Chapter 1: Page 24
This week, Quinlan demonstrates his ability to command a room. Or lack thereof. Obviously he’s used to taking orders, not giving them – scouts of the Western Deep are generally a quiet and solitary bunch. Being a captain, however, is serious business – they’re meant to hold sway over entire armies, after all! Quinlan can’t even get his own king to notice he’s in the room.
This week we also get a little insight into one aspect of the comic world that Rachel and I enjoy brainstorming, and that’s the food these characters eat. The Tamian, of course, have a vast woodland paradise at their disposal, filled with all manner of berries, nuts, vegetables, and fruits. Over many long years, the Tamian have managed to turn every ingredient into a valuable aspect of Tamian culture, including the oddly-spiced danberry – a type of berry that doesn’t serve much use in cooking, but has been fermented into a world-famous wine by a family of Tamian horticulturalists.
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Danberry wine, then, is a hallmark of Tamian culture. Other foodstuffs that we’ll see later involve nutbreads and fruitbreads, as well a variety of other baked goods that use the natural treasures of the Western Deep as a starting point. Obviously not all of these foods can be exported to the other kingdoms (breads in particular do not travel very well), but Tamian wine is a popular meal accompaniment all across the Four Kingdoms. Another popular foodstuff is a variation on maple sugar candy harvested from a special stand of trees deep within the forest. Because the nefarious treewalker beasts hold sway in these dark locales, the price of the candy is rather high, making it a luxury that few outside Sunsgrove can afford to import.
And Quin’s low-key, almost-wordless flailing continues to amuse! But at least his inability to voice his objections pushes the story forward – looks like he’s going on this mission, whether he wants to or not!
Your commentary on squirrelly foodstuffs reminds me of a passage from my Redwall fanfic “The Shrew War,” in which we see how the squirrels of Clan Barrenoak find many useful and imaginative applications for the common acorn. Acorn beer, anyone?
Epic trollface by Dakkan in the last panel XD
Awesome pose too, eh? :D
I’d assume they can’t digest meat?
I think the more adventurous Tamian might eat a little fish, but overall that’s probably true.
Well, I sympathise with Quin. I ended up in politics quite the same way.
Friend: You know, you would make a good politian.
Me: No, I don—
Friend: Hey, I just contacted the party, you’re on the list of candidates!
Me: Bu–!
Friend: Congrats! You’ve been elected.=!
Me: How? I don’t eve–
Well, ok, did not happen exactly like that, but it seemed so.
Anyway, I hope Quin gains a lot of decisiveness over the course of the story, but not too much. Pushovers are too fun :D.
Awesome, as usual! Totally love Quin’s misfortune. Poor guy (or I should say squirrel…). Dakkan’s comment just made poor Quin’s day brighten a few, didn’t it? lol, nice job
One more thing, I want to congratulate Alex on Dust. A tonne of people are talking about it and it seems to me it’s made reasonable waves through the gaming community. Good job!
Thanks, Tim! The reception for the game has been mind-blowing :) Incredibly honored to have been a part of the game’s development and that people are enjoying the story and dialog.
>Er…wait…*poof*
Oh my. That brought back some really bad worries I used to have whenever I was in a meeting.
Yes, the way Quinlan just keeps getting roped into the schemes of people around him without protest is hilarious! Poor guy! At least it gets the adventure going :)
Another page with lovely expressions. Dabheid’s mood in this one is a marked contrast to earlier pages – he just seems so satisfied here, like “Okay, this whole unpleasant business is wrapped up, and Quin is fortunately as much of a pushover as ever! Time to get some wine!” The best one though is Dakkan’s “trollface” (thanks, Hunter) in the last panel. For some reason, I always thought it looks like he’s telling a dirty joke or making an obscene gesture in it…
I noticed how in the lower sketch, Quinlan is much more obviously distressed, while in the final version he’s just tiredly resigned himself to his fate. I think the new one works better.
I loved the discussions of foodstuffs across the Four Kingdoms, and how different cultures export their famous dishes across them. Bread does indeed not survive well for long journeys, but I suppose if some well off Tamian settled down in Navran, he could have the basic ingredients transported – or grow them himself if he has the resources and the climate is right – and have the bread baked in his new homeland. Danberry wine sounds like a drink that’d be celebrated across the world.
Apparently, going by the comments, some races have more trouble handling certain food than others, like Tamians and meat. It’s sad that the squirrels can’t enjoy a nice, juicy steak without having to spend more time then they should’ve at the outhouse :(
Just me being silly :P
Alex, you would make Joseph Campbell proud. Good job.