Carja

Calix’s Cross

 Pelaria  No Responses »
Feb 082012
 

From the journal of Ardebast Raconteur:

The crossroads at the centre. All paths may lead to Sixtus, but most pass through the Cross to get there. This is not by accident. Pelarian society is based on a principle of remembering the past to shape our future. Sixtus may have been built on the site where the Six first rallied furkind against Man, but the Cross was built on the site of the first battle to commemorate the sacrifice of the furs who died there. Chief among them, as you might have guessed, was a fur named Calix. Nobody remembers if Calix was a fox, a wolf or even a bear. That isn’t important. That he died to save other furs is.

At the centre of the crossroads there is an actual giant white cross upon which is inscribed, “Always Remember”. It is an inspiring sight and furs come from all corners of Pelaria to pay their respects at least once in their lives. I, myself, visit once a year.

The town built at the Cross also serves as a merchant trading post due to its central location. One would expect that where there is trade, corruption normally follows. Oddly, this does not hold true for the Cross. Because the site is so revered amongst furs, those would bring shame with shady dealings are dealt with in expedite fashion. That isn’t to say that the Coven isn’t present, just that they keep an even lower profile than usual.

Carja’s Notes:

Not much to say here. When I chose not to place Sixtus in the centre of the map, it just made sense to have a town at the great crossroads. As for the name, I just liked the sound of it.

Writing New Funnies Soon

 Carja's Corner  No Responses »
Feb 062012
 

Back in October, I wrote a number of strips for the site. How many? A little over 50. (I drew the 50th strip this past weekend) Apart from the holiday strips I wrote once I decided I wanted to have holiday strips, I haven’t had to write any new strips since then. That’s about to change as I’m coming up on the end of my script queue. The scripts I have left to draw are the setup to a big trip to the Crimson Coast storyline where a new cast member will be introduced. I’ve written her introduction strips actually, what I need to do is write the strips of the journey to the Crimson Coast. That means I have to come up with traveling gags. I’m not sure how well that’s going to go.

At last count, Cyran was my most used character, though Nektara and Todrick are about to pass him. Cyran is the designated straight fur for everyone except Todrick. He’s also the fur most likely to address the reader, although honestly they all talk to the reader a good deal.

Todrick and Nektara are a duo. It’s hard for me to imagine using one without the other, though Todrick and Red Rich will be teaming up in the Crimson Coast storyline.

I have a Barnaby storyline I want to do eventually, but I wanted to wait until the characters are more established before I get to that one.

I need to come up with something for Zoë and Popkin. I feel I’ve neglected them. Since she first was introduced, Zoë has been mostly limited to group scenes. I gave her a couple of lines I’d intended for Cyran just so she could have some face time.

Maybe someday I’ll even get around to introducing Copley.

Nektara’s Tale – Part 4

 Stories  No Responses »
Feb 032012
 

Nektara sat alone in the antechamber to Crismus’ domain. Todrick had left hours ago. The old owl had taken one look at the fox and pronounced that it was too soon for his visit and had sent him back to Verdant. Todrick had seemed disappointed, but Crismus told him there were others the fox needed to meet before the owl could answer his questions. They would be waiting for him back home. When the fox tried to ask who they were or how Crismus knew all this, the owl had turned away.

Nektara had heard that the Great Owl could be enigmatic. Furs rarely got a straight answer to their questions when they came to consult him. But sooner rather than later they all came to learn the truth within his riddled words. It’s why they continued to flock to him even though frustration was sure to be the result.

She was sorry to see Todrick go. He’d been a wonderful travel companion. He’d listened with rapt attention to everything she’d had to say. As far back as he could remember he’d lived in Verdant and her stories of the outside world, as modest as they were, fascinated him.

It seemed unusual to her that a fox would be from the City in the Treetops. Todrick himself had been at a loss to explain how it came to pass. He was an orphan with no memory of his family so there was no one he could turn to for answers. He’d hoped that Crismus might be able to help him, but the owl had turned him away.

Nektara missed his company now. After Todrick had been dismissed, she’d tried to introduce herself to the Great Owl. But Crismus had seemingly ignored her and turned back into his domain, leaving her quite alone to wait his leisure.

She was getting nervous again. She held her flute in her paws. She was hesitant to play it here. What if her playing disturbed Crismus and he dismissed her as he had Todrick? Well, maybe just a little tune. If she blew softly, maybe the Great Owl wouldn’t even notice! She took a chance and played.

“You are quite talented…” the aged voice said to her when the oursa had blown the final note.

Nektara nearly jumped out of her fur! Crismus was standing next to her and she hadn’t even noticed! How long had he been there? Was he angry to have been kept waiting? Had she blown her chance?

The old owl seemed to sense her anxiety and at once put her at ease, “Don’t worry, everything is as it should be. I’d been waiting for some time for you to start playing so I could come to greet you.”

Nektara blinked, “Excuse me, sir? I don’t understand.”

The owl shook his head, “There are no sirs, here. Just a tired old Crismus.”

“If you’re tired, I can come back another time….” Nektara offered.

Crismus smiled, “Nonsense. I tire with the weight of my years and that’s unlikely to change with a simple night’s sleep. Besides, you’ve waited long enough for what I have to say.”

Nektara was not convinced, “Are you sure? I really don’t mind! I have my sleeping roll with me, I can just sleep outside and wait until you’re feeling more refreshed.”

The Great Owl again shook his head, “It is time! If you would be so kind as to follow me.” He started to turn.

Nektara nodded, “Of course!” She was ready to follow the old owl anywhere. He was leading her to her destiny…

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