Line #92 Webcomic/RustyAndCo


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4	[[quoteright:346:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_rusty_7444.png]]
5	[[caption-width-right:346:Rusty, Mimic, and Cube]]
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7	->''"Okay, forget the lockpicks... Does anyone have HANDS?"''
8	-->-- '''Mimic'''
9
10	''[[http://rustyandco.com/ Rusty and Co.]]'' is a comedic fantasy RPGMechanicsVerse webcomic by Mike R., based on ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', about a [[MonsterAdventurers literally]] monstrous trio of adventurers. With the charismatic Mimic, absurdly cute rust monster Rusty, and the silent yet deadly Gelatinous Cube, the three set out in search of fame, fortune, and experience levels -- and every adventure, they ally themselves with an ActionGirl for at least part of the level. Difficulties that would be obstacles to more conventional adventurers of course pose no problem for these three, whereas other more usually simple endeavours create challenge. HilarityEnsues with a side of LampshadeHanging.
11
12	----
13	!!''Rusty and Co.'' provides examples of:
14
15	* TwoDVisualsThreeDEffects: The elder god in Level 6. As is usually the case in webcomics, [[PaintingTheMedium intentionally used to make it looks more otherworldly]].
16	* FourOneNineScam: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-25/ Calamitus falls for one]] hook, line, and sinker in a FourthWallMailSlot strip.
17	* AccidentalPervert: While Mimic was transformed into a stool, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-4/ Roxanne unwittingly sits on him]]. Although his "let me explain" spiel implies he ''was'' transformed into a stool so that [[ChivalrousPervert stuff like that could happen]], just that he didn't expect ''Roxy'' to sit on him.
18	* ActionGirl: It seems that each level has at least one, including [[TheLadette the Princess]], [[TheDitz Madeline Goodlaw]], [[OurElvesAreDifferent Roxanne Casbaugh]], [[MeaningfulName Prestige Perkins]], [[BladeEnthusiast Stabs Doogan]], Dorylis the Cleric, and [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting Tarta Moon-Shiner]].
19	* AddedAlliterativeAppeal: Level 5 [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-5/ has a good one]] (riffing on ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'').
20	-->'''Prestige:''' Prestige Perkins, practiced practitioner of practical prestidigitation, at your service.
21	* AirGuitar: Roxanne indulges in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-93/ "Air Lute!"]] to celebrate victory.
22	-->'''AltText:''' Air-Luting is only slightly less annoying than Air-Accordioning.
23	* AirQuotes: In [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-92/ Level 8: #92]], Mimic tries to do them, but can only do a pale imitation, due to not having hands. As Roxy points out in the last panel:
24	-->'''Roxy:''' ... Are you trying to do air-quotes?\
25	'''Mimic:''' I punctuate th' best I can, okay?
26	* AlienBlood: Trolls have green blood, as a [[BloodSport Gnomish baseball]] match amply demonstrates.
27	* AltText: From level 1:18 on. Some examples:
28	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-31/ Level 7: #31]]: Asking for permission takes up valuable aiming time.
29	* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Besides common skin-tones for humans and close-to-human races (dwarves tend to be darker and elves paler), many other coloration are possibles for other races (derros are blue, Y.T. the lamia and the siren are green, Schmetts the fairy is light purple...) or even for technically human characters, from various magic effects (like Malevolus who is purple-skinned, or Dorilys who's green).
30	* AmbiguousSyntax: During the "Critical Missives" session following Level 11:
31	-->'''Presti:''' But I like the options that focusing of my training gives me. Like using illusions to make my enemies waste their ambushes. Or escaping a golem [[PajamaCladHero in my pajamas.]]\
32	[...]\
33	'''Anti-Madeline:''' How'd a golem get in your pajamas?
34	* AncestralWeapon: The dwarf's quest is to recover one of these.
35	* AndThenWhat: During the Critical Missives between Level 6 and 7, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-28/ Calamitus asks Ezra]] what would she have done has she and her brother succeeded in destroying reality by summoning that obscure eldritch god. She plans on doing it again.
36	-->'''Calamitus:''' Won't you eventually run out of mind-destroying horrors that few have ever heard of?\
37	'''Ezra:''' Not as long as there's an Internet!
38	* {{Animesque}}: More and more along with the ArtEvolution.
39	* ArtEvolution: After the first chapter (or level, as it's called), the artwork becomes more streamlined. This gets lampshaded [[http://rustyandco.com/missives/critical-missives-6/ in a bonus strip]], with a ShoutOut to ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''.
40	* ArtShift: Pulled off due to the Belt of Genre Changing:
41	** [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-2-14/ Level 2.]]
42	** [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-45/ Level 10.]] This time, different genres are drawn by guest artists.
43	* AsideComment: Roxy, while looking straight at the audience:
44	-->'''Roxy:''' Something tells me Presti's not going to thank me for this rescue.
45	* AsideGlance: Multiple:
46	** Prestige, after seeing the capabilities of Stabs, in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-6/ Level 5: #6]]:
47	--->'''Prestige:''' I was just chased by brain-eating monster mobsters, and that was ''still'' the scariest thing I've seen all day.
48	** Mimic manages the exploit of doing an obvious one ''while lacking eyes'':
49	--->'''Madeline:''' Have you seen any monsters acting weird?\
50	''[beat panel]''\
51	'''Mimic:''' Yer gonna have t'be more specific than that.
52	* AssShove: A FunnyBackgroundEvent in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-4-8/ #4.8]]. Mimic disguises himself as one of the Pixie Chicks' speakers. [[spoiler:Roxy plugs her guitar into him.]]
53	* AttackAttackRetreatRetreat:
54	** A close variant in [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-1-31/ strip #31]]:
55	--->'''Princess & Mimic:''' Cross the bridge!!!\
56	'''Rusty:''' No cross!\
57	'''Princess & Mimic:''' Cross the bridge!!!\
58	'''Rusty:''' No cross!\
59	''[later]''\
60	'''Princess & Mimic:''' Don't cross the bridge! Don't cross the bridge!
61	** In Level 11, "Castle Life", when the besieged castle's denizens [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-57/ look for safety in the treasure room...]]
62	--->'''Dorilys:''' This is the safest place we can be right now. We really shouldn't leave, for any reason.\
63	''[rumble rumble]''\
64	'''Presti:''' EARTHQUAKE!\
65	'''Dorilys:''' Everybody get outside! Go! Go! Go!
66	* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: This is what results from Rusty getting hold of the Belt of Genre Changing.
67	-->'''Rusty: ''EAT TOKYO?'''''
68	* AttackOnTheHeart: Threatened by Grinner, in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-86/ Level 7: #86]]:
69	-->'''Grinner:''' Next one [[spoiler:who touches that magnet]] gets this knife through their heart!
70	* AudienceParticipation: Level 9, 10 and 11 have an overreaching plot involving the three main characters (Rusty, Mimic and Cube) choosing two companions each for a specific quest. Said choice is done through the readers voting for any characters from earlier in the comic (except for those aforementioned three and the Princess, who's been kidnapped) they fancy. Choices are guided either by who could be the most useful for said quests or who could provide the most entertainment (since the vote can include former villains too).
71	* BackAlleyDoctor: Dr. Grawlf will at least keep his patients alive, but they may find themselves minus 1 or 2 harvested organs.
72	* BadassBoast: Of the villainous variety:
73	-->'''Calamitus:''' Do you think mundane '''matter''' could best '''my''' formidable necromantic '''powers'''? I have '''transcended''' the limits of mere '''flesh''' and '''blood'''... and I will '''shatter''' your '''bodies''' and '''dance''' upon your '''entrails'''!
74	* BadassInANiceSuit: The illithid mobsters.
75	* BaitAndSwitch: At first, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-36/ it looks like the Royal Guards]] are out to get Mimic for revealing the secret behind Madeline getting her wings as a paladin. [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-37/ Turns out it's just to arrest Robespierre]] for roughly manhandling Calamitus three panels ago.
76	* BarBrawl: Madeline ends up starting one in her first appearance.
77	* BaseballEpisode: Level 8 is titled "Wait... is he seriously doing a baseball episode?" Sure enough, Robespierre, Mimic, Stabs and her cousins are getting roped into such a game in the arena, to the horror of the halflings (who were expecting good old GladiatorGames instead). However, it appears to be ''gnomish'' baseball... which, at a glance, is baseball mixed with both kinds of football and lots of gratuitous violence.
78	* BeatPanel: Plenty. Starting with [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/5/ page 5.]] For White Knight-Night Whight joke.
79	* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: {{Inverted\|Trope}}. All the female co-protagonists eventually happen to end up bloody, some from serious injuries.
