I tell ya, some men are just not meant to be mothers
Thanks as usual to Caedere for coloring/shading the characters on this page!
Out-of-Placers
A story of inconvenient changes
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this comic never fails to crack me up
Crack, like eggs!
(Not yinglet eggs they got more of a “squish” thing goin’ on)
I knew THAT wasn’t going to happen.
Vizlet trying to hatch feelings in Kass.
WILD PUN SPOTTED
JUST LAYING THEM ON YA!
Almost anyone with decency would have at least that much concern for those that don’t survive. Though, given what we read in their history, I suspect this one might survive, and be stronger for it. I suspect this one might be a genetic throwback in some ways to how Yinglets were before the early shell tooth.
LoL)
Vislet continues to be my favorite character
thinking back to an older panel there was something about smarter yinglets haveing shorter shelltooths.
if that’s the case and I am not crazy this panel explains their evolutionary pressure to remain dumb. having a weaker or smaller tooth would make it alot harder to get out.
The previous page mentioned that being born with a shelltooth is actually a recent evolution, and that previously they were born without one and just ripped open the egg when it became too small to hold them, the tooth actually growing in sometime later. Which seems to suggest that newer evolutions of Yinglets are actually less healthy because of this since they are basically born prematurely.
That hatchling will probably possess an extremely useful (and rare) mutation, like a second brain at the base of their spine, just above where the tail connects, or a more human-like digestive system able to safely metabolize things like bread. Or ridiculously over-developed eyes able to see just beyond the visible spectrum; near-infrared (nightvision) and ultraviolet, for example.
Fun fact; birds can see electromagnetic fields. If a sapient species could see electromagnetic fields, then any civilizations that developed from it would have a much more sophisticated understanding of electromagnetism than their peers, and would quickly develop technology to match.
Other potentially useful mutations;
– Scales hidden directly beneath the fur
– Four large ears, and over-developed inner ears.
– Antennae to sense air vibrations and/or act like a second nose.
– Gecko-like hands and feet, for climbing.
– An immunity to toxic elements such as lead and arsenic (a real thing).
– Mimetic fur.
– Cells that immediately self-destruct when infected with viruses (a real thing).
– Whiskers, which would garner additional empathy from humans who like cute things (on top of the usual evolutionary benefits of whiskers).
– Fur that contains copper, and thus greatly improves survivability in hot climates; the fur would shed and be replaced with fur that has a much lower metal content just before winter, to prevent overcooling.
– Glands which produce a specific enzyme (in real life, found in jello, arctic snow fleas, lemmings and certain fruits) which acts like a mostly-non-toxic and fully organic alternative to antifreeze, and is pumped into their blood during winter to prevent freezing.
– Much denser than average musculature, keeping the same lean appearance but having strength roughly equal to (or slightly in excess of) that of the average human of the same size. For a real-world example, see chimpanzees.
– Bones with an abnormally high iron content.
– Blood based on a mixture of both iron and copper, instead of iron exclusively, giving it more of a purple color when oxidized, and enabling them to replenish blood cells from ingesting iron or copper interchangeably.
By the way, if anyone wants a Yinglet generator, I would suggest using dice to roll for their mutations, not just beneficial ones, but detrimental ones as well.
This is why an extensive Random Mutation table is a must in any RPG-system yinglet character
5e homebrew Greater Yinglet written by Val when?
Every Yinglet has to make a saving throw against derp at conception lol
I wonder if Yinglets already have common whiskers, but val doesn’t care to draw them; anyone care to look back through the Comic to see if there’s any instances of whiskers?
Yeah! she is definitely feeling something. Saw it coming. You know I thought Kassie might eventually get some sort of maternal instinct, but I didn’t think she would get it so soon. But I have to say she still has a ways to go.
Probably just standard human empathy.
Kass’s always had empathy for other beings, this is just another instance of that cropping up.
Agreed
Yeah it could be that.
Because as we all know from HFY, Humans with pack-bond with ANYTHING.
For some reason I imagine that Kass is going to see the egg wiggle, but nothing emerging, and then going over to break it free.
Then it’s hers!
