History Webcomic / GuildedAge

* AIIsACrapshoot: Simultaneously played straight and inverted. From the ninth chapter onwards [[spoiler:It is revealed that the characters are actually living in a {{Magitek}} PeopleJars video game described as a cross between Film/TheMatrix and a Kinect. The creator, [[TechnoWizard H.R.]] [[{{Technopath}} Dedalus]] can't get them out, and everything within the game seems to be taking a mind of its own.]]

** [[spoiler: Then there's [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-34-page-24/ that one page]] with the ominous ''[[NothingIsScarier lack]]'' of AltText...]]

* AnachronismStew: Somehow Syr'Nj invented dynamite. [[BuffySpeak And called them "boom sticks."]]

** Payet. He was shocked (but not hammed) and dismayed that the core group was shocked that he saved Byron and after a small confession, he decided to be a better ally [[spoiler: and since he is suppossed to found a basin that would tell him his destiny, this seems to be the flavor of the new chapter]].

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Early chapters had the characters engaging in a load of pop-culture references as casual dialog, Frigg moreso than anyone else, when they weren't all living in a WorldOfSnark. This faded over time as the setting developed into its current and somewhat more serious state.

* HumansAreBastards: Gastonia is pretty much a hive of racists out to conquer and plunder the planet in much the same vein as 17th-19th century colonialists. The comic has shown that no one, ''not a single'' race could be considered good or all that nice. Either they are: xenophobic, condescendent, tyrannical, downright genocidial or all of the above. Really, the only reason why Humans are labeled like this (at first), was because they were the only ones shown.

* IdeaBulb: Lightbulbs not being common in Arkerra, [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-24-page-15/ Frigg's is actually her mace.]]

* StealthPun:
** [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-10-page-22/ here.]] Read the AltText to get it.
** Another one in the AltText [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-14-page-23/ here.]]

* TomatoSurprise: The beginning of chapter 9 let us know that [[spoiler: none of the adventures are "real" but its an extremely advanced experiment in virtual simulation for the online Game [[BlandNameProduct "Kingdoms of Arkerra"]] and the adventure group to be volunteers that are incapable of turning it off.]]
** But then [[spoiler:HR's comments imply that Arkerra is indeed a real place, and that he 'found' it through the game. [[NoExceptYes He likened it to a sculptor, revealing a statue that was always in the block of marble.]]]]

* DontExplainTheJoke: Inverted. Gravedust, easily the member of the cast most lacking in comedic ability, ends up having to pretend to be a comedian on a stage. He tells a mediocre joke about misfortune which the audience finds increasingly hilarious as he begins to explain how the joke actually depicts a very tragic situation and questions the audience's mirth.

* IntercontinuityCrossover: The likenesses of the characters from HijinksEnsue show up in chapter 9.

* JiveTurkey: Frigg is basically a [[ImageBoards /b/tard]] playing a Paladin.

* NunsAreSpooky: The Sisters of the Bloodshot Eye are LawfulEvil nuns that wield rulers with razors on them.

* HumansAreBastards: Gastonia is pretty much a hive of racists out to conquer and plunder the planet in much the same vein as 17th-19th century colonialists.
** Sort of Subverted later. It has shown that no one, ''not a single'' race could be considered good or all that nice. Either they are: xenophobic, condescendent, tyrannical, downright genocidial or all of the above. Really, the only reason why Humans are labeled like this (at first), was because they were the only ones shown.

[[http://guildedage.net/webcomic/chapter-1/chapter-1-cover/ Guilded Age]] is a HeroicFantasy webcomic, in which six fairly competent adventurers conveniently meet and form a group to make a living of... well... adventuring. It's written by Phil Kahn and Creator/TCampbell, with art by Erica Henderson (Chapters 1 through 7) and John Waltrip (Chapter 8 onward).

** Then there's the enigma of [[spoiler:why Mr. Daedalus' tie is in Bandit's colors.]]

** Chapter 38, page 4. [[spolier:HR Daedalus, the "creator" of World of Arkerra enters the plane of Arkerra with all of his godlike powers, as the end result of his massive nihilism.]]

** [[spoiler: The company Daedalus is [=CEO=] of is called [[BlizzardEntertainment Hurricane Software]] and their hit [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMORPG]] is called [[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft World of Arkerra]].]]
** Also with the mention of various [[spoiler:social networking sites such as [[MySpace [=MyFeeds=]]] and [[{{Facebook}} Faceblog.]]]]
** Averted with references to other products such as [[spoiler: Kinect, Film/TheMatrix and JackKirby.]]

** [[spoiler:Bandit in particular makes an UnexplainedRecovery at the end of chapter 11. She claims not to know how she got better and [[HandWave figures that Harky's blood]] may have had something to do with it.]]

* AffablyEvil: [[spoiler:Iver, Savasi Warlord.]]

* AllTrollsAreDifferent: Trolls have regenerative abilities. Syr'Nj even mentions that troll blood can be used to treat minor wounds.

