Bardsworth

Infobox Webcomic
title = Bardsworth


caption =
author = Peter Tarkulich
url = http://bardsworth.com/
status = M W F
began = November 7, 2005
ended =
genre = Fantasy, Humor
ratings =

Bardsworth is a webcomic by Peter Tarkulich.

Plot

"Bardsworth" follows the story of Mike Cosley, a high school student who cleans out his closet only to discover a doorway leading to a magical world. There he meets Fitzpot Fizzlebottom, a professor of wizardry at Bardsworth University, a college that trains students to become either wizards or bards. Mike convinces Professor Fizzlebottom to get him into Bardsworth, where he meets an assortment of unusual people while a mysterious wizard named Rayner plots to use Mike for his own purposes.

Background

The magical world where Bardsworth is located is called Agia, [http://www.bardsworth.com/journal/entry_1] which is in many ways similar to Earth, but with various legendary creatures as well as other magical entities. The world is divided into several nations, though the exact politics and customs of these people have not been explored; Bardsworth University is run by the Wizards Court which owns the surrounding land, apparently as part of a pseudo-nation itself. Agia seems to be similar to the normal world in many respects: aside from in spells, English seems to be the common language, and many real-world inventions, such as showers and lights, seem to be duplicated there by counterparts that run on magic.

Races

Humans

Humans exist in Agia along with other races. For the most part they seem to be the same as ordinary humans from Mike's world.

Fairies

Fairies live in forests and possibly other natural areas, in small collections referred to as villages. Though small, fairies seem to be more powerful than they would appear, and apparently draw their power both from magic and nature. Fairies have no parents; when a fairy community decides it is time to bring forth more members, they all join together to merge their souls with nature, resulting in the birth of a large number of baby fairies who refer to each other as siblings. Fairies are assigned "soulshares" early in their lives, certain siblings who are assigned to watch out for them in a role somewhere between that of a parent or sibling. Fairies also can create "spirit bonds," the exact nature of which are not known. All fairies shown have been female; it is unclear if males exist.

Elves

Not much is known about elves, who look and act almost identical to humans, except for very large, pointed ears. Like humans, elves seem to have their own kingdoms and noble classes. Elves from noble families traditionally frown upon their members marrying anyone but other noble elves, though rebellious children from such families seem to commonly break that custom. Aside from humans, elves are the most common race seen at Bardsworth University.

Demons

Demons are usually vicious, violent creatures. Not much is known about them as a whole, as the only one presented thus far in the comic is Francis, who, it seems, is very atypical of his race. He is large, muscular and red, though as Fitzpot mentions he is "a type of demon," it is possible there are other subgroups that appear different. They are said to reproduce similar to fairies, but with an implication that their ritual is less savory.

Arbori

Arbori (singular arborus) are wood sprites. They live in forests and generally seem to be shy; the approach of one is said to be lucky. They do not seem able to speak, but can possibly use telepathy. They seem to be able to sense magic in people. They are said to be similar to fairies, but draw their power more on nature than on magic.

Terminology

*Dream bridge: A magical connection made between people when they are either sleeping or in deep meditation, creating a simulated reality wherein two people can communicate from across distances.
*Soulshare: A fairy assigned to help guide another fairy. Every fairy has one or two soulshares assigned at birth from among their many siblings.
*Spirit bond: A connection made between fairies and humans (and possibly other creatures), the exact nature of which is unknown.
*Trimagus: A rare type of wizard who, aside from drawing magic from themselves and the environment around them, also taps into a mysterious third source of magic, the nature of which is unknown. Their magic is powerful yet unstable, and few trimagi have ever learned to control it.

Characters

Main Cast

Mike Cosley

Mike is introduced in the comic as an unpopular high school student, who is unsure of where to go to college. This changes, however, when he accidentally discovers a magical doorway in his closet that leads into the guest bathroom of Fitzpot Fizzlebottom, whom Mike convinces to admit him to Bardsworth University. He is generally very energetic and somewhat immature, and has a powerful obsession with cookies.

