Chapter 2: Page 31
And we’re back with a new page this week! We hoped you liked the little intermission posts — even though we only rely on them when things get very tight, it’s healthy to take a step back sometimes and just have some fun either building out the world (ala the “etiquette” post) or just having fun thought experiments with mash-ups we like (such as transplanting the Winter Olympics in the world of BWD like we did last week).
This week, though, we’re back with our main trio as they navigate Deltrada Garrison. The Canid have a very rigid command structure not too dissimilar to that we might see in a wolf pack. The “alphas” are the soldiers and warriors of Canid society — they are the high-born, and, barring unfortunate life events or unforeseen embarrassments that could mar their standing with their underlings, they generally stay in that strata for the rest of their lives. On the other hand, you have “omegas,” who generally handle the menial labor and are subservient to the alphas. While it is possible for omegas to become alphas and vice versa, many of these families remain static, devoting their lives to their trades over many generations.
The relationship between alphas and omegas in Canid society is not one of “superiority” and “inferiority” by any means. It’s more a matter of trust in your family lineage, and one’s ability to further the Canid cause. There are also castes within each tier, with higher-ranking omegas being entrusted with weapons and armor, and lower-level omegas forced into manual labor. Because the Canid are devoted to the notion of their entire race working as a well-oiled machine, they have no patience for those who coast by on family names alone. If a lazy Canid is born into a family of great alpha warriors stretching back to their origin myths, they’d still kick the lazy soldier down to ditch-digging if necessary. Good family names get you opportunities in Canid society, but one must produce results to succeed and maintain their standing.
A blacksmith, for example the fellow in panel 2, would be an omega — but to be a blacksmith at Deltrada Garrison suggests a certain degree of expertise in his craft. The blacksmith would have descended from a long line of blacksmiths, each doing their part to keep Deltrada Garrison well armed and armored. It is possible that alphas would go well out of their way to commission their weapons and armor from specific omegas, or travel great distances to visit restaurants or taverns run by Canid omegas, or commission Canid artists to paint or sculpt (these would also be omegas).
This week, we have a great bit of follow-up guest art from Veigue! Building off of the distinctly video gamey nature of the last submission, this new piece is a thought experiment on what special abilities four members of the Western Deep cast might have in a game like, say, in the Tales series of Japanese RPGs!
Thank you so much for the awesome follow-up piece, Veigue! Some of these specials look pretty devastating. For those who don’t understand the “limit break” reference, some RPGs have a gameplay mechanic that allows characters in your group to unleash incredible attacks at key moments in battle, usually when their health is low or you’ve accumulated enough damage over the course of many fights to build up a special gauge. In any case, these are usually the attacks that have the prettiest animations and particle explosion effects — hence the awesome elemental approach in Veigue’s art!
We’ve also got one last surprise for all of you! We received an email a few days ago asking if our NYCC postcard image could be made available as a desktop background for any BWD fans out there who want to see Quin/Dak/Hardin doing battle with their Google Chrome and Steam icons! So Rachel was kind enough to export the image in 4:3 and 16:9 formats (1900×1080 and 1900×1200). Enjoy!
16:9 Desktop Wallpaper
4:3 Desktop Wallpaper
I’m guessing that the different colored cloaks are like some kind of difference in rank, like red cloaks are Captains and yellow cloaks are Sergeants.
Cool. And the limit break reminds me of an anime and the Injustice game a bit.
Veigue! These crazy techniques are awesome!
If we spot omissions or errors in the comic would you prefer that we point them out here in the comments, point them out using some other method, or keep our damn, nitpicking mouths shut?
Haha, feel free to make comments here if you notice anything. We’re aware of the missing weapons though – those will be added in soon :)
Understood.
I see that poor grey and white canid continues to be mercilessly beaten about the face. The omega who digs the latrine trenches may live a life of endless drudgery but at least he won’t have to drink his meals through a straw for the next two months.
Five bucks says that the white-furred arrowboy (good-natured but a bit touched in the head) stumbles and gets chewed by captain; Dakkan steps in to defend him; diplomatic incidents and surprise friendship will be had.
Either that, or the general steps in to stop the captain from mauling squirrel-boy.
I support this spontaneous friendship that may or may not immediately cause awkwardness at the negotiation.
What? No beta wolves, delta wolves, and so on? Putting only the highest ranking and the lowest ranking wolf classes sounds quite odd!
Well, it’s based on the popular conception of wolf packs, which generally only include alpha, beta, and omega designations. Though based on my research, scientists have been questioning whether that’s actually a thing? At any rate, in the BWD universe it’s a very broad upper/lower class distinction, and there are strata within each. For instance, a well-known blacksmith is technically omega-caste, but he is probably among the most-respected omegas around. It probably wouldn’t even turn too many heads if he dared to give an order to a low-ranking alpha, especially one who is young.
Also worth noting: Canid society recognizes the importance of both major castes and claims that none is valued over the other. In practice, though, many alphas have a bit of a superiority complex and may or may not be good at hiding it. Omegas do have full rights as citizens and can get the law involved when those rights are infringed, however. And the best way to command respect (alpha or omega) is to be good at your job.
I think the first panel sums up all of Deltrada in a nutshell.
And back to the story we go!!! :D
This is a great page – really, just great and the perfect way to come back in after a minute hiatus. Like Saraa Luna said: The first panel sums up the Canid – War never stopped here. They train, they forge, they continue with their way of life as though death and combat were around the corner. It’s a militant lifestyle and regardless of which side of the coin you look at, they are darn good at it. Very Spartan-like, especially in your commentary about their culture.
I see they are also a cautious race – the trio have been stripped of their weapons. I always find that hilarious in history. The more arms/warlike a group is, the more they seem to insist on disarming visitors. Takes one to know one I suppose.
Super kudos going to Rachel on the forge fire. I’m always amazed on how artist can make fire look real to the point where you can almost feel the heat from the fire in the glow. I really like the symbolism here with it, right down to the heat on Quin’s face: Things are heating up, out of the frying pan and into the fire, once scorned – twice burned, are phrases that come to mind here.
One thing I did find odd was the fact it was an entirely outdoor forge. I mean, they’re close to the /northern/ wastes, right? In the mountains? It’s bound to be cold there and have wide weather patterns (i.e. rain/snow) and yet the workspace for the smith is completely outdoors. I’m just surprised he doesn’t at least have an overhang to keep the elements off, but perhaps that is just another aspect of Canid culture. You work no matter what, in no matter what. :P
And, boy – did I laugh at the face of that page-pup. “Huf, huf, huf …” HA! He looks like he’s going to catch an earful when he gets those arrows over to the archers. ;)
/AND/ it looks like we get a glimpse of the infamous General Clovis, all dressed and spiffy in his red cloak. Or at least who I assume to be Clovis since he is set apart from the rest by his uniform colours.
Anyways, great work and I look forward to the pages to come!
Cheers and sharp quills,
FT
Actually, the missing weapons were my oversight – it was a late night for me, heheh. They’re in now – the Canid have little to fear from a three-man envoy.
Woot!! Most awesome background evarrr!!
Ok just had to get that out of my system.
Hmm…
Would it be crazy to mention that the yellow pattern on the soldier’s uniforms kinda resembles the Greek letter “Alpha”?
Like everyone else, I love the huffing Omega carrying those quivers! He’s so cute!
Very nice framing effect with the blacksmith in the 2nd panel. I like that you kept him as you zoomed out and panned in the subsequent panel. It helps me orient myself and build a mental model of the fortress.