Line #19 Webcomic/Chiasmata


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_mpm91z6xbc1rrneazo1_540.png]]
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4	''[[https://www.k25ff.com/chiasmata/2019/07/01/001.html Chiasmata]]'' is an InteractiveComic by [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/ K25fF]], featuring a group of 12 ([[WritersCannotDoMath or 16]]) people who [[OntologicalMystery wake up in a strange place with no memory of how they got there.]] Also, they have superpowers.
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7	There is an [[AlternateRealityGame ARG]] tying into the story, which gives slightly more detail on the universe and the characters therein.
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10	Chiasmata is mirrored on the "[[https://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=1 MSPFA Page]]" and took commands on the ''[[https://eagle-time.org/showthread.php?tid=1507 Chiasmata Eagle-Time Forums]]" and "[[https://kintsugi.seebs.net/threads/chiasmata-heaviest-rain.3235/ Kintsugi Forums]]". Chiasmata began the 5th of May 2013 at 4:04 PM on the "[[https://web.archive.org/web/20140718143224/http://www.mspaforums.com/showthread.php?54351-Chiasmata MSPAForums]]".
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13	!!Tropes found in this universe include:
14	%%* AbusiveParents: Lord Tawkin, Hieronymus, and Harlequin's dad are all implied to have been this.
15	* AllThereInTheManual: A lot of extra information can be found on K2's tumblr as well as in the various ARG components.
16	* AmbiguousGender: Cindersoul has so far only been referred to by he(?)/his(?) pronouns. Yes, always with the (?) after it, much like [[VideoGame/{{Minecraft}} Notch adresses the Enderdragon]].
17	** 564 is they/them/their, as well as several other unrevealed characters.
18	%%* AmbiguousRobots: The [[spoiler:[=NoBots=]]].
19	%%* AmnesiacHero: All of the main cast.
20	%%* AnIcePerson: Cold-Drinker fits the bill, it seems. She's not a nice person at all.
21	%%** Seemingly [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] with Algific Knave.
22	* ArcNumber: 12, or 16? 3, or 4? What we certainly do know however, is that 564 means something, considering a mass-murderer carves it into people's flesh.
23	%%* ArcWords: NO HOPE HERE
24	* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: On the Discord, a user tells about their theorizing:
25	--> Im not saying that the other 10 [[ShoutOut dancestors]] [[DeadAllAlong might be dead]]; just keeping the scenario open.
26	--> I am also keeping the scenario open that the sessions are happening simultaneously.
27	--> '''I am also keeping the scenario open that we might never know the specific names of Aidan, Leo and Omar'''.
28	* ArtEvolution: [[http://minitiate.tumblr.com/post/154998768899/remember-sam-lane-from-chiasmata-this-is-her Compare this]] and [[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/408690222339981314/670681042482364446/progress.png this]].
29	** The early style tended to be more cartoony, and while every character still has FourFingeredHands, their bodies are more realistically drawn. See Adamant, Augment, Device and Motor in [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/78788428629/the-great-and-glorious-ships-of-the-benefactors this old post]] with [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yg-A0-MubASrQIU8pD6YNYvZoXftWSzuS1uPbnLH4k0/edit how they look like in this document]].
30	%%* TheAtoner: The Devouring Hate is very remorseful for her past actions.
31	%%* BadPowersGoodPeople: Sometimes. Saboteur's nice enough. Misanthrope's somewhere in the middle. An then there's people like Duchess Epidermis...or 564.
32	* {{Bizarrchitecture}}: Our first Location. While not especially fancy, it's a (seemily?) huge place with 'doors' that act akin to in-house portals, multiple secret passageways, plus weird (and sometimes sadistic) puzzles, although a map [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/52715443551/this-is-k25ff-where-we-post-pictures-with-no was posted]]. Basically, like a disorienting not-quite-nightmare in Location form. If it weren't for the symbols on the walls, they would get lost everytime they turn a corner. And it's still unknown what the walls are made of.
33	--> It can't burn the... concrete? Concrete-like substance? Pseudoconcrete? You're not sure. It looks a bit like concrete, but it's smoother and more evenly coloured, and it doesn't seem to be painted.