Professor Fitzpot Fizzlebottom

The magical door in Mike's closet leads into the home of Professor Fitzpot Fizzlebottom, a wizard teacher at Bardsworth. Described as "one of the most powerful wizards around," he is nevertheless somewhat clumsy at times, [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/021] yet also generally very serious and powerful. He describes Rayner as a "former pupil," though it is eventually revealed that Rayner is actually his son. [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/256]

Francis

Francis is a demon, yet very uncharacteristic for his race---despite being very large and intimidating, he is usually preoccupied with cleaning and baking, and is very kind, though he can be tougher when he wants to be. [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/103] He is employed as Professor Fizzlebottom's servant and bodyguard, but has the uncanny ability to appear for anyone in need whenever they call his name, and will do just about any task.

Fawn

Fawn is a fairy who met Mike soon after he came to live at Bardsworth, and who subsequently came to live with him at his dorm; apparently it is fairly common for fairies to follow around those who have been kind to them. She is usually friendly, but has a temper and is surprisingly powerful for such a small creature. She is originally from a fairy village in the nearby forest, where she lived with thirty sisters. She has apparently began to develop a "spirit bond" with Mike, a fact of which he is unaware; apparently she is afraid to reveal this fact to him, though she has a limited time to do so before the bond is permanent. What a "spirit bond" entails, exactly, has not been explicitly explained.

Kris

Kris is Mike's roommate in the Bardsworth dorms. He is generally very gruff and laconic, and does not like to talk about his past, his parents or much else. He is very serious, especially when it comes to school, though with a sort of wry sarcasm. Mike has generally tried to make him more relaxed, with some success (such as convincing him to finally wear an outfit that wasn't either black or gray); Kris, in turn, tries with limited success to make Mike more serious.

Crystal

Crystal is an elf, Mike's friend and primary love interest. She is the daughter of a duke and duchess, [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/286] and while elfin nobility generally does not date humans, she and Mike eventually begin to go out. She seems to be fairly playful and especially likes tricking Mike into making awkward statements.

Keira

Keira, unlike most of the main cast, is a bard major rather than a wizard---which means she is, as Mike puts it, one of the "theater people." She is always incredibly hyper and, since first meeting Mike, tackles him with tight hugs every time she sees him. She usually refers to him as "Mikey." She is also Crystal's roommate, though this was not revealed until long after both characters were initially introduced. While she is almost always happy and seems almost ditzy, she does seem to have a calmer, more serious side that rarely comes out. [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/299]

econdary Characters

Mr. and Mrs. Cosley

The parents of Mike and Tammy Cosley, and typically normal people who were surprised when their son revealed he had discovered a door to another dimension in his closet. (Though not as surprised as when they discovered he actually "cleaned" it.) They reluctantly agreed to let him attend Bardsworth, concluding that a degree in magic was more useful than one in art. They seem to prefer little involvement in Mike's magical life, however.

Tammy Cosley

Mike's older sister. The two have a somewhat antagonistic relationship, though Tammy seems to be at least somewhat concerned with helping him. They rarely see each other anymore, as she was already living away from home before Mike went to Bardsworth. Mike often mentions her in passing; at other times she exhibits an uncanny power to sense, with a degree of annoyance, whenever something good happens to Mike, despite being far away or even in another world. [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/049] [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/302]

Danyel

Crystal's brother, who often plays pranks on freshmen, especially Mike. Crystal and Fawn both aid him in getting payback.

Professor Durnham, aka Charlie

Mike's professor in Bardic Theory, who insists on everyone calling him "Charlie." Though his laid-back, easy teacher, Mike hates the touchy-feely class.

Professor Merritt

Professor Merritt teaches a class on practical magic usage. She is both Mike's "hot teacher" and his "strict teacher," which has gotten Mike into some trouble. Despite her seriousness, she has been proven willing to be mischievous when crossed.

Joy

Joy is one of Fawn's sisters, and her "soulshare" (meaning she and Fawn are supposed to look out for one another). Like Fawn she is cheerful, but somewhat more sensible.

Raven

Joy and Fawn's other "soulshare" (see "Joy" above), but she is much darker and less cheerful than either of them, and seems to dislike Mike for unknown reasons.

