History Webcomic / Archipelago

It used to be published on Smackjeeves before the site suddenly imploded. The comic (and some extras) can be found at the creator's '''[[http://thesilvertophat.deviantart.com/ deviantART page]]''' (although with seemingly random pages marked as "mature" and needing a log-in to see). Now also being rerun on Platform/{{Webtoon}} [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/archipelago/archipelago-chapter-1-page-1-10/viewer?title_no=835044&episode_no=1 here]].

It used to be published on Smackjeeves before the site suddenly imploded. The comic (and some extras) can be found at the creator's '''[[http://thesilvertophat.deviantart.com/ deviantART page]]''' (although with seemingly random pages marked as "mature" and needing a log-in to see). Now also being rerun on Website/{{Webtoon}} [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/archipelago/archipelago-chapter-1-page-1-10/viewer?title_no=835044&episode_no=1 here]].

** Riley sprouts lots of little hearts watching the "three time champion of the Ladies of Quillotia Wrestling Federation [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers and Book Club]]" in action. The two of them get another moment later on, when he attempts to propose to her.

* IfOnlyYouKnew: Clair is introduced playing pretend (she does that a lot). Namely, she's pretending to rescue a princess from "an evil cyborg king". [[spoiler: This takes place about ten hours before Snow lands on her home island to take her, and less than twenty hours before she siccs her {{golems}} at him]].

* ServantRace: The Seranith are a matriarchal servant race, but they don't serve blindly and consider it important to have a good master. From their point of view, they adopt a human into their care, and if they don’t feel fulfilled they’ll simply leave and find another master. [[Spoiler: If Raven’s vision is anything to go by, the Seranith used to be completely subservient to humans and had mechanical implants to suppress their free will. After the civilization fell, the Seranith evolved into a free species who are coded with the drive to help others at their own discretion.]]

* ServantRace: The seranith are a matriarchal servant race, but they don't serve blindly and consider it important to have a good master.

* FiveManBand: Unusual in that the Leader is a woman and her team is all guys. Credenza is TheHero, as she's a reasonable, levelheaded, but [[GutFeeling intuitive]] TeamMom who organises the group and keeps everyone on track, and as the team idealist and [[TheHeart emotional center]]. Raven is TheLancer, who's new to humanity and stumbling on social skills stuff (he used to be a bad guy), and as TheCynic to Credenza's optimism. Doubles as TheSmartGuy in spirit-related and tactical matters. Riley is TheBigGuy, an uncomplicated, [[BoisterousBruiser extroverted]] bloke with a BFS. Tuff is TheSmartGuy, prevented from being a GeniusBruiser by being AfraidOfTheirOwnStrength (and other neuroses), a philosophical, bookish, serious young man, later also in charge of plotting the course for their search as the Reader of the Listing of Names. Finally Blitz is TheHeart the CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass who believes in Credenza with all his heart, no matter how much she doubts herself.

** In [[spoiler: Raven's part of Maze of Dreams, when he "wakes", dream!Credenza]] jokingly asks if his dream [[OffToSeeTheWizard had a wizard and yellow brick road]]. Later, he references ''Film/BackToTheFuture''.

* SpontaneousWeaponCreation: The ravens can shape their raven magic into weapons, usually swords, sometimes daggers. Steller makes [[FlechetteStorm throwing blades]].

%%character trope, move if verified * DoesNotLikeShoes: Credenza goes barefoot quite often. %%when? she lost her shoes while drowning between books 2 and 3, but got new ones in book 4, then lost one in book 5; other than that she's barefoot when everyone is barefoot

* FiveManBand: Unusual in that the Leader is a woman and her team is all guys:
** TheHero: Credenza, as the reasonable, levelheaded, but [[GutFeeling intuitive]] TeamMom who organises the group and keeps everyone on track, and as the team idealist and [[TheHeart emotional center]]
** TheLancer: Raven, who's new to humanity and stumbling on social skills stuff (he used to be a bad guy), and as TheCynic to Credenza's optimism. Doubles as TheSmartGuy in spirit-related and tactical matters
** TheBigGuy: Riley, an uncomplicated, [[BoisterousBruiser extroverted]] bloke with a BFS
** TheSmartGuy: Tuff, prevented from being a GeniusBruiser by being AfraidOfTheirOwnStrength (and other neuroses), a philosophical, bookish, serious young man, later also in charge of plotting the course for their search as the Reader of the Listing of Names
** TheHeart: Blitz, the CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass who believes in Credenza with all his heart, no matter how much she doubts herself

