Song of the Eastern Sands: Page 05
Oho, the plot thickens! Who is that Ermehn hiding in the tent messing with the merchant’s stuff? Clearly there’s a premium on distracting this Tamian merchant, and what better way to do that than by offering to buy “all of them”? Beck is continuing to prove herself as one capable of drawing and keeping attention — hopefully with you, the readers, as well!
New Jersey Comic Expo went very well last week, with a good number of new readers showing up and buying the paperback version! There have also been some promising new developments on the distribution front, too — early times on that, but I’ll be sure to share any news there as it happens.
Happy belated Thanksgiving to all our US readers, by the way! I hope your turkey day went well, and that your leftovers prove tasty for as long as they last!
This week, for guest art, we’re going back in time a bit! I realized the other day that I had missed out on posting a wonderful piece by artist extraordinaire, Temiree — a mini-comic featuring Sratha-din superstars Bevan and Hardin! I seriously cannot believe I haven’t posted this before! The inspiration came from the scene at the end of Chapter 2, when Bevan tries (and fails) to calm Dakkan after Quinlan was shot, rationalizing that since Quin was only shot in the shoulder, it was totally fine!
Bevan’s always about finding the best of any situation, no matter how dire. Sometimes it gets him angry glares from Hardin, and sometimes it gets him clocked in the head by Dakkan’s staff.
Thanks so much for the amazing artwork, Temiree! Sorry I haven’t posted this up until today!
well, ain’t this a surprise (for both me and that Ermehn!) this is another awesome page!
Well… for me that was suprise XD :3
Panel two reminds me of a shark.
Jaws theme plays as we slowly inch closer to her face
We have effectively switched into a horror genre story.
That face is seriously SCARY
Unnatural scary for me XD :3
What a wonderful thing! We get not one, but two wonderful comics at the same time!
Well that was close. The thief is lookin’ a little shocked there!
Do the ermehn people sometimes feel like they’ve been typecasted as thieves and ne’er-do-wells?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqvDdXSOEok
But seriously, I agree. Though they do appear to be pretty quick and stealthy as a species, which would help them excel in thievery and other illicit activities. If BWD were a game, the Ermehn would probably be the established “rogue race”, like D&D Halflings or Elder Scrolls Khajits.
The implication of all of this, of course, is that even Ermehn who have legitimate business among other species might well be treated with suspicion, even hostility.
… And it’s all by the tragedy of this nation and by racial hatred of Canid to Ermehn + oGreat historic lie, say by Canid for other kingdoms :p :( + a perennial Canid propaganda – I know, because as my Nation as Ermehn was seen and sometimes is still of antion of thiefs and idlers :( :(
Remember the way the guards were eyeing the Ermehn in the prologue? I’d say the Ermehn and the Polcan have the chaotic neutral/evil label in the four kingdoms. Yknow, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Tamian are considered cowards by everyone else, hence Caldus’ aversion to anything he felt resembled it.
Is that Asha I see poking around in the merchant’s tent? The thief’s expression is priceless, whoever it is.
Also, Beck, please never change.
Great work from Temiree; it made me laugh. Bevan is another character who should never change.
I second that.
Hahaha, for a moment there, I thought she was going to just grab everything off the table and run. I like this better. Composition on that last panel is perfect.
Also, rough draft dialogue continues to be absolute class.
Also also, always nice to see Temiree’s art. He especially nailed the expressions. Lovely all around.
The guards…are coming…the guards are coming….
…And escape…. And possibly fight to escape… with help of others friends :3 ;)
Beck is starting to seriously scare me. Like, in a nightmarish way. I know her exaggerated expressions are supposed to be for comedic effect, but instead they’re reminding me just how truly terrifying it might be if furry/anthro characters actually existed in our world. (Be careful what you wish for, AnthroFans – that “cute” 6-foot otter you always wanted as your best pal might send you diving under the table just by smiling at you … and let’s not even get into the Canid …)
Oh, but I forgot to enumerate all the GOOD things about this page while I was at it! Like the differences between the rough page and the finished one, which always provides an interesting and welcome insight into the creative process. As splendid as the hooded and masked Asha looks in the final page, I can’t deny a certain affinity for her rendering in the rough version, where we can not only clearly see who she is, but she’s got that wonderful “caught in the headlights” gaze and those adorable crossed footpaws. And as for the guest art, all I can say is that we’ve all been blessed with riches in recent weeks in this regard, and Temiree’s contribution this week only enriches us further. “Beyond the Western Deep” – boasting the most talented readership on the Intrawebs!
