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Post by warrl on Sept 28, 2010 21:46:19 GMT
Surma didn't like Jones, that is true. That Jones is a student at that time, though, is not a safe assumption. In fact Tom told us (in one of the Questions threads) that Jones was never a student at the school. I wonder if maybe Jones is effectively an envoy to the school from Brinnie's homeland? (Likely? Not really. Plausible? I think so. The biggest strike against it is that "Jones", the name, is Welsh. Hm... Welsh mythology... wonder if Jones used to live in a lake? She has emerged from one on at least one occasion.)
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Post by Casey on Oct 7, 2010 20:37:03 GMT
Thought just occured to me about Jones.
Eglamore interacts with Jones in The Medium Beginning as if she were a regular old human.
That could be taken to mean that he knows she's a regular old (albeit specially-abled) human, or she is not entirely human and he is unaware of it, or, she is not entirely human and he is aware of it but treats her just like a human anyway.
Seeing how he interacted with Marcia would mean that humanoids are basically given the same consideration as humans, so Jones could be some sort of humanoid creature like a dryad but something else. If Jones is a construct or golem or minor deity, though, it would seem that Eglamore doesn't know, or doesn't care.
I predict that when we finally find out just what Jones is, it won't be simply because Annie asks her and she answers, but rather a situation will come up that will require her to use her full special abilities (like maybe saving Annie from something dangerous) and then it will be obvious, the cat will be out of the bag, etc.
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Post by jayne on Oct 7, 2010 20:44:38 GMT
I think Eglamore knows but doesn't care. They're definitely old friends since Eglamore wanted her in their group picture. It might be that Surma can't stand her because she's jealous of their friendship.
Case 1: Jones is a child about their age and Surma sees her as a rival. Doubtful since we know Jones did not go to school at the court. If she were a child, she'd probably be a student or why would she be there? Even Zimmy is a student!
Case 2: Jones is already a grown woman when James is a child but he has a crush on his teacher? Surma still wouldn't like her for that. This means Jones doesn't age normally.
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Post by Elaienar on Oct 7, 2010 22:30:40 GMT
I dunno, I always figured that Surma didn't like her because of her personality. Even the level-headed Antimony seems to be rather puzzled by her - her earlier idea that Jones is a robot, though seemingly a joke, suggests that she finds Jones' detatched attitude unnatural or inhuman (which is also interesting given that Jones referred to Anthony Carver as "devoid of emotion"). I kind of figured that Surma, being less reserved and more ... emotionally open or involved than Antimony, found Jones' treatment of others offensive. Which I wouldn't blame her for, if she ever pulled something like what she did to Parley and Smith before.
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Post by blinkerstoned on Oct 8, 2010 1:28:10 GMT
"Jones is one of the most common surnames in Wales. Visitors sometimes write to ask if the name Jones is predominant in any particular area of Wales, in the hope that they can pin down the origin of their ancestors. Although figures on the incidence of names have been published, I think it safe to say that the name Jones provides no worthwhile indication of a particular location in Wales. The forename Johannes was borrowed in the Roman period and became Ieuan in Welsh. This is pronounced something like Y-eye-an. When permanent surnames were adopted in Wales, Ieuan sometimes became Jones and sometimes Evans. A document of 1533 names Thomas ap Ieuan ap David ap Blethyn alias Thomas Jones. In the mediaeval period, John was borrowed and in time this became used as a surname, sometimes unchanged, sometimes in the style Jones. The forename John is known to have been used in Wales in the thirteenth century"
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Post by imaginaryfriend on Oct 8, 2010 3:05:58 GMT
I dunno, I always figured that Surma didn't like her because of her personality... I kind of figured that Surma, being less reserved and more ... emotionally open or involved than Antimony, found Jones' treatment of others offensive. I agree that there was a personality conflict. Jones is reserved, Surma is fiery. Even if there was never an incident that brought Jones' ideas of how to treat people into conflict with Surma's that might cause a clash by itself. Beyond that, suppose that the Jones-is-Galatea theory is correct. Then try to imagine yourself in Surma's position. There would be no way she could compete with Jones. No matter how much you learn Jones has been around forever and has eons of experience to draw on. Jones' demeanor is unshakable so you can never score points off her in a verbal match. Jones is tough, too; sparring with Jones would just make you look bad. Best of all: Your male friends and potential romantic interests would all like Jones... a lot. As an avatar of a fertility goddess Jones could get attention from whatever guy she wanted whenever she wanted with zero effort... and Jones wouldn't care at all about it; if approached Jones would deliver a gentle rebuff. Guys who were unreachable to Surma Jones wouldn't bother to touch. Except possibly with magical studies, I think Surma would always be a distant second to Jones no matter what Surma did or how hard she worked. That might irritate a fiery competitive person after a few years. Sometimes I wonder if Surma's distaste for Jones might be why she didn't want Antimony to come to the Court. Jones is still there giving medium lessons.
