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1[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Rectangle_PW_8774.jpg]]
2[[caption-width-right:300:She doesn't normally sit still like that.]]
3
4''[[http://www.earsforelves.com/ Ears for Elves]]'' is a lighthearted webcomic on [[HighFantasy the high end of the fantasy scale]], with touches of HeroicFantasy. It follows the story of [[RebelliousPrincess Tanna Teasen'atear]] as she grows from a youngling into adulthood and finds her place in elven society. Started in 2011, it is the first online graphic novel by Naarie Kermie, though it is currently on hiatus. The site is maintained and edited by Archmage, and links to us, accounting for the high number of inbounds--our character sheet has even replaced the official one (though that's still accessible through the direct URL)!
5
6It's always been expected that Tanna, a highborn wood-elf, would follow in her parent's footsteps and be the model nobleman's daughter--even her friend Zalanna tries to push her into this role. However, Tanna doesn't like being cast in that way, and dreams of being a Village Guardian, practicing shooting and tracking often in hopes of becoming as good as warrior Luero. Others don't believe she'll ever make it, especially with having to babysit her younger brother Donn alongside all that she does, but she's gone too far away from the world of dancing and meetings that her parents are part of to reconsider.
7
8Until a stranger knocks her down and then vanishes away.
9
10Enter Drethalrolan, not that Tanna can remember his name. He's a high elf, and for this reason a number of wood elves are prejudiced against him. His charming ways from a different culture win over many of them, but at first Tanna views them as arrogant and annoying. However, after sorting out some misunderstandings they become friends--leading to ''more'' misunderstandings when Donn mistakes Rolan for Tanna's boyfriend.
11
12But that is soon forgotten when the prejudice against Rolan becomes clear in the marketplace. In an attempt to make people accept him, Tanna sneaks into the ancient druidic Religious Temple of Herutaure, and gives him a formal welcome with [[PurpleProse flowery prose]]. Her temple tour doesn't last long, though, when several elves enter carrying another severely wounded dark elf. Turns out that that's a secret, though, as after Luero finds, hides, and gets her out he ensures she knows to forget it happened and never mention the incident.
13
14----
15!! ''Ears for Elves'' contains examples of:
16
17-->''Please add tropes about the main characters to the [[Characters/EarsForElves character sheet]].''
18* AlliterativeTitle: '''E'''ars for '''E'''lves.
19* {{Arrowcam}}: In [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/115 this strip]], it leads to a rather oddly-shaped arrowhead due to skewed perspective.
20* ArtEvolution: The artist admits that drawing is a learning process and she's experimenting with styles and tones.
21* AttackReflector: One elf uses [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/407 the blade of his sword]] to deflect Luero's arrow. It doesn't go back at Luero, though -- instead, it hits the railing Tanna is leaning on.
22* AuthorGuestSpot: The artist draws herself, in the style of the comic, when making announcements, doing Q&A pages, and sometimes in filler strips. She also drew Archmage in the [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/321 Halloween cosplay filler]], which he wasn't impressed by.
23* TheBeCarefulSpeech: [[BigBrotherMentor Luero]] [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/683 gives this to Tanna]] after getting her out of the temple.
24-->Be careful. Think things through. I won't always be able to protect you.
25* BeneathTheMask: Luero [[LampshadeHanging calls out]] Tanna on her constant smiling in [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/352 this strip]]. He goes on to say "Masking your emotions may be necessary for dealing with most people.".
26* BlackBlood: Averted [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/632 here]], which is suprising for a black-and-white comic. It's the only time color has been used in the main comic; the artist said that a great thing about making a webcomic was the ability to experiment. See [[TrailOfBreadCrumbs Trail of Blood Drips]] below.
27* CassandraTruth: After meeting Rolan for the first time, Tanna isn't sure of what she saw -- it happened too fast -- and tries to explain it to Myari and Elon. They [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/211 don't believe her]].
28-->'''Myari:''' Oh Tanna, you've been pushing yourself too hard! You're talking crazy!
