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Changed line(s) 314 (click to see context) from:
* KilledOffForReal: Klo Tark's ''second'' death seems to have stuck.
to:
* KilledOffForReal: Klo Tark's ''second'' death seems to have stuck. In the start of the comic's last year, Mookie declares that not everyone will make it to the end...[[spoiler:and then kills Bumper.]]
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Added DiffLines:
As of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2012-05-21 May 21, 2012]], Mookie has announced that the comic is in its final year.
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More clean-up. Just removing the ones that are questionable and I don\'t have time to go look up, and some nattery discussion
Changed line(s) 56 (click to see context) from:
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: In a recent comic, Jayden pulls a good one on Rilian [[spoiler:when Stunt needs help dealing with his DarkAndTroubledPast before dealing with the problems in the present.]] All Rilian can do in response is give a [[{{Beat}} couple of beats]] and give [[spoiler: Stunt five minutes with the scrying pool]] without looking like a [[{{Jerkass}} complete jerkass]]
to:
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: In a recent comic, Jayden pulls a good one on Rilian [[spoiler:when Stunt needs help dealing with his DarkAndTroubledPast before dealing with the problems in the present.]] All Rilian can do in response is give a [[{{Beat}} couple of beats]] and give [[spoiler: Stunt five minutes with the scrying pool]] without looking like a [[{{Jerkass}} complete jerkass]]
Changed line(s) 59,65 (click to see context) from:
* ArtEvolution: After the first couple of years of improvements, the art quality stagnates. The only notable stylistic change recently is the addition of defined snouts for the Orcs.
** An explanation, of sorts, via a [[SomethingAwful Goon]] named Krastinov:
--->Mookie once said in an interview that even though he can draw at a somewhat more competent level than what he gives for ''Dominic Deegan'', he won't "change his art style" for the strip, because when he draws more nicely, he doesn't think it "fits" Dominic ''Deegan'' anymore. If he ever started another comic, he said he'd do it. But not for DD. Because it wouldn't feel right.
--->Also, he "likes" the snout-noses. Which is why they've become so ingrained in his art style, instead of learning how to draw profile or 3/4-perspective properly. Because he "likes" it.
** Comparisons to pages in the first storylines to latest ones seem to prove that if anything, the art has gotten lazier. Full body panels instead of just above the waist, drawn out scenery instead of blank space, and Luna's outfits were drawn with texture instead of just geometric shapes, also Siggy used to ride a pretty sweet looking horse.
** [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3279023&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=96 Pretty-good sketches]] (a few posts down) of Bort, "Bortette", and other residents of the Wild Edge. It's interesting that the "inhuman" Mongrelfolk are also the only humanoids who don't suffer from CheekyMouth.
** An explanation, of sorts, via a [[SomethingAwful Goon]] named Krastinov:
--->Mookie once said in an interview that even though he can draw at a somewhat more competent level than what he gives for ''Dominic Deegan'', he won't "change his art style" for the strip, because when he draws more nicely, he doesn't think it "fits" Dominic ''Deegan'' anymore. If he ever started another comic, he said he'd do it. But not for DD. Because it wouldn't feel right.
--->Also, he "likes" the snout-noses. Which is why they've become so ingrained in his art style, instead of learning how to draw profile or 3/4-perspective properly. Because he "likes" it.
** Comparisons to pages in the first storylines to latest ones seem to prove that if anything, the art has gotten lazier. Full body panels instead of just above the waist, drawn out scenery instead of blank space, and Luna's outfits were drawn with texture instead of just geometric shapes, also Siggy used to ride a pretty sweet looking horse.
** [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3279023&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=96 Pretty-good sketches]] (a few posts down) of Bort, "Bortette", and other residents of the Wild Edge. It's interesting that the "inhuman" Mongrelfolk are also the only humanoids who don't suffer from CheekyMouth.
to:
* ArtEvolution: After the first couple of years of improvements, the art quality stagnates. has stayed about the same since. The only notable stylistic change recently is the addition of defined snouts for the Orcs.
** An explanation, of sorts, via a [[SomethingAwful Goon]] named Krastinov:
--->Mookie onceOrcs. Mookie has said in an interview that even though while he can draw at a somewhat more competent level than what better, he gives for ''Dominic Deegan'', he won't "change his feels the current art style" for style fits the strip, because when he draws more nicely, he doesn't think it "fits" Dominic ''Deegan'' anymore. If he ever started another comic, he said he'd do it. But not for DD. Because and changing it wouldn't feel right.
--->Also, he "likes" the snout-noses. Which is why they've become so ingrained in his art style, instead of learning how to draw profile or 3/4-perspective properly. Because he "likes" it.
** Comparisons to pages in the first storylines to latest ones seem to prove that if anything, the art has gotten lazier. Full body panels instead of just above the waist, drawn out scenery instead of blank space, and Luna's outfits were drawn with texture instead of just geometric shapes, also Siggy used to ride a pretty sweet looking horse.
** [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3279023&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=96 Pretty-good sketches]] (a few posts down) of Bort, "Bortette", and other residents of the Wild Edge. It's interesting that the "inhuman" Mongrelfolk are also the only humanoids who don't suffer from CheekyMouth.right.
** An explanation, of sorts, via a [[SomethingAwful Goon]] named Krastinov:
--->Mookie once
--->Also, he "likes" the snout-noses. Which is why they've become so ingrained in his art style, instead of learning how to draw profile or 3/4-perspective properly. Because he "likes" it.
** Comparisons to pages in the first storylines to latest ones seem to prove that if anything, the art has gotten lazier. Full body panels instead of just above the waist, drawn out scenery instead of blank space, and Luna's outfits were drawn with texture instead of just geometric shapes, also Siggy used to ride a pretty sweet looking horse.
** [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3279023&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=96 Pretty-good sketches]] (a few posts down) of Bort, "Bortette", and other residents of the Wild Edge. It's interesting that the "inhuman" Mongrelfolk are also the only humanoids who don't suffer from CheekyMouth.
Changed line(s) 68 (click to see context) from:
** On one of the forums, the unnamed female poacher of Walk the Wild Edge would always be referred to as [[VasquezAlwaysDies Vasquez]]. Mookie changed it to Vaskez, but still.
to:
** On one of the forums, the unnamed female poacher of Walk the Wild Edge would always be referred to as [[VasquezAlwaysDies Vasquez]]. Mookie changed it to Vaskez, but still.Vasquez]], and was then officially dubbed, "Vaskez."
Deleted line(s) 81 (click to see context) :
** The critics have concluded that ''all'' heroic males are Author Avatars: Greg gets to be a super hero and invent Mookie's favorite musical genre; Dominic is able to manipulate everyone for the greater good, Nimmel who went to Coldfire triumphs over school bullies, and Stunt is a badass AntiHero.
Changed line(s) 84 (click to see context) from:
* BadDreams
to:
* BadDreamsBadDreams: In an early comic, Dominic makes a distinction between his visions of doom, and just regular old nightmares, and notes he's learned to differentiate between them.
Changed line(s) 86 (click to see context) from:
* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: Dominic's preferred combat venue.
to:
* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: Dominic's preferred combat venue. He's a SquishyWizard in normal circumstances, but practically a juggernaut in a mindscape.
Changed line(s) 92,93 (click to see context) from:
* BeYourself: Appears to be the Aesop of the the current story about Greg and his rock band(s).
* BehindTheBlack: One of the greater problems voiced about the plains of Maltak is a visibility of five meters. Characters in this vast, featureless wasteland run into each other by accident and don't hear conversations and see events until they enter the panel.
* BehindTheBlack: One of the greater problems voiced about the plains of Maltak is a visibility of five meters. Characters in this vast, featureless wasteland run into each other by accident and don't hear conversations and see events until they enter the panel.
to:
* BeYourself: Appears to be the The Aesop of the the current story about Greg and his rock band(s).
* BehindTheBlack:One of the greater problems voiced about the The plains of Maltak is apparently has a visibility of five meters. Characters in this vast, featureless wasteland run into each other by accident and don't hear conversations and see events until they enter the panel.
* BehindTheBlack:
Changed line(s) 95,96 (click to see context) from:
* BizarreSexualDimorphism: Well, okay, being that they're from the Wild Edge, bizarreness is to be expected, but this is the case between Bort and Bortette. Both identified as mongrelfolk, Bort is covered in miss-matched patches of skin, with an extra eye on his ''chest'', scales in places, and just generally looking like the poster-boy for BodyHorror. Bortette, by contrast, is a CuteMonsterGirl with a slightly prominent upper lip and some spikes.
** Well, it's strongly implied that no two mongrelfolk are alike, or even resemble others of their kind.
** Well, it's strongly implied that no two mongrelfolk are alike, or even resemble others of their kind.
to:
* BizarreSexualDimorphism: Well, okay, being that they're from the Wild Edge, bizarreness is to be expected, but this is the case between Bort and Bortette. Both identified as mongrelfolk, Bort is covered in miss-matched patches of skin, with an extra eye on his ''chest'', scales in places, and just generally looking like the poster-boy for BodyHorror. Bortette, by contrast, is a CuteMonsterGirl with a slightly prominent upper lip and some spikes.
** Well, it'sspikes. It's strongly implied that no two mongrelfolk are alike, or even resemble others of their kind.
** Well, it's
Changed line(s) 114,115 (click to see context) from:
* BroughtDownToNormal: Gregory Deegan is unable to use white magic for most of the Snowsong arc. [[spoiler:More recently, his ability to use white magic was ripped out entirely. So far, it's actually ''stuck''.]]
** WordOfGod says that it's going to stick forever.
** WordOfGod says that it's going to stick forever.
to:
* BroughtDownToNormal: Gregory Deegan is unable to use white magic for most of the Snowsong arc. [[spoiler:More recently, his ability to use white magic was ripped out entirely. So far, it's actually ''stuck''.]]
**]] WordOfGod says that it's going to stick forever.
**
Changed line(s) 127 (click to see context) from:
* CatapultNightmare: Gregory's been suffering from these a lot lately in the most recent arc.
to:
* CatapultNightmare: Gregory's been suffering from Gregory suffers these a lot lately in the most recent arc.lead up to "BYOB".
Changed line(s) 145 (click to see context) from:
* CrossingTheDesert: The Maltak arc consists of trekking through a vast, featureless wasteland, in the daytime, without pack animals and with no more consumables than what the party can fit in one, ordinary-sized backpack per person, and they apparently keep their tents in those as well. ([[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-04-29 Bags of holding]] have been mentioned once--the wind kind of went out of this argument when one gag hinged on a character being able to turn on a torch.) They're also not taking care to cover their heads, and one character is in a dress. They do hire an experienced guide, but this guide is the same one who would've gone through and okayed all of that, and who [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-03-11 built a stone fire ring miles upon miles from plant life.]]
to:
* CrossingTheDesert: The Maltak arc consists of trekking through a vast, featureless wasteland, in the daytime, without pack animals and with no more consumables than what the party can fit in one, ordinary-sized backpack per person, and they apparently keep their tents in those as well. ([[http://dominic-deegan.(Though [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-04-29 Bags bags of holding]] have been mentioned once--the wind kind of went out of this argument when one gag hinged on a character being able to turn on a torch.previously.) They're also not taking care to cover their heads, and one character is in a dress. They do hire an experienced guide, but this guide is the same one who would've gone through and okayed all of that, and who [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-03-11 built a stone fire ring miles upon miles from plant life.]]
Changed line(s) 150 (click to see context) from:
* CrystalDragonJesus- The Luanian Church, with its own Jesus Christ/Prophet Mohammed like figure in The Prophet Luana, is the ruling faith in Callan. Throughout the "Around the World" story arc, other racial faiths were touched upon as well as a lesser Callanian religion of Scapilanism in Jayden and Laurie's pilgrimmage to the Desert of Eldariat.
to:
* CrystalDragonJesus- The Luanian Church, with its own Jesus Christ/Prophet Mohammed like figure in The Prophet Luana, is the ruling faith in Callan. Throughout the "Around the World" story arc, other racial faiths were touched upon as well as a lesser Callanian religion of Scapilanism in Jayden and Laurie's pilgrimmage pilgrimage to the Desert of Eldariat.
Changed line(s) 178 (click to see context) from:
** This was actually a case of NoLongerWithUs: [[spoiler:Jayden meant she would die a ''spiritual'' death, giving up/leaving behind her old life, "dying" metaphorically in order to move on from the sins she committed.]] Although considering [[spoiler:Jayden's listlessness, vow of silence, and near DespairEventHorizon before this]], such a misunderstanding is understandable and surely intentional on Mookie's part. And could even still become literal, depending.
to:
** This was actually turned out to be a case of NoLongerWithUs: [[spoiler:Jayden meant she would die a ''spiritual'' death, giving up/leaving behind her old life, "dying" metaphorically in order to move on from the sins she committed.]] Although considering [[spoiler:Jayden's listlessness, vow of silence, and near DespairEventHorizon before this]], such a misunderstanding is understandable and surely intentional on Mookie's part. And could even still become literal, depending.
Changed line(s) 180,181 (click to see context) from:
** The following arc started off with Celesto meditating on (if I recall correctly) how the world's magic was going out of whack, but it quickly turned into '''''[[SayMyName KARNAK!]]''''' and Siggy's battle in Hell.
** The author twittered that this kind of thing happens because he [[IndyPloy "doesn't want to know what comes next"]] ''in his own story''.
** The author twittered that this kind of thing happens because he [[IndyPloy "doesn't want to know what comes next"]] ''in his own story''.
to:
** The following arc started off with Celesto meditating on (if I recall correctly) how the world's magic was going out of whack, but it quickly turned into '''''[[SayMyName KARNAK!]]''''' and Siggy's battle in Hell.
** The author twittered that this kind of thing happens because he[[IndyPloy [[IJustWriteTheThing "doesn't want to know what comes next"]] ''in his own story''.
** The author twittered that this kind of thing happens because he
Deleted line(s) 188,191 (click to see context) :
* DidNotDoTheResearch: On all kinds of subjects, even trivial ones; this is how, for example, a wooden door gets cracked like glass or clay by a dagger stuck in it.
** Currently, the idea that one "paralysis dart" (which instantly wears off as soon as it's pulled out) can take down a huge elephant-like creature that can throw a man a good distance away.
** Apparently if you get run though the guts by a sword all you need is a few stitches and a bandage cummerbund (and that's without [[spoiler: magic mongrelfolk vomit]]).
** Word of God: "An argument sprung up somewhere about being unable to beat up two guys with a deep knife wound on your arm. [[RuleOfCool Ignored it.]]"
** Currently, the idea that one "paralysis dart" (which instantly wears off as soon as it's pulled out) can take down a huge elephant-like creature that can throw a man a good distance away.
** Apparently if you get run though the guts by a sword all you need is a few stitches and a bandage cummerbund (and that's without [[spoiler: magic mongrelfolk vomit]]).
** Word of God: "An argument sprung up somewhere about being unable to beat up two guys with a deep knife wound on your arm. [[RuleOfCool Ignored it.]]"
Changed line(s) 195,196 (click to see context) from:
* DisproportionateRetribution: As stated above, the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-08-05 fireball strip]], although [[spoiler: it was already established that Luna's fireball spell is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-08-19 more of a prank than a dangerous weapon]].]]
** Both in and out of universe with [[spoiler:Celesto's murders of Serk Brakkis and Brett Taggerty.]]
** Both in and out of universe with [[spoiler:Celesto's murders of Serk Brakkis and Brett Taggerty.]]
to:
* DisproportionateRetribution: As stated above, the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-08-05 fireball strip]], although [[spoiler: it was already established that Luna's fireball spell is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-08-19 more of a prank than a dangerous weapon]].]]
**Both in and out of universe with [[spoiler:Celesto's murders of Serk Brakkis and Brett Taggerty.]]
**
Changed line(s) 199 (click to see context) from:
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Milov being MindRaped looks [[FetishFuel spectacularly]] like he is being actually raped by NaughtyTentacles
to:
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Milov being MindRaped looks [[FetishFuel spectacularly]] like he is being actually raped by NaughtyTentaclesNaughty Tentacles
Deleted line(s) 202 (click to see context) :
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: Whom Mookie destroys, he first makes racist. This first came to light when Siggy, a dark-but-troubled knight with a dislike of orcs that seemed to be a social norm, was revealed to be a serial murderer and lyncher of Orcs in order to make him killable. Then Jacob, a necromancer with an established dispassionate attitude towards everything but his work, started spouting supremacist propaganda and was killed off two strips later. [[spoiler: [[NotQuiteDead It didn't take.]] Jacob's back from the dead, but appears to have had an epiphany of some sort when he actually found out the secrets of the dead he was after were...not what he expected.]]
Changed line(s) 214,215 (click to see context) from:
* EvilPoacher: The "tour guides" of the Wild Edge are poachers in the off-season. Despite this, they seem to prefer to take their prey alive by using tranquilizers and nets [[spoiler: which makes Bortette stabbing them all to death a bit much]].
** Although, alternately, given they apparently have no problem with slicing off bits of the tranquilized animal and then leaving it to bleed to death suggests they're not exactly humanitarian in their methods.
** Although, alternately, given they apparently have no problem with slicing off bits of the tranquilized animal and then leaving it to bleed to death suggests they're not exactly humanitarian in their methods.
to:
* EvilPoacher: The "tour guides" of the Wild Edge are poachers in the off-season. Despite this, they seem to prefer to take their prey alive by using tranquilizers and nets [[spoiler: which makes Bortette stabbing them all to death a bit much]].
**nets. Although, alternately, given they apparently have no problem with slicing off bits of the tranquilized animal and then leaving it to bleed to death suggests they're not exactly humanitarian in their methods.
**
Changed line(s) 222,223 (click to see context) from:
* TheFaceless: In his only (to date) appearance, the King of Callan's face was either just off panel, or in one case behind a voice bubble.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-15 This has since been rectified]].
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-15 This has since been rectified]].
to:
* TheFaceless: In his only (to date) appearance, the King of Callan's face was either just off panel, or in one case behind a voice bubble.
**bubble. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-15 This has since been rectified]].
**
Deleted line(s) 228,230 (click to see context) :
** Nimmel reveals himself to have a racial bias against the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 werewolves]] during an angry outburst at a group of bullies that have been treating him like crap.
*** Racial bias? The most insulting thing he says is that they're "emotion-crazed beast people." Werewolves turn into half wolves, hence them being beast people, and the "emotion-crazed" bit is spot on. It'd be like calling Mookie's dwarves "angry and single-minded."
** "Anyone whom Mookie destroys he first makes racist."
*** Racial bias? The most insulting thing he says is that they're "emotion-crazed beast people." Werewolves turn into half wolves, hence them being beast people, and the "emotion-crazed" bit is spot on. It'd be like calling Mookie's dwarves "angry and single-minded."
** "Anyone whom Mookie destroys he first makes racist."
Changed line(s) 232,233 (click to see context) from:
* FantasyKitchenSink: Previously the comic featured knights, wizards, dryads, werewolves, undead, slimes, orks, dragons etc., but ever since the Dominic's and Luna's 'round-the-world trip story arc, this trope has gone into overdrive, with the author showing a ton of new races, i.e. merfolk, sea monsters, hobgolins, halflings, dwarves, mongrelfolk and whatnot in [[MonsterOfTheWeek rapid appearance]].
* FauxActionGirl: Snowsong
* FauxActionGirl: Snowsong
to:
* FantasyKitchenSink: Previously the comic featured knights, wizards, dryads, werewolves, undead, slimes, orks, dragons etc., but ever since the Dominic's and Luna's 'round-the-world trip story arc, this trope has gone into overdrive, with the author showing a ton of new races, i.e. merfolk, sea monsters, hobgolins, halflings, dwarves, mongrelfolk and whatnot in [[MonsterOfTheWeek rapid appearance]].
* FauxActionGirl: Snowsongappearance.
* FauxActionGirl: Snowsong
Changed line(s) 236,238 (click to see context) from:
* {{Flanderization}}: Szark's [[NoBisexuals crush on Dominic]]. Siggy's racism. Quilt's stupidity. Dominic's ability to plan ahead. Luna's bids for independence. Dex's timing for [[BigDamnHeroes Big Damn Hero]] moments, heck, pretty much everyone.
* ForgottenFallenFriend: Danika gets pretty emotional over Dex's [[NotQuiteDead mortal wounds]], but not much is made over the death of her friend [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-06 Alicia]].
** Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she angsting about how she hated him, and now her final memory of him will be a an essentially a hero?
* ForgottenFallenFriend: Danika gets pretty emotional over Dex's [[NotQuiteDead mortal wounds]], but not much is made over the death of her friend [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-06 Alicia]].
** Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she angsting about how she hated him, and now her final memory of him will be a an essentially a hero?
to:
* {{Flanderization}}: Szark's [[NoBisexuals crush on Dominic]]. Siggy's racism. Quilt's stupidity. Dominic's ability to plan ahead. Luna's bids for independence. Dex's timing for [[BigDamnHeroes Big Damn Hero]] moments, heck, pretty much everyone.
* ForgottenFallenFriend: Danika gets pretty emotional over Dex's [[NotQuiteDead mortal wounds]], but not much is made over the death of her friend [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-06 Alicia]].
** Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she angsting about how she hated him, and now her final memory of him will be a an essentially a hero?moments.
* ForgottenFallenFriend: Danika gets pretty emotional over Dex's [[NotQuiteDead mortal wounds]], but not much is made over the death of her friend [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-06 Alicia]].
** Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she angsting about how she hated him, and now her final memory of him will be a an essentially a hero?
Deleted line(s) 247,249 (click to see context) :
** It's bad enough that Lars and Donovan are joking (rather well) about their inability to help ''Lars' son'', who he just learned had become severely depraved and is currently possessed by a ''demon lord'' who tried to kill them all. Then we later find out that said demon lord used to be one of Donovan's best friends. And Miranda on the next page:
--->'''Miranda:''' Good lord, Donovan, stop '''taunting''' Karnak. And you wonder why he keeps coming after us. [She says it like he's indulging as silly bad habit like wearing cleats in the house.]
*** It's neat being so confident you're that cool about a demon lord in the building, but could you see Jayden and Milov acting like this around Siegfried, now or in thirty years? If Karnak ''had'' been salvagable, this would have been a serious blow to that chance.
--->'''Miranda:''' Good lord, Donovan, stop '''taunting''' Karnak. And you wonder why he keeps coming after us. [She says it like he's indulging as silly bad habit like wearing cleats in the house.]
*** It's neat being so confident you're that cool about a demon lord in the building, but could you see Jayden and Milov acting like this around Siegfried, now or in thirty years? If Karnak ''had'' been salvagable, this would have been a serious blow to that chance.
Deleted line(s) 254,255 (click to see context) :
* GetOutOfJailFreeCard: No HeelFaceTurn is complete without one (lampshaded at least once, by Celesto regarding [[spoiler: Amelia's brutal murder vs Szark's redemption]], but even still...)
** And than there's the exception of Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]] whom is currently serving a jail sentence of undetermined length, though her sister gave her word that it'd be a short one.
** And than there's the exception of Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]] whom is currently serving a jail sentence of undetermined length, though her sister gave her word that it'd be a short one.
Changed line(s) 264 (click to see context) from:
* AGoodNameForARockBand: After much deliberation, Greg & Co. choose "Face Bath", inspired by what their very grievously injured [[AntiMagic immune-to-magic]] pal has to do every day to keep his wounds from festering. Also, during the Battle For Barthis arc the temporary rockband gets named "Oblivion Folder" after a file-folder that Lars Sturtz(sp?) keeps misplacing temporarily.
to:
* AGoodNameForARockBand: After much deliberation, Greg & Co. choose "Face Bath", inspired by what their very grievously injured [[AntiMagic immune-to-magic]] pal has to do every day to keep his wounds from festering. Also, during the Battle For Barthis arc the temporary rockband gets named "Oblivion Folder" after a file-folder that Lars Sturtz(sp?) Sturtz keeps misplacing temporarily.
Deleted line(s) 267,268 (click to see context) :
* {{Gorn}}: The Wild Edge arc is full of this.
* GreenRocks: Illusion spells, good for trapping all-powerful foes and calming friends by faking your death at their hands!
* GreenRocks: Illusion spells, good for trapping all-powerful foes and calming friends by faking your death at their hands!
Deleted line(s) 278 (click to see context) :
* {{Hatedom}}: A particular example that it grew large enough to span several different forums, including ''its original forum''.
Changed line(s) 282 (click to see context) from:
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: The King of Callan, apparently. He appeared once seven years ago with only his beard/goatee as his defining feature and [[spoiler: the only thing that now identifies him as an ally of The Beast]].
to:
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: The King of Callan, apparently. He appeared once seven years ago with only in his beard/goatee as his defining feature and [[spoiler: the only thing that now identifies him as an ally of The Beast]].initial appearances.
Changed line(s) 299 (click to see context) from:
* HowlOfSorrow: One use of werewolf howls is to announce the break-up of a pack. Given what breaks up a pack...this is generally a combination of rage and painfully deep sorrow. And it doesn't just announce that the pack has broken up. It announces exactly ''why'' it's broken up.
to:
* HowlOfSorrow: One use of werewolf howls is to announce the break-up of a pack. Given what breaks up a pack...this is generally a combination of rage and painfully deep sorrow. And it doesn't just announce that ''that'' the pack has broken up. It up, it announces exactly ''why'' it's broken up.
Deleted line(s) 306,307 (click to see context) :
* IceCreamKoan: "Crying is like puking for the soul." Or, "Death is not zombies."
** Actually, "Crying is like puking for the soul" is perfectly accurate, not at all cryptic, and only marginally silly. It's not even a Koan, let alone an IceCreamKoan.
** Actually, "Crying is like puking for the soul" is perfectly accurate, not at all cryptic, and only marginally silly. It's not even a Koan, let alone an IceCreamKoan.
Changed line(s) 320,323 (click to see context) from:
* InformedAbility: Reinholdt is supposedly trained in "Wasteland Survival", and yet clearly has no idea what he's doing. This is most likely because the author DidNotDoTheResearch.
** Since it's a Magical Wasteland [[DeathWorld Dead World]] and all around PlanetEris, it would be silly that the same limits should apply to the letter of the law.
** It is often stated that the spellwolves are a loyal people, or at least place great value on loyalty, but it doesn't really show. In fact, their ideals are loyalty, compassion, and restraint, but most werewolves in the comic seem to have a very difficult time with these to the point where most don't even seem to bother.
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' had any use for their forebears' ideals?
** Since it's a Magical Wasteland [[DeathWorld Dead World]] and all around PlanetEris, it would be silly that the same limits should apply to the letter of the law.
** It is often stated that the spellwolves are a loyal people, or at least place great value on loyalty, but it doesn't really show. In fact, their ideals are loyalty, compassion, and restraint, but most werewolves in the comic seem to have a very difficult time with these to the point where most don't even seem to bother.
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' had any use for their forebears' ideals?
to:
* InformedAbility: Reinholdt is supposedly trained in "Wasteland Survival", and yet clearly has no idea what he's doing. This is most likely because the author DidNotDoTheResearch.
** Since it's a Magical Wasteland [[DeathWorld Dead World]] and all around PlanetEris, it would be silly that the same limits should apply to the letter of the law.
** It is often stated that the spellwolves are a loyal people, or at least place great value on loyalty, but it doesn't really show. In fact, their ideals are loyalty, compassion, and restraint, but most werewolves in the comic seem to have a very difficult time with these to the point where most don't even seem to bother.
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' had any use for their forebears' ideals?law.
** It is often stated that the spellwolves are a loyal people, or at least place great value on loyalty, but it doesn't really show. In fact, their ideals are loyalty, compassion, and restraint, but most werewolves in the comic seem to have a very difficult time with these to the point where most don't even seem to bother.
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' had any use for their forebears' ideals?
Changed line(s) 325,328 (click to see context) from:
* InstantExpert: Chance Masters was apparently terrible at physical activities and didn't expect sword fighting (where beginners use ''live steel'') to be any better. To his surprise he beat his foe on the first try! [[spoiler: He may or may not be playing host to a cosmic horror.]]
* {{Irony}}: Milov says how other Callanians wanted to come to Coldfire Academy as a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-25 stepping stone in personal power]]. As [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 Nimmel's internal monologue revealed]], the reasons for the transfer were all about personal power.
** Well, not exactly. Those who came before wanted to ''steal'' said power and feel superior to the werewolves (who they consider no better than beasts). Nimmel simply stated that he wanted to feel powerful, i.e. not be a victim, by attending a place where his magic is more powerful. The difference is that Nimmel has acted with restraint, is a loyal caring friend, deeply immersed in the culture and respectful of it (which is not the same as not [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad critizing]] or [[ValuesDissonance pointing out its incongruence]])
** Chance Masters is first shown as a wealthy arrogent bully who gives special attention to another boy with a ponytail. It turns out [[spoiler: "Ponytail" used to bully Chance because Chance sucked at sports and he ("Ponytail") thought that all rich kids were jerks because that's how his "action books" always portrayed them (apparently ''Richie Rich'' doesn't exist in Callan)]].
* {{Irony}}: Milov says how other Callanians wanted to come to Coldfire Academy as a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-25 stepping stone in personal power]]. As [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 Nimmel's internal monologue revealed]], the reasons for the transfer were all about personal power.
** Well, not exactly. Those who came before wanted to ''steal'' said power and feel superior to the werewolves (who they consider no better than beasts). Nimmel simply stated that he wanted to feel powerful, i.e. not be a victim, by attending a place where his magic is more powerful. The difference is that Nimmel has acted with restraint, is a loyal caring friend, deeply immersed in the culture and respectful of it (which is not the same as not [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad critizing]] or [[ValuesDissonance pointing out its incongruence]])
** Chance Masters is first shown as a wealthy arrogent bully who gives special attention to another boy with a ponytail. It turns out [[spoiler: "Ponytail" used to bully Chance because Chance sucked at sports and he ("Ponytail") thought that all rich kids were jerks because that's how his "action books" always portrayed them (apparently ''Richie Rich'' doesn't exist in Callan)]].
to:
* InstantExpert: Chance Masters was apparently terrible at physical activities and didn't expect sword fighting (where beginners use ''live steel'') to be any better. To his surprise he beat his foe on the first try! [[spoiler: He may or may not be playing host to a cosmic horror.]]
* {{Irony}}:Milov says how other Callanians wanted to come to Coldfire Academy as a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-25 stepping stone in personal power]]. As [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 Nimmel's internal monologue revealed]], the reasons for the transfer were all about personal power.
** Well, not exactly. Those who came before wanted to ''steal'' said power and feel superior to the werewolves (who they consider no better than beasts). Nimmel simply stated that he wanted to feel powerful, i.e. not be a victim, by attending a place where his magic is more powerful. The difference is that Nimmel has acted with restraint, is a loyal caring friend, deeply immersed in the culture and respectful of it (which is not the same as not [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad critizing]] or [[ValuesDissonance pointing out its incongruence]])
**Chance Masters is first shown as a wealthy arrogent bully who gives special attention to another boy with a ponytail. It turns out [[spoiler: "Ponytail" used to bully Chance because Chance sucked at sports and he ("Ponytail") thought that all rich kids were jerks because that's how his "action books" always portrayed them (apparently ''Richie Rich'' doesn't exist in Callan)]].
* {{Irony}}:
** Well, not exactly. Those who came before wanted to ''steal'' said power and feel superior to the werewolves (who they consider no better than beasts). Nimmel simply stated that he wanted to feel powerful, i.e. not be a victim, by attending a place where his magic is more powerful. The difference is that Nimmel has acted with restraint, is a loyal caring friend, deeply immersed in the culture and respectful of it (which is not the same as not [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad critizing]] or [[ValuesDissonance pointing out its incongruence]])
**
Changed line(s) 347,348 (click to see context) from:
* KickTheDog: Often invoked to prevent the protagonists from looking too gray. Unless a villain is immediately painted as sympathetic and merely confused, expect some detail to turn up that justifies doing horrible things to them.