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Post by Elaienar on Oct 8, 2010 3:17:24 GMT
Oh, good point! We've already seen that a more soft-spoken, grown-up Surma doesn't particularly like coming second to then-(apparent-)boyfriend Eglamore's training, so it's quite possible that a younger, more brash Surma could resent Jones for out-doing her without even trying.
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Post by chickenbone on Oct 8, 2010 10:19:05 GMT
The topic of Jones seems to be sufficiently interesting to make several long-term lurkers finally register on the forums A wild speculation occurred to me when I read Skywatcher and the Angel: When Diego is meeting the Sir Young et al, somebody walks out saying "You know how I feel about this abhorrent plan of yours. Count me out of the proceedings.". Some of the more notable characters have left significant legacies in the modern-day court: Diego's being a sentient robot society; Sir Young's being the court protector. What if this "somebody" made himself a kind of neutral observer? Of the court, but not beholden to it? Attempting to restrain the otherwise unaccountable from future abominations? Jones then, might be the latest to hold this office; her abilities being the result of a training program no more extreme than Jimmy Elgamore's. When Elgamore says "... indoors, and at close range, Jones would flatten me" he implies that, under other circumstances, he might have the advantage. Also, their relationship could be the comradeship of two people with similar roles. As I say, just unfounded speculation on my part. Thanks for reading.
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Post by jayne on Oct 8, 2010 11:17:02 GMT
At the time of the photo Surma and James were not a couple, they were just starting to notice each other. (I think) Annie thought there was something going on between James and Jones. Surma probably noticed this too. Jones is so neutral, I can't see anything else that would cause enough emotion to hate her and Surma couldn't stand her enough to even take a picture with her.
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Post by blinkerstoned on Oct 8, 2010 13:01:14 GMT
The topic of Jones seems to be sufficiently interesting to make several long-term lurkers finally register on the forums A wild speculation occurred to me when I read Skywatcher and the Angel: When Diego is meeting the Sir Young et al, somebody walks out saying "You know how I feel about this abhorrent plan of yours. Count me out of the proceedings.". Some of the more notable characters have left significant legacies in the modern-day court: Diego's being a sentient robot society; Sir Young's being the court protector. What if this "somebody" made himself a kind of neutral observer? Of the court, but not beholden to it? Attempting to restrain the otherwise unaccountable from future abominations? Jones then, might be the latest to hold this office; her abilities being the result of a training program no more extreme than Jimmy Elgamore's. When Elgamore says "... indoors, and at close range, Jones would flatten me" he implies that, under other circumstances, he might have the advantage. Also, their relationship could be the comradeship of two people with similar roles. As I say, just unfounded speculation on my part. Thanks for reading. Possibly all the original founders each had a role to play in the Court,which have been passed down through the generations.The individuals inheriting these positions may not neccessarily be in the school,mind you,but they're definitely in the Court.Hmm,i wonder what Jeanne's role was...
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Post by Casey on Oct 8, 2010 15:26:28 GMT
I've made this statement before but it's been a while so some of the newer folks probably haven't encountered it.
I don't believe that Jones is devoid of emotion in any way. I think that she is just poised and composed to the point of only showing what she wants to show. But I think her interaction with Eglamore in Medium Beginning, her interaction with Randy in Jupiter Moon Martians, and with Annie in Spring Heeled 2 show that she has feelings and she's intimately familiar with the feelings of others.
