Chapter 2: Page 19
As this week’s post further demonstrates, the dynamics of the core Sratha-din go beyond simply “loyal to Hardin.” Each member of the group has a different relationship with one other, because each member comes from a completely different Ermehn tribe and has their own value set.
Something we set out to do in Beyond the Western Deep was to make the different races feel unique from the other races of the world, but also to try and make sure that the characters within each race also felt distinct from the characters within their own race. So while all Ermehn may exhibit specific tendencies on a certain scale, we want to make sure we show Ermehn with characteristics that span the whole scale.
We didn’t want all Ermehn (or Polcan, or Canid, or Vulpin) all to boil down to “murderous thugs” or “opportunistic savages,” even though other races may view them as such. We all have our prejudices in the real world, and the world of the Western Deep is no different. As in the real world, there are extremes to groups of people, societies, countries, religions, organizations, etc that we come to conclusions about based on the actions of the comparative few. The truth of the matter is always more complex than we make it out to be, which is why telling this tale from two extreme viewpoints is so interesting to us.
And of course, she gets a bullseye without even trying.
Oh man, Bevan, you’ve just been beat. Sorry. Rosyn also looks so insulted to have her victory stolen from her, haha. But she has great aim. Would say something about the lovely morality comment in the authors’ notes, but I’m too tired to add anything coherent, so I’ll just leave as is.
I would argue that shooting is easier than throwing. Bevan would probably be at least as good if he were using his bow.
Also, Rhosyn is totally not into Rathik.
Don’t be trying to amass an armada yet, tronn.
My 500-page epic depicting a love triangle between Rhosyn, Bevan,and Eyebrows McGee won’t be denied!
the first ‘ship may have just set sail
There are multiple movies that fit that criteria. Though if Rathik begins singing the The Ninja Rap, it’s time for me to take a sabbatical.
Now he just needs the Bravo sunglasses. He’s already got the crap-eating grin.
Kudos for nuance!
Flowers for Algernon?
Love this page. At first I wasn’t clear on why the two females were trading such a look in the first panel over a mere summoning of Bev by Hardin, but the reason(s) quickly emerge as the page goes on. If Quin had Crim to contend with in Chapter One, it looks like the “ladies” here have a similar foil in Rathik – except, of course, I’m sure Rathik would not hesitate to engage in behavior which would make even Crim quail. Then again, Rathik’s dealing with females who are on his own cultural and battle-trained level, so I’m sure they’re able to give as good as they get.
Also gotta comment on Bev’s casual picking of the toeclaws with his dagger in panel two. Again, that’s the kind of little throwaway detail that could never take place in a human-based story, and helps underscore that these are animal characters inhabiting their own unique universe apart from our own. Just hope he’s careful with that blade – Hardin doesn’t need a lamed and limping follower!
Addendum: No, wait – Bev’s grip on the dagger handle isn’t right. Is he supposed to have *caught* the falling blade in his toes??? Or did he just pick it up from the ground that way? Either way, again, something you’d never see in a comic with human characters.
He’s picking up the dagger Rathik made him drop, yes. It’s actually something I do with small objects sometimes. X)
Same. It’s also funner to kick lightswitches off instead of flick them, karate sound effects included. Just saying. :u
Acomment on the weaponry, specifically the crossbow: it looks a little too short, if it was brought to the shoulder it would be very uncomfortable to get into the correct aiming position. then again if you’re that good firing from the hip, why raise it to the shoulder anyways?
That may be so – drawing crossbows is a new thing for me. I’ll just keep up the researchin’ and hopefully they’ll get better as I go.
It may simply have been made for someone shorter than Roshyn.
Shooting through armor and causing ha-voc!
Rhosyn: “I’m Batman!”
That’s Ermehn crossbow technology for you: You don’t even have to look or take aim at what you are shooting, just point and click!
This was supposed to be a reply to Koranos
So does Rathik fit the “Friend Nobody Likes” trope? The two females’ reactions don’t seem to make it look like they like him much, plus there was his conversation with Ashtor…
Eira was attempting to hit on Bevan and Rosyn was trying to kick his tail before Rathik removed their shared target and sat in his place, going “hey, what’s up?” So even if they’re fond of him I can see how they’d be a little miffed at the moment.
Heh, I thought Bevan was picking his toenail with that dagger too at first. But yeah, it’s a really adorable little detail that adds so much personality to him. All the members of Hardin’s troupe get more and more characteristics added to them – I really look forward to seeing more of these ermines!
Also love Rathik’s apparent hitting on these two fems. Rhosyn’s casual firing of that crossbow (hitting the bullseye without even looking? She really must be the best shot in the group!) is clear statement that he should keep his paws off her, however, and considering her skills I’d say he’d be wise to take the point.
You also make a great point about showing the diversity within all these species as well as between them, and how they’re not all variations on a single stereotype. I always feel it’s important to establish in these kind of stories that its characters are individuals first and members of a species a distant second. I am open to the idea that each species might have inherited traits that can have an effect on behaviour and predisposition, but that they’re a minor influence that doesn’t determine their entire personality, and that upbringing and their own free choices are just as important.
Roshyn reminds me of Haley Starshine from The Order of the Stick so much it’s not even funny. And that’s why I think she’s awesome.
Well, that and the deadpan “Oh, come on, not this **** again” look on her face. As I have said previously, I love snarky characters. Probably because I’m like that myself.
Something tells me…..tread carefully rathik
Somebody remind me to not make Rhosyn angry.