Chapter 2: Page 56
This week, the action returns to the inside of Deltrada Garrison, where Quinlan, Dakkan, and Kenosh get to enjoy the… shall we say rustic accommodations the Canid have pressed upon them. Five stars this is not.
For those paying attention, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen examples of the Tamian script. We saw it back in Quin’s room waaaay back near the beginning of chapter 1! While it’s not a full language, per se, the Tamian script uses its characters as syllabic letter combination swaps, with each “tree” representing a syllable or major letter chain.
This is just a sample phrase with its matching symbols, but it gives a good idea as to how the words are constructed. It’s less about replacing letters as it is about forming syllables with certain sounds. Of course, the Tamian script also takes its inspiration from the visual appearance of trees and branches, which early Tamian scholars would no doubt have deemed a suitable display of reverence to their god-king.
We have some fun guest art this week from Jerome Jacinto! Many of our readers have picked up on the parallels between Kenosh and Ashtor since both characters were introduced. As each is their respective group’s voice of age of experience, there were bound to be some similarities drawn, though I didn’t expect them to be literally drawn!
Thank you SO much, Jerome! I love how these two old-timers turned out, and they do seem like the kind of characters who might be able to commiserate together on the sorry state of the world. “Back in MY day-“
One can almost hear Dakkan’s eyes rolling from across the great expanse!
Hey This came a little early!
Now that were back with Team Sunsgrove, I’m interested to see what sort of things Quin and Dak have in mind at this moment. Can I just say, I really, really love Quinlan’s and Dakkan’s casual clothing. Just the simplicity of it makes it look so pleasing to see for character attire.
And YES I’m glad Mr.Jacinto made a Kenosh/Ashtor drawing! I love those two. And I can totally tell they would enjoy telling each other long-drawn out old tales (ala Maechan or Daravon from both FFX and Tactics) while the rest of the group pass out from boredom.
Next time, I’ll find a better paper to ink on! Just a milisecond of pausing stopping with the pen on the kind of paper I used creates lots of micro blots X)
I snerked at this page when it first loaded, even though I could only see the top three panels and Dakkan’s face sticking up from the fourth … then snerked again when I scrolled down and realized this page would consist solely of that wordless tableau, with Quin’s annoyed expression pulling it all together. I’d say it’s one of my favorite pages in all of “BWD” so far, but in truth there have been so many, and how is one possibly to decide such a thing as that?
I think Kenosh and Ashtor would get along XD Crotchety old men complaining about the younger ones XD
Also, God-King Tamian? O.o Was that ever mentioned before?
I love Dak’s expression in the panel though, I can see why Quin would be annoyed XD
That would be Tesque himself! During the hiatus between chapters 1 and 2 last summer, we devoted one of the weeks to his tale :) https://westerndeep.net/2013/06/22/intermission-week-3/
Oh my Sunsgrovian beebs how I missed you~
First panel sets the scene- guarded in the citadel, no one escaping, pouring rain, and no one is happy.
It’s great to have another, look at the Tamian script! That little detail of the dripping rain- it’s one of the little details that really makes this comic come to life. And the way you can literally see the ink blurring as the water comes into contact with it… and when the camera pulls away in the last panel, there is a visible smudge on the paper.
Quinlan, I’m sorry that your misfortune made me laugh, but /I am not the only one/. I take it that means they’re at the top of the keep, right under the rain.
I know we’ve seen previously that they don’t sleep in armor but seeing them out of it, especially with the looming events, is extremely disconcerting. (Now i’m wondering if the Canid took their weapons. Clovis don’t you dare) Dakkan at least seems to be in close proximity to his armor, and his staff is literally within arm’s length, but unless Quin has his stashed under the table, he’s out of luck.
…Red would be a good contrast for that white tunic. Quin.
(Ahem, moving on)
Going out on a limb here, I’m guessing that Quin’s writing a journal entry or a mission report. Probably the latter.
The expression on Quinlan’s face made my night. He is just so /done/ with everything. I love the way he’s glaring at the droplet- yay, something /else/ to deal with. At least nothing else can go wrong tonight.
