I've been thinking about the direction the comic has taken in the last four or five issues. Originally the group was more or less doing its own thing but since the return to Legarion the war has pretty much consumed everything. Now its possible that the war could go on for five or six more issues but is it possible that the war is just a temporary thing and after some event in the future the war may end and a new arc may begin? Maybe we'd finally see a return to the original quest.

I think the original quest will be tied up by the time they've finished with Legara, as I still think that Aelloon's attempts will bear fruit.

But pushing that aside, I'm not sure what could be done with the plot once the war is over. I mean, Legara's attempt to conquer just about everything is a rather global issue. Or, at the very least, engrossing the entire continent.

Since a comic about Cale ruling over Kethenacia along with the rest of the group doesn't sound too intriguing, something would need to be done. About all that comes to mind is either some very old magic that the Archmage wasn't keeping his eyes on (or didn't know about) rears its ugly head and starts to present itself as a destructive force looking to conquer in Legara's place. That or something calls for Cale and the group to travel to some other continent with strange races never before seen and with little or no information to go off of, save legends that hint at its existence.

Really, both seem a bit contrived, but I don't have many other ideas on where else to go. Perhaps it would be best if this thing were stopped once Sohmer reached such a point as there wasn't much other place he could take it.

Well the way I see it, after the end of Legara there's five possible plots that could follow.
1. Cale and Co deal with the Archmage, having had enough of his meddling.
2. Richard for some reason becomes an antagonist and Cale and Co (minus Richard) have to stop him/redeem him.
3. Some sort of Alien/Demonic invasion.
4. A story that focuses on Cale's attempts to found a real Kingdom, think about it there's some potential there.
5. Something I haven't thought of.

1. The Archmage is rather intangible or transitory at times. I'm not sure how they would go about "dealing" with him. And even if they did, it doesn't sound like it would make for a very long arc.

2. I'll say the same thing as I did about the Archmage. How do you make that into an arc of any real length?

3. Demonic I can understand, and I sort of thought of it as a possibility with my earlier suggestion but... Aliens?... Seriously? I firmly believe that aliens have no place in a fantasy setting. The introduction of aliens was what really pissed me off about the recent Indiana Jones, since every previous artifact had been, in some sense, the power of God. Aliens represent superior technology. It doesn't really mesh with the fantasy world of magic.

4. Cale's ambitions hardly seem like he's trying to be king of Kethenacia. All he's doing now is sending people there where he feels they can be protected from Legara. I doubt he'd go building an empire solely so that he could rule.

Aliens don't mesh with fantasy if they're poorly written but if they aren't treated as aliens and instead their tech is just treated as 'magic' then it can work. The key is to never use the A word and have the inhabitants of the fantasy world treat them as gods or demons.
As for the length problems with the Archmage I imagine most of the arc would involve them trying to find a way to actually get to the Archmage. This would lead them to consult various magical powers and so forth until they find the means to bring the fight to him whereupon there would be an epic battle.

I'll concede the point on the aliens potential extra race, but I don't much like the concept. Leave them to sci-fi (SyFy).

But on your Archmage suggestion... it just seems like it would get a bit samey or convoluted. "We need to find a way... to find the Archmage?" And how many people do you go to for advice on the matter and how do you make the experiences with them distinct? Hell, they barely know about the Archmage, and they've been to the time he came from. How are they supposed to even find people in the modern age who have anything on him?

To me, it seems like it would be a real stretch to make him into the villain of an entire arc. It would be grasping at straws.

I have a feeling I'll be shot in some form for saying what I'm about to say, but it's the best example I could come up with on the spot.

Couldn't the Draenei race of the World of Warcraft be considered aliens? I mean, beings with a crashed space ship from a different planet and odd crystal based technology kind of falls under the alien category, and all that mixes into the fantasy theme.