THAT! would be the way to foster maternal instinct. Give Kassen a new yingchick to look after as part of the Ivenmoth Enclave. If you can continue looking after a messy disgusting idiot for months then the sunk-cost fallacy will ensure that you value it.
If anything, I feel that concern about a potentially dying young/newborn OVER thinking “survival of the fittest” is more from Kass’s human side than Yinglet maternal instinct. I mean, the Yinglets’s own maternal instincts are showing less concern over it’s survival than Kass is. We humans are kinda crazy about that whole concern over the young of other animals surviving thing. How many here woulden’t feel concern over a newborn puppy dying?
I feel concern over my old dog dying, let alone a puppy. We just love animals. The feeling might go back to when we first domesticated the wolf. The mutual friendship benefits both. So we have an instinctual love for animals because of it? This is just wondering on my part. Note the question mark. LoL
Yes, basically co-evolving with wolves likely plays a massive part in it, as well as the way dogs respond to humans, but it’s not just limited to dogs. Most humans feel empathy for just about any other animal, and while we do understand that some have to die or be hunted, in general we hate seeing them die and especially suffer or die young. Kass showing empathy for the Yinglet that might not even get to hatch feels far more of a human trait than a Yinglet maternal instinct.
Yinglets employ the r-type reproductive strategy, meaning that they spend less time caring for maturing offspring and focus more on popping out as many as possible. Considering how frail they are by nature, it’s the only strategy that makes sense evolutionarily-speaking.
Which probably means that they have a bit less empathy for the offspring that don’t make it.
This makes it seem even far less likely to be a maternal instinct then if they care more about laying eggs than caring for them after, and not having much empathy for those that don’t make it. Rather, Kass seems to be having the exact opposite reaction of such an instinct.
Looooove all the bio-science talk that pops up in times like these, since they are indeed an aspect that’s taken into consideration when I write these things. You lot stumble upon a bunch of things happening in the background of the story when these convos pop up, in fact!
Vizlets pose in the fourth frame puts me in mind of The Maiden in the Tower. I love it. I love her. I love this comic. Just when I think I can’t love it more, you make me. The conversation went much like I expected between the two, but better.
Your character situations have a way of pulling the heart strings. Take this post and print it out and frame it. Hang it on the wall. It’s perfect.
I tell ya, why make characters/species with unusual anatomies and then not get creative when it’s time to pose ’em?
Really glad that one stood out to you, as well as the convo! It’s always rewarding to see when some readers appreciate some aspect or detail that I’ve put a little extra care into.
>MOTHERLY CONCERN INTNSIFIES<
**Would you like to mother more?**
“Your Motherly Comcern Credits quota for today has been exhausted…if you need to renew your daily quota please call our Motherly Concern Customer Service for a refill”
Is this a Starship troopers reference? “Would you like to know more? “
Prediction: Kass takes this one because they’ll have a field day back at base with studying a newborn Yinglet (NOT BECAUSE SHE CARES OR ANYTHING B-BAKA). Besides, they have the resources to raise it probably.
If, by some change, Kass returns without the egg, Ran will send him right back to get it.
*dies laughing at tsundere Kass*
Just discovered this comic a couple of weeks ago; I loved it so much I read it four times in the space of two days. Thank you for making something beautiful, Val.
(Also, Vizlet says “th” in the fifth panel)
“zem” instead of “them”
It happens on fresh pages.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and alla that!
Others see only nightmare factories
Seriously though, really glad to hear ya liked what you read so much!
I meant the comic. Not the post.
I’m curious about Yinglet fashion.
Is there a reason they don’t have a hole for their tails or a slit so that the dress/gown/robe hangs more comfortably? Does it keep their legs free to run?
I can’t imagine that Cass enjoys flashing anyone behind her when she leans too far forward.
Sometimes they do! Just look back through historical outfits and tell me they all make sense : D
Is this an… egg-sistential crisis?
Stop that. This is almost egg-stravigant travisty.
Sure that’s spelled all wrong. LoL
Hummm, interesting. I have to say, it would be kinda neat if the remaining egg ends up being a throwback to the longer maturation yinglets. If so, the young that hatches out, is more likely to have a longer lifespan.
