In Update #21, "Mother May I? Part 2", we learn that while Shem 'Etzem's holy form may easily defeat the Bavel Macrostructure’s minions, it’s no match for Em Qeriah’s lack of seriousness. Will Shem’s hair-trigger temper prevent him from becoming the Evaluator of Names?
While this issue mostly continues the arguments and power struggles among the rising generation of Holy Tongue Society leadership and the old, it also shows how Shem can revert from his powerful, holy שום form back to his still-powerful, but baser עצם form.
Adam comes up for a good reason at the end of this update. Get ready to learn more in the next update!
(By the way, this webcomic will discontinue the numerical "Episode" system where some episodes last for multiple updates. While the next update would technically be Episode 16, this website's formatting plus ones like Webtoon and Tapas make the old system archaic. We'll just stick to numbering according to updates.)
Other news
Although it's not fully implemented, we updated the Wordpress theme to Toocheke Premium, which will allow us to use more Patreon and WooCommerce integration. If you've noticed that the site was slower recently, it's because we were trying to implement those features.
I'm hoping to ask around to figure out a way to have the site run reasonably quickly plus have our own online store and bonus webpages for Patreon subscribers only. By the way, please sign up for my Patreon! Even a dollar a month adds up...
Also, keep checking our wiki for updates. I've been adding beta sections to the Milhamah RPG storytelling game, plus there are all sorts of details about the comic there.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope to bring more updates soon!
The Growing Excrescence may look like a terrifying teratoma, and that realization will only grow on you over time!
This coagulated glob of skin, braided hair and more has the tumorlike power to enlarge itself several times over, crushing obstacles in its path as it bounds around. It tends to guard areas Beli Ya’al wants protected, including areas around the Migdal Bavel tower as well as the Ilan Tree.
The Growing Excrescence is largely based on the גדל shoresh root, dealing with growth and magnification. Fight it yourself in Milhamah RPG, or eventually in the Milhamah video game!
Milhamah RPG stats
Shoresh: גדל
Gematria: 37
Type: Abomination
Rarity: Silver or OnyxSize: Large
Liability Points: (4DN * 2) or 24
Merit Points: 2
Law Points: 0
Stats:DOM 4D, VIG 3D, GRA 1D, CRE 1D, WIS 1D, PEA 3D, BLE1D
Skills: None
Domain Tags: Growth, Disease
Standard Equipment:Habitat: Migdal Bavel, Ilan Tree, Bavel strongholds
Personality: Bounds aimlessly, either by itself or in small clusters. (For number, may roll 3DN, pick lowest number. Wild = 1)
Basic Attacks:
Braided Hair (גדל): Qal stance, Whiplike hair lashes at the target.
To Hit: DOM atclose range.
Damage: Success Margin +0D bashing or slashingdamage. (User’s pick)
Speech Acts:
Eminent Expansion (גדל): Qal stance, Grows in size by three to seven times. Becomes heavier, stronger and more durable.
The Norm: On average, this speech act has a cost of 1 MP, takesone item with relevant semantic domains to prepare, takes 30 seconds to doand covers the user’sself. It lasts 3 minutes.
Noncombat To Hit: Roll VIGfor expert (4S) base difficulty.
If success: Increase Size by 1 rank, +1D VIG, +1D DOM, +1 Armor
On natural success: Increase Size by 2 ranks, +3D VIG, +3D DOM, +2 Armor
If failure: Nothing happens, or the user grows a tiny bit and then shrinks back to normal. On botch, the user may shrink: Decrease Size by 1 rank, -1D VIG, -1D DOM, -1 Armor (if user has Armor)
The Arid Annihilator Sword is a cut-and-dried weapon used by many warriors in the Milḥamah War. Its slash wreaks havoc on an enemy’s body, but the blade rarely gets bloody since all liquids quickly dissolve or evaporate upon its surface. However, wielders have to watch out for dehydration, so they usually use this sword for limited amounts of time.
The weapon is based on the חרב shoresh root, which has to do with destruction, droughts and carob.
Arid Annihilator Sword in Milhamah RPG
Shoresh:חרבGematria: 210
Type: Melee Weapon: Sword
Handedness: One
Rarity: Lv. 2 (Silver)Value: ₪2400
Size: Medium
Encumbrance: I triomino
Base Attribute Modifiers:CRE+1D, GRA+1DSkill Modifiers: Intimidation +1D
Damage type: Heat, Slashing
Semantic Domains: Weapon, Destroy, Dry, Liquid Removal, Weather, AgricultureSpeech acts:
Drought of Destruction (חרב): Qal stance. The user dwells on fiery anger or passion, imbuing his body with hydrophobic heat and causing the moisture to evaporate from objects and the air within a spherical area. The affected area might also be prone to cosmetic heat haze.
Noncombat: Roll DOMor VIGto hit. On average (3S), this speech act has a higher cost (2 MP), takestwo items with relevant semantic domains to prepare, two minutes to enact, lasts up to two hours and covers aradius of about 100 meters (or 300 feet). It is difficult (2S minimum required) to control well.
Success: The air in the affected area feels dry, plants may wither and living beings may get thirsty or fatigued. In areas with high moisture or lots of water, this skill might not actually harm ordinary living creatures and instead, for instance, evaporate pools of water or dry out soaked clothes. But in temperate or already dry climates, it may do combat damage.
Failure to hit: Failure can mean no dehydration occurs, or the area becomes wetter and more humid. Botching can cause the user to take 1DN Dry damage, and 1 Wound (ignoring armor) if the user has Water or Wet semantic domains. In addition, botching may cause combat damage to targets in range when unintended.
