Please take this as nothing but a friendly jibe but I rather hope they’re not mermen. Don’t get me wrong, that’s where I’d lay my money, they might be the worst kept secret in Tredregyn. But I also like being surprised and you’re being just a leeeetle bit smug here. 😉 Maybe aquatic werewolves, or sea bears, or… really hairy… limbed eels?
I get the sense that the word “merman” is used pretty loosely in this series. As in, it seems to simply mean “any aquatic humanoid). I could be wrong, of course, but that’s how it comes across to me. So, the question of whether or not they’re mermen might not have much to do with who or what they actually are.
I don’t think you should think of “mermen” as any one thing. In Steeple you’ve seen quite frond-y green entities, the big-eye “Urchin”, Desmond Fishman of course (in “Cattywampus” on Patreon), a big purple fish beast… most threats in the series emanate from the deep and could be considered “mermen”.
I have assiduously avoided posting any direct guesses since my first guess months ago, Dan. I do believe yours is the only spoiler here. Have a wonderful day!
Upon further reflection…
1. I apologize if my comments have affected your enjoyment of the story. When John writes mysteries, part of my own enjoyment is guessing what’s going to happen before it happens, but I will try to rein it in.
2. At this point, with the kidnappers visibly possessed of scaly blue hands, dripping all over the place and threatening to take Shelley to “the deep”, I didn’t think I was actually spilling any huge bags of beans here. However, for the sake of surprise, let’s all assume that they could be a sleeper cell of Welsh miners with skin conditions, as well as a very odd belief system and a fondness for that ancient American toy, the “Slip N’ Slide”, also known as the “Wet Banana.”
The situation seems more and more dangerous. Poor Shelley, her sweater will never be the same and she might be forced to go somewhere deep in the ocean… maybe in a city inside a dome?
I am pretty sure the cult has a branch in my hometown. They CLAIM to be a seafood wholesaler. Just do a GIS for fish people seafood Portland and you’ll see what I meam
I’ve a feeling the “weight loss system” is drinking some of this stuff and then throwing up your dinner. After all, simmering Desmond in a pot of water doesn’t produce anything healthy.
I feel that Shelley placed them there, to keep them off the dirty floor and safe. Also – I just want to say that John’s choice of “moment” here (creative writing student, sorry) by showing Shelley’s concern for her sweater to convey her lack of fear is brillianttttt comedy. Nerd moment over.
Well, with Improbable Moments being regular occurrences in the Life of Shelley Winters (up to and PAST such Trivial Issues such as Death and Zombification), I suspect that she’s developed a degree of sang froid to them.
Might be I’m getting out of my place,
but this is some serious drawing.
In fact, Shelley looks ‘underdrawn’ here,
like a cartoon character in a live shot.
(And I liked ‘cutouts’ style, too.)
The situation seems more and more dangerous. Poor Shelley, her sweater will never be the same and she might be forced to go somewhere deep in the ocean… maybe in a city inside a dome?
Um … would someone please tell me how the name of the village is pronounced? I say it ‘tread ree gine’ with the last syllable pronounced the same as the first syllable in ‘gynecology,’ with a hard ‘G’.
We speak a language in my home state that is often called Spanglish, or Texican.
On the bright side, washing it in salt water will shrink it right back
Hey, I was wrong! That is a beard!
Still pretty sure I know who these guys are though.
Please take this as nothing but a friendly jibe but I rather hope they’re not mermen. Don’t get me wrong, that’s where I’d lay my money, they might be the worst kept secret in Tredregyn. But I also like being surprised and you’re being just a leeeetle bit smug here. 😉 Maybe aquatic werewolves, or sea bears, or… really hairy… limbed eels?
I get the sense that the word “merman” is used pretty loosely in this series. As in, it seems to simply mean “any aquatic humanoid). I could be wrong, of course, but that’s how it comes across to me. So, the question of whether or not they’re mermen might not have much to do with who or what they actually are.
I don’t think you should think of “mermen” as any one thing. In Steeple you’ve seen quite frond-y green entities, the big-eye “Urchin”, Desmond Fishman of course (in “Cattywampus” on Patreon), a big purple fish beast… most threats in the series emanate from the deep and could be considered “mermen”.
A mer-continuum, if you will.
I have assiduously avoided posting any direct guesses since my first guess months ago, Dan. I do believe yours is the only spoiler here. Have a wonderful day!
Upon further reflection…
1. I apologize if my comments have affected your enjoyment of the story. When John writes mysteries, part of my own enjoyment is guessing what’s going to happen before it happens, but I will try to rein it in.