80	* BeggarWithASignboard: In the beginning of Level 8, we see a down-on-his-luck Calamitus lying in a dark alley with a signboard reading "Will perform EVIL 4 gold!"
81	-->'''AltText:''' The court got Calamitus for practicing Necromancy without a license... took everything, even his material components.
82	* BeYourself: Mimic's advice to Dirk. Stabs comments on the irony of a mimic advising it.
83	* BigBallOfViolence: A violent brawl involving Princess, Stabs, Anti-Madeline and Mimic against Tarta over the Belt of Genre Changing produces a big cloud of dust [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-50/ toward the end of Level 10.]]
84	* BigEater:
85	** Rusty's solution to just about everything is "Eat <metal thing relevant to problem>?"
86	** Cube can eat a horse wholesale.
87	* BigLittleMan: Madeline {{the Paladin}} is hit by a spell meant to pull out the evil in her and materializes it as an EnemyWithout. [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-53/ Cue the apparition of a dark figure]] clad in armor and wielding a scythe, making a profanity-laden BadassBoast while flames rise behind her... and then the next panel reveals that Anti-Madeline is about two inches tall. Apparently, Madeline never had much evil in her to begin with (and she apologizes for this).
88	* BlahBlahBlah: Roxy answering a Critical Missive about freckles removal turns into a WallOfBlather ending in nothing but "blah"s.
89	* BlandNameProduct: Who doesn't want a can of Cloaker-Cola and some Gummi Behirs while listening to music on their Eye-pad and checking Feysbook using Druid?
90	* BlobMonster:
91	** Gelatinous Cube.
92	** The Gibbering Mouther.
93	** Level 11 reveals [[spoiler: that a giant ooze called Oozanka inhabits the whole of Princess's castle, using it as a shell.]]
94	* BloodSport: Gnomish baseball is a dangerous sport involving a spiked metal ball, buzzsaws, flame throwers, explosives and T-rexes. There are Clerics on stand-by, but their healing magic is limited for life-or-death injuries; otherwise, they'd use up their reserves in the first inning.
95	* BluffTheImpostor: In Level 11, [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-46/ Malevolus attempts this on Roxy]], who is impersonating the Princess [[spoiler:due to her disappearance]]. Knowing that the Princess prefers throwing him out of the throne room with her own two hands, Malevolus calls off the guards Roxy sent to escort him out by mentioning this fact and waiting "the Princess's" response to this unforseen bit of unofficial routine.
96	* BodyBridge: Mimic uses Y.T.'s stretched body to [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-32/ cross a chasm over lava.]] Y.T. is particularly upset about this, as she just told Mimic, "[[LiteralMetaphor Don't cross me.]]"
97	* BrainBleach:
98	** Mimic's reaction to seeing that the Princess is [[BoyMeetsGhoul in love with a wight]].
99	--->'''Mimic:''' Hahaha! OK! Goal: achieved! Also... brain: scarred! Last one to the bar buys the beer! [[INeedAFreakingDrink Lots and lots of beer]].
100	** However, as revealed in one of the bonus strips, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-19/ there is a reason she preferred the undead version of him]].
101	* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: From Plaidbeard, in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-18/ Level 2: #18]]:
102	-->'''Plaidbeard:''' ...razzafrazzin' heroes...\
103	...razzafrazzin' mimics...\
104	...razzafrazzin' mimic heroes...
105	* BrickJoke: Multiple:
106	** The dwarf from level 1, who gives the first quest, is killed by Gelatinous Cube, gets better, [[spoiler:and is killed again by Cube]] is seen at the very end of level 4, in the aftermath of the BigBad battle. It's never explained how [[spoiler:he got better a second time...]]
107	** Madeline purchased a "magic" hoe from a gnome. On Level 5, that guy tries to sell more cutlery.
108	** Madeline [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-17/ finds a hay fork]] and thinks that it's a [[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#tridentofWarning Trident of Warning]]. 10 months later [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-60/ she turns out to be right]] -- it detects piranhas.
109	** Presti makes up a riddle to [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-2/ enter Stabitha's bar]] at the beginning of an arc. At the end, Slobber [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-190/ fetches]] an answer!
110	** At the beginning of Level 11, [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-5/ Prestige asks if someone can conjure up a bagel]]. [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-76/ At the end,]] [[spoiler:Oozanka delivers (although Presti isn't too pleased by that...).]]
111	* BrownBagMask: Presumably due to previous legal issues, the illithid mafia wear these on their heads in all subsequent appearances.
112	* ByTheLightsOfTheirEyes: In the cave with Stabs.
113	* CalvinBall: The rules to Gnomish Baseball are unclear at best. It seems to be principally baseball with elements of soccer. Oh, and it's deadly enough that clerics with resurrection spells are kept on hand.
114	* CaptainColorbeard: Plaidbeard, the dwarven pirate.
115	* CardiovascularLove: From [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-77/ Level 7: #77]], Slobber's new-found love of cotton candy, is represented by cotton candy {{Heart Symbol}}s.
116	* CatchingSomeZs: From [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-45/ Level 7: #45]], a string of [=Zs=] implies a ForcedSleep spell has been cast on someone.
117	* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Mimic started out with a [[UsefulNotes/AmericanAccents Noo Yawk accent]] that got dropped after a while.
118	* ChekhovsGun: Or Chekhov's Badger Launcher in that case; introduced along with Presti in the beginning of Level 5. At the end of it, in "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-35/ Level 5: #35]]", [[spoiler:she uses it to kill V'innie]].
119	* ChekhovsGunman: The barbarian ("Robespierre [[HulkSpeak SMASH!]]") reappears.
120	* {{Cliffhanger}}: Level 6.
121	* CloneDegeneration: In the FourthWallMailSlot, Calamitus says that the person who cloned him was wasting their money, because clones are never as sharp as the original.
122	* ClothingDamage:
123	** Ezra can regenerate wounds, but not her clothes, which get more and more busted as the fight goes on.
124	--->'''Ezra:''' That dress was ''vintage''.
125	** Similarly, Madeline's armor and gloves are badly damaged by the end of Level 6.
126	* ConfusedQuestionMark: Multiple uses:
127	** From "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-32/ Level 5: #32]]": In Plaidbeard's {{speech bubble}}, after an ellipse, when he's confused by a strange blue glow.
128	** From "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-2/ Level 8: #2]]": Question marks are in Slobber's speech bubbles when he's stumped by Presti's riddle.
129	* ComicallyIneptHealing: The gnoll cleric, with his construction tool implements.
130	* CondemnedContestant: At the start of level 8, Robespierre is charged with numerous counts of Aggressive Trespassery and first-degree Grievous Bodily Harmage. His attorney, however, suggest that instead of his sentence he could participate in [[GladiatorGames the Games]]... which happens to be a [[BaseballEpisode Gnomish Baseball]] tournament. Robespierre, however, delights in violence and is quite happy with the proposition.
131	* ConMan: Or con gnome, to be precise. This is how Madeline got her hoe, which she originally thought was magic.
132	* ConvectionSchmonvection: [[spoiler:Madeline]] manages to survive crawling out of a lava pit, and Grinner {{Lampshade}}s the fact that she still should have been killed by convection.
133	* ConvenientQuesting: Mimic explains to Madeline that you follow the closest lead.
134	%%* CoolHorse: Parodied.
135	* CrackInTheSky: A magical artifact is jury-rigged to weaken the fabric of existence enough for an EldritchAbomination to break in, which [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-56/ it does]] through a jagged, blindingly white rift in the night sky. [[spoiler:The effect reverses when the artifact is [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-59/ neutralized.]]]]
136	-->'''UnsoundEffect:''' ''Deus ex machina!''
137	* CraniumChase: Ezra is decapitated three times by Madeline, each time putting back her head on her shoulders (though after a StaircaseTumble for the third). Then again by Cube, who counters her regeneration by [[HeadTurnedBackwards putting it backwards]].
138	* CrazyPrepared: [[spoiler:Grinner]] in Levels 6 and 7. Very little seems to get past him.
139	* {{Crossover}}: "Hotel Califormian" has [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-13/ a cameo from the gang]] of another RPGMechanicsVerse webcomic, ''Webcomic/TheHandbookOfHeroes''. Later reciprocated on said comic with [[https://www.handbookofheroes.com/archives/comic/rusty-and-co-crossover-part-1-5 a five-part crossover.]]
140	* CurbstompBattle: [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-55/ The result of any fight]] between the Princess and Stabs would be a completely one-sided beat down of the latter. It's doubtful ''anyone'' can take her in a straight fight, hence why her enemies have been resorting to over the top ways of trying to eliminate her.
