Aria Elwyn, a Lonely Girl in a Monster World
Oceanfalls was created by Nights, it can be read on its own website
Welcome back to the blog! Is it redundant to cover a Homestuck-adjacent series so soon after the Vriska blog? Maybe, but I finished catching up to Oceanfalls recently, and I figured I might as well cover it while it's still fresh in my mind. It's also the first time I'm technically covering a sprite comic, though a majority of the visuals are MSPA-inspired. Don't worry, there are a couple other sprite comics I wanna cover in due time ;) Gotta mention a spoiler warning for this one.
Background
"I… I don't want to blame you. Because… I'm glad I met you here. I don't think this meeting was a misfortune. I'm sorry… I'm so selfish… I really wanted to leave this accursed world. But in all my years living here, I never thought it possible until I met you. This is the first time I've felt real hope for this selfish desire. That's why, I don't want you to blame yourself."
Humans and monsters. Both races had their differences and neither side truly accepted the other, but they were able to relatively live in harmony undivided. That all changed when war broke out between the two.
The war was so terrible that it resulted in a dome being cast over the world, with a divide that separated human and monster societies. Of course, this heavily impacted the lives of monsters, humans alike. It stopped the war, but hatred between humans and monsters was greater than ever before. Those that had it the worst were the races trapped in their opposite sides of the barrier.
One such human family sentenced to this fate was the Elwyn family, more specifically the daughter Aria Elwyn. Aria's family settled in a small monster village far from the political strife. She didn't know any humans beyond her folks, so she was shunned by the monster kids growing up. However, with the barrier's formation and the cruel monster prince Suvillain rising to power, every human trapped in their side of the barrier was eviscerated—Aria's family included.
Thankfully Aria was able to avoid certain death by disguising herself as a monster, using her natural illusory abilities. Even so, life remained tough for the human girl. The Monster World was dangerous even beyond the threat of her cover being blown. Due to her unique upbringing, she had to be constantly vigilant of her surroundings and the intentions of others. She learned to be seriously observant and sharp-witted, but she was lacking in self-confidence. Sure, she had cool illusion powers, but she didn't find much use for them beyond masquerading as a monster. She craved companionship, but she constantly fretted that she may more of a burden to them than anything.
Although she wanted more than anything to leave the Monster World, living there wasn't all bad, since she was able to mostly get by with her disguise. This led to her forming a close friendship with the aloof royal guard Kotori. She even managed to tame a ghostdog she named Ludwig. She have not bene honest about her appearance, but her compassionate and caring nature was genuine, and she tried to fit in as best as she could. But that was never a possibility in a world that would crush her heart if they learned the truth (literally)! She couldn't truly connect with the monsters here, and that made her unfathomably alone…
That is, until she runs into another human in the Monster World.
When Aria lost Ludwig, she found him in the care of a human boy her age—an amnesiac named Nino. They got off on the wrong foot, considering Aria still had her disguise up, but the misunderstanding is cleared up. Accompanying Nino is a mysterious monster child named Five, who was part of an experiment conducted by monsters AND humans before the war broke out. Thus, both are trying to make it outside the barrier.
She may consider herself a burden, but Aria proved essential in Nino and Five's journey. Not only did she keep them safe and well-fed, but she helped disguise Nino as a monster. She worries about their own well being far more than her own. While a bit of a goof, Nino is supportive of Aria. As he gets to know her, he makes an effort to make her realize she isn't weighing him or anyone down and that there's no reason to put herself down. Not only that, Five starts to look up to her and view her like a big sister.
For the first time since… ever, it feels like Aria finally has some real friends, and that gives her hope she can actually return to the Human World. However, Nino's presence in the Monster World alerts Suvillan, who sends his guards after him. This leads to Kotori betraying Aria, unveiling her secret to everyone in her village. Nino and Five are able to defend her, but eventually Aria is captured, Nino is assumed dead after falling into a ravine, and Five is left to fend for herself.
Aria is able to escape by herself. She's distraught by Nino's fate and still can't help but blame herself for the tragedy, but he gave her the push to get the hell out of the Monster World, and she's gonna do just that. However, she isn't gonna leave without Five. The blonde comes to Five and Ludwig's aid just in time to save her from a predatory spirit. Given Aria's fragile state, it's easy for the spirit to mess with her head. While she does gain the strength to fight back, it's the sudden appearance of a third human that puts an end to the fight.
The girls are saved by Reed, a responsible and levelheaded human. He makes frequent trips through the barrier to search for any lost humans and bring them back to where they belong. Reed proves to be a much colder companion than Nino, as he refuses to take the monstrous Ludwig and Five along with them. Despite how little value she puts in her own life, she fights tooth and nail to prove to Reed that her friends aren't a burden. What an ironic twist!