29-->'''Elon:''' Perhaps you should rest for a moment...
30* ClassicalTongue: [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/314 Some children argue]] about the proper pronunciation of "Taurë", the word for "wood elves" in the Forgotten Tongue.
31* CleavageWindow: One of [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/278 the High Elves of Kenn'iraheal]] has a small one that blends in well with her costume style.
32* CrashIntoHello: Tanna's opinion of Rolan is forever shaped by [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/179 how she first met him]]. Running through the forest, he knocks her down and lands on top of her. He gets up too quickly for her to protest and vanishes off.
33* DancesAndBalls: At the Taurëcuiva Festival there is a dance in the evening, and Zalanna [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/250 is furious when Tanna turns down a partner]]. However, Tanna does have to enter the stage when going across the hall [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/238 to fetch wine]], and when Luero drags her on -- see ICantDance below. Many of the female elves also make a big deal about getting to dance with Drethalrolan.
34* DeathGlare: Lady Trylia's expression when she doesn't get what she wants promptly caused Kanryl to speak, since her glare was frightening his animals.
35* DisturbedDoves: On [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/112 the very first page]], several types of woodland creature are disturbed by Tanna's archery practice, and a flock of birds fly away from the area.
36* DontExplainTheJoke: [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/274 Here]], Zalanna is eager to expound on how she made a joke through exaggeration and her apparent humorous qualities, since Tanna missed the joke when it was made.
37* DontGoInTheWoods: Elon [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/206 gives Myari this warning]] after she's wandered into the dark, dangerous forest without him.
38--> '''Elon:''' Why must you always put yourself at risk like this? We all know how dangerous the forest is!
39* EarAche: In the last panel [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/199 here]], Elon grabs and pulls Myari's ear quite hard because he's angry at her/worried about her, and has finally found where she was hiding.
40* {{Elfeminate}}: A number of male elves, as most elves have hair at least halfway down their and wear long tunics. Higher-born ones also have small braids, pieces of jewellery, or other details.
41* EnterStageWindow: The Temple of Herunor's doors have been sealed by the druids. In Tanna's words, though, [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/592 they always seem to forget]] the window. It's strongly implied that Tanna and Rolan will enter through the window.
42* FacelessMasses: Generic crowdfolk are almost never drawn with eyes, and [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/413 sometimes lack all facial detail]].
43* {{Facepalm}}: Tanna pulls this off [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/457 twice in three panels]]. This may be some sort of record.
44* {{Fanservice}}: This is {{enforced}} for Tanna and Luero in the first Q&A series. Tanna loathes it, but Luero is quite pleased at the chance to show off his chest. Their outfits -- well, ''lack of'' in Luero's case -- are reprised in [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/621 the announcement]] for the second Q&A series.
45* FantasticLightSource: When Tanna enters the temple , it's dark once she reaches the main room. However, [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/612 she touches an orb]] over a glowing basin, and it and similar orbs light up the whole chamber with mystical effects.
46* FillerStrips: Several times. They can happen when Naarie Kermie doesn't have the time/tools to draw a "proper" strip, or just for fun/exposition. Some are even planned out well in advance.
47* FloweryElizabethanEnglish: Tanna [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/623 has to speak like this]] when giving Rolan his formal welcome into the Temple, though she doesn't end up [[YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe appending "eth" to everything she says]]. She immediately follows the small speech with "So! Now that I've made a complete fool of myself...".
48* FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: See SiblingYinYang.
49* GossipyHens: Generic elven women are known for being gossips, especially about Rolan, much to Tanna's annoyance. They're sometimes drawn without eyes.
50* GroupieBrigade: [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/689 Luero has one]], though a couple people are less adoring.
51* GuestStrip: There have been two guest strips so far, with the characters but nothing related to the plot. [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/578 The first]] was an "exchange" with the artist of ''DoodlingAround'', so Naarie also drew a guest strip for that webcomic; [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/630 the second]] was a comedy strip by the artist of ''SuckerPunchToMyEmotions''.