** Among the first things we see Siegfried do are beat Dominic to a pulp for not giving him the prediction he wanted, and then beating Gregory, a crippled kid, with his own walking stick. Of course, he does PetTheDog a couple times later on.
** Among the first things we see Siegfried do are beat Dominic to a pulp for not giving him the prediction he wanted, and then beating Gregory, a crippled kid, with his own walking stick. Of course, he does PetTheDog a couple times later on.
to:
* KickTheDog: Often invoked to prevent the protagonists from looking too gray. Unless a villain is immediately painted as sympathetic and merely confused, expect some detail to turn up that justifies doing horrible things to them.
**Among the first things we see Siegfried do are beat Dominic to a pulp for not giving him the prediction he wanted, and then beating Gregory, a crippled kid, with his own walking stick. Of course, he does PetTheDog a couple times later on.
**
Changed line(s) 363,365 (click to see context) from:
* LowestCommonDenominator: The concept was [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-31 relentlessly mocked here]]
* LuminescentBlush: Sported by everyone most of the time (first-time reader of DD, longtime reader/watcher of anime: "Why is everyone ''blushing?!''"). The critics think the "blushing" is a misinterpretation of the facial lines/shadows seen in anime that denote intensity and have since become part of DD's style.
** It looks like it's a misinterpretation of ''TheSlayers''' facial lines.
* LuminescentBlush: Sported by everyone most of the time (first-time reader of DD, longtime reader/watcher of anime: "Why is everyone ''blushing?!''"). The critics think the "blushing" is a misinterpretation of the facial lines/shadows seen in anime that denote intensity and have since become part of DD's style.
** It looks like it's a misinterpretation of ''TheSlayers''' facial lines.
to:
* LowestCommonDenominator: The concept was [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-31 relentlessly mocked here]]
* LuminescentBlush: Sported by everyone most of the time (first-time reader of DD, longtime reader/watcher of anime: "Why is everyone ''blushing?!''"). The critics think the "blushing" is a misinterpretation of the facial lines/shadows seen in anime that denote intensity and have since become part of DD's style.
** It looks like it's a misinterpretation of ''TheSlayers''' facial lines.here]].
* LuminescentBlush: Sported by everyone most of the time (first-time reader of DD, longtime reader/watcher of anime: "Why is everyone ''blushing?!''"). The critics think the "blushing" is a misinterpretation of the facial lines/shadows seen in anime that denote intensity and have since become part of DD's style.
** It looks like it's a misinterpretation of ''TheSlayers''' facial lines.
Changed line(s) 369 (click to see context) from:
** [[spoiler: And the next arc begins with Callanian Magic mysteriously malfunctioning as a result]]
to:
** [[spoiler: And the next arc begins with Callanian Magic mysteriously malfunctioning as a result]]result.]]
Changed line(s) 376,377 (click to see context) from:
** On a more symbolic note, "Karnak" is old orcish for [[{{Satan}} "The Morning Star"]]
*** Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[VideoGame/GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
*** Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[VideoGame/GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
to:
** On a more symbolic note, "Karnak" is old orcish for [[{{Satan}} "The Morning Star"]]
***Star"]]. Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[VideoGame/GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
***
Changed line(s) 408 (click to see context) from:
** Something the Shintula Chieftain is experiencing in the form of Luna's ChosenOne status, which would never have happened if he hadn't cursed the Callanians with the affliction that would lead Luna to being born with 'Tusk-Mouth' in the first place.
to:
** Something the Shintula Chieftain is experiencing experiences in the form of Luna's ChosenOne status, which would never have happened if he hadn't cursed the Callanians with the affliction that would lead Luna to being born with 'Tusk-Mouth' in the first place.
Deleted line(s) 413 (click to see context) :
*** ...he's on Celesto's side of the bed. Those two are still recurring characters, but there will probably be no awkwardness if they run into each other again, because those are the rules for this universe. Also because Celesto has gone through so much alteration since Erossus even the big stuff from that stage of his life seems to be pretty irrelevant to him.
Changed line(s) 417 (click to see context) from:
* NonLethalWarfare: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-16 They're beating us up with their arrow volleys!]] The idealism is adorable. Apparently the idea is the orcs were shooting to wound but...well, Arrow Volleys Do Not Work That Way.
to:
* NonLethalWarfare: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-16 They're beating us up with their arrow volleys!]] The idealism is adorable. Apparently the idea is the orcs were shooting to wound but...well, Arrow Volleys Do Not Work That Way.
Changed line(s) 422 (click to see context) from:
* OddCouple: In the current arc, former thief, AntiHero, and DeadpanSnarker [[HeManWomanHater Stunt]] is paired up with good-hearted, noble (if [[MyGreatestFailure tainted in her own mind]]) [[WhiteMage priestess]] Jayden on her spiritual pilgrimage of redemption. Depending on how it plays out, it could either end up being ItsTheJourneyThatCounts which helps both of them let go of the past and Stunt [[LoveableRogue fully]] [[HeelFaceTurn reform]], or a subversion where he has an IgnoredEpiphany. Either way, [[HilarityEnsues hilarity is likely to ensue]].
to:
* OddCouple: In the current arc, former Former thief, AntiHero, and DeadpanSnarker [[HeManWomanHater Stunt]] is paired up with good-hearted, noble (if [[MyGreatestFailure tainted in her own mind]]) [[WhiteMage priestess]] Jayden on her spiritual pilgrimage of redemption. Depending on how it plays out, it could either end up being ItsTheJourneyThatCounts which helps both of them let go of the past and Stunt [[LoveableRogue fully]] [[HeelFaceTurn reform]], or a subversion where he has an IgnoredEpiphany. Either way, [[HilarityEnsues hilarity is likely to ensue]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
General cleanup. Let\'s stick to stuff in the strip, not \"common accusations.\" We\'re giving the bashers more weight than they deserve. If anyone wants to put some of these back in with legit examples, feel free.
Deleted line(s) 422,423 (click to see context) :
* ObviouslyEvil: A common accusation leveled at the series is that every antagonist that doesn't do a HeelFaceTurn and embrace Dominic and his TrueCompanions within the course of a StoryArc will devolve into this.
** Made worse when Mookie revealed he had received a standing ovation during a comic convention panel on writing dynamic villains. This only served to make the {{hatedom}} even more critical of his works.
** Made worse when Mookie revealed he had received a standing ovation during a comic convention panel on writing dynamic villains. This only served to make the {{hatedom}} even more critical of his works.
Changed line(s) 452 (click to see context) from:
* TheParagon: Dominic and Luna's goal in the Maltak arc. Whether they succeed or not is up to you.
to:
* TheParagon: Dominic and Luna's goal in the Maltak arc. Whether they succeed or not is up to you.
Deleted line(s) 476,478 (click to see context) :
* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: One of the more common complaints leveled against the series.
** An odd meta-inversion of this in the HateDom. Any and all crimes a character commits (up to and including attempted murder, attempting to maim a helpless animal while it's still conscious, and trying to kidnap and exploit two innocent people) will be [[DracoInLeatherPants entirely downplayed and forgiven]] if said character is a villain, and thus opposed to the protagonists, who will instead be portrayed [[RonTheDeathEater in the most horrendous light possible]].
** One example from the Wild Edge arc: The poachers are rightfully portrayed as evil for trying to maim, kill, and exploit the wildlife of the Wild Edge. The only character who actually successfully kills a Wild Edge animal is Bort the Mongrelman -- and it's PlayedForLaughs.
** An odd meta-inversion of this in the HateDom. Any and all crimes a character commits (up to and including attempted murder, attempting to maim a helpless animal while it's still conscious, and trying to kidnap and exploit two innocent people) will be [[DracoInLeatherPants entirely downplayed and forgiven]] if said character is a villain, and thus opposed to the protagonists, who will instead be portrayed [[RonTheDeathEater in the most horrendous light possible]].
** One example from the Wild Edge arc: The poachers are rightfully portrayed as evil for trying to maim, kill, and exploit the wildlife of the Wild Edge. The only character who actually successfully kills a Wild Edge animal is Bort the Mongrelman -- and it's PlayedForLaughs.
Changed line(s) 482 (click to see context) from:
* PutOnABus: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-05-21 Szark]] and [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-08-18 Snowsong]] are sent to the "Aberthast Cathedral" to await their HeelFaceTurn.
to:
* PutOnABus: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-05-21 Szark]] and [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-08-18 Snowsong]] are sent to the "Aberthast Cathedral" Aberthast Cathedral for a while to await their HeelFaceTurn.get counseling after they nearly go off the deep end.
Changed line(s) 487,488 (click to see context) from:
* RapeAsComedy / DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-22 Here]].
** This is: when revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "didn't have much of a choice."
** This is: when revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "didn't have much of a choice."
to:
* RapeAsComedy BlackComedyRape / DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale: [[http://www.DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale: When revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-22 Here]].
** This is: when revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "didn'tdidn't have much of a choice.choice]]."
** This is: when revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "didn't
Changed line(s) 496,497 (click to see context) from:
* RedemptionInTheRain: Played straight, almost to the point of being {{Anvilicious}}, in Maltak.
** If this is about [[spoiler: the orc tattoos washing off]], even [[FanHater the critics]] acknowledged that it was actually a pretty good way of showing [[spoiler: their powers are returning to nature]].
** If this is about [[spoiler: the orc tattoos washing off]], even [[FanHater the critics]] acknowledged that it was actually a pretty good way of showing [[spoiler: their powers are returning to nature]].
to:
* RedemptionInTheRain: Played straight, almost to the point of being {{Anvilicious}}, in Maltak.
** If this is aboutMaltak, where [[spoiler: the orc tattoos washing off]], even [[FanHater the critics]] acknowledged that it was actually a pretty good way of showing used to show show [[spoiler: their powers are returning to nature]].
** If this is about
Changed line(s) 499 (click to see context) from:
* RetCon: What happened to Stunt's mother and why. [[spoiler: In a deleted comic, Stunt said he "slit her nasty throat" because she was abusive. That was removed and replaced with one where he just said she was his first murder. Then it turns out he was just trying to scare her and his mother's lesbian lover apparently (accidentally?) pushed her in front of his knife.]]
to:
* RetCon: Borderline: What happened to Stunt's mother and why. [[spoiler: In a deleted comic, Stunt said he "slit her nasty throat" because she was abusive. That was removed and replaced with one where he just said she was his first murder. Then it turns out he was just trying to scare her and his mother's lesbian lover apparently (accidentally?) pushed her in front of his knife.]]
Deleted line(s) 505 (click to see context) :
** This, or RuleOfDrama, is probably the best available explanation for a lot of such errors in the Maltak arc, including characters [[BehindTheBlack sneaking up on each other]] in what appears to be a barren plain.
Changed line(s) 529 (click to see context) from:
** [[{{Watchmen}} "I'm not trapped [in Hell] with you, you're trapped in here WITH ME!"]] The author claims it was accidental. Coincedentally, the same quote happens to be his friend [[CtrlAltDel Tim Buckley's]] forum signature on his own website.
to:
** [[{{Watchmen}} "I'm not trapped [in Hell] with you, you're trapped in here WITH ME!"]] The author claims it was accidental. Coincedentally, Coincidentally, the same quote happens to be his friend [[CtrlAltDel Tim Buckley's]] forum signature on his own website.
Deleted line(s) 545 (click to see context) :
* StrawmanPolitical: Heavily abused, to the point of being {{Anvilicious}} more often than not. If you don't embrace multiculturalism and tolerance, not only are you a idiotic bigot incapable of reading or thinking for yourself, but you're also [[ObviouslyEvil just plain evil]], going to die, and going to Hell.
Changed line(s) 569 (click to see context) from:
* TwoGuysAndAGirl: A repeated trope to the point the Xerox is starting to edge onto {{Naruto}}'s turf. Donovan, Miranda, and Karnak seem to have been this, though it's unclear how Karnak felt about Donovan most of the time. Stonewater, Grenchka, and Bulgak also follow this pattern, with a variation in that [[FirstGuyWins Bulgak knew Grench first, but does not get her]]. Milov, Jayden, and Siegfried are eventually revealed to have been this not just in gender combo but in dynamic. Because Siggy ''fails''. At ''everything''.
to:
* TwoGuysAndAGirl: A repeated trope to the point the Xerox is starting to edge onto {{Naruto}}'s turf. Donovan, Miranda, and Karnak seem to have been this, though it's unclear how Karnak felt about Donovan most of the time. Stonewater, Grenchka, and Bulgak also follow this pattern, with a variation in that [[FirstGuyWins Bulgak knew Grench first, but does not get her]]. Milov, Jayden, and Siegfried are eventually revealed to have been this not just in gender combo but in dynamic. Because Siggy ''fails''. At ''everything''.
Changed line(s) 575 (click to see context) from:
* UnholyNuke: A rare example of one used by a good character. Dark Soul Burst is a spell powered by anger and hatred, and is typically used by Luna when someone REALLY pisses her off. The first time it's used, it knocks out Siegfried, a rather strong royal knight, in a single shot.
to:
* UnholyNuke: A rare example of one used by a good character. Dark Soul Burst is a spell powered by anger and hatred, and is typically used by Luna when someone REALLY pisses her off. The first time it's used, it knocks out Siegfried, a rather strong royal knight, in a single shot. Later on, an ally deliberately pisses her off to make the spell more powerful when she casts it.
Changed line(s) 580 (click to see context) from:
* {{Veganopia}}: Major piece in developig the orcs. It's not that they're not a violent, primitive society, but they're herbivores, and it adds a certain buccolic innocence to Malak.
to:
* {{Veganopia}}: Major piece in developig developing the orcs. It's not that they're not a violent, primitive society, but they're herbivores, and it adds a certain buccolic innocence to Malak.Maltak.
Deleted line(s) 589,590 (click to see context) :
* WelcomeBackTraitor: Dominic's childhood friend Szark turns on the protagonist due to demonic influence. Once the demons are dealt with, he's back on Dominic's side.
** This doesn't apply, in fact. He never actually attacked any of Dominic's close friends or family, and only killed others in "legal" duels, though some had been enchanted when they agreed. (A fact he was not aware of.) After Dominic literally calls his soul out on letting his darker side do what it wants due to this he realizes what he's done is wrong, but he still struggles with the urge to kill. He never actually betrayed them, and it wasn't immediately dropped afterwards.
** This doesn't apply, in fact. He never actually attacked any of Dominic's close friends or family, and only killed others in "legal" duels, though some had been enchanted when they agreed. (A fact he was not aware of.) After Dominic literally calls his soul out on letting his darker side do what it wants due to this he realizes what he's done is wrong, but he still struggles with the urge to kill. He never actually betrayed them, and it wasn't immediately dropped afterwards.
Deleted line(s) 600,601 (click to see context) :
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: One of the things that really bugs the critics is that sometimes Mookie has really good ideas and the strip shows real potential. And then (in their view at least) the plot gets fumbled or it just doesn't get pulled off.
** Prior to being officially introduced in the comic, Huk Thak gained a MemeticBadass status within the Fandom from his teaser image, which asked "Who is Huk Thak and why does he want to kill Melna?". It was a bit of a let down when he finally showed up and didn't want to kill Melna at all, and wasn't even named Huk Thak. Though that's subverted because Mookie even stated in an interview that Hukthak wasn't his real name and he wasn't going to be a villain. He was baffled that Hukthak had gained such popularity from just that teaser image, which the fandom conceded was a joke that had gotten [[MemeticBadass out of hand]]
** Prior to being officially introduced in the comic, Huk Thak gained a MemeticBadass status within the Fandom from his teaser image, which asked "Who is Huk Thak and why does he want to kill Melna?". It was a bit of a let down when he finally showed up and didn't want to kill Melna at all, and wasn't even named Huk Thak. Though that's subverted because Mookie even stated in an interview that Hukthak wasn't his real name and he wasn't going to be a villain. He was baffled that Hukthak had gained such popularity from just that teaser image, which the fandom conceded was a joke that had gotten [[MemeticBadass out of hand]]
Changed line(s) 606,607 (click to see context) from:
** Invoked (and promptly dismissed) on occasion--except for Pam at the end of the Snowsong arc. She actually [[spoiler:called out Gregory and Dominic for their actions and punished them for it.]] The fact that this almost never happens with any of the other characters made that instance rather refreshing.
** Huk Thak invokes this at the climax of the Maltak arc, but is dismissed by Reinholdt, of all people.
** Huk Thak invokes this at the climax of the Maltak arc, but is dismissed by Reinholdt, of all people.
to:
** Invoked (and promptly dismissed) on occasion--except for Pam at the end of the Snowsong arc. She actually [[spoiler:called [[spoiler:calls out Gregory and Dominic for their actions and punished punishes them for it.]] The fact that this almost never happens with any of the other characters made that instance rather refreshing.
]]
** Huk Thak invokes this at the climax of the Maltak arc, but is dismissed byReinholdt, of all people.Reinholdt.
** Huk Thak invokes this at the climax of the Maltak arc, but is dismissed by
Changed line(s) 623 (click to see context) from:
* YinYangBomb: Luna in the current story arc. Also a case of LightIsNotGood and DarkIsNotEvil.
to:
* YinYangBomb: Luna in the current story arc.March Across Maltak. Also a case of LightIsNotGood and DarkIsNotEvil.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Changed line(s) 323 (click to see context) from:
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' [[YourMileageMayVary had any use]] for their forebears' ideals?
to:
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' [[YourMileageMayVary had any use]] use for their forebears' ideals?
Deleted line(s) 424 (click to see context) :
*** YourMilageMayVary, I suppose. Dominic's "Bastard Watch" contains three very popular characters in the series, all of whom have had CharacterDevelopment in one direction or another as the series has continued.
Changed line(s) 453 (click to see context) from:
* TheParagon: Dominic and Luna's goal in the Maltak arc. Whether they succeed or not is [[YourMileageMayVary up to you.]]
to:
* TheParagon: Dominic and Luna's goal in the Maltak arc. Whether they succeed or not is [[YourMileageMayVary up to you.]]
Changed line(s) 477 (click to see context) from:
* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: One of the more common complaints leveled against the series. It goes without saying that YourMileageMayVary.
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* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: One of the more common complaints leveled against the series. It goes without saying that YourMileageMayVary.
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-->'''[[NotSoHarmless Snert]]''': Because the Archmage of the Fifth Circle wills it.
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* LargeHam: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-10 Zelda]] (No, not ''that'' [[LegendOfZelda Zelda]]), an old friend of Domonic's during her appearance in the Oracle Hunter Arc. For more fun, remember that Zelda Zanzibar is based on a gag Mookie used to pull. Yes, in drag.
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* LargeHam: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-10 Zelda]] (No, not ''that'' [[LegendOfZelda [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda]]), an old friend of Domonic's during her appearance in the Oracle Hunter Arc. For more fun, remember that Zelda Zanzibar is based on a gag Mookie used to pull. Yes, in drag.
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Rape Is Love to Victim Falls For Rapist per the rape tropes Special Efforts thread
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* RapeIsLove: Noted and subsequently almost completely averted. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-01-13 Melna was raped by Stonewater]] (as a child!) to save her life, but after meeting him again some years later, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-02-12 she discovers, to her alarm, that she is attracted to him now.]] On further rumination, Melna loves what Stonewater has come to stand for... which is not that surprising given Stonewater tried to model himself after Melna's father, horrible traumatization aside.
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* VictimFallsForRapist: Noted and subsequently almost completely averted. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-01-13 Melna was raped by Stonewater]] (as a child!) to save her life, but after meeting him again some years later, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-02-12 she discovers, to her alarm, that she is attracted to him now.]] On further rumination, Melna loves what Stonewater has come to stand for... which is not that surprising given Stonewater tried to model himself after Melna's father, horrible traumatization aside.
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That was an actual throwing knife.
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* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2012-05-10 Even when you don't expect it to.]]
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* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2012-05-10 Even when you don't expect it to.]]
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* RapeAsComedy / RapeIsOKWhenItIsFemaleOnMale: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-22 Here]].
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* RapeAsComedy / RapeIsOKWhenItIsFemaleOnMale: DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-22 Here]].
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** Black magic in general averts this trope. Although fueling spells with negative emotions like anger, sorrow, or hatred does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche, it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction rather than magic that is inherently evil.
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** Black magic in general averts embraces this trope. Although fueling spells with negative emotions like anger, sorrow, or hatred does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche, it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction rather than magic that is inherently evil.
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** Black magic in general averts this trope. Although fueling spells with negative emotions like anger, sorrow, or veangeance does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche, it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction rather than magic that is inherently evil.
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** Black magic in general averts this trope. Although fueling spells with negative emotions like anger, sorrow, or veangeance hatred does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche, it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction rather than magic that is inherently evil.
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** Black magic in general averts this trope. Although fueling spells with negative emotions like anger, sorrow, or veangeance does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche, it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction rather than magic that is inherently evil.
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** Black magic, on the other hand, does not do this, although fueling spells with negative emotions does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche. Luna used to specilize in black magic, and still seems to for combat purposes; it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction than magic that is 'bad.'
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* CrystalDragonJesus- The Luanian Church, with its own Jesus Christ/Prophet Mohammed like figure in The Prophet Luana, is the ruling faith in Callan. Throughout the "Around the World", other racial faiths were touched upon as well as a lesser Callanian religion of Scapilanism in Jayden and Laurie's pilgrimmage to the Desert of Eldariat.
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* CrystalDragonJesus- The Luanian Church, with its own Jesus Christ/Prophet Mohammed like figure in The Prophet Luana, is the ruling faith in Callan. Throughout the "Around the World", World" story arc, other racial faiths were touched upon as well as a lesser Callanian religion of Scapilanism in Jayden and Laurie's pilgrimmage to the Desert of Eldariat.
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** The aptly named "Guardian Destroyer" from the Plane of Destruction is regarded as one.
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** A very brutal variant with Seigfreid. After his rebellion against Karnak doesn't pan out exactly like he expected, Karnak is able to convince him what a horrible bastard his father truly was. Siegfreid expresses his extreme displeasure by going out and ''rabidly devouring the head of his father's soul''.
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* ContractualImmortality: Celesto, [[strike:Klo Tark]], The Infernomancer. In the Infernomancer's case, this is ''literal'' as his contract with Karnak makes him immune to all wounds, except the [[EyeScream giant holes in his face]].
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* ContractualImmortality: Celesto, [[strike:Klo Tark]], Celesto and The Infernomancer. In the Infernomancer's case, this is ''literal'' as his contract with Karnak makes him immune to all wounds, except the [[EyeScream giant holes in his face]].
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** Celesto is frequently a victim of this as it slowly becomes harder and harder for him to fight off The Beast's influence on his mind.
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* Revelation: After the beast kills the mentor of the Arch-Magi it is left severely weakened and must try to consume more power. Further, the one who sustains and rules the beast is revealed [[spoiler: David Johann, the King of Callan.]]
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* Revelation: After the beast kills the mentor of the Arch-Magi it is left severely weakened and must try to consume more power. Further, the one who sustains and rules the beast is revealed [[spoiler: David Johann, the first Arch-Mage of the Fifth Circle and King of Callan.]]
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* The Court of Karnak: After serving as Karnak's knight during his rampage across Hell, Seigfried has had enough of serving under his master's thumb and rebels against him. Meanwhile, Bulgak Adrak awakes in Hell and faces the truth about his life and death and The Beast is once again on the move.
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* The Court of Karnak: After serving as Karnak's knight during his rampage across Hell, Seigfried has had enough of serving under his master's thumb and rebels against him. Meanwhile, Bulgak Adrak awakes in Hell and faces the truth about his life and death and death. Behind all of it The Beast is once again on the move.move and slowly gathering strength.
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* [[Megadeth Symphony of Destruction]]: Dominic goes to the plane of destruction to battle against The Beast.
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* [[Megadeth [[MegaDeth Symphony of Destruction]]: Dominic goes to the plane of destruction to battle against The Beast.
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* Built To Resist
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* Built To ResistResist: While Luna and Dominic are away things take a turn for the worse. Dex is suddenly out of his job as sheriff and unexpectedly runs into his ex-girlfriend, Gregory gets dumped by Pamela, and Celesto returns... and a new enemy emerges in the form of "The Beast".
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* The Court of Karnak
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* The Court of KarnakKarnak: After serving as Karnak's knight during his rampage across Hell, Seigfried has had enough of serving under his master's thumb and rebels against him. Meanwhile, Bulgak Adrak awakes in Hell and faces the truth about his life and death and The Beast is once again on the move.
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* Symphony of Destruction
* Face-to-Facebath
* Revelation
* The Search for Celesto
* Face-to-Facebath
* Revelation
* The Search for Celesto
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* [[Megadeth Symphony of Destruction
Destruction]]: Dominic goes to the plane of destruction to battle against The Beast.
*Face-to-Facebath
Face-to-Facebath: Luna and Dominic step up to help Gregory's bandmates deal with their personal issues.
*Revelation
Revelation: After the beast kills the mentor of the Arch-Magi it is left severely weakened and must try to consume more power. Further, the one who sustains and rules the beast is revealed [[spoiler: David Johann, the King of Callan.]]
* The Search forCelesto
Celesto: Luna and Quilt go on a search to find Celesto after his extended absence to enlist his help in exposing The Beast's benefactor. When they finally find him, Szark and Dominic must stop Celesto's plan to expose The Beast on his own terms while Gregory and Luna uncover the shocking truth about the Royal Battlecasters.
* I Do
*
*
* The Search for
* I Do
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* CrystalDragonJesus- There is only one true church and all of the Kingdom of Callan appears to fall under its banner. Like DungeonsAndDragons with racial religions.
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* CrystalDragonJesus- There is only one true church and all of the Kingdom of Callan appears to fall under its banner. Like DungeonsAndDragons The Luanian Church, with its own Jesus Christ/Prophet Mohammed like figure in The Prophet Luana, is the ruling faith in Callan. Throughout the "Around the World", other racial religions.faiths were touched upon as well as a lesser Callanian religion of Scapilanism in Jayden and Laurie's pilgrimmage to the Desert of Eldariat.
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*** Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
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*** Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[GodOfWar [[VideoGame/GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
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* ThatNightFeltLikeMonths: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-01-08 This early strip]], among other [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-01-11 times]].
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* WebcomicTime: Frequently and often lamp shaded, sometimes straight and sometimes through [[ContinuityNod continuity nods.]] Usually it gets so confusing over how much time has passed during the arcs that it can only be determined by Spark's lampshade hanging via hunger.
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* WebcomicTime: Frequently and often lamp shaded, lampshaded, sometimes straight and sometimes through [[ContinuityNod continuity nods.]] Usually it gets so confusing over how much time has passed during the arcs that it can only be determined by Spark's lampshade hanging via hunger.hunger.
** Some examples of the nods and lampshades: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-01-08 This early strip]], or [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-01-11 this one]].
** Some examples of the nods and lampshades: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-01-08 This early strip]], or [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-01-11 this one]].
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*WhamLine:
-->'''Nimmel''': What is he doing to them? Why is this happening?
-->'''[[NotSoHarmless Snert]]''': Because the Archmage of the Fifth Circle wills it.
-->'''Nimmel''': Miranda? No, you're lying! It can't be!
-->'''[[DemonicPossession Snert]]''': I am not lying, Nimmel Feenix...[[BigBad and I don't mean Miranda Deegan]].
-->'''Nimmel''': What is he doing to them? Why is this happening?
-->'''[[NotSoHarmless Snert]]''': Because the Archmage of the Fifth Circle wills it.
-->'''Nimmel''': Miranda? No, you're lying! It can't be!
-->'''[[DemonicPossession Snert]]''': I am not lying, Nimmel Feenix...[[BigBad and I don't mean Miranda Deegan]].
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''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire]]'' is a [[{{Webcomics}} webcomic]] started by Michael "Mookie" Terracciano in 2002. It follows the life and times of Dominic Deegan, a [[MessianicArchetype messianic]] yet pessimistic seer who travels about with Spark, his [[TalkingAnimal feline comic relief]], and assorted companions. Originally a lighter strip based on puns and wordplay, it became a famous case of CerebusSyndrome, arguably starting with the "Visions of Doom" arc, but certainly by "Storm of Souls". Though some fans have [[FanDisillusionment bemoaned]] subsequent MoralDissonance and the {{Flanderization}} of characters, DominicDeegan has always attempted to maintain some of its earlier whimsy.
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''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire]]'' is a [[{{Webcomics}} webcomic]] started by Michael "Mookie" Terracciano in 2002. It follows the life and times of Dominic Deegan, a [[MessianicArchetype messianic]] yet pessimistic seer who travels about with Spark, his [[TalkingAnimal feline comic relief]], and assorted companions. Originally a lighter strip based on puns and wordplay, it became a famous case of CerebusSyndrome, arguably starting with the "Visions of Doom" arc, but certainly by "Storm of Souls". Though some many fans have [[FanDisillusionment bemoaned]] subsequent MoralDissonance and the {{Flanderization}} of characters, DominicDeegan has always attempted to maintain some of its earlier whimsy.
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''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire]]'' is a [[{{Webcomics}} webcomic]] started by Michael "Mookie" Terracciano in 2002. It follows the life and times of Dominic Deegan, a [[MessianicArchetype messianic]] yet pessimistic seer who travels about with Spark, his [[TalkingAnimal feline comic relief]], and assorted companions. Originally a lighter strip based on puns and wordplay, it became a famous case of CerebusSyndrome, arguably starting with the "Visions of Doom" arc, but certainly by "Storm of Souls". Though some fans have [[FanDisillusionment bemoaned]] subsequent MoralDissonance and the {{Flanderization}} of characters, DominicDeegan has always maintained some level of its earlier whimsy.
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''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire]]'' is a [[{{Webcomics}} webcomic]] started by Michael "Mookie" Terracciano in 2002. It follows the life and times of Dominic Deegan, a [[MessianicArchetype messianic]] yet pessimistic seer who travels about with Spark, his [[TalkingAnimal feline comic relief]], and assorted companions. Originally a lighter strip based on puns and wordplay, it became a famous case of CerebusSyndrome, arguably starting with the "Visions of Doom" arc, but certainly by "Storm of Souls". Though some fans have [[FanDisillusionment bemoaned]] subsequent MoralDissonance and the {{Flanderization}} of characters, DominicDeegan has always maintained attempted to maintain some level of its earlier whimsy.
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* IGotBetter: The only apparent explanation for [[spoiler: Dex]]'s sudden recovery is [[TheDeterminator sheer force of will]].
** Happens to [[spoiler: Reinholdt]] during the climax of the Maltak arc, though not without a price.
** Similarly, when Luna is stabbed with the Hukthak, her injury disappears as soon as it's pulled out, but it too comes with a price: [[spoiler:She can never have children]].
** Happens to [[spoiler: Reinholdt]] during the climax of the Maltak arc, though not without a price.
** Similarly, when Luna is stabbed with the Hukthak, her injury disappears as soon as it's pulled out, but it too comes with a price: [[spoiler:She can never have children]].
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* UnexplainedRecovery: The only apparent explanation for [[spoiler: Dex]]'s sudden recovery is [[TheDeterminator sheer force of will]].
** Happens to [[spoiler: Reinholdt]] during the climax of the Maltak arc, though not without a price.
** Similarly, when Luna is stabbed with the Hukthak, her injury disappears as soon as it's pulled out, but it too comes with a price: [[spoiler:She can never have children]].
** Happens to [[spoiler: Reinholdt]] during the climax of the Maltak arc, though not without a price.
** Similarly, when Luna is stabbed with the Hukthak, her injury disappears as soon as it's pulled out, but it too comes with a price: [[spoiler:She can never have children]].
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[[quoteright:216:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Dance_Puppets!.jpg]]
%%
%% As this is a polarizing subject, please allow the page to be somewhat neutral and refrain
%% from making a JustifyingEdit.
%%
''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire]]'' is a [[{{Webcomics}} webcomic]] started by Michael "Mookie" Terracciano in 2002. It follows the life and times of Dominic Deegan, a [[MessianicArchetype messianic]] yet pessimistic seer who travels about with Spark, his [[TalkingAnimal feline comic relief]], and assorted companions. Originally a lighter strip based on puns and wordplay, it became a famous case of CerebusSyndrome, arguably starting with the "Visions of Doom" arc, but certainly by "Storm of Souls". Though some fans have [[FanDisillusionment bemoaned]] subsequent MoralDissonance and the {{Flanderization}} of characters, DominicDeegan has always maintained some level of its earlier whimsy.