Beautiful lighting, if ominous.
I wonder what Kenosh is up to. Either more arguing with Clovis or he’s there, too in pensive silence.
Either way, time’s running out. For everyone. /And they still don’t know./
Are they being guarded? I can’t see any guards in the first panel. I think the thing on top of the citadel is a ballista, and I don’t see anyone at all on the roof or in the courtyard.
Shieldmaiden said: “I’m guessing that Quin’s writing a journal entry or a mission report. Probably the latter.”
Hmm…let’s see…
“i? ?o?i? a? ?i?i?oD ?a?
CaPTaiN CeNoShe[lit] ReMaiN (?)iN
DoLtRaDaNa[lit I think] FoR aN uNDeTeRM…
LeNTh[lit] (?)oF TiM…”
Someone is going to have to help me with that top line.
No fair!! I wanted to crack it. >:{ (eh, at least there’s that top line to work on)
I like the contrast between first and last panel, it really sets the tone of the scene. But why Dakkan is still wearing his leg and feet straps? Isn’t that like sleeping with your boots on?
Hm, more like socks, I’d think. And adolescent males seem to have no trouble with *that*, if my younger brother is any indicator.
More to the point, Tronn, I don’t see how Dak could possibly be comfortable lying on his back like that with a big thick otter tail underneath him.
Oh, and … “plip.” Hee!
I think that’s why his leg is bent. It twists his hips enough to take the pressure off the tail.
(also Rachel, can I please compliment your beautiful reflections on the drop of water /as it splashes onto the page/ and on the one hanging from the roof in the last panel like. ANd how Quinlan’s hand jerks away from the fallen drop in surprise. Your art always brings a smile to my face. Such attention to detail really carries the comic.)
Come to think of it, I really don’t know what pose the species of this world would need to be in to sleep. Presumably the ones with thinner tails could get away with sleeping on their backs (Felis, maybe) but Lutren in particular probably could not because, as was already pointed out, it would be too uncomfortable with that tail.
If BWD had a bat race, they’d be easy–they’d just hang down off of a pole or rafter or something.
Which begs another question . . .
Why are there no bats in BWD? Is is because having characters that could fly would screw up some of the planned plot points?
https://westerndeep.net/2013/07/13/chapter-2-page-3/
All three characters sleep on their sides. Mystery solved!
There could be bats, we just may not know it yet. Or much more likely, they’re off having a tea party with the moles, badgers, hedgehogs, hares/rabbits and mice, all toasting to the fact that they eluded the gruesome, bloody fate that awaits our protagonists.
/There’s always the Uncharted Lands~/
That’s the thing, though. The uncharted lands have always bothered me. Maybe it’s just the fact that this continent has been inhabited for however many hundred years and no one ever charted them. Of course, this is a sans-magic fantasy setting, so there are legitimate, good reasons why these lands have not been explored (treewalker-like animals, for instance, or little food to sustain explorers, or something else). Any explorers who have been sent there never returned (“Dr. Quinlanton, I presume?”).
My point is, I would expect any additional BWD races, if there are any, to come from wherever the Polcan came from (I think they’re supposed to come from some unknown continent, like the Elves in Tolkien’s universe). Not the uncharted wastes.
At least it’s not as bad as Star Wars, where half of the galaxy is randomly “Unknown Regions”. It makes me want to say, “You mean you never charted half of your own galaxy? YOU’VE HAD FASTER THAN LIGHT TRAVEL FOR 25,000 YEARS! THE @&$% HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?!””
. . . I digress.
Keep in mind, FM, that the Felis religion demands they learn *everything* about the world before they can achieve enlightenment. You can bet that having a huge ol’ chunk of that world being uncharted irks them severely. So it isn’t just laziness on their part, I’ll say that :)
Good luck, Felis. You don’t know a thing about particle physics yet.
Snarkiness aside, that reminds me that we know very little about the religions of any of the BWD races except for the Tamians and Tesque. Though I imagine that we’ll learn more about that as the story progresses.
Alex, is that plot relevancy I’m sensing?
