So.

It's been somewhat of a consensus amongst theorists I've read that Cherub *might* be a Sphynx. She's been pointed out several times as doing a bad job of imitating a dog but instead having cat-like traits come out naturally sometimes. She also would have the wings that the Sphynxes have, and she'd also neatly round up the fact we are so far missing a Sphynx. (Davy's Riptide Sword splits things in halves, so the number of Sphynxes has to logically be even). I've also seen people point out that with Pacts seemingly having devil-like traits (namely her wings and tails) it'd make sense for Cherub to be her counterpart as the more straightforwardly angelic spirit.

Thing is.....there's still several issue with this.

For one, it seems that counterpart Sphynxes have inverted spectral energy, and cancel eachother out. Truth and Lie, Crime and Rule. Even if we go with the common assumption that Cherub is the "Sphynx of Trust/Faith", that still doesnt track because she wouldnt cancel Pacts out ! Not to mention, Cherub's energy isnt the right shade - its a golden shade of yellow, where it should probably be a light grey /silver (assuming its the closest thing to "opposite" to Black a regular spirit can get).

Second, Cherub's actual spirit power doesnt track with a Sphynx either. If her ability is that she can redistribute the powers of spirits and spectrals who have faith in her well thats. Entirely unrelated to the powersets of the Sphynxes relating to words and absolutes.

I've seen people get around this with the idea that Cherub's mimic power isnt originally hers - she tricked the original holder of it into giving it away to her , and has been hiding her true Sphynx power as a means of manipulation. Which, in the world where Cherub is indeed a Sphynx, is probably the likeliest explanation.

My addition to this is that I dont think Cherub is the Sphynx of Faith/Trust with a golden spectral energy. I think shes the Sphynx of Doubts, with an originally silver spectral energy inverted into gold and a power similarly inverted by Polaris.

Pacts's power works by enforcing the terms of a deal that two parties come to in mutual agreement. How would you cancel this ? By having a power that makes it impossible for two parties to come to an agreement and believe in the value of the other's words. By casting Doubts on whether or not the other party will actually follow throught with the deal, by making it so that both are already planning to betray the terms of it from the onset.

And then, by inverting it it now does the opposite - people lend much, much more credence to Cherub's words than they should. and thus it synergizes insanely well with the other power she stole, the one that copies and redistributes spirits power based on the faith they place in her. This is also how Razor Rex cancelled out Fauxbia's Dare but lets not add further insanity ro a post already based on nothing but speculation

anyways, i guess we'll see in like 5 years if I was right /j

That could explain the variety of powers she has and the whole goddess of death shtick.

Now that Rules is once again in a NO FIGHTING zone and this is gonna be trouble for our troublemakers, I wanna look back to see how we're getting out of this pickle.

Note everything that happens once Devi throws the ball.

The Sphinxes LEAPT. They WRESTLED.

That's just different words for diving and fighting, innit?

Other than emotion and art style, I can't tell the difference between Rules' actions in the first and second image.

I could see Paranatural going for some sort of meta rules where it's only fighting if Zach textually says it is.

But then, Devi textually lurched forward and the rule against running kicked in. Rules lunged forward and all three rules kicked in.

I feel like there's a loophole hinted here, and it's foreshadowing how we're going to defeat Rules.

Thoughts?

Zack has unfortunately hurt their back, so no update this week. Paranatural will return next week.

The Deadly Seven (Sins) Spectrals versus Bayview's Vampire Cabal! Let's work together to compile key connections and details on the participants. That included knowledge available to them specifically which may influence their actions:

• Davy Jones, the primary target of the deadly seven and the only known vampire of Bayview. The Deadly Seven presumsbly know key details, if not everything, about Riptide the kraken spirit in Davy's hook and the powers of vampires. Possessing relative mastery of swordplay, vampiric powers, stifling parenting techniques, politics, financial industries, subterfuge, and werewolf lore. Possible sibling to PJ, and presumed previous wrist of Lefty. Enemy of the Sphinxes, Fauxbia, Razor Rex, conspiracy theorists, the Cousinhood, the Consortium, the Great Wights, Doorman, Ángel, Master Guerra and his dojo's fighters, Hijack, investigative reporters, and more!
• Ritz Price-Lee, a vampire-spectral who may or may not sleep, and therefore could become known to Boss Leader just as quickly as new spectral Max did. Known to Penny Spender as a vampire and spectral. Attracted to Paige, foe of Stephen. May have difficulty switching to humans.
• Gage, the second-oldest vampire, presumed native of Clayview who might be recognized by Zarei or others. Mayview Academy Highschool student. He would definitely recognize and be recognized by Jean Garcia as well as Max Puckett (and theoretically PJ) https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-4-page-21 . Isabel might remember one or all of them from her camping trip with Spender and Co. Attracted to Paige.
• Paige, female vampire, presumed Clayview native. Disenchanted with Gage.
• Youth Culture, female vampire and high school student. Attracted to Gage, enough to carve/draw a heart with their initials.
• Cody Jones, half-vampire with a hole in his chest, which could be filled by Jeffavorite Flavors' heart. Possible half-werewolf. Student Council President. Classmate at Bayview Biddle School. Can hear spirits, knows his father can see spirits, and has access to Bayview camera system, which means he should know Spender and the Club are spectrals. Consortium and possession status may be known or not. One of the hearts in Davy Jones's chest when he wished "Grant my heart's desire" to The Great Wight.

Shred:

• Pro SURFER and skateboarder
• Monster-hunter and investigator
• Blade expy
• Foe of Ángel and her own Cousinhood of Man. Presumably has never met her fans (Max, Dimitri Danger). Knows that Ángel can open the barrier, presumably saw his lantern glow with normal light rather than green light.
• Her group of four is actively looking for a loophole enter Bayview.
• A member of Shrike's raptor sect of the Cousinhood, but not connected to the brief Mayview/Clayview partnership with the Consortium.
• Presumably was present or otherwise knows the details of agent Walker's offscreen meeting with the Cousinhood.

Agent Walker and his six minions: https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-9-page-12

• Walker: Bubbles. Presumably not a medium? Creator of Mayview'a bubble. Capable of blocking a wight's wail. Prone to emotional outbursts, unknown leadership experience. No known experience with children.
• Agent Pasha Popova, medium.
• Agent Addy Cloverleaf, green goggles.
• Agent Haoran King, crown-ended ruler.
• Junior Agent Proxy Popcorn (extremely dangerous due to conceptual nature of his powers). Boss Leader is sending a child to stake a businessman. Note that King Catnine is not eligible to learn Consortium secrets, but this spirit might be allowed to cause similar damage.
• Agent Cinnamon Stix, the invincible liability. Medium.
• Agent Greco Styx, medium. Distinguished reptilian gentleman with self-pitying comportment.

Miscellaneous individuals:

• Mr. Jean Garcia, werewolf and monster-hunter connected to ex-hunter Shrike. Shrike quit monster hunting for him, not for Davy, as far as Jean knows.
• Ángel Guerra: Spectral trained in the Spectral Fist, sufficient to display the unique ability to combine tempering with poltergeisting mimicry to TOUCH SOLID MATTER with spectral energy. Master of Penny Spender. Father to Isabel. Secret identity of The Angel, the master of Doorman and Nin. Pawn and enchanted thrall of Cherub, a "dog" spirit who is "selflessly accepting" Ángel's goal to turn them into a wight. 95% confirmed kidnapper of Polaris, from his cave.
• Agent Sid Savage, musician (singer) of ANARCHYOPTERYX. Spectral. Known to Max, his father, RJ, and surprisingly NOT Youth Culture, as far as I can tell, as a musician. Max should have recognized her after the train mission, but it was likely one-sided. Death Cultist "Sister Lizard" serving Razer Rex. Possible double agent? Likely anarchist with a grudge against Boss Leader? NOT participating in the Davy Jones mission.
• Mayor Hijack (Bill Spender), spirit duo puppeting (and not possessing) Bill Spender. Half-vulnerable to the fearful manipulations of Fauxbia, half immune? Loyal to Mina Zarei, indebted to the Paranatural Activity Club, and appreciative towards Lucifer. Knows very little about Bill Spender's personal life or about the realities of being neck-food for vampires. Presumably not at risk of leaking spectral energy, so long as his possession holds. May know more about Razor Rex and the death cult than Mina due to the PTA meeting and Cody's info.
• Lucifer, an intelligent tyellow spirit possessing Richard Spender's sunglasses. Deeply disenchanted with his partner. Seemingly uninterested in becoming a great wight; possibly aware of every secret Spender might know about the Consortium and the Guerra Dojo, including the ability to speak High Spirit and the fighting style. Capable of spirit fusion and occasionally exhausted from restraining the black spirit possessing Richard Spender.
• PJ and Lefty, armed with a toilet plunger possessed by Gorf (the racist frog-whale poltergeist-class spirit).
• Forge, the fiery metalworking spirit (poltergeist-class) possessing Johnny. Likely related to the deceased June Puckett neé Summers. Unsuccessfully allied with Doorman, Nin, and their angel. Foe to Richard Spender and Lucifer. Potentially despised by the Ghosttrain grudge. No known connection to Max's scrapdragon spirit nor the sphinxes. Possible ally to Agent Day.
• Agent Day: childhood babysitter of Max, Consortium agent, presumed friend and apprentice to June Puckett. Unknown familiarity with Forge and Peter Puckett.
• June Puckett neé Summers: deceased (and likely non-ghost) mom, killed via backstory-related causes.
• The Doctors Burger: Undead spectral and spirit power couple trapped within the dream of Peekaboo for twelve years. Mina Zarei's mentors, Ed Burger's parents, and associates of the living spectral Davy Jones. Likely connected to a wrapped gift spirit affiliated with Razor Rex. Held in high regard by Boss Leader. Actively reinforcing the dream of Peekaboo with Boss Leader's help...? Or trapped residents. Possible owners of The Fishing Boat on The Lake from twelve years ago.
• The Witch: an individual bitten by Davy Jones and doomed to become a vampire or otherwise abandon their body. A fear-based entity who previously tussled with Mina Zarei. Possible originator of Sock Puppy and/or Mewtwo-tube-spawned Spirits associated with Mina Zarei. Including Hijack. Unknown connection to the Muffett/Tuffett cartoon.
• Dimitri Danger: host of Peekaboo, enemy of stress and conspiracy theorists. Depressed fan of Shred Eagle, and ignorant of the present Shred's transformation after leaving entertainment. One of the wishers who influenced Peekaboo. Seemingly has a mind unaffected by Peekaboo's reality manipulation. A prematurely born baby who became a spectral at an extremely young age, with a rocky relationship with Peekaboo. Received insufficient assistance or emotional support from Richard Spender. Possibly the centerpoint of "the pull/the call" which directs spirits like King Catnine and Flipflop's crew towards Mayview, if Peekaboo is the source.
• Cash Reward: Dog, beloved companion of Stephen the conspiracy theorist. Ex-host of Hijack.
• Lavish Price: enemy of Stephen, minor human ally of Davy Jones. Ex-wife of DJ Mothman, mother of Ritz. Possibly a target of his real estate conquest schemes. Last update from her appears to be here, with the caviar and speedboat note, her life was presumably altered by the Bayview shift. https://www.paranatural.net/comic/chapter-9-page-20

I feel like this page has it all.

Collin's ridiculous cat, the various "whatever" menu buttons, the Garsh making happy little accidents, banana brand tablet, Suzy's crazy interior, Suzy having a sleep mask with a print of her usual sunglasses, the smooth scene transition setup to the Johnny gang outside...

Only thing missing is zany background spirits. It's SUCH a good page that could have been left out entirely with no consequences at all. So crazy.

Not that there’s anything wrong with it, of course, but why exactly was our girl pleasantly plump in chapter 7? I don’t believe that was ever elaborated on.

Edit: I know it’s a flashback lol

Edit 2: I think some people here don’t understand. I’m not asking why Zack made her fat. What he chooses to do with his characters is his decision alone. What I’m asking for is an in-universe explanation as to why she’s wonderfully big.