34	** The second Location is ''even stranger'', resembling a baby's 'put the blocks in the slots' puzzle. ([[http://mspfanventures.com/?s=7068&p=327 From this page on]])
35	--> '''Daniel''': "Confusing. Strange. [[RhymesOnADime Something's wrong with how everything's arranged]]."\
36	(...)\
37	You can hear Daniel talking to... Jacqueline, you think. She's the third person on this floor, which apparently bends the rules of space and geometry into pretzels. Each room borders the other two on two sides? Maybe? Your head hurts.
38	*** And later, the building is upturned, and [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=355 makes even less sense]].
39	* BlatantLies: [=K25fF=] has absolutely no idea who [[http://ee76q.tumblr.com/ this person]] is.
40	* BodyHorror: The things Duchess Epidermis does to people...yikes. The side effects of most powers can often be quite... unsettling as well;
41	** Sam's [[spoiler:fingers turn crystalline]].
42	** Aidan [[spoiler:gets crumbly green callouses]].
43	** The limbs that Bonnie grows back [[spoiler:definitely aren't human]]
44	** Daniel's [[spoiler:skin fragments]].
45	** Dawn's [[spoiler:legs become dinosaur-like, and her fingers turn into claws]].
46	** Ash [[spoiler:begins to leak acid from her eyes]].
47	** David [[spoiler:[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking gets a forked tongue]]]].
48	** Anders [[spoiler:receives bony protrusions emerging from his skin]].
49	** Omar [[spoiler:becomes a flaming [[DemBones skeleton]]]].
50	** Clara [[spoiler:has circular sections of her body disappear]].
51	** Leo's [[spoiler:colors drain, leaving him completely grayscale. He also loses his tangibility]].
52	** Jacqueline [[spoiler:gets coral-like growths all over her body]].
53	** Other characters have confirmed side effects, like Saboteur. Whose skin splits open with sand pouring out.
54	** And now we get to see one of the things that can happen when the Cammaerts axiom is breached, courtesy of Daniel [[spoiler: His entire face's skin starts cracking apart and falling off, you can even see visible flesh/muscle in some places]]
55	* CastingAShadow: Dawn's powers.
56	* ChaoticStupid: Schism the sharply dressed, portal-slinging anarchist is frequently, hilariously referred to by characters and author alike as being bright much in the same way as a wet match.
57	* ColorCodedEmotions: [[spoiler: Brother Dearest]] seems to change colors based on how he's feeling. For example, at the time [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=309 he angrily arrives here]], the swirl above his head is red, but [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=310 the minute his arm is cut off]], it turns green with shame or fear.
58	* ElementalPowers: Mistral has powers over [[BlowYouAway air]], Omar and Liana Feo have powers over [[PlayingWithFire fire]], Sam can control [[ShockAndAwe electricity]], Ash handles [[PoisonousPerson acid]], Dawn can control [[CastingAShadow dark]][[PowerOfTheVoid ness]], Resonant has powers over [[{{Extraoredinary}} metal]], Device and Botnet command [[{{Technopath}} technical things]], Augment can control [[HealingFactor her own flesh to let it grow back]], Subject 010/Island Lady has powers over [[DishingOutDirt earth]], Leo is shown to have at least some measure of SoulPower, Misanthrope is constantly covered in radiation, Clara, the Illusiory Miasmic (who is, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin if her name could not tell you]], just like Flicker a MasterOfIllusion) and Anonymous use [[SuperSmoke smoke and or gas]], Daniel and Jacqueline are a SpaceMaster and a TimeMaster, respectively, and Anders [[spoiler: and possibly Ibrahim]] can control the [[MindManipulation minds]] [[MindControl of others]].
59	* EyeMotifs: As in the author's past works, eyes feature heavily in Chiasmata, both as a symbol and a body part. [[EyeTropes Which leads to...]]
60	** TheBlank: From the ARG, Enigma doesn't appear to have any eyes, though that may be a consequence of their [[SuperSmoke partial transformation state]]. From the main adventure, we have [[spoiler: the Nobots]].
61	** ExoticEyeDesigns: Anders has black sclera with vertical pink slits for pupils.
62	** ExtraEyes / ThirdEye: The Forest Viewer uses smileys with varying numbers of eyes.
63	** GlowingEyes: Some superhumans display this when using/exerting their powers.
64	** [[spoiler: HypnoticEyes]] / {{MagicalEye}}s / NoEyeInMagic: Anders' power is to [[spoiler: control anyone he looks at]].
65	*** [[spoiler: MindControlEyes: His victims' eyes glow pink]].