Kass is showing what is basicly fairly normal concern that most humans would feel in that sort of siduation. Its sad to see a baby die, even if you do not feel maternal over the baby. Much as Kass is thinking of everything as being a nightmare, the younglets are still rather cute, and would trigger at lest a little concern with an adult, yes, even human adults. We are litteraly hard wired to respond in such a way. Its the shape of the face and head and body. Umm, an evalutionary thing that keeps up from murdering the little brats when thay are little.
Yup, even the most violent and dangerous creatures on the planet have parts of their brain that light up and go “DON’T KILL THIS LITTLE COPY OF YOU THAT YOU MADE”
I have to stop asking “ just how funny can this comic get?” Valsalia just takes that as a challenge.
I take everything as a challenge
I TAKE THIS COMMENT ASSUMING I WOULD TAKE SOMETHING AS A CHALLENGE AS A CHALLENGE
Yaknow, I get the feeling that – despite all the misgivings she may have – Vizlet is absolutely thrilled to know Kass. This is probably the first one of her own species (so to speak) that she can have intelligent conversations with, view on an equal footing mentally, if not quite socially, and it’s her own species to boot.
I think Vizlet is so so happy that she has a friend in Kass, even if they don’t see eye to eye on some things. Something tells me Vizlet has been starving for friendship given her unnatural intelligence when compared to others of her own kind.
(You’d be right)
I wouldn’t call it an “unnatural” intelligence so much as a… well developed willpower resulting in and perhaps even coming from an healthy appetite for knowledge. The only point I see as needing correction on the other side is that, in intelligent animals, seeking of knowledge and self uplifting is perfectly natural.
Now if only Kass would willingly start to visit her, and see her as an equal and a friend, instead of as a nuisance he’s stuck with.I
It’s good to see that Vizlet tries to respect Kass’s boundaries, though I’m amused to see a bit of benevolent fixation here quite like the more typical yinglet. It seems they follow the tendancies for ADD and ADHD, dependin on the individual. The superfocus/fixation tendancy, and the subject bouncing. Noticed Kass doing it a bit too. Maybe being receptive and reactive to many stimuli is evolutionary beneficiary to the large portion of scavengers that the yinglet population depends upon. Having ADD myself I find it entirely endearing.
Yeah, the view on the ADHD-esque nature of Yinglets is very well thought-out (along with most aspects of this comic). Many psychonormative creators that choose to incorporate complex mental illnesses/psychological differences don’t really do much research on what the things they’re incorporating really look like, but Val Salia has shown due diligence in spades.
That peek at the younglets was kind of like looking into a whole classroom of younger ‘me’s, and that image both amuses me and terrifies me lol
Opportunity: If she’s willing to give up the egg (after all they’re already considering it a lost cause so no need to get protective) Vizlet could leave the egg in Kass’ care. It might further nurturing instinct. The House could make further observations, and Lopin seems the nurturing type. It could be played as one of those ‘demands’ the trade master mentioned, and would ease Kass into the idea of a future demand of getting to her own babymaking.
… I know a certain someran who would LOVE to adopt a yinglet pup and take the burden off the enclaves hands! :3
On the other hand, it would cause Kass a HUGE mental burden of what happens to the pup while he is adventuring. Peh! Who wastes time thinking about future consequences in this day and age :b
Now the question of taking it in the shell so it can be properly imprinted, or sans shell for ease of travel?
I think Kazz should take the babe back to research guy. Cant see him not being happy to get to watch the growth of a yinglet first hand and it isnt like they dont have the resources. Also the matron gets to see if properly educated helps.
As much as I want Kass to embrace her new life and find solace and meaning in it and perhaps even raising a yinglet child…I don’t want to start referring to her as Mama Kass. Damn you, Inspiration!
NEVER DREAMED A YINGLET YOU’D BE – MAMA KASS (A “Dream a Little Dream of Me” parody)
Changes weigh heavy upon you,
Life says “It sucks to be you.”
Sadder than you thought you could be
Never dreamed a yinglet you’d be.