** [[spoiler: Then there's [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-34-page-24/ that one page]] with the ominous ''lack'' of AltText...]]

* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:The entire party during chapter 10.]]

* BigDamnHeroes: When they find [[spoiler:Penk and Magda trying to stop the otherworldly beast from reaching innocents,]] the Peacemakers decide they can't stand by and watch, so Frigg and Rachel ride Wav's CoolBike down the cliff and [[RammingAlwaysWorks crash into it.]] Could also be considered a VillainousRescue, at least from the Champions' point of view.

* CatchPhrase: Frigg frequently uses the word "dope" in many ways.
-->'''Frigg:''' It's because I'm the '''dopest'''.
* ChurchMilitant: Our Lady of the Perpetual Bloodshot Eyeball. May also count as ReligionOfEvil.

* DodgeTheBullet: Payet's guitar: kills bad guys and deflects bullets.

* EnfantTerrible: [[http://guildedage.net/webcomic/chapter-4/chapter-4-page-14/ Taro Iwataki]].

* FourthWallMailSlot: On Saturdays, there are Ask an Adventurer comics, in which the characters respond to reader-submitted questions. They often provide interesting information about the Guilded Age universe.

* GadgeteerGenius: Syr'Nj can do science to anybody, in the most dire situations.
* GeniusBruiser: Byron.
* GiveMeBackMyWallet: Syr'Nj and Bandit.

* HeroesPreferSwords: Averted. Nobody on the team uses Swords. The closest is Bandit with her daggers. TheHero, Byron, uses two hand-axes.
** Actually, whenever Syr'Nj ends up fighting she uses a shortsword-and-buckler style (which was historically popular with scholars), and new team member Scipio is a traditional sword-and-board tank.
* HeroicBSOD: Byron gets into a bit of a funk after he [[spoiler: berserks and kills or incapacitates his entire team.]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Rachel pushes a half-conscious Frigg out of the cultists' monster's path, allowing it to kill her instead.]]

* IfItSwimsItFlies: The pirate ship. Designed by a kid nonetheless.
* ImprobableAimingSkills: [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-3-page-10/ Byron is really good with those axes]]

* InstrumentOfMurder: Penk uses his drum as a weapon. Wav can also use his keytar in combat, at least against the EldritchAbomination summoned by cultists, since its form is disrupted by rhythmic harmonies

* JiveTurkey: Frigg is basically a [[ImageBoards /b/tard]] playing a Paladin with no magic. [[spoiler:Well, no magic she can control...]]

* ReligionOfEvil: They are kind of lousy and some were forced by their parents to become cultists.

* The alt-text on [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-12-page-11/ this page]] quotes one of Alfred's lines in ''Film/TheDarkKnight'': "Some men just want to watch the world burn."

* SoLongSuckers: Bandit.

** Also Frigg's mace, [[SpiritAdvisor although it's only heard by her.]]

* WhamEpisode: Chapter 8. [[spoiler:Looks like a TotalPartyKill.]]

* WhatTheHellHero: Byron to Payet.

* TheWorfEffect: Byron.
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* AltText: All the comics have this, mainly for jokes. For chapter openings, though, it's instead "The one where [something related to the chapter contents]."

--> "You don't have to see eye to eye to stand shoulder to shoulder." -Syr'Nj

* [[spoiler:BackFromTheDead: The entire party during chapter 10.]]

-->'''Gigundus:''' "I am the Priestlord Gigundus! There is no authority here but mine, elf. My word is the ''blood'' that flows through this world and washes out its disobedience."
-->'''Byron:''' "Yeah, well. I'm Byron the Berserker. Mine are the axes that ''thirst'' for blood."

* BigNo: Parodied when Payet mourns the loss of his faithful [[strike: [[Franchise/FinalFantasy chocobo]]]] bawkbagok.
--> ''Payet:'' "Keirnas! '''NOOOOOOOOOO'''-*gasp*-'''OOOOOOOOO!!!'''"

* BreakTheHaughty: Payet. He was shocked (but not hammed) and dismayed that the core group was shocked that he saved Byron and after a small confession, he decided to be a better ally [[spoiler: and since he is suppossed to found a basin that would tell him his destiny, this seems to be the flavor of the new chapter]].

--> '''Frigg:''' Sorry Ardaic! I tried my best, but someone accidentally killed them to death.
--> '''Ardaic:''' You're fired. Without you to protect them, your friends with totally die and stuff. And deep down you will know it was your fault, because [[YouSuck you suck at life.]]
--> '''Frigg:''' Well ''shit''.

--> ''Frigg, proving her valor'': "It’s because I’m the '''dopest'''."

* [[spoiler: DeepImmersionGaming]]: Taken to its logical conclusion.

* [[JerkAss Douchebag]]: Payet Best. He even unlocks an achievement for it.

