- "We're a strange family"
—Grace, to Edward EGS Main Story Comic for 2005-04-27
The Verres household comprises Tedd, his father Edward, Tedd's girlfriend Grace, and their pet "cat" Jeremy. Tedd's mother, Edward's ex-wife Noriko, lives apart from them and has a younger son Van, who is therefore Tedd's unknown half-brother. They are related to the Kitsune family because Mrs. Kitsune is Noriko's sister. They are also connected to the Ravens (and thereby to Susan, Diane, Pandora, and Noah) because Adrian Raven was once close to Edward and Noriko and is Tedd's godfather.
Tedd[]
- Main article: Tedd
Tedd Drew Verres is a teenage Seer,[1][2] magically powerful and insightful[3][4], as well as intelligent and scientifically minded. He is gender-fluid, naturally androgynous-looking, and an enthusiast for magical transformation (of himself and consenting others). When Tedd is in a female form, she prefers feminine pronouns. (He prefers he and accepts they when Tedd's current form is unknown or for general reference.)[5] Tedd is a founding member of the main cast of EGS and is central to the web of relationships between them.
Once extremely shy and socially inept, with very few friends and subjected to bullying at school, Tedd has attained a great deal of confidence, in large part thanks to Elliot's protection and friendship, being entrusted with the Transformation gun, and Grace's understanding and acceptance.[6][7]
Edward[]
- Main article: Edward Verres
- "I am an endless barrel of exposition!"
—EGS Main Story Comic for 2008-11-26
Edward Verres is a wizard and an expert on the paranormal. He works for a shadowy agency of the United States government. Thanks to the respect he has earned from many powerful entities, his current job is Head of Paranormal Diplomacy.
Edward is divorced from Noriko and is now dating Lavender,[8][9], whom he recently proposed to.[10]
Mr. Verres is sometimes annoyed by the antics of Tedd, Grace and their friends (the main group) but he cares deeply for them. He has given Grace a permanent home despite not originally intending to,[11] and he was moved out of his original job in paranormal investigation for his actions in defending Nanase from Abraham.[12]
Edward is troubled by Tedd being in girl form.[13] Tedd seems to feel that his father does not accept his gender-fluid identity.[14] This might be typical of many of Edward's generation and seems the simplest explanation. Other fan theories[15] include that Edward disapproves of frivolous or sexual use of magical transformation, that Edward is concerned that female transformations arise from Tedd's issues with the loss of his mother, or that Tedd's increased resemblance to Noriko when in female form[16][17] reminds Edward painfully of his ex-wife.
There are also other difficulties in the relationship between Edward and Tedd. Edward, given his and Noriko's magical power, expected Tedd to inherit this potential but was surprised to get a zero reading when testing Tedd as a baby.[18][19][20] Edward realizes that Tedd's loss of his mother was connected with his social withdrawal as a boy, and keeps significant secrets from Tedd to avoid reminding him of this pain.[21] Tedd, for his part, seems not to have discussed his gender identity with his father, though they have at some point acknowledged that Tedd is a Seer.[22] Edward does not seem to have properly discussed his divorce with Tedd, leaving Tedd somewhat uncertain but partly blaming himself[23] and at times his mother.[24][25]
Edward and Tedd also champion different sides in the comic's long-running debate over whether magic should be kept secret (Edward) or known and shared widely (Tedd).[26][27]
Grace[]
- Main article: Grace Sciuridae
Grace Sciuridae is a teenage, shape-shifting, human/alien/squirrel hybrid born in the Project Lycanthrope laboratory.[28] After a confined and traumatic childhood, she escaped and sought help from Tedd, having read in a local paper of his creating the Goo and concluding that his knowledge of weird science might be useful.[29] Tedd was eager to help and shelter her.[30] Edward recognized her from his infiltration of Project Lycanthrope[30][28] and honored his promise to look after her, by giving her a home with himself and Tedd[31][32] (in consultation with Dr. Sciuridae, Grace's 'grandfather').[33]
Grace is a naturally loving and open person, and soon came to regard Edward as like a father,[34] though Tedd is her boyfriend rather than like a brother. She deeply appreciates Edward's assistance and wants to repay what he gives her.[35][36] She has also become close friends with many of the main cast (and advocates expanding the group to selected others such as Rhoda[37]).