Nonetheless, I think squid monsters with telekinesis that lived on the moon wouldn't have much use for a magic kingdom, nor would they fit into the storyline that well. We're more likely to have after the war some mess up that causes demons to go hog wild on the world and eat Cale's city, or at least try to. Something that has roots already planted in the mass amount of story we have already. Not the archmage though, shouldn't he be sort of considered to be a "good guy"? You know, trying to protect Cale with his powers of prediction and right hand female dwarf.

Oh and if you don't mind, use bean bags. If not, rubber bullets will do too.

Ugh. I hate the new name for SciFi network, it won't let them escape the fact that they're a network of nerds!
And as for the means to get to him I can see the group consulting something like the unseen but mentioned Brotherhood of Darkness or investigating the Sisters' ties to the Archmage.


The Draenei are certainly aliens in the context of Warcraft, as were the Orcs and Ogres.
The Archmage may or may not be a bad guy, he certainly isn't a perfect white lamb and his methods probably wouldn't sit well with Cale (understatement) if he found out. In fact I imagine Cale would agree with Tavor if he found out the true depth of the Archmage's meddling and deception. At some point Pella's divided loyalties will come to play and of course she'll end up siding with Cale.

I agree with the richard and archmage theories, I kind of find the alien and cale-as-king theories not as plausible. I think cale-as-king would more likely be a subplot. Imho, Richard is more likely to be the focus of the next main plot because he has so much unfinished backstory, i.e. his purpose in life, Lord Ashendale, knowing about archbunny, etc.

Well we'll be getting a bit of that back story when the movie comes out. Honestly I don't think there will be any more plot about the angry sword, the entire reason they set out for it was to pay off Gid's debt, seeing as they're now officially at war with the kingdom that the man she owed the sword to works for, I doubt that there's any plan to pay him off, and therefor no reason to bother seeking the sword out, unless Sohmer goes with the classic "Only the Chosen One with Chosen Big Freaking Sword in hand can slay the Big Bad Boss!"

When they started to imply that Cale would rule Kethenacia as king, one of the First Ones said "One day he will wield the Truth." It's been taken to mean that he will get his hands on the sword at some point.

That said, I doubt he'll really be looking for it. I'm of the belief, as some have heard me say several times now, that he's most likely to find it in the hands of Aelloon, since he's probably still been after it all this time, and will take it from him upon victory.

Hrm, don't remember that, but then I don't tend to pay much attention to anything that doesn't involve Richardy good(evil)ness and/or a massive ass kicking, preferably with Cale on the receiving end, but I'll settle for Lagarian mooks. I wouldn't expect an arc that revolves around finding it is what I meant anyway, not unless it's part of the Chosen formula and is required to defeat the evil gerbil king or some such. Have to be honest, I'm not sure if I'd want anything after the war ends. Don't get me wrong, I love LFG, but I'm a firm believer that it's better to quit while you're ahead before you end up jumping any aquatic wildlife with lots of sharp and/or pointy teeth.

So, Cale will pull a "Bruenor Battlehammer" act because being king is too boring and he needs to wander, discover and explore (and Sohmer needs them to do something other than sit at home and play house)?
It's impossible to tell what Sohmer will pull out of his ass once the war is over (it's fun to speculate), but I can see that happening, contrived or not. Whether it's a good or bad idea depends on what sort of quest the group undertakes.

Yeah. The type of quest they end up doing will play a large part in how successful the "after the war" segment is.

And when I said that it would be a bit boring, I meant from our perspective. If they end up going off into the wild blue yonder, I'd expect it would be for a rather good reason. Probably something to the tune of a threat to Kethenacia itself that Cale valiantly volunteers to take care of himself, much to the rest of the group's annoyance, I imagine.

Though, that sort of storyline makes me think of the Prince of Persia game series, where he returned from his second arc (game) only to find his city in flames. That could certainly spark a nice narrative.

The forth one has the highest probability, if the comic doesn't end there that is....

The thing about the original quest is, the purpose was to find the Sword of Truth to give to Aelloon to placate him and save Benny. Now if you consider the war and the party's part in it, well there is no placating him now. The original quest is over forever, finding the sword of truth at this point would be for Cale's use.


