Chapter 1: Page 42
This week, Janik is changing the subject to more acceptable paths of conversation. Quinlan is obviously none too happy with how things transpired during the fight, but he’s got more important things to worry about now – like the long and dangerous road ahead!
As Janik says, Crim’s dislike of Quinlan is partially rooted in the power struggle for the Captaincy of the Royal Guard – a prestigious position that carries with it the respect of all cultures of the Four Kingdoms. Most Tamian never even leave the Western Deep, so the idea of a post that puts them into direct contact with the other kingdoms of the world is an exotic, enviable post for Tamian with adventure in their hearts. Obviously Quinlan would rather stay at home or sit in the wilds of the Western Deep and draw in his sketchbook, but those idle times are past.
No fanart this week, but Rachel did whip up a wonderful little Christmas doodle for her blog: Quinlan and Dakkan exploring a winter wonderland in their formative years. Dakkan, ever the adventurer, is perfectly at home slip-sliding on the ice. Quinlan, ever the cautious soul, is perfectly at home on solid ground, testing the ice as he would a thin branch in the treetops. As Rachel says, don’t worry, Quin-‘ol-buddy! That ice is probably like five inches thick!
Next in line to be captain? How does that work? Didn’t Quin inherit the position from his grandfather?
Not quite – it was more his grandfather’s dying wish. The Captaincy is normally more of a merit thing than a hereditary thing.
I idly wondered about the unevenly shaped door when I saw it in last week’s post but it took until just now for the other shoe to drop. Is this pub inside a gigantic hollow tree?
It’s a real pity y’all only update one page a week ’cause I am so hooked on this story, it’s got some incredible characters, an awesome setting, and a rich, deep plotline obviously thought up by a genius.
Janik is a trooper when it comes to socializing; I think the three issue-hounded guys at the table would quickly dissolve into awkward territory without anyone to fish them out in the current situation. Dakkan would probably change the topic eventually, but I don’t think the transition would be very smooth. :P
As for the back of that Vulpine’s head in the background… I’m watching you, fox.
yeah, isn’t Janik an ambassador or something? that would probably explain it, plus from what it seems like she’s had to deal with Quin’s more anti-social behavior so she probably does this a lot.
I should mention that while I had doubts about Janik’s design when we last saw her by Quinlan’s side at the start of the comic, here she look great! I love her expressions, her pose, her look, everything about her. My favourite part is her awkward smile in the fifth panel. Really terrific job!
It’s also interesting to find out more about Quin’s captainhood, and how it relates to his conflict with Crim. Apparently, the big squirrel was “next in line” for the post but was overtaken by the dying wishes of Caldus. I’m curious about what “next in line” means here, since the post is apparently based on merit rather than heredity.
And it’s cool to see a bit more of the tavern. Even the bartender we can barely see in the distance looks cool – a somewhat heavyset Tamian with an eyepatch! I bet you could make an entire story about him too.
Finally (and I’m surprised no-one else has commented on this) the picture of Quin and Dak as kids on the ice is abso-freaking-lutely ADORABLE!!! Poor little Quin being nervous about walking out on the ice… I just want to pick him up and hug him again! I really love pics like this, Kobb, and I hope you’ll make more of them in the future!
I must say, I love the fact that Crim exists. It really helps a story’s verisimilitude when we see that there is good and bad in all of the groups. Quinlan and Janik are opposed by Crim for the Tamian, and later, when we meet the Ermehn, we see more examples of characters that appear to be generally good people. Dakkan and Bevan would get along famously if they ever met. Janik and Roshyn would make a good pair too. On the other hand, if you put the entire cast in a single room, the only person that Crim might get along well with is Clovis. And that is not something to be proud of. I appreciate this sort of thing because of how well it depicts the inner humanity (sentientanity? anthroanity?) of everyone in the world. And I hope that Dakkan and Quinlan are joined by several other people of other BVD races on their quests to further illustrate this idea.