Tedd and Grace became a couple soon after meeting[38] and their relationship deepened into love.[39][40] More than one character has referred to them as 'practically married'.[41][42] Grace knows Tedd better than anyone does, including Tedd himself,[43] and her acceptance has enabled him to accept himself and grow as a person.[40][44][7] Tedd's love likewise helps Grace cope with her own self-doubt and trauma. There was a tension between Edward's determination not to allow the relationship between the two teens to become sexual and Grace's innocent habit of snuggling up with Tedd and falling chastely asleep.[45][46] This seems to have stopped being an issue and it may be that Edward understands and accepts their affection.[47] Being part-Uryuom, Grace may naturally tend to be polyamorous and/or asexual,[48] and she often wishes for herself and/or Tedd to extend their affection to other close friends.[49] Tedd seems to get his libido more involved in emotional and physical closeness, and to feel it is proper to remain monogamous.[50][51]
Jeremy[]
- Main article: Jeremy
Jeremy, also known as "The Creature Nature Never Intended,"[52] is basically a cat with hedgehog spines. Jeremy is Tedd's pet that Mr. Verres brought home one day. Jeremy likes catnip and is fond of Susan, and if Grace's Jeremy form is any indication, should be pretty powerful himself. Jeremy weighs 30 pounds and is about three feet long. Jeremy has high intelligence for an animal, as he is able to open locked doors as long as they don't require a key, and was able to find Susan during Grace's party even though she was gender-switched. Jeremy's bite strength has been shown to be capable of opening canned cat food.[53]
Adrian Raven has been shown to own a similar creature named Max,[54] which may reflect his past connection to the Verres family.
Estranged family: Noriko and Van[]
Noriko[]
Noriko (whose current surname may or may not be Verres) is Tedd's absent mother, who is reportedly now in Europe.[55] According to Agent Wolf, she is a legendary monster hunter, powerful enough to defeat Not-Tengu in a fair fight, with a long family history of fighting monsters and evil wizards.[56] Pandora confirms the long line of monster hunters and adds that she is wizard.[57]
Taken together, the references to Noriko's long line of monster hunters,[57] to Nanase's great power[18][58] and 'royal' status or 'blood of queens',[59][60] and Tedd's own power[61][4][62] suggest that Noriko's ancestry (shared with her sister and their children) brings great magical potential[20] and, in the terms of the first half of this universe, royal status. This has not been explicitly confirmed though.
About twenty years ago (before Tedd's conception), Noriko sustained severe injuries, apparently in a fight with a monster which attacked her with burning claws, scarring one side of her face and causing her to lose some or all sight in one eye. She concealed the injury by constant use of an enchantment that restored her appearance and her sight.[63][64] Even Edward was unaware of the injury or the change to her unenchanted appearance.[65] When she later carried the unborn Tedd she was under enchantment most or all of the time,[65] and it has been speculated that this may have increased Tedd's naturally-considerable magical potential. When Van met Tedd and Arthur he said that his mother needed magic,[66] which may mean that she is still regularly enchanting herself and Van knows.
Noriko tested the infant Tedd for magical ability often enough to make Tedd afraid of the sound of the magic analysis wand.[20] Of course, the results were false-negative, because Tedd resisted the scary wand.[62] Noriko was surprised and dismayed by Tedd's apparent lack of magic, and discussed this with her mentor Adrian Raven.[20][62]
Noriko left Edward and Tedd some time after Tedd learned to speak[67] but apparently before Tedd befriended Elliot. She and Edward are now divorced, and she has seen very little of Tedd since leaving.[25]
Van[]
Van[68] is Noriko's son, but not Edward's - he is referred to as Tedd's half-brother.[69] Van seems to be living in Europe with Noriko, because he threatened Arthur and Tedd with her and because, when Van first spoke, Tedd thought he was British.[70] Although Tedd and Arthur met Van (who is also a Seer) during the seers' consultation with the Will of Magic, neither was present for the revelation that he was Tedd's half-brother, and there has been no indication that any of the American cast are aware that Noriko has another son.
Extended family: The Kitsunes[]
- Main article: The Kitsunes
Noriko has a sister, unnamed in the comics but referred to as Mrs. Kitsune because she is mother to Nanase Kitsune, who is therefore Tedd's cousin. According to Not-Tengu, Nanase is the spitting image of her aunt Noriko.[17] The father of this family is presumably called Mr. Kitsune, and there is a second daughter called Akiko.