Opinions are [[BrokenBase deeply and sometimes loudly divided]] about the quality of the comic, and the comic has a substantial {{Hatedom}}.
----
'''List of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/contents.php Major Arcs]]:'''
* Visions of Doom: Dominic, Luna, and Gregory head to Barthis to try and prevent a slaughter after Dominic receives a, well, vision of doom.
* Ecstasy and Evil: Another vision leads Dominic and Luna to his friend, Szark, to warn him about it--they learn he's married to Luna's sister, and the both of them are sleeping with a rival seer.
* Storm of Souls: The project of Dominic's brother, Jacob, calls up the Storm of Souls, the afterlife and weapon of an ancient cult of chaos, the Chosen, who proceed to try and harness it to take over/destroy the world.
* The Battle for Barthis: Gregory, Donovan, and Melna put on a concert to fund the rebuilding of Barthis, which was destroyed during the Storm of Souls arc, while an amoral businessman tries to buy the town out from under its residents.
* The War in Hell: The souls of the Chosen, having been banished to Hell, become a point of contention for Hell's lords and ladies, who go to war over it.
* Two Thief or Not Two Thief?: Stunt and Bumper, a pair of thieves who tried (and repeatedly failed) to put one over on Dominic earlier in the comic try to make it big in the rebuilt Barthis, and bring on worse problems than they intended.
* Class Action: Dominic starts teaching at his mother's school of magic.
* Snowsong: A survivor of the Chosen assault on Barthis returns, intent on killing Gregory, thinking he murdered her fellow cult members. Gregory takes inspiration from [[SuperheroEpisode an old Action Book]] he liked as a kid to deal with the problem.
* The Shadow of Siegfried: Having died during the War in Hell, Siegfried wreaks havoc on his former friends in life.
* The Oracle Hunter: An assassin targeting seers sets her sights on Dominic.
* Around the World: Dominic and Luna go on vacation to take a load off and recharge their batteries, and meet up with some old friends, some new friends, and [[spoiler:a new friend who's an old friend]]
* Built To Resist
* March Across Maltak: Dominic, Luna, Donovan and Melna head into Maltak after the storms ravaging it finally end, and have to find a way to help the native Orcs heal the land and their clans.
* [[AnimalHouse A Nimmel]] [[PunnyName House]]: Nimmel begins his first semester at the Coldfire Academy in the Winter Archipelago, where he's the only human among werewolves.
* [[SystemOfADown B.Y.O.B]]: Gregory, searching for something to do with his life, learns to "Be Your Own Bard," and invents death metal.
* Walk the Wild Edge: Stunt, now a guide in the Wild Edge territories, tries to stop his fellow guides from capturing and exploiting an innocent mongrel man.
* The Court of Karnak
* Altered States: After learning that both of them are infertile, Dominic and Luna look into Alterism to see if they can solve the problem.
* Symphony of Destruction
* Face-to-Facebath
* Revelation
* The Search for Celesto
----
!!Tropes used include:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder: Tropes A-C]]
* ActionMom: Miranda Deegan
* AddedAlliterativeAppeal: The author (or at least [[SnarkyNonHumanSidekick Spark]]) is prone to using these as an alternative form of wordplay.
* AerithAndBob: The comic runs the gamut, from normal (Gregory Deegan) to the bizarre (Runcible Spoon).
** Just within the Orcs, we have Stonewater and Adrak Bulgak, though Stonewater is the literal translation for the Orcish word for ice.
* AllCaps: Inverted; anyone whose portrayed as talking really quietly or high pitched is written in no-caps.
* AloofBigBrother: Jacob. As Gregory is the youngest of the three Deegan boys, Dominic sometimes comes off as this to Gregory.
* {{Animesque}}: Peculiarly, the art style mimics ''[[LazyArtist lazily drawn]]'' anime. This seems to be an artistic conceit rather than laziness on the part of this particular artist, since such tropes as the CheekyMouth are unnecessary in a static art form.
* AndIMustScream: The last poacher killed in the WILD EDGE is paralyzed and eaten alive by slimes.
** Also, if your soul gets eaten in Hell, then you will experience being eaten for the rest of eternity.
** Seems to be the fate of the Battlecasters currently being corrupted by the Beast. [[spoiler:[[EvilFeelsGood At least at first]].]]
* AnnoyingArrows: Dominic gets an arrowhead embedded into his arm without even flinching. He sports a dressing that afternoon, and walks with a cane using that arm the following day.
** Used as NonLethalWarfare at the climax of the Maltak arc.
** Eltu takes an arrow in the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-20 back]], and is back in time for a BigDamnHeroes moment [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-25 three strips later]].
* AntiHero: Stunt is a rougher-edged protagonist than most of the rest of the cast. He's among the few to carry a weapon, and while the rest of the Deegans prefer to capture or otherwise subdue their opponents (at least, the ones that aren't demons or zombies or monsters or something), Stunt is more often willing to kill (see the fight with Urban Eddie, and his attempt to cut the Infernomancer's throat much earlier in the comic). Ironically, he seemed to be ''not'' trying to kill the villainous poachers in his most recent spotlight, at least until they started trying to kill him.
* AntiMagic: Dex Garrit is a Resistant, meaning that no magic, harmful or helpful, can affect him directly.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: In a recent comic, Jayden pulls a good one on Rilian [[spoiler:when Stunt needs help dealing with his DarkAndTroubledPast before dealing with the problems in the present.]] All Rilian can do in response is give a [[{{Beat}} couple of beats]] and give [[spoiler: Stunt five minutes with the scrying pool]] without looking like a [[{{Jerkass}} complete jerkass]]
* [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Arrogant Fencing Guy]] / InsufferableGenius: Chance Masters, naturally talented and very egotistical. [[spoiler: May or may not be hosting a Cosmic Horror. Used to be bullied by his current favorite victim and is apparently useless at all other sports.]]
* ArrowCatch: Melna pulls this off, to the shock and amazement of her companions in [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-07-29 this strip]].
* ArtEvolution: After the first couple of years of improvements, the art quality stagnates. The only notable stylistic change recently is the addition of defined snouts for the Orcs.
** An explanation, of sorts, via a [[SomethingAwful Goon]] named Krastinov:
--->Mookie once said in an interview that even though he can draw at a somewhat more competent level than what he gives for ''Dominic Deegan'', he won't "change his art style" for the strip, because when he draws more nicely, he doesn't think it "fits" Dominic ''Deegan'' anymore. If he ever started another comic, he said he'd do it. But not for DD. Because it wouldn't feel right.
--->Also, he "likes" the snout-noses. Which is why they've become so ingrained in his art style, instead of learning how to draw profile or 3/4-perspective properly. Because he "likes" it.
** Comparisons to pages in the first storylines to latest ones seem to prove that if anything, the art has gotten lazier. Full body panels instead of just above the waist, drawn out scenery instead of blank space, and Luna's outfits were drawn with texture instead of just geometric shapes, also Siggy used to ride a pretty sweet looking horse.
** [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3279023&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=96 Pretty-good sketches]] (a few posts down) of Bort, "Bortette", and other residents of the Wild Edge. It's interesting that the "inhuman" Mongrelfolk are also the only humanoids who don't suffer from CheekyMouth.
* ArtShift: Occasionally, close-ups, especially of Dominic, will be given [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-04-15 increased detail]].
* AscendedMeme: "A Nimmel House" was originally a FanNickname for the arc. A few emails to Mookie, and it was official.
** On one of the forums, the unnamed female poacher of Walk the Wild Edge would always be referred to as [[VasquezAlwaysDies Vasquez]]. Mookie changed it to Vaskez, but still.
* AsideGlance: Usually accompanied with an IncrediblyLamePun. The author himself states in one of the books that it's "comedy gold!" and he'll never tire of it.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority [[spoiler: David Johann, the king of Callan]] became an archmage just because he was that damn good.
* TheAtoner: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-03-20 Celesto]] has an... [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-04-20 unusual]] view of how this trope works. Stunt plays it a bit straighter.
* AttackHello: Luna admitted their first encounter with Jacob scared the hell out of her. Their (rather, [[spoiler: his]]) last meeting together, [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-26 well...]]
** Barnet stabs Dominic in the stomach on his porch when she first meets him.
* AtTheCrossroads: Whenever someone reaches a metaphorical crossroads, Deegan sees everything in "gray" until that someone makes a decision.
* AuthorAppeal: In his news posts, Mookie's often admitted his love for certain elements in the comic. Characters have spent entire strips focusing on food or drink that Mookie likes. Dominic's favorite food is Mavpel candy, an admitted {{Expy}} of one of Mookie's favorite candies.
** He's more recently admitted that he likes drawing muscular orc girls because, well, he likes muscular orc girls.
** Also, he is unapologetically a child of TheEighties.
** He's hinted that he may have a certain fondness for breasts.
** The B.Y.O.B. arc, according to the blurb [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-05 this comic]], is Mookie's tribute to metal--but it's directly inspired by a band he ''doesn't'' like.
* AuthorAvatar: Not Dominic, as you might have thought. Mookie has stated (in his third book) that Dominic's father Donovan is who he considers to be most like himself. Indeed, the two often behave similarly, and share a sense of humor. The confusion largely stems from the fact that, when he draws himself, Mookie's self-portrait is virtually identical to Dominic. This is partly due to a serious case of OnlySixFaces.
** The critics have concluded that ''all'' heroic males are Author Avatars: Greg gets to be a super hero and invent Mookie's favorite musical genre; Dominic is able to manipulate everyone for the greater good, Nimmel who went to Coldfire triumphs over school bullies, and Stunt is a badass AntiHero.
* BadassBoast: Nimmel makes one to himself where he explains the real reasons he went to the Coldfire Academy, just before trying to break up a fight between his friend and the AlphaBitch, and before she sends ''more'' werewolves to attack him.
* BadassNormal: Rachel. Inverted somewhat with Dex, who has a rare condition that makes him immune to magic, and is thus one of the few surviving characters who can hold his own in a serious fight without magic.
* BadDreams
* BattleAura: Gregory's white magic gives him a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-07-19 pretty cool one]]. And occasionally gives one to his [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-07-22 enemies]].
* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: Dominic's preferred combat venue.
** One notable incident is during the Oracle Hunter Arc involves Dominic [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-31 "relocating the battle"]]
* BattleRoyaleWithCheese: Used in Storm of Souls and Maltak.
* BeatPanel: A pun will frequently be followed by the victim [[BreakingTheFourthWall staring at the "camera"]] with a sour expression.
* BecomingTheMask: From the looks of things, Celesto's "familiarity" with the Beast after being trapped in the Elemecca with it for so long, and subsequent impersonation of it to reveal its connection to [[spoiler:the king of Callan]], has made him...[[TheCorruption a bit too susceptible to its power]].
* BewareTheNiceOnes. Bortette is a CuteMute, CuteMonsterGirl. With the level of common sense mongrelfolk seem to display, you might wonder how she manages to survive living alone in the Wild Edge... [[WolverineClaws "snikt".]]
* BeYourself: Appears to be the Aesop of the the current story about Greg and his rock band(s).
* BehindTheBlack: One of the greater problems voiced about the plains of Maltak is a visibility of five meters. Characters in this vast, featureless wasteland run into each other by accident and don't hear conversations and see events until they enter the panel.
* BerserkerTears: Used fairly regularly, most notably by Siegfried in the War in Hell story arc.
* BizarreSexualDimorphism: Well, okay, being that they're from the Wild Edge, bizarreness is to be expected, but this is the case between Bort and Bortette. Both identified as mongrelfolk, Bort is covered in miss-matched patches of skin, with an extra eye on his ''chest'', scales in places, and just generally looking like the poster-boy for BodyHorror. Bortette, by contrast, is a CuteMonsterGirl with a slightly prominent upper lip and some spikes.
** Well, it's strongly implied that no two mongrelfolk are alike, or even resemble others of their kind.
* BiTheWay: Taz [=MaDara=], apparently. His first meeting with Gregory Deegan involves him planting a huge [[HarveyBirdmanAttorneyAtLaw man-kiss]] on the youngest Deegan boy, much to his confusion.
* BigDamnHeroes: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-07-30 Never]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-11-19 take]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-02-13 your eyes]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-21 off the Interceptor.]]
** Dex isn't the only one who can do it. Most of the cast does it once or twice, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-02-22 even Rilian!]]
* BlessedWithSuck: Being a Resistant (immune to ALL magic) sounds cool, but remember that while they can't be hurt by magic, they can't be healed by magic either.
** A more humorous example: '''Nimmel:''' [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-02-25 "Katya, your country has made me immune to boobs."]]
* BlindfoldedVision: The Infernomancer, though [[spoiler:his eyes have been injured and will never heal, and on the inside of his blindfold is two daggers that stick straight into his eye sockets]].
* BloodFromTheMouth: Used in its most classic sense, as visual shorthand for a fatal injury.
* BodyHorror: Celesto's Chaos magic has this in ''spades'', especially in the deaths of [[spoiler: [[JerkJock Brett Taggerty]] and [[SmugSnake Serk Brakkis]].]]
** Alteration magic due to it being permanent (unless it's for hair).
** What the Beast did to poor Murray would fall under this too.
* [[BoldInflation Bold]] '''[[BoldInflation Inflation]]'''!
* BoobsOfSteel: The most-well-endowed female protagonist is HotAmazon Rachel Hart. [[CuteMonsterGirl "Bortette"]] gains [[AdrenalineMakeOver two or three cup sizes while fighting.]]
* BreakTheCutie: Inverted; Luna is introduced at the climax of her mother's year-long campaign of breaking her, and saved from suicide by Dominic. We learn more about the process in various flashbacks. Most of her character development revolves around the slow recovery of her sense of self-worth. Gregory is also somewhat subject to this trope, particularly in a couple of the later story arcs.
* BreatherEpisode: Rather, a breather ''story arc'' -- the "Around the World" arc, to be precise.
-->''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-05-25 "...let's just say that it's really good we're going on vacation.]]''
* BrickJoke: [[spoiler:Donovan finding out what his orcish name really means and using it hundreds of strips later as a StealthPun against Dominic]]
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-09-18 "So he says it hurts whenever he touches. Turns out his finger's broken!"]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-05-23 "Hey I think I know that guy!"]]
* BroughtDownToNormal: Gregory Deegan is unable to use white magic for most of the Snowsong arc. [[spoiler:More recently, his ability to use white magic was ripped out entirely. So far, it's actually ''stuck''.]]
** WordOfGod says that it's going to stick forever.
** Also, Jayden spoke the First Heresy of Hell near the beginning of the comic. Funny thing, when a priestess renounces her faith.
* BubblePipe: Quilt the necromatic golem uses one several times. Later on, he uses it to scry, with each bubble acting like a short-lived crystal ball.
* ButterFace: Luna is seen as this in-universe, with her tusks. They're a total dealbreaker when Siegfried visited her, for example, and she's picked on because of them. Of course, with Mookie's [[OnlySixFaces art style]], she's in reality still pretty good looking.
* TheCavalry: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-30 The Doma have arrived.]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-12-03 Oh, and the Shintula.]]
* CallARabbitASmeerp: "Mavpel" candy, the sap of a mavpel tree allowed to solidify.
* CallingTheOldManOut: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/comics/20111205.gif Here,]] in this case, Miranda Deegan calls '''''both''''' of her parents out for their behavior (and their attacks) on Donovan for him being her choice of a future husband.
-->'''Luna:''' Holy crap. She said that to her parents?
-->'''Dominic:''' Mom inherited Grandma's skill with the guilt trip.
* CallingYourAttacks: Often. Hilariously coupled with BuffySpeak in the last panel of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-28 this strip]]
* TheCameo: One of the Wild Edge guides[=/=]{{Evil Poacher}}s was a fan cameo who was brought back as a villain because Mookie "wasn't done with him yet". [[spoiler: [[DroppedABridgeOnHim He is now]]. Mookie: "And so with Chris's death today I continue the tradition of killing people who win a named appearance in the comic via [=ConnectiCon's=] Webcomic Charity Auction. Chris won two years ago. This year's winner may not have such a long comic life span. Tee hee."]]
* CatapultNightmare: Gregory's been suffering from these a lot lately in the most recent arc.
* CatsAreMagic: Spark, the talking cat.
* CharacterDevelopment: Luna's has been the most significant in the strip. She's a woman who, in her first appearance, was about three seconds from hanging herself after getting turned down by Siegfried because of her tusks. Now, even getting told [[spoiler:that she can never become pregnant]] doesn't get her down.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Rachel's face > magical steroids.
* ChekhovsGunman: One of the very early strips had Dominic receiving a "see-mail" message through his crystal ball from his friend Mosley. ''Years'' later, a plot arc involving Mosley was teased. Considering how long it can take for the teased arcs to arrive (we waited two and a half years for the Oracle Hunter arc), we don't know what his significance is and probably won't for quite a while.
* CheekyMouth
* TheChessmaster: Dominic, especially during the Super-Greg arc. This is one of the reasons Dominic sometimes comes off as a DesignatedHero. It's hard to come off as completely heroic when manipulating people, even if it's for the Greater Good and with the power of foresight.
* ChosenOne: [[spoiler:Luna]] during March Across Maltak.
* CombatClairvoyance: Averted in one strip in which a fencing student wanted to see [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-05-23 Dominic be badass.]]
* CompanionCube: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-13 Gerald]].
* ConscienceMakesYouGoBack
* ContractualImmortality: Celesto, [[strike:Klo Tark]], The Infernomancer. In the Infernomancer's case, this is ''literal'' as his contract with Karnak makes him immune to all wounds, except the [[EyeScream giant holes in his face]].
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Serk Brakkis
* CosmicHorror: The Beast, AKA [[FanNickname Snuggly]] or [[TheFlyingSpaghettiMonster Spaghetti Monster]].
** Though not portrayed as malevolent, the Hydra seen in the Vacation arc wouldn't be out of place in a Lovecraft story.
*** It's a hydra worshiped by half-fish people. If it's not a shout out to Shadow Over Innsmouth, what is?
** Miranda's teacher, as well as the Archmagi of the Fourth and Third circles.
* CrossingTheDesert: The Maltak arc consists of trekking through a vast, featureless wasteland, in the daytime, without pack animals and with no more consumables than what the party can fit in one, ordinary-sized backpack per person, and they apparently keep their tents in those as well. ([[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-04-29 Bags of holding]] have been mentioned once--the wind kind of went out of this argument when one gag hinged on a character being able to turn on a torch.) They're also not taking care to cover their heads, and one character is in a dress. They do hire an experienced guide, but this guide is the same one who would've gone through and okayed all of that, and who [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-03-11 built a stone fire ring miles upon miles from plant life.]]
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Gregory.
** [[spoiler: [[CuteMonsterGirl "Bortette"]]. Looks like those spikes are useful after all.]]
** Professor Runcible Spoon. Though a very intelligent professor as opposed to a moron, he's generally very easy-going and occasionally silly. But if you piss him off? [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-14 Lord help you.]]
* CruelMercy: Stunt leaves the last of the poachers alive. [[AndIMustScream The guy is paralyzed and "slimes eat anything".]]
* CrystalDragonJesus- There is only one true church and all of the Kingdom of Callan appears to fall under its banner. Like DungeonsAndDragons with racial religions.
* CulturalPosturing: Some of the WA's werewolves do this on occasion; claiming that Callanians and other outsiders are inherently untrustworthy compared to werewolves.
* CurbStompBattle: In this corner, Jacob Deegan, necromancer and mad scientist who's in the past slaughtered several of the Chosen, beat a spellwolf in single combat, and has been a serious antagonist throughout the comic. In ''this'' corner, is the Shintula Chief, [[PapaWolf whose son Jacob just brutally attacked]]. [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-08-31 Jacob didn't stand a chance]].
* CurseCutShort: Subverted in [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-12-27 this strip.]]
* CursedWithAwesome: Dominic has complained since the very first strip about the burdens of being a seer, especially his gift of random visions. He wanted to help people with his gift; instead the comic opens InMediasRes with him being a fortune teller for a town of [[{{Muggles}} complete idiots]].
** Dex Garrett is a resistant, meaning he suffers from a rare condition that renders him completely immune to magic, both helpful and harmful. It also makes it very difficult for him to find stable work that play to Dex's strengths (high risk jobs), because employers have to pay heavy taxes and rifle through ridiculous amounts of paperwork to hire one.
** Spark considered the curse put on Dominic in the first arc (which caused fish to appear out of nowhere and land on Dominic's head whenever he smoked) to be this.
* CuteLittleFangs: [[IncrediblyLamePun Inverted]] with Luna's, though in-universe it's considered a hideous deformity.
* CuteMonsterGirl: The transformation of infromancers [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-19 after eating souls]] seems to work out better for the woman.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes D-G]]
* DarkActionGirl: Snowsong and Hirek.
* DarkerAndEdgier: Spoofed with Dominic's favorite comic being {{Ret Con}}ned into the character "discovering" he's half demon ... much to Dominic's dismay.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Rilian, the first necromancer, is basically a walking skeleton. In the [[spoiler: Around the World arc, he masquerades as a fat jolly necromancer named Brian. This is said to be what he used to be like before the problems of the world and the weight of centuries made him bitter and unpleasantly pragmatic.]]
** The Nakta and the Akta are all about this. Specifically the Nakta while dark can be used to take another persons pain into yourself healing them while hurting you. Toward the end the Akta is used to steal life from others to strengthen the user.
* TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget: Delving into infernomancy, even for ostensibly good reasons like Bulgak's, will erode your conscience until you care about nothing but yourself.
** Black magic, on the other hand, does not do this, although fueling spells with negative emotions does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche. Luna used to specilize in black magic, and still seems to for combat purposes; it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction than magic that is 'bad.'
* DeadpanSnarker: Everyone, from time to time; even in dramatic arcs the comic will revert periodically to its roots and put in punchlines, and when not doing that the snarking goes into the dialogue in a less jokey way. Dominic has grown less snarky through his character development, but other have appeared to share the duty. Jacob is very big on this. Karnak has developed the tendency increasingly.
-->[[spoiler:'''Siegfried:''']] [Over about a week's worth of strips as he charges across Hell for his RoaringRampageOfRevenge] KARNAK! '''KARNAK!''' '''''KARNAK!'''''
-->'''Karnak:''' I heard you the first time.
* DealWithTheDevil: Infernomancers
* DeathByMaterialism: Amelia
* DeathIsCheap: Death is always dramatic, as the trope requires, but doesn't ever seem to stick for major characters. Unless [[DeaderThanDead your soul gets destroyed]], in which case you're pretty much fucked. This could be a result of the comic spending so much time in dreams and mindscapes. Also, Necromancers as a general rule tend to come back when they die, so you have to make sure they're ''[[DeaderThanDead really]]'' dead.
* DeathFromAbove: Spark's main form of attack.
* DeathGlare: Miranda Deegan's willpower-eroding, thought-derailing Evil Eye, which has a range of half a mile and can strike targets around corners and through dimensions. No one can withstand it either, not even an 8 foot tall spellwolf.
* DeathIsDramatic: Always, even when it's a DisneyDeath.
* DeathSeeker / MilesToGoBeforeISleep: [[spoiler: Jayden has ended her vow of silence - penance for betraying Milov and basically getting the Callanians kicked out of werewolf territory - and now she's going on a pilgrimage into the desert where she will die.]]
** This was actually a case of NoLongerWithUs: [[spoiler:Jayden meant she would die a ''spiritual'' death, giving up/leaving behind her old life, "dying" metaphorically in order to move on from the sins she committed.]] Although considering [[spoiler:Jayden's listlessness, vow of silence, and near DespairEventHorizon before this]], such a misunderstanding is understandable and surely intentional on Mookie's part. And could even still become literal, depending.
* DecoyProtagonist: The Wild Edge arc was supposed to be about Bort (the author even wrote about how nice it would be to focus on him), but after he got "rejected" he left to pout and the arc's real hero turned out to be Stunt.
** The following arc started off with Celesto meditating on (if I recall correctly) how the world's magic was going out of whack, but it quickly turned into '''''[[SayMyName KARNAK!]]''''' and Siggy's battle in Hell.
** The author twittered that this kind of thing happens because he [[IndyPloy "doesn't want to know what comes next"]] ''in his own story''.
* DeliberatelyMonochrome: When the strips are released in print collections, colorized strips are made gray scale. As Mookie notes in the 4th collection, [[EnforcedTrope "Color printing is expensive. Very expensive."]]
* DepravedBisexual: Szark, Celesto. Szark even comes out as gay rather than bi after his HeelFaceTurn. This facet of Celesto's character seems to have been abandoned.
* DepthDeception: Nothing is as it seems on the Wild Edge. Least of all perspective.
* {{Determinator}}: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-12-05 Dex Garrett]]
* DeusExMachina: Often used, occasionally lampshaded.
** Miranda tries to make a DeusExMachina joke about her being Dominic's mother. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny She stumbles over her pun for a few panels before she says she's Dominic's mother and that she'll fix everything]].
* DidNotDoTheResearch: On all kinds of subjects, even trivial ones; this is how, for example, a wooden door gets cracked like glass or clay by a dagger stuck in it.
** Currently, the idea that one "paralysis dart" (which instantly wears off as soon as it's pulled out) can take down a huge elephant-like creature that can throw a man a good distance away.
** Apparently if you get run though the guts by a sword all you need is a few stitches and a bandage cummerbund (and that's without [[spoiler: magic mongrelfolk vomit]]).
** Word of God: "An argument sprung up somewhere about being unable to beat up two guys with a deep knife wound on your arm. [[RuleOfCool Ignored it.]]"
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-03-21 When The Beast]] comes to attack Dominic, it makes Dominic weak because he 'willed' it. Likewise, Dominic uses an illusion to pretend he's willed himself to have the powers of a Destroyer to make The Beast retreat in fear he'd destroy himself to try and take it down with him. Justified in that The Beast is an extradimensional being from a realm of pure insanity; the idea that something it perceived was not real would be completely alien to it, making it vulnerable to Dominic's illusion spells.]]
* DiscretionShot: Various, including ShadowDiscretionShot.
* DisContinuityNod: Quilt, the necromantic golem; before he was given a name, forum regulars named him "Patches." Quilt himself rejected it, saying it made him sound like a dog.
* DisproportionateRetribution: As stated above, the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-08-05 fireball strip]], although [[spoiler: it was already established that Luna's fireball spell is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-08-19 more of a prank than a dangerous weapon]].]]
** Both in and out of universe with [[spoiler:Celesto's murders of Serk Brakkis and Brett Taggerty.]]
** According to Celesto, Amelia's death.
* DistractedByTheSexy: Happens to [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-02-24 Nikolai]], [[FridgeLogic who really should be used to this by now.]]
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Milov being MindRaped looks [[FetishFuel spectacularly]] like he is being actually raped by NaughtyTentacles
* DragonInChief / TheManBehindTheMan: [[spoiler: Either the King of Callan is behind the (currently weakened) Beast's rise to power or the King is the Beast's Dragon-In-Chief (it seems to be the latter).]]
** HijackedByGanon: While the timeline is not exactly clear yet on when exactly he rose to power, if [[spoiler:David Johann was king]] during the Callan/Orc war and thus condoned the atrocities which Warlord Damaske perpetrated, then this would make him indirectly responsible for a good portion of the bad events in the Deegan-verse that have affected the main characters directly--Thuen Gor's curse (and its effect on Luna), Karnak's fall, Siegfried's corruption and everything that came of it, what happened to Maltak... For certain, now that he has the Infernomancer working for him (by proxy) this makes him a threat to everyone, even Karnak. Whether this will result in an EnemyMine later (albeit one certain to break due to Karnak's [[AlwaysChaoticEvil lack of trustworthiness]] and Celesto's [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope descent]] [[GoMadFromTheRevelation into madness]]/[[BecomingTheMask possible corruption by the Beast]]), it seems as if [[spoiler:Johann]] is shaping up to be the ultimate BigBad of the comic.
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: Whom Mookie destroys, he first makes racist. This first came to light when Siggy, a dark-but-troubled knight with a dislike of orcs that seemed to be a social norm, was revealed to be a serial murderer and lyncher of Orcs in order to make him killable. Then Jacob, a necromancer with an established dispassionate attitude towards everything but his work, started spouting supremacist propaganda and was killed off two strips later. [[spoiler: [[NotQuiteDead It didn't take.]] Jacob's back from the dead, but appears to have had an epiphany of some sort when he actually found out the secrets of the dead he was after were...not what he expected.]]
* DropWhatYouAreDoing: Upon harsh shocks, things get dropped.
* DudeNotFunny: {{In-universe}}, making fun of someone's pack (or equivalent) is a major low-blow to the werewolves, as seen [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-11 here.]]
* EasilyForgiven: Dominic and Co. forgive Szark, Snowsong, and Barnet rather quickly after their respective [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face Turns]]. Of course, each has its own mitigating circumstances.
* EasySexChange: [[spoiler: The [[strike: cosmetic surgeon]] alterist Dom and Luna visit used to be a man.]]
* EldritchAbomination: The current BigBad of the comic. Interestingly, the majority of arch-magi that Miranda Deegan deals with appear ''benevolent'' versions of these. It is mentioned that one archmage is too small for a human to see, and another is as large is a city, and that their high-council chamber equalizes them in size for easy meeting.
* ElementalPowers: Nimmel specializes in "seasonal spells". So far, we've only had the chance to see [[KillItWithIce winter]].
* EpicFlail: Karnak [[spoiler: causes GrievousHarmWithABody [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-11-16 when he uses the chains that once restrained him]] to turn Siegfried into one of these!]]
** He then cranks this trope UpToEleven by [[spoiler: turning those same chains on Bulgak, right before his soul '''''[[StuffBlowingUp goes nova.]]''''']]
* EurekaMoment: Often, Dominic or other characters will be inspired by seemingly irrelevant conversation.
* EvilCostumeSwitch: Siegfried and Jayden each get one from Karnak.
* EvilCounterpart: Celesto is Dominic's. He even has a [[BeardOfEvil goatee]]!
* EvilPoacher: The "tour guides" of the Wild Edge are poachers in the off-season. Despite this, they seem to prefer to take their prey alive by using tranquilizers and nets [[spoiler: which makes Bortette stabbing them all to death a bit much]].
** Although, alternately, given they apparently have no problem with slicing off bits of the tranquilized animal and then leaving it to bleed to death suggests they're not exactly humanitarian in their methods.
* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-08-19 This strip.]] Also a ChekhovsGun, or ForeShadowing.
* ExasperatedPerp: Dominic combines this with a JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind during an interrogation with Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]]. It comes back to bite him.
* ExpositionBeam: Dominic does this often.
--> '''Dominic Deegan:''' ''See the truth!''
* EyeScream: The Infernomancer, whose eyes are wounds that will never heal as a result of a deal with Karnak. [[spoiler: That is, until he became a CosmicHorror]].
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-12-16 Death From Above!]]
* TheFaceless: In his only (to date) appearance, the King of Callan's face was either just off panel, or in one case behind a voice bubble.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-15 This has since been rectified]].
* FanNickname: Before being given an official name, Quilt was called 'Patches' by the fandom.
** Some call '''T'''he '''I'''nferno'''M'''ancer... [=TIM=]?
** Readers have their own set of nicknames for most of their favorite minor characters, including Warlord Mustache, Punchy [=McStonefist=], Outrage Chief, and Snuggly/Squiggly, while Celesto earned the moniker "Collateral Damage Man" during the battle in Lynn's Brook. Meanwhile, snobby werewolf girl gets called "prejutits", the nameless mongrelwoman is dubbed "Bortette", and the unpleasant head tour lady is called "[[{{Aliens}} Vasquez]]"[[hottip:*:Mookie picked up on this one, and officially named her "Vazkes"]].