It used to be published on '''[[http://thearchipelago.smackjeeves.com/ Smackjeeves]]''' which is now defunct. The comic (and some extras) can be found at the creator's '''[[http://thesilvertophat.deviantart.com/ deviantART page]]''' (although with seemingly random pages marked as "mature" and needing a log-in to see). Now also being rerun on Website/{{Webtoon}} [[https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/archipelago/archipelago-chapter-1-page-1-10/viewer?title_no=835044&episode_no=1 here]].

** When a pandorian healer is giving Credenza an AfterActionPatchUp, she makes her drink some sort of a medicine. Credenza's thought bubble has an image of a pissing doggy.

%% moved to character page * RealMenWearPink: Han, one of the most threatening of Snow's crew, has a habit of sewing before a battle. Don't laugh at this if you like your bodily envelope intact.

* RedRightHand: Take note of anyone who is missing their left eye, especially if it happened recently. This is a sign of being possessed by a raven spirit.

* CatharticExhalation: Raven lets out a relieved breath after [[spoiler: Paolin's questioning and final decicion that he can stay in book 10]].

It used to be published on '''[[http://thearchipelago.smackjeeves.com/ Smackjeeves]]''' which is now defunct. The comic (and some extras) can be found at the creator's '''[[http://thesilvertophat.deviantart.com/ deviantART page]]''' (although with seemingly random pages marked as "mature" and needing a log-in to see).

* AndIMustScream: Those possessed by a raven spirit who get captured or [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness are no longer useful]] may be soulsealed. They remain alive and aware, but cannot move or act in ''any'' way at all. [[spoiler:Raven attempted this on Anthony when he first possessed him, but Anthony [[EyeScream cut his own left eye out]] to block Raven's escape route, inadvertently breaking his own mind and trapping Raven in it.]]

--->'''Queen''': What makes you think you even have the right to defy master Raven? He made you perfect! Without sadness, without fear, the ultimate warrior and servant. And now look at you, you aren't even a real human. You do not know how to be. You've never had to feel your own emotions before. I am doing you a favor by ending your life. After being a spirit, free of body, mind and soul, how can you live like this? Trapped within that fleshy shell. Do you know what that is, coursing through your body? It is fear. One of the emotions Raven shielded you from. Horrible, isn't it?

** Blitz's first words to Credenza sound crazy and disoriented, which is perfectly understandable in the circumstances, but later it becomes clear that [[spoiler:the person speaking was in fact, not Blitz, but ''Raven'' who, after his possession attempt went horribly wrong, is in even more shock than Blitz, and trying frantically to escape his broken host who inadvertently trapped Raven in his head]].

* CerebusSyndrome : Later chapters rarely take place during the day, action persists but is mostly dominated by drama, and there is much more actual bloodshed to be had.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Looking back on the first few chapters can invoke this. The stronger gear/broken metal aesthetic (the screws and gears sticking out of rocks), bigger emphasis on action and fights (and an almost MOTW setup to go along with it; Syn, the Shadowmandyrs, the Listing of Names, and the Great Raven) are eventually phased out by chapter 6. Alternatively...

Tuff is quick to write it off. Enter [[spoiler:Cassie and a whole lot of TwiceShy]].

** When the Raven sees Dragonfly, he possesses Snow to personally duel his most hated enemy. Oh, and the Raven causes Snow to change into a massive raven [[MorphicResonance with a shock of white feather on his head]].

* EmptyShell: Those whose souls have been removed from their bodies (by the use of Snow's mechanical arm) lose all agency and just sit there or mindlessly trudge behind whoever's taking care of them, while their souls are locked up in the arm. The souls, however, retain their drive (if some of them [[TheSpeechless don't retain the ability to speak]]). [[spoiler: Paollo's body seems to have a little more initiative than others, maybe because his soul stays nearby, maybe because he's a dream walker. In any case, it can drag unconscious seranith to safety.]]

