One, if not the, primary focus of mine is to explore the grandness of Amashik and the Ennead alike. I’m not writing an action-adventure story. I’m writing epic fantasy. So the closing sequence in Book 1 is silent to give the reader the feeling of walking alongside Inahtuu in the city of Dunport.
Worldbuilding is immensely important to me as a storyteller. I spent a great deal of time figuring out how to share it with reader without being “info-dumpy” and this scene is one I’m very proud of for its ability to do just that.
Inahtuu’s reluctance to leave, the barmaid’s soft smile, the bustling city streets, the bread Inahtuu stuffs in his pack, the grand castle walls surrounded by the empty moat, the not so friendly glare the last guard gives Inahtuu… all of it storytelling in silence. I wouldn’t have been able to pull off this scene were it not for Luke’s incredible ability to illustrate the way he does. It’s loose but clear. Static yet full of life. These qualities are why I ultimately reached out to Luke in the first place.
I’m happy I did.
PAGE 26 (3 Panels)
Scene 7 (/1/5 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Inahtuu is packed and ready to leave the inn with his bag over his shoulder, dagger on his hip, and ya’rosa in hand. He heads out the door of his room.
*Panel 2*
Downstairs all is quiet. The only person awake is a female innkeeper who is looking down on the ground as she sweeps. There is a man asleep at one of the long tables, cup still in his hand. Its our drunk patron from earlier.
*Panel 3*
The female innkeeper looks up as she notices Inahtuu leaving, she smiles sadly, almost as though she thinks something is wrong. Inahtuu returns the smile, a bit confused, and heads out the door.
PAGE 27 (3 Panels)
Scene 7 (/2/5 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Inahtuu steps outside. Things are far busier than they were when he arrived the day before. Carts, stands, shops are all bustling. People are happily shopping, talking with each other, and going about their day.
*Panel 2*
Inahtuu heads up the hill towards Portskeep (see ref # 13), its battlements now closer than they were on his initial arrival into Dunport. The road is just as busy. Inns, taverns, bread shops, all line the street.
*Panel 3*
Inahtuu walks out of a bread shop with a broken off piece of bread in his mouth as he places the rest into his bag.
PAGE 28 (3 Panel)
Scene 7 (/3/5 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Inahtuu nears Portskeep (see ref # 13). It is a modestly sized square keep. Its elaborate battlements were the complete opposite of its simple foundation.
*Panel 2*
A small flight of stairs lead to a draw bridge. An earthen moat (no water in it) surrounds the base of Portskeep, it looks *very* deep.
*Panel 3*
The wall surrounding it and the perimeter of Dunport ran through the middle of the castle, cutting it in half.
PAGE 29 (2 Panels)
Scene 7 (/4/5 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Inahtuu walks through the gate. People all around him pay him no mind. One of the guards looks at him coldly.
*Panel 2*
Fewer people are walking outside the city gates. Some are on horseback, there is a modest sized stable just outside the gate, along with a small shop. A man is outside tanning some leather.
PAGE 30 (1 Panel)
Scene 7 (/5/5 pages/)
*Panel 1* Splash
Inahtuu is already a ways down the road, his back is to us. He holds his catcher tucked under his arm (see ref # 19).
The road is a bit wider than the road inside the city, though fewer people are seen traveling on it, some in carriages being drawn by horse, most on foot. Nothing can be seen in front of Inahtuu other than trees, hills, and more road. He heads north.
Though no danger is apparent Inahtuu is walking towards the unknown. Deeper into a place that he has never been. The trees hang above him and look down on him, almost like they are trying to get him to turn back. This is a quiet but ominous scene.
One of my favorite sequence of the comics- Which if I remember, it's quite how all our interaction started. With my long a** description and feedback :P
Definitely a scene that I could feel moving despite being presented in a still version. The compositions are really great (*cough* last panel *cough*). I can feel the soundtrack playing while we see him walking towards the unknown, towards a new adventure.
I think it's really that last part where I fell in love with your universe. It was a success!