Chapter 3: Page 43
Sideways glances: the hallmark of unfinished conversations! But that’s okay, because after what feels like a short eternity we finally get to see Eira and Bevan chatting again! Not since the first Sratha-din scene in Chapter 2 did we get that. I know, it’s been a while — but we can only cover so much in each chapter, and we’ve got a pretty huge cast. Lots of gears turning simultaneously!
I mean, if I had my druthers we’d be telling each POV story concurrently with cloned Rachel/Alex pairings handling each of them: one for Quin/Dak, one for the Sratha-din, one for Janik, heck I’d even have a pair cranking away on the Sand Spiders, but since there is only one Rachel and one Alex, we must make do!
As you can see, Bevan is a fun test subject to doodle around with. He’s floofy and noodly (two adjectives that I love but rarely have the opportunity to use in a professional capacity), and Rachel really leans into these when portraying him.
Today, ArenaNet launched the massive second expansion to Guild Wars 2, entitled Path of Fire. Now, I do work at ArenaNet, but I didn’t have too much to do with the expansion content. Still, I had a chance to see it all come together over the last 9 months or so and lemme tell ya, it’s pretty awesome stuff! Check it out:
If you’ve never played Guild Wars 2, it’s an MMORPG in the vein of World of Warcraft or Elder Scrolls Online, but with a greater emphasis on approachability. Want to solo the story content? Feel free. Intimidated about joining a group or a guild? Other players are visible around you at all times and you can casually help each other out without making any commitment!
Anyway, don’t forget that we have a Discord server all set up where you can hang out with us, chat about the comic/games/art/anything, and generally have a good time! You can check out the Discord right here!
Bevan Alert! Bevan Alert! We have a return of the Bevan!
(And Eira too.)
I assume that’s Kenosh’s Disembodied Footpaw (band name) we’re seeing in the first panel? Looks kinda awkward, the way it’s stuck in there, but it’s hardly enough to significantly detract from another Great Page (band name)!
While I still question just how well Kenosh and Ashtor will get along, I’m glad that awkward tension is counterbalanced by Eira and Ashtor being their adorable innocent selves.
Seeing that glimpse of a creepy fog, I wouldnt be surprised if the team gets attacked by revenants and ghosts or any other supernatural things that could warrant for a spoopy ghost adventure that would cleverly fit into the upcoming month.
Ooh! Bevan, there’s a right time and place for jokes, but this might be some relief from Kenosh’s saltiness :V
Great page and art by the way!
Ooh, “druthers” is a good word. Thanks Alex, it’s always good to come across a new word.
And a last chance to die to from exhaustion. Just saying.
It’s great to see Bevan again, but my personal favorite part of the page is Rhosyn’s expression on the first page. She isn’t rattled by the rage followed by awkwardness, she’s just bored. I think that’s great.
It’s also great to see more Bevan-Eira interaction. Clearly she isn’t as physical as the other Ermehn. But at least unlike Ashtor she’s young and spry, so I think she can handle it.
It’s also interesting to see that they’re going south. I.e. away from the wastes and deeper into Canid territory. And this group is just Kenosh and the Sratha-Din, no more. Anyone have any theories as to what Hardin’s planning next, or where the rest of his Ermehn warriors have wandered off to?
Ashtor is honestly one of my favorite characters just because of his expressions. Although I don’t like making comparisons to characters from other universes, he kind of reminds me of Murtagh Fraser from Outlander. He just has this sort of grizzled, rugged character that strikes a similar chord – not the same by any means, but similar.
I’m interested in seeing more of Bevan and Eira too – I imagine it will introduce some interesting new dynamics to the group’s interactions with one another. Maybe they’ll keep Hardin and Kenosh from unneeded bloodshed! Or maybe not. :P
I love Rhosyn and Ashtor in the first panel. I bet Hardin can look forward to a talkin’ to some time in the future.
Also, poor Bevan now has wet socks.
The artwork on the whole page is pretty good, especially the lighting, but really nothing compares to those facial expressions in the last panel. They bring me joy. Of course, the page of Bonus Bevans is pretty great, too.
Can Eira actually hold her own in case crap hits the fan? I assume Hardin wouldn’t have taken her in if she couldn’t at least throw in a good punch when needed.
That’s a good question.
I imagine she knows at least a little of battle, having grown up in the harsh wastes.
Did we actually see Eira in Deltrada? I forget. Maybe she was kept outside to help treat any of the injured?
Hardin left her and Ashtor at the lake with four guards.
https://westerndeep.net/comic/chapter-2-page-49/
https://westerndeep.net/comic/chapter-2-page-50/
That being said, it would be interesting if she did have medical knowledge. She isn’t a combatant and that would give her something to do besides being a scribe.
Eira may have the lowest DPS stat out of all available squad-mates but her satchel grants bonus inventory space and, as official Bearer of the Inhaler her presence gives the entire party immunity to asthma attacks as a passive buff.
Where’s the new one for this week
Hi Riley! Unfortunately a combination of sickness and a tricky page meant we were unable to update this past Saturday. We’ll have it ready to go this week!
I hope whoever is sick feels better soon.
^