Frequently Asked Questions for Band of Four





What time period is Band of Four set in?

Alas, the first question is always the toughest. When I originally began Band of Four, I thought the time period would be the Middle Ages, otherwise known as the Medieval period. A perfect setting for superstitious stuff, demons, and an Apocalypse, right? Who would notice amongst all the ignorance and Plague? Unfortunately, I made one fatal flaw: I included a detail early on that wasn't properly researched, and as a result I must now say that the comic is set in the late 16th to early 17th century (or 15/1600's, for those who get confused). I'm afraid I can't give you a more specific year than that, except to say that it is definitely at least after 1544.

Where is Band of Four set?

In England. Possibly near the Welsh or Scottish border, but not in or near a major city like London. And, while I would absolutely love to start putting in extra consonants, adding "e"s, and slapping "ou" in the middle of stuff, I'm afraid that I might be inconsistant. Plus, I don't know enough British Renaissance slang to make Octavian and Co. sound convincingly, well, British, so you'll just have to imagine.

If Octavian is a monk, why isn't the top of his head shaved like Julian and the others?

What most people think of when they think "monk hair-do" is the shaven crown of a monk's head. This is called a tonsure. The reson Octavian doesn't have it is because he is not, as yet, a full-fledged devotee of St. Francis. The reason for this is because, like all good things Catholic, becoming a brother takes time, and involves several steps.

The first step in becoming a monk is known as the Aspirant stage. For one year, a person must contemplate their decision, including discussing it with others, and frequently go on solitary retreats to make sure that the monastic lifestyle is the right one for them. At the same time time (at least in modern days), the monastary also uses that year to check up on the Aspirant; you know--background checks and all. During the 16th century however, as well as for several centuries beforehand, this Aspirant stage could often be conveniently overlooked for a large "donation" to the intended monastary, or if the Aspirant's family was very influential in the community. The second stage is the Postulant stage. For six months the initiate is slowly introduced into the monastic community, and he is still allowed to wear lay clothes. In the third stage the initiate, now called a Noviate, begins two years of initiation into his monastic order. During this time he studies the various rules of being a holy person, the Bible, and how to write pretty swirly letters with fun pictures in the margins. The little monklings usually wear white robes at this time, and all other non-tonsured boys you see other than Octavian are at this stage. Octavian himself is in the fourth stage of becoming a monk; he has taken his Temporary Vows, and has recieved the traditional habit my monks wear--a simple, single hooded brown sheath robe over a white undershirt, and a simple carved wooden rosary. Octavian has been renewing his Temporary Vows for the last six and a half years; the maximum is nine years. After that, there are only two options: one completes the fifth and final stage and becomes and honest- to-goodness monk and takes their Solemn, Permanent Vows, or they leave and resume a life of havoc and rabble-rowsing.

Who is that random elf chick who's shown up in these "Interlude" thingys?

I'm afraid I can't tell you anything more than her name for the moment: "The Falconer." Yes, there is a "the" at the beginning, and I promise she plays a part in the story. Just hold your horses.

Hasn't anyone noticed that she's got eight inches worth of ears?!

Yes. Yes they have. However, if you'll notice, the only places she's frequented so far are a dingy bar and a back alley. All the people she's met have been drunk. So, while only a blind person could have overlooked her ears, chances are, those that have seen her thus far have been too schnockered to think anything more of them than a liquor-induced hallucination.

Hey! You don't always update on Mondays! And you don't leave text to say what's up, either!

*ahem* Yes. I have this thing called college that I'm working towards finishing right now. Got about a year left. And life also tends to intervene at inconvenient times, making me do things like finish homework or research papers or sleep. Much as I'd love to have all day long to do nothing by draw Band of Four et al like the Megatokyo creator, I have other things that require my attention as well.

As for the not leaving new text in the "Update" box, that's due partly to comicgenesis often being down or wonky or something else so I can't access my account, and also partly to the fact that often when I'm awake and may have access to a computer, I have no access to FTP or my account. I've felt terrible about not being able to leave update messages in the past, so my remedy is that I now have a Livejournal that I can update daily and from anyplace with internet connection. So, bookmark that page if you want to know what's up. I've been using it often.

Is Band of Four historically accurate?

I try my hardest to make Band of Four as historically accurate as possible, but one must keep in mind that I am writing about a world where elves and demons run around, and where there is an impending Apocalypse. Hence, historical liberties have to be taken in order to make the storyline progress or make the remotest amount of sense. Still, I'm trying to keep as true to the events of the times as possible; I have done research on the 16th century--and boy it is messed up. Possibly even more so than the Middle Ages! In any case, I have vowed to not put in anything overtly modern such as certain slang or cell phones into the strip, unless I'm doing a snarky filler. Then anything goes.
That's all for now; be sure to check back later for more FAQ's, or email me if you have questions you'd like answered about the comic.

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