** TheHero: Credenza, as the reasonable, levelheaded, but [[GutFeeling intuitive]] TeamMom who organises the group and keeps everyone on track, and as the team idealist and TheHeart

-->'''Kurr''': Your rug fnellf funny. What are you hiding under there?\\

Sounds like a smartass quip? [[spoiler: He really is hiding someone - Tatami - there.]]

%%this is not foreshadowing - what is it? ** Tuff trying to read the "encrypted" heir entry can only see page after page of the same stick-drawing-in-a-circle symbol. At the end of book 8, it turns out this was the spell circle for Uru's transformation.

* GoshDangItToHeck:[[invoked]] Crumbs!(WordOfGod says that it's hard to come up with G-rated swears.)

-->'''Tin-Can Turtle''': Oh, crumbs.

-->'''Kor''': It's like the joke "Where does a three-hundred pound manticore sit?" "Anywhere it wants."

%% no, it isn't - the guys are tall, but Alice is a BigBeautifulWoman and Cassie is just OneHeadShorter than Tuff, see them hugging in book 10 * HugeGuyTinyGirl: Both of the Luck brothers (Riley with Alice, Tuff with Cassie). Apparently, it runs in the family.

-->'''Riley''': If I let anything happen to her, I'll hand you the club.

* InvisibleToNormals: Spirits, most of the time. In the underworld, however, they're visible because of background magical field being so strong there. Experimental griffin [[GogglesDoSomethingUnusual goggles]]also allow one to see spirits.

-->'''Credenza''': You're worth my time. I want to spend it with you. However much we have left.

-->'''Lucinda''': Thank you. It is incredibly painful.

-->'''Snow''': Oh, but with Paollo's magic I see so much around me! This army is filled with dreams. The dreams of maniacs, wanderers, lost souls...

-->'''Snow''': Ha! You think a trapdoor is enough to intimidate me?! Half of my fondest childhood memories involve trapdoors!

-->'''Uru''': There was this one time with a crew of pirates where all I had was a dressmaker's dummy and a few drinking songs...

-->'''Tuff''': Please go on... Tell me more about how you were planning to kill my brother.

-->'''Credenza''': YOU'RE LYING! He can't be back! Not after all this time! He's been dead for six years! How dare you mock the hundreds he killed by even suggesting that Captain Snow could return!

-->'''Lucinda''': I only saw him for a moment, but I'd recognize that man anywhere. That sharkman. That animal. That false reader. That %@$!&?* who stole my book.

-->'''Author''': Sharktuff will not by contained by your puny comic borders!

-->'''Credenza''': Now, I'm a waitress... but I can still kick your fuzzy butt!

-->'''Kor''': Toy or not, there's more where that came from, Captain! Let the girl go, I'm the one you want!

-->'''Cassie''': I say... you shouldn't have grabbed my tail.

-->'''Uru''': Aw, come on! I was having a big awesome moment and you come along with your stupid fire stick and ruin it! You people have no sense of imagination, do you even have a license for that thing?! Uugh, fine! Obviously I can't fool you guys, you want a ''real'' monster. (transforms) Well, you've got one.

-->'''Riley''': You! Yeah, I'm talking to you. You petty excuse for a church pamphlet! Now's the time when you're finally needed, the purpose you were made for, and you're wimping out on us? Any one of the wonderful girls here would be happy to be your reader! After trying to take care of your sorry carcass, no wonder Lucy broke down!

-->'''Vaniji''': I'm just doing what I must to stay alive, Anansi. Compared to men like Snow, I'm practically a saint!\\

** Raven's given one by a raven spirit [[spoiler: in the first dream he has in his life, so he's essentially giving ''himself'' a TheReasonYouSuck speech]]:
-->'''raven spirit''': Sad traitor Raven... sitting all alone, like the pathetic wretch he is. Pouring wine he can't drink... pining after women he can never have.