In the years before the comic timeline started, Edward and Tedd seem to have seen little of the Kitsunes, so Edward had trouble recognizing Nanase when he first met her in-comic.[71] Nanase was aware of Tedd and his withdrawn state after his mother's departure, though she did not know him well, so it appears that the cousins at least did see each other occasionally.[72][7]
Nanase, although as far as we know not the rest of her family, is now back in regular touch. She goes to Moperville South High School with Grace, and socializes and participates in adventures with Grace, Tedd and others of the main cast. Her relationship with Tedd is improving from an early phase where he seemed to find her presence awkward[73] and referred to her as his 'ugly cousin'.[74][75] (The 'ugly cousin' label was strange; many characters see Nanase as strikingly attractive, as Tedd knows.[18] Theories on the reason for Tedd's attitude include that he did find Nanase attractive but was disturbed by this because of their blood relationship,[75] that Tedd was uncomfortable because of Nanase's resemblance to his lost mother Noriko,[17] or that, before accepting his own androgynous looks and gender-fluidity, Tedd was disturbed to see a girl with a resemblance to him.)
Nanase relies (with some reluctance)[76] on her uncle Edward and his contacts as backup in dangerous situations and for advice on paranormal issues.[77] She has so far followed his counsel not to tell Tedd things she has learned about Noriko for fear of triggering Tedd's withdrawn behavior again.[7] His attitude may also be a factor in why she has not confronted her mother with her suspicions about her awareness of magic.[21][78]
No recent contact between Mrs. Kitsune and Noriko or the Verres household has been shown in the comic. In a non-continuity Q&A comic, Mrs. Kitsune was shown angrily denying that she even had a sister, implying that she and Noriko are estranged.[79] Mrs. Kitsune feels sorry for Tedd[72] and is protective of him (albeit via Nanase rather than in person),[80] which could fit with her being angry at Noriko for leaving Tedd. However, Mrs. Kitsune is capable of adopting a misleading manner, because to most people (including Nanase) she falsely pretends to know nothing of magic or the paranormal.[81][82]
According to Pandora, Mrs. Kitsune could have been as powerful as Noriko if she had tried.[57]
References to meetings between the young Nanase and Tedd during Tedd's withdrawn phase may imply that the Verres and the Kitsunes visited after the divorce, and Mrs. Kitsune has been shown speaking to an agent of Edward's department,[81] but there is no on-panel evidence for contact between her and Edward directly. She does appear to trust him because she recommended Nanase rely on him.[83] According to Nanase, Mrs. Kitsune dislikes Adrian Raven.[84]
Akiko and especially Mr. Kitsune have appeared little in the comic and there is no additional evidence for their relationship with the Verres.
God-family: The Ravens[]
- Main article: The Ravens
Adrian Raven taught Edward and Noriko at school, and became their paranormal mentor, encouraging Noriko's monster-hunting career. He remained close to them after they married, stood godfather to Tedd,[20] and was to have taught Tedd magic.[57] However, he blames himself for encouraging Noriko to put her work before her family, leading to her and Edward's separation and divorce.[85] (Although he has been shown reminding Noriko that Tedd would always be her son[20], and Pandora blames Edward for cutting ties with Adrian.)[86]) Adrian also says it is his fault there was no chance of a reconciliation.[85] He subsequently spent several years without contacting Edward or Tedd, leaving Tedd unaware of their connection.[87][88] (There is no information about any contacts between Adrian and Noriko or other members of the extended family in this period.) He still regards the Verres as important though, and has what appears to be a framed photograph of himself with Noriko and Edward on view in his home.[89][90] Adrian wishes to protect Tedd's feelings and interests, feeling that he has caused him enough pain.[91][92][85]
Adrian called Edward for the first time in years to discuss how to deal with the giant boar and they had a strained but civilized conversation.[93] Adrian began to apologize for his past conduct, but Edward ended the conversation.[94]
Adrian detected Grace's power the day she started at Moperville South High School, where Raven is still a teacher.[95][96] He thereafter took an interest in her, as he does with other magically gifted students (including Ellen, Rhoda and Nanase). He took Grace with him to tackle the boar. He is, however, wary of his urge to recruit young proteges into a powerful anti-monster force (mindful of his mistakes with Edward and Noriko).[90]
Adrian's immortal mother Pandora considers Tedd and Grace, along with Adrian's descendants such as Susan and Diane, to be her family and takes a fiercely protective interest in them.[97][98][99][87][100] Tedd met Pandora before her refresh and called her 'godmother'.[101]
Like Pandora, Tedd considers the godparent relationship to transmit a familial connection, and regards Susan and Diane as family, although in Diane's case Tedd came to this realization on the day she met her, up to which point she thought of Diane as no more than a friend of a friend.[102]
Adrian has also adopted (at least informally) Noah,[103] but appears to be taking steps to conceal their relationship from Grace and possibly therefore from the rest of the Verres family.[89]
Practically in-laws: Lycanthrope survivors[]
Grace was born in Project Lycanthrope. Alongside her were born Hedge, Guineas, and Vladia,[28] who Grace considers her siblings. Involved in the project as a scientist was Dr. Sciuridae.[104] Because some of Grace's DNA came from a sample from Dr. Sciuridae's late daughter, the original Grace Sciuridae,[105] Grace regards the original Grace as her mother and Dr. Sciuridae as her grandfather. It was Dr. Sciuridae who asked Edward to take care of Grace when he knew that he was moving to investigate Project Lycanthrope.[11] Also providing DNA for Grace and Vladia, and eggs for them plus Hedge and Guineas, was Mr. Guyur, who Grace considers to have been her father, though he was killed before Grace knew the extent of their connection.[106]
Hedge, Guineas, and Vladia live in a government paranormal research facility (as of Grace's 18th birthday), and look forward to eventual release.[107][108]
There is no indication that the other members of the Verres family feel a family connection to the Project Lycanthrope survivors, though Edward recognizes his obligation to Dr. Sciuridae arising from their deal.
Other Verres family connections[]
William and Gillian[]
- Main article: William and Gillian
William and Gillian are two USA-born Uryuoms who sought Edward's help to modify some uryuom technology to enable them to look like humans.[109] Tedd, in his first step out of his withdrawn phase, offered to help.[110] This was how Tedd first got hold of the uryuom technology that he modified into the transformation gun.[111] William and Gillian visited the Verres every few months for a few years to check up on the progress of Tedd's project.[112] On their last visit, they had with them an egg that they had created together.[113]
