Okay, guys, I gotta be honest; after I lost my buffer this update schedule got harder and harder to maintain when life happened. I’m fine when nothing gets in the way and I can use my nights to work on the comic but shit happens, you know? And when it does I have no plan b. So, what’s been happening is I’ll end up staying up until 5 am trying to finish the comic and get it up. This not only tires me out but lowers the quality of the art and makes me rush the next page to make up time. It’s a vicious, vicious cycle.
So, instead of wallowing in self pity and artistic martyrdom I decided to be proactive about this. So, I’m TEMPORARILY cutting my comic updates down to 2 pages a week (Monday and Friday). Wednesday will be “Concept Art Wednesdays” where I’ll post early, never before seen art complete with long explanations so those of you interested can see my creative process. 
This new schedule will last for three weeks until the end of February. During that time I’ll try to maintain my 3/week schedule behind the scenes. This way by the end of this time I’ll have a week’s buffer in reserve.
Thank you all for being so awesome throughout all of this. I still feel like I’m getting the hang of this whole webcomic thing and you readers have been so supportive and awesome throughout my learning process that I don’t know how I could have done it without you. *lots of love*
NOW, for the concept art. This, my dear readers, if the first ever picture I drew of Tanna. Shock and awe? Yeah, I know.
The original Tanna was actually my Dungeons and Dragons character from several years ago and very different from her current incantation. This Tanna is muuuuch older and much more experienced (notice the great bow?? yeah, she’s pretty bad ass).
Now, for the loooong explanation. Usually when I roleplay I’m the lone girl in a group full of guys. So I like to play this up a bit by playing ultra girly type character (think Myari) to counter the macho or super serious angst ridden characters my fellow players play. When we were starting a new DnD game, however, I wanted to change it up a bit and try for a character with substance. Problem was when it came time to playing the character I faltered. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the character’s motivations and goals. I went to the DM (you might know him, he’s nice guy but he can be pretty lame. Oh yeah, and he goes by “Archmage” for some strange reason… kind of a weirdo if you asked me) about this and he suggested we roleplay some of Tanna’s backstory so I could get a better feel of her origins and what made her into the character she is today. This went beautifully. The more we played the more the depth of the character blew my mind until she eventually out grew the game and took on a life of her own.
At this point she was no longer DnD Tanna, she became a character of her own… so I began to build a world around her. Home, family, friends, world, history, lore; it was my brain crack. This went on for a couple years until Archmage approached me and asked why didn’t I just tell people this story that’s been playing around in my head for so long. He knew that I’ve always wanted to have a webcomic, ever since I first discovered them in Jr High.
I fought the idea for awhile because the truth was once I got into college I stopped drawing for pleasure. As a matter of fact when I started drawing the original pages for this webcomic it was the first time I had drawn anything in over 2 years. Eventually he convinced me and together we sorted through the brain crack in my head and it became Ears for Elves.
Being able to express myself creatively again is such an amazing feeling. I felt like something was missing from my life for the last few years and now… wow. Even though it’s hard sometimes, honestly, I couldn’t be happier.
Thanks mage. Seriously. Thank you.
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Wow! Any time! Strange to be thanked for this.
When we were doing the Solo campaign I was just winging it, I didn’t write any notes beyond interesting mechanics I wanted to introduce into the main game. But it did turn into something bigger once we got past the trials.
The spirit of what we’d done is here, but this is very different than what we had started this as, which was just an exercise to get you more comfortable with the character so that you could contribute more during the games.
I know that when we started this game, I had no idea that it was going to turn into a webcomic, but after a while, it just seemed like the only logical thing to do. You and a few of our other artistically inclined friends have been talking, since High School, about how cool it would be to do a webcomic; so how could this not be the best opportunity to do one?
I honestly couldn’t do this without you. It’s really nice to have someone working on the technical and marketing side of things so I can focus on torturing characters, scratching on my tablet and drawing bishis.
((Not to mention someone to world build with but I think that goes without saying.
))
Awesome! I like the idea of showing some concept art, cuz concept art’s always cool, and the backstory of Tanna’s “creation” was very interesting.
