Line #6 Webcomic/MorphE


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/morphe_game_cover_by_alexisroyce-d5yqgzu_2607.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:Of course they're here willingly.]]
3
4	->''"Oh, don't worry, my new little Sprout. His frail mind can't handle all the wonderful things coming out of yours. He would be left to wallow in some madhouse, or to wander the streets. Really, this is so much kinder."''
5
6	Hosted on Website/SmackJeeves, ''[[http://www.morphe.smackjeeves.com morphE]]'' was a horror webcomic set in the ''TabletopGame/NewWorldOfDarkness'' universe with a distinctly VisualNovel style. After their rescue from a madwoman's hellish subterranean caverns, five humans have their eyes opened to the dark truth lurking under normal society. A "benefactor" takes them in, but he’s a cold-blooded killer with a deadly fixation on the new mages. In a world of magic, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and far creepier creatures, can he be trusted? Can anyone?
7
8	''morphE'' was updated in Flash and features [[MediumBlending some interactive elements]] such as [[PixelHunt point and click]] pages and [[ButThouMust adventure game]] inspired updates. The creators have a slew of BonusMaterial on the [[http://morphethecomic.tumblr.com/ official Tumblr Page]] which includes some backstory, animations and information that is not evident in the comic itself. The story originated as a tabletop game played between the four creators and is being rewritten for brevity and to create a better flow for the story.
9
10	The comic was discontinued in October 2017.
11
12	----
13	!!''morphE'' provides examples of:
14
15	* AerithAndBob: Ignoring the code names we have Asia Ellis alongside Billy Thatcher. Even with the code names we have Rick and Flux. (In Asia's case, it's known that she had a ''weird'' childhood.)
16	* AffablyEvil: The "benefactor" in question, Amical, is a pretty sweet and friendly individual, a lot like a big kid... and he happily guns down Sleepers who don't make the cut in his Awakening death matches, and deliberately attempts to manipulate his "seedlings" into StockholmSyndrome.
17	* AllTherapistsAreMuggles: Camden Dawn. She works at a behavioral health clinic, is keen to provide Tyler's case history when he lies about being in care for a failed suicide attempt. Even without the fate spell, Tyler can't tell her anything.
18	* AmbidextrousSprite: Billy and Malloy are the only characters who routinely switch from left-facing to right. Curio and Tyler seem doomed to face their respective directions for the rest of their lives due to their T-Shirts.
19	%%* AndIMustScream: The subject of the second dream sequence.
20	* AnotherDimension: Confirmed in Chapter 2 that [=morphE's=] setting contains [[{{Heaven}} The Aether]], [[LandOfFaerie Arcadia]], The Primal Wilds, [[TheUnderworld Stygia]] and [[{{Hell}} Pandemonium.]]
21	%%* ApologeticAttacker: Asia Ellis.
22	%%* ArbitrarySkepticism: [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1855012/chapter-2-page-64-skeptic/ "How can I picture something which doesn't exist?"]].
23	%%* AssumedWin: Tyler was guilty of this in his battle with Billy. It got him shot in the shoulder to prevent the fight being one-sided.
24	* AuraVision: Various updates have "Mage Sight". So far it has been used for [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1784893/chapter-2-page-13-emotional-urging/ Mind Sight]] to show a character being mentally manipulated, [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1834107/chapter-2-page-50-analyze-life/ Life Sight]] to see living beings, [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1875512/chapter-2-page-77-fivesies/ Prime Sight]] to see the magical aura exuding from people and enchanted objects and [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1959061/chapter-3-page-55-second-sight/ Spirit Sight]] to see spirits which have latched on to people.
25	%%* BeatPanel: [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1938513/chapter-3-page-39-arts-and-crafts/ Curio "complimenting" Amical's training dummy design.]]
26	* BigBrotherIsWatching: Amical makes it very clear that the Seedlings will not have privacy in the manor. Malloy is quick to remind Asia and Adrestia that he can read their minds and knows all about their loved ones.
27	* BigFancyHouse: Amical's manor is quite well-appointed. It also seems to have a source of raw mana and is implied to contain a Demesne, in which case part of Amical's soul is stashed away somewhere to empower nearby magic.
28	* BottomlessMagazines: A flintlock pistol can normally fire one at a time and requires a reload of bullet and powder. Amical's magical gun [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1747280/page-64-ta-da/ can shoot ten bullets in under a second.]]
29	%%* ButThouMust: The interactive segments in the [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1901549/chapter-3-page-18-open-your-eyes/ second dream]] and [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1884886/chapter-3-page-2-wits-composure/ Investigation Mode.]]
30	* CharacterBlog: The About page links to Tumblr ask blogs run by some members of the cast.