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Post by jayne on Oct 8, 2010 15:38:39 GMT
I've made this statement before but it's been a while so some of the newer folks probably haven't encountered it. I don't believe that Jones is devoid of emotion in any way. I think that she is just poised and composed to the point of only showing what she wants to show. But I think her interaction with Eglamore in Medium Beginning, her interaction with Randy in Jupiter Moon Martians, and with Annie in Spring Heeled 2 show that she has feelings and she's intimately familiar with the feelings of others. I agree... it seems obvious to me that she likes Randy and James. She'd hand a rose to Smitty but she wouldn't tussle his hair or see a movie with him. I really like Jones... she seems utterly devoid of drama.
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Post by atteSmythe on Oct 8, 2010 20:17:58 GMT
I've made this statement before but it's been a while so some of the newer folks probably haven't encountered it. I don't believe that Jones is devoid of emotion in any way. I think that she is just poised and composed to the point of only showing what she wants to show. But I think her interaction with Eglamore in Medium Beginning, her interaction with Randy in Jupiter Moon Martians, and with Annie in Spring Heeled 2 show that she has feelings and she's intimately familiar with the feelings of others. To further this, it seems to me that perhaps she's too familiar with feelings. I've gotten the impression that she's almost depressed, in the sense of 'they feel such strong emotions but all will fade in the end' - I get a tragedy/futility vibe from her. (maybe she's Galadriel ) ...but I'm probably off the topic of 'the facts' now.
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Post by xheralt on Oct 9, 2010 1:21:00 GMT
I also follow the thinking that she is some form of magical construct -- most likely clay or flesh golem, or an animated statue. Definitely earth-element or earth-associated. Like the zombie pirates of the Black Pearl, she cannot leave the ground or float on water, hence her method of crossing the dock at the power station, and going through a wall rather than over it. And being magical, she can punch what D&D'ers would call a Glyph of Warding to destroy it, without being herself harmed by it.
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Post by jayne on Oct 14, 2010 15:40:33 GMT
But we know Jones did not go to school at the court so we know Jones must have taught Surma. She was a teacher.
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percival
Full Member
there's a storm a-brewin'
Posts: 119
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Post by percival on Oct 14, 2010 22:06:50 GMT
But we know Jones did not go to school at the court so we know Jones must have taught Surma. She was a teacher. Perhaps she tutored Surma in mediation? Would that count as "classes"? We also know Surma doesn't like Jones. Maybe the relationship went sour?
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Post by warrl on Oct 15, 2010 7:26:52 GMT
We also know Surma doesn't like Jones. Maybe the relationship went sour? We know slightly-pre-teen Surma didn't like Jones. Maybe the relationship got better?
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Post by theweatherman on Oct 15, 2010 21:12:43 GMT
Like someone else said, Surma is emotional and firey, (shame Annie didn't get her personality from her!) while Jones is almost emotionless (or maybe is) and lets face it; manipulative, if I knew Jones, I wouldn't like her manipulating me and it's easy to see how Surma wouldn't like it.
Maybe Surma tried to make Jones more emotional but failed, causing frustration at Jones for not trying or something? Sounds like something Surma would do.
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Post by Max on Oct 18, 2010 16:32:03 GMT
From Tom's Formspring:
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Post by legion on Oct 18, 2010 17:16:22 GMT
Dun dun dun!
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Post by secondofnone on Oct 18, 2010 17:22:50 GMT
As if I didn't have enough reasons to look forward to new comics! Worse yet, if the coming chapters are the usual fifteen pages plus, it'll be six months before we get the answers we crave. I should probably mention that I have no idea what Jones is, or where her unusual abilities come from.
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Post by Mezzaphor on Oct 19, 2010 0:29:08 GMT
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Post by basser on Oct 24, 2010 3:03:42 GMT
Wild theories:
1. She's a dragon or some other scaled monster disguised as a human. While she can cover her true form, her weight doesn't change, so she's super heavy. Also, dragonhide is notoriously strong, re: the sword incident, but may have weak points which Eggers could conceivably target when not in a close range fight (based on how he implies that he could take her at long range.) Also, we all know the court is home to at least one Rogat Orjak (dead now) so it's not inconceivable that they would have a couple dragon-kin milling around the place. Coyote might not know about her because, as a more European/Asian sort of mythical creature, she is outside of his area of expertise (American Indian mythos tend to feature eagles and other birds rather than lizards in their "flying thing that eats us all" slot.)
