Chapter 3: Page 30
So, you might have noticed that the hallway on page 29 has been tweaked a little bit! That was a post-release update Rachel added to keep the layout of the area consistent (considering the location of the window above where Dakkan was chained up), but also ended up working for the betterment of the scene as a whole. As I mentioned in the page update, we absolutely do appreciate and encourage readers to point inconsistencies out to us — Rachel and I try to catch every detail, but sometimes we miss things!
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: a great thing about the webcomic medium is that it allows us the opportunity to tweak and update pages without issue. If we wanted to make a change in a printed book, we’d have to wait until a second printing and pay through the nose for it! So we do appreciate the Salmon Party’s help in finding these inconsistencies when they pop up :)
So, anyone here follow the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) announcements? Some very cool games announced and previewed this year, one of which is being developed by some fantastic local Seattle talent — a team called PolyArc is working on a game for the PlayStation VR platform called Moss (no relation to Mossflower or Redwall or anything like that). I’d been following the lead animator’s work for a little while leading up to the announcement, so it was very cool seeing the game and its tiny protagonist in action. Check out the trailer below:
For guest art this week, I wanted to share some relevant pieces of artwork done by SaraaLuna following the publication of Part II of my Meridian Trail story last week! I was not in any way expecting fan-art of my prose, but Saraa had me grinning ear to ear with these “Banditpalooza” pieces. Check them out! Here we have Fray and Kell, two bandits in Locke’s crew:
And here we have Locke himself — the wanted ermehn criminal who leads the gang of miscreants we see in the story!
I love the grayscale coloring on everything but the tattoo inks — it really makes them pop! I also love the nose ring and shredded ears — it really fits his character!
And lastly, here is Ayden, the tamian bandit who learns a valuable lesson (maybe?) at the end of the story. I honestly didn’t have a robust visual image in my head for what he looked like, but now I do really like the idea of him as a burly bandit with a somewhat Crim-like body structure!
I love love love how these characters look, Saraa! Thank you so much for giving them proper form!
nice page! joke’s on the Canid! now Quin and Dak conveniently have their supplies and weapons back!
I’m loving the guest art! it really captures their looks, especially Locke! but still, these are all great. I love them!
You left their stuff just right outside THEIR ROOM!?
“TOSCH! YOU HAD ONE JOB!!”
Again Saraa you did such a great job illustrating each of the bandits, I absolutely love them all (especially Fray and Kell)
Talking to Dakkan about his father is going to be awkward for the rest of this story, isn’t it? Though the only thing more awkward will be Dakkan talking to Kenosh himself. As always, the art is stellar, and the plot continues thickening. I’m a bit surprised that the Canid would leave Dakkan and Quinlan’s bags so close, but I suppose they never considered the two leaving the dungeon. Arrogance is a general problem for them (or believing in their military might a biiiiiit too much).
I’m glad you enjoyed my bandit doodles! I just felt like drawing the crew, haha. I took a shot at Bragg, Jin, and Trev too (can’t provide links off mobile, whee) but I’m not sure they showed up in the tag. Tumblr is a fickle website. Either way, thank you for continuing to write such fun and involving stories to create fanart of.
I feel like this is a test from Tosch. He might be trying to test their capabilities, considering the guard had the keys on him and their stuff just so happens to be outside the door- I mean, come on. One of those things is understandable but both is just plain asking for trouble, unless the canid are really that overconfident- which, granted, they just might be- but still.
Interesting that Dakkan’s the one to turn the conversation to Kenosh both times. He really has that on his mind, doesn’t he? I mean, you can’t blame the poor guy. This is gonna stick with him for a while. Although I maintain that Quinlan and Dakkan have the most compelling dynamic in this narrative, Kenosh and Dakkan have a wonderfully interesting and complex, if heartbreaking, relationship.
It’s a nice detail that Dakkan takes the time to lock the door behind them. It’s far better than just leaving the door hanging open and announcing their escape to all interested parties- ie, the garrison full of pissed of canid.
….Is Dakkan’s staff broken in half there? Wow, way to be jerks. At least it’s not too hard to find a staff-like weapon- a broom or a spear would suffice once you snap the head off. Well, I guess we’re finally gonna find out how proficient Dakkan is in the Lutren martial art. That or he can use escrima sticks.
I love the detail of Quinlan cradling his arm throughout the page, too. Although he had a moment of adrenaline to dull the pain, that can’t feel very good.
Wow, I can’t imagine how long it took to draw all that stonework! Rachel, I really don’t know how you do this and keep it looking fantastic every week. I see there’s other cells in the walls too- wonder if that’s going to end up relevant.
Wonderful page, as always. It’s good to be back, and hopefully it’ll stick this time.
“Wow, I can’t imagine how long it took to draw all that stonework!”
Perhaps Alex will be merciful and the next major locale will be eternally shrouded in fog just thick enough to reveal the characters but totally obscure the background.
BTWD, on the moon.
Not sure Hardin would like that- in space, no one can hear your enemies scream.
Now I want to see the BWD cast fighting off Xenomorphs on a derelict space station, dressed appropriately.
https://mouseclicksandjoysticks.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/aliens-colonial-marines-team.jpg
I admit it’s corny as hell, but there you go.
(If any of them were to make it out alive, it would be Hardin.)
He HAD to lock the door or the guard would escape when he woke up from his chain-induced nap.
Well, well, well . . .
Glad to see that they’re getting some of their gear back! It’ll make breaking out of prison that much easier. This part is just BEGGING for a computer RPG adaptation . . .
Have to love Saraa’s art, it’s great to see the bandits visually! She really nailed every single one of them, I’d say.
The plot thickens. I’m very interested in seeing how Quin and Dak make it out of this mess.
Another fine page. Its just like in a Bethesda game. Break out of cell and there is a pile of low level weapons and gear for you to take. Although I’m pretty sure Quin wouldn’t take to kindly to me calling his gear low level. As for Dak his lamellar armour is pretty cool.
Also a quick question for Alex. As I’ve mentioned a thousand times by know, I have been putting the BTWD Fire Emblem style game to paper, and have nearly wrapped up the rough draft for chapter one. I know its not technically fan art, but I would like to give it to you anyway; if you want it. Besides I need to make sure everything is lore correct. Let me know, see you all next week!
It’s nice that you are making that fan work to make a game out this comic.
You need not worry though. Once we convince Alex and Rachel to turn this story into a Homestuck style interactive webcomic, there will be plenty of roleplaying to go around!
Hey,
I’d be willing to help if you like. I’m fairly familiar with the lore and worldbuilding, and what I don’t know I mostly have on the wiki (granted, it’s a bit behind due to my period of inactivity) You can find me on tumblr, same username.
On one hand finding your gear in one convenient spot after escaping prison cell is a rather gamist trope, but on the other seeing it in trash heap is really, really funny.
Those are also really snazzy designs Saraa, and they fit the mental image I had of the characters!
Yeah, hopefully they got all their stuff back, but it was pretty insulting to find it in the rubbish.
Why not leave their stuff right outside the door? It’s not as if they’re gonna escape or anything, right?
no stupid people here, not at all! ;) Everyone has tge most secure prison with no sharp objects near! And all weapons and supplies are hidden! Yep! Noone is escaping, or turning their backs on dangourous prisoners, no sir! ^-^