Reed is insistent of the risks of bringing the monsters along, but Aria's relentlessly kindhearted nature does get through to him a little as all four are able to breach the barrier… coincidentally running into Nino on the other side! They arrived just in time to Aria him out during a decisive battle.
Nino is alive and well, having gone on his own adventure with a kleptomaniac named Meimona, belonging to an angelic race called winged. The only major difference from before is that Nino… doesn't remember anything involving Aria or Five during time spent in the Monster World.
Although there is some tension and confusion when the teams fuse, Nino is able to work well with them despite not remembering Aria and Five. Regardless of that, Aria is finally in the human world! She has a chance to learn about all sorts of newfangled technology, try delicious human cuisine, and she has friends to experience all that with. Above all else, for once in her life she feels safe.
Unfortunately, nothing great lasts forever. Things take a strange turn when the group starts to discuss their next course of action in searching for people affiliated with Five. Now that they have some leads, their next goal is to journey to the Human World capital, which they can totally do in a couple days. However, Nino isn't acting like himself. Just when he started warming up to Aria and Five, he insensitively suggests they return to the Monster World for a quicker route, not taking into account Aria's obvious hesitation to go back.
When Aria chooses to discuss this issue with him alone, his first instinct is to manipulate her by taking advantage of her loneliness and need to be useful. He took her to be easily malleable, but Nino thought wrong. Perceptive as always, Aria recognizes what he's trying to do, but instead of being mad… she still chooses to go with his plan.
She thinks he's correct about her weaknesses, but above all else, she's worried for Nino. He's behaving more callously and selfishly, and the whole party recognizes that. She finds it sad that tricking her was his gut instinct, thinking this kind of behavior really isolating. Telling him she can still use him despite what he just did boggles him, making him admit some details of what's going on. He believes he may be able to find something that can jog his memory back in the Monster World. Aria does sense there's gotta be more at play beyond that, but she does influence Nino to divulge that much, and the group goes with his plan.
And so the party makes their way back to the barrier, ready for their next adventure. However, their trip through the Monster World proves to be more dangerous than usual. It seems like someone expected them to traverse through this world, as spirits inhabiting it seem to be actively working together to target them.
What trials and tribulations awaits Aria and her friends?
Experience and Skill
Growing up in the Monster World where she has to constantly look out for danger, Aria has learned to pay exceptional attention to the most minute details. This has made her seriously perceptive, which explains why "Percept" is her only maxed out stat. Coupled with her extensive experience using her ability, this makes Aria an exceptional counter against anyone using illusory abilities.
Since she thrived in the Monster World for most of her life, she's very new to the history and technology of the human world. That coupled with lack of confidence and poor lying skills makes her seem easy to manipulate and take advantage of. However, her extreme perception extends to peoples' intentions too. Take for example when Nino tried to use her when his lone wolf half took over. She instantly saw through his BS and knew what he was trying to do.
Growing up in the Monster World where she has to constantly look out for danger, Aria has learned to pay exceptional attention to the most minute details. This has made her seriously perceptive, which explains why "Percept" is her only maxed out stat. Coupled with her extensive experience using her ability, this makes Aria an exceptional counter against anyone using illusory abilities.
Since she thrived in the Monster World for most of her life, she's very new to the history and technology of the human world. That coupled with lack of confidence and poor lying skills makes her seem easy to manipulate and take advantage of. However, her extreme perception extends to peoples' intentions too. Take for example when Nino tried to use her when his lone wolf half took over. She instantly saw through his BS and knew what he was trying to do.
Equipment
Bow & Arrows
Her bow & arrows are the weapons she starts out with. I gotta highlight the arrows too, since she uses them for stabbing. She sadly does lose her archery kit later on.
Her bow & arrows are the weapons she starts out with. I gotta highlight the arrows too, since she uses them for stabbing. She sadly does lose her archery kit later on.
Ludwig Grimm von Phantomhound
Aria's long-time ghostdog companion! Whenever Aria is in trouble, he's able to sniff out her location and protect her with his mighty claws. As a ghostdog, Ludwig is half-corporeal and doesn't require sustenance.
Aria's long-time ghostdog companion! Whenever Aria is in trouble, he's able to sniff out her location and protect her with his mighty claws. As a ghostdog, Ludwig is half-corporeal and doesn't require sustenance.
Spear
Aria once held onto one of Kotori's signature red spears. Like her bow & arrows, she lost it later on.
Aria once held onto one of Kotori's signature red spears. Like her bow & arrows, she lost it later on.
Metal Band File
Also functioning as a key that fits into a hidden keyhole on a tree, it was crucial to her prison break in the Monster World.
Also functioning as a key that fits into a hidden keyhole on a tree, it was crucial to her prison break in the Monster World.
Cleaver
She found this in the hidden compartment in the tree left by Reed. After she lost her bow, arrows, and spear, this was her primary weapon until it broke. Since she was experienced in using axes before her adventure, wielding this butcher knife came naturally to her.
