Chapter 3: Page 20
So, some of you might have noticed a couple pages back, but I referred to Tosch as a “canid general.” How is that different from what I’d normally call him? Simple: “canid” isn’t a proper noun. For years, I wrestled with the oddity of whether the racial names should be proper nouns, and therefore merit capitalization. A “Lutren” for example seemed like a good reason to keep them capitalized. In this smaller world, racial names and nationalities kind of go hand in hand.
Except they don’t.
A “Lutren” who is born in Nessa is still called a “Lutren” even if they aren’t from Lutra. A “Tamian” who was born in Lutra is still technically a “Lutren.” If you’re referring to somebody from a place, that is a proper noun — for example, a New Yorker vs a human from New York. A capital L Lutren is somebody who hails from the Sunsgrovian city of Lutra. A lowercase l lutren is the race of creatures that call Lutra their capital.
Fortunately in the comic, there isn’t really a textual difference between capital and lowercase (an artistic choice made early on by Rachel that I am quite grateful for). While there might be some inconsistencies here with previously printed material in, say, the extras section of the hardcover, I think this is an important distinction to make. It makes more sense that the lutren Beck is a Nessian, for example, and not “a Nessian Lutren” because that doesn’t look right at all to me :)
For guest art this week, I wanted to share this wonderful piece from Long Lost Man Friend of Quinlan and Dakkan in more peaceful times, chilling out in the Deep and just generally having a good time!
Obviously a far cry from their current predicament. I like the implied action here, with Dak pointing something out that Quin sketched — or perhaps Quin is asking for some feedback? Dak might not be an art critic, but he seems the sort who’d know what he likes (but perhaps not the best way to express it).
I also love the bright, popping colors — it’s a very neat style to see Quin and Dak in, and I’m glad you let us share it with the fans, LLMF!
nice page! at least Dakkan still has his signature sass! (unless the PTSD is bleeding in slowly…..) well, it does make sense to keep Dak in the dark, so there’s no risk of Kenosh’s plans, to leak and compromise… oh, i dunno… the fate of all four Kingdoms. as if Hardin striking too early wasn’t bad enough…
nice guest art! by the way, Long Lost Man Friend is Fruitso’s name on Twitter
bleeding in slowly, huh…with that sass, the PTSD out to dry up some time soon
that sass can become a coping mechanism if Dak tries to cover up the shock and trauma he felt the night before. if that happens, it won’t be long when sass won’t just cover it anymore….
or maybe Dak’s just not taking this seriously. if that’s the case, the PTSD argument is a bust
I actually wonder why his hemophobia isn’t kicking in now that his nose and his friend are covered in BLOOOOD!!1two
I think maybe it’s because 1) he can’t see his own blood and Quin’s wounds are covered 2) his hemophobia only really kicks in when he sees fresh flowing blood
They’re both changing as a result of that godawful night. Quinlan looks like he’s finally becoming more assertive. One would expect a likewise change in Dakkan, especially since he got the worse end of things (parental betrayal > crossbow bolt in the arm if you ask me.) If we’re reading things right, he’s going to turn into an embittered snarker, and possibly start losing his fear of blood.
We’ll just have to wait and see.
Man, don’t blame Dak one bit for being a salty sea otter over recent events.
Once they get out of the dungeons, he’s going to need to have a few sessions of the Canid’s verified stress and anger reliever: punching something until it or your hand breaks.
Though maybe not the hand breaking part.
Okay, I love the term “Salty Sea Otter” and will use this to describe Dakkan from now on
I think I’d actually consider Kenosh saltier than Dak. At the very least, he’s crustier.
(Mmm! Freshly-salted sea otter crust!) (I don’t even know what that means.)
Also, of all the wonderful handles of the Salmon Party, I think StutteringSatellite might just be my favorite.
It sounds odd to say, but I love seeing that half-smile on Dakkan’s beaten up face. They didn’t break his spirit!
…. I’m still gonna call them Lutren and Canid. Cuz I’m edgy like that.
Also, that’s kinda the edge of how edgy I get.
Being repeatedly punched in the face while asking redundant questions would leave ANYONE as salty as Dak right now. I’m happy that he at least has the energy to do so.
I love Fruitso’s piece here. Not only is it super adorable but I love how bright and colorful it is! Definitely far from their current predicament is.
I don’t know Dak, I doubt you got that bloody nose from just being “pushed around a bit”.
And yes, I am Long Lost Man Friend, it’s my Twitter handle. Sorry for the confusion!
It’s very well done, I like the light effects.
What made you choose the anime representation?
I guess it’s just the style/aethetic I use
Well now, how are our protagonists going to get out of this one?
And what’s Tosch doing, and the rest of his army?
I also wrestled with the issue of capitalizing vs. not capitalizing the names of fantasy species/races in my own stories, and I agree with your conclusion. We don’t usually capitalize human, elf, dwarf, dragon, etc., so I think for consistency (if nothing else) other fantasy species shouldn’t be capitalized either. I think you’re right that proper nouns should be reserved for specific groups of people, such as your example of residents of a given city.
With Quin and Dak not being able to move their arms much, I’ve been noticing how much body language can be communicated through their hands.
My favorite examples are panel 2 of page 10, panels 3 & 4 of page 14, panel 2 of page 15, panel 3 of page 16, and panel 4 of page 17. And especially panel 3 of this page, where Dak’s open hands, combined with his already-upraised arms, give him the perfect gesture to match his “Eh.” Which is what got me thinking about this…
Although apparently Quin doesn’t always clench his fists when he’s angry at Tosch (panel 4, page 18) or leave them unclenched when he isn’t (this page).
Evil shines like a star in Dakkan’s heart. Burn, little star, until the UV radiation causes him cancer
Quinlan’s question “Why’d he do it?” is making me think about the idea of a BWD Clue, where the players try to solve Clovis’s murder. Just make the character tokens Quinlan, Dakkan, Kenosh, Tosch, Hardin, maybe Janik for the sixth one? And set it at Deltrada instead of the mansion of the original.
“It was Kenosh in the courtyard with the Broadsword!”
Ok now I want a western deep board game!
I second this!