Chapter 2: Page 79
This week, Quinlan is understating things a bit! Also, how about that cool hood? When you have giant ears like the Tamian, it helps to have somewhere for them to go when you put a hood up, after all. Anyway, with the danger now past (for the moment), it’s time to find Kenosh!
Not much else to bring up this week — I know many a reader last week thought this Canid soldier would be joining the party, but she’s got a garrison to help defend, remember? Don’t worry, there’s a pretty high chance she won’t be the last helpful Canid we see in this story!
This past Thursday, game developer League of Geeks officially announced my involvement in Armello — an epic turn-based strategy game for PC and Mac with a very similar world aesthetic to Beyond the Western Deep.
As it turns out, being able to write Redwallian grim fairytale all-ages fiction is not a common trait that people max out on their proverbial skill trees. Because of that, and because of my background in game development, League of Geeks ended up bringing me on board to help with the quest writing for Armello. If you’ve been following the game, you might also know that BWD contributor and artist-extraordinaire Jerome Jacinto is also working on it, doing some really fantastic animated motifs for the game’s many cards:
If you’re interested in giving it a whirl, you can grab it on Steam right now for $20!
This week, for guest art, I’d like to share something that just caught my eye the other day! Regular BWD contributor Veigue drew some kick-awesome pieces of his take on modern-day Caldus! I loved the earlier set, which saw Tamian King Dabheid as a kind of high-powered CEO, while Caldus was the head of his security detail.
As he puts it in his description of the art: “[Caldus would be] all street-wise, kicking butt and taking names and body guarding Dabheid during business trips and whatnot. He’d pull his inner Rock Howard while he’s at it too lol.” For those not in the know, Rock Howard is a badass character from SNK’s Fatal Fury series, and regularly kicks butt while simultaneously taking names.
Thanks so much for the amazing art, Veigue! Rachel and I love your alternate takes on the cast :)
Well darn, I was really really REALLY hoping to see Lady Canid again but it is about time we find the lovable lutren of angst and mystery that is Kenosh. I like Quin’s little hand-on-shoulder gesture and readiness to help out his buddy but I really hope Dak can take the all the blood that’s sure to be all over the garrison assuming they go looking for his dadoo.
Oh Dak, please for the love of gosh don’t faint in battle.
Don’t worry. I’m sure Dakkan will do better now that Brownish-White Fang has stopped holding a naked sword blade right next to his face and dripping warm ermehn blood down the inside of his scarf.
I really like the design of the hood! It’s tricky to adapt clothing to fit the anatomy of anthro characters without making it look odd or out of place.
Yeah, the ears and tails are often a problem.
But you don’t know trouble until you try to figure out how to fit a muzzle into a spacesuit helmet.
Now that I think about it, the hood is clearly indicative of why Quinlan is having a difficult time adjusting to his new role as Captain of the Guard.
Just look at it, and it’s clear that Quin is a little wet behind the ears!
That was clever. I sniggered.
Safe to say this ship’s sunk before it even had a chance to sail. She called him ‘pup’. (clearly this calls for an epic quest for Dakkan to prove his love and his worth, only to be thwarted by that nefarious Steele)
I can definitely see the resemblance to Clovis on this page- similar dismissive hand motions, especially in that third panel. Of course, I’m sure the Canid as a race have ‘dismissive’ down pat, especially when it comes to pesky Sunsgrovians. That look of disgust in the second panel make me kind of laugh, although I feel bad for Dakkan. I don’t forsee the Conga Humiliation Line ending for Dakkan as long as they are at Deltrada/in the ‘general’ vicinity of snarky Canid officers.
…Actually, she also reminds me of that one Canid with the scar that informed Clovis of the fires. Maybe they are sisters?
Lovely work on the expressions in that first panel- even though most of Quinlan’s face is hidden by his hand as he pulls up his hood, you can still get a very clear sense of his feelings through his body language. Nice to see him finally pull that hood up, although he hasn’t had much of a chance at all to do so.
Argh I love the way water is done, I know I’ve mentioned that but I like seeing it cling to Quinlan’s quiver and the emblem on Dakkan’s scarf, and the way it bounces up off the again- I’m sure there’s a word for that.
….In retrospect I don’t know why I was so certain Kenosh or Quinlan didn’t know about the blood phobia. :/ Either way, Dakkan’s lucky it doesn’t make him pass out. Since this is the only look we’ve had at it, we don’t know if that ever happens or if it was averted because he looked away in time or what. One commenter with a similar affliction mentioned they could tolerate their own blood- I wonder if this is the case for Dakkan. I hope it is, because it’s a pretty safe bet that he’s going to see it before the story’s over.
Definitely in accord with ApeSalad there- I love the touch of the hand on Dakkan’s shoulder. Easily the most compelling thing about this comic is the strong relationship between Dakkan and Quinlan. I’m not sure I can put it into words, but it feels real and organic.