* FantasticRacism: Racism is rampant in the kingdom of Callan, specifically towards Orcs. It ''really'' came to a head with the Orc War. Callanians and Semashi don't seem to get along easily, either.
** Nimmel reveals himself to have a racial bias against the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 werewolves]] during an angry outburst at a group of bullies that have been treating him like crap.
*** Racial bias? The most insulting thing he says is that they're "emotion-crazed beast people." Werewolves turn into half wolves, hence them being beast people, and the "emotion-crazed" bit is spot on. It'd be like calling Mookie's dwarves "angry and single-minded."
** "Anyone whom Mookie destroys he first makes racist."
* FantasyContraception: Protection Scrolls; refusing to use one when he slept with Luna, then chewing her out when she talked him into using it, was one of Serk Brakkis's many KickTheDog moments.
* FantasyKitchenSink: Previously the comic featured knights, wizards, dryads, werewolves, undead, slimes, orks, dragons etc., but ever since the Dominic's and Luna's 'round-the-world trip story arc, this trope has gone into overdrive, with the author showing a ton of new races, i.e. merfolk, sea monsters, hobgolins, halflings, dwarves, mongrelfolk and whatnot in [[MonsterOfTheWeek rapid appearance]].
* FauxActionGirl: Snowsong
* FertileFeet: Luna
* FinalSpeech: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-07-14 Siggy gets one.]]
* {{Flanderization}}: Szark's [[NoBisexuals crush on Dominic]]. Siggy's racism. Quilt's stupidity. Dominic's ability to plan ahead. Luna's bids for independence. Dex's timing for [[BigDamnHeroes Big Damn Hero]] moments, heck, pretty much everyone.
* ForgottenFallenFriend: Danika gets pretty emotional over Dex's [[NotQuiteDead mortal wounds]], but not much is made over the death of her friend [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-06 Alicia]].
** Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she angsting about how she hated him, and now her final memory of him will be a an essentially a hero?
* {{Foreshadowing}}: The reformed "Baron of Burglary"-turned innkeeper [[spoiler: who's also an Air Elemental]] has just been introduced in Jayden's journey of repentance story but Word of God states that he'll definitely return [[spoiler: as a bad guy -- a good guy isn't that shifty-eyed]].
* FreudianExcuse: Often precedes a HeelFaceTurn, most notably with Snowsong and the Oracle Hunter.
** Karnak's was so over-the-top it made him tempting to sympathize with, since he hasn't even left Hell in so long he hasn't been casuing problems for any good guys.
* FramingTheGuiltyParty: Celesto's plan to expose the [[spoiler:King's partnership with The Beast]]. Dominic [[TakingAThirdOption takes a third option]] by saving Celesto's would-be victim and displays an image of [[spoiler:the King and The Beast together]] that is enough to arouse suspicion in the eyes of the public.
** The same plan is also employed simultaneously to use the paintings of an artist [[GoMadFromTheRevelation driven mad by the Beast]] ([[KickTheDog and Amelia]]) to expose the battlecasters' corruption. Again, Luna [[TakingAThirdOption takes a third option]] by making the battlecasters and Celesto visible to the gallery guests while still saving the innocent mages' lives.
* FrankensteinsMonster: Quilt is a golem made by dead people. But, he's pretty goofy and more like NightmareRetardant.
* FunWithForeignLanguages: Donovan Deegan speaks [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-02-26 comically bad orcish]]. Also a direct {{Homage}} to the ''MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' "Naughty Hungarian Phrasebook" sketch. [[spoiler: It's eventually revealed he's doing it on purpose, as [[AsideGlance foreshadowed]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-01-15 here]].]]
* GallowsHumor: Regularly, because there are so many [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan snarkers]] and pun addicts. One that was creepy at the time and has only grown worse in retrospect is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-04-16 back in the 'Ecstasy and Evil' arc]].
** It's bad enough that Lars and Donovan are joking (rather well) about their inability to help ''Lars' son'', who he just learned had become severely depraved and is currently possessed by a ''demon lord'' who tried to kill them all. Then we later find out that said demon lord used to be one of Donovan's best friends. And Miranda on the next page:
--->'''Miranda:''' Good lord, Donovan, stop '''taunting''' Karnak. And you wonder why he keeps coming after us. [She says it like he's indulging as silly bad habit like wearing cleats in the house.]
*** It's neat being so confident you're that cool about a demon lord in the building, but could you see Jayden and Milov acting like this around Siegfried, now or in thirty years? If Karnak ''had'' been salvagable, this would have been a serious blow to that chance.
* GenderBender: Male misogynist Stunt was subjected to a (very brief) gender bender in the Wild Edge territories story arc, before being turned into a half dozen other critters, and eventually changed back.
** [[spoiler: The alterist Dom and Luna visit used to be a man.]]
* GenericistGovernment
* GenreSavvy: Donovan, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-05-22 though it's not]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-03-17 always appreciated.]]
* GetOutOfJailFreeCard: No HeelFaceTurn is complete without one (lampshaded at least once, by Celesto regarding [[spoiler: Amelia's brutal murder vs Szark's redemption]], but even still...)
** And than there's the exception of Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]] whom is currently serving a jail sentence of undetermined length, though her sister gave her word that it'd be a short one.
* GlassCannon: Neilen, once he becomes linked to the brittle soil of Maltak.
* TheGlomp: [[spoiler: Dominic proposes to Luna with a [[WithThisRing Lunarian Solarstone]].]] Luna stands up and walks away, with Dominic looking crushed, until Luna tells him she just wanted a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-12-22 running start.]] Dominic's [[OhCrap face]] is priceless.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-05-12 Quilt]] shows his example.
* GoingCommando: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-11-17 Pam.]] Quilt finds this out the hard way.
** Though [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-01-09 not]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-29 always.]]
* GoldfishPoopGang: Stunt and Bumper, for the first few arcs.
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: Seems to be the fate of anyone who truly comprehends the Beast and its realm and powers. It happened to the poor painter and former children's illustrator Micheal Cao, and it also seems to be happening to Celesto thanks to [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow his spending far too much time]] [[EvilIsNotAToy imitating the Beast's appearance and powers]]. What's worse, even if he's even aware of this at all [[WellIntentionedExtremist he likely considers it]] [[HeroicSacrifice a small price to pay]] [[IDidWhatIHadToDo to bring the Beast down]], even if in the end it results in him [[BecomingTheMask becoming its servant in truth]], or [[HeWhoFightsMonsters no better than it]].
* GoodIsOldFashioned
* AGoodNameForARockBand: After much deliberation, Greg & Co. choose "Face Bath", inspired by what their very grievously injured [[AntiMagic immune-to-magic]] pal has to do every day to keep his wounds from festering. Also, during the Battle For Barthis arc the temporary rockband gets named "Oblivion Folder" after a file-folder that Lars Sturtz(sp?) keeps misplacing temporarily.
* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-04-18 Donovan and Miranda Deegan]]
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Nimmel, a good-natured graduate of the School of Arcane Arts is introduced with a scar encompassing his right eye and a good chunk of flesh around it, which was deliberately made to look as nasty as possible. He'd gotten the scar from an attack on the school, and his telling the attacker where to find Miranda, which ended the attack, is seen as cowardice by him. As he gains prominence, his scar looks a bit better, and Luna gets him to see that he saved his classmates' lives by telling the attacker, and he shouldn't think himself a coward for it.
* {{Gorn}}: The Wild Edge arc is full of this.
* GreenRocks: Illusion spells, good for trapping all-powerful foes and calming friends by faking your death at their hands!
* GroinAttack: "There's no need for -- [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-07-09 *BAM*]]"
** And earlier than that... [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-07-31 right in the "knighthood."]] ''Ouch.''
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-01-26 Reverse snowgie!]]
* GrotesqueCute: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-07-07 This. Just this.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes H-M]]
* HardHead: Rachel Hart. ''"I break things with my face."''
* HarmlessFreezing: Ice spells have a tendency to do this, which is handy, because they're the weapon-of-choice for several of the good guys. See Luna to Stunt and Bumper early in the comic, who come out of it with only the sniffles, and Nimmel more recently with a pair of werewolves.
* {{Hatedom}}: A particular example that it grew large enough to span several different forums, including ''its original forum''.
* HaveIMentionedIAmHeterosexualToday: Mookie has a habit of reminding the readers in his newsposts that he loves boobs every time breasts appear or are mentioned in the comic.
* HaveIMentionedIAmGay: Szark. Once he comes out, he and the people around him can't stop mentioning it. This was mocked by fans who, whenever they would mention Szark, would write, "Szark (who is gay)".
* HeManWomanHater: Stunt, to a ludicrous degree.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: The King of Callan, apparently. He appeared once seven years ago with only his beard/goatee as his defining feature and [[spoiler: the only thing that now identifies him as an ally of The Beast]].
* HeadTiltinglyKinky: Hobgoblin mating season sex. Surprisingly, it ''is'' [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-08-19 safe for work.]]
* TheHeart: Early on, both Gregory and Luna fulfill this role for Dominic.
* HeroesWantRedHeads: The two younger Deegan brothers abide heavily by this trope, Luna having strawberry-blonde hair (though it's described as just "blonde") and Pam having a veritable mane of fiery red hair.
** Looks [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-31 blonde]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-09-17 to me]].
* HollywoodHealing: The head of the Wild Edge guides goes from having a knife in the gut to running at full speed and surfing a slab of rock down an avalanche after Stunt patches her up, without any apparent use of anything more than some bandages and stitches, although they do dramatically pop out in the process.
* HollywoodTactics: Men, half of you will charge in to fight the enemy hand-to-hand! The other half will then take up their bows and fire into the melee! But remember: don't kill anyone!
* {{Homage}}: It appears that the author got a lot of inspiration from ''TheSlayers'' anime, including several characters who start powering up a SphereOfDestruction [[spoiler: illusion]], not to mention the {{animesque}} character design and FantasyKitchenSink setting (although the person who pointed this out noted that [[GagBoobs Naga's]] breasts would hardly stand out in DD).
** [[spoiler: David Johann, the king of Callan and new big-bad is basically ''Slayers''[='=] Priest Rezo (points by [=ZeeToo=]): Masters magic, produces wonders, widely hailed [but] can't fix [his] own eyes. Makes pact with otherworldly monsters. One of the '''five''' biggest magic-users in the setting. He's also a combination of "elected queen" Amidala, Lex Luthor (super-genius with good-ish publicity) and Vegeta (powerful hand-lasers).]]
* HospitalHottie: Nurse Pam, particularly during the Hello, Nurse! arc.
* HotAmazon: Rachel Hart, Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]].
* HotLibrarian: Pam Chayler. Well, hot ''nurse'', but the trope still applies.
* HotScientist: Cassafinn Sunderliss
* HotTeacher: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-19 Dominic, apparently.]] And Cassafin, pre-promotion.
* HumiliationConga: The last EvilPoacher is paralyzed, peed on by a cloud-creature, and eaten alive by slimes.
** Earlier, [[CompleteMonster Serk Brakkis]] winds up along these lines - after having his toupee impaled, he finds every crime he's committed in the prior few years paraded past him one by one, leading to his SmugSnake mannerisms [[VillainousBreakdown completely disintegrating.]] And to top it all off, he's then teleported back to Callan via ''lightning.''
* HurricaneOfPuns: Lots of them. Sometimes one-sided, sometimes a volley between two characters, and sometimes the entire on-panel cast will join in.
* HowlOfSorrow: One use of werewolf howls is to announce the break-up of a pack. Given what breaks up a pack...this is generally a combination of rage and painfully deep sorrow. And it doesn't just announce that the pack has broken up. It announces exactly ''why'' it's broken up.
* AnIcePerson: Stonewater, Nimmel, and of course [[MeaningfulName Snowsong]].
* IAlwaysWantedToSayThat: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-10-16 Dance, Puppets! Dance!]]
* [[IAmNotLeftHanded I Am Not Right Handed]]: Szark
* IGotBetter: The only apparent explanation for [[spoiler: Dex]]'s sudden recovery is [[TheDeterminator sheer force of will]].
** Happens to [[spoiler: Reinholdt]] during the climax of the Maltak arc, though not without a price.
** Similarly, when Luna is stabbed with the Hukthak, her injury disappears as soon as it's pulled out, but it too comes with a price: [[spoiler:She can never have children]].
* IJustKnew: Constantly, especially in Maltak. Huk Thak once pulls this off [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-02-26 three distinct times in a single 8-panel strip.]] The best part is that the last one turns out to be completely inaccurate.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Dominic's mindscape battle with Szark.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: The reasons run the gamut from bad days at work to [[ItMakesSenseInContext vomiting up a "virus spell" after a long and arduous psychic battle]].
* IceCreamKoan: "Crying is like puking for the soul." Or, "Death is not zombies."
** Actually, "Crying is like puking for the soul" is perfectly accurate, not at all cryptic, and only marginally silly. It's not even a Koan, let alone an IceCreamKoan.
* IfICantHaveYou: Karnak's motive for attacking Miranda.
* IgnoredEpiphany: Bulgak's desperate effort to deny the evil he accepted and committed as an Infernomancer.
** His eventual acceptance of his evil is juxtaposed against [[spoiler: Siegfried's]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-12-07 inability]] to do so.
* ImportantHaircut: Nimmel recently [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-19 gave himself one]].
** Gregory later inverts this and has his hair made much longer via hair alterist when he starts his band.
* ImprobableAimingSkills: The Rhazgala are apparently such good archers that they can fire volleys into the air into a melee with such accuracy as to only score non-lethal hits, a pretty much impossible feat in real life.
* ImprovisedGolems: Nimmel's [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-10 Improvised snow golem]]
* ImStandingRightHere: When Miranda reflected on how her parents reacted to her and Donovan's engagement, they were incredibly uncouth in regards to their opinion of him. Donovan reacts by saying this exactly.
* InLoveWithYourCarnage: [[spoiler: Ripping apart the poachers solidifies Bort's love for "Bortette".]]
* InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn: Despite all the others who undertake the quest with him, Dominic usually fights the BigBad alone.
** Despite leading the entire Shintula tribe to the Bikta camp, Thuen Gor is the only one who does any fighting.
* IncrediblyLamePun: Most, if not all, of the hurricaned puns, at a bare minimum, make people rolls their eyes. In other cases...
* InformedAbility: Reinholdt is supposedly trained in "Wasteland Survival", and yet clearly has no idea what he's doing. This is most likely because the author DidNotDoTheResearch.
** Since it's a Magical Wasteland [[DeathWorld Dead World]] and all around PlanetEris, it would be silly that the same limits should apply to the letter of the law.
** It is often stated that the spellwolves are a loyal people, or at least place great value on loyalty, but it doesn't really show. In fact, their ideals are loyalty, compassion, and restraint, but most werewolves in the comic seem to have a very difficult time with these to the point where most don't even seem to bother.
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' [[YourMileageMayVary had any use]] for their forebears' ideals?
* InsistentTerminology: Inverted. Brett Taggerty called Gregory a faggot and Rachel a dyke at about every opportunity. Neither, [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome especially Rachel]], would put up with his crap.
* InstantExpert: Chance Masters was apparently terrible at physical activities and didn't expect sword fighting (where beginners use ''live steel'') to be any better. To his surprise he beat his foe on the first try! [[spoiler: He may or may not be playing host to a cosmic horror.]]
* {{Irony}}: Milov says how other Callanians wanted to come to Coldfire Academy as a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-25 stepping stone in personal power]]. As [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 Nimmel's internal monologue revealed]], the reasons for the transfer were all about personal power.
** Well, not exactly. Those who came before wanted to ''steal'' said power and feel superior to the werewolves (who they consider no better than beasts). Nimmel simply stated that he wanted to feel powerful, i.e. not be a victim, by attending a place where his magic is more powerful. The difference is that Nimmel has acted with restraint, is a loyal caring friend, deeply immersed in the culture and respectful of it (which is not the same as not [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad critizing]] or [[ValuesDissonance pointing out its incongruence]])
** Chance Masters is first shown as a wealthy arrogent bully who gives special attention to another boy with a ponytail. It turns out [[spoiler: "Ponytail" used to bully Chance because Chance sucked at sports and he ("Ponytail") thought that all rich kids were jerks because that's how his "action books" always portrayed them (apparently ''Richie Rich'' doesn't exist in Callan)]].
* ItHasBeenAnHonor: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-07-14 Siegfried]]'s FinalSpeech.
* ItsRainingMen: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-12-01 Or in this case, souls]].
* {{Jerkass}}: Lord Siegfried Damaske, Stunt.
** Stunt gets CharacterDevelopment, eventually. Siegfried gets some of that and it was perfectly possible to be somewhat attached to him, but he also gets [[spoiler: killed, and dragged to hell, and turned into a demon servant, and then the true depths of his cruelty and self-delusion are displayed at length as he gloats in his brief ascendancy in hell, and then he gets his ass handed to him again, and then a guy's soul explodes and he's a pathetic, crippled demon, and then he ''eats his father's still-talking severed head in revenge for raising him to be a psycho'', and was last seen crying for somebody, anybody, to help him.]]
** Karnak was a {{Jerkass}} from day one. In the strip, not his actual life; he seems to have been a decent guy once, that nasty episode toward the end notwithstanding.
** Celesto over half the time. Collateral Damage Man is a title he earned by being really into that 'pfft, sacrifices for the cause' thing.
** Siegfried's dad. That Doma chieftain Melna whacks. TIM. Rilian rather often, despite being pretty definitely on the right side and having his good side. The MaDara kid.
** JACOB, though he seems to have finally got a clue. All the bad guys are jerkasses, partly because they all participate in some way in the strip's style of humor.
* JerkJock: Brett Taggerty and the majority of the Baccdair Brawlers fit this trope perfectly. Dex Garrit and Rachel Hart are the only athletes who don't.
** Several of the werewolves we've seen at Coldfire Academy fit this profile. Some of them soften, though, after the AlphaBitch [[KickTheDog goes too far]].
** Chance Masters is a spoiled brat who is excellent at fencing.
** [[spoiler:Chance's favorite target Heliner]] ''used'' to be one [[spoiler:and bullied Chance mercilessly.]]
* {{Jossed}}: The "creative misinterpretation" of the strip mentioned in the description is undercut quite a bit by the fact the supposed "murder victim" shows up perfectly fine later.
* JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind
* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: A certain elemental goes from a womanising scumbag to a insane mass of death earth attempting to kill one of the main characters. Then again, it was less "jumping" and more "shoved by Jacob".
** Dominic thinks that Celesto is going off the deep end [[spoiler:with his insane scheme to implicate the King and the Beast by murdering Chance with a fake Beast.]] What really worries Dominic is that Celesto is positively ''giddy'' about this plan.
* KangarooCourt: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-11-02 Well, at least Siegfried is honest about it]].
* KarmicDeath: Brett Taggerty and Serk Brakkis, from Celesto's (And some readers) point of view, anyway.
* KickTheDog: Often invoked to prevent the protagonists from looking too gray. Unless a villain is immediately painted as sympathetic and merely confused, expect some detail to turn up that justifies doing horrible things to them.
** Among the first things we see Siegfried do are beat Dominic to a pulp for not giving him the prediction he wanted, and then beating Gregory, a crippled kid, with his own walking stick. Of course, he does PetTheDog a couple times later on.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: Celesto Morgan's merciless exploding of [[spoiler:[[JerkJock Brett Taggerty]]]] and [[spoiler:[[SmugSnake Serk Brakkis]]]]. Merciless, and [[LudicrousGibs rather messy]], but executed on an AssholeVictim extraordinaire both times.
* KidsAreCruel: Even at universities studying the intricacies of magic, there are still bullies.
* KilledOffForReal: Klo Tark's ''second'' death seems to have stuck.
* LargeHam: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-10 Zelda]] (No, not ''that'' [[LegendOfZelda Zelda]]), an old friend of Domonic's during her appearance in the Oracle Hunter Arc. For more fun, remember that Zelda Zanzibar is based on a gag Mookie used to pull. Yes, in drag.
* LawOfInverseFertility / BabiesEverAfter: Not sure how to classify this: [[spoiler: Luna was rendered infertile, but a few of her eggs survived. Since Dom's infertile as well she decides to donate them and the eggs will, to quote the alterist, "actually take on the genetics of the recipient."]]
* [[InterfaceScrew Layout Screw]] The 8 frames of each strip can and have been screwed with to show something is happening in-universe relating to the metaphysical planes in one form or another. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-02-01 This also allows for funny stuff to happen in the background.]]
* LetsWaitAwhile: Dominic and Luna holding off on sex until "the time was right."
* LettingHerHairDown: Nurse Pam
* LightIsNotGood: While the Akta isn't bad, being a force for life and healing, its most powerful practitioner, the Bikta spirit father, is a fanatical asshole.
* LongingLook
* LoveAtFirstSight: Usually averted, but played straight with [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-05-14 Hansi and Kiya]].
* LoveItOrHateIt: Invoked in-universe with Greg's second band. At their opening concert, half the crowd walked out right off the bat, but the other half stayed and had a blast.
* LowerDeckEpisode: Occasionally, we're treated to an arc without our main characters: Hello, Nurse! and Built to Resist omitted Dominic and Luna in favor of Gregory, and Two Thief featured only a small cameo from Dominic.
** 2010 was basically a Lower Deck ''year'', to even out the fact that one story arc took up the entirety of 2009.
* LowestCommonDenominator: The concept was [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-31 relentlessly mocked here]]
* LuminescentBlush: Sported by everyone most of the time (first-time reader of DD, longtime reader/watcher of anime: "Why is everyone ''blushing?!''"). The critics think the "blushing" is a misinterpretation of the facial lines/shadows seen in anime that denote intensity and have since become part of DD's style.
** It looks like it's a misinterpretation of ''TheSlayers''' facial lines.
* MadScientist: Jacob Deegan the necromancer.
* MadeOfIron: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-08-10 Rachel "I Break Things With My Face" Hart]]
* TheMagicGoesAway: [[spoiler: The Maltak arc ends with the Orcs' magic being taken away by Maltak to aid its rebirth]]. It doesn't seem to be ''completely'' gone, though, more that they'll have to rediscover it.
** [[spoiler: And the next arc begins with Callanian Magic mysteriously malfunctioning as a result]]
* {{Magitek}} / FunctionalMagic: What starts out as a pseudo-medieval fantasy world turns out to be a world with advanced arcane laboratories, magical electric guitars, heavy metal bands ... and, apparently, spandex. There's also magical surgery, magical CT scans, and magical obstetrics, as well as whatever magical devices that allowed them to learn about genetics.
* MakeoverMontage: Rachel Hart makes it happen.
* MamaBear: Mess with Miranda Deegan's kids, and she will [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-04-12 fuck]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-03-16 you]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-05-24 up.]]
* ManipulativeBastard: Dominic gets dangerously close to being one during the Super-Greg arc. He's far from the worst example though.
* ManlyTears: All over the place.
* MeaningfulName: Donovan's orcish name, for one. For two, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-06-26 Stonewater.]] For three, Huk Thak. For four, [[PunnyName Rocky the golem]].
** On a more symbolic note, "Karnak" is old orcish for [[{{Satan}} "The Morning Star"]]
*** Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
** Stunt is [[PsychopathicManChild stunted]]. The religion of his homeland, Scaplianism (it's not as sexually liberated as Luanianism and [[spoiler: his father being religious and abusive didn't help his view]]) might be a shout-out/take that at Episcopalians.
* MessianicArchetype: Luna has become this in the newest arc, becoming essentially the Jesus of the orcs. She [[FertileFeet sprouts plant life wherever she walks]], can pull water from nowhere, and is literally powered by the gods of Maltak. Near the end of the arc, she dies and is promptly resurrected.
** Klo Tark died for your sins. Twice.
* MetalScream: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-10-26 Weaponized]], even.
* MightyWhitey: Nimmel is basically called one by Milov, as Milov explains just why he personally accepted him to the Coldfire Academy. It remains to be seen if we are supposed to be taking him seriously or [[UnreliableNarrator not]].
-->"You're a better werewolf then most werewolves."
** Arguably Luna during the Maltak arc(s), when she was divinely appointed to be unifier of the tribes by the elemental gods of Maltak.
* AMillionIsAStatistic: At the end of the Maltak Arc, much is made of Luna's personal sacrifices, but no mention is made of the [[RedShirtArmy heavy casualties]] of the Big Bikta Battle.
** It's [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-01-07 implied]] that the newly dead [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-01-20 came back]] rather than than return to the earth. That may have just been Jacob and those he was holding, but he didn't seem to be in control of it, he was simply assuring those two followed him.
* MindRape: [[spoiler: Siegfried hijacks a lunar divination between Dominic and Milov to do this, displaying his fate since the War in Hell ''and'' his past affair with Lady Jayden in order to force Milov into having a HeroicBSOD.]]
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-03-28 Dominic is accused of this by Barnet]] in a WhatTheHellHero moment. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-03-25 It didn't help that she was already in a bad way]].
* MistakenForGay: Bumper could have sworn Stunt hated women because he was gay. It turns out he just really can't stand women, at least ones that throw fire balls at him.
* MomentKiller: PlayedForLaughs with [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-12-04 Dex]].
* MoodWhiplash: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-07-14 This strip]] could be the trope picture. Switching directly from people [[AlasPoorVillain grieving, realisticly, over a villain]], to a bunch of [[SophisticatedAsHell posh slimes eating the same]].
** Before that, we have [[spoiler:Luna being returned to life]], by virtue of Dominic's heartbroken grief being interrupted by [[spoiler:her jolting awake so suddenly she headbutts him in the face]].
* MoreHeroThanThou
* MoreThanMindControl: Karnak's control of Szark. May or may not be currently occurring to [[spoiler: Demon-Siegfried.]]
* MundaneUtility: Crystal balls are videophones. Frequently even when there's no one with scrying talent established on either end of the line. Scarlatti used [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-08-26 Tomen's Teleport Service]] to get to Barthis so quickly for the duel. And the people with flying spells use them all the freaking time, as well as Dominic's ability to 'bookmark' to any of a few set places instantly, as often as he wants.
** Also, alterism. It's basically plastic surgery, only magic and therefore with far more options. Like, presumably, ftm sex-change operations that really ''work,'' as it were.
** Magic ''is'' essentially mundane in this world, apart from not being available to everyone--even things like monitoring Hell are only deviations in scale from the routine. Some ritual stuff and horror and of course the major world-saving quests are the main exceptions.
* MurderTheHypotenuse: Karnak's attempted way of dealing with the love triangle between him, Miranda, and Donovan. [[spoiler: He [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone thought better of it]] without actually killing anyone, so one hopes it didn't count too much toward damnation.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: A lot. HeelRealization happens a lot, although sometimes (especially if your name is Celesto) it turns into IgnoredEpiphany pretty quick.
* MyHovercraftIsFullOfEels: Donovan's attempts at speaking orcish. [[spoiler: Its on purpose.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes N-R]]
* {{Nerd}}: Dominic was a ''huge'' nerd as a kid. So is Prento Fallin, one of Dominic's students. Mookie proudly proclaims he is one in real life.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Several examples, including:
** A twofer NiceJobBreakingItHero, involving Gregory and [[JerkJock Brett Taggerty]]. First, a wasted Brett punches out Pamela, whom Gregory has a crush on, and dares him to fight back using his white magic. [[BerserkButton Gregory erupts into a geyser of white fire]]. ''Oops.'' The resulting tidal wave of WhiteMagic heals everyone in the hospital...with the unintended side effect of powering up Brett and the rest of his Slaughterball team, ''and'' sobers them up, too. '''''Oops.'''''
** Overlapping with OhCrap: The Infernomancer's response when Dominic tells him the demon lord he was supposedly bound to serve didn't have control over him: "Now I get to kill you the way I've always wanted to -- ''slowly!''"
** Something the Shintula Chieftain is experiencing in the form of Luna's ChosenOne status, which would never have happened if he hadn't cursed the Callanians with the affliction that would lead Luna to being born with 'Tusk-Mouth' in the first place.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Jacob tries to kill Gregory by ripping the Blight of the Undead out of Gregory's body (through his unaffected parts). Turns out he just removed the RestrainingBolt [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-08-13 that hampered his white magical abilities.]]
* NoBisexuals: Szark was apparently deluding himself that he was turned on by his wife back when he was a hedonist, even though hedonists don't go in much for that. Because he's gay now. Totally. And doesn't like women and makes gay jokes pretty much every time he opens his mouth. It's part of the HeelFaceTurn package. The monks helped him realize it and now he's comfortable with himself. Because [[SarcasmMode obviously]] only people who're [[DepravedBisexual sunk deep into depravity]] would like both girls and guys, and they also usually express that by having threesomes.
** During 'Two Thief' Szark makes a passing remark (and a tasteless joke) that revealed that at some point during the several hours Amelia had Bumper as her brainwashed 'exotic toy,' they fit in a foursome. This is technically rape, and one has to hope Bumper doesn't remember. That night was traumatic enough for him.
** Actually, that was established in the original arc. Background of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-01-22 panel two]]. He seems to be asleep.
*** ...he's on Celesto's side of the bed. Those two are still recurring characters, but there will probably be no awkwardness if they run into each other again, because those are the rules for this universe. Also because Celesto has gone through so much alteration since Erossus even the big stuff from that stage of his life seems to be pretty irrelevant to him.
* NoNameGiven: Stunt's female boss didn't get a name until the last page of the '''WILD EDGE!''' story, [[{{Alien}} (Gail Vazkes)]]; meanwhile several male poachers got names much earlier despite being {{Red Shirt}}s.
* NobleDemon: Averted. WordOfGod is that incarnations of evil are actually evil for once.
* NobleSavage: Orcs.
* NonLethalWarfare: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-16 They're beating us up with their arrow volleys!]] The idealism is adorable. Apparently the idea is the orcs were shooting to wound but...well, Arrow Volleys Do Not Work That Way.
** Almost immediately averted when the other side's leader uses nature magic to upgrade his troops' weapons with spikes. ''Then'' the archers start shooting to kill.
* NonMammalMammaries: The [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-06-19 Nagasta]] and the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-07-15 Qualenti]]. Mookie has admitted this doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but put them in because, [[AuthorAppeal "I like boobs."]]
* [[NotInThisForYourRevolution Not In This For Your Pilgrimage]]: Stunt doesn't care one whit for Jayden's spiritual journey into Eldariat (not that he actively wants to support her [[spoiler:supposed]] [[DeathSeeker quest for death]] either). All he cares about is [[OnlyInItForTheMoney the Lost Treasure of Luana]]. Whether this will change later remains to be seen.
* ObliviousYoungerSibling: Gregory refuses to believe that his big brother Jacob is at all evil... until Jacob admits he tried to kill him.
* ObviouslyEvil: A common accusation leveled at the series is that every antagonist that doesn't do a HeelFaceTurn and embrace Dominic and his TrueCompanions within the course of a StoryArc will devolve into this.
** Made worse when Mookie revealed he had received a standing ovation during a comic convention panel on writing dynamic villains. This only served to make the {{hatedom}} even more critical of his works.
*** YourMilageMayVary, I suppose. Dominic's "Bastard Watch" contains three very popular characters in the series, all of whom have had CharacterDevelopment in one direction or another as the series has continued.
* OddCouple: In the current arc, former thief, AntiHero, and DeadpanSnarker [[HeManWomanHater Stunt]] is paired up with good-hearted, noble (if [[MyGreatestFailure tainted in her own mind]]) [[WhiteMage priestess]] Jayden on her spiritual pilgrimage of redemption. Depending on how it plays out, it could either end up being ItsTheJourneyThatCounts which helps both of them let go of the past and Stunt [[LoveableRogue fully]] [[HeelFaceTurn reform]], or a subversion where he has an IgnoredEpiphany. Either way, [[HilarityEnsues hilarity is likely to ensue]].
* OddShapedPanel: Whenever Dominic goes into another plane of existence, the standard panel arrangement disappears.
* OffhandBackhand: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-01-24 With plants]]
* OffModel: Mookie has problems drawing female bodies without looking off.