52* HalloweenEpisode: A filler page for Halloween [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/321 here]] has the artist and site maintainer dressing up. Well, more like one getting into the festive spirit and the other wondering what the point is...
53* HandGagging: [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/645 This is done suddenly to Tanna]] while she's hiding in the temple. Whose hand it is isn't revealed until some pages afterwards, creating suspense. When Luero finally releases her, after the priestess has left, Tanna jumps out and it's shown that even she didn't know who was holding her.
54* HeIsNotMyBoyfriend: Donny sees Tanna walking arm-in-arm with Rolan, infers that he must be her boyfriend, and finds this disgusting. Tanna [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/490 protests madly]]. [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/528 A while later]], Donny tells Tanna that her new boyfriend isn't so bad after all; her reaction is to say that Rolan is not her boyfriend.
55* ICantDance[=/=]YouSaidYouCouldntDance: Played with.
56** Tanna protests that she doesn't dance when Luero tries (and succeeds) to drag her into the dancing at the Taurëcuiva Festival, but she's actually rather good...
57--->'''Tanna:''' ''[[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/348 Dance]]''''!?'' I don't dance!
58--->'''Luero:''' I believe you mean you ''won't'' dance. And you're about to be proven wrong.
59--->'''Tanna:''' [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/349 Okay fine]], it's not that I can't dance- I mean of course I learned how. I just haven't danced in a while.
60** ... [[InvertedTrope unlike Luero]], even though he told her to follow his lead. A few minutes after her reluctant entry to the dance floor:
61--->'''Tanna:''' [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/351 Oh gods]]! You're terrible!!
62* JustInTime: Downplayed -- Tanna is in trouble with her mother for not observing perfect high-class etiquette, by expecting the elves to reuse wine glasses. Zalanna shows up with clean glasses just before Lady Trylia is likely to get ''really'' mad.
63* KickTheDog: Discussed by Tanna and Elon in [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/423 this strip]], though no literal puppy-kicking happens.
64* LongLived: Elves live into their 900s, with adulthood being between the ages of 200 and 700. Life stages and certain character's ages are discussed [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/390 here]].
65* NotSoDifferentRemark: The Renavanna and Eytherlia elves, according to Tanna after Zalanna pronounces them feral. The unusual arrangement of panels on [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/262 that page]] emphasises Tanna's point.
66-->'''Zalanna:''' You see, they live in the untamed wilds.
67-->'''Tanna:''' So do we.
68-->'''Zalanna:''' In a secret, secluded village.
69-->'''Tanna:''' So do we.
70-->'''Zalanna:''' With border guards dedicated to not letting a soul in.
71-->'''Tanna:''' So do we.
72-->'''Zalanna:''' They hide away from any non-elf race, threatening banishment to any who commune with outsiders.
73-->'''Tanna:''' So do we.
74* NotWhatItLooksLike: In [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/370 the middle of the dance hall]], Tanna shouts at Rolan for what he did [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/179 earlier]].
75-->'''Tanna:''' ''You pushed me to the ground!''
76-->~''{{stunned silence}}''~
77-->'''Various elven ladies:''' [-Did she just say-\
78Oh my gods...\
79She didn't. I can't believe he'd-\
80Did they really?-]
81-->'''Tanna:''' Oh come on. What are you? A bunch of gossiping barmaids? It's not like that at all.
82* OddlyVisibleEyebrows: Most characters with a fringe have these, though the brows are just a single line. On the main banner, Luero's right eye is visible through several strands of his thick hair.
83* OddShapedPanel: There aren't usually outrageous shapes, but [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/405 here]] a series of three short, wide rectangular panels indicate zooming in/panning down.
84* OurElvesAreDifferent: Each different demographic of elf is defined by their ear design which is explained in the first panel of [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/388 this Q&A]] page. Their language is loosely based on one of the [[Creator/JRRTolkien Tolkien]] ones.