Say “Bye bye”, to what was manly,
When you realize it, hug yourself tightly,
While you’re alone, so sad you can’t see,
Never dreamed a yinglet you’d be.
With Vizlet, now you’re in the enclave,
You didn’t want this.
You’re longing to have your old life back,
Consumed by this:
Bad dreams you worry will come true,
Nightmares, feelings of terror consume you,
What sort of life is waiting for me?
Never dreamed a yinglet you’d be.
With Vizlet, now you’re in the enclave,
You didn’t want this.
You’re longing to have your old life back,
Consumed by this:
Bad dreams you worry will come true,
Nightmares, feelings of terror consume you,
What sort of life is waiting for me?
Never dreamed a yinglet you’d be.
Haha awesome
You can kinda fit these lyrics into the tune of “Sweet dreams are made of these” I think
What if baby is a famale?
Sometimes Vizlet is just so adorable! Those last two panels!
Though I got to thinking that I’ve gotten in the habit of thinking of Vizlet as old, but … well, is she really? She’s older than a lot of the clan, but not elderly. I think maybe she just *acts* old because she’s smarter than basically everyone around her.
I think that Vizlet is actually closer to Kassens age in Kasses current form than what people think.
Vizlet’s expressions on those last two panels! Splendid!
Well tell HER that, not me!
You know, as mobile as their ears are I bet they have amazing head muscles that make a head rub feel mind altering
A good thought to have
That’s actually something that someone once voted on and Val drew!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/falling-into-old-19886302
You know I actually hope he adops the egg it would be interesting to see how Kaz raises a baby Yinglet. I could totally picture the matriarc being very interested in this to because this would for her probably be what could develop if a human raised a Yinglet. As well as that royal…umm scribe?
Well, IDK about that. Plenty of yinglets seem to like being around humans, but don’t seem to be any smarter for it. It’s entirely possible that if it hatches at the Ivenmoth Enclave that it’ll be just as lacking in survival instinct as the average ying.
I -am- quite looking forward to seeing one of Kassen’s nightmares of a hatching with a human head (maybe his) instead of a yinglet one. 😂
Many yinglets enjoy human company, but what yinglet has experienced a human upraising? A coursework in adaption and problem solving. Surely it’s rare, the enclaves exerting control over the known females and all, the protectiveness of the young. Seems a lot of the upraising is physical, developing muscle control and basic exploring toddler phases.
Kass doesn’t need to do all that much if he takes it back, and, I suspect Isher and Ran’s nurses (and seamstresses) might be quite motherly enough for the both of them! And I think the survival instinct thing is more evolutionary, resulting in a highly social species with a larger instinctual focus for pack survival rather than individual. Does the ant have fear, as it swarms the spider? No, if anything it thinks of it’s queen, and food. And intelligence would be aside from that. Female instinct, aka what Kass is experiencing, would probably be a little less bold, because each female is triplly more important than even the most successful of males, and self-endangerment would be much less beneficiary.
I suspect that such nightmares would be a Bad Turn in the story, causing Kassen’s character to develop several possible complexes, nervous disorders outside the Yinglet norm (if not statistically rare), Highly Shaudenfreide -ing though (sp: german “enjoyment of another’s suffering). It would be fun.
I wonder what the function of the pole to pole seam on the eggs is, is that how they expand maybe?
Noticed something. Kass may maintain a more human posture, but Vizlet and a lot of other yinglet characters seem to be finding their body’s more natural balance point. Seen most prominent in pannels 4, 5 & 6. At first I noted Vizlet seems to he shorter than Kass, but then I saw she seems to be tilting forward more instead. Interesting.
I wonder if Kass has tried running on an open stretch yet, instead of “around a room.” It would probably be very different. Should practice before you just have to suddenly!
I think Kass really is a bit taller than Vizlet. It’s a little hard to make out, but going by the tiny bit of Kass’s shorts that we can see, I’m pretty sure they start higher up than Vizlet’s. I think their bodies are about the same size, but Kass has more leg and more neck.
Great now get ready for Yinglet puns next comic!
The fur on her neck is just outstanding. I didn’t notice the first time I read this, but it’s worth mentioning.