References[]
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-01-28
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-06-28
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-01-06
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-07-05
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2019-03-15
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-07-10
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-09-10
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-01-12
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2019-05-03
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2022-09-07
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-08-19
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2010-01-19
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-01-27
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2015-01-16
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/elgoonishshive/comments/pykmsq/why_is_edward_negative_about_tedds_girl_forms/
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-07-16
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-07-11
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-07-06
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-07-09
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-07-20
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-08-27
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2019-03-06
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2020-08-05
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2020-09-02
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2021-03-08
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2014-03-10
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2020-07-09
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-03-17
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-02-11
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-02-17
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-02-19
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-08-19
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-06-07
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2005-04-27
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-11-19
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-03-12
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2020-07-29
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-03-24
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-09-13
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-01-29
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2014-07-25
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-08-01
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-05-14
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2006-08-07
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-05-25
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-05-27
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-07-05
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-06-14
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2020-09-18
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-03-28
- ↑ EGS:NP Comic for 2019-08-23
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2002-02-27
- ↑ EGS Sketchbook Comic for 2002-07-04
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-12-22
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-04-28
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-08-22
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-07-14
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2014-03-10
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2015-11-16
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-03-11
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-01-06
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-07-17
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2020-05-27
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2021-01-11
- ↑ 65.0 65.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2021-03-10
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2018-02-02
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-09-23
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2018-01-26
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2018-02-28
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2018-01-24
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-01-01
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-08-11
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-08-15
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-01-20
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2007-02-12
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-04-11
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-06-28
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-09-09
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2010-01-28
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-08-19
- ↑ 81.0 81.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2009-12-01
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2019-08-26
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2013-05-02
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2008-07-02
- ↑ 85.0 85.1 85.2 EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-01-20
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-01-02
- ↑ 87.0 87.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-07-12
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2021-01-18
- ↑ 89.0 89.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-12-09
- ↑ 90.0 90.1 EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-12-13
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-01-05
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2012-01-09
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-11-17
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-11-22
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2008-04-09
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2011-12-01
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-07-18
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-07-29
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2016-08-01
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2018-02-02
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2017-08-04
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2021-02-01
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2018-07-11
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-02-14
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-03-12
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-03-15
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2004-06-20
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2005-04-29
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-09-16
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-09-18
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-09-24
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-09-25
- ↑ EGS Main Story Comic for 2003-09-08