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povorot — Enter the Hopper
Published: 2009-10-05 19:37:37 +0000 UTC; Views: 13924; Favourites: 191; Downloads: 0
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A pencil sketch of the hopper, with some weapon ideas and some of that sweet futura thrown in. (I just can't get enough of that font.)So, with the weapons, I was thinking along these lines - first, on a lower-gravity world filled with exoskeletoned beasts, a good smasher would beat your average spear in most situations. Second, the natural striking action of the tentacle is kind of flail-like, so flail-like weapons would probably abound.
Okay - the weapons.
1: Hunting mace - a stone hook on a long sinew line, used both for hunting small-ish game and other hoppers. Simpler versions with weights at both ends could be used like bolas.
2: War hammer - a big stone striker with a chitin/metal handle. Used for crackin' domes.
3: Short mace - small, simple stone striker held on a small sinew loop. The shape of these is usually unique to the clan or tribe that uses it.
(I was going to include a little shield made from some sort of shell, but I haven't really developed that idea enough yet.)
More in the future.
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Comments: 30
The name brings to mind a certain commercial here in New England: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzzNi…
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I've been looking at this thing again and I have to agree with ragingcephalopod down there, this baby could use a bladed weapon. A sickle shaped weapon might work nicely, provided both edges are sharpened so that it doesn't get stuck. A good iron age weapon, IMO; I don't think bronze would work for cutting carapaces. A bronze axe-like weapon might though, picks might work well too.
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I'm really eager to see the comics that come out of this (or, if the one page you made was all of them: I'm really glad I saw the comics that came out of this!)
I like the flail-like weapons. I imagine another way to increase the strength of a throw would be to spin the entire body around by pivoting on one foot. Perhaps more advanced societies actually have their "archers" step on spinning disks---something like the equivalent of a longbow---for better range.
Another useful weapon would be a net, a think.
As for shields, well, it doesn't look like they do much attacking with heavy weapons from close range. If that's the case, then they might be able to make a useful shield out of a mesh of metal, like a sheet of chain mail. Tie the sheet around one of the tentacles so it dangles down and can be oriented to intercept blows from different directions. Then the soldier is trained to use it to catch enemies' flails and redirect their force away from the body.
Lastly. I don't think anyone else has commented on this:
I really like the shapes of the alien and the array of tools, how they both follow the same curved line. Lovely.
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Well, I've done a short comic starring the initial draft of the hoppers/prawns that I managed to get into a magazine (which I'll be pushing hard once it hits shelves), but I still have to figure out what exactly I want to do with these guys now. I've got a definite feel for the world I want to make, but I still don't know what the story I set in it will be like.
I really like the idea of having a net/chain mail shield, like a gladiator's net. These tentacles, I figure, would be best suited to movement rather then static poses, so a net-shield suits defense much better then a little awkward shield.
And thanks.
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Dude, if I see a kick-ass hopper wielding a mesh shield, that will be all the thanks I need
As for stories. Yeah, well, there's the problem.
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I like it! As for other weapons, I think you're pretty covered. Though I imagine poisons would be just as useful to them as they were to us.
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there should be a bladed weapon in the shape of a fishhook. tentacles are good for lashing and pulling motions, so it could swing out to stab between the joints in the armor, and drag to dismember. maybe instead of a shield it could wield a short rod to interrupt the swinging tentacles of other hoppers (foes tentacle hits it, wraps around it, and looses momentum.)
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Hmmmm.... the 4 legs are growing on me. The signaling paddles look really good here too.
my big question is how do they MAKE these weapons?
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shee-it, I dunno. Aren't the four lobed tentacles enough? It's like four little elephant trunks, man!
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Perhaps their shields are held above their bodies to protect from the lethal downward strike against their brains and vital organs.
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I like that - I've been having trouble designing a shield thats alien enough, and that might do the trick...
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I am so stoked about this project. As you've demonstrated with your raptors, you have a gift for imagining tools and cultural accoutrements designed to be used by non-humans. Great idea with these swung weapons. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
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Thanks, man. I'm not going to be dealing with the hoppers with the same amount of detail as the dinos, as instead of being the focus of their own project, they're just going to be well-defined characters/atmosphere in a comic I'm planning. But, that being said, I'm still aiming for a solid, real-feeling culture and world for them.
I actually read through the whole story for your 'meeting with the elder' illustration last night , and I was really impressed. Fucking everything in that little story is begging for visuals...
So I guess the question is this: is the ring universe just on the side, as a hobby, or is it a side project that you'll eventually bring to us all in a more fully-fleshed form - book, etc?
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The Ring Universe is, at the moment, just a hobby, one of many side projects I pay attention to intermittently. I'm attracted to the idea of a Ring book, though. One day...
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and don't think Povorot would be the only buyer - I'd purchase at least two copies of the Ring Universe books.
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Thank you. That's an encouraging thing to hear. It really is.
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welcome.
so....in a few days, right?
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Hm. How dense is the atmosphere? Or do these guys have some kind of lung analogs?
Anyway! I like the weapons, they seem quite well suited to the biomechanics of the hoppers. I'd be interested to see their utility tools too.
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Yeah - a set of multiple smallish lungs corresponding with the spiracle you can see along the body of the hopper. The foremost set of these simple lungs is been modified into a couple of ears, too.
and I'll have some more tools up, sooner rather then later.
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Ah really? Cool, that's an interesting lung setup.
Something else I'd be interested in is if they have some kind of ranged weapon deal. A sling would be perfect for that.
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Very interesting design! I always wondered what an arthropod/exoskeleton dominated society would be like. I wonder if molting would have some deeply profound meaning in some societies.
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wouldnt a handled mace like weapon be better at decreases the chance of being injured at close quarters? Beautifully done once again! Can these lovely critters do any ritual displays or anything to antagonize rivals or predators?
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To tell you the truth, I haven't thought too much about the full extent of their behaviours, etc. With the handled mace idea, I'll get back to you.
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Well, this concept is thrilling, please don't stop!
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