Make Prequel Great Again!

Anyone reading this knows what Prequel is, and probably has already read the update. But I wanted to talk about it a bit since IMHO (In My Humble Opinion. Anyone who thinks that means anything else is just dead wrong) it’s the best update in a long, long time for multiple reasons:

1. Something HAPPENED. Katia’s not just sitting helpless in a cage any longer. She has (and I think I hate this word but it works) AGENCY. Some, possibly minor, control over her own destiny again.

2. Though she’s now mind-controlled by Sigrid again, she also has Sigrid mind-controlled. So at least she ends on almost equal footing.

3. She now has gladiatorial calcium in her corner so she’s not totally alone.

4. We can actually SEE her again. She’s no longer invisible! (

5. The last two panels.

Before I get into the meat of what I want to say, just a shout out to Kaz for that double-text “Don’t say anything!”. Clever use of CSS and text to indicate they are both making the exact same command. I doubt most people will think about that, but it’s a cool method of conveying that rather than the more expected two-lines.

1.
Ever since the end of Infiltrate (way back in SEPTEMBER 2017 BTW!) Katia has been invisible and stuck in a cage. She had no ability to affect her destiny. Everything she tried failed. Sigrid just appeared to be too powerful to touch and had anticipated her every move. Frankly, it’s been a slog. Throw in slow updates (sorry, but… they are slow.) and you have waning interest. It just hasn’t been a good story.

However, at the end of the last update, things were picking up. She was doing SOMETHING, even if I could see little way it could help significantly. But I was definitely interested again, and that’s a good thing. Problem is we’d seen Sigrid counter every move and I was scared she was just going to counter this one too. If that would have happened, there would have been a mass exodus I think. (Not me. I’m friggin hooked for life. Sometimes it pisses me off, but I am anyway.)

On that topic, here’s why I think Katia, though still in a cage, has the upper hand anyway. First, she overcame Sigrid’s musk last time unusually fast. That’s what Sigrid’s been asking her about for all this time. How did she do it? I don’t think even WE know how she did it – but it implies she will likely get over it before Sigrid does. If that happens, she can just borrow some perfume and keep the upper hand. Kaz would never let that happen, but still it offers hope. Second, though Sigrid has her tumblespider, it’s not intelligent (probably). Katia has summoned skeleton that is, and is working on her behalf. (I wonder if he knows the skeleton that was cleaning up QWs room?). Plus there’s that sword that is obviously not there for no reason. Actually that’s probably not good for Katia. She’d screw it up. Like having a loaded gun around. Still, it APPARENTLY is a good thing.

2.
However, are they both actually CHARMED like Katia was when she was with Sigrid before? Silenced obviously, but CHARMED? If so, neither Katia nor Sigrid would want to do anything to hurt the other. If they’re both just silenced, but still are enemies, things get problematic. Katia is blind which limits what she can do a lot. But then, if they’re actually charmed, then neither will react normally till one gets un-charmed. So this actually could be the end of conflict between them for some time. Hopefully Sigrid will let her out of the cage and share some ice cream. And if the charms are identical in power, Katia has proven she can break out of it abnormally quickly. So I’m hoping for the Charmed outcome, even though that means less conflict for awhile.

3.
Assuming the skeleton sticks around and doesn’t get destroyed, Katia may have found her first real companion. Okay, hired gun, but still. In the long run though, what’s the cost of that? Cairn-Corp probably doesn’t mess around. They may end up her biggest enemy yet – faceless (flesh-less) corporation. But hey, if the alternative is coercion or death by Sigrid, good choice anyway. I do wonder if this skeleton might know the one Dimitri had cleaning up the bedroom though. That might lead weird places.

4.
It’s so good to see canon Katia again, even if she is blind. And those last two frames… I’m sure that was Cider work, at least partially. Even Sigrid is cuter than normal. But Katia is downright adorable when she screams! Of course, her paint is peeling a bit. That got me wondering… is Kaz going to try to track exactly what parts of her paint are peeling so he can keep it consistent? Jeeze, that would be just like him – to worry about something so inconsequential. As for her being nekked… always good to throw the fan-service in. Unfortunately I bet her clothes are stolen if she ever gets out of here anyway. I say good riddance. I never liked em. She needs a new outfit anyway. I wonder if Sigrid would lend her something?