2. At this point, with the kidnappers visibly possessed of scaly blue hands, dripping all over the place and threatening to take Shelley to “the deep”, I didn’t think I was actually spilling any huge bags of beans here. However, for the sake of surprise, let’s all assume that they could be a sleeper cell of Welsh miners with skin conditions, as well as a very odd belief system and a fondness for that ancient American toy, the “Slip N’ Slide”, also known as the “Wet Banana.”
Also, good to see Desmond’s been getting work…apparently as a model for various kinds of aquarium treatments.
It was the minimum they could do after trying to eat him.
Yes, but shilling weight-loss products for FISH?? Des is scraping the barnacle-covered bottom of the barrel.
Isn’t that what he usually does?
Literally and willfully, with a gusto for all of those tasty, tasty barnacles.
CODdling, ho ho.
eye-roll…
The situation seems more and more dangerous. Poor Shelley, her sweater will never be the same and she might be forced to go somewhere deep in the ocean… maybe in a city inside a dome?
“I sea what you did there…”
Dad? Is that you?
Examining the empty crisp packet has just earwormed me with a certain piece of classical music.
Mini cheds??
Animated by the great Richard Williams, no less! https://youtu.be/CMMGSXuUuxs
I am pretty sure the cult has a branch in my hometown. They CLAIM to be a seafood wholesaler. Just do a GIS for fish people seafood Portland and you’ll see what I meam
My gosh. This video fir Fishpeople Seafood is … really something.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/11414881/Fishpeople-Seafood
That is very Eldritch and very Portland
Des!
Hmm. I imagine that papers don’t fair very well in the Purleys’ office.
Or fare very well, I should say.
Who knew that you could fat-shame fish?
I’ve a feeling the “weight loss system” is drinking some of this stuff and then throwing up your dinner. After all, simmering Desmond in a pot of water doesn’t produce anything healthy.
The Purleys probably have their electronics vendors on speed-dial.
just considering that myself
It’s nice to see those expensive shoes placed so neatly on the desk. They may be Flovorr cultists, but they’re Flovorr cultists with taste.
“Charlie, Flovorr doesn’t want cultists with good taste…”
😀
They endeavor to savor the flavor of Flovorr’s favor.
For this comment, you win a free box of Desmond’s aquarium treatments.
“…he wants cultists that taste good.”
I feel that Shelley placed them there, to keep them off the dirty floor and safe. Also – I just want to say that John’s choice of “moment” here (creative writing student, sorry) by showing Shelley’s concern for her sweater to convey her lack of fear is brillianttttt comedy. Nerd moment over.
Her facial expression tells me that she is losing patience with the Purleys. Fear the Ginger Ninja!
As I recall, that hardy soul, Hugo Rodriguez, once compared the effects of her ire to “being thrashed by a fierce mouse or bluetit”.
Well, with Improbable Moments being regular occurrences in the Life of Shelley Winters (up to and PAST such Trivial Issues such as Death and Zombification), I suspect that she’s developed a degree of sang froid to them.
Might be I’m getting out of my place,
but this is some serious drawing.
In fact, Shelley looks ‘underdrawn’ here,
like a cartoon character in a live shot.
(And I liked ‘cutouts’ style, too.)
The situation seems more and more dangerous. Poor Shelley, her sweater will never be the same and she might be forced to go somewhere deep in the ocean… maybe in a city inside a dome?
Wonder how Herodotus is doing these days?
Was Herodotus Shelley’s one-time Atlantean fling back in Scary-Go-Round?
Ah, Shelley!
They know that children’s book authors generally can’t breathe very well in “the Deep”, right?
That’s true of “dry-skins” in general, whether they be authors or not.
I suspect their plans to bring about a new Age of Aquariums won’t go well.
“Aquarius? You mean we been wrong all these ages?”
Is dad wearing some kind of water-filled suit? His arms don’t look normal at all and he leaves a wet spot wherever he puts his hands.
I suspect that the wetness is a feature of Purley Major. And of the Purley Minors as well.
Um … would someone please tell me how the name of the village is pronounced? I say it ‘tread ree gine’ with the last syllable pronounced the same as the first syllable in ‘gynecology,’ with a hard ‘G’.
We speak a language in my home state that is often called Spanglish, or Texican.
Treh-dreh-ggin?
… and I’ve got a feeling that ‘Dad’ is more at home in the briny deep than on dry land. That he’s not a ‘dryskin.’
Pretty sure none of them are dryskins.
I really like the coloring on this page. How everyone but Shelley is desaturated.
And don’t forget Father Purley’s fiery-red eyes …
And how the shoes on the desk just jump out. Love it
The very-blue-light in this scene is 10/10, even making Shelly’s distribution of hot colors a turgid green.