can buy Dwarven airborne using hollow rocks instead of parachutes.
Mildly concussed Dwarf is a Dwarf that feels no pain.
Hitting a target with the rock capsule would be a bonus.
“Nobody Tosses a Dwarf!”
Hmmm…. got a couple of things I can’t figure out.
1. Alex gets from the middle of the room to the edge too quickly. There should be something showing how Alex makes his move.
2. Like others have said, Alex’s signal (“NOW!”) can’t possibly be heard clearly enough to reach the dwarves.
3. Dwarves exiting the shells probably deserved a couple of close-ups.
Love the comic!
I have no problems with dwarves coming out of hollow rocks, but…why does Alex look like he’s suddenly developed Bel’s Palsy? (sp?)
Dwarves don’t get concussed. They just lose their temper!
Excellent. And they’re Dwarves – they’re tough. No explanation required.
Interesting, though I think for a signal it might make more sense for Alex to sound a horn or something, you something that can be heard over the sound of battle and through those rocks.
Those rocks could have been made like one of those roller balls you go downhill in, you’re strapped inside and with enough padding it should be tolerable, though probably only suited to dwarves in this case. =D
As for sounds, perhaps a soft cracking noise when those rocks open?
Nice.
Yeah, I think Dwarves are pretty tough. Concussion? Intracranial bleeding? HAH! They’ve had worse hangovers!
AWEEESOOOOOME!!! \o/
Haha some speech bubbles would be amusing, some jokes about the boulders like one person commented, but on the other hand that would also ruin the war-mode-mind.. Ahh!
I wouldn’t mind a bigger font for the “NOW!” Right now it looks the same as when Felicity says “ALEX!”… the dwarfs are close to the castle, but it’s also raining!
Oh, and sound for the boulders.. could work either way! =D
i just thought of something, the companions of a human gain the abilities of that human by association. the question in my mind is how far out does that extend?
Given your avatar, jumping right to “all solutions must involve casualties” is completely acceptable. Though that IS a very contemplative Guts, there. Perhaps he too can see the advantages of an entire fighting force efficiently transported within the enemy gates?
Glorious.
Huh. What did I say before? “We haven’t seen the dwarves since, and the dragon is still going strong.”
…
I’m grinning so hard right now I think I’m hurting my face.
Awkward as it is to quote Randy Quaid, say it with me people.
” Hello Nic! WE’RE BAAAAA-AAAACK!”
Wow, I bet you didn’t know just how much people like Dwarves, did you Scott? If these comments are any indication, we are looking forward to seeing a lot more of the Dwarves (I know I am).
Based on Paddington’s reaction, her statement appears to have been an intentionally misleading statement (like Alex’s acceptance of Nicodemus’ suggestion) to make it look like they were just failing, not aiming (of course, this is only by looking at it through hindsight that I realize this).
She might have known of the plan, but not realized that Alex would “accept” Nicodemus’ proposal, since they might not have anticipated him trying to use diplomacy at that point. She knew they had a plan, but since their interactions with Nicodemus couldn’t be scripted, this is Alex using some improv skills (something nobody expected him to have, based on how he’s acted in the past).
Sophia (a few posts below) makes a good point, an while I have little doubt that she (at age 12, right Sophia?) has heard the term you used before, it’s still a good idea to consider her presence – and that of other children, potentially, who might be even younger – when choosing what words you post.
Short version: no condemnation, just a reminder to watch your language because there are kids present.
You know, it occurs to me that if Scott had not asked our opinions on the Dwarves needing padding and such, this comment section would probably have been just as lively, filled with people saying things like, “how did the dwarves survive that? there should be padding or something … ”
Thinking back, I believe Scott has often used this tactic, asking the question first so that we find ourselves either confirming his opinions or offering constructive criticism, and supporting him either way. In one fell swoop he builds rapport with the readers and heads off the nitpickers. Not bad …
😉
I apologize profusely. I’m so used to the neighbors’ kids using that phrase when they’re playing “Yard Ninjas” (their term for running around making martial arts noises with action figures), it never even occurred to me that it might be taken as deeply offensive!
Unfortunately, the blog software doesn’t seem to allow any way to delete or edit a comment, so I’ll leave it to Scott to remove this thread when he can.
uh. snap, crackle, pop ?
Noooooo! I carefully went through all the comments only to find out that the LAST one took my idea!
I agree with jsteggy, Definitely *Snap! Crackle! Pop!*
1. Awesome plan, Dan! Nicodemus said it himself – on the face of it, it seemed childish and not well thought-out, but we all know Dan is capable of far more than that – he should have seen that coming, really.
2. Dwarves, being creatures of the earth, stone and what-not could quite possibly be far hardier than most other beings, so technically they could survive, say, a mine cave-in and, in this case, being thrown inside of rocks.
3. I thought the scene worked quite well without sound-effects – it looks like the dwarves came out of their hiding places before we (or Nic) actually see them, and they’re ready by then to make their attack.. it emphasizes that Nic has been paying attention to all the wrong things, and notices the dwarves emerge late.
Looking at the page it might add more suspense if there was an extra panel depicting the rocks cracking just a bit with a sound effect (Crack etc), and then showing the dwarves out in their full glory.
Ok, that is awesome.
I… did not see that coming…! O.O
Remember that Dwarves are tough and resistant to injury like the very stones and metal they shape. It’s one of the reasons why you don’t see Dwarves using magic save for the things they make; the Dwarves traded magical ability for inhuman toughness.
Ye Gods… Dwarven Paratroop… no, Dwarven ROCKtroopers o_0 Dan’s been reading up about the 101st Airborne by the looks of things!
Clearly Odysseus failed to tell the horse story from Troy to Nicodemus back when he was the king of Dreamlands.
Not necessarily. Some catapults launched rounded rocks for aerodynamic reasons,so it would not be overly suspicious if the rebels used them here.
I knew there was something inside those things. Though I’d had guess they’d throw rock giants in, I suppose them be pacifists wouldn’t help much anyway; better to throw in someone willing to fight.
YES! I was disappointed when i saw no Dwarves in the army but i KNEW they would be part of this, you cant siege a castle without the masters of siege! Although why they ‘didnt’ also hit archers with the boulders is still a mystery, could of done both. GO DWARVES