Enchanted (comic story)

Enchanted was a story arc in Grace Crowley's webcomic The Bare Pit which crossed over with another webcomic, Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan.

It was written and illustrated by Reinder Dijkhuis, the creator of Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan, and mentioned Jenny Everywhere (who had previously visited the setting in COMIC: Ghost Story).

The story's visuals are heavily NSFW, although the actual storyline is otherwise family-friendly.

A quiet day at the Koala Bay Bares Naturist Resort is interrupted by the appearance of Sven Allestädes‏‎, who Loxie and Tash immediately mistake for their local nuisance Tex Tyler, who once infiltrated the resort under the name Sven, affecting a Swedish accent and wearing a blond wig and mustache. Once this is sorted out Sven explains he is here to see Mungo.

After a quick explanation of Abúi’s situation Sven dismisses both gadgets and Jenny Everywhere as unreliable and resolves to see her home himself. Tash is surprised and delighted to discover Abúi is literally, not figuratively, a fairy and magical creature; this leads to her accidentally shifting out with them as they go.

Upon arrival Tash is disoriented and Sven has gotten separated from the others, but Abúi keeps her wits about her and soon they find Sven with Gog and Mim, two local gnomes. Abúi explains this is not her world and Tash tries and fails to come to terms with being in another world at all. This is interrupted by the arrival of Puddle the Troll, who brings a report of a “weirdy thing” that is perplexing local residents. The artifact turns out to be Sven’s shorts, which are claimed by an elf named Erman, despite the skepticism of Sprite and Jai-jai, and despite his obvious ignorance of what they are. After some experimentation Erman figures out how to wear shorts, which offends Puddles The troll rips them into pieces each of which turns into another pair of shorts. Erman grabs them and runs off.

Back at Gog and Mim’s mushroom, Tash is feeling much better and Sven explains to the others that his magical underpants will become whatever outfit the wearer imagines. Everyone agrees this would be destabilizing to the world.

Meanwhile Erman is selling ‘stylish hip wrappers’ and discovers the transformation magic. An instant fad develops.

Jai-Jai goes to get Sprite and discovers that not only does Sprite have a garment but she is acting very strangely. The magical clothes somehow influence locals with new clothing related ideas such as fashion, concealment, and modesty. After persuasion they discover that the effects fade once the clothes are removed.

But the clothing glamour has already affected the local king, who decrees a public parade – clothing mandatory! This enrages Puddle, who charges off to thump Erman. The fairies Abúi and Jai-Jai fly after him to stop the thumping but Erman is not grateful and tries to have them arrested by the King’s Guard.

Back at the mushroom Sprite’s disenchantment efforts have not been working. After discussion they realize they need another original garment – Sven’s socks. This does the trick and all of the wrappers disappear. Suddenly naked again, a mob of townsfolk pursues Erman, seeking refunds and/or thumping.

After everything settles down, Abúi decides to try getting home via magic from this world and Sven returns Tash to her home universe. Back home Tash has trouble finding adults who believe in visits to other worlds and the magical antics of fae creatures, but that her friend Janet has mutual acquaintances.

Worldbuilding

Universes

The story starts in the Koala Bay universe and moves on to another; Abúi does not get to her home in this tale.

Continuity

Sven looks exactly like Tex Tyler’s disguise of "Sven" but no reason is ever given.
This story follows directly from COMIC: Incognito.
Abui and Sven are seen at the Koala Bay Bears resort again in COMIC: The Nicest Place in the Universe.

Behind the scenes

Read online

Enchanted was originally available on the Bare Pit website. Although this webcomic is now offline, it remains available on the Internet Archive.