And now the beebs have a choice. Stay or go? I’m guessing Dakkan’s going to want to go, but whether they end up actually getting the chance to is another matter entirely. I still think Kenosh is pretty likely to survive Deltrada, but I’ve been wrong before. Pretty sure Clovis is going down, though. We shall see.
Tune in next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel!
For those who don’t like reading a lot of words, Shieldmaiden said that today’s comic makes her very happy.
By the way, a few days ago I found this one webcomic (legendsofloretrilogy.com) that made me think “Shieldmaiden would of like it. Actually, everyone in the Western Deep site would, but especially Shieldmaiden.”
Funny how you get to know chumps based on what they write, am I right?
I checked it out, zealot, and I liked it.
She especially looks like Clovis in the last panel. That pose . . .
Hey, wait! The ship doesn’t have to be sunk yet! There is a way to carry on through times like this!
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BelligerentSexualTension
Ah, but it’s //not this trope. BST is when they fight because they love each other, but are too stubborn/abrasive to admit it. Dakkan’s an apple fritter, not a rock cake. The Canid’s just brushing him off and dismissing him, she’s not even fighting with him. Yeap it’s dead (it was never alive to begin with but hey)
I was just trying to make a joke, but you’re right. Good point.
I’m done now. :)
I’m sure there’s //a// trope that can keep it alive- Defrosting Ice Queen, perhaps?
(Yeah I’m terrible at detecting humor online :I sorry)
It’s a zombie ship. :T
Oh ye of little faith! She is obviously Clovis’s daughter, a proud warrior, and when she is denied a promotion she believes is rightfully hers by her father (who wants her to settle in with some nice canid youth and continue his lineage) she rebels by getting involved with the single most infuriating person imaginable to him, Dakkan. Since Dakkan is the son of a high-ranking official of their allies, Clovis cannot just get rid of him and is reduced to seething and scenery biting.
Of course over the time she becomes impressed by Dakkan’s gentle nature and develops genuine romantic feelings towards her little apple fritter. Dakkan, respectively, is resenting being forcibly cuddled but is hesitant to say anything due to her impressive collection of stuffed Ermehn heads. The ship sails!
She wants a June wedding, complete with chainmail incorporated into the wedding dress and everything. Dakkan is still pleading with Quinlan to please help me.
Dies from laughing.*
On the wedding day the bride is radiant as a summer morning, the groom gloomy as a black winter day, and the fathers-in-law furious and blaming each other for setting up the boy for this nonsense. The bridesmaids, rowdy and belligerent, have knocked out one guest already even before the ceremony has started; they hassle the best man on account of him being “cute and funny shade of red” until Janik saves him. In a shocking break with tradition the wedding head-on-a-pike has been replaced by a salmon, which upsets the bride’s family and friends; the groom’s side is dismayed to learn that the fish will not be served at the reception.
The ceremony is mercifully short, and almost completely free of spilled blood and fainting; the wedding night will be memorable, and almost completely free of spilled blood and fainting.
tronn, you’re officially in charge of writing this. Go forth. Write a crackfic that makes us all proud.
I made a thing: http://pastebin.com/BCrejiTy
Oh my god.
I remember seeing some Quinlan sketches that Rachel did involving with his look and I instantly fell in love with the plethora of potential ideas. Along with his prototype apparel, I think he used to have a cape of some sort? It was definitely interesting seeing his wardrobe, but I digress.
Armello looks fantastic. Jerome Jacinto, when are you going to stop surprising me with your artistic work!? I would be more than happy to be able to play the game. Sadly, I have a crappy computer so I dont think I would be able to run it properly on my own system.
And oh gosh, I’m a little embarrassed those silly drawings of mine gets posted here. Even worse with the potato-like image quality. I’m so sorry for my own incompetence. I still havent figured out how to properly size images on tumblr, but still thank you so much for enjoying my own dumb mess. I really need to get back into doing art.
Veigue, you are the gift that keeps on giving.
Seconding your comment; everyone go high five Veigue (and Jerome).
But I don’t know where they are, and even if I did, I don’t think my arm can stretch that far! :(
The rules of reality aren’t an obstacle, darnit! Stretch harder!
You guys are way too cool……………………………………..for school HIGH FIVE!
*crickets*
Heheh.
Last week, a lot of folks seemed to be familiar with the fact that Dakkan has a blood phobia (there’s gotta be a name for that…), but I dont recall ever hearing such a thing mentioned prior to this. Does anyone know where it was first brought up?
By the way, the pages have been gorgeous. Rachel, your art is truly amazing. And Veigue? What do you mean “embarrassed”? Your art is beautiful! (I love Caldus’ gloves and loose tie- nice touch. ^^)
Alex mentioned it last week; it’s something that predates the comic. I (and probably others here) found Rachel’s artwork on devaintart before the comic when I started reading the Redwall series, and she did a piece talking about Dakkan’s personality which included his hemophobia.
Oh, okay. Thank you- I just wasn’t sure if I’d missed something earlier. (And thanks for supplying the official name of Dakkan’s phobia, too.)