Combat Damage: When intending to harm, this skill on average does Success Margin +1DNDry damage, and 1 Wound (ignoring armor) if the user has Water or Wet semantic domains.
Allon Ilan is a freelance forest ranger hired by the Bavel Macrostructure to secure the Ilan forest’s giant tree, which Bavel believes to be related to the original Syntax Tree, Taḥbir. The tree is rumored to hide the Alp foundation letter.
Ilan commands the forest’s Idol Oaks and Battering Rams. He dons a pair of deer antlers and has a tiny oak tree growing out of his seemingly hollow head. While Allon Ilan may look like a fool, watch out for his mighty terebinth club!
Milhamah RPG stats
Shoresh: אול
Gematria: 37
Type: Human, plant
Size: Medium
Liability Points: (3DN * 2) or 28
Merit Points: 3
Law Points: -2
Stats:DOM 3D, VIG2D, GRA2D, CRE 3D, WIS1D, PEA3D, BLE2D
Skills: Wilderness +2D, Surveillance +1D
Special Abilities:
Summon Idol Oak:Use 2 Merit Points; roll 3DN; take lowest number X to summon X Idol Oaks.
Strong Antler:Use 1 Merit Point; DOM+1D melee attack. Close or medium range if attacker can physically run to target.
Equipment: Terebinth Club: +2D VIG close melee attack.
The Idol Oak is a gnarled, withered husk of wood that demands worship and submission from the ‘Ivrit Revival Movement. This enemy most frequently dwells in the Ilan forest, but sprouts near the Ulpan when the Bavel Macrostructure tries to invade it.
While the creature is as dumb as a stump, its spiritual abilities come from the Kena’ani masks that surround it, as well as an old Edomi idol that dwells within and gives it life. The Idol Oak is frequently the subject of nature worship among the nations.
Like the Battering Ram and the Dumbkuchen, the Idol Oak is based on the אול shoresh root. This character takes inspiration from the root’s ties to trees, oaks, stupidity, wickedness and idolatry. Look forward to seeing this monster in the Milhamah RPG and video game!
Milhamah RPG stats
Shoresh: אול
Gematria: 37
Type: Plant, construct
Size: Medium
Domains: Ilan Tree, Ulpan Academy, Ketef Hinnom, forests, temples
Liability Points: 3DN or 11
Merit Points: 0
Law Points: -3 (Evil)
Stats:DOM 1D, VIG2D, GRA0D, CRE1D, WIS0D, PEA 1D, BLE1D
Abilities: Thick Thicket (Pi): Attacks with VIG+1D; opponent must defend with WIS. Causes confusion on critical hit.Equipment: None
Loot: Oak wood
The Dumbkuchen, aka the Baumkuchen of Congealed Stupidity, is a brain-baking confection of confusion. A syrupy glop of stupidity tops the moist, pulpy tree cake below. But despite its earthy aroma, eating it is not a good idea! Anyone who takes a bite will see a drop in Wisdom!
The Dumbkuchen comes from the אול shoresh root, which relates to trees and stupidity. Look forward to baiting enemies with this tempting treat in the Milhamah RPG and video game!
Milhamah RPG stats
Shoresh: אול
Gematria: 37
Type: Consumable
Size: Small
Duration: Four hours
Effect: Consumer is WIS -2D while duration lasts. Satiates Medium-sized consumer for duration. As bait, NPC characters of WIS < 2D or SHA < 2D must roll WIS or SHAresistance the first time they notice it. If the roll fails, they eat the Dumbkuchen.
Milhamah: Fighting Words
Feeling silenced by the world? Join the Holy Tongue Society’s linguistic warriors as they use ancient alphabet powers to fight speech stranglers, truth manglers and a rebuilt Tower of Babel. And get immersed in a story that prizes freedom, candor and fighting back against overwhelming odds.
The Growing Excrescence may look like a terrifying teratoma, and that realization will only grow on you over time!
This coagulated glob of skin, braided hair and more has the tumorlike power to enlarge itself several times over, crushing obstacles in its path as it bounds around. It tends to guard areas Beli Ya’al wants protected, including areas around the Migdal Bavel tower as well as the Ilan Tree.
The Growing Excrescence is largely based on the גדל shoresh root, dealing with growth and magnification. Fight it yourself in Milhamah RPG, or eventually in the Milhamah video game!
The Arid Annihilator Sword is a cut-and-dried weapon used by many warriors in the Milḥamah War. Its slash wreaks havoc on an enemy’s body, but the blade rarely gets bloody since all liquids quickly dissolve or evaporate upon its surface. However, wielders have to watch out for dehydration, so they usually use this sword for limited amounts of time.
The weapon is based on the חרב shoresh root, which has to do with destruction, droughts and carob.
Allon Ilan is a freelance forest ranger hired by the Bavel Macrostructure to secure the Ilan forest’s giant tree, which Bavel believes to be related to the original Syntax Tree, 
The Dumbkuchen, aka the Baumkuchen of Congealed Stupidity, is a brain-baking confection of confusion. A syrupy glop of stupidity tops the moist, pulpy tree cake below. But despite its earthy aroma, eating it is not a good idea! Anyone who takes a bite will see a drop in Wisdom!
The Dumbkuchen comes from the אול shoresh root, which relates to trees and stupidity. Look forward to baiting enemies with this tempting treat in the Milhamah RPG and video game!
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