66	** TearsOfBlood: [[spoiler: Ash's acid powersresult in this]].
67	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Daniel immediately reacting when the Prokaryota introduce themselves:
68	--> '''[[DeadpanSnarker Daniel]]''': Some people have the right ideas.
69	--> '''Sam''': ''[[BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine Shut]]''.
70	* GeniusLoci: [[EpilepticTrees Maybe]]. The ARG references the Location being [[InsistentTerminology killed, not destroyed]].
71	* HealingFactor: Bonnie's power. And Augment's.
72	** GoodThingYouCanHeal: Invoked by [[spoiler:The Location]] to demonstrate the ability to both the readers and Bonnie herself. Augment's run-in with 564 is also notable because it demonstrates the extent of both her regenerative ability and 564's deadliness.
73	** FeelNoPain: Tragically averted, as Augment is only confirmed to ''respond to'' no pain.
74	* TheFourLoves:
75	** Eros: There's ShipTease between Daniel and Bonnie ([[spoiler:and as such Motor and Augment]]).
76	** Storge: Between Jamila and Ibrahim. [[spoiler: The Dark Triumvirate is also a family]].
77	** Philia: Brother and Enigma. Which [[HoYay might be Eros]].
78	* HumanoidAbomination: [[spoiler: Holy, shit do the Villainous Three ever count. That is, if they can count as humanoid in their later...stages]].
79	* HowDoIShotWeb: Most of the characters take a while to figure out how to control their powers. Anders, on the other hand, has trouble turning his ''off''.
80	* IJustWantToBeNormal: [[WalkingWasteland Misanthrope]] and [[PokeInTheThirdEye the Forest Viewer]], probably among many.
81	* LovecraftianSuperpower: The Devouring Hate certainly has this. Others such as Typhon likely did as well. Duchess Epidermis is a contender as well. But the the worst offender would probably be the Bonechild.
82	* NotWhatItLooksLike: Archivist does something which leads to Sam heavily questioning them and Ash' eyes not focusing, on which Archivist says it's probably for the best. While the dialogue alone looks like they're masturbating, [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=354 they're actually literally folding the fabric of reality]].
83	* OmnicidalManiac: 564, of course. Cindersoul and the good Duchess count as well.
84	* OnlySixFaces: Well, a case of only six poses. When they finished the reference of Teratoma, [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/149525213612/this-world-turns-in-anguish-and-they-make-us-drink they commented that]] Teratoma's pose looks like [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/149241510247/im-a-firm-believer-in-the-utility-of the one on the Adamant reference]]. Hilariously seen the differences between the two characters.
85	** Also, compare [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/126289818007/smoke-and-mirrors-theyre-my-stock-in-tradeit Enigma]] and [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/131342750942/technical-solutions-that-i-dont-understand-oc Device]].
86	* OntologicalMystery
87	* OrcusOnHisThrone: Nihil, one of about 4 people who could MAYBE give 564 something to sweat about, "sat there like a lemon".
88	* MadBomber: Cindersoul. Maybe?
89	* MadOracle: Even when the Forest Viewer remembers who he is, he doesn't speak in the most lucid manner.
90	* MassSuperEmpoweringEvent: The Cold Light rains.
91	* MindControl: [[spoiler: Anders]]' power. Also, Anonymous...but that sort of overlaps with a bit of a BodySurf effect.
92	* MisanthropeSupreme: Ironically, not Misanthrope. Teratoma fits the bill, though.
93	* {{Mukokuseki}}: Averted. On the Japanese side, [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/121627317257/moving-mountainsits-subject-010-the-island Island Lady/Subject 010]] and [[WebComic/TheHumanGame Satyrid]] are from there, and are both accurately skinned (although we don't know if they're born there or not).
94	* MundaneUtility: The comic is great for [[http://dsknsk.tumblr.com/post/163635486651/k25ff-cotton-flurry-i-chose-to-take-biology biology mnemonics]].
95	** The same user also used [[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/408690222339981314/458217545300836352/essay.png it]] for a genetics essay. [[note]] Caption reads ''A person with albinism compared to someone without albinism.' [[/note]]
96	* MultinationalTeam: Most continents get roughly equal representation among the cast.
97	* TheNicknamer: The Forest Viewer likes to do this, as do [[spoiler:The Villainous Three]].