…..now you have me thinking about funeral rites, Fourth. While at first thought it seems like the Lutren would be buried at sea, the fact that the sea is sacred might not allow for bodies to be laid to rest into it. If burying a body in the sea deliberately is taboo, I imagine that the bodies are laid to rest in graves festooned with seashells.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4csjzztP9EA/UFZFNyWtlfI/AAAAAAAAIaI/4hMniqpXz8Q/s400/IMG_9370.jpg
^Not sure if this is the specific graveyard I’m thinking of, but it gets the idea across
I have a very strong feeling that we’ll be exploring Lutren funeral rites eventually.
Don’t you dare give them ideas, Shieldmaiden. There will *not* be a Lutren death scene. Unless of course an entirely random Lutren shows up out of nowhere and is felled by a stray arrow or suchlike.
In fact, I firmly believe that all members of our loveable Sunsgrovian trio survive.
They are not going to die. And do you know why? Because Quinlan is too pretty to die. And because Kenosh is too stubborn to die. And most of all because tonight is the attack, Dakkan, and sarcasm will never die.
I’m like 99% sure that Alex already has the script written out far in the future and they probably aren’t going to change anything big because of one morbid fan speculating about Lutren funeral rites.
Well, 4,000 words in the betting pool says you’re wrong and there *will* be a Lutren death scene~
I want to believe, but reality. If they all live I shall happily write as much as 100,000 words (Only 25,000 to go asdf what is life)
Your optimism is inspiring, I will give you that. It’s a safe bet that the Sunsgrovian beebs survives the attack, but no guarantees. All I can say on the matter is that in the Redwall Universe nearly every time I fell in love with a character they died and I’m guessing things will end up going the same way here.
I know. *sigh* It would just tear my heart out if Dakkan or Kenosh died. And I was tired, so emotions were hyped.
Words in the betting pool? How does *that* work? Words about what?
Heh. Actually, my “optimism” there was mostly me seizing an opportunity to reference one of my favorite Dresden Files scenes. But yeah, know what you mean about loving a character only to have them die. Almost every time.
Honestly same here and yet I look forward to the inevitable death scene. /The Redwall fandom broke me for life OK I AM ALLOWED TO ENJOY A DEATH SCENE BECAUSE OF HOW EVERYONE ELSE ACTS AND THE REPERCUSSIONS IT HAS ON THE PLOT (once I finish bawling my eyes out)/
On tumblr there’s a betting pool- my 4,000 word bet means I have to write 4,000 words of BWD fanfiction, typically if I lose. I don’t get anything but satisfaction of knowing I was right if I win.
Dresden Files is on my list. REDWALL WHY U KILL EVERYONE well, it’s one of your strengths but did you seriously have to pick my favorite characters in /almost every book/
Haha, yeah, pretty much.
Oh. I’m not on tumblr, but I will take your bet. 1-2,000 words (because my writing…) says that no Lutren die in this mess.
As it should be. It’s amazing. And Redwall- oh my goodness, yes. Like Mask. And Rose. (The only deaths that I’ve not forgiven Mr. Jacques for.) My only consolation is the epic vermin deaths like Riftun,who got STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, conducted through the spear that he was about to throw at Triss & Co.
Bet heartily accepted and soon to be recorded~
…Not counting Quean and Crew in case some people in the comments haven’t read them yet (*coughSARA*cough), my saddest Jacques deaths were probably Shogg, Methuselah, and Finnbarr. This list is off the top of my head, I can think of several other ones I cried at that I haven’t actually read recently. Once I finally get around to rereading the series I can probably provide a more accurate list.
(I’m trying to keep this list weighted /away/ from otters, though it would be appropriate to have a mostly-otter list considering our bet~)
Ahaha Riftun, that vermin death never fails to make me laugh. Triss was basically one big vermin abuse book, considering Bladd was killed /by porridge/ (the TV Show is vindicated at last) and what happened to Plugg Firetail.
Oh, poor Quin. Though I bet Dakkan’s just happy to get the chance to laugh at someone else’s expense, after suffering humiliation at Clovis’ hands. Er, paws.