141	* CurseCutShort: By a [[SpeechBubblesInterruption well-placed]] WrittenSoundEffect.
142	-->'''Handsome D'an:''' I don't care! Shoot them up their ''<DING>''
143	* CuteMonsterGirl:
144	** Y.T. the lamia.
145	** "Ezra" the vampire.
146	* DameWithACase: Chapter 10 shifts the story genre into Noir, with Mimic playing the role of the hardboiled detective. His client is a woman who identifies herself as Tarta Moon-Shiner. Being genre savy, Mimic expects things to go badly and refuses to help. Eventually she manages to guilt him into going along.
147	* DarkestHour: The end of Level 6. [[spoiler:The Grinner has just completely defeated the group, leaving Madeline near death, Rusty desperately running away with her, and Mimic and Cube captured.]]
148	* DeathByIrony: Lampshaded and subverted in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-57/ this strip]], where a summoner is almost killed by their summon, which they intended to use to destroy the world.
149	-->'''Ezra:''' Boy, getting killed there would've been ''really'' [also underlined] ironic!
150	* DeathGlare:
151	** Madeline gives a magnificent one [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-79/ against Grinner]], finally triggering a reaction ''other'' than SmugSnake.
152	** Cube manages one not long after Madeline, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-88/ especially impressive since Cube doesn't have eyes or even a face]].
153	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-69/ Dorilys wears one that manages to make her look dangerous while]] [[ImprovisedWeapon brandishing a feather]].
154	* DeadlyDodging: Well, a rather indirect case, but while [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-87/ fighting Grinner]] in level 7, Mimic dodges the gnoll's thrust by turning into a fence, resulting in the blade cutting the rope that was holding Cube prisoner on the ceiling. That certainly ends up deadly for Grinner not long after.
155	-->'''Mimic:''' I might be a li'l better tha' you a' fencing.
156	* DeathIsCheap: In "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-19/ Critical Missives #19]]", its aversion is explained:
157	-->'''Princess:''' First: It takes a while to get the components and find a capable and willing caster.\
158	Second: Not everyone wants to come back. Either they're happy in their afterlife, or the trauma of dying and returning over and over finally gets to them.\
159	And third: Not everyone CAN come back, due to how long they've been dead, divine intervention, some sort of curse, or any of a dozen other reasons.
160	* DelayedReaction: Roxanne doesn't tick immediately when Rusty announces his intent to eat flowers, but after a {{beat}} she realizes how weird it is since rust monsters aren't herbivore. [[spoiler:The flowers are made of gold.]]
161	* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Rusty's eating habits assist an elder god ''out''.
162	* DispelMagic: A wand of ''dispel magic'' (with the command word "Slough") is used by D. D. Burnum (the Derro Ringmaster) to dispel Presti's magical disguise. The wand is later appropriated by Stabs, who uses it against a ''darkness'' spell cast by Malevolus.
163	* TheDon: Don Polpo
164	* DoubleEntendre: Rusty's "Eat hoe?" on seeing Madeline leads to Mimic concluding that the comic will [[LampshadeHanging never pass muster]] [[BreakingTheFourthWall with the Comics Code Authority]].
165	* DoubleMeaningTitle: Level 11 is titled "Castle Life". It is quite straightforward at the beginning, showing the lives of the inhabitants of the Princess's castle. It gets a double meaning, however, once [[spoiler:the whole castle comes to life as a golem. And a ''triple'' meaning when it's revealed it hosts a giant ooze from the beginning]].
166	* TheDragon:
167	** Cleave-Hand, for Grinner.
168	** V'innie, for Don Polpo.
169	* DressingAsTheEnemy: Inverted. A lot of the circus goons disguise themselves as Stabs as part of the plan, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-55/ but then Stabs herself infiltrates them]]. [[spoiler:Except Grinner anticipated that too.]]
170	* EarAche:
171	** When Presti and Roxy are reluctant to go to Mimic and Cube's rescue, Madeline proves quite convincing, notably by grabbing Roxanne's long elven ear.
172	** Madeline tries this again in Level 9 on Y.T. the lamia, who'd rather lounge than help, but the paladin gets more than she bargained for when she apparently rips the ear off. Fortunately, Y.T. is a [[SnakePeople snakewoman]] and she is shedding, so it's just dead skin.
173	* EarWorm: The song that [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-8/ Mimic sings in the tavern]] to defuse a brewing fight between Stabs and Robespierre has to be catchy, because two panels later the Viscount is seen absentmindedly humming a rhyme of it.
174	* EldritchAbomination: According to Zar the Psion, they pass through harmlessly all the time, but lately, the fabric of reality has been getting frayed, which is making them start to become a serious threat. The elder god the vampire hipsters summon is the first one seen. The Viscount arranges for the summoning of another one.
175	* EnemyMine: With Y.T. in the sixth level.
176	* EnemyWithout: Subverted to hilarious effect when [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Madeline the Paladin]] gets zapped by an artifact that draws out her evil side, Anti-Madeline -- who turns out to be about two inches tall.
177	* EvilGloating: Calamitus has a nasty tendency to get caught up in this, allowing the good guys to surprise him.
178	* ExplainExplainOhCrap: Robespierre has such a moment during the Gnomish baseball match, when he realize there might be [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-37/ a problem with Mimic hitting the ball.]]
179	-->'''Robespierre:''' Even grounder will allow whiny halfling to advance to scoring position. All talky box must is keep eye on... Oh.
180	* EyePoke: Prestige Perkins tries this on the Illithid door-keeper Handsome D'an, who has enough good sense to step back. Too bad she still uses the extended fingers to cast ''Melf's acid arrow'' right in his face.
181	* EyesOutOfSight: The Pixie Chicks' bangs hide their eyes. Used to great effect to hide the fact that one of them [[spoiler:is really Roxanne.]]
182	* FacePalm:
183	** Mimic, being a ChestMonster, has neither face nor palm. [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-14/ That doesn't stop him, though.]] Then again, when you're teaming up with a [[TheDitz ditz]] {{paladin}} who can be fooled by a tentacle puppet....
184	** The male hipster vampire also does it while scrying on his sister making a fool of herself.
185	** And Y.T. after Mimic breaks the bottle holding a fairy.
186	** Derek does a two-fingers-and-thumb-around-the-nose gesture after asking Dorilys to stop hurting his patient, and she just drops Mimic to the floor.
187	** [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-12-6/ Derek takes the same pose in the background]] while the just-returned Princess is busy dislocating Malevolus's arm.
188	* FacePlant: Dealing with Rob the Hammer gets this, followed by [[spoiler:his hammer falling on his head]].
189	* FairyInABottle: Schmetts, who also happens to be a HardDrinkingPartyGirl -- a.k.a. "bottle fairy".
190	* FamilyThemeNaming: The Doogan family, for knives: Stabitha, a.k.a "Stabs"; then there's her cousins, Dirk and Kris.
191	* FantasticFirearms: The wizard Prestige Perkins {{MacGyver\|ing}}s a [[RockOfLimitlessWater Decanter of Endless Water]], a [[SummonMagic Bag of Tricks]], a funnel, and some Sovereign Glue into a water-powered [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-5/ badger-launcher.]] By Level 7, she's [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-29/ refined]] the concept into a rhino bazooka.
192	* FetchQuest: Dorilys with paperwork for the games.
193	* FingerMuzzle: Y.T. the lamia silences Madeline the Paladin as TheDitz starts blurting out the very reason of their mission. Although she doesn't uses her finger for this, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-7 but the tip of her snake tail.]]
194	* FingerPokeOfDoom:
195	** Subverted (in a literal sense) with a magic spell.
196	--->'''Calamitus:''' Well, that's the good thing about magic. ''[[[{{beat}} ...]]]'' [[{{Pun}} It's handy]].
197	** And again by Prestige. It's not the finger that's deadly, it's the ''Melf's acid arrow'' being emitted by it.
198	* FlatWhat: Typically in the form of "...really."
199	* FlawExploitation: Multiple:
200	** Roxy against Dinkum -- gives him a check that will clear in a few days IF she survives, to ensure he wants her to.
201	** Used against the vampires, both to break a dominate and to get around regeneration powers.
202	* ForgotToMindTheirHead: With [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-2-1/ Madeline's first appearance]], she spots what she believes to be a treasure chest under a table, and reach for it. Except it happens to be Mimic and when Mady finds herself grasping his lip, she hits her head under the table from surprise.
203	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
204	** Zar the Psion expresses confidence ''most'' of the crew will return from [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-17/ their adventure]] alive. [[spoiler:Madeline performs a HeroicSacrifice and ends up needing a Raise Dead.]]
