The Shadow of Takeryuu, Chapter 5

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5

Wai Ren was obviously not supposed to be anywhere but the fortress, but thankfully the relic Kougra’s own colouring provided a convenient solution. He created an animated clay replica of himself and ordered it to pretend to be ill. With this effigy of himself huddled under several blankets, by the time the servants discovered the real Wai Ren was gone, he would be too far away.

Having done that, the general hid his ornate armour under a travelling cloak and donned a wide bamboo hat, and then he and his three companions stole away to a side gate to watch the wagons leave for Saro Village.

“You couldn’t have just changed armour?” Ganzorig asked as they leaned against the cool earthen walls.

“This armour is expertly made and enchanted with several protective spells,” Wai Ren said. “I would not exchange it for a lesser set. I am sure Miss Min understands well what the value of proper armour is to one who wields a blade.”

Min flinched, fidgeting with the strap that kept her pudao fastened to her back. “S-sure.”

 

There is a distinct difference between "dressed like a Team Rocket member" and an actual Team Rocket member.

 I couldn't resist another paleontology parody poster. :) Yi qi is an adorable little theropod from the Mid-Late Jurassic of China. Its name 翼奇 means "strange wing" because it appears to have had membranous, batlike wings. So basically it was the closest dinosaurs ever got to being actual dragons. <3 Its name is pronounced "ee chee", so... you can see how this happened.

 Silly Collector. The friendship mechanic doesn't have any battle perks until Pokémon X and Y.

... But also I just really wanted to draw a Lickitung with an afro.

 I mean, when you talk to this guy in Ilex Forest, he doesn't appear to actually have a Pokémon with him, so...

 I'm launching a new line of merch on Redbubble that's all about... reimagining historic scientists as cats. Yep. That's what cat moms do.

First up is Mary Anning, because she's my friend Ashley Hall's favorite paleontologist and I wanted to give the woman her due. Accompanying Meowry Anning is her furry friend Tray, who is also featured on Mary's statue in Lyme Regis.

Meowry is specifically excavating the famous holotype specimen of Temnodontosaurus that the real Mary Anning and her brother Joseph discovered in 1810-1812. Mary was actually just a tween at the time, but I wanted to include a real and recognizable fossil of hers in this illustration. (I mean, if you care that much about accuracy, she also shouldn't be a cat, so.)

More coming in following weeks!

The Shadow of Takeryuu, Chapter 4

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5

Eunji had never seen anything like Muyang Brook Fortress. Its rammed-earth walls were thicker than she was tall, and instead of the bright reds and greens of her temple home, the materials that made up the fortress were more subdued and sombre in colour. Overall it gave the impression of being a very severe place. The officers who stared at the group as they passed by did not help matters much, either.

Wai Ren’s residence within the complex was a little livelier, with golden Belonthiss statues perched at the points of its tile roofs and a small garden in the courtyard. The interior of the mansion was decorated with all manner of works of art—jade carvings, elaborate metalwork, and painstakingly crafted silk tapestries. Ganzorig admired all of this as well, and although Min tried to remain focused on her objective, it was clear that their opulent surroundings awed the farmgirl.

The general gave orders to a servant to prepare a large lunch, and then led his guests to a banquet room that looked out on the courtyard. Here, a myriad of pillows were arranged around a low table. Eunji flinched—something was warping the flow of energy here.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Wai Ren said, folding his paws behind his back. “Lunch should be arriving shortly.”