Chapter 2: Page 43
This week, we learn more about the Sratha-din, and its history with the Canid. Obviously things didn’t go too well for Sratha, but only because of the alliance between Aisling and Sunsgrove referenced earlier in the chapter. This was the alliance that brought the Ermehn down, and it doomed the Sratha-din and its leader to a terrible fate.
Not much else to talk about this week! Last week’s post was so huge I don’t really have much else to say! As always if you have any fan-works you’d like to show us and have appear on the site alongside a page, just send us an email at thewesterndeep(at)gmail.com!
Interesting page!
I have to wonder what the missive is all about – or rather /who/ wrote it? Is it Canid scouts reporting rumours or past camp locations? Perhaps a symbol of Sratha-Din is being left strategically around the wastes where the Canid patrols would see it and recognize it? OR perhaps… Hardin has a spy in his midst. …
I wonder, did sombody in the camp make those tapestries?
Perhaps some of the garrison like to relax with a bit of needlwork between hitting each other with sticks and stabbing ehrmen exiles.
“Needlework is not just for women! It happens to be both challenging and creative!”
-Dilbert
Someone is certainly keeping track of things, even if I’m not sure what’s on the paper Kenosh is handing Clovis. And interesting art style for the Canid! Kinda rigid, overlapping figures, limited facial expressions and variation, and subdued color palette (plenty of shades or red, brown, grey, black, and gold in their artwork overall, it seems). Very military and suitable. I’m assuming that weaving these tapestries was left to some higher Omega class who specialized in it?
I agree on the art style observation. I find it interesting that everything comes to a point (triangle) in the images and layouts – which mirrors their standard design. I have to wonder if the point is meant in reference to the mountains of the Northern Wastes. That is where the Canid are from originally, right?
Pst, Rachel – Clovis is missing some red striping on his uniform. ;)
Maybe this is why Clovis displays such extreme facial changes: He’s making up for the lack of emotion in the tapestry figures.
Or could it be some kind of Dorian Gray-in-reverse? Clovis *has* to be emotional because the tapestry is devoid of emotion? “The Tapestry of Dorian Canid.” (Although if that were the case, you’d think he’d be hiding it up in Deltrada’s attic. They surely have an attic about the place, don’t they?)
In any case, great page, with lots to speculate on! And it’s always quite an eyeful going back to full color after a week of staring at a bluescale page. (Yes, I *do* visit “BWD” multiple times a week to admire it. What’s wrong with that?)
I’m trying to decipher the markings on the dead Ermehn’s face, but it’s just not happening.
To which the other Canid say:
-What is this “San Angeles” of which you speak?
-And what kind of name is “John”, anyway?
Clovis: In fact, Sartha was killed by my great-great-great uncle, Canis Awesometasticus. Killed Sartha with his bare hands, he did. Every morning he swam to the lands of the Polcan and back to stay in shape, and followed up with a dozen marathons on the days when . . .
Dakkan: Oh, will you just SHUT UP!!!!
Low blow in the third panel, Clovis.
Since he seems to know Kenosh rather well, chances are that he knows about Kenosh’s views on the whole Sunsgrovians-blindly-trusting-the-Canids-and-ending-up-unwittingly-slaughtering-tons-of-innocent-Ermehn thing. So giving Clovis giving him such a smug reminder is just… awful!
But then, Clovis’ cheap pretense of “niceness” wore off pretty quickly, so it’s not like this is surprising or anything. But still. Ouch.
Love this
Yeuck! now thats a fatality if I ever saw one.
Stuff like this makes me wonder how bad the previous events of this world such as the Reign of Sratha must’ve been like. To be honest, I find it hard to imagine seeing the Ermehn being on top of the food chain once upon a time (Really though, those stoats look so small and adorable in real life. But I do realize that there’s more to them than looks that makes them formidable). I mean comparing them to a race of strong looking wolves and what not, It all sounds kinda surreal to me lol.
Also why do I have the feeling that the Canid are taking much of the credit over Sratha’s defeat? I imagine a small band of racially-diverse warriors confronted him in an epic final battle and through generations their combined victory slowly turned into an All-Canid thing. Oh wow I’m sounding very Anti-Canid right now. I’m totally not XD It’s just that with looking at the history presented to us, I tend to over-think and become skeptical over the small details that one side explains to us. Like Rachel said, Clovis isnt 100% lying over the previous war. Proof of that exists in how the Canid act over the issue. I dont believe that the Ermehn were all innocent either. I just think that both sides were being too extreme over the other. Just stuff like that brings interest into seeing a prequel story of this world, because really I’m hooked on it. But really I’m hoping you guys do that whole “War of the Western Deep” story after the comic is finished (in which I can tell this story will take QUITE a while to finish lol).
I would like to point out the beautiful purple-brownish lighting in the background. Kinda random to say but, that type of color scheme is one of favorites to use since it feels very relaxing to me.
Keep up the good work!
I only just noticed that Quinlan apparently decided to turn around and go back outside to stand in the rain.
I love this !! but i hate my sis formaking meread it and now i wont more !!
Don’t fight it, Rogue! Don’t fight it! Let the Western Deepness of it all carry you away! Just give in – it’s what we all do here!