205	** What's the point of [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-3/ poisoning the ballista]] you are shooting at a castle wall? Castles can't get poisoned can they? [[spoiler:Turns out the castle is a unique type of monster made of slime and stone, using the stone as an exoskeleton.]]
206	* FourthWallMailSlot: ''Critical Missives'' in-between chapters.
207	* AFriendInNeed: Madeline goes looking for a rope to help Rusty.
208	* FrivolousSummoning: Discussed in Level 9's "Critical Missives", where Derek discusses about the ethics of scrying and why people with the gift of a {{Seer\|s}} need to avoid abusing their powers, with the next panel showing a girl accidentally summoning an EldritchAbomination because she wanted to know whether or not she passed an exam.
209	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Multiple:
210	** In Level 2, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-5/ the Land Pirate ship]] can be seen launching a literal plot-hook at Mimic. The AltText {{lampshades}} this.
211	** While Princess talks privately to Cube in Level 4, an elf in the background is trying to [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-4-8/ plug her guitar into an amp]]. HilarityEnsues[[Invoked]]. [[spoiler:Even more HilariousInHindsight when you realize this is Roxy, meaning she's accidentally gotten Mimic back for the stump trick.]]
212	** In Level 7, as Madeline and Roxanne converses, Stabs is swarmed by multicolored fey butterflies. In a later panel, Stabs is singed and smoking from the spell Prestige used to get rid of the swarm, and the wizard is smiling sheepishly.
213	* GenreRoulette: With an item called the Belt of Genre Changing... you can guess what happens.
214	* GenreSavvy: It's a [=RPG-verse=]. They're savvy. Not only can they read the rules, Mimic explains ConvenientQuesting to Madeline.
215	* GiantSquid: [[spoiler:There's a [[KrakenAndLeviathan kraken]] in the moat of the two vampire hipsters. And he [[BunnyEarsLawyer wears puppets on his tentacles.]]]]
216	* GivingThemTheStrip: Played with in Level 9. It's established early on that Y.T. the Lamia is shedding. So, when she's restrained by a pair of Formian enforcers, she escapes them by [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-25/ shedding the skin of her arms]].
217	* {{Golem}}: Calamitus's giant metal golem.
218	-->'''Rusty:''' Eat statue ''Eat statue'' '''Eat statue''' Eat statue ''Eat statue''???
219	* GoodAngelBadAngel: PlayedForLaughs...
220	** The Mimic's shoulder... er... corner devil (judging by her resemblance to [[RebelliousPrincess the Princess]] and the "Anarchy" sign) and angel (looking like [[TheDitz Madeline the Paladin]]) are [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-3-15/ disagreeing]]... on how to phrase exactly the same course of action -- ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer.
221	** Again, when Anti-Madeline advises Malevolus from his shoulder, he wishes for the other one -- and gets the Bottle Fairy barfing on his other shoulder.
222	* HeadTurnedBackwards: After demonstrating that having Ezra's head lopped off isn't going to stop her, Cube counters this by letting it fall backwards on her neck, and her regeneration power immediately glues it in position, putting a serious damper on her combat capability. Until her brother turn said head the right way, in a move that would be a NeckSnap if they weren't undead.
223	-->'''Koenig:''' Keep your head straight, dear sister.\
224	'''Ezra:''' [-I'm never drinking from a twist-off bottle again.-]
225	* HeroicSecondWind: [[spoiler:The Grinner]] [[DefiedTrope mocks]] [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-86/ this concept after]] [[spoiler:kicking away Mimic after the gnoll had just killed Madeline]]. [[spoiler:He then tries to stab him, but ends up accidentally cutting the rope holding Cube prisoner after Mimic turns into a chair to dodge impalement.]]
226	* HighClassGlass: Card Shark the Derro sports one.
227	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Hortzak {{No Sell}}s the direct effect of Anti-Madeline's flamethrower, but it still ignites the dynamite he is carrying on him.
228	* HulkSpeak: Krog; Robespierre
229	* HurricaneOfAphorisms: The philosophical zombie.
230	* HurricaneOfPuns: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-5/ At the beginning]] of Level 7:
231	-->'''Stabs:''' If we go through the Creator/EdWood, there's a 60% chance of zombies.\
232	Detour through the Creator/ElijahWood? 70% chance [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings of orcs]].\
233	The Frankie Valley? 90% chance of Film/{{grease}}.\
234	Don't even ask about the Creator/RiverPhoenix.\
235	'''AltText:''' The Creator/NatalieWood is very pleasant, but it was in the wrong direction.
236	* HybridOverkillAvoidance: Offered as advice in the Critical Missives.
237	* IdeaBulb: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-49/ A light bulb with Mimic's lips on it]] is used to illustrate the troll captain coming to the understanding that the ball he's holding, and that require alcohol to dissolve the mimic glue on it, might be the mimic in their opposing sport team. Yes, trolls are slow on the uptake.
238	* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: "Level" chapters.
239	* ImpaledPalm:
240	** Stabs to a Derro.
241	--->'''Card Shark:''' Ma'am, I believe pinning your opponent through the ''sleeve'' is more traditional.\
242	'''Stabs: Do you have any idea what kind of day I'm having!?'''
243	** Madeline stabs a girallon through the palm with her pitchfork to perform a throw.
244	** Cube stabs Grinner with Maddie's borrowed pitchfork through the palm just as the gnoll is trying to gloat.
245	** And just afterwards, Stabs throw a knife through [[spoiler:Grinner's hand... just as he's holding a lit stick of dynamite. That really ruins his day.]]
246	* INeedAFreakingDrink: This is Robespierre's reaction to learning that [[spoiler:he's part of the group embarked in a mission to save multiple universes]].
247	-->'''Robespierre:''' Robespierre is going to drink away his retirement fund.
248	* InkblotCartoonStyle: Madeline [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-16/ yelling for the battle to stop]] because Plaidbeard and Mimic struggling for the Belt of Genre Changing could "destroy all of Creation".
249	%% [=IncrediblyLamePun=] redirects to Pun.
250	* InstantlyProvenWrong:
251	** When entering an exclusive neighborhood [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-15/ that forbids]] adventuring parties, Stabitha insists that she arrived alone. Cue Mimic, Tarta and Anti-Madeline entering from behind and landing on top of her.
252	** Dorilys seriously misjudges Blood Bath the Derro strongman [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-38/ when facing him in the treasure room.]] "As long as he's using that chest for cover, he's stuck in one place--" Cue legs bursting out of the bottom of the chest, and Blood Bath bull-rushing Dorilys hard enough to bend her shield.
253	** At the start of Level 12, Malevolus is uncharacteristically bold before his cousin the "Princess", knowing she isn't the real deal but Roxy in disguise to cover for the ruler's disappearance. He even allows himself a sarcastic remark, "You're the only princess we have!", not realizing that the true Princess just walked [[RightBehindMe right behind him]].
254	* InsultFriendlyFire: Mimic accidentally does this to Gelatinous Cube when he sees another cube.
255	-->'''Rusty:''' Awkwaaaaard.
256	* InterfaceSpoiler: Averted in Level 10. [[spoiler:When the party changes the genre to [[FourthWallMailSlot Critical Missives]], the [=URL=] for the three following strips matches that of a usual Critical Missive section rather than that of the rest of the chapter, which would make it obvious that it's a re-genre to flush out Tarta]].
257	* JumpingOutOfACake: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-147/ Anti-Madeline jumps out of a cake]] destined to Malevolus. This isn't done for fanservice, though, but as a variant of JailBake. Also, since she's so small it's not a giant cake but a normal-sized one.
258	* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: A troll barges into the hospital to settle scores with a patient.
259	* KingKongClimb: Plaidbeard's [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-2-14/ very first use of the Belt of Genre Changing]] is to turn into a plaid giant gorilla on top of a building, carrying Madeline in his hand and with Mimic transformed into a biplane.
260	* KirbyDots:
261	** Trails of interlocked dots accompany [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-53/ the creation of Anti-Madeline.]]
262	** Also seen around the amplifier when about to tear up reality.
263	* KnightInShiningArmor: The wight in the forest claims he used to be one.
264	* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Just as they have Roxanne and Rusty cornered, when [[spoiler:the Princess]] enters the fray, the derro, upon checking their dossier, walk away. ([[spoiler:The Princess was marked "Do Not Engage", "Extremely Dangerous" and "[[DontAskJustRun Run.]]"]]) Slobber doesn't though, [[spoiler:and it turns out Roxanne was impersonating the Princess after running off while asking Rusty to keep the big pug busy]].
