So, some of you might have noticed a couple pages back, but I referred to Tosch as a “canid general.” How is that different from what I’d normally call him? Simple: “canid” isn’t a proper noun. For years, I wrestled with the oddity of whether the racial names should be proper nouns, and therefore merit capitalization. A “Lutren” for example seemed like a good reason to keep them capitalized. In this smaller world, racial names and nationalities kind of go hand in hand.

Except they don’t.

A “Lutren” who is born in Nessa is still called a “Lutren” even if they aren’t from Lutra. A “Tamian” who was born in Lutra is still technically a “Lutren.” If you’re referring to somebody from a place, that is a proper noun — for example, a New Yorker vs a human from New York. A capital L Lutren is somebody who hails from the Sunsgrovian city of Lutra. A lowercase l lutren is the race of creatures that call Lutra their capital.

Fortunately in the comic, there isn’t really a textual difference between capital and lowercase (an artistic choice made early on by Rachel that I am quite grateful for). While there might be some inconsistencies here with previously printed material in, say, the extras section of the hardcover, I think this is an important distinction to make. It makes more sense that the lutren Beck is a Nessian, for example, and not “a Nessian Lutren” because that doesn’t look right at all to me :)

For guest art this week, I wanted to share this wonderful piece from Long Lost Man Friend of Quinlan and Dakkan in more peaceful times, chilling out in the Deep and just generally having a good time!

Obviously a far cry from their current predicament. I like the implied action here, with Dak pointing something out that Quin sketched — or perhaps Quin is asking for some feedback? Dak might not be an art critic, but he seems the sort who’d know what he likes (but perhaps not the best way to express it).

I also love the bright, popping colors — it’s a very neat style to see Quin and Dak in, and I’m glad you let us share it with the fans, LLMF!