Ch18 Script & Sundries

Here is the promised Chapter 18 script - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HDCOrqMC0t6_tT-6Rz2nhKVBtfIhp9yIrALnYIFlnyg/edit?usp=sharing

This script is a MESS. It starts out normal enough but this script is largely a collection of dialogue pulled in from Book 2 because much of this chapter was brought into existence after I decided to condense the series from three books to two, and bring Book 1 to a more finalized close rather than the cliffhanger ending I originally conceived. So you'll find very minimal setting and action descriptions, with most of that left up to me to figure out in Photoshop.

Probably the most interesting tidbits to the Unsounded scholar are some alternate lines from Ilganyag and Ruck, and some alternate versions of Duane's Lemuel revelation. You can also see how Karl originally survived - it was some random Aldish soldier that got savaged instead. Overall though, I think this is definitely a chapter where the final dialogue on the page is much better than the scripted, but it's also a chapter I very much want to give another editing pass before it sees print. It was a beastly labour to write and to draw, and it needs additional care that I couldn't give it when I had the deadlines looming every week.

Overall though, I'm happy with the big stuff. All the relationship conclusions work for me, with the thread of reinterpreted realities woven throughout. With the Quigleys, my ultimate priority was Matty going forward. Mathis tried but he did not ultimately prevail, because he has always been a man struggling to find a way forward after his story ended. I have always seen a lot of talk of "redeeming" him, and I love him and understand him as a flawed and unspectacular man. But I think it was always about finding a way forward for Matty; Quigley's role was always to facilitate this. In this way, his role was to be a father.

I know it seems like Matty is pretty screwed right now, but his every way forward now will be 1) on a path that has materially little to do with the broken awfulness he came from and 2) a direct result of his father's actions.

Sometimes losing your family is a blessing, especially when that family was mostly propped up by wishful thinking.

Also, I attached some sketches! You can see the journey Jacaranda went through. He originally looked more human, with a boyishly Sette nightmare fuel face and a lankier body. You can also spot some concept art of Elarosny and Regina. Neither of those designs are final, but they're the direction I'm heading in.

Epilogue begins posting on Monday. Thanks, readers! If you have any specific questions, I'm here for you as ever! I will answer every Patreon question in a way I won't always answer them on Tumblr :)