She found this in the hidden compartment in the tree left by Reed. After she lost her bow, arrows, and spear, this was her primary weapon until it broke. Since she was experienced in using axes before her adventure, wielding this butcher knife came naturally to her.
Pro Caregiver's First-Aid Kit
Aria is the mom of the group, so having a first-aid kit is always handy for her friends—or herself if need be.
Aria is the mom of the group, so having a first-aid kit is always handy for her friends—or herself if need be.
Faire™ Deluxe Handmade Lunchbox
Yum!!!
Yum!!!
Axe
Aria's current weapon, which she already has lots of experience using.
Aria's current weapon, which she already has lots of experience using.
Abilities
Inventory (Storage)
As Oceanfalls is very video game-inspired, every character has an inventory system that lets them store up to four items.
As Oceanfalls is very video game-inspired, every character has an inventory system that lets them store up to four items.
Mirage
Every human and monster has one ability tied to their very existence. They are manifestations of "emotion and thought that comes deep from the person's soul." A person's ability awakens during a crucial moment in their lives where intense emotions are felt. Depending on what the person is thinking and feeling, one's soul awakens this ability to suit those factors. Abilities have confines and restrictions specific to them. The more one uses their ability and experiment with it, the more the user will know about it. Abilities seem magical in nature, but everything an ability does is explainable.
Take Aria's ability for instance: Mirage. Mirage is based around illusions, mainly through altering her appearance. Illusions rely on two key factors to exist: the area it covers and the observing eyes it tricks. The more effort she puts into the illusion, the more focus it takes to maintain it. It takes a lot of energy to change her entire appearance, so something small like giving her typical monster features is easy. She has been able to thrive in the Monster World for so long since she's able to just give herself a horn and red eyes just like all the other folks.
She's even able to use mirage on other people through touch, and can sense people bearing her illusions so long as the illusion remains in tact. Later on, her illusions evolve to become more tangible and durable, like when she used a stick in place of a monster horn. It only started looking like a stick again when it was pulled off his head. She's even capable of giving her body full camouflage. However, all it is is just tricking the eye. If anyone were to see her reflection, they'd be able to tell her true appearance. It also has its limitations in only being able to alter her appearance to match beings that share her proportions.
Every human and monster has one ability tied to their very existence. They are manifestations of "emotion and thought that comes deep from the person's soul." A person's ability awakens during a crucial moment in their lives where intense emotions are felt. Depending on what the person is thinking and feeling, one's soul awakens this ability to suit those factors. Abilities have confines and restrictions specific to them. The more one uses their ability and experiment with it, the more the user will know about it. Abilities seem magical in nature, but everything an ability does is explainable.
Take Aria's ability for instance: Mirage. Mirage is based around illusions, mainly through altering her appearance. Illusions rely on two key factors to exist: the area it covers and the observing eyes it tricks. The more effort she puts into the illusion, the more focus it takes to maintain it. It takes a lot of energy to change her entire appearance, so something small like giving her typical monster features is easy. She has been able to thrive in the Monster World for so long since she's able to just give herself a horn and red eyes just like all the other folks.
She's even able to use mirage on other people through touch, and can sense people bearing her illusions so long as the illusion remains in tact. Later on, her illusions evolve to become more tangible and durable, like when she used a stick in place of a monster horn. It only started looking like a stick again when it was pulled off his head. She's even capable of giving her body full camouflage. However, all it is is just tricking the eye. If anyone were to see her reflection, they'd be able to tell her true appearance. It also has its limitations in only being able to alter her appearance to match beings that share her proportions.
Techniques
Battle Options
In Oceanfalls, the Nino and his party members can engage in fights in three different ways. First up is the reliable Combat. The only sub-options in that category are to "Attack" or "Defend." If you prefer doing a pacifist route, then Diplomacy is the option for you. The only option available in Diplomacy is "Talk." Lastly is Stealth, which is less about suspiciously sneaking around and more successfully running away from battle. Its sub-options include "Flee" and "End Fight."
In Oceanfalls, the Nino and his party members can engage in fights in three different ways. First up is the reliable Combat. The only sub-options in that category are to "Attack" or "Defend." If you prefer doing a pacifist route, then Diplomacy is the option for you. The only option available in Diplomacy is "Talk." Lastly is Stealth, which is less about suspiciously sneaking around and more successfully running away from battle. Its sub-options include "Flee" and "End Fight."
Cleaver/Axe Techniques
Each one is written out well here. Given how she used her cleaver like she would an axe, I figure these moves carry on to when she's wielding her axe.
Each one is written out well here. Given how she used her cleaver like she would an axe, I figure these moves carry on to when she's wielding her axe.
