Song of the Eastern Sands: Page 08
Maybe Beck is pretty good at haggling, or maybe she’s terrible. I wouldn’t know — I’m pretty awful at haggling. My experience in it comes almost exclusively from a trip I took down to Mexico about five years ago, and I wasn’t very good at it. I’m pretty sure I would up negotiating for more than the starting price a couple of times — which was the inspiration for Beck’s… “technique”.
As always, Jerome’s method of condensing my dialog results in hilarity! I imagine these lines in their voices and chuckle a bit.
Speaking of chuckles and laughter, I absolutely HAD to share this Christmas-themed post (since Christmas is less than a week away!!) from Saraa Luna of her Enerus character from the Western Deep fan-fiction Ice Burn! This poor Canid seems to be handling the holiday season with a little less enthusiasm than most.
Pretty sure that’s not cocoa he’s drinking. If I had to guess, it’s got an alcohol content higher than most gasoline. Seems a requirement when you’re rocking an “ugly sweater” like his. Also those antlers. THOSE ANTLERS.
Thanks so much for the holiday-themed artwork, Saraa! And thank you to all our readers for providing me, Rachel, and Jerome with plenty of cheer throughout the year.
Lastly, we’re running a little holiday sale on the Western Deep BigCartel store! Check it out here — we’re selling the Volume 1/mini-print/bookmark bundle for $10+shipping through the holidays! That’s a heck of a deal!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Cheerful Holiday to all our readers!
“You’re … really bad at haggling.”
That may be may favorite line from “SotES” so far … right up there with Yurk’s “Cos the dark” genius pronouncement. And the Tamian merchant’s expressions complement it perfectly. And what a wonderful crowd long shot! Lotsa great stuff happening in this page – one of the best so far! (Oh, and agree 100% with your take on Jerome’s “rough draft” dialogue.)
Watch out, Rook and Asha!
Found Cain & Yurk at the bottom right
Hooray!
Beck’s quite the smooth talker, ain’t she..?
I laughed so hard at Beck’s haggling “technique”… that’s the first thing that made me laugh harder than seeing Enerus in the ugly sweater.
oh, and here’s a link to a WIP of the Christmas Special I’ve been working on: http://sta.sh/0anyqc78fao
progress is a bit slow, but things are turning out well. the main delay here is all the Christmas parties and dinners I have to attend. enjoy that WIP while I try not to be awkward at said parties and dinners
Good job! I like the little thing going on with the mistletoe and the slight Leonardo da Vinci inspiration. Though it also looks like you used the qualifier “Vau” twice–over both his character and mine.
Can’t wait to see it when it’s done!
Right…. I’ll change it as soon as I can.
Lol Jerijune XD – What the… Oh Lol (Now I lie and Laugh on the floor XD Ah, Dago… XD OMG, Dago – you are to drunk XD ) Really fantastic idea Jerijune XD – taht will be the best Christmas BWD special graphic ever :D Really fantastic job – and thanks for my drunk Dago XD
And second – I want say the same what say Fourth ;) (Abou Leonardo Da Vici inspiration ;) :D )
thanks! as of now, I’m done coloring around half of the characters in the thing :) plus, I was able to add Elson’s character in there (he joined in and I did it at the last minute)
Is that a red panda up at the top there, under the yellow awning?
If I had to guess, I’d say Polcan.
now… is that Cain and Yurk I see in the bottom right corner..?
Indeed.
Hey Jerijune –
Can you tell me Whom drunk Dago wants to kiss (Who from Salmon party ^^; XD ? Beacause I can’t
to decipher who is it XD – Later I must sorry him/her for my drunk Dago ;-; XD )
That would be VarVau’s Brea, who was described two pages back with the other characters.
Thx Fourth :)
Uh-oh. They’re in real trouble now. I can’t help but love the air of self-confidence that Beck is radiating with her comeback to the merchant.
Not much else to say about this page, except that the ratcheting up of the tension is increasing my anxiety to see the next page to levels not seen since the debacle of Deltrada.
Boy if looks could kill…
You know, hearing the word “abacus” just suddenly made me realize that Dunia….prolly isnt the most technological savvy worlds out there (even for a medieval setting). I can imagine their most advanced invention would be an egg timer or something.