Which is why he'll be a great king.
"Great men do not seek power; they have power thrust upon them."

I think this applies to Cale he has no desire to seek power or rulership himself. But the position of King is being thrust upon him even if he has yet to realize it. The Bloodrage tribe for example already pledge their service to him. And Benny herself a few dozen pages back expressed that she trusted him and knew she'd led them to peace or glory.

Cale's rule would be boring?! Are you kidding? The minute the war stops, there will be a small country's worth of zombie villagers, live villagers, gnomes, Bloodrage and who knows how many other refugees and Richard, crammed into one city. Some kind of conflict is all but inevitable.

I imagine Maikos and Gaten would get along fine. The only real problem would be the various refugees of the North who only allied when Legara had a knife to them. Without a common enemy they'd be at each others throats again.

The solution to that is obvious.

Cale: "Richard, teach them to get along."
Richard: "With pleasure. FWOOSH!"

Richard: Now I command you all to put yourselves back together from the ashes!
...
...
Richard: Ah Crap, little help here Benny?

I always thought the current arc would end with it having been a colossal error on the Archmage's plot, and Belchion becomes king. Then the stories can continue on their merry way.

As for the original quest, I don't think they need to find the Sword of Truth, it will find them. Tavor has it, remember? On that note, perhaps after Legara is taken care of we will have the issue of our old elf friend. If the comic doesn't end with Legara I expect some smaller arcs (Richard Arcmage) leading into a bigger one we haven't seen before. Also, there seems to be some kind of hole in the Arcmages plans. Perhaps another force is pulling the strings, our next bad guy.

If the story continues after the war, it will likely involve something of Cale's duty as king. Something will happen that requires him to defend it in some fashion, more than likely going back out into the world to do it.

As much traveling as they've done up to this point in the story, I can't imagine them staying put for long just because one of them ends up in charge of a kingdom.

Also, weird thought. After the war, when Cale has become king, will he grow a beard like the king of Gamlon had?

Yes then he'll travel back in time and become King of Gamlon. Its all there in the big book of Fantasy cliches.

Perhaps he will name his new kingdom Gamlon in honor of the nation that inspired him?

Or more likely rename Kethenicia (a name that is stained by the Archmage's underhanded methods) to New Gamlon.

what about a group of alliance people with a random horde thrown in there, each acting as a foil to the main group,
The alliance ppl would be looking to conquest the city.
The group would probably be made of a human pally, draeni shaman, gnome rogue, but professionally an inventor( or could be a goblin), a Night elven magi from before the forberance of the arcane after the well of eternity incident...(read the books of lore), and possibly an orc warrior, each acting as a foil to the main chars here


foils (char opposites)
Cale - human pally
Richard - Night elf magi
pella- orc warrior
Benn'joon - draeni shaman
krunch - Gnome/goblin inventor




I have visions.

If the writer had the character opposites things u were speaking of it would take a while to develope a good personality for them all. besides, they would most likely get fwooshed by Richard before that happens

I hope you have visions of your forthcoming flaming. Here's a breakdown for you.
LFG IS NOT WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm, interesting topic. I can't help but feel that the story will probably finish after this war. At that point it seems like the story will be over. Still, I can think of three possibilities at the moment.

1. As mentioned before, there could be some sort of demon invasion. A bit cliche though, but perhaps they could pull it off.

2. A civil war between the factions of this new kingdom Cale's bringing together. This could probably work actually. And either Cale and Co. would work to stop it, or they would be divided among the divisions. Or, at least, I can imagine Richard being divided from them to lead his undead forces. Cale, Benny, and Krunch would probably remain together due to the bloodrages oath. As for Pella, really depends on where she's at in the story at that point.

3. A separate storyline taking place at a different time and/or with different people. Though it would hardly be the same if they did it without Richard there.

My main problem with the whole "archmage chase" thing is that I find it difficult to believe Cale would go and hunt down the archmage who, despite his methods, seems to be trying to help the world. The most I can seem him doing is threatening the archmage not to meddle with him, his friends, or his kingdom anymore.

