Chapter 4: Page 37
Just two and a half weeks left until the RINGO AWARDS stop accepting nominations!
If you haven’t voted yet, please head to the link and consider voting for Beyond the Western Deep in “Best Webcomic” and any other category you see fit to nominate us for :) You can cast your ballot right here: https://ringoawards.survey.fm/ringo-awards-2021-nominations
Looks like Hardin is still alive for the time being, but gosh he’s in pretty bad shape isn’t he? I suppose anyone would be, taking a dagger to the chest! With the canid literally nipping at their heels, they really don’t have time to be gentle with him, unfortunately. Seems like Ashtor and Kenosh are going to have to work a little frontier medicine magic to keep Hardin alive–and that’s only if they survive the next few minutes.
Some minor tweaks to the layout as you can see in the thumb–specifically that Ashtor’s gaze was originally directed at an in-panel Rathik. The perspective would have been too extreme, though–with Rathik being turned too far from the reader and Ashtor being too far away to really get the best read on his expression.
But the intent is certainly there! Ashtor’s look of disapproval could stun a team of oxen in their tracks. He’s certainly throwing the gauntlet down to Rathik–he made no secret of his original intent (Hardin even called him out on it back in chapter 3!) so perhaps it’s time to make good on it given their current situation.
It may be cold and rainy up in the Felnach Highlands, but here in Washington State we’re starting to get balmy weather and clear skies! Summer is fast approaching all over the northern hemisphere, so it makes sense that reader Smidge might be a little inspired to portray Quinlan relaxing in a pool hanging out in a tube!
It’s so nice to see Quinlan able to just RELAX for once, you know? As Rachel so succinctly put it, the guy deserves a vacation, and as we love putting our characters through the wringer for everyone’s enjoyment, we also love to see them far from danger and just having a good time.
So thank you, Smidge! This is such an adorable take on Quinlan, and it’s definitely put me in the mood for some summer shenanigans :)
Have a great week, everyone!
Something that I don’t ever remember from reading around the archives:
How tall are the characters supposed to be? Are they supposed to all be roughly human-sized or are they supposed to be closer to their animal size ranges? (Obviously, Quinlan looks comparatively big for a squirrel next to Dakkan or Tosch, but you never know…everyone could be about 2-4 feet tall)
Until there is a banana for scale I suspect we will never know.
LOL
Also, I love that Kenosh’s longsword has a leather-wrapped ricasso–who was watching “Braveheart” when they designed that?
Let’s hope this one isn’t made out of skinned Englishmen/Canid like Wallace’s was rumored to be.
1.Wait to see if Hardin got hit on the right shoulder. ‘Cause he’s curling his left hand. Or it’s just me.
2. Why do I have the impression that Rahik will get revenge.
3. It’s cute that Kenosh will carry Hardin
4. Lovely hospitality graphics 5. Poor Kenosh … There will be a scar after this wound …. let alone Rathik …. Don’t hurt my boys.
I rather suspect the Canid are going to find Rahik very, very useful.
I agree, some R&R would do our beloved characters some good during this summer break, along with some shenanigans. So I think that I can come up some things that the characters can do:
1. The main characters from “Beyond the Western Deep” can have some fun in the sun at the beach.
2. The main characters from “The Scholar & the Seawal” can take some time to unwind & take in some of Nessa’s agriculture.
3. The main characters from “Song of the Eastern Sands” can hang out at bar & drink lots of ale until they pass out.
4. Cain & Yurk can do some thrill seeking at some Ice cave or Crystal cave, while fooling around with their goofy reflections.
Yeah, Now that’s what I called a good start to kick off the summer break, with style.
Note: the things that I listed so far are also future summer hiatus stories that Alex & his fellow writers might come up with & write during the summer break as well. ;)