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I haven't been nearly as active with Ask ARA as I used to be, and I think it needs a little reworking. A lot of it because some answers felt forced or dull in my responses, and I don't yet have all the 'reaction artwork' for both ARA and other characters that I would like to have made. I'll need to sit down and draw those at a later date, but for now, I do want to make a few changes:

First, I don't think the 'guaranteed 25$ tier answer' is necessary, and it often forced me to think of stuff that I'm just unsure about. Instead I'll just try my best to answer these, but I can't 100% guarantee it.

Same goes to all questions, I would like to just answer the questions here in Patreon, ON Patreon, instead of making a Tumblr post for each. So I'll have myself (or the characters) answer as such here, in direct responses, and for those questions that seem to earn artwork with them (usually random, if it hits me), will be then put up on the blog as well.

Ideally, I'd have some kind of "one website" to submit all Q's and then keep track of what ones have been asked, sort them into categories, etc. But I don't know anything about programming or websites, so I'll just have to sit on that for now.

I'm going to take a page from the Dreamkeepers Patreon and sort it into a Q+A type post each month, where you can pick a category to ask:

Artist Question: Questions for me, about art, plans, products, comics, etc. Anything to me directly, I'll try to discuss in this type of query.

World Question: Queries involving the world itself. How does FTL work, what kind of other animals are there, etc. These will be answered by either me, or a certain character depending on the category.

Character Question: As it says, ones directed at specific characters, that I think they'd answer. Once I have all of the 'response artwork' that I want to make, at least for the main characters, I'd love to take the best questions from each month, put them into a small collective image with some of response art, and upload that to galleries, the blog, etc.


That's all for now, sorry if it's felt lagging a little bit, I'm trying! It's been one thing that's bugged me about being busy with the comic and other things as of late, trying my best to pick up the pace and be a little more organized with my work schedule... I really appreciate your patience and support!

Feel free to ask questions for the month of August below!

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Comments

iceFox

Glad to see the whole "ask" system was updated in a way that helps you! In terms of "ask" websites, there are some website which would/might help, like doodle or poll daddy, I'm not sure if these accept a custom answer, although you could look into it, Google Forms might also be a good choice. Using your own website wouldn't be too hard since all you would need would be a domain and hosting, and there's third party software which you could install, I know the basics of web programming and databases, and creating an app like that shouldn't be too hard (I could host it if you wish). A quick question: Should we add "World Question" or "Character Question", do the beginning of our question? And my question to ARA/Fluff is: In Ara's planet, what type of Government to they have, a moarchy, or democracy, and can A.I's vote?

IamUnknown

Ara, do you occasionally place other AI's on protocol or communication blacklists if they've been annoying? I assume as the relay admin you could effectively "mute" or "timeout" someone if they've been disruptive.

Antoine Davis

Also, it doesn't show my comment for some reason. But for the website thing like Ghost said is to try and use Google forums. Also for Rehzi, what is your tribe like? Also if you know what are other tribes like in Africa? But yeah make sure to use a site that's offical. Also for Rehzi, what type of weapons do you use, make, sell and what was your life like before you met Mihari and how is your life now? Also what is the name of your tribe? And why do you have a brace on your right arm? But anyways good luck with the website.

Simone Spinozzi

To ARA. Here on earth it is (unluckily) very common to be subject to social engineering procedures to extract passwords and other sensitive information via phishing and other similar procedures. Since you said you have military grade protections against cyber attacks, have people ever tried to "socially hack" you?

SCPilot

This is a world question: has there been any Precursor civilizations in the galaxy? By Precursor, I mean ancient alien civilizations that existed long before any of the other empires were around. Civilizations whose technology far exceed anything that the current empires could even hope to invent.

Iselwyr

Sounds like a good idea to me Fluff! Anything that can make it easier is good in my book. And a world question for anyone who can answer Is there anything in your part of the universe resembling a planet-wide or interplanetary disease or outbreak? If so how is a situation like that delt with?

Anonymous

A question for ARA: Have you ever had a moment where a crewmate played a prank on you (flashback scenario where Nytro covers ARA in tar and feathers)?

ExtremistLine

She already kinda answered that question: <a href="http://askarastuff.tumblr.com/post/159957412036/are-there-any-stereotypical-ancient-aliens" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://askarastuff.tumblr.com/post/159957412036/are-there-any-stereotypical-ancient-aliens</a>

ExtremistLine

I think this sounds like a pretty great idea, I'm just mostly curious as to what limits you'll put on it, ie. how many questions you'll answer each month, if someone is allowed to ask a question each month or if people go on "cooldown"...etc etc... As for my question, an artist question: You've put a ton of thought and effort into designing your universe; the galaxy, the character, and even ships, languages, and clothes. My question is, do you ever plan to expand this universe with more material, such as a book, video game, tabletop, or something similar? It feels just....too expansive to limit to your artwork and comics.

SCPilot

World Question: What are the current political and social issues facing the Grand Empire? Has there been any attempts of rebellions, revolutions, and or defections (especially defections to that enemy of the Grand Empire)? How does the Grand Empire ensure that rebellions don't pop up? Do the various members of the Grand Empire have autonomy on how they deal with upsets and revolutions?

