Clockwise from right: Ame, Royce, Lutz, Lilium, and Teodora
"Goddamn, why are you so weird?"
—Lutz, to Ame
Heartcore is a web graphic novel by T.L. Welker about Amethyst Lashiec, a Fiendlord and princess of Asgar that grew disdainful of her father Royce's methods and decisions ever since the end of the demons' war against the beastmen. Royce, likewise, becomes fed up with his daughter's rebellious attitude and strips Ame of her rank and inheritance and promises the other Fiendlords that the one to bring him the ex-princess' head will become the new heir to the throne, before Ame can try to overthrow him.Has very little to do withHeart Drive.
Author Appeal: Pretty much all the tropes related to female figures and Fetish Fuel. The author has admitted that Ame was created to be her ideal woman, but also put everything "cute" she liked within Teodora.
Blood Magic: Played with. Salamander demons such as Carval are said to have fire flowing through their veins, and...well, Word Of God says you shouldn't make them bleed.
Calling Your Attacks: Spells in Heartcore require one to call out its name to execute. More powerful and elaborate spells require long incantations followed by the spell's name.
Catch Phrase: Lutz's line, from which the page quote comes.
Fanservice: Considering that one of the main characters is a succubus, this trope is bound to happen a couple of times through the series.
Fetish Fuel Station Attendant: We could be here all night going through the list, but suffice to say that none of the female characters design were an accident.
Fish out of Water: Ame has some trouble adjusting to her exile in human society. It's also been said that demons are easily overwhelmed by human sights and sounds, which is why Beastmen are practically required to assist them as tour guides and bodyguards.
For the Evulz: Royce using Ame's body to attack Suko. There is literally no reason for him to have done this other than that he simply wanted to. It seems to be purely for extending Ame's suffering.
Fridge Horror: It is known that the gates of Asgar require a Beastman to open and allow demons to enter the human world. It is also revealed that Royce uses a Beastman's body— most likely the king of the Beastmen, who we saw defeated in the flashback segment— to hide his true self. Later on Lilium states the advantages of possessing a Beastman; so what is the point of keeping Lutz around except as a backup body? Royce's Beastman body can allow him to leave Asgar and go to Midgard or any other realm at his own whim to cause mayhem; he could show up at any point in the New Ayers arc and kill Ame himself if he wanted to. So just what is he waiting for?.
Funetik Aksent: Slade has a Scottish accent, for whatever reason.
Gag Boobs: Rip and Tear playing Go Fish on Emerald's breasts along with a few other moments.
Gory Discretion Shot: Sukina's face gets seriously messed up by Ame while she is under Royce's spell. We never see the injury, though, as the afflicted side of Sukina's face is cleverly hidden behind Ame's head after she picks her up.
Handsome Devil: Royce, Asmodai and also Goristro to a certain degree.
It Is Pronounced Tro Pay: Amethyst's shorthand, Ame, was originally derived from the Japanese word for rain. Word Of God says Ame's nickname is not pronouned "Ah-May", but instead is pronounced like "aim".
Mad Bomber: Carval's as mad and as bomb-tastic as they come.
Master of Illusion: Ame has shades of this. Exhibit A: assuming the form of a helpless human about to be harassed by a couple of thugs, then opening a can of whoopass on them.
Mugging the Monster: A couple of thugs attempt to have their way with a seemingly helpless woman. They weren't expecting said woman to be Ame in disguise.
My Name Is Not Durwood: Lutz appears to have this problem, with people merely referring to him by his title rather than by his given name.
Name's the Same: Slade has no relation to Deathstroke. This is lampshaded in the chapter one parody. Word of God says Slade was actually named after the Rat Thief character "Slade" in Shining Force II for the Sega Genesis.
Pyro Maniac: Nearly all of Carval's powers include fire in one way or another. To say that he really enjoys using them, even in public areas of the human world where everyone can see it, would be an understatement.
Really 700 Years Old: Most of the cast being demons, this comes as no surprise. Also, Ryo
Seven Deadly Sins: According to Word Of God, Ame and the six overfiends each represent a Deadly Sin; Ame is Wrath, Royce is Gluttony, Asmodai is Lust, Emerald is Envy, Slade is Greed, Goristro is Pride, and Carval is Sloth.
Shout Out: Royce makes an entrance reminescent of Giygas on page 110
Many characters' names harken to classic Sega. The family name Lashiec, for example, comes from the actual translation of the name "Lassic", the villain of the first Phantasy Star. Likewise, Lutz is named after the esper in the same game. Then there is also the afformentioned Slade...
Special Guest: Emerald, Sukina, Ryo, and Syranon were created by friends of the author and incorporated into the story, the very latter being created by the author's husband.
Spider-Sense: Ryo has the ability to detect demons.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: Well, Ame isn't exactly tomboyish, but she's definitely an Action Girl, whereas her sister Sukina is demure and generally a non-combatant.