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SPOILER ALERT: concept Nemesis
🕑 Added 2020-08-04 14:01:00 +0000 UTCWARNING: SPOILER LEVEL HIGH!!!!
keep away from this post if you want more surprises in future XEN comics.
Ok, I decided to discuss this finally since it's been on drawings since a whiiiiiile... and some of you might like to know.
I've been perfecting the Nemesis designs since I came up with the XEN comic idea, and it's been a core-concept of the comic for the future, it's an important part for me.
scroll down to read this spoiler content:
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THE NEMESIS
"I woke up and couldn't see anything, in desperation tried to feel my body... but I couldn't feel anything.
How did I get here? I couldn't remember.
I tried to scream in desperation... but no voice came from my mouth
then I heard it... a soothing voice returned me to calm.
All I wanted was to continue sleeping..."
Nemesis are a "special" type of cadacter created by their mothership while harvesting new organisms.
Cadacters doesn't have any sort of conscience on their own, they work as mindless machines following what seems to be a single consciousness.
The Nemesis are created to "take control" over a special individual, someone who the Cadacter feel will be more useful to keep their experience and skills in battle.
Individual is "upgraded" with Cadacter tech, and their minds submitted to control due implants and other invasive procedures. Making a Cadacter Cyborg of sorts, with more organic material than a normal cadacter that's basically a skull stored inside a mechanical body.
This is one of the first concepts of the Cadacter, when I redesigned the helmet.
this I think from 2015, when the Nemesis was basically a normal Cadacter with improved movement and intelligence.
Helmet paint was to reflect a more "normal" intelligence really, so the first idea was to have a blood stain of a "hand" touching the helmet, or blood coming out from where the eyes would be, just reflecting the last moments of agony or struggle before resisting the process and submit themselves to the Cadacter control/suit.
This version of the Nemesis was made in 2015 and was one of the first ever concepts.
Nemesis STILL have some degree of personality, Cadacter control is strong but they might keep some of their former self at subconscious level.
This is why Nemesis "personalize" themselves, but can't really explain why.
mind over matter kind of thing, I've always liked the idea that deep down our minds are what makes us unique, doesn't matter how much "sleep"
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So, Ruffo was a nemesis?
Quick answer is no. Cadacter ship has a field of nanobots capable to direct the energy of their energy core that's capable to control and re-animate organisms.
it takes them to be dead to be controlled, it also works in short-distance from the mothership, so it's not really an offensive weapon, but a defense mechanism of the ship.
It has flaws, as seen in the Prelude, sometimes the revived individuals doesn't fully realize they're dead and are in a confused state until the Cadacter can control them.
This is rare though, as it takes a special circumstance and a special individual for this to happen.
Ruffo as a vetusto of the Guardian Clan, worried too much about his "family" and that kept him sane long time enough to resist control.
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The new Nemesis Design
I decided to redesign the Nemesis and make them look more like an armored individual, and make them a more "organic cyborg". I have my reasons, and you will see why next.
The followings are images I won't upload anywhere in years haha and its' the reason I decided to not continue with the old Nemesis full-robot concepts I had.
Because this cadacter is named "Nemesis" because it was mean as the main antagonist for Bandi's own comic, and it's basically Nova being under Cadacter control. I know it might be a trope or a cliche at this point, but my original idea was basically "kill" Nova and made her an evil thing.
But I got too attached to her to let her go completely, so I decided to open a possibility for her to keep her own body and maybe a way to come back... if she was a full robot with just a skull and brain inside it wouldn't have any kind of future or point to keep her alive.