265	* LastSecondWordSwap: Malevolus is about to have a "You shall not pass" moment, then he looks at the adversaries and does the math.
266	-->'''Malevolus:''' ... And if you want to reach the Inner Sanctum, you'll need to go...\
267	... through... ''[looks at Rusty, then Cube, then thinks about what happens when the both of them go ''through'' him]''\
268	... that tunnel there, then hang a right, then the next right, then straight on to the big doors.
269	* LavaIsBoilingKoolAid: Much of level 7 is around lava like this. ''D&D'' rules take the blame.
270	* LiteralMetaphor:
271	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-32/ At the beginning of a Level 6 strip]], Y.T. warns Mimic: "Don't [[SssssnakeTalk crossss]] me." At the end of the strip, Mimic does exactly that (using Y.T.'s stretched body to cross a chasm); the lamia ain't happy about it.
272	--->'''Y.T.:''' Whu'd I ''jusst'' sssay, hah?
273	** During the Gnomish Baseball game, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-45/ when Dirk says that Robespierre won a face-off in the third inning]], he means it quite literally, as we see the barbarian holding the ripped-off face of one of their troll opponents.
274	** Level 10: After Stabs says she got a lead on where to find the Black Market, she warns Tarta that she doesn't think she'll fit in. The dwarf woman is offended, until she realizes Stabs is talking about a halfling-sized secret passage, that she indeed doesn't fit in.
275	** Upon finding said Black Market...
276	--->'''Anti-Madeline:''' Guys, this is Hortzak. He's a dynamite guy.\
277	'''Mimic:''' Er, how d'ya know him?\
278	'''Anti-Madeline:''' I just ''told'' you, I get my dynamite from him.
279	* LuminescentBlush:
280	** Happens to Gelatinous Cube in chapter 2. He turns red when Madeline introduces herself to the team.
281	--->'''Madeline:''' Wasn't he green a moment ago?\
282	'''Mimic:''' Okay, seriously, ya gotta stop stickin' your hand in strangers.
283	** Also to Madeline herself, every time she mentions Derek the Cleric. When she's actually facing him, the blush spread to her whole face.
284	** Rusty gets one after he [[PowerPerversionPotential eats Roxanne's underwire]].
285	* TheMafia: Complete with illithid (mind flayer) members.
286	* MajorGeneralSong: An [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/intermission/ intermission]] sung by Roxy the bard is based on the Major General Song. This version is ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''-inspired, along with references to other fantasy settings.
287	* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-32/ "Ma'am, I believe pinning your opponent though the sleeve is more traditional"]]
288	* MatchlightDangerRevelation: In "Castle Life", [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-23/ Presti goes down a cellar full of magical darkness]] while a mysterious voice tries to scare her by whispering. She doesn't let it impress her and cast a ''light'' spell... revealing that she's surrounded by four lava golems. [[spoiler:Subverted in that Presti didn't go down herself but instead sent an illusion.]]
289	* MatterOfLifeAndDeath: Clerics can only use healing power for this during gnomish baseball, because otherwise they'd run out.
290	* MetronomicManMashing: Well, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-89/ Gnoll-mashing.]] Cube of all beings does it to Grinner, with the help of Madeline's pitchfork impaled through the gnoll's hand. Rusty, Roxy and Presti are tremendously enjoying the show.
291	* ModestyShorts: Madeline is sensibly [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-10/ wearing]] (anachronistic) biker shorts under her leather skirt in her first appearance. (In the second, she's wearing winter clothes, making the matter moot.)
292	* AMoltenDateWithDeath: [[spoiler:Grinner]] gets [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-92/ punted]] off a cliff into a river of lava with a live stick of dynamite [[ImpaledPalm pinned]] to his hand. It's unclear whether the explosion or the lava bath finishes him off, but [[spoiler:the explosion ''does'' throw his severed hand clear of the lava, threatening the possibility that he'll be [[BackFromTheDead resurrected]] from it.]]
293	* MonsterAdventurers: The whole starting concept of the webcomic.
294	* MonsterInTheMoat: The vampires in Level 6 have recruited lots of monstrous minions to guard their castle, [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-17/ including]] a {{Kraken\|AndLeviathan}} in the moat. However, it's [[ItCanThink intelligent]] and unhappy to be stuck there, so it decides to let the heroes in.
295	-->'''Kraken:''' I mean, does this look right to you? It's not even a saltwater moat! ''[sniffle]''
296	* MonstrousMandibles: An ant-folk HiveQueen who was corrupted by an ArtifactOfDoom wears a concealing scarf when she's [[FauxAffablyEvil feigning affability]], but takes it off to [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-26/ reveal]] jagged mouthparts with large mandibles when she gives the order for a character to be killed. Her [[PunchClockVillain subordinates]] only have small mandibles or none at all.
297	* MooksAteMyEquipment: As a rust monster, Rusty can almost instantly eat any metal item, which he exploits for feats like eating an enemy's weapon mid-swing and munching the life out of Calamitus' giant metal {{Golem}}.
298	* MotiveMisidentification: Mimic initially thinks that [[spoiler:Tarta]] is making an attempt at AvengingTheVillain regarding her father's disappearance and possible death. Turns out she doesn't give a damn about him, she just wants {{Revenge}} for destroying her inheritance.
299	* MusicalThemeNaming: Also ShoutOutThemeNaming. The Derro minions are named Steak Knife, Card Shark, Con Job, and Boot Cut, which is a Music/RedHotChiliPeppers reference (specifically the song "By the Way").
300	* TheNeedForMead: Ye Olde Proverbial Hook is a repeating location.
301	* NoirEpisode: Has one in [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-1/ Chapter 10 — Speakeasies & Sea Monsters]], when someone uses the [[RealityWarper Belt of Genre Change]] to change the genre to noir, turning Mimic from monster adventurer to private detective.
302	* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Despite [[spoiler:falling in lava]], Madeline manages to [[spoiler:swipe Mimic from Grinner's hands, who was holding him hostage,]] from behind him before engaging [[spoiler:the gnoll]] in battle. [[spoiler:[[AvertedTrope A shit-ton of dynamite do her in, though]].]]
303	* TheNoseKnows:
304	** When the Princess defends her smoking, Mimic points out that monsters hunt through smell.
305	** [[{{Halfling}} Stabs]] can recognize that Prestige is a cop by smell alone.
306	** The guards to the Inner Sanctum of the Tentacallis Dungeon are grimlocks, who are blind and hunt through smell.
307	** And Madeline can smell ''CharacterAlignment[[invoked]]''.
308	* ObliviousToLove: Derek the Cleric doesn't seem to realize the meaning of Madeline's LuminescentBlush when she's facing him, mistaking it for a medical condition.
309	* OddShapedPanel:
310	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-37/ Losing]] and [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-38/ regaining]] consciousness has the panel replaced by a few thin rectangles, not vertical, and losing -- or regaining -- size.
311	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-43/ Three simultaneous events shown by having a rectangle with two diagonal bars breaking it into the central act and two reactions to it.]]
312	* OffscreenCrash:
313	-->'''Mimic:''' Boris Vallejo ain't gonna paint ''that''.\
314	'''Roxanne:''' Exit [[spoiler:Grinner]], stage [[VillainExitStageRight right]]... er... ''[[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe and]]'' stage left.
315	* OhCrap:
316	** When Presti accidentally bursts into [[spoiler:Don Polpo's dining room]].
317	** Presti again, when [[spoiler:she sees the Magic Missile built by the Tentacallis.]]
318	* OhMyGods: Literally used by [[spoiler:Prestige Perkins after Mimic and Cube save her]].
319	* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: Used for the signs, most notably the "Ye Olde Proverbial Hook Inn".
320	* OnlyOneName: Averted for Madeline, as Zar's psychic ability in strip 7-16 addresses each character by their last name (if not previously revealed). The paladin's name is Madeline ''Goodlaw''. (Rusty doesn't have a last name, so Zar tries to formalize it to "Mr. Russell".)
321	* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: Zar tells Madeline that the pitchfork is this. In reality, its magical powers apparently derive from Madeline's belief in them.
322	* OnlyTheKnowledgableMayPass: As mentioned in "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-2/ Level 8: #2]]": when Slobber is the bouncer for "The Proverbial Hook":
323	-->'''Slobber:''' I can only let in folks who ask me a riddle I can't answer!
324	* OurAngelsAreDifferent: The comic has had both little cherubs blowing trumpets when Madeline uses her HealingHands, and a giantess angel answering a cleric's SummonMagic.
325	* OurElvesAreDifferent: Roxanne the bard ally is an elf, as well as the musicians-for-hire Pixie Chicks and gnomish baseball captain Rue Lily.
