Anne Radcliffe on Nov 3, 2014 wrote:

Of course I was most curious to see what Vadima has glimpsed in her crystal ball. I see her vision reveals some sort of piratical cuttlefish? (well, a sentient cephalopod at any rate) Certainly, bearing a hook and a peg leg (er, pegged tentacle), this is an individual of considerable experience. But is he/she a friend? An enemy? A tavern owner? A ship-wright?... the questions could go on.

My (real life) daughter commented upon seeing the picture: "Oh, I hope she's an enemy!" Which made me think... surely there are plenty of individuals who have placed bounties on our heads. From the irritated leaders of the Rat Pack, from the outraged former rulers of Monquista, to the implacable Armada... and more. It would explain why so many ships so readily fire upon us when they see us flying our colors.

But likely those bounties have not been so very great as to inspire the most hardened and dedicated of bounty hunters. But in Marleybone, we became rather more than a nusiance to the Armada. It would make sense that Kane would dip into his gold reserves a bit and set a price that will attract the most competent and feared of bounty hunters. (I am certain Kane has great reserves. Yes, waging war on Marleybone surely costs, but beyond the considerable original resources of Valencia offered to them, the Armada has stolen a great deal. He can afford a lot.) Perhaps this battle-hardened cephalopod is such a bounty hunter.

Why don't we know of this yet? Simple: we've been busy in Aquila, which although once a great empire, is now primarily involved with its own affairs, and somewhat sequestered from the rest of the Spiral. We haven't been home much, and if we did so, we were quickly off again, most likely attending to a certain 'invitation' from the evil Moo Manchu...

Yes, that's certainly possible, Anne. But this squid ( ? ) seems a jolly sort and is clearly taking a bath; could this be a new pet?

What if it's a new class trainer?

Virtuous Dante Ramsey

Or, 'warriorscreed', could it be... wait for it... Captain Squid! (well, we already had Captain Kid, but why not another pun on the infamous Captain Kidd?)

You are, of course, correct Esperanza: he/she does look rather jolly despite the cutlery being waved about. Though I was inclined to think the concept art of the Shrimp (er, pardon me, Prawn) looked potentially friendly, and look how wrong I was there! But the Cephalopod in Vadima's vision also has a candlestick carried by one tentacle, and that itself would suggest a more neutral or friendly aspect: enemies don't usually carry a candlestick when they are hunting you down. An enemy would be more likely to jump out at you the shadows, after all.

So perhaps we have gone and knocked on the door of er, 'Captain Squid', 'Squidbeard', what have you, and dragging his/bath along (accidentally smashing bits of it along the way), the Cephalopod warily answers the door, ready for trouble if need be...

Anne Radcliffe on Nov 4, 2014 wrote:

Or, 'warriorscreed', could it be... wait for it... Captain Squid! (well, we already had Captain Kid, but why not another pun on the infamous Captain Kidd?)

You are, of course, correct Esperanza: he/she does look rather jolly despite the cutlery being waved about. Though I was inclined to think the concept art of the Shrimp (er, pardon me, Prawn) looked potentially friendly, and look how wrong I was there! But the Cephalopod in Vadima's vision also has a candlestick carried by one tentacle, and that itself would suggest a more neutral or friendly aspect: enemies don't usually carry a candlestick when they are hunting you down. An enemy would be more likely to jump out at you the shadows, after all.

So perhaps we have gone and knocked on the door of er, 'Captain Squid', 'Squidbeard', what have you, and dragging his/bath along (accidentally smashing bits of it along the way), the Cephalopod warily answers the door, ready for trouble if need be...

Captain Squid, LOL!!! Ms. Radcliffe, that is truly a good name for such a cephalopod! However, my brother brought up an interesting idea. What if this squid could hint at us going to CELESTIA? I mean, this guy would come from underwater, so why not? Ideas, my pirating comrades?

I think it may be a taste of what may come in Book 15... or something...

You never know.

Ratbeard on Nov 4, 2014 wrote:

I dunno... seems like hiring a squid bounty hunter would really be escalating the arms race.

*Totally laughing out loud in an empty room...............again* You never fail to crack me up Ratbeard. Please never change.

Oh, Ratbeard, you are too much! Love it! *still giggling*

Hmmm this be quite interesting, a piratical squid hmmm.