* [[EverythingsEvenWorseWithSharks Everything's Even Worse With Land Sharks]]

* [[FacingTheBulletsOneLiner Facing The Arrows One Liner]]: End of Chapter 8:
--> [[spoiler: '''Syr'nj:''' You all have a choice. Remember that.]]
* FantasticRacism: Gastonia starts their kids on it [[http://guildedage.net/webcomic/chapter-8/a-childrens-guide-to-arkerra-part-i/ early]].
** [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orcs]] are lowest on the ladder, used as slave labor by all sides and seemingly universally considered to be incredibly stupid.

* FiveManBand:
** TheHero: Syr'nj
** TheLancer: Bandit (Field Commander)
** TheSmartGuy: Gravedust.
** TheBigGuy: Frigg and Scipio.
** TheChick: E-Merl and Rachael (ActionGirl).
** SixthRanger: Byron

--> ''Sundar'': "Just because they got ''unbelievable'' mental self-discipline and control powers that would drive an ordinary person insane, they think they’re '''better''' than us."

-->''Sundar, getting a shot of truth serum'': "'''SHE'S TORTURING MEEEEEE!'''"
-->''After the shot took effect'': "'''ACTUALLY, IT WAS ONLY A MINOR PINCHING SENSAAAAATION!'''"

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech:Rachel gets one from Scipio when [[spoiler:she fails to give it her all to protect her friends from her former sisters, resulting in [[DistressedDude E-merl being kidnapped]] and Frigg being poisoned.]]
-->'''Scipio:''' Faith's your strength, but your prayers are lacking muscle lately.[...]Which endangers us all. Didn't know you cared so little about us.
-->'''Rachel:''' I care ''everything'' for you! You are my broth- comrades! You let me do works of good and greatness!
-->'''Scipio:''' And yet we mean no more to you than anyone else.
-->'''Rachel:''' Of course you do!
-->'''Scipio:''' So "loving all others equally" is actually impossible. Sounds good on parchment, but you never practiced that doctrine. Ever. You just made it an excuse when kissing E-merl got too scary. And now he's about to be hunted to death. I can't save him on my own. You love us? [[PrecisionFStrike Fuckin' prove it.]]

* ShoutOut: Frigg is an expert at spouting them.
-->''Frigg, smashing a door'': "OH, '''YEAHHH!'''"
-->''Frigg, blocking a mace hit'':"'''FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUU--'''"
-->''Frigg'': "This is a fight. Hits or '''GTFO'''."
-->''Payet, Singing'': "Share the bird song with you friends then! Please-retweet."
-->''Byron'': "Our motto is, ''Can we break it? Yes, we can!''"
-->''Frigg'': "Come at me ho"
-->''Bandit'': "Whoop whoop whoop whoop-" (Ch2 pg12)
** The title of the comic itself is a reference to the Gilded Age of American history.

* [[spoiler: SlidingScaleOfRobotIntelligence]] [[spoiler: The world of "Kingdoms of Arkerra" seems to be between Level II (Background NPC) and Level III (for the foreground NPC)... unless its a typical '''mmorpg''' which would make them Level I that look like level III.]]

* StealthPun: [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-10-page-22/ here.]] Read the AltText to get it.

* UnsoundEffect: After [[spoiler: Best's fight with Byron]], the "sound effect" for Frigg's shrug was "INDIFFERENCE".

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/GuildedAge_9495.jpg
[[caption-width:312:Left to right: Bandit, Byron, Syr'Nj, Gravedust, Payet, and Frigg.]]

** [[spoiler: TomatoInTheMirror]] [[spoiler: Bandit, Gastonia... pretty much everybody except the core group.]]
*** But then [[spoiler:HR's comments imply that Arkerra is indeed a real place, and that he 'found' it through the game. [[NoExceptYes He likened it to a sculptor, revealing a statue that was always in the block of marble.]]]]

----

* SuperWindowJump: Byron makes a dramatic entrance to draw the attention of the Sisterhood of the Perpetual Bloodshot Eyeball when the party comes to break Frigg out. Apparently Byron is familiar with the move, calling it a "simple yet impressive maneuver" to throw your enemies and build your confidence up.

* Another one in the AltText [[http://guildedage.net/comic/chapter-14-page-23/ here.]]

* InnerMonologue: Byron does this whenever he is alone. Usually it's tactical planning and combat advice, to the point that the AltText has called him "the [[Series/BurnNotice Michael Weston]] of Arkerra]]."

* ICallItVera: Bayen and Brayen, Byron's hatchets. Named after [[spoiler: his (probably) dead brothers]]

** Sort of Subverted later. It has shown that no one, ''not a single'' race could be considered good or all that nice. Either they are: xenophobic, condescendent, tyrannical, downright genocidial or all of the above. Really, the only reason why Humans are labeled like this (at first), was because they where the only ones shown.

** The there's the enigma of [[spoiler:why Mr. Daedalus' tie is in Bandit's colors.]]