So where’s Kenosh? Somehow I don’t think he could sleep easy with Clovis anywhere near. Is he just in the other room, trying to think of ways to get out of this mess? …I got the sudden image of him glowering at the door and checking his weapons, wishing that he could get away with slugging Clovis.
Kenosh: *punches Clovis*
Clovis: You /hit/ me!
Kenosh: And I’ll do it again if you don’t dodge fast enough.
Quinlan: I thought we were trying to /avoid/ a war?
Kenosh & Clovis: *glare*
Quinlan: Okay. I’ll just, uh, I’ll be going now. Bye. *scurries out*
Five stars this is not, indeed . . .
Time for the bard to strike again!
Ashtor and Kenosh oh nooo; I wasn’t prepared for the grumpy old man duo when I scrolled down. Can’t take it. If one of them dies, I’m going to be upset. On another note, this whole page just made me snicker. Both of Quinlan and Dakkan’s expressions, and it’s easy to tell the Canid have plenty of visitors up there at Deltrada, heh.
The Canid are famous for their hospitality and the influx of tourists from across Dunia in the summer season.
As an aside, I really picture the area around Deltrada as something like Maine–land of the nine-month winter, but beautiful in its rocky, piney way in the summer.
I could see that (your latter part of the comment, that is). That or Aisling is like a mix of Russia/Canada; winters will actively try and murder you but the landscape–when you can see it–is gorgeous.
Canid hospitality seems to consist of a single bed for two people. Making your guests take turns sleeping might be traditional, but not very welcoming.
Pretty sure that only half the room is being shown there, but I wouldn’t put it past them.
I’m thinking more of a double kill with this one. Then chatting it up as they slowly bleed to death.
*perks up* Did someone mention horror?
*Sweats nervously* Who told you the plot of all my fanfiction??
I already have a title for that horror story “Night of the Shaving Kit.” Fluffy critters everywhere will quake with fear!
And no bromance! This is a PG-13 webcomic!
You shall not of Sam and Frodo like that! I won’t let stain their good names!
You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.
I have a Multipass.
Who invited you, Aximili?
What can I say? I have predictable tastes; I show up like a trained carp whenever someone appears to be tossing hints of them in the water.
This is layers of deep thought towards world crafting. I love it!
Here’s a thought that I hope spurs some interesting conversation.
Hardin has repeatedly say that the reason he is choosing to attack the Canid at Deltrada and now is because he knows that Clovis is there. The question I ask is, is Clovis going to die now?
I’m not sure. On the one hand, there’s the Sratha-Din. Hardin has expressed doubt in his ability to carry out his mission, because all the odds are against him, but he and his team are competent, and, as Yoda reminds us, “size matters not”. That holds true for forces in battle as well as mere physical build (yes, I know size matters some, but not all. Look at Agincourt). Also, the Sratha-Din have the advantage of surprise. The Canid will likely be incredulous that the “primitive”, “savage” Ermehn would dare attack them—and that feeling of superiority will cost them dearly (there are many examples of natives defeating overconfident colonialists in real-world history). Finally, there’s the simple fact that so much time has been spent detailing them. If BWD were a “typical” fantasy story, the Ermehn attack would just be a plot device to drive the story of Kenosh, Dak, and Quin, and they’d likely lose horrifically. But that isn’t the case. You don’t spend 30-40 pages developing a group of characters (including ten-odd comics just about them detailing their attack) just to have them all get massacred without accomplishing anything. Besides, Hardin’s already proved his worth as a warrior. He and Clovis in one-on-one combat could go either way. The fact that the Ermehn have been followed so much in the comic indicates that they have plot significance on their side.