5.
These are just so good. I feel kind of bad to say that, because those complex .gifs undoubtedly took a hella lot more work. But… I even like Sigrid here! Probably because for the first time, in the last panel she’s not completely in control. That’s a nice thing to see.

Anyway, that’s it. I just felt like ranting on the new update. I’m finally looking forward to the next scene. Mostly to find out if they are really charmed with each other, or just obeying each other’s commands. I hope for the charmed outcome really. I’d love to see Sigrid being as nice as can be to Katia AND vice-versa. No, I’m not shipping them. Katia belongs to Quill-Weave regardless of the stupid author. What does he know?

Katherine Managan is dead

So, a couple days ago I began to see a lot of hits from 8ch.net. I had to go see why. Now granted I know a thing or two about anon boards by now. To cut to the chase, they didn’t much like KM. But, as Kaz says, you can learn a lot from anons. They don’t beat around the bush, that’s for sure!

What I did finally wrangle out of them was that they thought it was pretty shitty borrowing someone else’s character. Katherine may not be Katia, but it’s no secret she might as well be. Well, I don’t want to be That Guy who tries to steal someone else’s character. And after (not much) consideration, it does make sense.

I don’t regret having done KM, I learned TONS! But they’ve definitely got a valid point. I’m still no artist, nor do I plan to ever become one. But if WHEN I venture into the Webcomic arena again, I’ll come armed with my own characters rather than borrow others’. So the Epilogue is off – I did some screenshots, but it was really just setup for the next arc. I’ve ended it pretty well though, I think.

Gave it a good shot, but it was flawed from the outset. Much as I like Prequel and Katia, I shouldn’t use them as the foundation of my own work or it will never be anything beyond a fanfic of a fanfic. I toyed around a bit with the thought of making a yellow-ish Skyrim khajiit rather than the Katia model and call HER Katherine. But, that would really be painting over the underlying problem of benevolent plagiarism. Best to start over from scratch with a solid foundation.

So my immediate focus will finally be on that Cloak of Grey Tomorrow mod that I’ve been promising. Thanks for the readers tho! I’ll make more, just not of KM – i’ve got the itch to tell more stories and take closeups of more Khajiit tails!

KM is winding down

I know some of you are following me for the Cloak of Grey Tomorrow mod, which I’ve not done ANYTHING of substance on yet. But I JUST finished a marathon screen shotting session for KM. I’ve enough for 3 posts, 2 easily. But it’s a kinda sad moment for me. I’ve got epilogue to do and setup for the next arc, but the climax is completed now. I’ve seen it. I like it, but it’s still kinda sad when I’ve spent months with these characters in my head and now some are gone.

Once I finish the Epilogue posts – probably 2 or 3 – I’ll get into the CoGT big time as I have PLANS for it in KM Arc 2. Which I can no longer resist doing. I’ve the major plot points for it already in my head. I’ll probably post the next KM on Friday, then Saturday, then Sunday for the 3 part conclusion you might say.

If you happen to read it, heres a spoiler. It’s what I plan to use for the final shot of the conclusion before the 2 or 3 epilogue posts after that. Seemed fitting.

And yet MORE KM delays? (sorry!)

Wow, I’m starting to feel like I understand Kaz a bit more. Sorry for the Katherine Managan delays. I always feel like its a bit of a cop-out though to try and explain way – it doesn’t matter really. But more to come soon. I finally got my privacy back and it’s kinda needed to do KM the way I want to do it.

Once this first cycle is complete, I think I will push it a bit in various places. Though I said last time I probably wouldn’t continue, I’m already starting to think of another plotline. Probably not a good idea when I’ve not finished this one yet. Problem is, >I< know the ending of this one so it’s a bit less interesting to ME. So never say never, I think there’ll be a KM Cycle 2 after all. But I would like to complete this first and hopefully get at least a couple more readers first.

