Chapter 2: Page 70
Looks like ol’ one-eye isn’t in the mood for diplomacy! Or maybe he is, and it’s some of that ERMEHN diplomacy we saw Hardin engaging in back in chapter one? Either way, the Ermehn didn’t show up in Deltrada to negotiate, so it’s time to forget about rolling Charisma and it’s time to start rolling some Strength and Dexterity checks!
One thing I hope this whole sequence gets across is the notion that sometimes you can’t talk your way out of a conflict. A little pet peeve of mine is how some people like to imagine “well, if I’d been there, I would’ve been able to calm everybody down” or “wow, they handled things so poorly!” — but sometimes you can’t do anything about that! Sometimes there is absolutely no calming the other side, and sometimes you can’t say anything to prevent a one-eyed fanatical Ermehn warrior from trying to separate your head from your shoulders.
This is a dangerous world filled with dangerous creatures as we’ve very well seen — these characters don’t just tote weapons and armor around because it looks cool (even though it looks cool)! They wield these tools and learn how to use them because there are plenty of nasty folks out there who simply can’t be reasoned with — again, like certain one-eyed fanatical Ermehn warriors who really just want to separate your head from your shoulders.
SPEAKING OF ONE-EYED FANATICAL ERMEHN WARRIORS! This week, I’d love to share a cute little work from regular reader and Western Deep artistic contributor Saraa Luna of our favorite monocular Ermehn!
Isn’t he just the most adorable angry little Ermehn you’ve ever seen? I’ll answer that for you — yes. Yes he is. Thank you so much for your continually awesome Western Deep art, Saraa! I know I’ve got a whole bunch of great “human Quin and human Dak” pieces you did that I can’t wait to share with everyone next week :)
Last thing I want to bring up before closing out this post! The Western Deep Holiday Bundle we’ve got going on the online store will be wrapping up this upcoming Wednesday, I’ve decided. If you’ve been waiting for some reason to order it, now’s the best time to get in and grab it! You can order the Holiday Bundle from here.
A fine example of Sunsgrovian diplomacy. Laughing forever about the “You idiots” bit. I don’t know why I find it so funny. Ever the diplomat are we, Dakkan. Kenosh would be proud, if it makes you happy. (well, maybe not in this scenario because insulting them isn’t exactly the way to go, not like it would have made a difference)
I love that progression of Quinlan’s face in the lower row of panels. His range of emotions really comes across!
Someone commented last week on someone getting thrown over the edge. I’m thinking that’s looking like a likely guess.
Does One-Eye have a name or is he doomed to be known by his distinctive face?
I love the “you idiots” too. It’s like saying “seriously, you knuckleheads, chill out!” in the middle of a battle… and to a bunch of armed folks, no less.
And yes, One Eye needs a name!
You are right, One-Eye would be a ridiculous and somewhat morbid name to give a child who was clearly born with two eyes.
His given name is actually Juan High
Nah, just watch. One-eye is going to face Clovis, and when he does, his opening line will be:
“Hello. My name is Ermehgo Montoya. You killed by tribemates. Prepare to die.”
As much of an idealist I tend to be, It’s understandable that not everything can result in sunshine and rainbows and you’ll eventually have come to face with the fact that people arent as black and white as we sometimes hope to be. It’s a nice little lesson in writing…a lession that I’m going to squinch at seeing as it looks like this gruffy but lovable Ermehn is going to be facing death itself in a couple of panels…maybe… who knows.
AND YES I’m glad that fan art got some recognition eventually as it’s honestly one of my favorite drawings of Saraa (lol dat face).
I should have said this days ago, but yeah, this “Baby One Eye” is really adorable, maybe the second most adorable tiny fluffy warrors I’ve ever seen!
And speaking Sarah’s art, after seeing the human versions of Quinlan and Dakkan she drew I must say, you guys are in for a treat tomorrow!
Fantastic panel transition over there.
I don’t think that I’ve seen you on this site before.
Welcome to the Western Deep, Guilherme!
Sure, we can be a little odd sometimes . . . most of the time . . . but we all share a love of Alex and Rachel’s excellent work in the fantasy comics genre found here.
Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for the welcome =)
I’ve seen artworks and mentions to BWD in Jerome Jacinto’s pages, so I decided to check it out this year. The comic is beautiful and its universe is fantastic! I’m definitely following each new update now.