* OhCrap: The Shintula Chief tells Luna to choose her words carefully...[[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-29 She does indeed.]]
** And the Shintula gives Jacob a good one [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-08-28 here]].
** And Miranda Deegan, a woman who has stared down devils and demons, and kicked their asses, has this expression [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-06-02 when she goes to see her little boy's band playing.]]
-->'''Gregory''': Hey, everyone. We're '''Facebath!''' AND WE'RE HERE TO '''KICK YOUR ASS!'''\\
'''Miranda''': oh dear.[[hottip:*:See AllCaps above]]
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-16 Here]], Neilen does it for three panels in a row.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2012-02-22 "Oh crap"]]
* OneWayVisor: [[spoiler: Damned Sigfreid and corrupted Jayden]]
* OneWingedAngel: The diminutive Dirk the Mighty can transform into a powerful ogre. Infernomancers like Caylen Bren and Bulgak become more obviously demonic the more they tap into their demon lords' power. After becoming the servant of an EldritchAbomination, TIM shifts between a mostly human form and a mass of tentacled horror at will.
* OnlySixFaces: {{Lampshaded}} [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-05-01 here.]] There are other occasions where it's clear that Mookie is aware of it. Dex Garrit and Dominic Deegan look alike because they share similar hair. The [[DramaticUnmask mystery and dramatic reveal]] of the Oracle Hunter's identity was only able to keep the reader guessing because of this trope.
** Gets kind of ridiculous when you add GenerationXerox: Dom and Greg look like their mother and father while their older brother has their mother's parents' [[SkunkStripe hair]] and better-than-thou attitude. It also kind of messed-up [[spoiler: the dramatic entry of The Infernomancer into the Beast's and King Johan's plot since wasn't named and he looks like a buffed-up Greg with cool gauntlets]].
* OmniscientMoralityLicense: Lots. Especially Rilian. And his [[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness Omniscient Council of Random Secondary Characters Plus Dragon]].
* OpenTheIris: They're [[{{Animesque}} anime style]] characters. The sizes of their irises/pupils change with their emotions.
* OrcusOnHisThrone: Since his reveal as The Beast's partner-in-crime, [[spoiler:the King of Callan]] has been fairly passive overall. It's eventually revealed that this is because [[spoiler:he was waiting for the Beast's champion the Infernomancer to regenerate. It also highlights just how little he thinks of his enemies' efforts against him.]]
* OurOrcsAreDifferent: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-04-11 Herbivores]]
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Are their own culture, and come in two flavors: Werewolves, and Spellwolves. Both can shift at will, and retain pretty much all their mental faculties. Spellwolves are a special, rarer type of Werewolf that can use considerable magical power. The moon is significant in the culture, and Spellwolves can use the full moon to scry like seers.
* OutOfCharacterMoment: Most fans consider Greg's recent "honest and ugly" attitude to just come from nowhere. Gregory was once a timid and innocent ditz who would do anything to protect his friends and family. Now [[spoiler:he's become something of a smug jerk who actually enjoys his horrific [[NightmareFuel "blightmares"]] as they give him inspiration for his music]]. Whether this is CharacterDevelopment or CharacterDerailment depends entirely on your opinion, but most fans stopped taking him seriously after he supposedly wrote songs about [[spoiler: an infernomancer ripping Dex apart and even named the band after his rehabilitation.]]
* OutOfFocus: Given the comic's [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters large character base]] and varied locations, it's not uncommon for the focus to change drastically from arc to arc. Supporting characters like Milov and Jayden will sometimes disappear for arcs at a time, and even main characters like Dominic and Luna will occasionally take an arc off.
** After the end of the Maltak arc, Dominic and Luna were absent from the comic for nearly an entire year.
* OverlyLongName: A really, ''really'' early gag with Siggy's full name. We don't hear the whole thing again for [[WebcomicTime eight years]].
* PaintItBlack: The Nakta does this to Luna's hair.
* PantyShot: In-universe example; Quilt has rudimentary second sight. Only problem is, when he uses it, the image is always the same...[[spoiler:right up Pam's legs]].
* PapaWolf: Though not as rabid as Miranda, when you're around Donovan, it's really not a good idea to screw with Dominic or Gregory. There's also the Shintula Chief, as Jacob [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-08-31 learns the hard way]].
** Don't forget the poppa furry things of the Wild Edge.
* TheParagon: Dominic and Luna's goal in the Maltak arc. Whether they succeed or not is [[YourMileageMayVary up to you.]]
* PardonMyKlingon: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-02-04 Ilka Tuk Tak]], as well as "Kegak," which seems to be more of a direct insult.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-04-18 This strip]] gets funnier if you imagine the phrase means "motherfucker", although anything with fuck in it is probably broad enough for the number of places "Ilka Tuk Tak" get's used.
*** Given a lookup in a Scots dictionary, Ilka Tuk Tak would translate to "Gather each thorn." Taken as an idiomatic phrase meant to convey an incredibly demeaning and humiliating task (or the feeling associated with it), this meaning makes sense and fits with their culture/herbivorous nature.
** Later comics give us "kiak", "fak", "uruk", and "thok".
* ParentExMachina: Miranda, somewhat exceptional in that the main character is (ostensibly) no longer a child. Actually lampshaded at one point when Miranda tries a few puns on the phrase, including "Mama Ex Machina" and "Deus Ex Momina," and, after seeing the confused reactions of her audience, she settles for, "I'm his mother, and I'm going to fix everything."
* PetHomosexual: Szark. Oh, Szark.
* PetTheDog: [[spoiler:Jacob resurrecting Luna.]] "Don't say I've never done anything for this family."
** Just after Celesto [[spoiler:kills Brett Taggerty]]: "''Go.'' Get out of here. Run home to your daughter, hold her tight, and thank her for that 'good luck pinch.' [[ItMakesSenseInContext It just saved your life.]]"
* PimpedOutDress: Amelia's dresses
* PlanetOfHats: In this case, Tribe of Hairstyles. Every tribe in Maltak is given their own adjective.
* PokeInTheThirdEye
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Siegfried, Siegfried's father and Brett Taggerty come to mind
* PornStash: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-02-28 You never guess WHOSE porn stash it's referring to...]]
* PoweredByAForsakenChild: A rare case of this being presented in a ''positive'' manner. At the conclusion of the Maltak arc, [[spoiler: the souls of the Orc dead are absorbed back into Maltak to help it recover. Essentially, the souls of the Orcs have been turned into spiritual mulch]].
** Rather, it's explained that this was a natural cycle that the poison in Maltak was halting, which is why the place was barren in the first place.
** An Acibek is a golem created by merging multiple souls into a single collective entity using Order magic. The original Acibek was created by the elf tyrant Raf Maliksh using the souls of his ''own followers''. It's no wonder Acibek immediately turned on Raf in disgust. Two other characters, Dirk the Mighty and Leaflette the [[spoiler: former]] Sylvan Oracle, are also Acibeks. Dirk was created by Leaflette to be a guardian for the Dryad using the souls of a tree ogre, slumber flower, and a halfling. Leaflette was created by the original Acibek using an unknown combination of souls. This is also an unusually positive case: Acibek assures the loved ones of Raf's sacrifices that the souls inside him are at peace within his collective being.
** The EvilCounterpart of the Acibek, the Storm of Souls, is as nasty as it sounds. It's an EldritchAbomination composed of the souls of the Chaos worshipping Chosen that can devour other souls as well. Unlike an Acibek, the souls within the Storm are ''not'' at peace.
* ThePowerOfLegacy: Used twice: once when Donovan sees Karnak jump into Hell after beating him to a pulp, he chooses not to tell Miranda about what had happened. Later on, Dominic follows his father's example by telling Milov and Jayden that Siegfreid died as a knight of Callan, even though he was a genocidal maniac who [[spoiler: promptly went to Hell.]] The first example is the TropeNamer and is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-04-13 found here.]] The second one is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-07-20 here.]]
* ThePowerOfRock: Papa Deegan's specialty; Greg seems to have inherited it.
* PrecisionFStrike: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-06-04 And Mookie makes no apologies]].
** An earlier example was when a character said "shit" for the first time, though Mookie played up on it in his post, despite much more mature content done in previous comic strips. Specifically, he had originally intended the character to say "OhCrap", but felt "Oh shit" was stronger and fit better.
* PrettyInMink: One of Amelia's dresses. Miranda's mother had a fur muff.
* ProgressivelyPrettier: Luna's tusks have become noticeably less, er, protrusive, over the years.
* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: One of the more common complaints leveled against the series. It goes without saying that YourMileageMayVary.
** An odd meta-inversion of this in the HateDom. Any and all crimes a character commits (up to and including attempted murder, attempting to maim a helpless animal while it's still conscious, and trying to kidnap and exploit two innocent people) will be [[DracoInLeatherPants entirely downplayed and forgiven]] if said character is a villain, and thus opposed to the protagonists, who will instead be portrayed [[RonTheDeathEater in the most horrendous light possible]].
** One example from the Wild Edge arc: The poachers are rightfully portrayed as evil for trying to maim, kill, and exploit the wildlife of the Wild Edge. The only character who actually successfully kills a Wild Edge animal is Bort the Mongrelman -- and it's PlayedForLaughs.
* PsychicNosebleed: Dominic gets one after [[spoiler: banishing a demon overlord with his mind]].
* PureMagicBeing: Several.
* PutOnABus: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-05-21 Szark]] and [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-08-18 Snowsong]] are sent to the "Aberthast Cathedral" to await their HeelFaceTurn.
** There's also [[spoiler: Luna's sister,]] Barnet, who's currently in jail awaiting trial.
** At the conclusion of the Maltak arc, Reinholdt is put on a mountain.
** Nimmel when he left for the Winter Archipelago for some wacky nudist werewolf hijinx!
* PygmalionPlot: Leaflette fell in love with her creator Acibek. An odd case, since both of them are golems created using the same process. Sadly, [[spoiler: they only get to be TogetherInDeath.]]
* RapeAsComedy / RapeIsOKWhenItIsFemaleOnMale: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-22 Here]].
** This is: when revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "didn't have much of a choice."
* RapeAsDrama: Given an unusual examination with Stonewater and Melsheena, but many of its regular subtropes played straight.
* RapeIsLove: Noted and subsequently almost completely averted. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-01-13 Melna was raped by Stonewater]] (as a child!) to save her life, but after meeting him again some years later, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-02-12 she discovers, to her alarm, that she is attracted to him now.]] On further rumination, Melna loves what Stonewater has come to stand for... which is not that surprising given Stonewater tried to model himself after Melna's father, horrible traumatization aside.
* RealitySubtext: One can't help but notice that soon after Mookie and his lady-friend broke up, the BetaCouple who were madly in love with each other break up after she cheated on him.
* RealMenWearPink: Dominic's father, Donovan, is the TropeNamer.
* RedRightHand: Jacob Deegan has (had?) one skeletal hand.
* RedShirt: A lot of these guys are lost in Built to Resist. They don't call Celesto [[FanNickname 'Collateral Damage Man']] for nothing.
** Also anyone who wins a named appearance in the comic.
* RedShirtArmy: The Rhazgala clan, in the final battle of March Across Maltak.
* RedemptionInTheRain: Played straight, almost to the point of being {{Anvilicious}}, in Maltak.
** If this is about [[spoiler: the orc tattoos washing off]], even [[FanHater the critics]] acknowledged that it was actually a pretty good way of showing [[spoiler: their powers are returning to nature]].
* RetiredBadass: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-02-05 Donovan Deegan]].
* RetCon: What happened to Stunt's mother and why. [[spoiler: In a deleted comic, Stunt said he "slit her nasty throat" because she was abusive. That was removed and replaced with one where he just said she was his first murder. Then it turns out he was just trying to scare her and his mother's lesbian lover apparently (accidentally?) pushed her in front of his knife.]]
* TheReveal: Throughout the Oracle Hunter Arc, it's heavily implied that Barnet is the illegitimate child of Donovan and a woman he dated prior to meeting Miranda, making her Dominic's [[LongLostSibling half-sister]]. However, it's later revealed that she's actually [[spoiler: one of Luna's sisters]].
** The identity of the Beast's power source/magical ally in the mortal plane: [[spoiler:the king of Callan]]. Extended when it is revealed that, "political implications aside", [[spoiler:he was not only [[HumansAreSpecial the first human ever allowed]] to join the Circle of the Archmagi, a circle was actually ''invented'' for him to hold. [[OhCrap He is one of the most powerful magi in Callanian history, and he's trying to kill them all]].]]
* RuleOfCool: Mookie is known to invoke continuity errors or unexplained events for the sake of coolness. For example: why does [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-10-09 Melna's hammer]] have lightning coming from it when she [[spoiler:kills the Doma chief]]? Because "it's pretty f* cking metal."
** Mookie also invoked this involving a RainOfArrows that inexpicably changed direction from one strip to another:
--->'''Mookie''': Okay, I know in yesterday's strip that the Rhazgala archers all had their bows pointed up and today those arrows are flying horizontally past Suyan's head. This "continuity error" is just a dramatic choice on my part because I felt the arrows flying straight on past him looked cooler.
** This, or RuleOfDrama, is probably the best available explanation for a lot of such errors in the Maltak arc, including characters [[BehindTheBlack sneaking up on each other]] in what appears to be a barren plain.
* RuleOfFunny: Apparently, this is why bards do anything.
** Including spending ''two decades'' [[spoiler: ''intentionally'' misspeaking orcish]]!
* RunningGag: Quite a few. Sparks' "DeathFromAbove", "Fear My....Illusion", and the habit of everyone making bad puns.
** Also Mookie himself pointed out in a comic "And so with Chris's death today I continue the tradition of killing people who win a named appearance in the comic via [=ConnectiCon's=] Webcomic Charity Auction."
** Lower Back Problems
** '''CURSE YOU, RUNCIBLE SPOON!'''
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes S-Z]]
* SadistTeacher, subverted. During his tenure as a teacher, Dominic gained a reputation of being a hardass before the first day of class even began. He admits that Second Sight (the course he was teaching) would be hard, as there is a lot of history and heavy reading involved. Despite this, he has a positive relationship with his students, and vice versa.
* SayMyName: After [[spoiler:Siegfried is freed from Karnak's control]], [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-09-20 he spends]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-09-29 the next]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-04 several comics]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-06 traversing the Hellscape]] shouting "'''''KARNAK!'''''" When he shouts the name again, he grabs a spear mere inches away from his face, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-11 thrown by Karnak who says,]] [[DeadpanSnarker "I heard you the first time."]]
* ScarfOfAssKicking: Dominic's never without his scarf, not even in psychic battles.
** [[MemeticBadass Of course not. It's the reason he can hold his own in them.]]
** [[ScarfOfAssKicking Scarf Of]] AsskickingEqualsAuthority? During the meeting of the new-and-last chiefs of the Orc tribes, most of them have a scarf on, and Mookie's commentary notes that a scarf in this comic makes you badass.
* ScrewDestiny: At the end of the Maltak arc, Melna tells fate to kiss her ass. A few comics later, Kiya steals her line.
** This is pretty much what Dominic does throughout the comic. The only time fate ever won was with the "Fated Fatal".
* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Serk Brakkis
* ScryVsScry: Dominic and Celesto, several times.
* {{Seers}}: One of the hallmarks of the comic. Dominic and Celesto are the prime examples.
* SelfDefeatingProphecy: Dominic's second sight shows the unaltered future: What the future will be if he doesn't do something specially to change it.
* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: The female villains tend to dress a LOT sexier than female protagonists.
* ShoutOut: A few [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-09-13 visual]] references to ''GuiltyGear'', among others.
** If [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-04-08 that's]] not a [[ShoutOut Shout Out]] to [[SystemOfADown System of a Down]] then I don't know what is.
** [[{{Watchmen}} "I'm not trapped [in Hell] with you, you're trapped in here WITH ME!"]] The author claims it was accidental. Coincedentally, the same quote happens to be his friend [[CtrlAltDel Tim Buckley's]] forum signature on his own website.
** Dominic's Father's grasp of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-02-26 orcish]] bears a striking resemblance to MontyPython's Hungarian Phrasebook sketch. "I cannot wait til lunchtime" is a direct quote.
* ShutUpAndSaveMe: The TropeNamer, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-08-14 here]].
* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-09 Or]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-01-14 Orc Woman]]. My orcish is a bit rusty, but I think this is what it implies. Kiak?
* SmugSnake: Serk Brakkis.
* SnarkyNonHumanSidekick: Spark
* SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX: [[KnightTemplar Siegfried]] uses almost the trope name in the 'War in Hell' storyline after Dominic calls him a racist. Unusually, what he says is absolutely true and not particularly tainted by stereotyping or tokenism: One of his best friends ''is'' a spellwolf. It's just orcs. He has this huge problem with orcs. Oh, but "[[CompletelyMissingThePoint orcs aren't people]]."
* SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay: How Dominic realizes that [[spoiler: the redhaired prisoner in Callan is Klo Tark.]]
* SophisticatedAsHell: Dominic and Luna, during their vacation after meeting a dragon:
-->'''Luna's narration''': ''Dominic and I, having just been in the presence of such a majestic creature, reacted the way any pair of intellectuals would have...''\\
''(Dominic and Luna stare at each other)''\\
'''Dominic and Luna''': ''(bouncing up and down)'' DRAGONDRAGONOHMYGODDRAGONOHGODOHWOWDRAGONDRAGON!
* TheSpiny / WolverineClaws: "Bortette" is covered with giant, random spikes [[spoiler: that she can stab you in the face with]].
* StealthPun: The Yuvonir, a [[TurtleIsland mole-montain]] - [[DontExplainTheJoke it makes mole hills out of mountains.]]
* StrangeMindsThinkAlike: In the first story arc, both Siegfried and Spark use the phrase, "In my defense, it had tusks" to describe Luna (which Dominic catches right away when Spark says it). The two instances occur [[ComicBookTime several days apart]]. Subverted in the second case, as it turns out Spark ''wasn't'' referring to Luna, but to a sea monster that ''also'' had tusks.
* StrawCritic: A highly-regarded but unnamed and unseen music critic shows up in ThePowerOfRock story. He thrashes Greg's "dumbed-down" music and while he doesn't exactly praise FACEBATH's proto-metal he does like that it's original; naturally by that point Greg and his two bandmates (a dude with tuskmouth and the jerkass bisexual(?) elf son of his father's bandmate) don't care.
* StrawmanPolitical: Heavily abused, to the point of being {{Anvilicious}} more often than not. If you don't embrace multiculturalism and tolerance, not only are you a idiotic bigot incapable of reading or thinking for yourself, but you're also [[ObviouslyEvil just plain evil]], going to die, and going to Hell.
* SuperheroEpisode: Super-Greg
* [[SuspiciouslyIdleOfficers Suspiciously Idle Knights]]: The knights on Serk's take during Scarlatti's duel with Sturtz.
* TalkToTheFist: This [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-26 strip]].
** Siegfried pulls one [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-05 on a hallucination/flashback]].
* ATankardOfMooseUrine: Reaction to Human beer from Orcs and Dwarf beer from Halflings.
* TautologicalTemplar: Siegfried, at least at first.
* TearOffYourFace: Jacob.
* TearsOfRemorse
* TedBaxter: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-09-23 "Look, ball-for-brains, just use your vision to tell me how awesome I am.]]
* ThatNightFeltLikeMonths: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-01-08 This early strip]], among other [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-01-11 times]].
* ThereAreNoTherapists [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-05-05 "I think you people need to stop dumping all of your problems on me. I'm a CAT!"]]
* ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself: Chief Thuen Gor orders his men to stay back while he fights the Bikta Chief alone.
** JustifiedTrope if you take his 'They stayed back because I told them to' as an admission that he might hurt his own tribe if he really went all out against the Bikta Chief. Given that their fight was interrupted before Thuen Gor got serious, we'll never know.
* TitleDrop: Dominic once referred to himself as an "[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-09-04 Oracle for Hire]]" near the start of the Shadow of Siegfried arc.
* ToHellAndBack
* TonightSomeoneDies: Done with the "Fated Fatal" Dominic goes through early in the War in Hell story arc, which he says means someone he knows will die, and there's nothing he can do about it.
** WordOfGod promised that someone would not be returning from Maltak. Several deaths were teased, but in the end, [[spoiler: Reinholdt is [[PutOnABus required to stay in the magic mountain]]]].
* TooDumbToLive: The poachers are dumbed down to irrelevance, even by the standards of a fun story about weird critters and murdering bad guys. They're hunting a mongrelman, an unknown quantity that survives in the Wild Edge - a plain where RealityIsOutToLunch, known for giant horrible teeth bursting out of places you'd least expect, that has already killed some of them. They catch it by (1) throwing a net over it, and (2) gloating. This when they have been shown to have InstantSedation - causing tranquilizers that can knock out a tosserphant. There were body parts everywhere.
** Really, TooDumbToLive kicked in earlier, when the one guy decided to just ignore the leader's advice and pick up one of the little fuzzballs.
* TookALevelInBadass: Luna's taken a few over the course of the strip. Starting with this exchange: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-02-11 When the hell did *Luna* gain self-confidence?!]]
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Dom's "[[CallARabbitASmeerp Mapvel Candies]]". Also, Spark really loves fish. But he is, after all, a cat. And, uh...yeah.
* TranquillizerDart: Instant paralysis darts that seem to only be in effect while they're still stuck in the person.
* TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: In a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-09-25 bizarre on-panel example]], a character walks out of an empty, flat wasteland and into an enemy camp. A similar scene takes several minutes on ''LawrenceOfArabia'', and the traveler is on camelback. Here the traveler is past the camp's guards in the time the guards take to spot her, recognize her, and recover from the surprise that she's alive.
* TrueCompanions: Dominic's network of friends and allies. A werewolf's social worth revolves around their "pack" and to insult one is a major DudeNotFunny offense.
* TwoGuysAndAGirl: A repeated trope to the point the Xerox is starting to edge onto {{Naruto}}'s turf. Donovan, Miranda, and Karnak seem to have been this, though it's unclear how Karnak felt about Donovan most of the time. Stonewater, Grenchka, and Bulgak also follow this pattern, with a variation in that [[FirstGuyWins Bulgak knew Grench first, but does not get her]]. Milov, Jayden, and Siegfried are eventually revealed to have been this not just in gender combo but in dynamic. Because Siggy ''fails''. At ''everything''.
** This seems to be the preferred composition of any given adventuring party in the setting, which owes a lot to fantasy RPG conventions, though not in the ''story''. Greg, Luna, and Dominic fell into it early on, and if Szark had been a little more sane in his intro and the plot a little more conventional, he probably would have wound up a party with Dominic and Luna and given us the variant where the girl and one of the guys both like the other guy. Instead he's just the PetHomosexual.
** Mookie does like threes, though.
* UnholyNuke: A rare example of one used by a good character. Dark Soul Burst is a spell powered by anger and hatred, and is typically used by Luna when someone REALLY pisses her off. The first time it's used, it knocks out Siegfried, a rather strong royal knight, in a single shot.
* UnspokenPlanGuarantee: Constantly.
* UnusualEuphemism: Dominic's term for large breasts is "lower back problems." Luna also wrote about her crush on Siegfried in her journal, and [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-07-25 makes mention of his "great big sword".]]
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans: Raf Maliksh and Celesto.
** And in Maltak, ''Dominic''. Though it was really more BecauseDestinySaysSo, and he did look for wiggle room a bit.
* {{Veganopia}}: Major piece in developig the orcs. It's not that they're not a violent, primitive society, but they're herbivores, and it adds a certain buccolic innocence to Malak.
** Also note Karnak's bizzarre behavioral tic of taking unnecessary mouthfuls out of his enemies and then spitting them out. He was raised an orc. They had to boil the food for ''ages'' to get it soft enough for his human teeth. No word on what, if anything, he's actually eaten all these years in hell.
* VigilanteExecution: [[spoiler:Celesto does this to Brett Taggerty and Serk Brakkis, and almost to Barnet Travoria.]]
* ViolationOfCommonSense: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-06-08 "I think we should stop trying to rob someone who can see the future."]]
* TheVoiceless: According to Luna, Jayden hasn't said a single word since the Shadow of Siegfried incident. Demon Siegfried may qualify as this as well, though he seems to lean closer to TheSpeechless since his mask obstructs his mouth (Though he can still communicate with Karnak without the use of body language somehow). [[spoiler: Jayden finally breaks her vow of silence to wed Dom and Luna, only to be interrupted by Greg.]]
* WeaksauceWeakness: Neilen's channeling of [[spoiler:Maltak's dead earth gave him crazy elemental powers... [[GlassCannon and made him as brittle as the soil itself.]]]]
* WebcomicTime: Frequently and often lamp shaded, sometimes straight and sometimes through [[ContinuityNod continuity nods.]] Usually it gets so confusing over how much time has passed during the arcs that it can only be determined by Spark's lampshade hanging via hunger.
* WelcomeBackTraitor: Dominic's childhood friend Szark turns on the protagonist due to demonic influence. Once the demons are dealt with, he's back on Dominic's side.
** This doesn't apply, in fact. He never actually attacked any of Dominic's close friends or family, and only killed others in "legal" duels, though some had been enchanted when they agreed. (A fact he was not aware of.) After Dominic literally calls his soul out on letting his darker side do what it wants due to this he realizes what he's done is wrong, but he still struggles with the urge to kill. He never actually betrayed them, and it wasn't immediately dropped afterwards.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Celesto Morgan, who first wanted to cleanse the world with Chaos after deciding the people in it were all assholes, and who now says he's trying to save the world from The Infernomancer while incidentally destroying Lynn's Brook, which he calls "a small price to pay."
** He also thinks [[spoiler:brutally murdering a teenager (who he claims will grow up to be a bad person anyway) using methods that will implicate the King and the Beast]] is justified since it's for the "greater good".
* WhamEpisode: [[spoiler: The folks that Dominic and Luna meet in their relaxation cruise, namely: Suin Seyera from Faria, The Dragon from Nagastrali, Buckley Hussle and the Dwarf he had a fight with from Olde Tucklebruck Island, The Trickster from Quastrilla, Milov from the Winter Archipelago and Arcangelo Scarlatti from The Semashi Kingdom. They are called together by Brian, who's RILIAN in disguise! THE MAESTRO was in on it too.]] [[SecretTestOfCharacter It was a test]], but still! And apparently one of his student's theories was right as well.
** [[spoiler: The one aiding the Beast in gaining power is the king of Callan, former Archmage of the Fifth Circle (for whom said circle was invented!) and one of the most powerful magi in Callanian history. All of his battlemages are either being [[FateWorseThanDeath corrupted by the Beast]] into humanoid {{Eldritch Abomination}}s, or already have been, thus giving it even more power. And it seems Celesto may be on the same path.]]
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: One of the things that really bugs the critics is that sometimes Mookie has really good ideas and the strip shows real potential. And then (in their view at least) the plot gets fumbled or it just doesn't get pulled off.
** Prior to being officially introduced in the comic, Huk Thak gained a MemeticBadass status within the Fandom from his teaser image, which asked "Who is Huk Thak and why does he want to kill Melna?". It was a bit of a let down when he finally showed up and didn't want to kill Melna at all, and wasn't even named Huk Thak. Though that's subverted because Mookie even stated in an interview that Hukthak wasn't his real name and he wasn't going to be a villain. He was baffled that Hukthak had gained such popularity from just that teaser image, which the fandom conceded was a joke that had gotten [[MemeticBadass out of hand]]
* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic: In (real-life)December, an important event is heralded across the land by the appearance of a brilliant star. [[LifeOfBrian No, it's not the messiah]]'s birth, [[spoiler: it's Dom and Luna's marriage.]]
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: While there are quite a few characters who have not been heard from for a while (possibly to make a cameo later) the most infamous example to some fans is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-11-26 Brok]] who just vanishes from the comic completely with only passing mention from Stunt and Bumper later about losing him. Granted that he was only a hired thug, it still felt odd to just drop him.
** WordOfGod was that Brok himself was a reference to one of Mookie's friends, and on reflection Mookie felt he didn't really "fit" in the comic.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** Invoked (and promptly dismissed) on occasion--except for Pam at the end of the Snowsong arc. She actually [[spoiler:called out Gregory and Dominic for their actions and punished them for it.]] The fact that this almost never happens with any of the other characters made that instance rather refreshing.
** Huk Thak invokes this at the climax of the Maltak arc, but is dismissed by Reinholdt, of all people.
** Olena pulls this on Nimmel after he uses his ice magic to fight off a bunch of werewolf bullies who were attacking him. Although [[StrawmanHasAPoint there's a bit of truth to her words]], she does it so cruelly that it's impossible to agree with her. Even the bullies [[HeelFaceTurn take Nimmel's side]].
* WhiteMagic: White magic can manifest in white mages in the form of light, or in more exceptional mages, (e.g. Gregory) white fire.
** For the Orcs, at least, Ice Magic is treated as a holy magic.
** Also the name of Greg's band, which was dubbed "vaguely racist" by the incredibly important but unnamed music critic.
* WhoWantsToBeASuperhero: Gregory's alter-ego Super-Greg, and Dominic's childhood love for The Adventures of Mighty Man.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: The Aliak.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Dominic thinks that [[spoiler:Celesto]] is suffering from this due to [[spoiler:keeping his powers as the Champion of Chaos.]] According to Dominic, humans aren't built to wield that kind of power indefinitely and that it's warping [[spoiler:Celesto's]] mind.
* WithThisHerring: Toyed with and taken a bit too literally [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-07-26 here]].
* WorfEffect: Jacob Deegan, who previously ''annihilated'' a group of Chosen in a CurbStompBattle, is [[spoiler: effortlessly killed by Chief Thuen Gor.]]
* WorldOfChaos: The Wild Edge, where [[MixAndMatchCritter Bort the Mongrelman]] lives. It's a deceptively peaceful-looking meadow/savannah.
** Hell: It's got some creepy stalagtites with tentacles, and a huge pit full of damned souls.
* WrongGenreSavvy: Heliner, who keeps trying to base his life on comic books. For example, Dominic is a seer, which means he must have godlike reflexes, right? [[spoiler: And Chance is rich, which means he must be a jerk who deserves to be treated like crap, right??]]
* XanatosGambit / XanatosRoulette: Dominic uses his Second Sight to pull off Gambits that would be Roulettes for anyone else. Other characters comment on it, but they're not being GenreSavvy. Dominic likes to do TheReveal when his plans have come to fruition--or is occasionally forced to reveal his intentions when one of his plans goes awry. It's the major source of friction in his relationship with Luna (who spent most of her life getting abusively manipulated by her mother and sister).
** Some of the villains like to pull gambits of their own, leading to insane [[GambitPileup Gambit Pileups]] in at least two story arcs.
* YaoiFangirl: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-04-18 This strip]].
* YinYangBomb: Luna in the current story arc. Also a case of LightIsNotGood and DarkIsNotEvil.
** Earlier, there was Dominic as the Avatar Of Balance in the "Storm of Souls" arc. It seems to be a recurring theme in the comic.
* YouHaveNoIdeaWhoYoureDealingWith: Miranda says [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-04-12 exactly this]] to TIM when he attacks her in the "Ecstasy and Evil" arc. The true meaning of her words weren't revealed until years later, but the "Archmage of the fifth circle" isn't a rank in the archmage academy. It's literally the circle in which she stands in the five-being council that rules ALL the archmagi.
* YouKnowWhatYouDid: Neilen attempts to pull this on Dominic and Luna. It fails miserably.
[[/folder]]
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%% As this is a polarizing subject, please allow the page to be somewhat neutral and refrain
%% from making a JustifyingEdit.
%%
''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire]]'' is a [[{{Webcomics}} webcomic]] started by Michael "Mookie" Terracciano in 2002. It follows the life and times of Dominic Deegan, a [[MessianicArchetype messianic]] yet pessimistic seer who travels about with Spark, his [[TalkingAnimal feline comic relief]], and assorted companions. Originally a lighter strip based on puns and wordplay, it became a famous case of CerebusSyndrome, arguably starting with the "Visions of Doom" arc, but certainly by "Storm of Souls". Though some fans have [[FanDisillusionment bemoaned]] subsequent MoralDissonance and the {{Flanderization}} of characters, DominicDeegan has always maintained some level of its earlier whimsy.