31	%%* ClockTower: The Acanthus watch tower.
32	* CodeName: The seedlings use them to hide their true names.
33	%%* CombatMedic: Adrestia is a life mage. And also the strongest Seedling.
34	* ConvenientlyCoherentThoughts: Malloy plays this straight when reading Adrestia's mind in the first chapter, though it seems to be through experience. Asia's brief attempts [[spoiler:even with Hizrim's help]] give us a barrage of unsorted images without context.
35	%%* TheComicallySerious: Asia. Particularly in her [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1847956/chapter-2-page-58-small-talk-with-asia-ellis/ one-on-one training with Amical.]]
36	%%* CrapsackWorld: A ''TabletopGame/WorldOfDarkness'' staple.
37	* CuteIsEvil: [[spoiler:Amical's first live opponent for training is a cute puppy...who is actually a manifested [[TabletopGame/WerewolfTheForsaken pity spirit]]. It initially attempts to trick the Seedlings into [[EmotionEater feeding it]] when Billy decides to kick it, but quickly turns vicious when they realize the thing is simply being smart in its Essence gathering.]]
38	* DarkIsNotEvil: Curio, as with most [[{{Necromancer}} Moros]]. He's a sweet, somewhat shy kid who Awoke his CastingAShadow powers out of remorse when he believed he accidentally killed Adrestia, after she [[HeroicSacrifice told him to do so to save himself]].
39	%%* DeadlyGame
40	* DeathActivatedSuperpower: Adrestia does not awaken as a mage until she has had her throat slit open by Curio.
41	%%* DeathGlare: Amical [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1766728/page-75-the-end-of-the-beginning/ pulls one out at the end of chapter 1.]] It's the first instance of a non-standard sprite, too.
42	%%* DieOrFly: Amical's approach to mage awakening.
43	* DiesWideOpen: So three [=CGs=] so far have depicted people dead with cold empty eyes wide open.
44	* DrivingQuestion: Why is Amical training mages and how did the seedlings end up in crates with no memory of how they got there.
45	%%* DysfunctionJunction: And how.
46	* EasilyForgiven: Amical in general. In chapter 1 Tyler growls "I'm going to murder you for that!" after being shot in the shoulder. By the end of chapter 3 he is Amical's biggest fan among the seedlings.
47	%%* EmotionEater: Spirits. [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1929946/chapter-3-page-36-cannibalistic-nature/ As explained in one of Amical's Magic Lectures.]]
48	%%* EvilLaugh: The reason to turn your speakers on (or off, depending on how late at night you're reading it).
49	%%* ExplosiveLeash: The collars that the seedlings wear as of the end of Chapter 1.
50	%%* ExpositionDiagram: [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1818817/chapter-2-page-34-pretty-amicals-magic-lecture/ Pretty Mr. Amical's Magic Lecture]]
51	* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler:Curio's first spell-Amical's pushing causes him to have a panic attack and instinctively trigger the Death ability Suppress Own Life, putting him in a state of deathlike suspended animation until he calms down a little.]]
52	* {{Fingore}}: In an animated flashback, [[spoiler:Billy Thatcher]] is shown with their fingers chopped off. Luckily, magic can fix that.
53	%%* FlashbackNightmare:
54	%%** The previously mentioned [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1790280/chapter-2-page-19-sweet-dreams/ animated flashback.]]
55	%%** It now has a [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1901549/chapter-3-page-18-open-your-eyes/ follow-up including a seedling speaking with the woman from the prologue.]]
56	%%* FourEyesZeroSoul: One of the 8 captives was exceptionally cold about the InvoluntaryBattleToTheDeath situation and went in to kill Asia right away, acknowledging that it was the best way to survive. It did not save him.
57	%%* FriendlyEnemy: Amical. Not too shocking, given his name.
58	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: The Amical paintings. Most seem normal enough but hidden in [=CG=] scenes are things like Amical as a mermaid or escaping the ''VideoGame/SkiFree'' yeti. Other examples are being pointed out in investigation mode.
59	%%* GildedCage: Amical's manor.
60	* {{Gorn}}: The prologue and dream sequence are pretty blood-soaked.
61	* KeepingSecretsSucks: The Chapter 3 phone calls where the seedlings get to speak to their loved ones but cannot reveal any details of their kidnapping. Asia ends up crying because of how desperate she is to tell Ken the truth.
62	%%* KilledToUpholdTheMasquerade: The man in glasses during the first chapter.
63	* HearingVoices: [[spoiler:Asia has apparently noticed something about the vandalized portraits the others haven't. And now it's talking to her.]]
64	%%* HiddenEyes: Independent is displayed this way in the prologue and second dream sequence.