326	* OurGryphonsAreDifferent: They're quite friendly to their fellow monsters.
327	* OutsideInsideSlur: Rue Lily, a snotty elf, calls Roxanne (also an elf, but who was reared by humans) a "pilinyarro". Roxy describes it as elvish slang for porcupine, meaning "pointy on top, but round underneath", while gesturing at her own PointyEars.
328	* PaperThinDisguise:
329	** The Princess uses this. [[spoiler:She really should take off her hat first.]]
330	** Used again by Prestige. [[spoiler:It's her ability to fake an illithid's ''smell'' that helps pull this off.]]
331	* ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish: Invoked [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-18/ here]] when Stabs and Mimic are able to instantly guess that the password to enter the Black Market is "Swordfish". Helps that an actual swordfish person was standing next to them.
332	* PieInTheFace:
333	** From a bugbear channeling [[Series/TheMuppetShow Fozzie Bear]] in Level 6.
334	** Later, in Level 7, Mimic gets a "right-side-up cake" in the... box from Madeline fumbling.
335	** [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-40/ Myrmarch Antropas gets a pie in the face from Y.T.]] right after angrily yelling "[[TemptingFate ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVOKE US?]]"
336	* {{Pirate}}s: Plaidbeard and his crew. Played as a comical type 1.
337	* PlagiarismInFiction: Artificers "borrow" media [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-29/ from other dimensions]], hence why the characters know about things like ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' even outside the FourthWallMailSlot.
338	* PointThatSomewhereElse: Plaidbeard to Madeline's hoe.
339	* PostClimaxConfrontation: After the vampires in level 6, a new enemy attack.
340	* PowerPerversionPotential:
341	** Mimic [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level3/level-3-title/ is not above abusing his]] VoluntaryShapeshifting for personal benefit.
342	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-3-4/ Nor is Rusty]] his metal-eating capacity.
343	** Both instances [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level3/level-3-21/ backfire on them]] '''spectacularly'''.
344	* PreMortemOneLiner: From "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-35/ Level 5: #35]]": Prestige saying "Buon Appetito." to V'innie [[spoiler:just before making him eat a badger at point blank]].
345	* PrincessesRule: The Princess seems to be the sovereign of whatever kingdom the comics is set in. We never see a King or Queen, and assassins tend to target her when someone wants to have a shot at the throne.
346	* PromptingNudge: Madeline is quite often tongue-tied around Derek the Cleric, mostly because of her obvious crush on him. Mimic finally convinces her to talk to him about her ResurrectionSickness, but only after a good nudge do the words come out of her mouth.
347	* PropheciesRhymeAllTheTime: Madeline's quest hooks, courtesy of Derek the Cleric.
348	-->'''Mimic:''' Am I on Creator/DrSeuss's Series/CandidCamera?
349	* PropheciesAreAlwaysRight: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-16/ Zar's advice]] naturally comes in handy later on during the party's mission to rescue Cube and Mimic.
350	-->'''Zar:''' Miss Casbaugh: A word in the right ear does wonders. Miss Goodlaw: We learn little from victory, but much from defeat. Mister... Russell [Rusty]: Don't get lead by the nose. Miss Perkins: Go for the jugular. Miss Doogan: Remember your magic words.\
351	'''Perkins:''' Um, I think you mixed--\
352	'''Zar:''' No, I didn't.
353	** Later on, Presti ''does'' go for the jugular [[spoiler:(actually [[ItMakesSenseInContext "juggler"]])]] when she and Stabs get cornered.
354	** Stabs uses her magic words, [[spoiler:which is "bribe" for halflings like her, on one of Burnum's goons) and gets Cube's location]].
355	** Roxanne, after [[spoiler:getting stabbed by Grinner]], whispers a word, in which her enemy leans over to catch what she was trying to say. And then she shouts a word [[spoiler:(GOODBYE)]] into his right ear, [[spoiler:greatly disorienting him [[ChekhovsSkill with the ''shout'' spell she learned from Presti earlier in the Level]] as a result to buy some time to get Presti free]].
356	** Rusty was not to get lead by the nose [[spoiler:of Burnum's cannon. Rather, he gets the (lead) cannonball from its back]], thus saving Roxanne [[spoiler:from getting blasted while squaring off against Slobber and the cotton candy elemental holding Prestige inside it.]]
357	** Madeline... [[spoiler:does land in a situation where da feet reveal something. Whether that's all of the prophecy remains to be seen]].
358	* PullingThemselvesTogether: The vampires do this, though you can mix it up for them.
359	* {{Pun}}: Multiple:
360	** Rampant in both the AltText and the comic itself. Naturally, this filters into the comments section.
361	** The wight in the forest pulls a horrible one:
362	--->'''Mimic:''' Yoiks! Who're you? We don' wanna hurt youse!\
363	'''Wight:''' I... was once... the White Knight.\
364	''[{{beat\|Panel}}]''\
365	'''Wight:''' But now I am... the Night Wight.\
366	'''Mimic:''' A'ight, well... ''now'' we wanna hurt youse.
367	** The Viscount to Roxy:
368	--->'''Roxy:''' My Elvish is a little rusty...\
369	'''Viscount:''' Oh come now, my dear! Are you an Elvish performer, or merely an Elvish impersonator?
370	* PunctuatedForEmphasis:
371	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-3/ It's. jus'. A Hoe.]]
372	** "This. ''dress.'' was. '''''vintage.'''''"
373	* PunctuationShaker: The illithid mobsters: T'oni, R'occo, D'an, S'al, S'ammy, V'innie, B'enny, J'immy...
374	* PunnyName: The Myrmarchs of Level 9 both have names that start with Ant, fitting for antfolk leaders.
375	* {{Railroading}}: Parodied with the land pirates' ship, which runs along a track... just after a "plot hook" is delivered by artillery.
376	-->'''Mimic:''' An' here I thought "on rails" was jus' an expression.
377	* RealityWarper:
378	** Anyone who gets their hands (or tentacles, or whatever) on the Belt of Genre Changing effectively gains this power.
379	** The Python, once amplified. (Another Madeline story. Do they attract her, or does she attract them?)
380	** To a minor degree, Madeline herself. At the very least, she's demonstrated the ability to turn random objects into extremely powerful magic weapons.
381	** Dorilys to a greater degree, her weapon of choice appearing to be "unfortunate accident".
382	* RebelRelaxation:
383	** Y.T. lacks legs, so she can't do the foot resting against the wall part, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-63/ but she still pulls it out]].
384	** Dorilys is seen leaning against a wall arms folded... and then she [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-43/ takes out a troll without breaking the position.]]
385	* RebusBubble:
386	** [[Film/TheFifthElement Leeloo-]]Madeline [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-16/ shortly ponders this way]] about the effects of Plaidbeard and Mimic struggling for the Belt of Genre Changing.
387	** Sir Malevolus [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-19/ is quick to realize]] that
388	--->[Armored Malevolus] + [rust monster] = [unarmored Malevolus] and\
389	[Unarmored Malevolus] + [gelatinous cube] = [skeleton Malevolus]...
390	* RedEyesTakeWarning:
391	** Subverted with the wight.
392	** Zar the Psion is non-evil and rather helpful, but annoy him and [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-17/ his eyes will glow a menacing red]].
393	* RentAZilla: The [[EldritchAbomination Interdimensional Horror]], a giant eldritch crab, and the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Planar Ally]] summoned by Derek to fight it, both of which tower over all the other characters.
394	* {{Retcon}}: Yuan-Tiffany the yuan-ti became Y.T. the lamia, due to a legal dispute.
395	* RiddleMeThis: In "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-63/ Level 8 #63]]", the bottle fairy tries this but possibly threw up in the middle of saying it, as recounted by Malevolus:
396	-->'''Malevolus:''' "How many road must a man barf puke sorry." isn't a riddle.
397	* ReroutedFromHeaven: [[spoiler:Between the work of the Vampire Hipsters and the Rhyming Devils, the universe is suffering from {{Cosmic Flaw}}s that are causing it to unravel. It is implied that said damage caused Madeline to fall into a collapsing afterlife PocketDimension instead of Heaven.]]
398	* RightForTheWrongReasons: A derro carnie correctly guesses that "Prestige" is an illusion. The main reason he thinks that is due to her wearing pajamas. Except the real Prestige really is wearing pajamas.
399	* RPGMechanicsverse: The setting itself is ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''-based. While the characters aren't shown to strictly follow the rules (like taking turns), they are confirmed to have {{Character Class\|System}}es and be taking {{Character Level}}s.
400	* RuleOfThree: Ezra puts her head back on three times.