- Deadeye Jack Morgan

I think these are all some really great, extremely funny and fascinating ideas. This cepha-critter sure has me scratchin' my head to figure out it's proper place in the Spiral. Here's my guess (or at least my wish for)and what I foresee in my own crystal ball-- it may need some dusting, so my vision is a bit clouded, unlike Ms. Vadima's.

I am hoping that this hooked, pierced, pegged, patched, wax drippin', sword wieldin', water sloshin', walking night light is an NPC in the likes of our dear friend and wild gull chasin', Zeke-- with a twist....of lemon, since it is seafood we are talking about.

I would like to see this guy/gal be an NPC that sends us out on Spiral-wide, grand adventures in which we are rewarded with amazing gear, upgraded talents and possibly other fantastic treasures. Unlike Zeke though, this cuttle-critter would not send us on scavenger hunt type of quests and would grant us the ultimate reward at the conclusion of all of his/her quests-- joining our mighty crews as our very own Cephalopod Companion!

We could find this future recruit at a new tavern called the "Ten Tackles and Bait Tavern" -- Official Slogan- "Where Bait, Yum and Adventure Abounds Aplenty!!!". His name would be Seth A. LoPod and he would have quite a distinct and unique gargle-esque accent, that exposes his underwater exploits and salty, seafaring ways. He would send us out on quests that would get our blood-a-pumpin', swords-a-clankin', crew-a-rompin' and we would return for amazing rewards that would leave even Hawkules squawkless.

Then upon returning for the last time, Seth A. LoPod would offer to lend us a few hands and become quite the multitasking crewmate. With a sword in one arm and a Squidquebus, mop and bucket, mug of yum, chopsticks, throwing axes and a map, compass, spotting scope and salted crackers in the others-- he would be the ultimate Captain's Best friend.....sorry Gracie and Jack Russell, but this dog has a few more tricks up it's sleeve!

ValkoorTheVictorio... on Nov 5, 2014 wrote:

I think these are all some really great, extremely funny and fascinating ideas. This cepha-critter sure has me scratchin' my head to figure out it's proper place in the Spiral. Here's my guess (or at least my wish for)and what I foresee in my own crystal ball-- it may need some dusting, so my vision is a bit clouded, unlike Ms. Vadima's.

I am hoping that this hooked, pierced, pegged, patched, wax drippin', sword wieldin', water sloshin', walking night light is an NPC in the likes of our dear friend and wild gull chasin', Zeke-- with a twist....of lemon, since it is seafood we are talking about.

I would like to see this guy/gal be an NPC that sends us out on Spiral-wide, grand adventures in which we are rewarded with amazing gear, upgraded talents and possibly other fantastic treasures. Unlike Zeke though, this cuttle-critter would not send us on scavenger hunt type of quests and would grant us the ultimate reward at the conclusion of all of his/her quests-- joining our mighty crews as our very own Cephalopod Companion!

We could find this future recruit at a new tavern called the "Ten Tackles and Bait Tavern" -- Official Slogan- "Where Bait, Yum and Adventure Abounds Aplenty!!!". His name would be Seth A. LoPod and he would have quite a distinct and unique gargle-esque accent, that exposes his underwater exploits and salty, seafaring ways. He would send us out on quests that would get our blood-a-pumpin', swords-a-clankin', crew-a-rompin' and we would return for amazing rewards that would leave even Hawkules squawkless.

Then upon returning for the last time, Seth A. LoPod would offer to lend us a few hands and become quite the multitasking crewmate. With a sword in one arm and a Squidquebus, mop and bucket, mug of yum, chopsticks, throwing axes and a map, compass, spotting scope and salted crackers in the others-- he would be the ultimate Captain's Best friend.....sorry Gracie and Jack Russell, but this dog has a few more tricks up it's sleeve!

Lovely post as usual from our highly talented Valkoor. In this one I am totally giggling and loving his name. Just brilliant

anecorbie on Nov 4, 2014 wrote:

We need to find something to OCTOPI you're time ( you obviously have enough to time to make puns...)

*slow claps* Nicely done.

I bet the octopus is someones jumbo pet. Possibly napolenguin's (Is that his name?) since it does not look smart enough to talk or do anything.