-->'''Snow''': I've heard it said, there's no greater thing one can do than give your life for another. I feel honored to be a part of that.

-->'''Tuff:''' Actually, I only used the sword to distract him. I knew you were real because your pants were unbuttoned.

-->'''Mikel''': Don't say that Tuff, you've just had a huge shock! That's just the stress talking. So let it out, just let it out...\\

** Knull basically looks like Snow if he was half a life younger and scared out of his wits. [[spoiler: In the "playroom" dream we see a portrait of his two sisters - one of them looks just like Knull, just with longer hair. Yulalia is definitely her father's daughter]].

-->'''Raven''': Wow. Dead fetal chicken, how can I resist. (tries a spoonful) This... is the food of the gods.

-->'''Raven''': You guys must have grown a second brain cell to rub against the first one.

-->'''Tuff''': I'm not jealous or anything, God knows a woman could be a stabilising influence to Riley. Make my life easier... but he's so darn optimistic. I dn't wn't him to get hurt. Unlike me, Riley's always been a rish... a risk taker... and y'know, every now and then things work out for him. (drops empty glass) Now with me it doesn't matter if I'm an optomish... an optomitrist... te haff full one, right?

--> '''Tuff:''' (to Riley) [[spoiler:We're going to Quillotia. We're going home.]]

--> '''Tuff:''' [[spoiler: No! Blitz is only part of the family line! The heir is his daughter!]]

* DarkerAndEdgier: Later chapters rarely take place during the day, action persists but is mostly dominated by drama, and there is much more actual bloodshed to be had.

-->'''Raven''': You know, finding you like this after experiencing two minutes of blinding terror, you'd think I'd be annoyed. But for now, all I am is relieved that you're alive. Still, you can't blame me if I find some enjoyment in letting you suffer just a little bit.

-->'''Paolin''': I'm not crying! [[SandInMyEyes This is liquid anger leaking out of my eyeballs]]!

** Prince Paollo, as well. He's easily distracted, according to WordOfGod, because he's always half-dreaming.

** Kor, a true Avian (according to the WordOfGod, they're ''fierce''):

-->'''Queen''': What makes you think you even have the right to defy master Raven? He made you perfect! Without sadness, without fear, the ultimate warrior and servant. And now look at you, you aren't even a real human. You do not know how to be. You've never had to feel your own emotions before. I am doing you a favor by ending your life. After being a spirit, free of body, mind and soul, how can you live like this? Trapped within that fleshy shell. Do you know what that is, coursing through your body? It is fear. One of the emotions Raven shielded you from. Horrible, isn't it?

-->'''Lucinda''': Your weakness, miss Tabitha, is that you are only ruled by your heart. I however have been separated from these debilitating emotions. Raven has changed me for the better. I am no longer that fragile girl with breakable heart.

* ChekhovsGunman: Aside from Charlie, [[spoiler:actually Uru under a ForcedTransformation spell]], when Snow begins using the gauntlet containing [[AllYourPowersCombined all of the heirs' abilities]], the heir whose power he gets the most use out of (and, in turn, the one who's able to counteract him) is [[spoiler:[[DreamWeaver Paollo]]]].
%% not this trope ** Anansi, telling fortune for Tuff, predicts a meeting with "a beautiful blue-skinned stranger". Tuff is quick to write it off. Enter [[spoiler:Cassie and a whole lot of TwiceShy]].

* CirclingBirdies: While the comic is still on the comical side: %%later goes Cerebus, note

-->'''Credenza''': Was it really necessary to get rid of [his] clothes, or was that just for effect?

* GoshDangItToHeck: Crumbs!

** WordOfGod says that it's hard to come up with G-rated swears.

* AlwaysSaveTheGirl: Raven's attitude towards Credenza, beginning pretty early on. When she goes missing in book 5, for example:
-->'''Raven:''' Forget the heirs. Forget the Raven. Until we find Crendenza, nothing else matters.
Indeed, Raven's test of having matured into a proper KnightInSourArmor is [[spoiler: TheFinalTemptation he undergoes in the Maze of Dreams, where he has to choose keeping faith to Credenza's ideals over actually being with her (or an illusion of her)]].