“I mean, at these prices it’s a steal!”
To be honest I laughed all the time (This is why I don’t write comment yesterday XD ) and I feel stupid now because I did not occur to me that Lady Lutern is only pulled out a merchant :3 (OMG I love this scared/suprised face of Ermehn thief in a tent XD :3 ) – Great action – again a great and cool surprise ^^ :D – I really want praise Jerome for these fantastic facial emotions :D (I don’t know which I like the most, they are all so awesome XD :D)
Anyway now you
Had Thanksgiving feast, and today I wish wish you all much health and happiness on the occasion of the St. Andrew day/feast; that is, the ancient Slavic celebration associated with traditional wax divination figures cast in water by key – and of course party (well we haven’t tradition dish on this occasion, like Turkey on Thanksgiving feast; but I’m sure that in this day (like in my home) are in any home in Poland party where we can find tradition Slavic drink – Vodka :3 XD (I think that Cain & Yurk would be happy :3 XD ) And don’t worry
My family Fortunately prefer just to taste and ocasionaly good wine – especially Tamian wine :3 XD
Cherr for all :D
Ah, and temiree :) – I forget again prise you for this cool short comic XD :D – I remember it and again make me new great laught XD :D
Looks like you lost your senses a bit there, Beck. Even if the merchant doesn’t see the thief/spy/saboteur/halfling/rogue, it’s entirely possible that someone in the crowd does- depending on how he’s opening his tent, at least. Of course, it’s far more likely that everyone’s attention is on Beck. Quinlan could learn a thing or two about commanding a room from her- minus offering to buy out the merchant’s stock… which is also likely to make him go in the tent… perhaps you’re better off trying to learn from your two absent mentors, Quinlan.
The posing in that second panel is great. It seems there’s a lot at stake here for our Lutren-Ermehn duo.
Why hello Asha. And here I thought you were the druid type, but it seems you maxed out your stealth skill. I’m just curious to know if Beck dragged Asha into this, or vice versa. Or perhaps a mutual venture? The other two in the quartet are involved, as well- presumably all together. Maybe they owe fines for their timeline-breaking use of nuclear technology?
In last time discusions on Salmon party really fast died… :(
The salmon party never dies, only lies in the mud until the Sunsgrovians are caught unawares
Yes, and one day, rising from the sea, shall the true, Lovecraftian horror that is the salmon party be REVEALED AT LAST! COWER IN FEAR, MORTALS, FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION IS AT HAND! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
*ahem*
I should probably lay off the Cthulhu mythos Christmas carols I’ve been listening to lately.
also known as the plot, and it’s coming for them.
So you’re going to bait us and then not leave a link? Most unlike you!
Originally, I wasn’t going to link any of them, because: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWUQzbYUqGA
But, you asked for it . . . so here are a few of my favorites:
Oh Come All Ye Old Ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2DscvVye94
Slay Ride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiKYsRd2NaM
Do You Fear What I Fear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT1ckkpGBBE
Carol of the Old Ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_AvJzkPqQ8
Death to the World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptP0OR-e7rI
. . . you get the idea. My twisted sense of humor finds this sort of thing endlessly amusing.
Looks like Beck’s face won’t be the only thing giving us nightmares…
lol, and again eluded me all discussion what I started and I want talk XD Haha XD
Aw man, Fourth, you left out my favorite!
At first I didn’t see the Ermehn, and thought that she was crazy or something!
So much for saving the rest for others very conciderate….. NOT!!!!
The look on the lady’s face in the second(?) panel scares me. I’d be VERY afraid of someone looking at me like that.