Original Commentary

Terrence and myself had a small conversation about where he wanted to go with this story arc/ what he wanted to show about Robert and Jane's relationship. I can't go into details because it's not canon yet and it might ruin later comics for you all so I'll just mention this part of the conversation... basically Terrence thought he was trying to give Jane and Robert's relationship too many layers and too much back story- more than is needed in a webcomic or has really ever been done in another webcomic. I just told him to try and keep things simple- it'll be easier for everyone involved- both the reader and writer alike- especially because we have two sets of brains trying to keep everyone's stories in check. I don't know if he took that advice... we'll both have to wait and see. -Isabel

Modern Commentary
The thing about Robert and Jane's relationship was that I wanted to build it indirectly. It was important to me that it be built with great subtlety.

A bit too much subtlety, sometimes. More concern with the details than what they added up to. - Terrence

Original Commentary

I was, for a moment, thinking that I should cut back on the past-related details. I was afraid people would be confused about what needed to be remembered and they'd feel like they missed something. Then I remembered Knights of the Dinner Table, and how it recounted the minutae of a (then-)fictional role playing game. The added detail was something I liked; it gave the game character. I figure that it gives the characters depth.

Removed details:
Jane's favorite track was the gantry crane.
After Robert and Jane broke up, she dated the lead singer from that band. It ended badly.
Robert cut his hair because it was took maintenance and he didn't really want to spend time on it

So is any of that true? Well, it's not canon at least. And Hippedown is too small to justify a gantry crane - Terrence

Modern Commentary
Regarding the original commentary, the gantry crane bit would've been a solid joke.

But still, there's a matter of distinguishing what's there for flavor and what's there as significant lore. I mean, none of this will be on the test, so to speak. But I was adding things and seeing what would stick. - Terrence

Original Commentary

Channel 36? Los Shakers did a song called "On a Tuesday I Watch Channel 36". As a result, it's the default channel number when I need one. I should write these down, at some point.

Los Shakers were an Uruguayan band who, in 1964, heard The Beatles and decided they'd do something exactly like that. And they did a very good job of it, too.

But yeah, that's the kind of thing Jane would do back in her rebellious days. Not the most rebellious thing she's done, I'm sure, but probably the most rebellious thing Robert would go along with - Terrence

Modern Commentary

That "You take me seriously now, right?" is a very Brisbane line. I'd be surprised if he hadn't said something very similar in the past.

Brisbane and Robert started in very similar places; as Brisbane changes, it's easier to see that difference between the two of them, and to see the difference within Brisbane. - Terrence

Original Commentary

Inspired by the Ludibrium Party Quest in Maple Story. It's new, takes an hour, and there are 120 slots at a time for several thousand eligible players. I tried getting in, but just wound up spending a few hours waiting around while trying to find a competant party to join. I gave up after a day or two on account of I've got better things to do than wait - Terrence

Modern Commentary
In the fullness of time, I ran the Ludi Party Quest a few times. The novelty wore off quickly and I don't think it was worth the hassle.

We probably stayed up extra late once or twice to try to get in. Nothing quite this extreme, though. - Terrence

Original Commentary

In the original draft, the dialogue took place in-game. But Isabel had to draw several comics in a day to prepare for I-Con. So it's a phone conversation. I had considered having Brisbane ask Sofia if she knew where Jane had been, but that seemed unnecessary. And yes, after he finishes the Silver Fleece quest, Brisbane is high enough level to do the Golden Fleece quest. That's the only reason he's bothering with it, really. The prizes for Silver are kinda lousy - Terrence

Modern Commentary
If you can only do it once per character, why is there such a long wait? It's not like folks are just trying to grind that quest.

But yeah, Brisbane's plan had been to run the quest real quick, go back to bed, and have a regular weekend. - Terrence

Original Commentary

I was going to have it be the agricultural report, but then I realized it was 10 AM, far too late for that.

A week ago, was dropping hints about what I wanted to show about Robert and Jane's relationship. There's a decent amount of history that may never get read into the record - there are significant things they may not know about each other. Unless I have one of Jane's old boyfriends show up, or what have you. But the main points are to reiterate that they dated in high school, broke up, and are back together. That they've both changed between now and then, especially Jane. That they both feel comfortable around each other; Jane feels comfortable enough to touch Robert. Robert feels comfortable enough around Jane that he doesn't have to always be nice. Their relationship is based as much on who they are as who they were. Or at least, that's what I was trying to get across - Terrence

Modern Commentary
There's a certain intimacy to falling asleep in each others' arms on the couch.

I'm sure Isabel and I have been on all the sides of this comic over the years; being the one who's going to bed right when the other one wakes up, being the one who unfortunately has to eat breakfast alone, or being the ones on the couch together. - Terrence