The Missionary Page 24

And that's the last page of Crooked Sabre Chapter 4:  The Missionary.

The Missionary page 23

The Missionary Page 22

The Missionary Page 21

From the sketchbook

From the sketchbook, here are my designs for the Feygrimm uniforms in the Solar Army.  I figure they won't be keen to start wearing pants (or shoes for that matter) so they will need a special outfit.

Also, here is a Viii soldier in the old school Moon Army gear and a Feygrimm that bombed the page.  The Viii doesn't make a lot of sense without scale, he is about twice the size of an Ix soldier.

The Missionary, Page 20

Feeling Racey

While the pages are coming at a painfully slow rate I have been writing ahead in the series and I think I've nailed down most of the major races, but interested in seeing what else people would like to see. I don't want to have the place crammed with different races just for the sake of it, but I'm also open to suggestions. Each of the existing races comes from an attempt to put a bit of a spin on a conventional fantasy race, to keep it a bit fresh.

The Elder Folk, The Old People, The First Tribes (elementals)

Part spirit, part living earth - the elder folk. They are branded demons by humans who fear their shapeshifting nature, many tribes have been hunted to extinction but some live on in the remote places of the world. Elder Folk can breed with humans of either gender creating hybrids, the foundation for many of the other races.

The Wood Born

The Wood Born were the first victims of human extermination campaigns. They attempted to protect the forests from human industry and were declared demons and changelings, even though none of the elder folk can change into a shape that would pass as a normal human. They are believe to all be dead, but some managed to preserve some of their heritage by hiding their bloodline in a tribe of human nomads, and thus the first Feygrimm were born.

The Cavern Born or The Crafters

Shapeshifters of living metal and earth, the Crafters have been imprisoned by the humans who use them to create weapons and drive their infernal mills.

The Sky Born, the Wave Born and the Fire Born

I have yet to decide what has happened to the rest of the first tribes, but by their nature these guys are more able to escape the human crusades.

Humans

Looks like they are here to stay and their numbers are on the rise. Not intrinsically evil but they tend operate in mobs and are easily led by corrupt leaders. The biggest threat to the world at the moment, always warring with other races and each other, but they may have their own potential for greatness. We are entering the great age of man, for good or ill.

Ix

Supersoldiers created with dark science and sorcery, they are strong and resilient but have a limited lifespan of thirty years maximum. Often thought to be stupid, they are smarter than humans but are more immature than anything else. An Ix soldier is fully grown at seven and as slaves many die before they are ten. Ix are grown in a vat and are hybrids of humans, shibboleth and feygrimm, and can draw some energy from sunlight as well as having great night vision.

Gobs are young Ix and are basically child soldiers. I've made a few references to them and there is even a pic of Sabre and Nax as gobs in chapter 1, but obviously with this kind of comic I have to be very careful how I use them.

There are some of the older generations of soldiers still around, the Vi were giants with long tails but limited in intelligence.

Feygrimm

A powerful race that look mostly human (similar to the Asiatic nomads) except for flower - like fronds growing from their backs and a variety of colourful skin tones. The Feygrimm are partially plant-like, bearing the heritage of the Wood Born in their blood. They are partially telepathic and operate well in groups, following Knights who in turn follow a local Queen. While they lack the shapeshifting abilities of their forebears, the Feygrimm have heightened senses and are tougher than they look. They can absorb sunlight energy through their skin and fronds and have a complicated system of magic based on tantric energy.

Shibboleth

These beastmen are the nightmares of the wastes and have an endless chaotic range of monstrous human/animal shapes such as satyrs, minotaurs and devil shapes. The only thing that unites them is the overwhelming desire to reproduce and this is what binds together troupes of rapacious raiders. They always impregnate any female creature (sentient or animal) and the mother always dies giving birth to a further hybrid – very nasty stuff. Naxela has signed a treaty with a nation of 'higher' Shibboleth who are more human than animal and have agreed to only reproduce with animals. The problem is that every generation becomes more animalistic and less able to control their instincts. I've included these guys to provide for genuine bogeymen, not because I intend to include any kind of n/c action in my comics.

Other potential races? I guess that given the nature of this comic, the question is what might turn you on?

Fishmen – deep ones, mermaids or one-piece style hybrids

Angels – winged aetherials, perhaps not literally winged but wispy and floaty

Lizard men – the gorn! Who wouldn't love a sexy gorn in a miniskirt? I can't really draw them but I could work on it.

Furry types – the Shibboleth have a lot of this territory covered but I accept that someone might like some beast men that were not virulent rapists! Again, I can't really draw furries but would be happy to work with someone who can.

Something strange – living writing or something like that

Given the Australian censorship laws, no hobbits, pixies or anything that could be misconstrued.