But Naarie, I envy you. You only had one story running around in your head. As of now, I have…like 5.
I have to say though, Tanna has all this cool assorted *stuff* that I can’t resist wondering what it is. Especially the “spirit arm” on her right side
Ah, to be so… restrained indeed.
I have one story well beyond some hundred pages that started as my answer to side-stepping brain freeze while working on my book (which now has some eighty pages) and there are 12? others ranging from a few pages to 50 or so. Not counting the stories with germs in RPG characters and such…
And yeah, all that gear is pretty sweet.
The gear has to be awesome she was my DnD character, after all. An elf ranger, multiclass rogue. The gear you see on her was stuff my character honestly had: Great bow, dagger, throwing knives, pouches stuffed with various things. The only things I didn’t show were her travelers pack (full of the necessities), her short bow and quiver/arrows (I honestly don’t know why I didn’t draw that in though).
“But Naarie, I envy you. You only had one story running around in your head.”
BWAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAA!
Oh, that’s cute.
I know right? I was like, “Really? You think that we’re that focused? LOL!”
Are we going to see Tanna looking like this in the near future?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: While I see DnD Tanna as a stepping off point for EfE Tanna, at this point in my mind they are two different characters.
This version of Tanna is a lot older than EfE Tanna (think hundreds of years older) with very different life experiences after a certain point (which I wont reveal here because SPOILERS). While their core personalities and various points of backstory may overlap I like to think of DnD Tanna as an “alternate universe” version of EfE Tanna. This is what EfE Tanna could have become but instead she took a different path.
While I may take elements from this design to use on an older EfE Tanna later, I probably wont use much more than that because OMFG DETAILS.
*Single tear* Oh wow what a great story, I gotta thank Archmage myself! And it’s really cool to see the background of how Tanna came to be, and though she was already a badass in my book, she’s even more….badass. I’m really glad that you decided to draw again, for fun, and I think that taking a day a week for concept doesn’t need to be temporary, I’d like to see it as long as you have them. I was surprised with the detail you put into your comics that anyone could maintain a 3 a week schedule. Do what you think will be best for yourself and your art…and your heart? I had to rhyme there for some reason. But I am loving this concept of “older” Tanna!
Awww thanks.
I am trying to do whats best for me and that is getting my story out before my head explodes. Honestly, I LOVE doing pages 3/days a week. This is the pacing that just works for my story. But with life happening I really need a buffer. Sometimes I just can’t sit down in front of my computer for 6-8 hours to work on a page at the end of the night (despite me being a night owl). So for those days that just don’t work it would be nice to have some wiggle room.
While I am itching to get back to the story it is kinda nice to share the early stages with you all. Passing around a little of the brain crack, if you will.
Wait… I’m on crack now. 0.o
Considering the impossibility that I thought such a thing was, I’m now even more certain Her Greatness can, in fact, bend reality.
With her Mind.
Been reading this comic since some time in December, and, I must say, it’s really good. It’s on my list of what to do on the days it updates, now.
Also, had the same problem lately starting a new character. Couldn’t think of a good way to play him. My DM told me to think of a really good backstory, and as I thought it up, his personality became obvious. Backstories REALLY help.
Wow! Thanks for reading this long while stealthily hiding in the shadows. It’s nice to reminded there’s many more readers out there who don’t necessarily comment.
(I love you guys, too, silent-stealth-ninja-readers!!)
The backstory thing is spot on. Especially if you’re making a complicated, multi-layered character. It’s one thing to establish “My character has such and such personality” but it’s entirely another to understand why.
As much as I enjoy reading this comic. I totally understand about needing to build up a buffer. As a fan of webcomics, I’ve always appreciated consistency in updating over the amount you update in a week. So I would suggest extending your two-day a week update schedule for a few months until you have a really good buffer going.
I love the comic Gunnerkrigg Court. It updates consistently 3 days a week, but he can do it because he has a three month buffer. He recommends you create the buffer before you start the comic, but since that cat is already out of the bag, going to two days a week, but drawing three for several months would build it up better.