2. She used to be a human, and still technically is one, but became something else using magic. Maybe she made a deal with a demi-god or something and traded in her emotions for the ability to punch through concrete. Surma would be creeped out by her because she has no soul.
3. Jones is the seed bismuth. YEAH WHAT NOW. >BD
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Post by Casey on Oct 24, 2010 3:20:45 GMT
may have weak points which Eggers could conceivably target when not in a close range fight (based on how he implies that he could take her at long range.) I hate how responses like the one I'm about to make always make me sound like Brainy Smurf (ha!), but, Tom said somewhere on Formspring that he didn't say Eglamore could take Jones at long range, only that he would have no chance indoors and at short range. It may be that he has a snowball's chance in hell at long range, and zero chance at short range, but that's not really the same thing as being able to take her.
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Post by basser on Oct 24, 2010 4:43:26 GMT
may have weak points which Eggers could conceivably target when not in a close range fight (based on how he implies that he could take her at long range.) I hate how responses like the one I'm about to make always make me sound like Brainy Smurf (ha!), but, Tom said somewhere on Formspring that he didn't say Eglamore could take Jones at long range, only that he would have no chance indoors and at short range. It may be that he has a snowball's chance in hell at long range, and zero chance at short range, but that's not really the same thing as being able to take her. Oh well then that makes sense too. Actually more sense, since when I read that line I first thought it was like, "in this situation she'd kill me, in any other situation I might be able to GTFO before she has the chance." So if we're following that WMG then she's a seriously powerful, probably pretty old, dragon, and she can easily lay the smackdown on dragonslayers. (It should be noted that I don't particularly believe this guess, I'm just sort of going with whatever because weaving wild theories to fit established facts is an entertaining and enjoyable way to pass the time.) Also Casey you're fine. Being corrected doesn't bother me, and good on you for knowing the facts anyway. All them others who bristle at having their ideas checked can get stuffed, I say.
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Post by evilanagram on Oct 25, 2010 4:38:53 GMT
Also, dragon-like creatures and gods do figure into several American Indian mythologies.
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Post by strangebloke on Oct 25, 2010 20:13:42 GMT
Jones is either very old, or got around a lot when she was younger. The headmaster (of all people.) highly respects her authority, and the mere fact that she hasn't seen anything like ysengrin before disturbs him greatly. If she is mortal, she can't be far over 30.
The "very old" seems more likely, especially when you factor in other things like reynardine's "i've known her for some time." some time to an immortal=LONG time.
I would say its almost certain that she is a humanoid of some kind. The "seed bismuth" theory doesn't seem likely since Jones doesn't know everything about the court, doesn't take the court's side always, and generally seems detached from everyone and everything in general.
Its worthwhile to note that most of Tom's mythical characters are almost entirely original. Zimmy isn't a beholder or anything like that. She is Zimmy. (and gamma is gamma.) Ysengrin has nothing in common with his mythical counterpart. Coyote shouldn't be in England.
Saying that Jones can't be a golem because she has no writing on her forehead is silly. Sure, she could be Galatea, but she could also be something entirely new, like Zimmy, the tic tocs, or the Rogat Orjack.
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Ruushi
Full Member
Touch the onion!!!
Posts: 146
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Post by Ruushi on Oct 30, 2010 0:42:31 GMT
In some myths it says witches age slower than humans Maybe Jones is a witch Then again another myth says witches travel with talking animals...
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Post by jayne on Oct 30, 2010 13:19:00 GMT
Jones related wild speculation:
I thought it was odd that Randy would be smitten by Jones who appears to be much younger than he is. Assuming Jones was there when Randy was a student, and assuming she was somehow the same as she is today, (no younger or older), it makes a bit more sense if Randy acquired a schoolboy crush on Jones and never got over it.
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Post by basser on Oct 31, 2010 3:07:30 GMT
Jones related wild speculation: I thought it was odd that Randy would be smitten by Jones who appears to be much younger than he is. Assuming Jones was there when Randy was a student, and assuming she was somehow the same as she is today, (no younger or older), it makes a bit more sense if Randy acquired a schoolboy crush on Jones and never got over it. That sort of makes him about ten times creepier. Come to think of it, it makes Jones' reciprocation pretty creepy as well.
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