Antagonists

Rayner

Rayner is the former pupil---and, it is eventually revealed, son [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/256] ---of Professor Fizzlebottom. He apparently left the Wizards' Court. His exact plans are unknown---he has exhibited a disbelief in right and wrong [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/102] and apparently has a fascination with the idea of chaos. [http://www.bardsworth.com/archive/252] He wants to convince Mike to join his plans, though the exact reasons for this are unknown.

Penelope

Penelope is a fairy who has a spirit bond with Rayner; it is implied this may have something to do with why he turned against the Wizards' Court. She dislikes Professor Fizzlebottom (she refers to him as "Fuzz-Face"), but apparently likes Francis.

torylines

*Introduction: Mike and his family are introduced.
*Into the Closet: Mike discovers the door in his closet and meet Francis.
*Fitzpot: Mike meets Fitzpot and finds out about Bardsworth University.
*A New World: Mike continues to explore Fitzpot's world, including the unusual creatures that live there.
*The Fib: Mike and Fitzpot attempt to lie to Mr. and Mrs. Cosley about Bardsworth; when that fails, they admit about the door in the closet, and reluctantly get approval for Mike to go to Bardsworth.
*He's In!: Mike gets accepted into Bardsworth.
*On the Road: Mike and Fitzpot travel from his home to Bardsworth to begin the semester; Mike meets Fawn, who continues to follow him.
*Welcome to Bardsworth: Mike arrives at Bardsworth and meets his roommate, Kris.
*The Dream Bridge: Professor Fizzlebottom uses a “dream bridge” to communicate with Mike in his sleep, explaining he will use it to give him private tutoring sessions at night.
*The First Day: Mike has his first class at Bardsworth, and meets Crystal and her brother Danyel.
*Interlude: Rayner shows up in Fitzpot’s office, revealing his plans for Mike.
*The First Day - Continued: Mike continues with his first day of classes, meeting Keira. He also tells Kris the truth about where he is from.
*Back to the Dream Bridge: Fitzpot and Mike meet in the Dream Bridge again, and Fitzpot tries to teach Mike a simple spell to make a cookie levitate; however, Mike accidentally blows it up instead.
*Back to the Dream Bridge - The Aftermath: Fitzpot discusses what happened in the Dream Bridge with Francis, and hypothesizes that Mike may be a powerful type of wizard called a trimagus.
*Day Two: Mike has his second day of school, including class with Professor Merritt.
*Something to Write Home About: Mr. and Mrs. Cosley read a letter that Francis dropped off from Mike, where he tells them about his first week of classes.
*Out and About: Fawn takes Mike to meet her family; on the way Rayner appears to Mike, but vanishes before Fawn can see him. Mike meets Fawn’s family, all of whom like him except for one of her sisters, Raven. While at the fairy village Fawn talks with another sister, Joy, who advises her to tell Mike that the two are starting to develop a spirit bond.
*Out and About - Epilogue: Only three comics long, Kris apologizes for being rude to Mike earlier on the subject of his (Kris’) family; while Mike sleeps Fawn’s sister, Raven, flies in the window only to glare at him before flying away.
*Randomness: As its name implies.
*The Truth Hurts: Danyel casts a spell on Mike so he has to tell the truth about everything.
*The Truth Hurts - Epilogue: After having the spell removed, Mike chooses to not report Danyel’s prank to spare Crystal, though Fawn gets some revenge for him.
*Compromise: Fitzpot visits Rayner, and tries to get him to agree not to mess with Mike; Rayner refuses, but agrees to wait for a short period of time, as his plans do not require him to do anything at the moment anyway.
*Randomness II: Characters have fun after it snows at Bardsworth.
*Revelations - Prologue: After the recent truth-spell incident, Mike has been thinking and decides to tell Crystal the truth about where he’s from. For his part, Kris had decided—after Mike insulted him while under the spell—to try to be more laid back.
*Revelations: Mike tells Crystal where he is from, and to his relief she believes him. She then tells him about her past, and how she is of noble descent. The two kiss and decide to date, though Crystal warns him that traditionally, elfin nobility does not like relationships between races or classes.

External links

Official site [http://bardsworth.com/]