Maybe Soh/lar will end the story afterward and create a new story with a new group....perhaps tranfering one or more of the old members over to the new group...shrugs*

Coming next Summer LFG: Atlantis

Still, it would be kinda cool to see a foil of ea char in a battleline lineup pic in a fight
Looking like this

--------------------------
l 1 F1 l
l 2 F2 l
l 3 F3 l
l 4 F4 l
l 5 F5 l
--------------------------
with a ^ shaping down the middle, like a mirror of themselves, reflecting what they are,but what they are not.

That sounds plausible, and fits well with the Law of Entomological Cybernetics.


If another force is pulling the strings, that particular entity may not want Cale to be king.


*snicker*


Bah. If I had more time right now, I'd hunt through the comic to find the guy who always calls cale "Chicken". It would be interestnig to see his foil/counterpart.

Maybe after the war, Richard will write a column, called "Ask Richard", where he gives advice (mostly "fwoosh", maybe).

my guess is that in the end, while Cale may be king of Kethenecia, it will ultimately be lead by a council consisting of Ray'd, Maikos, the Mother and some human representative, so the group can still go on adventuring...

For the human representative, they would probably go with the guy from the village they rescued from the Phares and the flood.

Yeah because Gaten is more or less ruler of Kethenicia right now. I like the idea of a council since I can't see Cale as being the type to rule autocratically.

Styx.

Only because it would have then been either unsellable Fan-fiction, or a copyright violation. I discovered this comic only because of a short animation done for WoWhead about questing. I mean come on. I know it cant be admitted too, but you have to blind in order to believe this comic was based off anything else originally. Now, yeah its grown into its own, however its glaring apparent its origins were Warcrack.

I understand that, the first strip was a WoW parody but after that it became a parody/straight take on Fantasy in general.

Thanks.

Given how I've heard some compare parts of the story to Arthurian legend, the council would seem rather like the Round Table.

well, peopel have lived through the fwooshings, as seen on the boat. A healer would help the foil to cale, and he/she would try to take revenge later, introduced into the plot between the major conflicts.

I'd really like to see Richard eventually turn on the group and be truly evil again. He's become much to benevolent over time to be accepted by Cale. Check out page 62 for him even admitting this is a distinct possiblity.

eople influence each other. Richard does things for his own purposes. even if the context shifted from 3rd person limited to third person omnicient, we would still not know what he thinks. He is following because he wants t kill. that is why he sent the village to kenethica as an army. He wanted to kill things. Also, he is richard. They won't alienate him from the group. He was there from page one. And where would the group be without the "fwoosh"?

Fwooshless.

exactly

I rather hope that they will either move onto miniseries, not just one giant arch, maybe with single comics or something. Or move onto a different group, possibly in the future after the main cast have died (exept richard of course) and maybe they have to fight off demons or something to protect the now firmly set Kingdom/Republic/whatever that cale started.

Also on the subject of Pella, i think she could possibly be bind to the AM's will somehow and if the group do end up fighting the AM then she'll probably be forced by him to fight against him until she either sacrifices herself to save the group and kill the AM (cliche) or cale will sacrifice himself to free Pella and then apologise for his distrust in her and then leave her and the rest of the group in charge (cliche and less likely), the rest of the group would probably go their separate ways after this leaving Pella in charge by herself.

Richard would prolly give cale a good burial, and even shed a tear. (only one, and it would be ectoplasm/ichor)
Also, would richard summon a different pet? Voidwalker, succubus/incubus(male form, more aggressive) felbeast, felguard, or some other demon? a satyr, demon steed, abyssal horrors, or would he turn to animating the dead, like a death knight?

ALso, did anyone note the irony of the first few pages? Blood elf/high elven VS forsaken/scourge, Richard winning. (WoW reference, Arthas defeating The high elven race in the lores)

I'm still rather hoping the bunny isn't the AM but just under his control, that way after the whole AM thing Richard gets to keep his pet/buddy(if it does turn out to be a human stuck in bunny form)