85* PinkMeansFeminine: For Myari, [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/610 along with hearts, swirls, flowers, and possibly a butterfly]].[[note]]Elon just wrote an essay.[[/note]]
86* PointyEars: See OurElvesAreDifferent.
87* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: As explained [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/390 here]], elves stop aging when they reach young adulthood; see LongLived above. Luero is 77 and looks like a well-toned man in his twenties.
88* RealPersonFic: An InUniverse example is [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/630 Elon's diary]], where he writes a story about Luero being defeated so he can become TheHero, [[ShirtlessScene rip his shirt off]], save the day, and [[WishFulFillment have a make-out session with Tanna and Zalanna]].
89* RebelliousPrincess: Tanna seems to think being genteel is overrated. [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/334 Luero comments on how she likes that role]], but Zalanna despairs at her.
90* RuleSixtyThree: An official version, no less! The last panel [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/388 here]] calls it by name and shows what Tanna and Luero would look like. Luero, naturally, does the stereotypical thing and gropes his newfound boobs.
91* ShipTease: Between Tanna and Rolan at the Taurëcuiva Festival. It's worse because of how they had a CrashIntoHello.
92* SiblingYinYang: Elon and Myari, oh so much. Elon is cautious and methodical where Myari is impulsive and excitable.
93* SpeechBubbles: Naturally, these get used throughout the whole webcomic; however, the ways their shape and layout can be used is shown excellently [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/572 here]].
94* SpeechBubblesInterruption:
95** Myari often does this, e.g. when cuts off Tanna in [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/230 this strip]]. It fits with her hyperactive personality.
96** An angry Tanna does this to Rolan [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/572 three times in one page]].
97* SplashOfColor: The only time color has been used in the main comic was for blood drips from a dark elf. They are spattered across the page, making it more ominous.
98* StaggeredZoom: Used [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/130 here]] to show Tanna's feelings of being worthless because she can't shoot well and her sadness about being alone.
99* StunnedSilence: After Tanna's rant at Rolan [[ThatCameOutWrong came out wrong]], the various Elven ladies are shocked into silence at the idea of her being pushed to the ground by a high-born male elf. This is indicated in the comic by the artist not drawing their mouths in the BeatPanel.
100* [[TrailOfBreadCrumbs Trail of Blood Drips]]: In [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/632 this page]] whilst Tanna and Rolan are hiding in the temple, an elf is brought in severely wounded. No blood is shown on the floor, but a trail of blood drips is splashed across the comic page between the broken-up panels.
101* {{Understatement}}: One is used in the author's comments. After a long and unexpected hiatus, the webcomic updated with a page proclaiming simply, "Soon". Naarie pointed out in her blurb beneath the image that there was a subtle hint to be found.
102* UnmovingPlaid: Happens in most strips with some kind of pattern, due to how the shading works. Particularly noticeable on some of the costumes from the [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/234 chapter 2 title page]].
103* WallOfText: Donn can be enthusiastic when explaining things, leading to walls of text for [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/117 justifying his actions]] when accused of following Tanna, or [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/532 giving detailed descriptions]] of berry prizes at a festival. Thankfully, most of those speeches are obscured by Donny himself.
104* WhatTheFuAreYouDoing: Elon? ''[[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/422 Seriously?]]'' [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/532 And did you teach that to Donn?]]
105* WideEyesAndShrunkenIrises: When Tanna [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/174 first sees Rolan]] (who is moving at high speed), her widened eyes, tiny irises, and high arched eyebrows indicate her surprise/shock. The black and white explosion-style background also shows suddenness.
106* YouDidntSeeThat: Used after Luero catches Tanna tresspassing in the temple. She saw an injured dark elf there, who was meant to be a secret. [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/679 Luero's words]] are likely for her own protection.
107-->'''Luero:''' Listen to me. Forget what you saw back there. Not a word. Not to anyone. This did not happen. Understand?
108-->'''Tanna:''' But-
109-->'''Luero:''' ''Understand?!!''
110-->'''Tanna:''' I... understand...
111

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