401	* RunningGag:
402	** Mimic's suggestions that the group "disguise ourselves as common, unassuming pieces of furniture". He's always ignored.
403	** There's a pair of talking doors (one red, one green) that have appeared in four different chapters, each time in a different location, and each time their attempts to outwit the heroes are thwarted. In [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/13/ Chapter 1]], they try to stump Mimic with the KnightsAndKnaves puzzle, but get confused when he turns into a door himself. In [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-20/ Chapter 5]], they present a ridiculously over-complicated variation of the puzzle to Rusty, who responds by eating their hinges. In [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-39/ Chapter 6]] they try a different riddle on Maddie, but get interrupted when one of the enemies attacks her, and in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-85/ Chapter 8]] the heroes just walk right past them.
404	** The Critical Missives between levels 7 and 8 has Calamitus (at first) and then Mimic trying to answer a reader's question about Madeline's wings, only to get systematically interrupted (up to having fake "broken images" toward the end).
405	* SawBladesOfDeath: [[FictionalSport Gnomish baseball]] is a blood sport played on a DeathCourse. The [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-23/ theme]] for one day is sawblade traps embedded in the pitch, which Kris [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-30/ turns against his opponents]] and Rusty simply eats. (The next day's theme? Flamethrowers.)
406	* SayItWithHearts: At the end of "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-4/ Level 6: #4]]", Madeline has such with her "Hiiiii!" to Mimic.
407	* ScaryFlashlightFace: Invoked by Schmetts the fairy, who uses her glow to provide [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-68/ "dramatic underlighting"]] for Malevolus' face by positioning herself in his armor's neck piece.
408	-->'''Malevolus:''' This armor is '''single occupancy!'''
409	* SchizoTech: Electric guitars and soda machines accompany your traditional fantasy fare. Oh, and a [[spoiler:'''''Magic Missile''''']].
410	* ScoobyDoobyDoors: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-133/ A variant]] with characters running between smoke grenade clouds. With "Yakety Sax" playing!
411	* ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem: Kris ticks off Ms. Bai with unwanted flirting. She doesn't just give his team, the Mountain Giants, the normal penalties for harassing a games official, but also gives penalties for things that probably aren't even rules, putting them deep into the negatives. After the other officials discuss the actual rules, [[CalvinBall such as they are]], enough penalties are lifted to let the Mountain Giants win.
412	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Sir Malevolus cuts and runs from the threat posed by Rusty and Cube.
413	* SeashellBra:
414	** The monster adventurers meet a [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/30/ siren wearing them]] in Level 1.
415	--->'''Mimic:''' By th' way, nice seashells.\
416	'''Siren:''' They're just B-shells, but thanks.
417	** The "Monster Guide" page also mentions this about the siren: "Don't ask what keeps the seashells on."
418	* SecondaryCharacterTitle: Rusty is more of a mascot overall; the main protagonist thus far is Mimic. (And by level 8 he's starting to get DemotedToExtra in favor of the humanoid characters.)
419	* SelfDeprecation: During a FourthWallMailSlot, Mimic suggests that Derek doesn't consider mocking their author to be harming an intelligent creature.
420	* SeriousBusiness: Gnomish baseball has its own police force and the authority to arrest people beyond just the stadium.
421	* ShamefulShrinking: After it's revealed that [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-12-31/ Mimic lost (yet another) artifact]] and everybody criticize him about it, his shapeshifting power gets awry until he's pretty much reduced to a puddle on the floor.
422	-->'''Roxy:''' Are you trying to hide as a common, unassuming throw rug?\
423	'''Mimic:''' It's a reflex, okay?
424	* SharkMan: In Level 10, "Speakeasies & Sea Monsters", Deep Seattle is populated by various fish-men, [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-17/ including Hortzak, the shark-man bartender of the Lone Shark tavern,]] and dynamite guy.[[note]]Anti-Madeline buys her dynamite from him.[[/note]]
425	* ShoutOut: Compiled [[ShoutOut/RustyAndCo on their own subpage]].
426	* ShrugTake: In Level 8, during their match against the Green Sox, the Swingwraiths are quite nonplussed that the match would turn into a brawl between the princess and their elven opponents. [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-106/ Their leader, however, just shrugs it off.]]
427	* TheSiege: The plot of Level 11, "Castle Life", where the protagonists must defend the Princess's castle against multiple seemingly unrelated parties, who seek to destroy the castle for [[HiddenAgendaVillain unclear reasons]].
428	* SilenceIsGolden: The encounter with Rob the Hammer ends with an entirely dialog-less comic. (Though there are three sound effects.)
429	* SinisterScythe: Anti-Madeline brandishes a miniature one, following her GoodCounterpart's propensity for farm implements as weapons.
430	* SirSwearsALot: Anti-Madeline, if the amount of her dialogue that's censored is any indication.
431	* SkewedPriorities: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-181 There's a huge fight]] between heroes and undead sorcerers in the stadium, as well as a giant angel fighting an EldritchAbomination above it... and all that Drago Stormscale can think about is to ''keep playing Gnomish Baseball'' and win the tournament.
432	* {{Slapstick}}: Since most human(oid) characters of the comic are female, they are naturally the victim of plenty slapstick. Presti especially, in Level 6, to TheChewToy level. The male characters are hardly spared, of course, as Mimic and the Doogan brothers can attest.
433	* SlipperySkid:
434	** Prestige Perkins uses a ''grease'' spell against their tantacallis pursuers, sending them sprawling. Although the usual material component calls for butter, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-18/ she uses margarine instead because she's watching her weight.]]
435	** An upside-down cake, put judiciously in the path of a troll, produces a FacePlant.
436	* SmokeOut: Dirk Doogan [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-29/ uses a smoke bomb during the gnomish baseball game]] to obfuscate how he catches the ball, and then sneak away from the opposite troll team as a "little smoke cloud with fuzzy legs".
437	* SnakePeople: A redheaded, female lamia ([[{{Retcon}} once a yuan-ti]]) appears in the Tentacallises' dungeons.
438	* SomethingWeForgot: Mimic forgot all about Stabs, leaving her to face an army of monsters. [[spoiler:Cut to Stabs AtopAMountainOfCorpses.]]
439	* SpeaksInShoutOuts: The chatty zombie uses only clichés and proverbs.
440	* SpeechBubbles:
441	** Malevolus speaks in black-letter font on scroll-shaped bubbles. His speech bubbles turn normal once, precisely because he's making an effort to disguise his voice.
442	** The Viscount's speech bubbles are standard, but the connectors are always doing a little loop, suggesting a flowery, high-class way of speaking.
443	* SpotTheThread: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-44/ After being given a potion by Stabs]], Perkins suspects it isn't her after an offhand comment about her bazooka. [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-45/ Unfortunately, it turns out there was more than one impostor]].
444	* SpySpeak: Stabs and her cousins [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-6/ are speaking in thieves cant]], with helpful captions for the readers.
445	-->'''AltText:''' Closed captioning has been provided for the cryptolecticly-challenged readers in the audience.
446	* SssssnakeTalk: Y.T. mixes this with a Texan accent. It's described in Level 9 as "speaking Lamian".
447	* StaircaseTumble: After getting decapitated (for the third time) by Madeline, Ezra the vampiress tumbles down stairs (head first, followed by the rest of her body). She stomps her way back up looking very pissed.
448	* StealthPun:
449	** Schmetts, the alcoholic fairy, wears green. "The Green Fairy" is an euphemism for absinthe.
450	** After Mimic, Stabs and Anti-Madeline get locked in a safe, [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting Tarta]] transforms into a chicken and runs away. She's ''chickening out''.
451	* StealthyTeleportation: From [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-19/ Level 9: #19]]: As Y.T thinks, on how someone could disappear without her noticing:
452	-->'''Y.T.:''' A completely sssilent teleportation ain't likely...
453	* StickySituation: Mimic has the standard adhesive ability of a ''D&D'' mimic, but employs it very rarely since, as he puts out, "If a ragin' axe-wieldin' berzerker's comin' at ya... gluin' y'self TO him isn't your best strategy!" He puts it to good use during a Gnomish Baseball match, though, [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-48/ turning into the ball]] and [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-49/ getting the whole opposing troll team]] stuck together.
454	* StockScream: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-71/ When a thrown dagger hits someone off-panel]], they let out an "Aawaagh!" while another person says, "Oh no, he got Wilhelm!"
455	* SuddenVideogameMoment: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-6-36/ "Rusty Runner"]] in level 6.
456	* SuperStrength: Stabs thinks Perkins has this on top of her magic [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-35/ due to lifting her bazooka so easily]], but in reality the weapon is just charmed to be lighter than usual, not only for easy carrying but also to avert kickback.