At the beginning I wanted sorry you all my firends for the last week absence on Salmon Party, but I had duties and the lack of desire and no-idea to the conversation :( :/ … And preparing for the holidays, orders, etc… ^^;
The same for the last and this week again I want praise and I love the colors and like always especialy effects of facial expressions of the face of Jerome – just I love it :D
(By the way, unfortunately, I have a bad feeling that Lady Lutern not longer keep notes of merchant … XD)
And I wanted to first Prise Jerijune for the last week Guest art (I knew it before, from DA, but always I have a smile on my face when I see it ^^ :D ) and the same Bravo for Sara for this weeks guest art which make me laugh and smile again when I see it here ^^ :D ^^
thanks, Jakub! oh, and that Ermehn Dago’s trying to kiss is Vau’s character- Brea
You’r welcome Jerijune :D And Brea… Is he or she ^^; ? – if she is no problem; But if he is a little is problem … ;-; XD (then even tighter to apologize and explain Dago’s drunk behavior XD)
Ah, and if you show now your work, I show you Jerijune my FanArt with Cain & Yurk – And that will be in some next week here in guest art but I don’t know when ^^; – But I can show you it now for this cool drunk Dago XD .: http://cracowpoland2013.deviantart.com/art/Tamian-wine-FanArt-577211838
:D
oh, that one… I remember seeing it in your gallery!
Hmmm… I show you this, because I think that you don’t see it yet ’cause you don’t watch me, and I want show it for Dago ^^; Hahah – So I think that I show it for you first time XD ;) But taht is good that you see it yet ^^ :) Thanks Jerijune ^^ :D
Ah, the “terrible haggler” gag of “offer them MORE money instead of less”.
Never gets old, does it?
Ah, VarVau – I want sorry for my Dago – He Drunk to much bear ^^; … And especially when he is drunk especially he likes make silly jokes too… So Sorry for his drunk behavior ^^; XD
actually, I put Dago and Brea together because (from what I’ve seen on TV shows and movies) there’s usually guy hitting on someone during a party . oh, and since Brea’s a loner, she just wants to be left alone with her food.
Yup ^^ this is really fun what draw Jerijune, but anyway I’m sorry for him :3 XD
“u bad”
“I’M GUD!”
also that sketch of Beck in the last panel. The thumbnails are always the highlight for me (besides the amazing finished art)
Whenever I read the sketch page dialogue I keep hearing the Git Gud meme in my head.
“u bad”
“I’m gud”
“no, u bad”
“no, u bad; git gud“
“U R 2 dum, lol.”
“lol no, n00b U suck.”
“well, U (/&% with ur /%$&/ idiot!”
“lol, l34rn 2 r3move sw34r filt3r, n00b!”
In the far north, an Ermehn matron experience visions of a TRULY bleak future…
Uh-oh, busted in one sec
Well… ’cause today for us is the most important day/moment of the celebration of Christmas in Poland – Christmas Eve (24 December) – this beautiful, magical evening and night – a traditional Christmas Eve supper and waiting for the birth of the Savior, and final great solemn “Pasterka” Holy mass at mignight (24/25 December) ^^ :) – So… I wanted for you all my dear friends submit most cordial Christmas wishes – a lot of health, happiness, prosperity, love in your lives and families, and a multitude of artistic inspiration on many new Anthro graphics and funny coments and discutions here :3 ^^ :D – and the blessings of the new born Lord Jesus on each day of the coming New Year ^^ :D – For everybody – Alex, Rachel, Jerome, and all BWD friends and charcters :3 XD
I leave you going to Christmas Eve supper with these Christmas wishes with most beautiful Poland Carol, hereinafter referred to “the Queen of Polish Christmas carols” – God is born” (My beloved Christmas Carol ^^ :) )
“God is born and night is shaken
He the Heaven’s King lies naked.
The living Word knows brightness darkened,
He the Limitless takes limit.
Born disdained yet worship given,
Mortal, yet the Lord eternal.
And the Word became a child
And dwelt among us… […] ” ^^ :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA1e9Xgex34
Merry Christmas for Everyone :D ^^
And here is my obligatory Christmas carol parody this year, specifically tailored for SOTES:
Merchants call,
are you listening?
In each stall,
wares are glistening.
There’s cash to be made,
and we’re unafraid.
Sneakin’ in a desert wonderland.
There goes Beck,
our distraction.
Rook will check
the reaction.
And Asha won’t rest
‘til she opens the chest.
Sneakin’ in a desert wonderland.
In the market we can get some silvers.
Hit a different merchant every week.
We live for the thrill and for the money,
and make sure our team’s condition’s peak.
Later on,
we’ll conspire,
our next run,
to the wire.
Cause merchants dismay,
and then slip away,
Sneakin’ in a desert wonderland.
In the market we can get some silvers.
Spend free time refining our technique.
We shall carry on here down in Nessa,
hoping for success great and unique.
Happy Holidays to all. I hope your day is good and inter-relative drama is kept to a minimum.
Merry Christmas, Shield! And to all of our amazing readers, may your Holidays be fun-filled and festive! :D
The poor Tamian merchant just looks done at this point- he might suspect Beck was put up to it by a rival merchant, or at least severely doubts her ability to actually deliver on her offer.
I really like the way there’s other things going on in the background of the market- the Vulpin carrying apples, for one, and our favorite comedic duo plotting some new zany adventure on the bottom of the page.
I like how Beck’s body language is as fluid and lively as her face, she really comes off the page.