Sure. Conduits are everywhere, trickling shimmering power through the landscape as they wend their way from town-to-town, city-to-city, and beyond, smaller conduits feeding into larger. But the small red glow that flows through our home is barely a trickle compared to what we find after walking across the vast waffle-like field leading to the gates of this city. A bridge spans its width, and we step onto it knowing that whatever is on the other side is going to provide the kinds of answers about what happened that might just lead to more questions.

TRANSCRIPT

[Reflections dance in the red electric glow that is the conduit. As Telo leans over and looks into the flowing energy he can't help but consider the reality of their situation, and when Stan pulls him back to that reality the gates of the city await, and two guards watching in the distance.]

NARRATOR: After a long walk, they arrive at a bridge entering the city.

TELO: (off frame) It’s a big conduit. HUGE! And it’s flowing right beside the city.

TELO: (off frame) But there shouldn’t be anything nearby THIS big. Even in Switchaven… The conduit there is… And that’s ten day’s walk from…

STAN: (off frame) Calm down, kid. Just ask one of those guys.

8R4D’s Journal

One quarter of the way into this second chapter and finally we’re at the city gates! Finally! Finally? Well, six panels isn’t much of an epic adventure, but what’s inside is going to be far more important than a quiet wander across that wide expanse between here and there.

A couple months back when I sketched out the general plot of this chapter (yes, it’s all sketched out and pretty much has a complete start, middle and end) I put this little conduit (ie, river) into the story as a significant element. But, since the conduit is really quite river-like, I’ve been struggling with how to portray this. I hope I’ve conveyed the sense of a bridge over the water/energy in these panels, and I’ve done it this way for a reason: it’s not the bridge that’s important, but the conduit below.

This is Part 6 of 24 of Chapter Two | Originally Posted 2010-06-26

Ah, the crux of the matter arrives. Trust him? Should we? Or do we bail on our guide — who’s actual knowledge of this place WOULD put him deep into suspicion — and set out on our own? Either way, there ain’t much chance to lose him until we first find some other direction and second, get to that city and have a chance for a little help. Maybe.

TRANSCRIPT

[Still, the unnamed city looms in the background as Grim and Telo continue to talk. Grim's concern over Stan's potential involvement in their situation... nefarious involvement... is evident, but Telo worries that whatever the situation, trap or not, they are stuck following their suspicious guide.]

TELO: Lower your voice, Grim. We may still need his help. What am I saying? We DO need his help.

GRIM: But if he did do this… it may be a trap.

GRIM: I mean, look how eager he has been. Remember how calm he was when it happened. It’s as if he expected it. As if he knows what’s gonna happen next.

TELO: I know, but we haven’t got many options right now. And we need to get to that city before nightfall.

STAN: (off frame) What are you two chit-chatting about over there, huh?

8R4D’s Journal

What can I say? Not much, I guess. It’s been a busy kinda week and I’m working on some new stuff. Not long to wait now… I promise. As of this morning the site is now running on WordPress 3.0 (upgraded! woot!) and so not only should you let me know if there are any issues you encounter, but you should check it out for your own projects. www.wordpress.org

This is Part 5 of 24 of Chapter Two | Originally Posted 2010-06-19

Phido recovered quickly. He’s resilient that way. Makes a papa proud, really. But the all this… this… strangeness is starting to get to me. And I don’t even need to explain why somethings gonna need to give soon. I just hope it’s not me.

TRANSCRIPT

[The unnamed city looms in the background as Grim and Telo pause to talk. Grim tries to delicately ply Telo for his thoughts on the situation, this being their first moment alone since the vortex of light swallowed them up, but quickly switches to a direct approach.]

GRIM: Telo, have you noticed anything strange?

TELO: Well… besides our unrequested trip through some kind of vortex? Yeah…

TELO: That artifact. You saw me touch it again, but… that time there was nothing, and…

GRIM: No. What I mean is… Stan. Have you noticed anything strange with Stan?

TELO: I… What are you asking?

GRIM: I think… I think maybe HE did this.

8R4D’s Journal

You’ll excuse me while I cheat a little bit and recycle a bit of old art as I advance the story. I’ve got something of a major scene change (yes, they’re off to the emerald city there in the background) and that means a lot of new art in the next few weeks. The fewer times I need to adjust Telo’s eyes the better that soon-to-be-released new stuff is going to be. Fact.

This is Part 4 of 24 of Chapter Two | Originally Posted 2010-06-12