Chapter 2: Page 30
((Note from Alex: To make sure we have time to get everything ready for the upcoming book printing, including tweaked page art, the cover, convention banner art, etc., we may need to punt a few pages down the line in the coming weeks. The posts we put up would be similar to those in between Chapters 1 and 2, with original artwork and some historical background.
If there’s anything you’d like to see us post about, feel free to ask in the comments and we’ll see what we can do! So, next week there may not be a page, but there would be a post and some new artwork to check out. Thanks for your patience, and we’re confident it will all be worth the wait — both for the book and the new pages!))
This week we finally get a glimpse inside Deltrada Garrison! The Canid are a regimental lot, but none moreso than those living along the harsh border between Aisling and the Northern Wastes. When you’re told that your garrison is the most likely target for an Ermehn attack, that has a way of changing one’s daily routine. Factor in a visit from powerful Canid brass and you can imagine tensions are running a bit high within those walls.
Not a whole lot else to talk about this week! One quick note, though: we’re absolutely loving the comments and discussion going on with each page! We’d love to be able to respond to all of the wonderful speculation you’ve all been laying out, though we do have to be careful not to reveal anything spoilerish. Just know that we read every single comment and we’re super-grateful that you’re all enjoying the story. Beyond the Western Deep may be well into its second chapter, but the story has just begun!
This week, we have a bit of surprise guest art from Jerome Jacinto! Turns out that between some other projects, his doodling has started to materialize into characters from Beyond the Western Deep! The first result of this awesome free-drawing: a new take on Dakkan!
I’ve said it countless times before, but one of my favorite elements of guest art comes from seeing other creators draw our characters in their own unique styles. Jerome’s painterly strokes and very cool layout decisions have yielded a fun new take on our favorite walking diplomatic incident. This was a most pleasant surprise this week, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it isn’t the last of these impromptu character pieces!
Thanks so much, Jerome!
Well, the garrison looks welcoming, as always! Walking in on a mass of sparring Canid seems like a good way to unsettle anyone or show them what they’re getting into, and I don’t think Quinlan and Dakkan are any different. The first time Dakkan tries to crack a joke– if he dares– is going to be an awkward one, and Quinlan better find a way to look more aggressive or poised; he’s going to get himself labeled as someone with Omega attitude if he isn’t careful.
Kenosh will be fine.
Kenosh will be much more than fine, with his personality, he could be given the title of “honorary canid”
I still think his Ermehn sympathies/quick temper in that specific matter will/can cause trouble, because it wont’ sit well with Kenosh if the Canid are looking for an excuse to wipe out the Ermehn. It’s just so great that they all have such a huge chance of screwing up- I can’t wait until hell breaks loose.
very true, but I think Kenosh is respected enough among all the races to be able to state his opinions on just about anything without causing problems as long as he doesn’t pull a Dakkan
You done pulled a Dakkan, son. There’s no fixin’ this now. *pushes up rim of straw hat*
Right in his cast bio- respected =/= liked. Remember, Dabheid had to reign him in back in Chapter One. If Kenosh gets that worked up again, I highly doubt the Canid will be as forgiving- especially if the exchange takes place in the wake of Hardin’s attack.
Awesome Guest Art From Jerome Is Even More Awesome Than Usual!
As for our first glimpse inside Deltrada, my first reaction was that this scene of drilling parallels the Tesque practice we saw in Sunsgrove last chapter. Maybe the Canid are on the whole grimmer and more militaristic, but then again, maybe the different races aren’t so very different from each other after all?
I hope Tesque practice would present a lower risk of having you muzzle caved into your brain.
The Deltrada canid definitely don’t abide by the universally unwritten rule of the friendly mêlée: “I Prithee, Sir! Not the Face!”.
I love how in that first panel, Kenosh is holding his hand out while Dakkan retrieves the document from his pack. His expression is perfect- the curve of his eyebrow really says it all.
I assume that missive Dakkan had to retrieve is from the Sunsgrovian rulers, being as this is an impromptu visit? Or was a messenger bird sent ahead of them?
The lack of dialogue really brings the tension to life.
And we enter the Big Scary Fortress, *Look, Dad! No diplomatic incidents… for now…* and see the trainees going at it. With staves- probably the basic training level for the spears we see the Canid wielding, but it leads me to a question I have been meaning to ask- is Dakkan’s staff a typical Lutren weapon or is it something unique to him because of his *ahem* aversion to blood?
I really like how that last shot is framed between Dakkan and Quinlan. And how in the very back corner, we see a sense of non-military life.
One of the things I like about Quin is that he fills the role of the Watson, a role that would usually go to the Hero’s laid-back best friend. I really appreciate that a non-Idiot Hero protagonist fills that role for once.