Illusion Hijacking
During her fight against the spirit Sinthesia, she learned how to overtake an opponent's illusions and change them to appear however she sees fit. In order to do this, she has to realize what the main point of the illusion is, like the reason it appears the way it does. Any type of illusion always needs a source to draw ideas from, and use them to shape its image. The purpose of Sinthesia's illusion was to trap Reed in an illusory maze, making him the spirit's main observer. All she had to do was change whose eyes were being tricked by her "veil." Instead of making Reed feel trapped and helpless, Aria replaced the illusion with a scene that would make him feel hopeful directly from her heart. It's also good to mention that during the sequence Aria first uses this ability, the page borders transform from Sinthesia's illusion into Aria's, which is pretty swag.
During her fight against the spirit Sinthesia, she learned how to overtake an opponent's illusions and change them to appear however she sees fit. In order to do this, she has to realize what the main point of the illusion is, like the reason it appears the way it does. Any type of illusion always needs a source to draw ideas from, and use them to shape its image. The purpose of Sinthesia's illusion was to trap Reed in an illusory maze, making him the spirit's main observer. All she had to do was change whose eyes were being tricked by her "veil." Instead of making Reed feel trapped and helpless, Aria replaced the illusion with a scene that would make him feel hopeful directly from her heart. It's also good to mention that during the sequence Aria first uses this ability, the page borders transform from Sinthesia's illusion into Aria's, which is pretty swag.
Feats
Overall
- Escaped prison using mirage to camouflage herself against the wall and leave when the cell is open
- Saved Reed and Five from two spirits
- Hijacked the spirit Sinthesia's illusion across an entire forest to save Reed from her
Strength
Speed
- Deflected a thrown spear with her arrow
- Shot Corona, who previously dodged some of her arrows
- Reacted to an incoming spirit arm from behind her
- Reacted to Kaji's ice spikes
Durability
Scaling
Nino's Party
Aria is a core member of Nino's party. As they all (sans Five) fight side by side with comparable opponents, they all should be on a similar level to each other.
- Nino dodges a laser beam
- Nino was able to dodge lightning attacks
- Nino was thrown into a boulder so forcefully that it cracked
- Meimona effortlessly lifted up the tip of a mountain with one hand, then threw it into the ocean (power amped by her probability manipulation, small building tho)
- Broke Kaji's ice wall while luck-amped
- Outran Avery's lightning attacks
- Reed was quickly able to block Nino's strike
Kaji Pyxis
The alcoholic boyfail pirate cop himself. A few major feats and scaling moments happen during Nino's party's spar against him. It took the combined efforts of all four to take him down.
Others
Oceanfalls has a massive cast spanning humans, monsters, winged, and more recently spirits. Regardless of their importance in the narrative, this section will cover characters that may not have as many notable feats as the previous characters, but still have one or two worth mentioning.
Weaknesses
- A person's soul resides in their heart, so destroying one's heart is a sure fire way to permanently kill someone. Monsters have made a ritual to kill humans by destroying their hearts, so that anyone with a healing-related ability won't be able to somehow survive.
- Aria's lowest stat is "mind." A little ironic considering how much Mirage depends on messing with peoples' heads, but it makes sense given her low self esteem
- She has a tendency to be distracted when it comes to things that fascinate her
- Has some self esteem issues, viewing herself as a burden to her friends
- Can’t disguise as anything with very different proportions than hers
- Her disguise ability only tricks the eyes. Reflective surfaces like mirrors reveal her true form
- She’s occasionally worryingly careless when it comes to herself
- She’s so obvious about everything, so she’s terrible at lying. She was able to get by masking her appearance, but all other attempts at lying fall flat
- Mirage doesn’t protect her mind from being read. Though illusions are based on people's memories, the ability to plainly see what those memories contain for oneself is separate from the ability to make illusions. As a human, you can only have one or the other.
- This also means she can't see through illusions, as she's still affected by them. She just uses her exceptional perception to infer what is and isn't real.
- Really inexperienced with technology.
Matchup Potential
Not gonna lie, Oceanfalls has a lot of characters I could've made a blog on. Meimona, Reed, and Kaji are all characters I like much more than Aria and certainly have interesting enough blog-worthy content. I wound up choosing Aria since she in particular already has a greatly explored arc along with having a really interesting powerset. Plus, pretty much all of her fight scenes are reeeeally cool. I also could've gone with the protag Nino, but beyond me having conflicting feelings about him as a character, there's still so much that hasn't been revealed yet (I've got my eyes on Nino vs Kris as a potential MU tho). Perhaps i can cover another Oceanfalls character in the future! Probably one of the winged due to how interesting their race's background is. In terms of matchup potential, Aria would be at her best paired against another character proficient in illusions. That way she'd be able to pull off her coolest stuff.
NEXT TIME ON WCAB… whenever I feel like it