Katherine Managan #20 delay

I didn’t mean to have such a delay. But life. And Fathers day. And a new game. Yeah, that too. I will finish this, but I probably won’t do any more. I guess it’s a bit of “If you build it, they will come” not happening. Yeah, I need the ego boost of some decent amount of people actually reading it to stay focused. For those who are, I sincerely thank you and I WILL finish it. And it has been fun too, but without some feedback I just feel like I’m pissing into the wind.

Oh well, like I said at first, it was just an experiment. Not all succeed – if they did, well, they would be pointless.

But I AM still looking forward to the Cloak of Gray Tomorrow! Hope Kaz is getting close to the next installment. Even if he picks a winner (or combo of them) it’s not official till it hits prequeladventure.com directly.

Maybe I’ll even come up with some explanation of why Katherine’s armor isn’t all bloody! 🙂

Cloak of Grey Tomorrow & KM

http://katherinemanagan.tumblr.com

I may take a (SHORT!) hiatus from KM updates in the near future. The
Cloak of Grey Tomorrow outfit in Prequel has me intrigued. When the
winner is decided, I’m going to go full steam ahead to design a Skyrim
mod for it and may get a chance to use it in KM once done. I’ve already
established that she’s left some “stuff” in the Whiterun inn. That may
include the CoGT outfit if so. Probably the enchantment may be worn
off so it might not DO anything, but it would be a great way to
introduce a new outfit to KM. (and maybe work as pajamas – sleeping in Arena armor can’t be comfortable – and Skyrim doesn’t allow for blankets apparently.)

I also have my own idea of what it
should look like. Since I can’t draw, I may try and create a mod and
screenshot that to the Fanart page as another entry. Mine will include a
catsuit underneath, probably based on this existing mod but with modified coloring:

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12013/?

and one of these cloaks:

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12092/?

Because… catsuits are appropriate in every conceivable way. 🙂

Also,
I’m finally going to reveal H with the next update. I need to NOT have
him offscreen all the time if he’s going to be a character. Maiq has a
twin brother (or maybe it actually IS Maiq! He must do SOMETHING
besides wandering around Skyrim all the time.)

If I can do this
next update as I intend, it will be the largest scene I’ve done yet so
it’s a bit intimidating. But I think it will work out OK.

More KM stuff mostly

http://katherinemanagan.tumblr.com

I got through most of the major character introductions needed. I’d like to throw some more in before the plot really gets moving, but I’m afraid they’d be tedious to shove them all in back to back, so I’ll forgo that and work them in after things get going.

Plot should become apparent after the next 2 updates, and perhaps then I’ll feel I’ve got enough going to hold an audience beyond “oh look, more furry ass and scaly tits!”.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to promote this thing? It’s a bit tricky with the Adult nature, but I do wish I could get some people to take a look at the thing.

I had the “Ask a question” turned on for a bit, but I didn’t realize it would post directly to the blog, and I don’t want them there. I also got Disqus working, but it wouldn’t hurt to make it more prominent.

So, I’m up to 7 characters now. A couple still mandatory to introduce to make the plot work, but they can come after it gets moving:

Katherine Managan – protagonist and only real connection to Prequel. H – Lord of the Manor and owner of “Tails of the …” monthly mags. Sabhira, mentor to Katherine. Udaran, friend of Sabhira. Milahme, bitchy argonian model. Red/Muz-Ra outspoken and oversexed Argonian model. Ubergard, giant Argonian guard.

Still to come, Lydia – the only human model and recent addition to modelling staff. Unnamed (as yet) human guard. Unnamed (as yet) khajiit.

And I have one small bit of plot I’ve yet to figure out exactly how to do. I need to see if I can call a Dragon on command. Guess I’ll find out if I can do that when I get there!

Oh, this IS fun. I just hope I can figure out some not-too-spammy way of promoting it. Oh, and KillerfishSG, I totally understand about not wanting to reblog it. It would take a certain kind of blogger to do that. But awfully glad to have you guys at least along for the ride!