Beyond the Western Deep

Looks like getting stabbed–you know, right in the chest–can have some long-term health complications! Crazy, I know, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Hardin’s not doing too well as a result, but Kenosh and Ashtor are smart and have some experience with battlefield injuries, so maybe now that they’ve got a little headway on the canid patrols they can figure things out.

Speaking of figuring things out, I wanted to take a little time this week to share what we’re planning with the musical album Kickstarter we’re planning for next month–again, it’s starting on July 5th!

The work-in-progress shown here is only a starting comp and may very well change in the coming weeks, but reflects the general idea: seeing members of each Dunian kingdom joining together with an instrument that speaks to their culture.

Nolan Markey, the composer behind all the music of Western Deep, has spent a great deal of time ruminating on which instruments might do best at representing the various kingdoms. We’ve already done a pretty good job establishing a strong Celtic/Gaelic influence with Sunsgrove via past musical pieces, so Quinlan’s penny whistle and Dakkan’s fiddle are prime contenders there for sure.

Also, Rachel has the felis operating the hurdy gurdy here, but considering my personal affection for the music in Black Sails (which features an amazing hurdy-gurdy-led main theme by Bear McCreary), there may be a debate going on about whether the seafaring polcan should have that instrument instead!

We’re excited to share more as the album art nears completion, as well as the pitch video itself and the reward tiers. It’s just a little more than 3 weeks before the campaign begins, so rest assured the next few updates will be filled with cool preview info for readers!

Lastly, I wanted to share this wonderful piece of guest art from reader Jason R. of our favorite smirky smug canid officer from the previous scene, presented in a mashup of Western Deep and Star Wars!

This is so awesome, Jason! That canid officer definitely has some Imperial officer vibes to him–along with a lot of the canid military hierarchy I suppose. If he turned out to be some kind of hidden Inquisitor and packed a lightsaber or two, I figure he’d definitely find every excuse to go full smug. After all, who would stop him??

I suppose Quin and Dak as Jedi on the run kinda makes sense too, huh? Well now I’m thinking about this fun crossover too! :)

Thanks so much for the amazing guest art, Jason. We love it!

See you all next time!