Yeah, she had a buffer… that went away really quickly. We have plenty of content to go several months like this, but since we’re under a year old, we want to get back to the 3 story a week with 1 Color Filler Friday a month. There’s so much that we want to get to in the story that it hurts to think about because we just want to get it out.
Edit: Jeez, I just looked at Gunnerkrigg Court, and they have like 7 years on us. I want those kinds of hits… *looks longingly at Project Wonderful stats*
Stat envy? Sounds like a personal problem.
…but I like big numbers… *sadface*
That makes me think. I just read over at how the system is… well, get what you pay for, as it were.
Mind blown…
Yeah, that’s a really good comic.
You guys and my two best friends here at college think a lot alike. They too are girls (surprise) and have these amazing characters they’ve fleshed out with a world and backstory and different personalities and drives. Lissa (who’s my very best friend) and her girlfriend decided to make a webcomic this fall to get their stories and charaters out there.
The progress has been slow, and they haven’t got past the first initial pages and concept art yet, so it hasn’t gone up. Real life, with all it’s everyday challenges and unexpected things has a tendency to demmand attention.
Obviously, we readers absolutely understand this. This might sound cliche, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Two updates a week plus beautiful concept art is more than fair! We want you healthy and focused on your life. That way you don’t suffer as a person we care about, the integrity of your art doesn’t suffer, and your characters don’t suffer (more than they already do!) Seriously, you’re A-okay!
Archmage sounds like a wonderful dude to help you. I’m glad we’ve got such great concept art too. Nice line flow, by the way. I’m always interested in the flow of energy and action in a character, even if that character is standing still.I think you can say a lot in a single pose.Tanna is definately your baby, and this pic gives us a glimpse at where she’s been and where she might be going.
NOT saying Archmage is a girl, by the way. I was worried that second sentance might seem like I’ve lumped him in with the girls. Just that the creative process of world building is similar, that’s all. Um…Friendship is magic?
*Triple-brohoof*
I really appreciate how understanding you readers are. Honestly, one of my biggest fears before starting this comic was the “wrath of the internet”.
I’ve heard many horror stories about jilted fans tormenting webcomic artists when they don’t meet the readers expectations. I don’t know if those stories were just exaggeration or if I just happen to have lucked out with a kick ass readership but either way I am soooooooo grateful!!
And when your friends start the comic drop me a link! I’d love to check it out!
<3 character central stories
Sadly, your highness, it isn’t much of an exaggeration. However, some few of us (I imagine there’s more than myself) are more than willing to slay trolls as we find them.
Though your Greatness sheer awesome must be a barrier, as I have yet to see any … Perhaps that is only my eyes failing (old age, ya know) but I think not.
Holy cow, man! That sketch does NOT look like it was done by you.
Not better or worse, but it looks like a completely different style; the face looks nothing the same.
I know right???! XD
This piece was from my “fighting anime influences” phase of my art. Ever since I discovered manga in Jr High that was all I wanted to draw. As I got older I “realized” nobody would take me seriously as an artist if it looked “anime”. So for a while I tried force change on my style so no hint of anime would show through *unsuccessful*
Eventually I realized this was incredibly stupid and I started drawing like me again (the later concept art will reflect this
).
Now I embrace my influences (which are many) and I draw what feels right. I love it when people say I have a style of my own. From this side of the tablet it’s hard for me to see but I’d still like to believe it’s true.
Characters have a way of doing that-growing into a life of their own. My husband and I have a select few that we use more than our others, because they’ve become so impactful and taken on their own personalities.
This is a great concept drawing of Tanna.
It’s nice to see others can understand and relate.
When I try to talk to my “non-geeky” friends about stuff like this they just look at me like I’m crazy. And I’m sorry but if creating and exploring characters until they take on a life of their own inside your head is crazy then I don’t want to be sane.
In fact, Archmage has done a lot for you. You should thank 246% more D:
THANK YOU! I’m glad SOMEONE appreciates me around here… jeez…
You’re welcome, mate. Sometimes it seems I’m the only person in the Archmage fanclub. lol
I appreciate the mage, too!!
Teasing is just how I show I care.