Opinions are [[BrokenBase deeply and sometimes loudly divided]] about the quality of the comic, and the comic has a substantial {{Hatedom}}.
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'''List of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/contents.php Major Arcs]]:'''
* Visions of Doom: Dominic, Luna, and Gregory head to Barthis to try and prevent a slaughter after Dominic receives a, well, vision of doom.
* Ecstasy and Evil: Another vision leads Dominic and Luna to his friend, Szark, to warn him about it--they learn he's married to Luna's sister, and the both of them are sleeping with a rival seer.
* Storm of Souls: The project of Dominic's brother, Jacob, calls up the Storm of Souls, the afterlife and weapon of an ancient cult of chaos, the Chosen, who proceed to try and harness it to take over/destroy the world.
* The Battle for Barthis: Gregory, Donovan, and Melna put on a concert to fund the rebuilding of Barthis, which was destroyed during the Storm of Souls arc, while an amoral businessman tries to buy the town out from under its residents.
* The War in Hell: The souls of the Chosen, having been banished to Hell, become a point of contention for Hell's lords and ladies, who go to war over it.
* Two Thief or Not Two Thief?: Stunt and Bumper, a pair of thieves who tried (and repeatedly failed) to put one over on Dominic earlier in the comic try to make it big in the rebuilt Barthis, and bring on worse problems than they intended.
* Class Action: Dominic starts teaching at his mother's school of magic.
* Snowsong: A survivor of the Chosen assault on Barthis returns, intent on killing Gregory, thinking he murdered her fellow cult members. Gregory takes inspiration from [[SuperheroEpisode an old Action Book]] he liked as a kid to deal with the problem.
* The Shadow of Siegfried: Having died during the War in Hell, Siegfried wreaks havoc on his former friends in life.
* The Oracle Hunter: An assassin targeting seers sets her sights on Dominic.
* Around the World: Dominic and Luna go on vacation to take a load off and recharge their batteries, and meet up with some old friends, some new friends, and [[spoiler:a new friend who's an old friend]]
* Built To Resist
* March Across Maltak: Dominic, Luna, Donovan and Melna head into Maltak after the storms ravaging it finally end, and have to find a way to help the native Orcs heal the land and their clans.
* [[AnimalHouse A Nimmel]] [[PunnyName House]]: Nimmel begins his first semester at the Coldfire Academy in the Winter Archipelago, where he's the only human among werewolves.
* [[SystemOfADown B.Y.O.B]]: Gregory, searching for something to do with his life, learns to "Be Your Own Bard," and invents death metal.
* Walk the Wild Edge: Stunt, now a guide in the Wild Edge territories, tries to stop his fellow guides from capturing and exploiting an innocent mongrel man.
* The Court of Karnak
* Altered States: After learning that both of them are infertile, Dominic and Luna look into Alterism to see if they can solve the problem.
* Symphony of Destruction
* Face-to-Facebath
* Revelation
* The Search for Celesto
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!!Tropes used include:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder: Tropes A-C]]
* ActionMom: Miranda Deegan
* AddedAlliterativeAppeal: The author (or at least [[SnarkyNonHumanSidekick Spark]]) is prone to using these as an alternative form of wordplay.
* AerithAndBob: The comic runs the gamut, from normal (Gregory Deegan) to the bizarre (Runcible Spoon).
** Just within the Orcs, we have Stonewater and Adrak Bulgak, though Stonewater is the literal translation for the Orcish word for ice.
* AllCaps: Inverted; anyone whose portrayed as talking really quietly or high pitched is written in no-caps.
* AloofBigBrother: Jacob. As Gregory is the youngest of the three Deegan boys, Dominic sometimes comes off as this to Gregory.
* {{Animesque}}: Peculiarly, the art style mimics ''[[LazyArtist lazily drawn]]'' anime. This seems to be an artistic conceit rather than laziness on the part of this particular artist, since such tropes as the CheekyMouth are unnecessary in a static art form.
* AndIMustScream: The last poacher killed in the WILD EDGE is paralyzed and eaten alive by slimes.
** Also, if your soul gets eaten in Hell, then you will experience being eaten for the rest of eternity.
** Seems to be the fate of the Battlecasters currently being corrupted by the Beast. [[spoiler:[[EvilFeelsGood At least at first]].]]
* AnnoyingArrows: Dominic gets an arrowhead embedded into his arm without even flinching. He sports a dressing that afternoon, and walks with a cane using that arm the following day.
** Used as NonLethalWarfare at the climax of the Maltak arc.
** Eltu takes an arrow in the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-20 back]], and is back in time for a BigDamnHeroes moment [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-25 three strips later]].
* AntiHero: Stunt is a rougher-edged protagonist than most of the rest of the cast. He's among the few to carry a weapon, and while the rest of the Deegans prefer to capture or otherwise subdue their opponents (at least, the ones that aren't demons or zombies or monsters or something), Stunt is more often willing to kill (see the fight with Urban Eddie, and his attempt to cut the Infernomancer's throat much earlier in the comic). Ironically, he seemed to be ''not'' trying to kill the villainous poachers in his most recent spotlight, at least until they started trying to kill him.
* AntiMagic: Dex Garrit is a Resistant, meaning that no magic, harmful or helpful, can affect him directly.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: In a recent comic, Jayden pulls a good one on Rilian [[spoiler:when Stunt needs help dealing with his DarkAndTroubledPast before dealing with the problems in the present.]] All Rilian can do in response is give a [[{{Beat}} couple of beats]] and give [[spoiler: Stunt five minutes with the scrying pool]] without looking like a [[{{Jerkass}} complete jerkass]]
* [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Arrogant Fencing Guy]] / InsufferableGenius: Chance Masters, naturally talented and very egotistical. [[spoiler: May or may not be hosting a Cosmic Horror. Used to be bullied by his current favorite victim and is apparently useless at all other sports.]]
* ArrowCatch: Melna pulls this off, to the shock and amazement of her companions in [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-07-29 this strip]].
* ArtEvolution: After the first couple of years of improvements, the art quality stagnates. The only notable stylistic change recently is the addition of defined snouts for the Orcs.
** An explanation, of sorts, via a [[SomethingAwful Goon]] named Krastinov:
--->Mookie once said in an interview that even though he can draw at a somewhat more competent level than what he gives for ''Dominic Deegan'', he won't "change his art style" for the strip, because when he draws more nicely, he doesn't think it "fits" Dominic ''Deegan'' anymore. If he ever started another comic, he said he'd do it. But not for DD. Because it wouldn't feel right.
--->Also, he "likes" the snout-noses. Which is why they've become so ingrained in his art style, instead of learning how to draw profile or 3/4-perspective properly. Because he "likes" it.
** Comparisons to pages in the first storylines to latest ones seem to prove that if anything, the art has gotten lazier. Full body panels instead of just above the waist, drawn out scenery instead of blank space, and Luna's outfits were drawn with texture instead of just geometric shapes, also Siggy used to ride a pretty sweet looking horse.
** [[http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3279023&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=96 Pretty-good sketches]] (a few posts down) of Bort, "Bortette", and other residents of the Wild Edge. It's interesting that the "inhuman" Mongrelfolk are also the only humanoids who don't suffer from CheekyMouth.
* ArtShift: Occasionally, close-ups, especially of Dominic, will be given [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-04-15 increased detail]].
* AscendedMeme: "A Nimmel House" was originally a FanNickname for the arc. A few emails to Mookie, and it was official.
** On one of the forums, the unnamed female poacher of Walk the Wild Edge would always be referred to as [[VasquezAlwaysDies Vasquez]]. Mookie changed it to Vaskez, but still.
* AsideGlance: Usually accompanied with an IncrediblyLamePun. The author himself states in one of the books that it's "comedy gold!" and he'll never tire of it.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority [[spoiler: David Johann, the king of Callan]] became an archmage just because he was that damn good.
* TheAtoner: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-03-20 Celesto]] has an... [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-04-20 unusual]] view of how this trope works. Stunt plays it a bit straighter.
* AttackHello: Luna admitted their first encounter with Jacob scared the hell out of her. Their (rather, [[spoiler: his]]) last meeting together, [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-26 well...]]
** Barnet stabs Dominic in the stomach on his porch when she first meets him.
* AtTheCrossroads: Whenever someone reaches a metaphorical crossroads, Deegan sees everything in "gray" until that someone makes a decision.
* AuthorAppeal: In his news posts, Mookie's often admitted his love for certain elements in the comic. Characters have spent entire strips focusing on food or drink that Mookie likes. Dominic's favorite food is Mavpel candy, an admitted {{Expy}} of one of Mookie's favorite candies.
** He's more recently admitted that he likes drawing muscular orc girls because, well, he likes muscular orc girls.
** Also, he is unapologetically a child of TheEighties.
** He's hinted that he may have a certain fondness for breasts.
** The B.Y.O.B. arc, according to the blurb [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-05 this comic]], is Mookie's tribute to metal--but it's directly inspired by a band he ''doesn't'' like.
* AuthorAvatar: Not Dominic, as you might have thought. Mookie has stated (in his third book) that Dominic's father Donovan is who he considers to be most like himself. Indeed, the two often behave similarly, and share a sense of humor. The confusion largely stems from the fact that, when he draws himself, Mookie's self-portrait is virtually identical to Dominic. This is partly due to a serious case of OnlySixFaces.
** The critics have concluded that ''all'' heroic males are Author Avatars: Greg gets to be a super hero and invent Mookie's favorite musical genre; Dominic is able to manipulate everyone for the greater good, Nimmel who went to Coldfire triumphs over school bullies, and Stunt is a badass AntiHero.
* BadassBoast: Nimmel makes one to himself where he explains the real reasons he went to the Coldfire Academy, just before trying to break up a fight between his friend and the AlphaBitch, and before she sends ''more'' werewolves to attack him.
* BadassNormal: Rachel. Inverted somewhat with Dex, who has a rare condition that makes him immune to magic, and is thus one of the few surviving characters who can hold his own in a serious fight without magic.
* BadDreams
* BattleAura: Gregory's white magic gives him a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-07-19 pretty cool one]]. And occasionally gives one to his [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-07-22 enemies]].
* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: Dominic's preferred combat venue.
** One notable incident is during the Oracle Hunter Arc involves Dominic [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-31 "relocating the battle"]]
* BattleRoyaleWithCheese: Used in Storm of Souls and Maltak.
* BeatPanel: A pun will frequently be followed by the victim [[BreakingTheFourthWall staring at the "camera"]] with a sour expression.
* BecomingTheMask: From the looks of things, Celesto's "familiarity" with the Beast after being trapped in the Elemecca with it for so long, and subsequent impersonation of it to reveal its connection to [[spoiler:the king of Callan]], has made him...[[TheCorruption a bit too susceptible to its power]].
* BewareTheNiceOnes. Bortette is a CuteMute, CuteMonsterGirl. With the level of common sense mongrelfolk seem to display, you might wonder how she manages to survive living alone in the Wild Edge... [[WolverineClaws "snikt".]]
* BeYourself: Appears to be the Aesop of the the current story about Greg and his rock band(s).
* BehindTheBlack: One of the greater problems voiced about the plains of Maltak is a visibility of five meters. Characters in this vast, featureless wasteland run into each other by accident and don't hear conversations and see events until they enter the panel.
* BerserkerTears: Used fairly regularly, most notably by Siegfried in the War in Hell story arc.
* BizarreSexualDimorphism: Well, okay, being that they're from the Wild Edge, bizarreness is to be expected, but this is the case between Bort and Bortette. Both identified as mongrelfolk, Bort is covered in miss-matched patches of skin, with an extra eye on his ''chest'', scales in places, and just generally looking like the poster-boy for BodyHorror. Bortette, by contrast, is a CuteMonsterGirl with a slightly prominent upper lip and some spikes.
** Well, it's strongly implied that no two mongrelfolk are alike, or even resemble others of their kind.
* BiTheWay: Taz [=MaDara=], apparently. His first meeting with Gregory Deegan involves him planting a huge [[HarveyBirdmanAttorneyAtLaw man-kiss]] on the youngest Deegan boy, much to his confusion.
* BigDamnHeroes: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-07-30 Never]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-11-19 take]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-02-13 your eyes]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-21 off the Interceptor.]]
** Dex isn't the only one who can do it. Most of the cast does it once or twice, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-02-22 even Rilian!]]
* BlessedWithSuck: Being a Resistant (immune to ALL magic) sounds cool, but remember that while they can't be hurt by magic, they can't be healed by magic either.
** A more humorous example: '''Nimmel:''' [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-02-25 "Katya, your country has made me immune to boobs."]]
* BlindfoldedVision: The Infernomancer, though [[spoiler:his eyes have been injured and will never heal, and on the inside of his blindfold is two daggers that stick straight into his eye sockets]].
* BloodFromTheMouth: Used in its most classic sense, as visual shorthand for a fatal injury.
* BodyHorror: Celesto's Chaos magic has this in ''spades'', especially in the deaths of [[spoiler: [[JerkJock Brett Taggerty]] and [[SmugSnake Serk Brakkis]].]]
** Alteration magic due to it being permanent (unless it's for hair).
** What the Beast did to poor Murray would fall under this too.
* [[BoldInflation Bold]] '''[[BoldInflation Inflation]]'''!
* BoobsOfSteel: The most-well-endowed female protagonist is HotAmazon Rachel Hart. [[CuteMonsterGirl "Bortette"]] gains [[AdrenalineMakeOver two or three cup sizes while fighting.]]
* BreakTheCutie: Inverted; Luna is introduced at the climax of her mother's year-long campaign of breaking her, and saved from suicide by Dominic. We learn more about the process in various flashbacks. Most of her character development revolves around the slow recovery of her sense of self-worth. Gregory is also somewhat subject to this trope, particularly in a couple of the later story arcs.
* BreatherEpisode: Rather, a breather ''story arc'' -- the "Around the World" arc, to be precise.
-->''[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-05-25 "...let's just say that it's really good we're going on vacation.]]''
* BrickJoke: [[spoiler:Donovan finding out what his orcish name really means and using it hundreds of strips later as a StealthPun against Dominic]]
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-09-18 "So he says it hurts whenever he touches. Turns out his finger's broken!"]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-05-23 "Hey I think I know that guy!"]]
* BroughtDownToNormal: Gregory Deegan is unable to use white magic for most of the Snowsong arc. [[spoiler:More recently, his ability to use white magic was ripped out entirely. So far, it's actually ''stuck''.]]
** WordOfGod says that it's going to stick forever.
** Also, Jayden spoke the First Heresy of Hell near the beginning of the comic. Funny thing, when a priestess renounces her faith.
* BubblePipe: Quilt the necromatic golem uses one several times. Later on, he uses it to scry, with each bubble acting like a short-lived crystal ball.
* ButterFace: Luna is seen as this in-universe, with her tusks. They're a total dealbreaker when Siegfried visited her, for example, and she's picked on because of them. Of course, with Mookie's [[OnlySixFaces art style]], she's in reality still pretty good looking.
* TheCavalry: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-30 The Doma have arrived.]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-12-03 Oh, and the Shintula.]]
* CallARabbitASmeerp: "Mavpel" candy, the sap of a mavpel tree allowed to solidify.
* CallingTheOldManOut: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/comics/20111205.gif Here,]] in this case, Miranda Deegan calls '''''both''''' of her parents out for their behavior (and their attacks) on Donovan for him being her choice of a future husband.
-->'''Luna:''' Holy crap. She said that to her parents?
-->'''Dominic:''' Mom inherited Grandma's skill with the guilt trip.
* CallingYourAttacks: Often. Hilariously coupled with BuffySpeak in the last panel of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-28 this strip]]
* TheCameo: One of the Wild Edge guides[=/=]{{Evil Poacher}}s was a fan cameo who was brought back as a villain because Mookie "wasn't done with him yet". [[spoiler: [[DroppedABridgeOnHim He is now]]. Mookie: "And so with Chris's death today I continue the tradition of killing people who win a named appearance in the comic via [=ConnectiCon's=] Webcomic Charity Auction. Chris won two years ago. This year's winner may not have such a long comic life span. Tee hee."]]
* CatapultNightmare: Gregory's been suffering from these a lot lately in the most recent arc.
* CatsAreMagic: Spark, the talking cat.
* CharacterDevelopment: Luna's has been the most significant in the strip. She's a woman who, in her first appearance, was about three seconds from hanging herself after getting turned down by Siegfried because of her tusks. Now, even getting told [[spoiler:that she can never become pregnant]] doesn't get her down.
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Rachel's face > magical steroids.
* ChekhovsGunman: One of the very early strips had Dominic receiving a "see-mail" message through his crystal ball from his friend Mosley. ''Years'' later, a plot arc involving Mosley was teased. Considering how long it can take for the teased arcs to arrive (we waited two and a half years for the Oracle Hunter arc), we don't know what his significance is and probably won't for quite a while.
* CheekyMouth
* TheChessmaster: Dominic, especially during the Super-Greg arc. This is one of the reasons Dominic sometimes comes off as a DesignatedHero. It's hard to come off as completely heroic when manipulating people, even if it's for the Greater Good and with the power of foresight.
* ChosenOne: [[spoiler:Luna]] during March Across Maltak.
* CombatClairvoyance: Averted in one strip in which a fencing student wanted to see [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-05-23 Dominic be badass.]]
* CompanionCube: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-13 Gerald]].
* ConscienceMakesYouGoBack
* ContractualImmortality: Celesto, [[strike:Klo Tark]], The Infernomancer. In the Infernomancer's case, this is ''literal'' as his contract with Karnak makes him immune to all wounds, except the [[EyeScream giant holes in his face]].
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Serk Brakkis
* CosmicHorror: The Beast, AKA [[FanNickname Snuggly]] or [[TheFlyingSpaghettiMonster Spaghetti Monster]].
** Though not portrayed as malevolent, the Hydra seen in the Vacation arc wouldn't be out of place in a Lovecraft story.
*** It's a hydra worshiped by half-fish people. If it's not a shout out to Shadow Over Innsmouth, what is?
** Miranda's teacher, as well as the Archmagi of the Fourth and Third circles.
* CrossingTheDesert: The Maltak arc consists of trekking through a vast, featureless wasteland, in the daytime, without pack animals and with no more consumables than what the party can fit in one, ordinary-sized backpack per person, and they apparently keep their tents in those as well. ([[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-04-29 Bags of holding]] have been mentioned once--the wind kind of went out of this argument when one gag hinged on a character being able to turn on a torch.) They're also not taking care to cover their heads, and one character is in a dress. They do hire an experienced guide, but this guide is the same one who would've gone through and okayed all of that, and who [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-03-11 built a stone fire ring miles upon miles from plant life.]]
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Gregory.
** [[spoiler: [[CuteMonsterGirl "Bortette"]]. Looks like those spikes are useful after all.]]
** Professor Runcible Spoon. Though a very intelligent professor as opposed to a moron, he's generally very easy-going and occasionally silly. But if you piss him off? [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-14 Lord help you.]]
* CruelMercy: Stunt leaves the last of the poachers alive. [[AndIMustScream The guy is paralyzed and "slimes eat anything".]]
* CrystalDragonJesus- There is only one true church and all of the Kingdom of Callan appears to fall under its banner. Like DungeonsAndDragons with racial religions.
* CulturalPosturing: Some of the WA's werewolves do this on occasion; claiming that Callanians and other outsiders are inherently untrustworthy compared to werewolves.
* CurbStompBattle: In this corner, Jacob Deegan, necromancer and mad scientist who's in the past slaughtered several of the Chosen, beat a spellwolf in single combat, and has been a serious antagonist throughout the comic. In ''this'' corner, is the Shintula Chief, [[PapaWolf whose son Jacob just brutally attacked]]. [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-08-31 Jacob didn't stand a chance]].
* CurseCutShort: Subverted in [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-12-27 this strip.]]
* CursedWithAwesome: Dominic has complained since the very first strip about the burdens of being a seer, especially his gift of random visions. He wanted to help people with his gift; instead the comic opens InMediasRes with him being a fortune teller for a town of [[{{Muggles}} complete idiots]].
** Dex Garrett is a resistant, meaning he suffers from a rare condition that renders him completely immune to magic, both helpful and harmful. It also makes it very difficult for him to find stable work that play to Dex's strengths (high risk jobs), because employers have to pay heavy taxes and rifle through ridiculous amounts of paperwork to hire one.
** Spark considered the curse put on Dominic in the first arc (which caused fish to appear out of nowhere and land on Dominic's head whenever he smoked) to be this.
* CuteLittleFangs: [[IncrediblyLamePun Inverted]] with Luna's, though in-universe it's considered a hideous deformity.
* CuteMonsterGirl: The transformation of infromancers [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-19 after eating souls]] seems to work out better for the woman.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes D-G]]
* DarkActionGirl: Snowsong and Hirek.
* DarkerAndEdgier: Spoofed with Dominic's favorite comic being {{Ret Con}}ned into the character "discovering" he's half demon ... much to Dominic's dismay.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Rilian, the first necromancer, is basically a walking skeleton. In the [[spoiler: Around the World arc, he masquerades as a fat jolly necromancer named Brian. This is said to be what he used to be like before the problems of the world and the weight of centuries made him bitter and unpleasantly pragmatic.]]
** The Nakta and the Akta are all about this. Specifically the Nakta while dark can be used to take another persons pain into yourself healing them while hurting you. Toward the end the Akta is used to steal life from others to strengthen the user.
* TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget: Delving into infernomancy, even for ostensibly good reasons like Bulgak's, will erode your conscience until you care about nothing but yourself.
** Black magic, on the other hand, does not do this, although fueling spells with negative emotions does presumably have a long-term net negative effect on the psyche. Luna used to specilize in black magic, and still seems to for combat purposes; it appears to be magic focused on the principle of destruction than magic that is 'bad.'
* DeadpanSnarker: Everyone, from time to time; even in dramatic arcs the comic will revert periodically to its roots and put in punchlines, and when not doing that the snarking goes into the dialogue in a less jokey way. Dominic has grown less snarky through his character development, but other have appeared to share the duty. Jacob is very big on this. Karnak has developed the tendency increasingly.
-->[[spoiler:'''Siegfried:''']] [Over about a week's worth of strips as he charges across Hell for his RoaringRampageOfRevenge] KARNAK! '''KARNAK!''' '''''KARNAK!'''''
-->'''Karnak:''' I heard you the first time.
* DealWithTheDevil: Infernomancers
* DeathByMaterialism: Amelia
* DeathIsCheap: Death is always dramatic, as the trope requires, but doesn't ever seem to stick for major characters. Unless [[DeaderThanDead your soul gets destroyed]], in which case you're pretty much fucked. This could be a result of the comic spending so much time in dreams and mindscapes. Also, Necromancers as a general rule tend to come back when they die, so you have to make sure they're ''[[DeaderThanDead really]]'' dead.
* DeathFromAbove: Spark's main form of attack.
* DeathGlare: Miranda Deegan's willpower-eroding, thought-derailing Evil Eye, which has a range of half a mile and can strike targets around corners and through dimensions. No one can withstand it either, not even an 8 foot tall spellwolf.
* DeathIsDramatic: Always, even when it's a DisneyDeath.
* DeathSeeker / MilesToGoBeforeISleep: [[spoiler: Jayden has ended her vow of silence - penance for betraying Milov and basically getting the Callanians kicked out of werewolf territory - and now she's going on a pilgrimage into the desert where she will die.]]
** This was actually a case of NoLongerWithUs: [[spoiler:Jayden meant she would die a ''spiritual'' death, giving up/leaving behind her old life, "dying" metaphorically in order to move on from the sins she committed.]] Although considering [[spoiler:Jayden's listlessness, vow of silence, and near DespairEventHorizon before this]], such a misunderstanding is understandable and surely intentional on Mookie's part. And could even still become literal, depending.
* DecoyProtagonist: The Wild Edge arc was supposed to be about Bort (the author even wrote about how nice it would be to focus on him), but after he got "rejected" he left to pout and the arc's real hero turned out to be Stunt.
** The following arc started off with Celesto meditating on (if I recall correctly) how the world's magic was going out of whack, but it quickly turned into '''''[[SayMyName KARNAK!]]''''' and Siggy's battle in Hell.
** The author twittered that this kind of thing happens because he [[IndyPloy "doesn't want to know what comes next"]] ''in his own story''.
* DeliberatelyMonochrome: When the strips are released in print collections, colorized strips are made gray scale. As Mookie notes in the 4th collection, [[EnforcedTrope "Color printing is expensive. Very expensive."]]
* DepravedBisexual: Szark, Celesto. Szark even comes out as gay rather than bi after his HeelFaceTurn. This facet of Celesto's character seems to have been abandoned.
* DepthDeception: Nothing is as it seems on the Wild Edge. Least of all perspective.
* {{Determinator}}: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-12-05 Dex Garrett]]
* DeusExMachina: Often used, occasionally lampshaded.
** Miranda tries to make a DeusExMachina joke about her being Dominic's mother. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny She stumbles over her pun for a few panels before she says she's Dominic's mother and that she'll fix everything]].
* DidNotDoTheResearch: On all kinds of subjects, even trivial ones; this is how, for example, a wooden door gets cracked like glass or clay by a dagger stuck in it.
** Currently, the idea that one "paralysis dart" (which instantly wears off as soon as it's pulled out) can take down a huge elephant-like creature that can throw a man a good distance away.
** Apparently if you get run though the guts by a sword all you need is a few stitches and a bandage cummerbund (and that's without [[spoiler: magic mongrelfolk vomit]]).
** Word of God: "An argument sprung up somewhere about being unable to beat up two guys with a deep knife wound on your arm. [[RuleOfCool Ignored it.]]"
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-03-21 When The Beast]] comes to attack Dominic, it makes Dominic weak because he 'willed' it. Likewise, Dominic uses an illusion to pretend he's willed himself to have the powers of a Destroyer to make The Beast retreat in fear he'd destroy himself to try and take it down with him. Justified in that The Beast is an extradimensional being from a realm of pure insanity; the idea that something it perceived was not real would be completely alien to it, making it vulnerable to Dominic's illusion spells.]]
* DiscretionShot: Various, including ShadowDiscretionShot.
* DisContinuityNod: Quilt, the necromantic golem; before he was given a name, forum regulars named him "Patches." Quilt himself rejected it, saying it made him sound like a dog.
* DisproportionateRetribution: As stated above, the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-08-05 fireball strip]], although [[spoiler: it was already established that Luna's fireball spell is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-08-19 more of a prank than a dangerous weapon]].]]
** Both in and out of universe with [[spoiler:Celesto's murders of Serk Brakkis and Brett Taggerty.]]
** According to Celesto, Amelia's death.
* DistractedByTheSexy: Happens to [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-02-24 Nikolai]], [[FridgeLogic who really should be used to this by now.]]
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Milov being MindRaped looks [[FetishFuel spectacularly]] like he is being actually raped by NaughtyTentacles
* DragonInChief / TheManBehindTheMan: [[spoiler: Either the King of Callan is behind the (currently weakened) Beast's rise to power or the King is the Beast's Dragon-In-Chief (it seems to be the latter).]]
** HijackedByGanon: While the timeline is not exactly clear yet on when exactly he rose to power, if [[spoiler:David Johann was king]] during the Callan/Orc war and thus condoned the atrocities which Warlord Damaske perpetrated, then this would make him indirectly responsible for a good portion of the bad events in the Deegan-verse that have affected the main characters directly--Thuen Gor's curse (and its effect on Luna), Karnak's fall, Siegfried's corruption and everything that came of it, what happened to Maltak... For certain, now that he has the Infernomancer working for him (by proxy) this makes him a threat to everyone, even Karnak. Whether this will result in an EnemyMine later (albeit one certain to break due to Karnak's [[AlwaysChaoticEvil lack of trustworthiness]] and Celesto's [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope descent]] [[GoMadFromTheRevelation into madness]]/[[BecomingTheMask possible corruption by the Beast]]), it seems as if [[spoiler:Johann]] is shaping up to be the ultimate BigBad of the comic.
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: Whom Mookie destroys, he first makes racist. This first came to light when Siggy, a dark-but-troubled knight with a dislike of orcs that seemed to be a social norm, was revealed to be a serial murderer and lyncher of Orcs in order to make him killable. Then Jacob, a necromancer with an established dispassionate attitude towards everything but his work, started spouting supremacist propaganda and was killed off two strips later. [[spoiler: [[NotQuiteDead It didn't take.]] Jacob's back from the dead, but appears to have had an epiphany of some sort when he actually found out the secrets of the dead he was after were...not what he expected.]]
* DropWhatYouAreDoing: Upon harsh shocks, things get dropped.
* DudeNotFunny: {{In-universe}}, making fun of someone's pack (or equivalent) is a major low-blow to the werewolves, as seen [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-11 here.]]
* EasilyForgiven: Dominic and Co. forgive Szark, Snowsong, and Barnet rather quickly after their respective [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face Turns]]. Of course, each has its own mitigating circumstances.
* EasySexChange: [[spoiler: The [[strike: cosmetic surgeon]] alterist Dom and Luna visit used to be a man.]]
* EldritchAbomination: The current BigBad of the comic. Interestingly, the majority of arch-magi that Miranda Deegan deals with appear ''benevolent'' versions of these. It is mentioned that one archmage is too small for a human to see, and another is as large is a city, and that their high-council chamber equalizes them in size for easy meeting.
* ElementalPowers: Nimmel specializes in "seasonal spells". So far, we've only had the chance to see [[KillItWithIce winter]].
* EpicFlail: Karnak [[spoiler: causes GrievousHarmWithABody [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-11-16 when he uses the chains that once restrained him]] to turn Siegfried into one of these!]]
** He then cranks this trope UpToEleven by [[spoiler: turning those same chains on Bulgak, right before his soul '''''[[StuffBlowingUp goes nova.]]''''']]
* EurekaMoment: Often, Dominic or other characters will be inspired by seemingly irrelevant conversation.
* EvilCostumeSwitch: Siegfried and Jayden each get one from Karnak.
* EvilCounterpart: Celesto is Dominic's. He even has a [[BeardOfEvil goatee]]!
* EvilPoacher: The "tour guides" of the Wild Edge are poachers in the off-season. Despite this, they seem to prefer to take their prey alive by using tranquilizers and nets [[spoiler: which makes Bortette stabbing them all to death a bit much]].
** Although, alternately, given they apparently have no problem with slicing off bits of the tranquilized animal and then leaving it to bleed to death suggests they're not exactly humanitarian in their methods.
* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-08-19 This strip.]] Also a ChekhovsGun, or ForeShadowing.
* ExasperatedPerp: Dominic combines this with a JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind during an interrogation with Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]]. It comes back to bite him.
* ExpositionBeam: Dominic does this often.
--> '''Dominic Deegan:''' ''See the truth!''
* EyeScream: The Infernomancer, whose eyes are wounds that will never heal as a result of a deal with Karnak. [[spoiler: That is, until he became a CosmicHorror]].
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-12-16 Death From Above!]]
* TheFaceless: In his only (to date) appearance, the King of Callan's face was either just off panel, or in one case behind a voice bubble.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-15 This has since been rectified]].
* FanNickname: Before being given an official name, Quilt was called 'Patches' by the fandom.
** Some call '''T'''he '''I'''nferno'''M'''ancer... [=TIM=]?
** Readers have their own set of nicknames for most of their favorite minor characters, including Warlord Mustache, Punchy [=McStonefist=], Outrage Chief, and Snuggly/Squiggly, while Celesto earned the moniker "Collateral Damage Man" during the battle in Lynn's Brook. Meanwhile, snobby werewolf girl gets called "prejutits", the nameless mongrelwoman is dubbed "Bortette", and the unpleasant head tour lady is called "[[{{Aliens}} Vasquez]]"[[hottip:*:Mookie picked up on this one, and officially named her "Vazkes"]].