Yes, that story was done while BWD was in its very early conceptual stages. The inclusion of a badger villain was very intentional, to kinda split it off into a generic animal-people world for the character study that was neither BWD nor Redwall.
Did the Canid soldier go up specifically to check on Quin and Dak? Doesn’t seem like there would be any there reason for her to be there.
There’s some really nice, subtle character moments here: The Canid pushing Dakkan away rather than supporting him, Dakkan pushing his fear down over his concern for his father, and Quinlan putting his on Dakkan’s shoulder.
The glow in Charlie Sheen’s souless eyes.
If I ever own a boat I just might call it the ‘Junta Frown’.
Lady Canid seems more like Clovis than ever this week. Dismissive comments, dismissive hand gestures, insulting Dakkan . . . she shows the signs.
The astute reader will notice that she referred to Clovis as “general”, not “father”, but since she is clearly not a general herself, this is within the territory of proper military protocol and should not be used as proof that they are not related. I think that this is going to be the end of Lady Canid for now, but I think she’ll come back later, probably with a scene like this:
Clovis: “Ah, this is my daughter, .”
Kenosh: *Greets her coolly, already suspicious of her due to her heritage but too polite to show it*
Quinlan: *Widens eyes in surprise, but rushes to follow Kenosh’s example. Thanks her for saving him atop the tower.*
*All eyes are now on Dakkan as the only one who has not yet spoken*
Dakkan: *Looks away, perhaps blushing a little* “. . . We’ve met . . .”
Lady Canid: *Scoffs* “Pup.”
Also when Dakkan says ‘my father,’ she says ‘Captain Kenosh?’ before saying anything else. Which could mean either she’s reinforcing protocol by using his title, or that she’s just had a ‘can’t believe Kenosh is related to this oaf’ moment.
Which leads me to something I forgot in my comment- *everyone groans*
I love how even though Dakkan and Kenosh are at odds (understatement of the century there) they clearly love each other, and it shows in the story- Kenosh’s ‘from your father’ addendum, and this moment here when Dakkan asks about his father. Real life relationships are just this complicated, and it’s a reminder that toxic relationships aren’t always purely poisonous. A bit of a stilted metaphor, especially because I doubt any of these cultures have a clearly defined idea of any type of abuse, let alone emotional, but I think it works.
Canid Councilor Clovis:
Ah yes, Dakkan. The son of Captain Kenosh and a fearless and disciplined warrior.
*Scoffs* We have dismissed that claim.
The entire comment section just needs to collaborate and write this fanfic since we’re already doing it piece by piece. It’d be the one time you could actually say “the fandom wrote a fanfic” and literally mean the fandom, not a person in it.
I mean I’m not sure it’d be a good thing, but it’d be hilarious.
Since reading Iceburn I wouldn’t mind another story set in the Western Deep universe. Whether or not it would be as good though…
Oh my god, you read that piece of crap? ;_; I’m so sorry. But there are a few oneshots and things floating around the tumblr tag, even if nothing currently posted is part of a big story and you’ll have to dig a little. I hate linking my things in comments, but if you missed it, I did have some fun with ermehn. Otherwise, we’ll just have to wait for any other stories or fanfics set in the world of BTWD to show up. It’ll be cool when they do.
*crashes through the window
She also wrote some great oneshots, all of which are on tumblr and yes I can provide links-
-http://shiitaketissues.tumblr.com/post/97940233520/mamihlapinatapei-kenosh-and-tilda
Short and a crossover, but nice insight into Kenosh and the toll military life takes.
-http://shiitaketissues.tumblr.com/post/95942628900/beyond-the-western-deep-shades-floating-in-the
Short little fic with young Dakkan and Janik
-http://shiitaketissues.tumblr.com/post/94396511585/the-call-of-the-mountain
Canid Fairy tale, and it’s just as brutal as expected
-http://shiitaketissues.tumblr.com/post/96101039945/the-demon-of-navran
Vulpin fairy tale.
*repairs the glass and slithers into the Underland*
:v begone with you
I slithered away, what more do you want?
…. oh lookit this I have a copy of the Chimera thing saved~
don’t you dare. :I
There’s a Redwall song about this somewhere. (and you know I wouldn’t~)
*grumble
I even fav-ed it. I am not sorry! You can’t suppress the truth! Ahem.
Also not sure why, but Shieldmaidens’ comments remid me of an old flash I saw ages ago…
*crashes through window*
“Joe’s here!”
Your prayers have been answered
http://altairey.tumblr.com/post/115279628013/the-lake-chapter-1 <- Altairey just put this in the tag. it's on going, but a good start.
Lady Canid’s expression in the second panel made me think of this…
((Oops.))
Made me think of this: https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/1881653504/h16B91C6E/
Why, she does have that look about her, doesn’t she?
Pooor Dakk!:- (
“Hmph. Fine time to get squeamish.” LOL Ain’t it tha truth?