98	* NoodleIncident: [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext Device once found Harlequin stuck in a treetop]]. [[https://sta.sh/01rxkr27yqv3 This crossover]] also speaks of a NoodleIncident:
99	--> There has been an incident around Anders, which resulting in him [[NoodleImplements a call for help, merging, six Soul Gems and a memory wipe]] later, being essentially an [[ArtificialHuman artificial lifeform]] and David, Dawn and Ash are currently preoccupied with him.
100	* NonStandardGameOver: Described, hilariously enough, as 564 and Hollow's sexualities. The freaks.
101	* NounVerber: Everyone's got this, but it's implied that these are the powers, and not the characters.
102	* PersonalityPowers: Mostly averted, powers are given out completely arbitrarily. The only example so far of this being played straight is Holly, the artist with paint and ink producing powers.
103	* PersonOfMassDestruction: Just about every supervillain has the tools to cause MASSIVE DAMAGE. Cold-Drinker, Cindersoul, Nilhil, 564, Teratoma, and Duchess Epidermis stand out however. They're more of natural disasters than people at this point.
104	* PlayingWithFire: Omar's powers.
105	* PowerIncontinence: Overuse of superpowers has ''consequences''.
106	* PowersThatBe: "The Big Three" of the Chiasm Syndicate, Benefactor's League, and Third Network seem to be this on a terrestrial scale. But there's three far different beings that hold the real power. And that's not even including the Location and the somethings responsible for it.
107	* RedOniBlueOni: Multiple.
108	** Daniel (Red) and Bonnie (Blue). They invert when [[spoiler: they become Augment and Motor]].
109	** Dawn (Red) and David (Blue).
110	** Device (Red) and Adamant (Blue).
111	** Aside from being elemental opposites, Cindersoul (Red) and Cold-Drinker (Blue).
112	* RuleOfThree: Aidan, Clara and Ash represent the three states of matter (solid, gas and liquid, respectively).
113	** Time (Jacqueline who can slow down or accelerating the flow of time), Space (Daniel who can move things around freely) and Mind (Anders who can control others).
114	** Life (Bonnie who can regenerate), [[SoulPower Heart]] (Leonardo who can make ghosts to his whim, resembling him) and Hope (David who can swap things with his thoughts)
115	** Also, between Anders, Ibrahim and Adamant, who share the same symbol. Anders is Pathos, even his door name states it. Ibrahim is Logos - he knows more than he should and is a person who relies on logic and makes LoopholeAbuse sometimes. Adamant is Ethos, since she's the leader of the Benefactor's league, which carries some charisma.
116	* ScoobyDoobyDoors: The Prokaryota, downplayed.
117	--> You quickly duck into the room round the corner.
118	--> '''Jacqueline''': "Hey, can we quickly duck into a room, rather than discussing this in a corridor. I don't want to get incinerated any time soon. I'll block the door. Where's that ghost going?"
119	* SinglePowerSuperheroes: Every powered character.
120	** RequiredSecondaryPowers: [[EnforcedTrope Built into the power system.]]
121	* ShapedLikeItself: Where exactly are our characters? [[spoiler:The Location]], of course.
122	* ShoutOut: Super Human Containment Units ([=SCUs=]) and liberally censored documents from a nefarious organization. [[Website/SCPFoundation Hmm, why does that sound familiar?]]
123	** From the ARG: [[VideoGame/{{inFAMOUS}} A superhero called Conduit]] [[VideoGame/{{inFAMOUS2}} gives super powers to a military group]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity but they all go insane]].
124	** Ash trying to melt down the walls with her acid [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} isn't very effective]].
125	** '[[DemonicPossession Anders]]' [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=181 utters]] [[Literature/WinnieThePooh a familiar phrase]] when the [=NoBots=] detect him.
126	** The fact that each character has a flavour quote, an assigned color, and a symbol was [=K25fF=]'s [[WebComic/{{Homestuck}} Homestuck]] influence, as they have done a (long dead) fanventure before, called ''Reposesnagged''. When the color inversion was discovered, [[http://theghostofminitiate.tumblr.com/post/82861608205/meganopteryx-crimson-mage-k25ff there was commented a lot about it]], and were even [[http://theghostofminitiate.tumblr.com/post/82802798003/megarock35-k25ff-megarock35-k25ff called dancestors]].
127	* ShockAndAwe: Sam's powers.