65	* HollywoodHealing: Billy's finger scars and Adrestia's slit throat do not show up after their healing. One would assume the same is true of Tyler's bullet wound, too.
66	* HowDoIShotWeb: How [=morphE=] starts out. 5 seedlings all trying to learn to use their newly awoken abilities.
67	* ICallItVera: Amical's gun, Fivesies. He [[CompanionCube pets it]].
68	* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Billy's reaction to Asia being upset that he cheated in the second magic lesson. The phone calls are more important than Asia's honest streak and if she wanted to win fairly then she should have not made it necessary for Billy to cheat in the first place.
69	* IKnowYourTrueName: The very reason the seedling group are forced to give themselves code names. Amical gleefully reveals his knowledge of their names in [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1809096/chapter-2-page-28-cypher-dawn/ this comic]].
70	* IndecisiveMedium: It's a webcomic trying its hardest to be a visual novel with gameplay elements.
71	* InterfaceScrew: [[spoiler:[[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/2075482/47-w-gh/ Paradox]]]] strains the Fourth Wall, apparently.
72	%%* InvoluntaryBattleToTheDeath
73	%%* ImprobableAimingSkills: Amical.
74	* ImprovisedWeapon: Adrestia uses a shattered floor tile to [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1714482/page-45-shard/ cut her own neck open.]]
75	%%* JediMindTrick: [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1784893/chapter-2-page-13-emotional-urging/ Malloy uses this on Adrestia]] early on in Chapter 2.
76	* JigsawPuzzlePlot: Clues and context are rationed off very slowly but with enough frequency to keep the topics interesting. Amical's purpose and the seedlings individual histories are often revisited topics.
77	* LadiesAndGerms: [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1705913/page-35-fans-in-high-places/ "Ladies, Gentlemen and everything adorably in-between"]].
78	* LamePunReaction: Tyler is left upset and defeated when trying to joke about [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1942334/chapter-3-page-41-the-right-to-bear-puns/ Adrestia's "bear hands".]]
79	* LaserGuidedAmnesia: All of the seedlings remember their ordinary lives. Perhaps a blue flash.... and then they were in crates on the back of a truck being dropped off at Amical's manor.
80	* LectureAsExposition: Pretty Mr. Amical's Magic Lecture. Used once per chapter to colorfully explain the particulars of this take on the World of Darkness universe to the characters and audience.
81	* LimitedWardrobe: As with most visual novel games. Amical gets an early change of outfit. But he's rich and can afford more than one shirt.
82	%%* MagicAIsMagicA: As with the laws of TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening.
83	%%* TheMagocracy: As per TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening.
84	%%* ManaPotion: Amical's tass tea according to his lecture on day 3.
85	* {{Masquerade}}: As per TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening. Amical claims that a mundane human who witnesses magic would GoMadFromTheRevelation. Though he says this after killing them.
86	* MediumBlending: A webcomic that "plays" like a visual novel. [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1790280/chapter-2-page-19-sweet-dreams/ Complete with cut-scenes]]
87	* MercyKill: Amical shoots the man with glasses after Asia psychically attacks his mind. He said that his mortal brain could not handle all the magic that was being thrust upon him. [[spoiler: Although those familiar with World of Darkness canon would know he could have had Malloy wipe his mind of the event and send him on his way.]]
88	%%* MindOverManners: Asia Ellis.
89	%%* MundaneMadeAwesome: Chess is serious business in the morphE world. REALLY serious.
90	* NoNameGiven: The 3 captives who died in the first chapter. WordOfGod says the woman was named Diana, the shirtless man was Devin and the man with the glasses was Desmond.
91	* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught: How Billy regards cheating on the second magic lesson. Everything is nice and fair as long as Amical doesn't find out that he pushed Asia's dummy down.
92	* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Tyler vs Billy in Chapter 1. Tyler towards Billy before Amical shot him and then Billy had no problems beating on Tyler until they each awakened.
93	* OntologicalMystery: Though there are some vague answers to their predicament, the surviving Seedlings still have no idea why they ended up at Amical's manor and have no way of escaping. It's been hinted that [[spoiler:he saved them from something ''even worse''. It involves out-of-control spirits.]]
94	* PartialTransformation: [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1942334/chapter-3-page-41-the-right-to-bear-puns/ Adrestia uses the arm of a grizzly bear]] to attack Amical's training mannequin.
95	* PixelHunt: Part of [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1884886/chapter-3-page-2-wits-composure/ "Investigation Mode"]]. Pressing the tab button can reveal the locations of each item for those who don't want to go through the frustration.
