So, it’s been a while, huh? I know not having a comic for… almost a month is unusual for me, but I had a lot, and I mean a LOT going on. First off, I’m in Prague until tomorrow, so the last week and a half was basically spent packing and getting ready. As for the other week and a half… well, I was taking as much time to explore around the city as I could. I’ve got a lot of nice photos I can send when I get back… as long as me moving houses 2 weeks later doesnt impact it. Which it probably will. Additonally, this chapter’s upcoming two scenes are going to be a test of my art skills, given there’s a major fight scene again, and if you don’t know, getting fights to look dynamic in a still 2d image is HARD.  So yeah, I’ve got my work cut out for me.

Now, about the comic itself, cause I’ve got some neat facts about the stuff contained on this page. I do a lot of research for my comic to keep it as “realistic” as it can be, cause I find that fun.

1. You can absolutely safely start fires on icy lakes if theyre thick enough, and the ice in Baikal in winter can get over a foot thick, which is enough to drive a full size truck on and be fine. Baikal is actually a popular tourist destination, and I’ve always wanted to visit there someday. it’s the deepest lake in the world, due to being where two continental plates pull apart, making it unique in that it has hydrothermal vents in the bottom!
2. The fish Akila catches is an actual fish native to Baikal, known as the Omul. I dont know fish taxonomy that well, but from what I can gather, it’s a type of salmon. Smoked and dried it is considered a delicacy in Siberia, and much of the area’s industry is based around fishing it.
3. Theo’s estimate of “Under an hour” is honestly probably very generous. Given the group is there in January, and today’s (Jan 21st, 2025) water temperature for Baikal was just above freezing, a human would probably last around 15 minutes before dying. Even with Akila’s body temperature being higher that would probably kill her in under 30, so let’s just say the water that day wasn’t THAT cold. She’s a mage, she could work something out.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my random waffling on about my life and the work that goes into making the comic. I enjoy making it, but well, when it comes between “Comic” and “A Beautiful city in Europe where I can walk 5 minutes and see a building older than the country I live in”, I feel the choice is obvious.