Anonymous

Character question: Have Nytro and Warning's night time shenanigans been disturbing your rest cycle?

Spartan277

Nytro, do you work alone? Or do you bring others with you? Any Buddy Cop Adventures you like to tell about?

Evangellos

I like the idea of Artist, World, and Character questions... Character Question: Loki, what is your deal? What are you trying to accomplish? Being a demi-god how do you view Ayn?

IamUnknown

World: Do artificial wombs exist? What regulations are placed on them, and are they ever fitted on mobile AI's? I feel like Kaltech would take advantage of this to allow for employees to not be "burdened" by pregnancy but still have children.

Death678

Character: Imagine a room full of cars and an earthquake set off all the car alarms. Now if all of the cars were warning and the earthquake was an anomaly would they all scream warnings?

djikoz

World: does every anthroid have an organic partner like ARA and Vikna ?

SCPilot

World Question: How do psionics work? Are those with psionics persecuted against or are they viewed as simply people with special powers? Are there institutions to train people with psionics or are they self-train? World Question: Has there been any attempts to secede from the Grand Empire? Character Question: Nytro, is there anyone special in your love life, or do you have a numerous amount of lovers?

Volpethrope

Character: Zofie, do you have a special someone? Or maybe just a crush?

SVKwolf

ARA, what's life expectancy of your model (time you'll be in service)?

fluffkevlar

A: At the moment in my head, no, just the primary learning A.I. whose programming is passed down, that way things they learn are balanced with the organics input.

fluffkevlar

A: Currently in my story/world I have the idea that psionic/special powered people are rare, and have to register with the Grand Empire for consultations and training. There have been, and membership isn't required at all, but it is generally favourable and most major sovereigns have membership in the Empire. Nytro: "Oh...heh. Well, special? Nah. I just don't have the time... At least not yet."

fluffkevlar

Zofie: "Weehh? Umm..! Well.. I mean I suppose it's not a secret that I like Nytro a lot, but.. he's kind of big-brother to me sometimes instead.. I'm not sure.."

fluffkevlar

ARA: "Well! Typically our AI avatars last dozens, if not hundreds, of years, but I was only recently put into service, so...hopefully quite a long time!"

fluffkevlar

Yes, and the options available vary, but they aren't really related to Kaltag, who primarily deal in military technology.

fluffkevlar

I have a hard time imagining Loki speaking at all, haha.. he's rather tough to write for at the moment, especially since so many answers would give his story away... sorry if that doesn't help! At least for Ayn, he probably views her as a powerful threat; she's one of the only who could probably go toe-to-toe with him.

fluffkevlar

Nytro: Hah... Well, yes, actually. My callsign 'Nytro' comes from the specialized group outside of law enforcement called "Element", and sends out taskforces for specific needs, and groups certain elements together, so there's lots of different pairings, usually not just one partner, but, well.. a lot of very weird people like me.

fluffkevlar

ARA: What? I don't know of this.. "shenanigans..?" you speak of. I will have to inquire~

fluffkevlar

The Grand Empire is more closely related to the UN here on Earth. The GE is a non-mandatory collective, though it is generally very beneficial to join and adhere to the laws there. They have more authority, an actual territory of one planet, and a military though, that focuses solely on interstellar conflicts that otherwise wouldn't fall under any one specific sovereign's jurisdiction.

fluffkevlar

Yep, you can add the type at the beginning. ARA is from the Katrician Empire, and it's a slightly modified imperial rule system, with more checks and balances, but not quite voting.

fluffkevlar

ARA: Haha! Noooo...not at all! Who would do such a thing? No AI is annoying!

IamUnknown

Ara, you said there are many units like yourself that fulfill an information relay and management role for individual ships or fleets. Is there a tier of administrator that deals in mass data movement for all of Kaltag? If there is what is he / she like?

fluffkevlar

Rehzi: Oh, um.. the uh tribe here is a bit of a mixed bag; we don't have much in the way of a leader, but a few grouped together! It's pretty calm, always moving though.. I haven't met too many other tribes except the occasional zebras and.. umm.. cheetah.. sometimes... It was all quiet and peaceful, but now I think I'm a little in over my head on.. um, girls.. The brace is decorative, passed down from my parents! But a name..? I don't think our tribe has much of a name.. hrm..

fluffkevlar

World: Yes, actually, as long as certain conditions for life exist, and bacteria evolve over time, there can emerge enough scenarios to warrant procedures of planetary evacuations, quarantines and task forces to combat pathogens. It's not very common though! It's often dealt with isolation and slow resolution piece by piece. Even rarer still is it dealt with by other, harsher means.

fluffkevlar

ARA: Nuh-uh, not at all! That would be damage to very expensive property! Such not a, as you put it, 'prank'!

fluffkevlar

I do plan on adding more, yeah! I had an idea for an interactive novel of sorts, not sure about books or games...mostly as I don't know how to go about doing a lot of that.

fluffkevlar

ARA: Yes! That would be closer to ZTA's job, I should more formally introduce her sometime soon, though the few images around of her may give an idea.