On the other hand, we have the Canid and Sunsgrovians. The Canid have all the advantages except surprise: more soldiers, stricter training, better weapons and armor, better average physical strength than an Ermehn, and a fortified position to hide out in. Clovis doesn’t have as much plot armor as the Sratha-Din, but he’s still been developed with about 20 strips of conversation with the protagonists. That counts for something. Also, Clovis is a very competent warrior (“YOU MUST BE STRONGER!”) and he’s of great significance to the Canid government. I don’t think Dakkan’s little speech about how the Canid king has no real power was just worldbuilding; I smell foreshadowing there. If Clovis lives, he’ll be able to use his pull to convince the Sunsgrovians to join the Canid in attacking the Ermehn to wipe them out in retaliation, and having Quin, Dak, and Kenosh forced to fight the suffering Ermehn to save their nation from Canid invasion even though they don’t support the attack would be a fascinating story. On the other hand, if Clovis dies, Tosch can show up and force them in the same way (along with “You killed my brother!” rages from Tosch). On the other other hand, if Clovis dies, the Sunsgrovians might be able to escape and report back to King Dabheid on the situation, and then it becomes a struggle to sever the Sunsgrove-Aisling alliance.
What do you think? Is Clovis long for this world?
(No answering, Alex; you already know.)
Varvau, I lament the fanfics you could be writing right now.
” You don’t spend 30-40 pages developing a group of characters (including ten-odd comics just about them detailing their attack) just to have them all get massacred without accomplishing anything.”
Honestly, Fourth, so much time could have been spent on them to prepare us for their sudden but inevitable deaths. Remember the one cloaked figure left in the prologue. Both of my hard copies are lent out (the life of a recruiter is a hard one indeed) but if I remember correctly, something like “I alone am left to tell the tale” is said. Which doesn’t bode well for any of the characters at all.
While I feel like Clovis’ fate could go either way, I think he’s going to bite it. Remember that Tosch is ‘delayed’ on the road. think Hardin’s attack will fail, but with at least three of the core group (not counting Hardin because plot armor) alive and Clovis dead. Tosch will show up, maybe in time to turn the tide, but definitely not in time to save his brother.
“Quin, Dak, and Kenosh forced to fight the suffering Ermehn to save their nation from Canid invasion even though they don’t support the attack would be a fascinating story.” I feel like this will be Tosch’s reaction, but remember the Vulpin fit into this somehow. Perhaps they decide to turn to the Vulpin as possible allies?
So no, Clovis is not long for this world and I’m 80% sure Sara will cry if he dies. Personally, I’d sacrifice all the Canid jerkfaces if it meant my Sunsgrovian beebs get out of this mess alive and unspoiled. (haha yeah no chances of that are about as high as Dakkan enjoying a Quentin Tarantino film)
Just checked the prologue; nothing like “I alone am left to tell the tale is said.”
It might just be that the other Ermehn aren’t there because they’re dead of old age. I still feel that the cloaked figure is Eira, because the wording in the prologue makes it sound as if many years have passed, and she’s both the youngest member of the Sratha-Din and a scribe. If only one Ermehn lives, my money is on her.
I hope you’re wrong about Alex channeling Christopher Nolan, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Online, no, but the text in the hard copies has been significantly changed in many areas and since both of my books are lent out I can’t give an exact quote. On of these days I need to sit down and compare the online text to the physical text and ascertain what exactly has changed.
We don’t know for sure that Eira is the youngest unless I missed an Alex or Rachel post about the Ermehn ages. I want to put my money on on Eira, for different reasons, but let’s face it- if Clovis knew there were two Ermehn scribes left alive, he wouldn’t rest until they were both dead.
Christopher Nolan? You’re not thinking big enough.
“I’m 80% sure Sara will cry if he dies.” Hey now. All I’ll do is make lots of highly frustrated noises and abuse my keyboard while yelling at you, thank you very much, and I’ll have you know I will probably only wail for six seconds.
six seconds still counts~
why mad at me?? I didn’t kill him. This time. (Is it because my deal to trade Clovis and Tosch and Titulus for the safety of the Sunsgrovian envoy actually worked??) Didn’t think so.
I need someone besides Sara and me to be writing angsty fluffy fanfics like I need air, OK?
So that implies maybe one or two of the other Ermehn are alive… and perhaps at least one Sunsgrovian beeb? Until I have reason to think otherwise, I’m in the “everyone dies’ camp. NO ATTACHMENT NO PAIN
Maiden, stop speaking in capital letters, you are scaring me.
YoU Fi nD mE sCa r Y?? aWwwWwwwww… <3
wH Y thA n K yoU