Chapter 4: Page 86
Dak’s interrogation style leaves a bit to be desired, but there’s no denying he’s got a lot invested in this line of questioning. After all, for all he knows, his father could be on the run, captured by the canid, or lying dead in a gully somewhere.
And even though Bevan knows Dakkan a little bit more after his heart-to-heart with Kenosh, Rhosyn and Eira are still in no position to trust anyone here. Also, even if they intuited that Dakkan and Quinlan’s motives are true, what about these tamian scouts that waylaid them in the forest (assuming they were bandits because they’re ermehn)? Can’t imagine they’re too excited to share their leader’s location with them.
Anyway, as always we’ve been hard at work on a number of Western Deep related projects in addition to the comic, a lot of it centered around War of the Western Deep, our big action/adventure game. Set to take place concurrently with the events of the comic, it features a brand-new protagonist, a brand-new location, and a whole bunch of new characters from the world of the Western Deep to meet and get to know.
I feel like I keep teasing this one, but trust me when I say it’s probably the biggest Western Deep project we’ve taken on, and there are a lot of exciting things we can’t wait to share about it… but have to wait because we want to reveal everything only when it’s ready for prime time :)
As always, you can get the latest Western Deep related news on our Twitter account right here!
See you next time!
You know Dak’s really acting out when Crim needs to step in as the Voice of Reason.
And so far, they’ve kept from Crim pretty much what they need to – namely, that Kenosh all but started this imminent war – although that could change any page now, depending on how loose lips get here. Although a strategic treewalker appearance could upend things beyond all further coherent discussion. What will happen next? *chews fingernails down to the quick in anticipation*
It’s not just the hangry, walking trainsects they need to worry about, right? Aren’t there canid patrols in hot pursuit (or at least lukewarm pursuit) of both these groups?
Seems weird that Dakkan or Quinlan haven’t warned Crim & Co about the possibility of this reunion being crashed by the fascist dog-squad.
Fascist how?
As far as we, the reader, have seen Aisling is:
-Ardently nationalistic.
-With a strictly enforced, militarised society (mandatory national service).
-Unilateral power concentrated in a few individuals (military high command).
-Emphasis on duty to the state taking precedence over individual preferences (caste system).
-Low tolerance of alternative or oppositional viewpoints (strict anti-sedition laws*).
-State controls on freedom of information (the existence of a ‘canid propaganda machine’ to oversee and regulate the dissemination of information*).
-Systemic xenophobia (domestic and foreign policy of Ermehn extermination and curtailment of rights. Coercion, imprisonment and assassination of foreign diplomats).
-Hegemonic ambitions (Imminent invasion of Sunsgrove. Perpetrators of a probably years-long proxy war with Sunsgrove via polcan privateers).
*’From the Collected Works of the Spire: Ermehn Sympathizers’ which is a cool, interesting side story from a while ago.
You’ve described something that just about any ideology or system of government can use for their own purposes given enough corruption. Countries such as South Korea have mandatory military service, for example.
The only issues I see is the extermination of the Ermehn, expansionist and back stabbing behaviour towards others in its lust for power and the lack of freedom of information which bleeds all the way down to day to day life (which we’re even yet to see from their point of view anyway). That’s proof of power consolidation by its leaders. And a weak and controlled king apparently.
Basically they’re the ones holding the big stick now, instead of the Ermehn, as apparently this is a cycle of revenge.
If you are looking for a debate then I’m afraid you will not find it here. Every single person will have their own interpretation of any and every aspect of a piece of fiction. My above answer to your question is a microcosm of mine.
You disagree with my assessment? Thats ok! Inevitable, even.
I give you permission to disagree with me.
(In reply to your last comment -April 20, 2023, 2:52 am-)
Wasn’t really looking for a debate, to leave you hanging would be rude. Tone on the internet can be interpreted however people want really, age old thing. Talking about all of this just goes to show how much the comic interests people. We’ll end that there then.
I was looking for the reply button, though, found it! Thanks for that permission by the way, not sure what I would have done without it, could you imagine?
And for your point of view about all of this too, I appreciate it, cobber.
I’m beginning to like Crim quite a lot, now that his angst is somewhat abated.
Yes, when we saw him in Chapter One, he was in full-on bully-boy mode. Now we’re seeing him on actual patrol duty, where the stakes are higher and he’s taking things a tad more seriously. Who knows? By the end of this, he and Quin might actually be – gasp! – cooperating to get themselves through the upcoming trouble.