Chapter 1: Page 39
WHOK!
It would seem that Crim got a little too aggressive trying to take back the fight from Quinlan, inviting some grade-A Tamian acrobatics and a well-placed kick to the talking-parts! As with any Tesque battle, the tides can turn in an instant, and Quinlan has demonstrated with his final moves that the most important thing to do is maintain calm, and to not let one’s emotions get the better of them. If there was a fourth tenet, you can bet that would be it!
This week, in addition to Quinlan’s bout-ending roundhouse kick, we’ve got yet another awesome surprise for you! In lieu of fan-art, we have received not one, but TWO fan musical compositions! Jacob Kingzett out of Ohio sent us these two amazing pieces of music based on the world of the Western Deep, and now we get to share them with you!
This first piece is called Variations on a Theme From the Deep, and contains a number of different thematic elements interplaying, representing a number of the different races and kingdoms across the Four Kingdoms: https://soundcloud.com/musingfornoreason/variations-on-a-theme-from-the
The second piece Jacob sent our way is a wonderful little ditty called Lutren Seas, which sounds like it would fit right in on a Lutren vessel sailing the open seas along the western coasts: https://soundcloud.com/musingfornoreason/lutren-seas
I really am just blown away by these pieces, Jacob! Rachel and I love them – it’s the first time music has been written for the world of the Western Deep, and hopefully it won’t be the last!
HAHA! YES! SUCK IT, CRIM! NOT SO TOUGH NOW, ARE YOU?!
But yay, Quin won :3 And now we can move on to the plot! I wonder what Crim’s going to be like the next time we meet him. Is he going to be bitter? Will he be humbler or more respectful?
This page was intense; I’m glad to see more of Quinlan’s acrobatics and expert side. Also, I’m amazed by the music sent in– I’ve never heard of *literal* musical fanart before, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.
Yum yum, humble pie. Crim just got served a pretty big slice. By Quin’s foot. Straight to his mouth, nice to be direct.
Yeah yeah, another great page. It’s great to see such versatility in the art so early in the story. There are some comics where you just keep waiting for the awesome action sequences, but they never come – so I’m glad you guys aren’t afraid to throw a few punches (and kicks!), and it makes me giddy to think there’s plenty more yet to come.
Also, hooyee! That is some amazing music. This may be the first time music has been written for the Western Deep, and it may very well be the first time music has been written as fanart for anything. Incredible. My hat’s off to you, Jacob from Ohio!
I never thought Quinlan would actually hit someone that hard. Quinlan seems like such a peaceful being.
This is the second week in a row that I’ll be double posting, but what instruments, if any, would these creatures have? I’m speaking of course in the broad term of all the races.
This actually is something we’ve discussed and is one of the development docs somewhere, heheh.
Each race does tend to have a preference for a certain musical sound, but between them they cover the basics. Pipes, drums, and stringed instruments are probably the most common overall. The Felis do have a particular fascination with complex machines that can make music, though.
I looked back at the old blog you had composed, but the only info about instruments was Dakkan plays the fiddle. I know this is such a petty topic to converse over; however, this comic is, for the moment, a plethora of musical motifs.. So, would modern day strings do? Or would more older instruments like the hurdy gurdy, viol, reed organs, and church organs, be the main modes of instrumental entertainment. Trying to be as authentic as I can.
Hi Jake! When it comes to the instruments, the Tamian would favor various flutes and whistles, and simple stringed instruments like the fiddle (which would have come from the Lutren).
The Lutren do enjoy their fiddling, but also employ horns made from shells. The
Canid favor drums and singing – military marches and whatnot, very deliberate pieces that are meant to either keep marching rhythm or evoke tales of past victories.
The Ermehn, with their limited resources, employ a multitude of small pipes and flutes, and are also heavily focused on percussion instruments, giving them an appropriately tribal feel. Their music isn’t so much about melody, and ranges from fast-paced to outright melancholy.
The Vulpin, being welcoming of all cultures, have no musical instrument identity purely their own aside from native choral pieces. Their gypsy population is partial to the fiddle and woodwinds, however.
The Felis are a bit of an open book – they are always interested in complex machinery with many hand-crafted bits and bobs, so we could see hammered dulcimers, clavichords, things like that.
Of course, this is just a summary – in reality, the instruments would be wide-ranging, with many variations, all over the Kingdoms (not just isolated to a specific race).
That’s surprising information. With all the adversity, animosity, and death, I wouldn’t think there was any musical art at all. Thanks for the info!
I noticed that in the previous page, the otter was holding onto the rope. That means he was controlling the tension and direction. I assume that he’s still holding on, which means that Crim was actually facing 2 characters, not 1.
I like Lutren Seas although it could use a little more melodic diversity, considering its length.
And so we get an great ending to the fight, with both squirrels displaying their impressive skill in acrobatics. Crim jumps directly down onto the rope while trying to punch his opponent, only for Quin to somersault over him and deliver a kick right to his rival’s noggin’! Now that’s awesome!
And it was even more awesome to know that someone has written music for BTWD! Now THAT is dedication, they’re both great, though as Zian said the Lutren shanty could’ve used a bit more diversity. But it’s so lovely to see a fan go to such length to show his love for the comic. Great job, Jacob!
It’s not at all a petty topic, Jake. Such seemingly small details give so much depth to the world and lets us know more about it. Like here, where Alex provided impressive info on the instruments and musical traditions of the races of the kingdoms. Very good concepts, especially how the Felis are fond more complex instruments (show-offs!) I did notice you didn’t mention the Polcan’s musical traditions, though. Given that they’re not native to the Four Kingdoms, maybe they possess their own unique instruments from across the sea?
*Dakkan in the background* “WHOOO YEAH QUIN PUNCH HIM AGAIN!”
(i REALLY live your webcomic so far your art is beautiful and your details in the world awesome!)
How about this for a Fourth Tenet, “An angry opponent is a dead/defeated opponent”?