We hate on you cuz we love you. Yup /nodface
Honestly, if you miss a page my only concern is what caused it. While I get curious about the story, I can always wait those two extra days to have it well made.
The closest i’ve got to a DnD game is when I was reading the Master’s Book for 3.5. And the time I played Neverwinter Nights, so I envy the two of you. Glad it turned into this awesome comic.
@alien : Oh Neverwinter Nights, a great game (imho better than NWN2), especially the multiplayer x). Too bad i never played p&p DnD either :/
@herucomic : I agree with Marscaleb here, looks good though. And 2 comics a week are fine, just keep having fun drawing and writing the comic
.
Go, Wordmonkey!
I honestly haven’t picked up DnD in a while. Ever since a central member of our gaming group moved away for Law School the party fell apart.
We’ve been trying to pick up a new game of Scion with a new group but the gf of one of the members is reeeeally flaky. She wants to play (and he doesn’t want to do it without her) but we can’t rely on her AT ALL.
*siiiigh* I really miss it…
I’ve never played DnD just because we had the stereotype nerds at my school. And they shunned me because i wouldn’t make a costume. This is one of the reasons i want a forum, is i can play a DnD game on there like archmage had mentioned a while back.
Make a costume? What were they doing? LARPing?
I just noticed it stands for Live Action Role-Playing.
Oddly, no. They just required costumes. Really weird.
Not so weird, what’s weird is them excluding someone because they don’t want to make a costume. But I can’t say, some people need total immersion to feel comfortable acting. People deal with being put on the spot in different ways, I guess this is just how they can get over their innate stage fright.
for me, if i had been in the group for a while, THEN i would have been willing to make a costume. i want to be sure i LIKE a game before i go overboard about it.
Makes sense to me.
It sucks that those pretentious geeks (the worst kind btw) weren’t very welcoming to you. Trust me, I can relate. I don’t know how many times I’ve been dismissed in this circles because my genitals don’t dangle between my legs. I keep the shit back up in my body where it belongs. Boys are weird.
Man, I is sorry for yous. I got lucky and grew up in a house of Role-Players (the infamous Black Team actually started adventuring before I was born and continued for some 20 years).
I’m a fan.
I wanna say something awesome about the art and exposition in it’s own right rather than just reply to others, but I can’t think of anything really that hasn’t been said (maybe I should read the comments after typing out my first thoughts?)
So I’ll just say this:
‘Hey. It’s cool.’
When people echo the same thoughts when seeing things, it’s good for us because then we can tell what the majority of you are thinking. The rule is that only about 5% of your readers will participate, so you represent the other 95%.
Wait. Do you mean I might be in the *GASP* One PerCENT?!
That’s a weird thought.
Naarie your drawing of Tanna blows my mind away. You put so much detail into Tanna. I’m impressed. But why does she not look like that in the comic? Does it have to do with how long it would take to draw the page? It’s does not bother me to much. I love both versions. And when are you going to draw Archmage as a chibi? Hey that should be next weeks filler.
Keep cool guys! Now I’m off to do my daily routine. To vote for this comic.
Thanks! And thanks for voting for us!! Any way you can support the comic is alright with me! *thumbs up*
As far as your question goes I kinda answered it already in my reply to “ThePenMaker” earlier on the page. I could copy paste but that would just be silly.
I am not sure if her “shadow arm” is giving me a thumbs up, holding a knife, or giving me the finger, hehe. Either way it is a nice drawing and the backstory gives some nice insight.
The ghost arm is me not liking the original arm and sketching an idea for a new arm but then getting bored before finishing.
So really, the answer is E) all of the above (well, actually, I find it hard to see Tanna giving the finger. She’d more likely shoot you in the backside to show her displeasure/frustration/irritation)
I’m sure i speak for all of the fan-minions here when I say that I don’t mind if you have to take time off! Honestly, we love you all the same! We don’t need you keeling over and falling asleep while doing something that will be undoubtedly important!!
As for teh artz, I like it! I’d love to see this Tanna re-drawn in your current style one day… I’m really curious to see these other concept drawings now!!
Oooh!! I should do that! Someday. Like one of those memes on DA… *notes idea for later*