128	* StealthPun: [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/163832513262/a-clue The color of the text added sometimes]] is #25fFA1 (the author has a longer name on Deviantart, k25ffAI)
129	* SuperpowerRussianRoulette: The entire Cold Light system.
130	* SuperStrength: Enforcer's powers.
131	* TarotMotifs: [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/156139436317/use-your-imagination-the-geneverse-major-arcana A full deck of them]]!
132	** 0 - The Fool: Protagonist
133	** I - The Magician[=/=]Bateleur: Ibrahim (Forest Viewer)
134	** II - The High Priestess[=/=]Papesse [[note]] Called 'The Priestess' in the deck [[/note]] : Alice Hemsley
135	** III - The Empress: Duchess Epidermis
136	** IV - The Emperor: Teratoma
137	** V - The Hierophant: Device
138	** VI - The Lovers: Brother and Enigma
139	** VII - The Chariot: Motor[[spoiler:[=/=]Daniel Fleming]]
140	** VIII - Justice [[note]] Called 'Adjustment' in the deck [[/note]] : Archivist
141	** IX - The Hermit: Hollow
142	** X - Wheel of Fortune[=/=]Chance: Cold Lights
143	** XI - Strength: Susan Dachy and Subject 009[=/=]Isabel
144	** XII - The Hanged Man [[note]] Called 'The Traitor' in the deck [[/note]] : The Devouring Hate
145	** XIII - Death: 564
146	** XIV - Temperance: Archivist
147	** XV - The Devil: The Dark Triumvirate
148	** XVI - The Tower: Cindersoul
149	** XVII - The Star: Adamant
150	** XVIII - The Moon: [[spoiler: Subject 003[=/=]Geist]]
151	** XIX - The Sun: Augment[[spoiler:[=/=]Bonnie Hallett]]
152	** XX - Judgement[=/=]The Aeon [[note]] Called 'The Aeon' in the deck [[/note]] : Nihil
153	** XXI - The World - The Dark Triumvirate plus Archivist
154	** As for the minor arcana, [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/161331537272/but-the-soul-is-still-oracular-amid-the-markets the cups are replaced by the Soul]], giving it the element of Water. It's likely Voice, Body and Mind are representing Swords (Air), Wands (Fire) and Pentacles (Earth).
155	* TeamShot: [[http://mspfanventures.com/?s=7068&p=177 Here]], [[http://mspfanventures.com/?s=7068&p=178 here]] and [[http://mspfanventures.com/?s=7068&p=179 here]].
156	* ThemeNaming: The first three chapters of Chiasmata (and the three groups later on) are named after biological domains (Prokaryota, Eukaryota and Archaea), while the fourth one is called LUCA - '''L'''ast '''U'''niversal '''C'''ommon '''A'''ncestor. The series title refers to genetics - a term for the point in cellular division at which chromosomes exchange information. It's as of yet unclear as to the significance of this.
157	* TheSyndicate: Ironically enough, the Chiasm Syndicate isn't this. This is more of the Third Network's territory.
158	* ThisIsAWorkOfFiction: When the image of [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/166118015787/cheese-or-um-whatever-you-grew-up-saying-at Isochrone and Haze]] was posted, a user directly saw they are very likely Jacqueline and Clara. Later, [=K25fF=] [[http://k25ff.tumblr.com/post/166140270252/hearts-rogue-replied-to-your-photo-cheese-or commented on this]], saying: 'Any resemblance to other geneverse characters, living or dead, is purely coincidental and [[ParanoiaFuel very suspicious]].'
159	* {{Technopath}}: Device. Maybe.
160	* ThinkingUpPortals: The Breach Cutter seems to be able to do this.
161	* {{Understatement}}: 'And one of your fellow subjects has proven to be...[[LastSecondWordSwap difficult]] to reason with.' Cue [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=314 this panel]] (a possible recall of [[http://mspfa.com/?s=7068&p=81 this one]]).
162	* WalkingWasteland: Misanthrope and Saboteur. Cindersoul desperately wants to make the world look like a glass bowl, but is stuck in his(?) snowglobe for the forseeable future.
163	* WeWorkWellTogether: A certain relationship seems to have warmed up significantly between Chiasmata and Electrophoresis.
164	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: 564 is often described as 'the worst power in the worst package'. Nihil and Cindersoul probably count too. Actually, if you're a high enough threat class, you're not in the best mental state.
165	* YouWakeUpInARoom: Every main character starts this way.

Context Webcomic / Chiasmata