* FantasticRacism: Racism is rampant in the kingdom of Callan, specifically towards Orcs. It ''really'' came to a head with the Orc War. Callanians and Semashi don't seem to get along easily, either.
** Nimmel reveals himself to have a racial bias against the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 werewolves]] during an angry outburst at a group of bullies that have been treating him like crap.
*** Racial bias? The most insulting thing he says is that they're "emotion-crazed beast people." Werewolves turn into half wolves, hence them being beast people, and the "emotion-crazed" bit is spot on. It'd be like calling Mookie's dwarves "angry and single-minded."
** "Anyone whom Mookie destroys he first makes racist."
* FantasyContraception: Protection Scrolls; refusing to use one when he slept with Luna, then chewing her out when she talked him into using it, was one of Serk Brakkis's many KickTheDog moments.
* FantasyKitchenSink: Previously the comic featured knights, wizards, dryads, werewolves, undead, slimes, orks, dragons etc., but ever since the Dominic's and Luna's 'round-the-world trip story arc, this trope has gone into overdrive, with the author showing a ton of new races, i.e. merfolk, sea monsters, hobgolins, halflings, dwarves, mongrelfolk and whatnot in [[MonsterOfTheWeek rapid appearance]].
* FauxActionGirl: Snowsong
* FertileFeet: Luna
* FinalSpeech: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-07-14 Siggy gets one.]]
* {{Flanderization}}: Szark's [[NoBisexuals crush on Dominic]]. Siggy's racism. Quilt's stupidity. Dominic's ability to plan ahead. Luna's bids for independence. Dex's timing for [[BigDamnHeroes Big Damn Hero]] moments, heck, pretty much everyone.
* ForgottenFallenFriend: Danika gets pretty emotional over Dex's [[NotQuiteDead mortal wounds]], but not much is made over the death of her friend [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-11-06 Alicia]].
** Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she angsting about how she hated him, and now her final memory of him will be a an essentially a hero?
* {{Foreshadowing}}: The reformed "Baron of Burglary"-turned innkeeper [[spoiler: who's also an Air Elemental]] has just been introduced in Jayden's journey of repentance story but Word of God states that he'll definitely return [[spoiler: as a bad guy -- a good guy isn't that shifty-eyed]].
* FreudianExcuse: Often precedes a HeelFaceTurn, most notably with Snowsong and the Oracle Hunter.
** Karnak's was so over-the-top it made him tempting to sympathize with, since he hasn't even left Hell in so long he hasn't been casuing problems for any good guys.
* FramingTheGuiltyParty: Celesto's plan to expose the [[spoiler:King's partnership with The Beast]]. Dominic [[TakingAThirdOption takes a third option]] by saving Celesto's would-be victim and displays an image of [[spoiler:the King and The Beast together]] that is enough to arouse suspicion in the eyes of the public.
** The same plan is also employed simultaneously to use the paintings of an artist [[GoMadFromTheRevelation driven mad by the Beast]] ([[KickTheDog and Amelia]]) to expose the battlecasters' corruption. Again, Luna [[TakingAThirdOption takes a third option]] by making the battlecasters and Celesto visible to the gallery guests while still saving the innocent mages' lives.
* FrankensteinsMonster: Quilt is a golem made by dead people. But, he's pretty goofy and more like NightmareRetardant.
* FunWithForeignLanguages: Donovan Deegan speaks [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-02-26 comically bad orcish]]. Also a direct {{Homage}} to the ''MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' "Naughty Hungarian Phrasebook" sketch. [[spoiler: It's eventually revealed he's doing it on purpose, as [[AsideGlance foreshadowed]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-01-15 here]].]]
* GallowsHumor: Regularly, because there are so many [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan snarkers]] and pun addicts. One that was creepy at the time and has only grown worse in retrospect is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-04-16 back in the 'Ecstasy and Evil' arc]].
** It's bad enough that Lars and Donovan are joking (rather well) about their inability to help ''Lars' son'', who he just learned had become severely depraved and is currently possessed by a ''demon lord'' who tried to kill them all. Then we later find out that said demon lord used to be one of Donovan's best friends. And Miranda on the next page:
--->'''Miranda:''' Good lord, Donovan, stop '''taunting''' Karnak. And you wonder why he keeps coming after us. [She says it like he's indulging as silly bad habit like wearing cleats in the house.]
*** It's neat being so confident you're that cool about a demon lord in the building, but could you see Jayden and Milov acting like this around Siegfried, now or in thirty years? If Karnak ''had'' been salvagable, this would have been a serious blow to that chance.
* GenderBender: Male misogynist Stunt was subjected to a (very brief) gender bender in the Wild Edge territories story arc, before being turned into a half dozen other critters, and eventually changed back.
** [[spoiler: The alterist Dom and Luna visit used to be a man.]]
* GenericistGovernment
* GenreSavvy: Donovan, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-05-22 though it's not]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-03-17 always appreciated.]]
* GetOutOfJailFreeCard: No HeelFaceTurn is complete without one (lampshaded at least once, by Celesto regarding [[spoiler: Amelia's brutal murder vs Szark's redemption]], but even still...)
** And than there's the exception of Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]] whom is currently serving a jail sentence of undetermined length, though her sister gave her word that it'd be a short one.
* GlassCannon: Neilen, once he becomes linked to the brittle soil of Maltak.
* TheGlomp: [[spoiler: Dominic proposes to Luna with a [[WithThisRing Lunarian Solarstone]].]] Luna stands up and walks away, with Dominic looking crushed, until Luna tells him she just wanted a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-12-22 running start.]] Dominic's [[OhCrap face]] is priceless.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-05-12 Quilt]] shows his example.
* GoingCommando: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-11-17 Pam.]] Quilt finds this out the hard way.
** Though [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-01-09 not]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-04-29 always.]]
* GoldfishPoopGang: Stunt and Bumper, for the first few arcs.
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: Seems to be the fate of anyone who truly comprehends the Beast and its realm and powers. It happened to the poor painter and former children's illustrator Micheal Cao, and it also seems to be happening to Celesto thanks to [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow his spending far too much time]] [[EvilIsNotAToy imitating the Beast's appearance and powers]]. What's worse, even if he's even aware of this at all [[WellIntentionedExtremist he likely considers it]] [[HeroicSacrifice a small price to pay]] [[IDidWhatIHadToDo to bring the Beast down]], even if in the end it results in him [[BecomingTheMask becoming its servant in truth]], or [[HeWhoFightsMonsters no better than it]].
* GoodIsOldFashioned
* AGoodNameForARockBand: After much deliberation, Greg & Co. choose "Face Bath", inspired by what their very grievously injured [[AntiMagic immune-to-magic]] pal has to do every day to keep his wounds from festering. Also, during the Battle For Barthis arc the temporary rockband gets named "Oblivion Folder" after a file-folder that Lars Sturtz(sp?) keeps misplacing temporarily.
* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-04-18 Donovan and Miranda Deegan]]
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Nimmel, a good-natured graduate of the School of Arcane Arts is introduced with a scar encompassing his right eye and a good chunk of flesh around it, which was deliberately made to look as nasty as possible. He'd gotten the scar from an attack on the school, and his telling the attacker where to find Miranda, which ended the attack, is seen as cowardice by him. As he gains prominence, his scar looks a bit better, and Luna gets him to see that he saved his classmates' lives by telling the attacker, and he shouldn't think himself a coward for it.
* {{Gorn}}: The Wild Edge arc is full of this.
* GreenRocks: Illusion spells, good for trapping all-powerful foes and calming friends by faking your death at their hands!
* GroinAttack: "There's no need for -- [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-07-09 *BAM*]]"
** And earlier than that... [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-07-31 right in the "knighthood."]] ''Ouch.''
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-01-26 Reverse snowgie!]]
* GrotesqueCute: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-07-07 This. Just this.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes H-M]]
* HardHead: Rachel Hart. ''"I break things with my face."''
* HarmlessFreezing: Ice spells have a tendency to do this, which is handy, because they're the weapon-of-choice for several of the good guys. See Luna to Stunt and Bumper early in the comic, who come out of it with only the sniffles, and Nimmel more recently with a pair of werewolves.
* {{Hatedom}}: A particular example that it grew large enough to span several different forums, including ''its original forum''.
* HaveIMentionedIAmHeterosexualToday: Mookie has a habit of reminding the readers in his newsposts that he loves boobs every time breasts appear or are mentioned in the comic.
* HaveIMentionedIAmGay: Szark. Once he comes out, he and the people around him can't stop mentioning it. This was mocked by fans who, whenever they would mention Szark, would write, "Szark (who is gay)".
* HeManWomanHater: Stunt, to a ludicrous degree.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: The King of Callan, apparently. He appeared once seven years ago with only his beard/goatee as his defining feature and [[spoiler: the only thing that now identifies him as an ally of The Beast]].
* HeadTiltinglyKinky: Hobgoblin mating season sex. Surprisingly, it ''is'' [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-08-19 safe for work.]]
* TheHeart: Early on, both Gregory and Luna fulfill this role for Dominic.
* HeroesWantRedHeads: The two younger Deegan brothers abide heavily by this trope, Luna having strawberry-blonde hair (though it's described as just "blonde") and Pam having a veritable mane of fiery red hair.
** Looks [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-31 blonde]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-09-17 to me]].
* HollywoodHealing: The head of the Wild Edge guides goes from having a knife in the gut to running at full speed and surfing a slab of rock down an avalanche after Stunt patches her up, without any apparent use of anything more than some bandages and stitches, although they do dramatically pop out in the process.
* HollywoodTactics: Men, half of you will charge in to fight the enemy hand-to-hand! The other half will then take up their bows and fire into the melee! But remember: don't kill anyone!
* {{Homage}}: It appears that the author got a lot of inspiration from ''TheSlayers'' anime, including several characters who start powering up a SphereOfDestruction [[spoiler: illusion]], not to mention the {{animesque}} character design and FantasyKitchenSink setting (although the person who pointed this out noted that [[GagBoobs Naga's]] breasts would hardly stand out in DD).
** [[spoiler: David Johann, the king of Callan and new big-bad is basically ''Slayers''[='=] Priest Rezo (points by [=ZeeToo=]): Masters magic, produces wonders, widely hailed [but] can't fix [his] own eyes. Makes pact with otherworldly monsters. One of the '''five''' biggest magic-users in the setting. He's also a combination of "elected queen" Amidala, Lex Luthor (super-genius with good-ish publicity) and Vegeta (powerful hand-lasers).]]
* HospitalHottie: Nurse Pam, particularly during the Hello, Nurse! arc.
* HotAmazon: Rachel Hart, Barnet [[spoiler: Travoria]].
* HotLibrarian: Pam Chayler. Well, hot ''nurse'', but the trope still applies.
* HotScientist: Cassafinn Sunderliss
* HotTeacher: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-19 Dominic, apparently.]] And Cassafin, pre-promotion.
* HumiliationConga: The last EvilPoacher is paralyzed, peed on by a cloud-creature, and eaten alive by slimes.
** Earlier, [[CompleteMonster Serk Brakkis]] winds up along these lines - after having his toupee impaled, he finds every crime he's committed in the prior few years paraded past him one by one, leading to his SmugSnake mannerisms [[VillainousBreakdown completely disintegrating.]] And to top it all off, he's then teleported back to Callan via ''lightning.''
* HurricaneOfPuns: Lots of them. Sometimes one-sided, sometimes a volley between two characters, and sometimes the entire on-panel cast will join in.
* HowlOfSorrow: One use of werewolf howls is to announce the break-up of a pack. Given what breaks up a pack...this is generally a combination of rage and painfully deep sorrow. And it doesn't just announce that the pack has broken up. It announces exactly ''why'' it's broken up.
* AnIcePerson: Stonewater, Nimmel, and of course [[MeaningfulName Snowsong]].
* IAlwaysWantedToSayThat: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-10-16 Dance, Puppets! Dance!]]
* [[IAmNotLeftHanded I Am Not Right Handed]]: Szark
* IGotBetter: The only apparent explanation for [[spoiler: Dex]]'s sudden recovery is [[TheDeterminator sheer force of will]].
** Happens to [[spoiler: Reinholdt]] during the climax of the Maltak arc, though not without a price.
** Similarly, when Luna is stabbed with the Hukthak, her injury disappears as soon as it's pulled out, but it too comes with a price: [[spoiler:She can never have children]].
* IJustKnew: Constantly, especially in Maltak. Huk Thak once pulls this off [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-02-26 three distinct times in a single 8-panel strip.]] The best part is that the last one turns out to be completely inaccurate.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Dominic's mindscape battle with Szark.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: The reasons run the gamut from bad days at work to [[ItMakesSenseInContext vomiting up a "virus spell" after a long and arduous psychic battle]].
* IceCreamKoan: "Crying is like puking for the soul." Or, "Death is not zombies."
** Actually, "Crying is like puking for the soul" is perfectly accurate, not at all cryptic, and only marginally silly. It's not even a Koan, let alone an IceCreamKoan.
* IfICantHaveYou: Karnak's motive for attacking Miranda.
* IgnoredEpiphany: Bulgak's desperate effort to deny the evil he accepted and committed as an Infernomancer.
** His eventual acceptance of his evil is juxtaposed against [[spoiler: Siegfried's]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-12-07 inability]] to do so.
* ImportantHaircut: Nimmel recently [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-19 gave himself one]].
** Gregory later inverts this and has his hair made much longer via hair alterist when he starts his band.
* ImprobableAimingSkills: The Rhazgala are apparently such good archers that they can fire volleys into the air into a melee with such accuracy as to only score non-lethal hits, a pretty much impossible feat in real life.
* ImprovisedGolems: Nimmel's [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-10 Improvised snow golem]]
* ImStandingRightHere: When Miranda reflected on how her parents reacted to her and Donovan's engagement, they were incredibly uncouth in regards to their opinion of him. Donovan reacts by saying this exactly.
* InLoveWithYourCarnage: [[spoiler: Ripping apart the poachers solidifies Bort's love for "Bortette".]]
* InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn: Despite all the others who undertake the quest with him, Dominic usually fights the BigBad alone.
** Despite leading the entire Shintula tribe to the Bikta camp, Thuen Gor is the only one who does any fighting.
* IncrediblyLamePun: Most, if not all, of the hurricaned puns, at a bare minimum, make people rolls their eyes. In other cases...
* InformedAbility: Reinholdt is supposedly trained in "Wasteland Survival", and yet clearly has no idea what he's doing. This is most likely because the author DidNotDoTheResearch.
** Since it's a Magical Wasteland [[DeathWorld Dead World]] and all around PlanetEris, it would be silly that the same limits should apply to the letter of the law.
** It is often stated that the spellwolves are a loyal people, or at least place great value on loyalty, but it doesn't really show. In fact, their ideals are loyalty, compassion, and restraint, but most werewolves in the comic seem to have a very difficult time with these to the point where most don't even seem to bother.
*** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that most of the werewolves we've seen - particularly in that [[AnArc arc]] - are ''teenagers'' or just barely older. When have teenagers ''ever'' [[YourMileageMayVary had any use]] for their forebears' ideals?
* InsistentTerminology: Inverted. Brett Taggerty called Gregory a faggot and Rachel a dyke at about every opportunity. Neither, [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome especially Rachel]], would put up with his crap.
* InstantExpert: Chance Masters was apparently terrible at physical activities and didn't expect sword fighting (where beginners use ''live steel'') to be any better. To his surprise he beat his foe on the first try! [[spoiler: He may or may not be playing host to a cosmic horror.]]
* {{Irony}}: Milov says how other Callanians wanted to come to Coldfire Academy as a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-25 stepping stone in personal power]]. As [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-03-08 Nimmel's internal monologue revealed]], the reasons for the transfer were all about personal power.
** Well, not exactly. Those who came before wanted to ''steal'' said power and feel superior to the werewolves (who they consider no better than beasts). Nimmel simply stated that he wanted to feel powerful, i.e. not be a victim, by attending a place where his magic is more powerful. The difference is that Nimmel has acted with restraint, is a loyal caring friend, deeply immersed in the culture and respectful of it (which is not the same as not [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad critizing]] or [[ValuesDissonance pointing out its incongruence]])
** Chance Masters is first shown as a wealthy arrogent bully who gives special attention to another boy with a ponytail. It turns out [[spoiler: "Ponytail" used to bully Chance because Chance sucked at sports and he ("Ponytail") thought that all rich kids were jerks because that's how his "action books" always portrayed them (apparently ''Richie Rich'' doesn't exist in Callan)]].
* ItHasBeenAnHonor: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-07-14 Siegfried]]'s FinalSpeech.
* ItsRainingMen: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-12-01 Or in this case, souls]].
* {{Jerkass}}: Lord Siegfried Damaske, Stunt.
** Stunt gets CharacterDevelopment, eventually. Siegfried gets some of that and it was perfectly possible to be somewhat attached to him, but he also gets [[spoiler: killed, and dragged to hell, and turned into a demon servant, and then the true depths of his cruelty and self-delusion are displayed at length as he gloats in his brief ascendancy in hell, and then he gets his ass handed to him again, and then a guy's soul explodes and he's a pathetic, crippled demon, and then he ''eats his father's still-talking severed head in revenge for raising him to be a psycho'', and was last seen crying for somebody, anybody, to help him.]]
** Karnak was a {{Jerkass}} from day one. In the strip, not his actual life; he seems to have been a decent guy once, that nasty episode toward the end notwithstanding.
** Celesto over half the time. Collateral Damage Man is a title he earned by being really into that 'pfft, sacrifices for the cause' thing.
** Siegfried's dad. That Doma chieftain Melna whacks. TIM. Rilian rather often, despite being pretty definitely on the right side and having his good side. The MaDara kid.
** JACOB, though he seems to have finally got a clue. All the bad guys are jerkasses, partly because they all participate in some way in the strip's style of humor.
* JerkJock: Brett Taggerty and the majority of the Baccdair Brawlers fit this trope perfectly. Dex Garrit and Rachel Hart are the only athletes who don't.
** Several of the werewolves we've seen at Coldfire Academy fit this profile. Some of them soften, though, after the AlphaBitch [[KickTheDog goes too far]].
** Chance Masters is a spoiled brat who is excellent at fencing.
** [[spoiler:Chance's favorite target Heliner]] ''used'' to be one [[spoiler:and bullied Chance mercilessly.]]
* {{Jossed}}: The "creative misinterpretation" of the strip mentioned in the description is undercut quite a bit by the fact the supposed "murder victim" shows up perfectly fine later.
* JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind
* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: A certain elemental goes from a womanising scumbag to a insane mass of death earth attempting to kill one of the main characters. Then again, it was less "jumping" and more "shoved by Jacob".
** Dominic thinks that Celesto is going off the deep end [[spoiler:with his insane scheme to implicate the King and the Beast by murdering Chance with a fake Beast.]] What really worries Dominic is that Celesto is positively ''giddy'' about this plan.
* KangarooCourt: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-11-02 Well, at least Siegfried is honest about it]].
* KarmicDeath: Brett Taggerty and Serk Brakkis, from Celesto's (And some readers) point of view, anyway.
* KickTheDog: Often invoked to prevent the protagonists from looking too gray. Unless a villain is immediately painted as sympathetic and merely confused, expect some detail to turn up that justifies doing horrible things to them.
** Among the first things we see Siegfried do are beat Dominic to a pulp for not giving him the prediction he wanted, and then beating Gregory, a crippled kid, with his own walking stick. Of course, he does PetTheDog a couple times later on.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: Celesto Morgan's merciless exploding of [[spoiler:[[JerkJock Brett Taggerty]]]] and [[spoiler:[[SmugSnake Serk Brakkis]]]]. Merciless, and [[LudicrousGibs rather messy]], but executed on an AssholeVictim extraordinaire both times.
* KidsAreCruel: Even at universities studying the intricacies of magic, there are still bullies.
* KilledOffForReal: Klo Tark's ''second'' death seems to have stuck.
* LargeHam: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-10 Zelda]] (No, not ''that'' [[LegendOfZelda Zelda]]), an old friend of Domonic's during her appearance in the Oracle Hunter Arc. For more fun, remember that Zelda Zanzibar is based on a gag Mookie used to pull. Yes, in drag.
* LawOfInverseFertility / BabiesEverAfter: Not sure how to classify this: [[spoiler: Luna was rendered infertile, but a few of her eggs survived. Since Dom's infertile as well she decides to donate them and the eggs will, to quote the alterist, "actually take on the genetics of the recipient."]]
* [[InterfaceScrew Layout Screw]] The 8 frames of each strip can and have been screwed with to show something is happening in-universe relating to the metaphysical planes in one form or another. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-02-01 This also allows for funny stuff to happen in the background.]]
* LetsWaitAwhile: Dominic and Luna holding off on sex until "the time was right."
* LettingHerHairDown: Nurse Pam
* LightIsNotGood: While the Akta isn't bad, being a force for life and healing, its most powerful practitioner, the Bikta spirit father, is a fanatical asshole.
* LongingLook
* LoveAtFirstSight: Usually averted, but played straight with [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-05-14 Hansi and Kiya]].
* LoveItOrHateIt: Invoked in-universe with Greg's second band. At their opening concert, half the crowd walked out right off the bat, but the other half stayed and had a blast.
* LowerDeckEpisode: Occasionally, we're treated to an arc without our main characters: Hello, Nurse! and Built to Resist omitted Dominic and Luna in favor of Gregory, and Two Thief featured only a small cameo from Dominic.
** 2010 was basically a Lower Deck ''year'', to even out the fact that one story arc took up the entirety of 2009.
* LowestCommonDenominator: The concept was [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-01-31 relentlessly mocked here]]
* LuminescentBlush: Sported by everyone most of the time (first-time reader of DD, longtime reader/watcher of anime: "Why is everyone ''blushing?!''"). The critics think the "blushing" is a misinterpretation of the facial lines/shadows seen in anime that denote intensity and have since become part of DD's style.
** It looks like it's a misinterpretation of ''TheSlayers''' facial lines.
* MadScientist: Jacob Deegan the necromancer.
* MadeOfIron: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-08-10 Rachel "I Break Things With My Face" Hart]]
* TheMagicGoesAway: [[spoiler: The Maltak arc ends with the Orcs' magic being taken away by Maltak to aid its rebirth]]. It doesn't seem to be ''completely'' gone, though, more that they'll have to rediscover it.
** [[spoiler: And the next arc begins with Callanian Magic mysteriously malfunctioning as a result]]
* {{Magitek}} / FunctionalMagic: What starts out as a pseudo-medieval fantasy world turns out to be a world with advanced arcane laboratories, magical electric guitars, heavy metal bands ... and, apparently, spandex. There's also magical surgery, magical CT scans, and magical obstetrics, as well as whatever magical devices that allowed them to learn about genetics.
* MakeoverMontage: Rachel Hart makes it happen.
* MamaBear: Mess with Miranda Deegan's kids, and she will [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-04-12 fuck]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-03-16 you]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-05-24 up.]]
* ManipulativeBastard: Dominic gets dangerously close to being one during the Super-Greg arc. He's far from the worst example though.
* ManlyTears: All over the place.
* MeaningfulName: Donovan's orcish name, for one. For two, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-06-26 Stonewater.]] For three, Huk Thak. For four, [[PunnyName Rocky the golem]].
** On a more symbolic note, "Karnak" is old orcish for [[{{Satan}} "The Morning Star"]]
*** Which comes off as FridgeBrilliance when you consider that he uses Bulgak as an exploding ball of doom wrapped around a chain by [[GodOfWar throwing him on their enemies]].
** Stunt is [[PsychopathicManChild stunted]]. The religion of his homeland, Scaplianism (it's not as sexually liberated as Luanianism and [[spoiler: his father being religious and abusive didn't help his view]]) might be a shout-out/take that at Episcopalians.
* MessianicArchetype: Luna has become this in the newest arc, becoming essentially the Jesus of the orcs. She [[FertileFeet sprouts plant life wherever she walks]], can pull water from nowhere, and is literally powered by the gods of Maltak. Near the end of the arc, she dies and is promptly resurrected.
** Klo Tark died for your sins. Twice.
* MetalScream: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2011-10-26 Weaponized]], even.
* MightyWhitey: Nimmel is basically called one by Milov, as Milov explains just why he personally accepted him to the Coldfire Academy. It remains to be seen if we are supposed to be taking him seriously or [[UnreliableNarrator not]].
-->"You're a better werewolf then most werewolves."
** Arguably Luna during the Maltak arc(s), when she was divinely appointed to be unifier of the tribes by the elemental gods of Maltak.
* AMillionIsAStatistic: At the end of the Maltak Arc, much is made of Luna's personal sacrifices, but no mention is made of the [[RedShirtArmy heavy casualties]] of the Big Bikta Battle.
** It's [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-01-07 implied]] that the newly dead [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-01-20 came back]] rather than than return to the earth. That may have just been Jacob and those he was holding, but he didn't seem to be in control of it, he was simply assuring those two followed him.
* MindRape: [[spoiler: Siegfried hijacks a lunar divination between Dominic and Milov to do this, displaying his fate since the War in Hell ''and'' his past affair with Lady Jayden in order to force Milov into having a HeroicBSOD.]]
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-03-28 Dominic is accused of this by Barnet]] in a WhatTheHellHero moment. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-03-25 It didn't help that she was already in a bad way]].
* MistakenForGay: Bumper could have sworn Stunt hated women because he was gay. It turns out he just really can't stand women, at least ones that throw fire balls at him.
* MomentKiller: PlayedForLaughs with [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-12-04 Dex]].
* MoodWhiplash: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-07-14 This strip]] could be the trope picture. Switching directly from people [[AlasPoorVillain grieving, realisticly, over a villain]], to a bunch of [[SophisticatedAsHell posh slimes eating the same]].
** Before that, we have [[spoiler:Luna being returned to life]], by virtue of Dominic's heartbroken grief being interrupted by [[spoiler:her jolting awake so suddenly she headbutts him in the face]].
* MoreHeroThanThou
* MoreThanMindControl: Karnak's control of Szark. May or may not be currently occurring to [[spoiler: Demon-Siegfried.]]
* MundaneUtility: Crystal balls are videophones. Frequently even when there's no one with scrying talent established on either end of the line. Scarlatti used [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-08-26 Tomen's Teleport Service]] to get to Barthis so quickly for the duel. And the people with flying spells use them all the freaking time, as well as Dominic's ability to 'bookmark' to any of a few set places instantly, as often as he wants.
** Also, alterism. It's basically plastic surgery, only magic and therefore with far more options. Like, presumably, ftm sex-change operations that really ''work,'' as it were.
** Magic ''is'' essentially mundane in this world, apart from not being available to everyone--even things like monitoring Hell are only deviations in scale from the routine. Some ritual stuff and horror and of course the major world-saving quests are the main exceptions.
* MurderTheHypotenuse: Karnak's attempted way of dealing with the love triangle between him, Miranda, and Donovan. [[spoiler: He [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone thought better of it]] without actually killing anyone, so one hopes it didn't count too much toward damnation.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: A lot. HeelRealization happens a lot, although sometimes (especially if your name is Celesto) it turns into IgnoredEpiphany pretty quick.
* MyHovercraftIsFullOfEels: Donovan's attempts at speaking orcish. [[spoiler: Its on purpose.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes N-R]]
* {{Nerd}}: Dominic was a ''huge'' nerd as a kid. So is Prento Fallin, one of Dominic's students. Mookie proudly proclaims he is one in real life.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Several examples, including:
** A twofer NiceJobBreakingItHero, involving Gregory and [[JerkJock Brett Taggerty]]. First, a wasted Brett punches out Pamela, whom Gregory has a crush on, and dares him to fight back using his white magic. [[BerserkButton Gregory erupts into a geyser of white fire]]. ''Oops.'' The resulting tidal wave of WhiteMagic heals everyone in the hospital...with the unintended side effect of powering up Brett and the rest of his Slaughterball team, ''and'' sobers them up, too. '''''Oops.'''''
** Overlapping with OhCrap: The Infernomancer's response when Dominic tells him the demon lord he was supposedly bound to serve didn't have control over him: "Now I get to kill you the way I've always wanted to -- ''slowly!''"
** Something the Shintula Chieftain is experiencing in the form of Luna's ChosenOne status, which would never have happened if he hadn't cursed the Callanians with the affliction that would lead Luna to being born with 'Tusk-Mouth' in the first place.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Jacob tries to kill Gregory by ripping the Blight of the Undead out of Gregory's body (through his unaffected parts). Turns out he just removed the RestrainingBolt [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-08-13 that hampered his white magical abilities.]]
* NoBisexuals: Szark was apparently deluding himself that he was turned on by his wife back when he was a hedonist, even though hedonists don't go in much for that. Because he's gay now. Totally. And doesn't like women and makes gay jokes pretty much every time he opens his mouth. It's part of the HeelFaceTurn package. The monks helped him realize it and now he's comfortable with himself. Because [[SarcasmMode obviously]] only people who're [[DepravedBisexual sunk deep into depravity]] would like both girls and guys, and they also usually express that by having threesomes.
** During 'Two Thief' Szark makes a passing remark (and a tasteless joke) that revealed that at some point during the several hours Amelia had Bumper as her brainwashed 'exotic toy,' they fit in a foursome. This is technically rape, and one has to hope Bumper doesn't remember. That night was traumatic enough for him.
** Actually, that was established in the original arc. Background of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-01-22 panel two]]. He seems to be asleep.
*** ...he's on Celesto's side of the bed. Those two are still recurring characters, but there will probably be no awkwardness if they run into each other again, because those are the rules for this universe. Also because Celesto has gone through so much alteration since Erossus even the big stuff from that stage of his life seems to be pretty irrelevant to him.
* NoNameGiven: Stunt's female boss didn't get a name until the last page of the '''WILD EDGE!''' story, [[{{Alien}} (Gail Vazkes)]]; meanwhile several male poachers got names much earlier despite being {{Red Shirt}}s.
* NobleDemon: Averted. WordOfGod is that incarnations of evil are actually evil for once.
* NobleSavage: Orcs.
* NonLethalWarfare: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-11-16 They're beating us up with their arrow volleys!]] The idealism is adorable. Apparently the idea is the orcs were shooting to wound but...well, Arrow Volleys Do Not Work That Way.
** Almost immediately averted when the other side's leader uses nature magic to upgrade his troops' weapons with spikes. ''Then'' the archers start shooting to kill.
* NonMammalMammaries: The [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-06-19 Nagasta]] and the [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-07-15 Qualenti]]. Mookie has admitted this doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but put them in because, [[AuthorAppeal "I like boobs."]]
* [[NotInThisForYourRevolution Not In This For Your Pilgrimage]]: Stunt doesn't care one whit for Jayden's spiritual journey into Eldariat (not that he actively wants to support her [[spoiler:supposed]] [[DeathSeeker quest for death]] either). All he cares about is [[OnlyInItForTheMoney the Lost Treasure of Luana]]. Whether this will change later remains to be seen.
* ObliviousYoungerSibling: Gregory refuses to believe that his big brother Jacob is at all evil... until Jacob admits he tried to kill him.
* ObviouslyEvil: A common accusation leveled at the series is that every antagonist that doesn't do a HeelFaceTurn and embrace Dominic and his TrueCompanions within the course of a StoryArc will devolve into this.
** Made worse when Mookie revealed he had received a standing ovation during a comic convention panel on writing dynamic villains. This only served to make the {{hatedom}} even more critical of his works.
*** YourMilageMayVary, I suppose. Dominic's "Bastard Watch" contains three very popular characters in the series, all of whom have had CharacterDevelopment in one direction or another as the series has continued.
* OddCouple: In the current arc, former thief, AntiHero, and DeadpanSnarker [[HeManWomanHater Stunt]] is paired up with good-hearted, noble (if [[MyGreatestFailure tainted in her own mind]]) [[WhiteMage priestess]] Jayden on her spiritual pilgrimage of redemption. Depending on how it plays out, it could either end up being ItsTheJourneyThatCounts which helps both of them let go of the past and Stunt [[LoveableRogue fully]] [[HeelFaceTurn reform]], or a subversion where he has an IgnoredEpiphany. Either way, [[HilarityEnsues hilarity is likely to ensue]].