I imagine next we’re going to meet Clovis or Tosch, if not both. Gosh there’s so many ways this could go wrong- between the WDI, Kenosh’s Ermehn sympathies/inability to keep his temper on said matter, Quin’s general cluelessness (I predict more “And this is the guy the Tamian have chosen as the Captain?”) and Hardin choosing to attack the same day the envoy arrives.. no, this will not end well at all, precious…
*Did I say “possibly” rising body count? aha, I take it back. DEFINITELY rising body count.
I also really liked Kenosh’s expression in the first panel. His face looks slightly more stern than in the previous couple pages and gives me an overall impression of silent determination.
The staff is indeed a Dakkan-specific element. Most Lutren soldiers wield swords or spears, but Dakkan is not keen on the sight of blood and has settled on the staff as his weapon of choice for that reason.
Agreed, I like the same elements as you, and additionally the husky-looking fellow at the gates – the canid seem to have more variance than other races just like dogs in our world.
Also, the official death pool odds:
-Bevan 1:2
-Ashtor 1:3
-Eira 1:4
-Rathik 1:5
-Rhosyn 1:5
-Kenosh 1:8
Sorry, Bevan. Things aren’t looking too good for you.
Hmm, I don’t think Bevan is done yet. There’s too much not known about his character to kill him off so soon. Same with Eira, Rathik and Rhosyn. Ashtor won’t take place in the fighting (being an ancient) so he’s on the safe path… naw, I think Kenosh is the one with his head on the chopping block – though I don’t wish for it because I like the grumpy ol’ otter.
Bevan might not have an X on his back now, but once we’ve seen more of his backstory, he may get a death rattle yet. And Kenosh is my favorite grumpy otter, so I don’t like to think of the possibility of him dying, though it’s highly probable.
If the Canid ever decided to invent rugby odds are they would be pretty good at it. They could be the Almost All Blacks.
Re: Content of Intermission Posts:
If you have any sketches of Lutren art or their written language I would quite like to see that.
Well, I’m disappointed. Rachel didn’t draw every single stone in the battlements this time. :P (I’m joking, of course!!!)
Anyways, as always, this is a great page and the expressions/mannerisms of the characters make up for any lack of dialogue and perhaps convey the emotions/tensions than any words could. Like others, I LOVE Kenosh’s expression in the first panel. The held up hand (‘Hello, I’m waiting”) and the raised eyebrow (“What is taking you so long, Dakkan?”) are perfect insights into his character and you can see the hints of stress a veteran warrior has when in the presence of the Canid. You get the impression that you can’t screw up around these guys.
Dakkan’s facial features are rather reserved for him, but who surprised me most is Quinlan. In the first frame, he actually sheds that laid back, nervous cloak he’s been wearing and looks confident and, dare I say it, bold. You can definitely feel that Quin is the type to rise to occasions, and foreshadows a bit of his bravery that is sure to come (perhaps a flicker of Caldus – or even Quin’s mysterious father – coming out in him there).
… But, that glimmer of heroism is quickly squashed by the mass that is the Deltrada Garrison and the sparring Canid. Even as they pass through the gates, Kenosh looks a little wary and Dak is like h**y s**t, so it’s not surprising that Quin shrinks back into his shell of angst.
My favourite panel… the last one. I can just imagine the looks on Dak and Quin’s faces and you know… when I first read the dialogue, /pups/ wasn’t the word that came to mind! But I’m not sure the Felis empire would like that phrase too much. :P
Well, looking forward to the forthcoming info pages. I can hope all I want to learn more about Quin and Dak’s background, but I know that’s not going to happen until the story calls for it, so I’ll be happy to learn anything about the four kingdoms that comes our way!
Great work and good luck getting ready for the book printing/convention!
Cheers and sharp quills,
FT
I find it interesting the they use both “human” words ( madman, ladies) and “animal” words (pups).
As Freya pointed out, we can only speculate what term the Felis military would use to motivate their young recruits… ;)
As always, an awesome page. Wing told me earlier that the way Kenosh reaches for the scroll so naturally segues into the panel where the Canid soldier is reading it without any need for additional panels. It all fits together perfectly.
Let’s see what awaits them now that they’re finally inside…
“Let’s see what awaits them now that they’re finally inside…”
An enthusiastic performance of the traditional Canid welcoming song and dance number ‘My Tail Surely Wags for You, New Friend!’ with accordion and slide whistle accompaniment.
And a kazoo solo from that one Canid who doesn’t walk straight ever since he got nailed in the head with a brick that fell from the top of the fortress. You gotta have a kazoo.
and definitely a banjo
Awesome as usual!
>When you’re told that your garrison is the most likely target for an Ermehn attack, that has a way of changing one’s daily routine
And, I would have hoped, the security measures. For example, I noticed that there’s only 1 layer of passive security: the doors.
Also, the doors were open before the travelers’ credentials were checked.