457	* TalkingIsAFreeAction: Averted humorously, with the AltText lampshading the whole thing.
458	-->'''Mimic:''' Do somethin'!\
459	'''Prestige:''' I can't, I'm too busy screaaaaaaaaming!
460	* TalkLikeAPirate: Captain Plaidbeard, of course.
461	* TalkToTheFist: Madeline delivers one to Plaidbeard. Mimic objects to it (if only because he wanted to hear more about what was going on).
462	* ThereWasADoor: Once he gets fed up with the party at "Ye Old Proverbial Hook", Robespierre walks out... through a wall, while Stabs is aghast.
463	* TheyHaveTheScent: Why Mimic warns the Princess against smoking: many subterranean monsters hunt through smell.
464	* TheyJustDontGetIt: In one [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/critical-missives-39/ Critical Missive,]] [[MadBomber Anti-Madeline]] has lots of trouble with the concept that there is more to life [[StuffBlowingUp than blowing up stuff]].
465	* ThisIsForEmphasisBitch: Anti-Madeline's [[IncomingHam very first words]].
466	-->'''Anti-Madeline:''' I exist, bitches!
467	* ThisIsGonnaSuck: [[spoiler: The Grinner's]] face says it all in the last panel of [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-7-87/ this strip]].
468	* ThoseTwoGuys: Errol and Flynn, two of Plaidbeard's interchangeable lackeys who have no characterization outside of "being there". The two re-appear in the Gnomic Baseball games in chapter 8 as officials, and their re-appearance is neither commented on by the characters, nor does it give them any more depth.
469	* TruthSerums: The ''zone of truth'' spell (or ''ZOT'') is used this way. [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-11-30/ Notably to interrogate a Derro in level 11,]] who happens to be easily tricked into babbling... though only to a point.
470	-->'''Derek:''' While we're waiting, can you tell me more about this elemental dust delivery?\
471	'''Soft Tail:''' First, I'd like to stall a bit with a long, rambling story...
472	* {{Tuckerization}}: Several characters were based on pets or characters of Patreon supporters. Unusually for this trope, the insertions were not just a cameo: the characters are seamlessly integrated into the plot, and some have become recurring supporting cast.
473	** The psychic Zar is a RPG character of a supporter.
474	** The gnoll Slobber is a supporter's pet pug.
475	** Dorylis the Cleric is likewise a supporter's character.
476	** The giant angel summoned by Derek is one as well.
477	* TurnUndead:
478	** What happened to the Princess's wight boyfriend. (Mimic understood something different, though...)
479	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-9-30 In Level 9,]] Madeline uses her Paladin power to chase a gaggle of zombies that are swarming Y.T.
480	* UmbrellaDrink: Put to unusual use by Prestige [[spoiler:to uncloak an invisible informant.]]
481	* UnexplainedRecovery:
482	** The dwarf quest-giver who gets eaten by Cube in the beginning of chapter one reappears at the end of the level to demand results from their quest. Lampshaded.
483	--->'''Mimic:''' Aren't you supposed to be dead?\
484	'''Dwarf:''' I got better.
485	** [[spoiler:Calamitus]] is also dissolved by Cube in chapter one, but reappears to cause more trouble in chapter four. This seems to be sort-of answered in chapter 8, where he reveals he's an undead.
486	* UnflinchingWalk: In [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-30/ this comic]], Dirk Doogan walks away whistling while body parts fly around behind him after he lured a troll into a saw-blade trap.
487	* UngratefulBastard: [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-76/ Rue Lily the elf, who slaps Roxy and the gnoll doctor for helping her up.]]
488	* UnsoundEffect: Quite a few of them:
489	** "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-1/ Level 5: #1]]: A "VANCE!" UnsoundEffect for a VancianMagic ''color spray'' spell.
490	** [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-27/ Level 5: #27]]: "Mi-Mi-Mi-Mimic!" for Mimic mimicking something.
491	* VancianMagic: In "[[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-5-1/ Level 5: #1]]" Lampshaded with a "VANCE!" UnsoundEffect for a ''color spray'' spell.
492	-->'''Mimic:''' Ya had a fireball prepared '''this whole time!?'''\
493	'''Presti:''' Aren't you glad I saved it?
494	* VisualPun:
495	** When Gelatinous Cube seizes the Belt of Genre Changing, the result in the next panel is naturally... [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level2/level-2-15-2/ Cubism.]]
496	** Schmetts, the alcoholic fairy, is found in a bottle, making her a "bottle fairy".
497	** Level 6 ends in a cliffhanger... with [[LiteralCliffhanger Rusty catching Madeline falling down as he's climbing a cliff]].
498	** Zar the Psion owns a literal gold farm.
499	** In Level 8, the "8-bit 8-ball" is quickly identified as an artifact. What does it do? "Artifacting," Dirk muses. Indeed, the comic's picture all around is getting low-resolution, as in an 8-bit picture. Which in computer parlance is called... [[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/artifacting artifacting.]]
500	** Level 9: The artifact Rusty, Madeline, and Y.T. are sent to retrieve is a device that can cast magic, providing its own verbal components so long as the correct words are typed into it. [[spoiler:It's a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speak_%26_Spell_(toy) Speak & Spell]]]].
501	** Also in Level 9, Y.T. is pursued by zombies and thinking that she'd need someone good at fighting undead, at healing her, and willing to help. Then she bristles at the idea that she's "putting paladins on a pedestal"... right next to a fountain where Madeline, turned to stone, had been put on a pedestal.
502	** In Level 10, the instructions to find the Black Market end with "Now take a long walk off a short pier." This is not a diss, [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-10-14/ that's exactly what is needed to do.]]
503	** And right afterward, as a swordfish-man questions her, Stabs warns him to not get too nosy... because his pointy bill almost took out an eye.
504	* VolleyingInsults: The "pirate" duel between Mimic and Plaidbeard.
505	* WallOfBlather:
506	** The Wight's long explanation about the mission and the Princess is blanked out by a summary.
507	** Calamitus doing his monologue is similarly obscured, as Mimic and Princess aren't paying attention.
508	** Also Roxanne responding to a reader's question about her freckles, which even ends in BlahBlahBlah.
509	* WhamEpisode:
510	** [[NotSoHarmlessVillain Grinner]] [[spoiler:making his return appearance, capturing Cube and Mimic in the process.]]
511	** Very deliberately subverted by, of all things, [[spoiler: [[CharacterDeath Madeline's death]]]], which, while dramatic, the comic makes very clear is not going to change the overall tone of the strip ([[spoiler:resurrection spells exist, for one thing]]).
512	* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer:
513	** [[MadLibsCatchPhrase Eat hammer]]?
514	** Roxanne's first appearance also references this trope, when she says that she wants to do ''something'' with all the points she put into [[ChekhovsSkill whittling]].
515	* WholePlotReference: Level 9 is one to the song "Hotel California", with every line of the song referenced in some way in the actions, dialogue or background events.
516	* WhoWouldBeStupidEnough: Cuts to the paladin with Int as her DumpStat.
517	* WidelySpacedJailBars: If the bars from the cells of the stadium's gaol may keep in a large man like Malevolus, they look way too spread apart to hold in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-112/ a pair of thin elves]].
518	* WritingAroundTrademarks: Due to previous legal issues with Wizards of the Coast, the second appearance of Illithid mafia members in Level 10 has them wearing {{Brown Bag Mask}}s that conveniently conceals all their facial figures except for their eyes, but in context are obviously members of the Tentacallis.
519	* WrongTurnAtAlbuquerque: Spoofed with a Xorn in Level 6.
520	-->'''Xorn:''' I knew I should'a taken that left turn at [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Abeir-Toril]].
521	* XRaySparks: Parodied when Mimic is hit by a ''lightning'' spell, as he shouldn't have bones to begin with.
522	* YouNoTakeCandle: {{Lampshaded}} by Robespierre the barbarian in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/level3/level-3-21/ #3.21]]:
523	-->'''Robespierre:''' Roxanne is beloved member of Robespierre's family, despite fancy city ways. And insistence on using pronouns.
524	* YourMom: Dirk Doogan [[https://rustyandco.com/comic/level-8-30/ taunts a troll into lunging at him]] (and the deadly buzzsaws surrounding him) with what is basically a "Yo Momma" joke.
525	-->'''Dirk:''' You couldn't get me even if you brought your ma's bridge club.\
526	'''Troll:''' ''My ma don't have no bridge club.''\
527	'''Dirk:''' So how does she defend the bridge she lives under, then?\
528	'''Troll:''' ''My ma don't live under no bridge, dude!''

Context Webcomic / RustyAndCo