* OddShapedPanel: Whenever Dominic goes into another plane of existence, the standard panel arrangement disappears.
* OffhandBackhand: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-01-24 With plants]]
* OffModel: Mookie has problems drawing female bodies without looking off.
* OhCrap: The Shintula Chief tells Luna to choose her words carefully...[[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-29 She does indeed.]]
** And the Shintula gives Jacob a good one [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-08-28 here]].
** And Miranda Deegan, a woman who has stared down devils and demons, and kicked their asses, has this expression [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-06-02 when she goes to see her little boy's band playing.]]
-->'''Gregory''': Hey, everyone. We're '''Facebath!''' AND WE'RE HERE TO '''KICK YOUR ASS!'''\\
'''Miranda''': oh dear.[[hottip:*:See AllCaps above]]
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-16 Here]], Neilen does it for three panels in a row.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2012-02-22 "Oh crap"]]
* OneWayVisor: [[spoiler: Damned Sigfreid and corrupted Jayden]]
* OneWingedAngel: The diminutive Dirk the Mighty can transform into a powerful ogre. Infernomancers like Caylen Bren and Bulgak become more obviously demonic the more they tap into their demon lords' power. After becoming the servant of an EldritchAbomination, TIM shifts between a mostly human form and a mass of tentacled horror at will.
* OnlySixFaces: {{Lampshaded}} [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-05-01 here.]] There are other occasions where it's clear that Mookie is aware of it. Dex Garrit and Dominic Deegan look alike because they share similar hair. The [[DramaticUnmask mystery and dramatic reveal]] of the Oracle Hunter's identity was only able to keep the reader guessing because of this trope.
** Gets kind of ridiculous when you add GenerationXerox: Dom and Greg look like their mother and father while their older brother has their mother's parents' [[SkunkStripe hair]] and better-than-thou attitude. It also kind of messed-up [[spoiler: the dramatic entry of The Infernomancer into the Beast's and King Johan's plot since wasn't named and he looks like a buffed-up Greg with cool gauntlets]].
* OmniscientMoralityLicense: Lots. Especially Rilian. And his [[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness Omniscient Council of Random Secondary Characters Plus Dragon]].
* OpenTheIris: They're [[{{Animesque}} anime style]] characters. The sizes of their irises/pupils change with their emotions.
* OrcusOnHisThrone: Since his reveal as The Beast's partner-in-crime, [[spoiler:the King of Callan]] has been fairly passive overall. It's eventually revealed that this is because [[spoiler:he was waiting for the Beast's champion the Infernomancer to regenerate. It also highlights just how little he thinks of his enemies' efforts against him.]]
* OurOrcsAreDifferent: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-04-11 Herbivores]]
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Are their own culture, and come in two flavors: Werewolves, and Spellwolves. Both can shift at will, and retain pretty much all their mental faculties. Spellwolves are a special, rarer type of Werewolf that can use considerable magical power. The moon is significant in the culture, and Spellwolves can use the full moon to scry like seers.
* OutOfCharacterMoment: Most fans consider Greg's recent "honest and ugly" attitude to just come from nowhere. Gregory was once a timid and innocent ditz who would do anything to protect his friends and family. Now [[spoiler:he's become something of a smug jerk who actually enjoys his horrific [[NightmareFuel "blightmares"]] as they give him inspiration for his music]]. Whether this is CharacterDevelopment or CharacterDerailment depends entirely on your opinion, but most fans stopped taking him seriously after he supposedly wrote songs about [[spoiler: an infernomancer ripping Dex apart and even named the band after his rehabilitation.]]
* OutOfFocus: Given the comic's [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters large character base]] and varied locations, it's not uncommon for the focus to change drastically from arc to arc. Supporting characters like Milov and Jayden will sometimes disappear for arcs at a time, and even main characters like Dominic and Luna will occasionally take an arc off.
** After the end of the Maltak arc, Dominic and Luna were absent from the comic for nearly an entire year.
* OverlyLongName: A really, ''really'' early gag with Siggy's full name. We don't hear the whole thing again for [[WebcomicTime eight years]].
* PaintItBlack: The Nakta does this to Luna's hair.
* PantyShot: In-universe example; Quilt has rudimentary second sight. Only problem is, when he uses it, the image is always the same...[[spoiler:right up Pam's legs]].
* PapaWolf: Though not as rabid as Miranda, when you're around Donovan, it's really not a good idea to screw with Dominic or Gregory. There's also the Shintula Chief, as Jacob [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-08-31 learns the hard way]].
** Don't forget the poppa furry things of the Wild Edge.
* TheParagon: Dominic and Luna's goal in the Maltak arc. Whether they succeed or not is [[YourMileageMayVary up to you.]]
* PardonMyKlingon: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-02-04 Ilka Tuk Tak]], as well as "Kegak," which seems to be more of a direct insult.
** [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-04-18 This strip]] gets funnier if you imagine the phrase means "motherfucker", although anything with fuck in it is probably broad enough for the number of places "Ilka Tuk Tak" get's used.
*** Given a lookup in a Scots dictionary, Ilka Tuk Tak would translate to "Gather each thorn." Taken as an idiomatic phrase meant to convey an incredibly demeaning and humiliating task (or the feeling associated with it), this meaning makes sense and fits with their culture/herbivorous nature.
** Later comics give us "kiak", "fak", "uruk", and "thok".
* ParentExMachina: Miranda, somewhat exceptional in that the main character is (ostensibly) no longer a child. Actually lampshaded at one point when Miranda tries a few puns on the phrase, including "Mama Ex Machina" and "Deus Ex Momina," and, after seeing the confused reactions of her audience, she settles for, "I'm his mother, and I'm going to fix everything."
* PetHomosexual: Szark. Oh, Szark.
* PetTheDog: [[spoiler:Jacob resurrecting Luna.]] "Don't say I've never done anything for this family."
** Just after Celesto [[spoiler:kills Brett Taggerty]]: "''Go.'' Get out of here. Run home to your daughter, hold her tight, and thank her for that 'good luck pinch.' [[ItMakesSenseInContext It just saved your life.]]"
* PimpedOutDress: Amelia's dresses
* PlanetOfHats: In this case, Tribe of Hairstyles. Every tribe in Maltak is given their own adjective.
* PokeInTheThirdEye
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Siegfried, Siegfried's father and Brett Taggerty come to mind
* PornStash: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-02-28 You never guess WHOSE porn stash it's referring to...]]
* PoweredByAForsakenChild: A rare case of this being presented in a ''positive'' manner. At the conclusion of the Maltak arc, [[spoiler: the souls of the Orc dead are absorbed back into Maltak to help it recover. Essentially, the souls of the Orcs have been turned into spiritual mulch]].
** Rather, it's explained that this was a natural cycle that the poison in Maltak was halting, which is why the place was barren in the first place.
** An Acibek is a golem created by merging multiple souls into a single collective entity using Order magic. The original Acibek was created by the elf tyrant Raf Maliksh using the souls of his ''own followers''. It's no wonder Acibek immediately turned on Raf in disgust. Two other characters, Dirk the Mighty and Leaflette the [[spoiler: former]] Sylvan Oracle, are also Acibeks. Dirk was created by Leaflette to be a guardian for the Dryad using the souls of a tree ogre, slumber flower, and a halfling. Leaflette was created by the original Acibek using an unknown combination of souls. This is also an unusually positive case: Acibek assures the loved ones of Raf's sacrifices that the souls inside him are at peace within his collective being.
** The EvilCounterpart of the Acibek, the Storm of Souls, is as nasty as it sounds. It's an EldritchAbomination composed of the souls of the Chaos worshipping Chosen that can devour other souls as well. Unlike an Acibek, the souls within the Storm are ''not'' at peace.
* ThePowerOfLegacy: Used twice: once when Donovan sees Karnak jump into Hell after beating him to a pulp, he chooses not to tell Miranda about what had happened. Later on, Dominic follows his father's example by telling Milov and Jayden that Siegfreid died as a knight of Callan, even though he was a genocidal maniac who [[spoiler: promptly went to Hell.]] The first example is the TropeNamer and is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-04-13 found here.]] The second one is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-07-20 here.]]
* ThePowerOfRock: Papa Deegan's specialty; Greg seems to have inherited it.
* PrecisionFStrike: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-06-04 And Mookie makes no apologies]].
** An earlier example was when a character said "shit" for the first time, though Mookie played up on it in his post, despite much more mature content done in previous comic strips. Specifically, he had originally intended the character to say "OhCrap", but felt "Oh shit" was stronger and fit better.
* PrettyInMink: One of Amelia's dresses. Miranda's mother had a fur muff.
* ProgressivelyPrettier: Luna's tusks have become noticeably less, er, protrusive, over the years.
* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: One of the more common complaints leveled against the series. It goes without saying that YourMileageMayVary.
** An odd meta-inversion of this in the HateDom. Any and all crimes a character commits (up to and including attempted murder, attempting to maim a helpless animal while it's still conscious, and trying to kidnap and exploit two innocent people) will be [[DracoInLeatherPants entirely downplayed and forgiven]] if said character is a villain, and thus opposed to the protagonists, who will instead be portrayed [[RonTheDeathEater in the most horrendous light possible]].
** One example from the Wild Edge arc: The poachers are rightfully portrayed as evil for trying to maim, kill, and exploit the wildlife of the Wild Edge. The only character who actually successfully kills a Wild Edge animal is Bort the Mongrelman -- and it's PlayedForLaughs.
* PsychicNosebleed: Dominic gets one after [[spoiler: banishing a demon overlord with his mind]].
* PureMagicBeing: Several.
* PutOnABus: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-05-21 Szark]] and [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-08-18 Snowsong]] are sent to the "Aberthast Cathedral" to await their HeelFaceTurn.
** There's also [[spoiler: Luna's sister,]] Barnet, who's currently in jail awaiting trial.
** At the conclusion of the Maltak arc, Reinholdt is put on a mountain.
** Nimmel when he left for the Winter Archipelago for some wacky nudist werewolf hijinx!
* PygmalionPlot: Leaflette fell in love with her creator Acibek. An odd case, since both of them are golems created using the same process. Sadly, [[spoiler: they only get to be TogetherInDeath.]]
* RapeAsComedy / RapeIsOKWhenItIsFemaleOnMale: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-07-22 Here]].
** This is: when revealing how Luna lost her virginity, there's a one-panel sight gag of a panicked Dominic [[TiedToTheBed tied up]], wearing cat ears, and screaming "help!", with the information that he slept with Gregory's friend Rachel the mercenary on their first date, and "didn't have much of a choice."
* RapeAsDrama: Given an unusual examination with Stonewater and Melsheena, but many of its regular subtropes played straight.
* RapeIsLove: Noted and subsequently almost completely averted. [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-01-13 Melna was raped by Stonewater]] (as a child!) to save her life, but after meeting him again some years later, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-02-12 she discovers, to her alarm, that she is attracted to him now.]] On further rumination, Melna loves what Stonewater has come to stand for... which is not that surprising given Stonewater tried to model himself after Melna's father, horrible traumatization aside.
* RealitySubtext: One can't help but notice that soon after Mookie and his lady-friend broke up, the BetaCouple who were madly in love with each other break up after she cheated on him.
* RealMenWearPink: Dominic's father, Donovan, is the TropeNamer.
* RedRightHand: Jacob Deegan has (had?) one skeletal hand.
* RedShirt: A lot of these guys are lost in Built to Resist. They don't call Celesto [[FanNickname 'Collateral Damage Man']] for nothing.
** Also anyone who wins a named appearance in the comic.
* RedShirtArmy: The Rhazgala clan, in the final battle of March Across Maltak.
* RedemptionInTheRain: Played straight, almost to the point of being {{Anvilicious}}, in Maltak.
** If this is about [[spoiler: the orc tattoos washing off]], even [[FanHater the critics]] acknowledged that it was actually a pretty good way of showing [[spoiler: their powers are returning to nature]].
* RetiredBadass: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-02-05 Donovan Deegan]].
* RetCon: What happened to Stunt's mother and why. [[spoiler: In a deleted comic, Stunt said he "slit her nasty throat" because she was abusive. That was removed and replaced with one where he just said she was his first murder. Then it turns out he was just trying to scare her and his mother's lesbian lover apparently (accidentally?) pushed her in front of his knife.]]
* TheReveal: Throughout the Oracle Hunter Arc, it's heavily implied that Barnet is the illegitimate child of Donovan and a woman he dated prior to meeting Miranda, making her Dominic's [[LongLostSibling half-sister]]. However, it's later revealed that she's actually [[spoiler: one of Luna's sisters]].
** The identity of the Beast's power source/magical ally in the mortal plane: [[spoiler:the king of Callan]]. Extended when it is revealed that, "political implications aside", [[spoiler:he was not only [[HumansAreSpecial the first human ever allowed]] to join the Circle of the Archmagi, a circle was actually ''invented'' for him to hold. [[OhCrap He is one of the most powerful magi in Callanian history, and he's trying to kill them all]].]]
* RuleOfCool: Mookie is known to invoke continuity errors or unexplained events for the sake of coolness. For example: why does [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-10-09 Melna's hammer]] have lightning coming from it when she [[spoiler:kills the Doma chief]]? Because "it's pretty f* cking metal."
** Mookie also invoked this involving a RainOfArrows that inexpicably changed direction from one strip to another:
--->'''Mookie''': Okay, I know in yesterday's strip that the Rhazgala archers all had their bows pointed up and today those arrows are flying horizontally past Suyan's head. This "continuity error" is just a dramatic choice on my part because I felt the arrows flying straight on past him looked cooler.
** This, or RuleOfDrama, is probably the best available explanation for a lot of such errors in the Maltak arc, including characters [[BehindTheBlack sneaking up on each other]] in what appears to be a barren plain.
* RuleOfFunny: Apparently, this is why bards do anything.
** Including spending ''two decades'' [[spoiler: ''intentionally'' misspeaking orcish]]!
* RunningGag: Quite a few. Sparks' "DeathFromAbove", "Fear My....Illusion", and the habit of everyone making bad puns.
** Also Mookie himself pointed out in a comic "And so with Chris's death today I continue the tradition of killing people who win a named appearance in the comic via [=ConnectiCon's=] Webcomic Charity Auction."
** Lower Back Problems
** '''CURSE YOU, RUNCIBLE SPOON!'''
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tropes S-Z]]
* SadistTeacher, subverted. During his tenure as a teacher, Dominic gained a reputation of being a hardass before the first day of class even began. He admits that Second Sight (the course he was teaching) would be hard, as there is a lot of history and heavy reading involved. Despite this, he has a positive relationship with his students, and vice versa.
* SayMyName: After [[spoiler:Siegfried is freed from Karnak's control]], [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-09-20 he spends]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-09-29 the next]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-04 several comics]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-06 traversing the Hellscape]] shouting "'''''KARNAK!'''''" When he shouts the name again, he grabs a spear mere inches away from his face, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-11 thrown by Karnak who says,]] [[DeadpanSnarker "I heard you the first time."]]
* ScarfOfAssKicking: Dominic's never without his scarf, not even in psychic battles.
** [[MemeticBadass Of course not. It's the reason he can hold his own in them.]]
** [[ScarfOfAssKicking Scarf Of]] AsskickingEqualsAuthority? During the meeting of the new-and-last chiefs of the Orc tribes, most of them have a scarf on, and Mookie's commentary notes that a scarf in this comic makes you badass.
* ScrewDestiny: At the end of the Maltak arc, Melna tells fate to kiss her ass. A few comics later, Kiya steals her line.
** This is pretty much what Dominic does throughout the comic. The only time fate ever won was with the "Fated Fatal".
* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Serk Brakkis
* ScryVsScry: Dominic and Celesto, several times.
* {{Seers}}: One of the hallmarks of the comic. Dominic and Celesto are the prime examples.
* SelfDefeatingProphecy: Dominic's second sight shows the unaltered future: What the future will be if he doesn't do something specially to change it.
* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: The female villains tend to dress a LOT sexier than female protagonists.
* ShoutOut: A few [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-09-13 visual]] references to ''GuiltyGear'', among others.
** If [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-04-08 that's]] not a [[ShoutOut Shout Out]] to [[SystemOfADown System of a Down]] then I don't know what is.
** [[{{Watchmen}} "I'm not trapped [in Hell] with you, you're trapped in here WITH ME!"]] The author claims it was accidental. Coincedentally, the same quote happens to be his friend [[CtrlAltDel Tim Buckley's]] forum signature on his own website.
** Dominic's Father's grasp of [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-02-26 orcish]] bears a striking resemblance to MontyPython's Hungarian Phrasebook sketch. "I cannot wait til lunchtime" is a direct quote.
* ShutUpAndSaveMe: The TropeNamer, [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-08-14 here]].
* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-09 Or]] [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-01-14 Orc Woman]]. My orcish is a bit rusty, but I think this is what it implies. Kiak?
* SmugSnake: Serk Brakkis.
* SnarkyNonHumanSidekick: Spark
* SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX: [[KnightTemplar Siegfried]] uses almost the trope name in the 'War in Hell' storyline after Dominic calls him a racist. Unusually, what he says is absolutely true and not particularly tainted by stereotyping or tokenism: One of his best friends ''is'' a spellwolf. It's just orcs. He has this huge problem with orcs. Oh, but "[[CompletelyMissingThePoint orcs aren't people]]."
* SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay: How Dominic realizes that [[spoiler: the redhaired prisoner in Callan is Klo Tark.]]
* SophisticatedAsHell: Dominic and Luna, during their vacation after meeting a dragon:
-->'''Luna's narration''': ''Dominic and I, having just been in the presence of such a majestic creature, reacted the way any pair of intellectuals would have...''\\
''(Dominic and Luna stare at each other)''\\
'''Dominic and Luna''': ''(bouncing up and down)'' DRAGONDRAGONOHMYGODDRAGONOHGODOHWOWDRAGONDRAGON!
* TheSpiny / WolverineClaws: "Bortette" is covered with giant, random spikes [[spoiler: that she can stab you in the face with]].
* StealthPun: The Yuvonir, a [[TurtleIsland mole-montain]] - [[DontExplainTheJoke it makes mole hills out of mountains.]]
* StrangeMindsThinkAlike: In the first story arc, both Siegfried and Spark use the phrase, "In my defense, it had tusks" to describe Luna (which Dominic catches right away when Spark says it). The two instances occur [[ComicBookTime several days apart]]. Subverted in the second case, as it turns out Spark ''wasn't'' referring to Luna, but to a sea monster that ''also'' had tusks.
* StrawCritic: A highly-regarded but unnamed and unseen music critic shows up in ThePowerOfRock story. He thrashes Greg's "dumbed-down" music and while he doesn't exactly praise FACEBATH's proto-metal he does like that it's original; naturally by that point Greg and his two bandmates (a dude with tuskmouth and the jerkass bisexual(?) elf son of his father's bandmate) don't care.
* StrawmanPolitical: Heavily abused, to the point of being {{Anvilicious}} more often than not. If you don't embrace multiculturalism and tolerance, not only are you a idiotic bigot incapable of reading or thinking for yourself, but you're also [[ObviouslyEvil just plain evil]], going to die, and going to Hell.
* SuperheroEpisode: Super-Greg
* [[SuspiciouslyIdleOfficers Suspiciously Idle Knights]]: The knights on Serk's take during Scarlatti's duel with Sturtz.
* TalkToTheFist: This [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-06-26 strip]].
** Siegfried pulls one [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2010-10-05 on a hallucination/flashback]].
* ATankardOfMooseUrine: Reaction to Human beer from Orcs and Dwarf beer from Halflings.
* TautologicalTemplar: Siegfried, at least at first.
* TearOffYourFace: Jacob.
* TearsOfRemorse
* TedBaxter: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-09-23 "Look, ball-for-brains, just use your vision to tell me how awesome I am.]]
* ThatNightFeltLikeMonths: [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2003-01-08 This early strip]], among other [[http://dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2005-01-11 times]].
* ThereAreNoTherapists [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-05-05 "I think you people need to stop dumping all of your problems on me. I'm a CAT!"]]
* ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself: Chief Thuen Gor orders his men to stay back while he fights the Bikta Chief alone.
** JustifiedTrope if you take his 'They stayed back because I told them to' as an admission that he might hurt his own tribe if he really went all out against the Bikta Chief. Given that their fight was interrupted before Thuen Gor got serious, we'll never know.
* TitleDrop: Dominic once referred to himself as an "[[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-09-04 Oracle for Hire]]" near the start of the Shadow of Siegfried arc.
* ToHellAndBack
* TonightSomeoneDies: Done with the "Fated Fatal" Dominic goes through early in the War in Hell story arc, which he says means someone he knows will die, and there's nothing he can do about it.
** WordOfGod promised that someone would not be returning from Maltak. Several deaths were teased, but in the end, [[spoiler: Reinholdt is [[PutOnABus required to stay in the magic mountain]]]].
* TooDumbToLive: The poachers are dumbed down to irrelevance, even by the standards of a fun story about weird critters and murdering bad guys. They're hunting a mongrelman, an unknown quantity that survives in the Wild Edge - a plain where RealityIsOutToLunch, known for giant horrible teeth bursting out of places you'd least expect, that has already killed some of them. They catch it by (1) throwing a net over it, and (2) gloating. This when they have been shown to have InstantSedation - causing tranquilizers that can knock out a tosserphant. There were body parts everywhere.
** Really, TooDumbToLive kicked in earlier, when the one guy decided to just ignore the leader's advice and pick up one of the little fuzzballs.
* TookALevelInBadass: Luna's taken a few over the course of the strip. Starting with this exchange: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-02-11 When the hell did *Luna* gain self-confidence?!]]
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Dom's "[[CallARabbitASmeerp Mapvel Candies]]". Also, Spark really loves fish. But he is, after all, a cat. And, uh...yeah.
* TranquillizerDart: Instant paralysis darts that seem to only be in effect while they're still stuck in the person.
* TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: In a [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2009-09-25 bizarre on-panel example]], a character walks out of an empty, flat wasteland and into an enemy camp. A similar scene takes several minutes on ''LawrenceOfArabia'', and the traveler is on camelback. Here the traveler is past the camp's guards in the time the guards take to spot her, recognize her, and recover from the surprise that she's alive.
* TrueCompanions: Dominic's network of friends and allies. A werewolf's social worth revolves around their "pack" and to insult one is a major DudeNotFunny offense.
* TwoGuysAndAGirl: A repeated trope to the point the Xerox is starting to edge onto {{Naruto}}'s turf. Donovan, Miranda, and Karnak seem to have been this, though it's unclear how Karnak felt about Donovan most of the time. Stonewater, Grenchka, and Bulgak also follow this pattern, with a variation in that [[FirstGuyWins Bulgak knew Grench first, but does not get her]]. Milov, Jayden, and Siegfried are eventually revealed to have been this not just in gender combo but in dynamic. Because Siggy ''fails''. At ''everything''.
** This seems to be the preferred composition of any given adventuring party in the setting, which owes a lot to fantasy RPG conventions, though not in the ''story''. Greg, Luna, and Dominic fell into it early on, and if Szark had been a little more sane in his intro and the plot a little more conventional, he probably would have wound up a party with Dominic and Luna and given us the variant where the girl and one of the guys both like the other guy. Instead he's just the PetHomosexual.
** Mookie does like threes, though.
* UnholyNuke: A rare example of one used by a good character. Dark Soul Burst is a spell powered by anger and hatred, and is typically used by Luna when someone REALLY pisses her off. The first time it's used, it knocks out Siegfried, a rather strong royal knight, in a single shot.
* UnspokenPlanGuarantee: Constantly.
* UnusualEuphemism: Dominic's term for large breasts is "lower back problems." Luna also wrote about her crush on Siegfried in her journal, and [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-07-25 makes mention of his "great big sword".]]
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans: Raf Maliksh and Celesto.
** And in Maltak, ''Dominic''. Though it was really more BecauseDestinySaysSo, and he did look for wiggle room a bit.
* {{Veganopia}}: Major piece in developig the orcs. It's not that they're not a violent, primitive society, but they're herbivores, and it adds a certain buccolic innocence to Malak.
** Also note Karnak's bizzarre behavioral tic of taking unnecessary mouthfuls out of his enemies and then spitting them out. He was raised an orc. They had to boil the food for ''ages'' to get it soft enough for his human teeth. No word on what, if anything, he's actually eaten all these years in hell.
* VigilanteExecution: [[spoiler:Celesto does this to Brett Taggerty and Serk Brakkis, and almost to Barnet Travoria.]]
* ViolationOfCommonSense: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-06-08 "I think we should stop trying to rob someone who can see the future."]]
* TheVoiceless: According to Luna, Jayden hasn't said a single word since the Shadow of Siegfried incident. Demon Siegfried may qualify as this as well, though he seems to lean closer to TheSpeechless since his mask obstructs his mouth (Though he can still communicate with Karnak without the use of body language somehow). [[spoiler: Jayden finally breaks her vow of silence to wed Dom and Luna, only to be interrupted by Greg.]]
* WeaksauceWeakness: Neilen's channeling of [[spoiler:Maltak's dead earth gave him crazy elemental powers... [[GlassCannon and made him as brittle as the soil itself.]]]]
* WebcomicTime: Frequently and often lamp shaded, sometimes straight and sometimes through [[ContinuityNod continuity nods.]] Usually it gets so confusing over how much time has passed during the arcs that it can only be determined by Spark's lampshade hanging via hunger.
* WelcomeBackTraitor: Dominic's childhood friend Szark turns on the protagonist due to demonic influence. Once the demons are dealt with, he's back on Dominic's side.
** This doesn't apply, in fact. He never actually attacked any of Dominic's close friends or family, and only killed others in "legal" duels, though some had been enchanted when they agreed. (A fact he was not aware of.) After Dominic literally calls his soul out on letting his darker side do what it wants due to this he realizes what he's done is wrong, but he still struggles with the urge to kill. He never actually betrayed them, and it wasn't immediately dropped afterwards.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Celesto Morgan, who first wanted to cleanse the world with Chaos after deciding the people in it were all assholes, and who now says he's trying to save the world from The Infernomancer while incidentally destroying Lynn's Brook, which he calls "a small price to pay."
** He also thinks [[spoiler:brutally murdering a teenager (who he claims will grow up to be a bad person anyway) using methods that will implicate the King and the Beast]] is justified since it's for the "greater good".
* WhamEpisode: [[spoiler: The folks that Dominic and Luna meet in their relaxation cruise, namely: Suin Seyera from Faria, The Dragon from Nagastrali, Buckley Hussle and the Dwarf he had a fight with from Olde Tucklebruck Island, The Trickster from Quastrilla, Milov from the Winter Archipelago and Arcangelo Scarlatti from The Semashi Kingdom. They are called together by Brian, who's RILIAN in disguise! THE MAESTRO was in on it too.]] [[SecretTestOfCharacter It was a test]], but still! And apparently one of his student's theories was right as well.
** [[spoiler: The one aiding the Beast in gaining power is the king of Callan, former Archmage of the Fifth Circle (for whom said circle was invented!) and one of the most powerful magi in Callanian history. All of his battlemages are either being [[FateWorseThanDeath corrupted by the Beast]] into humanoid {{Eldritch Abomination}}s, or already have been, thus giving it even more power. And it seems Celesto may be on the same path.]]
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: One of the things that really bugs the critics is that sometimes Mookie has really good ideas and the strip shows real potential. And then (in their view at least) the plot gets fumbled or it just doesn't get pulled off.
** Prior to being officially introduced in the comic, Huk Thak gained a MemeticBadass status within the Fandom from his teaser image, which asked "Who is Huk Thak and why does he want to kill Melna?". It was a bit of a let down when he finally showed up and didn't want to kill Melna at all, and wasn't even named Huk Thak. Though that's subverted because Mookie even stated in an interview that Hukthak wasn't his real name and he wasn't going to be a villain. He was baffled that Hukthak had gained such popularity from just that teaser image, which the fandom conceded was a joke that had gotten [[MemeticBadass out of hand]]
* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic: In (real-life)December, an important event is heralded across the land by the appearance of a brilliant star. [[LifeOfBrian No, it's not the messiah]]'s birth, [[spoiler: it's Dom and Luna's marriage.]]
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: While there are quite a few characters who have not been heard from for a while (possibly to make a cameo later) the most infamous example to some fans is [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-11-26 Brok]] who just vanishes from the comic completely with only passing mention from Stunt and Bumper later about losing him. Granted that he was only a hired thug, it still felt odd to just drop him.
** WordOfGod was that Brok himself was a reference to one of Mookie's friends, and on reflection Mookie felt he didn't really "fit" in the comic.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** Invoked (and promptly dismissed) on occasion--except for Pam at the end of the Snowsong arc. She actually [[spoiler:called out Gregory and Dominic for their actions and punished them for it.]] The fact that this almost never happens with any of the other characters made that instance rather refreshing.
** Huk Thak invokes this at the climax of the Maltak arc, but is dismissed by Reinholdt, of all people.
** Olena pulls this on Nimmel after he uses his ice magic to fight off a bunch of werewolf bullies who were attacking him. Although [[StrawmanHasAPoint there's a bit of truth to her words]], she does it so cruelly that it's impossible to agree with her. Even the bullies [[HeelFaceTurn take Nimmel's side]].
* WhiteMagic: White magic can manifest in white mages in the form of light, or in more exceptional mages, (e.g. Gregory) white fire.
** For the Orcs, at least, Ice Magic is treated as a holy magic.
** Also the name of Greg's band, which was dubbed "vaguely racist" by the incredibly important but unnamed music critic.
* WhoWantsToBeASuperhero: Gregory's alter-ego Super-Greg, and Dominic's childhood love for The Adventures of Mighty Man.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: The Aliak.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Dominic thinks that [[spoiler:Celesto]] is suffering from this due to [[spoiler:keeping his powers as the Champion of Chaos.]] According to Dominic, humans aren't built to wield that kind of power indefinitely and that it's warping [[spoiler:Celesto's]] mind.
* WithThisHerring: Toyed with and taken a bit too literally [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2002-07-26 here]].
* WorfEffect: Jacob Deegan, who previously ''annihilated'' a group of Chosen in a CurbStompBattle, is [[spoiler: effortlessly killed by Chief Thuen Gor.]]
* WorldOfChaos: The Wild Edge, where [[MixAndMatchCritter Bort the Mongrelman]] lives. It's a deceptively peaceful-looking meadow/savannah.
** Hell: It's got some creepy stalagtites with tentacles, and a huge pit full of damned souls.
* WrongGenreSavvy: Heliner, who keeps trying to base his life on comic books. For example, Dominic is a seer, which means he must have godlike reflexes, right? [[spoiler: And Chance is rich, which means he must be a jerk who deserves to be treated like crap, right??]]
* XanatosGambit / XanatosRoulette: Dominic uses his Second Sight to pull off Gambits that would be Roulettes for anyone else. Other characters comment on it, but they're not being GenreSavvy. Dominic likes to do TheReveal when his plans have come to fruition--or is occasionally forced to reveal his intentions when one of his plans goes awry. It's the major source of friction in his relationship with Luna (who spent most of her life getting abusively manipulated by her mother and sister).
** Some of the villains like to pull gambits of their own, leading to insane [[GambitPileup Gambit Pileups]] in at least two story arcs.
* YaoiFangirl: [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2008-04-18 This strip]].
* YinYangBomb: Luna in the current story arc. Also a case of LightIsNotGood and DarkIsNotEvil.
** Earlier, there was Dominic as the Avatar Of Balance in the "Storm of Souls" arc. It seems to be a recurring theme in the comic.
* YouHaveNoIdeaWhoYoureDealingWith: Miranda says [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-04-12 exactly this]] to TIM when he attacks her in the "Ecstasy and Evil" arc. The true meaning of her words weren't revealed until years later, but the "Archmage of the fifth circle" isn't a rank in the archmage academy. It's literally the circle in which she stands in the five-being council that rules ALL the archmagi.
* YouKnowWhatYouDid: Neilen attempts to pull this on Dominic and Luna. It fails miserably.
[[/folder]]
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