A one-eyed fanatical Ermehn warrior from trying to separate your head from your shoulders seems to be a running theme in the last few pages. And Ermehn diplomacy makes a come back! A lot of the time, it’s easy for people to say that they could talk a fight down when they’re not in it and are hearing the story about it; hindsight is 20/20 and being removed from the situation takes away all the adrenaline and stress and panic you’d be feeling. All of those affect your judgement a lot.
But in the fight department, poor Quinlan though. He’s having a rough time of things all over the place. At least one of his little ear tufts didn’t get shaved again; he’d need another slash to make it even if so. As for One Eye, even if he dies soon, he’ll be well remembered; you were a distinct secondary character, my ocularly-challenged violent ermehn friend. The fandom will not forget you.
You know, even if this was meant to be the finished color palatte and not a duotone (monochrome?) preliminary page, I still think it works wonderfully for the night shot that it is. Color it if you must, but I shall fondly remember this version until I forget it.
So how come they’re all talking the same language?
If I remember correctly, Alex said something to the effect that the words we could read as English were all in a Common Tongue. If I’m wrong, I’d guess that it’s an example of Dakkan and Quinlan knowing how to speak the Ermehn language. As the children of high-ranking officials, I’m certain that linguistics were a part of their training.
In a nutshell, it’s because it’s easier to tell the story with everyone speaking the same language across all scenes — it would be pretty tricky to have all Sratha-din scenes in subtitles and all Quin/Dak scenes in English.
The rationale I use is that each race has their native tongue, but English (or rather, their equivalent of English) has been the de facto language in the lands for quite some time. But again, in a nutshell, it’s because it makes the story easier to tell if we’re focusing on the events and not whether characters can communicate properly with one another.
What sort of thing are you working on?
I understand if you don’t wish to discuss it.
You can always use the old or “put it in italics” (italics not included in this comment) gambits. Everyone else does!
So you work in customer support, then? I kid, I kid…
It still hasn’t been explained how all the alien species speak perfect English in the original Star Trek show, or the Mass Effect games.
Alex’s explanation is simple, makes sense, and actually addresses this issue, despite the fact that BWD is nowhere near as successful as either of the above. Thank you, Alex. May you continue to enlighten us with new information about this both figuratively and literally fantastic world of yours.
No problem, Fourth! :) And thank you for the kind words!
Regarding Mass Effect fwiw (Rachel and I are both huge ME nerds), I do believe they rationalized it as real-time translation going through your military-issue hardware? http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Codex/UPDATE:_Bring_Down_the_Sky
Oh, so that’s how they rationalize it.
Darn self-righteous anger.
Thanks for the tip. I love the games, too–I’m in the middle of my first playthrough of the second one right now, but it’s taking a long time since I just don’t have too much video game time these days.
In return for your information-gathering services, I offer a comic that happens to feature my favorite ME character ever (mere coincidence, I assure you).
http://cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/57/57779.jpg
Enjoy! ;)
Or why Mordin is the very model of a scientist salarian.
@Alex
It’s a translator implanted at the base of the skull, I believe. Either Shepard or Tali *actually* mention at one point: “do you think you could repeat that? My translator didn’t catch that…” while in their civilian clothes.
…and as Harbringer put it; we are beyond your comprehension…
If you could listen to the ‘actual’ dialogue without the filter of this comic making it nice and comprehinsible you would hear everyone just making cute animal noises at each other the whole time.
I think Alex and Rachel made them all talk the same language because they are in a specific portion of the world.
Padme explains the core principle of Ermehn negotiations:
WOOOH! Just ordered!!! *Does Sunsgrovian jig* Thanks for the reminder because I just had my birthday and I have some spare cash. :D CAN’T WAIT until it comes!
After reading Redwall and Mouseguard, I can’t tell you how much BWD means to me. Thank you again! Always looking forward to Saturdays. :)
ps: Love Quin’s expression in the last panel.
Not everyone is white or black. As it turns out, not everyone is blue aligned either.
It’s blue or red, and sonetimes both if you’re a spy.
Actually, I meant in a Magic: The Gathering way, but that’s a fun mental image nonetheless.
I think that Bevan is the real spy . . .
<_<
Penguins are black and white!
ohhhhhh having the chills:)
Quin has his battle face on.