96	* RageBreakingPoint: After everything Billy goes through in the intro chapter, it is having access to a newspaper denied to him that causes him to finally snap and unload a furious rant about what an awful human being Amical is.
97	* RansackedRoom: [[spoiler:Chapter 4 is begun by someone who thinks of himself an ex-mage breaking into Amical's mansion, destroying several of his wards, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and then spraypainting him out of his own portraits]]. He's most upset by that last one.]]
98	%%* RRatedOpening: The prologue chapter and the dream sequence referencing the events from it are the most horrific parts of the story to date.
99	%%* SacrificialLamb: The three captives who did not awaken in Chapter 1.
100	%%* ScheherezadeGambit: Billy pulls this in the first chapter when Amical recognizes him from [[ShowWithinAShow Pawnography.]]
101	* SeparatedByACommonLanguage: In the "Ask Asia Ellis" tumblr, Asia was informed by an anonymous source that "I ship" her with the woman than known as "Vengeful". Perplexed, Asia asks, "To... where?", then has a realization, looks at the box in which she arrived, and, looking like she thinks she's found the perpetrator, "''From'' where?"
102	* ShadowDiscretionShot: During the first dream sequence shadows of Independent slicing a person's throat play out on Curio's terrified face.
103	* ShipTease: [[http://asia-ellis-understoods.tumblr.com/post/54947673535 AdrestiaxAsia was teased in the official Asia Blog.]]
104	%%* ShowWithinAShow: Billy Thatcher's Pawnography.
105	%%* SlasherSmile: Independent in the prologue and dream sequence.
106	* SlaveCollar: The Seedlings wear them as of the end of Chapter 1. When Billy argues that death collars aren't exactly good gifts for friends Amical simply responds that they must run in different circles.
107	* SlidingScaleOfShinyVersusGritty: Amical's manor in contrast to the caves featured in the prologue and dream sequences.
108	%%* SpeedStripes: Appear when Adrestia [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1942334/chapter-3-page-41-the-right-to-bear-puns/ attacks with a bear arm.]]
109	* StripBuffer: In order to maintain a project with 2 writers and 2 artists, the comic is usually 6 updates (2 weeks) ahead of schedule at any given time in case a CG, animation, sound effect or sprite is required during the compiling process.
110	* SuperDeformed: Sometimes the portraits will switch to chibi versions of the characters. Amical waving off a comment, Asia looking exasperated and Billy looking disgusted are examples we've seen as of Chapter 4.
111	* SupernaturalTeam: The protagonists are all freshly-minted Mages: a StreetSmart {{Heal\|ingHands}}er and [[PartialTransformation tactical shapeshifter]], a cripplingly shy teenager who wields [[CastingAShadow darkness]] and [[MakeThemRot decay]], a scatterbrained young man with power over [[WindsOfDestinyChange Fate]], a [[ArbitrarySkepticism skeptical]] {{Mind Manipulat\|ion}}or, and an InsufferableGenius wielder of PureMagic.
112	* TakeAThirdOption: Adrestia is given the choice to either fight and kill a child or be killed along with him in the pit. She decides, instead, to let the kid slit her throat so that she will die and he will live.
113	* TaughtByExperience: Despite Amical schooling the seedlings, this is how they are learning magic. A frustrated Asia calls Amical out on this in day 2, complaining that his lessons are just pointing a gun at them and expecting them to do things because he says so.
114	* TheTeaser: The comic starts with two badly beaten pre-galvanization escapees trying to flee, being hunted down by a shadow-obscured knife-wielding woman and her partner, who looks uncannily like Tyler. After the title card, the focus shifts to the protagonists proper, and no mention of the two escapees is made.
115	* TerseTalker: Ken Ellis talks like he has a rubber strap holding his mouth shut between sentence fragments.
116	%%* ThoseTwoGuys: Rick and Malloy are, [[http://morphe.thewebcomic.com/comics/1727224/page-51-the-help/ exemplified in this strip.]]
117	* ThoughtControlledPower: There is no formal way of casting magic in the series. The seedlings simply focus on making their spells work using their individual focus and understanding of magic. No words or gestures required, though they can be used if the caster feels like it.
118	* TraumaButton: Any mentions to the place that the seedlings were acquired from. Curio in particular is traumatized by it. Billy also had a brutal flashback to his {{Fingore}} event when Amical threatened to send him back.
119	%%* UrbanFantasy
120	* WebcomicTime: Averages at 100 updates per in-universe day.
121	* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: Amical is nervous around the [[{{Necromancer}} Death Arcanum]] and related things, to the point where he attempts to downplay it to Curio, whose magic is focused on Death. He even pulls a gun on Curio using Death magic to rot a training dummy.

Context Webcomic / MorphE