WoW Insider's Weekly Webcomic: Safe Passage
by Kelly Aarons 
Mar 9th 2011 at 9:00AM
Looks like Ash'gor and Mig'ai didn't get away from the base fast enough. Honestly, though, you can't blame the Alliance for doing their jobs. Old wounds and prejudices run deep, especially in times of great tension and strife.
Check out the full comic right here, and tune in next Tuesday morning for a new page. You can also see all the previous pages in the gallery below.
Filed under: WoW Insider's Weekly Comic
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Four Mar 8th 2011 11:14PM
..The plot thickens...
excellent strip as always, looking forward to the next installment
Four
Synchronizor Mar 9th 2011 2:55AM
I see the comic’s plot going one of two ways from here:
(1) Some more cool-headed member of the base’s command personnel steps in, stops the abuse, and proceeds to more civilly process and question the prisoners (who have demonstrated their ability to speak fluent common). In the course of this, probably involving Enarrai and the kids, the true intent of Mig and Ash'gor is uncovered, and the Alliance gets a chance to offer exposition on their side of the events in Taurajo and the Southern Barrens. Eventually, the two Horde are either released, or broken out, and everyone goes on their way.
(2) Mig and Ash'gor are locked up in the fort without any apparent hope for fair treatment, prompting Enarrai and the kids to effect a plan to break the two out, and help them escape. Everyone goes on their way.
I sincerely hope Kelly goes with something along the lines of the former. The Alliance’s actions and motivations in the Southern Barrens have only been examined from the Horde perspective, and no mention at all has been made of the Horde invasion of Northern Kalimdor (quite surprising, given Enarrai’s race), which is the real reason for the Alliance occupation in the first place. While I recognize that the plot is not yet concluded, this comic so far has greatly emphasized the Horde interpretation of the setting, and only villainized the actions of the Alliance. As much as I enjoy Kelly’s work, I’ll be disappointed if the comic ends without offering the Alliance side of the story, and hopefully at least making a mention of the nature of the bigger conflict in Kalimdor.
jealouspirate Mar 9th 2011 9:20AM
Yeah, I agree that this comic hasn't exactly shown the Alliance is a good light. Even the Night Elf girl started out as a character who wanted to show no mercy to the Horde (just after the Orc and Troll showed mercy to the Alliance), and then got her butt kicked by the Orc (then some vines and had to be rescued by the Horde).
I'm still really enjoying it overall though, even if the Alliance military are cast as villains. Kelly is a Horde player, after all.
Amaxe Mar 9th 2011 11:38AM
I have to agree with Synch and jealouspirate with the concerns expressed. On one hand we see the Horde presented as good and victims in contrast to an intolerant and brutal Alliance. On the other hand, the article accompanying the comic at least acknowledges the Alliance are merely doing their job.
I guess the question is which path is the comic going to take? Will it take a partisan bent? Or will it try to follow the themes in an earlier comic where it indicates that both sides have their knaves and good people?
Saltytoes Mar 9th 2011 12:13PM
As much as I'd like for the coolheaded ones to win, I doubt it'll happen.
An orc and a troll caught just outside of an Alliance military base in the middle of a warzone. I understand that maybe he'd stop the abuse, but he'd have to be an absolute imbecile to let them go free, with a Horde fortress just across the battlescar.
Cadychan Mar 9th 2011 5:19PM
You're all absolutely right. While at the end of the day I'm a Horde player, co-writing and drawing this story has been a great exercise in seeing the motivation of the Alliance. Story-wise, they are in a war zone. If you catch two of your sworn enemy RIGHT outside your base, you take them in. While I'm not siding with anybody, there's really no reason to hate on the Alliance at this point considering they're looking out for the safety of the base.
Amaxe Mar 9th 2011 9:47PM
@Cadychan
That the Alliance has to treat the two Horde characters as spies is understandable. I would say I am interested to see how such treatment is portrayed. Whether it is evenhanded or portrayed as intolerant.
Here's hoping it goes the former.
Al Mar 10th 2011 1:15AM
Enarrai's decided not to step in and say anything, I suspect the Conflict Ball's going to be thrown around for a while.
Ktok Mar 10th 2011 11:08PM
Wouldn't be a very wise thing to do as someone who just arrived at a military outpost to run in and say "No no, those enemy troops are with me". It would likely get you thrown in jail as well on suspicion of collusion, and then while you would probably (but only probably) eventually be let go, you'd not be in any position to help your friends.
Realistic interactions between characters and giving critical forethought to how a character's actions would be perceived by another character (based on their feelings and impressions of that character and the situation at hand) are extremely important to making a believable story.
Now, if the base commander and Enarrai were old friends, the situation would be drastically different and much easier to resolve. She, however, is a stranger to everyone in the fort. While it would be lovely if the world worked in such understanding ways, it frankly doesn't, and portraying a unrealistically sunny Azeroth would make for an unbelievable (and boring) story.
You've got to realize, too, that the people of the Alliance fort have been in conflict with the Horde in the area. They've likely lost friends on the battlefield (as have the local Horde). Their opinion of the Horde is not going to be benevolent or understand, and an Alliance captured near the Horde fort wouldn't be treated any better.
After all, if everyone were motivated by pure logic, this wouldn't be World of WARcraft, now would it? ;)
Malozing Mar 9th 2011 9:08AM
Oh my! Great art as always. I can't wait for the next page.
Aruhgulah Mar 9th 2011 9:08AM
I picked up on this comic a few strips ago; I really need to sit down and go through the whole thing. WOW, Kelly -- I usually ignore derivative fan-works (in any fandom) because almost always they're poorly written crap. But when I get caught & drawn in by ONE strip, this late in the story, and when I'm impatiently waiting for the next strip, it's a great sign that there's something special going on. Your focus on the human side of the story (not race-wise, spirit-wise, if that's clear) is making for a character-driven, realistic plot that's the heart and soul of any good tale. Kudos, Kelly!
Fadmin Mar 9th 2011 9:21AM
So you are aware of her pre-Wowinsider/joystiq strip?
http://woweh.com/
Cadychan Mar 9th 2011 5:20PM
Thank you! ♥ Be sure to give many kudos to Ktok, my GL and the main writer of Safe Passage. He's a much better writer than I am; a lesson I learned back with my beloved Byron. ;)
Sedna Mar 9th 2011 10:13AM
"Honestly, though, you can't blame the Alliance for doing their jobs."
Oh sure I can.
thebitterfig Mar 9th 2011 11:19AM
As to this being very horde-friendly... If you recall the original suggestion of a prisoner exchange, Ash'gor says "Our brethren at the Crossroads won't be as gracious." There were the angry cows a few pages back. Main thing is, Ash'gor and Mig'ai are two old timers who've seen it all, actually do find it funny when they get captured, and know a kid is a kid.
As to escapes, Enarrai is a NIGHT elf after all. Might come in handy. That is, if Ash'gor and Mig'ai want to go back... they'd probably get stuck cleaning the stables for a month.
Daeolt Mar 9th 2011 12:12PM
"Honestly, though, you can't blame the Alliance for doing their jobs."
Hrm... do I blame an entire group of races on the actions of a few?
Well, you can't really blame me for going out and killing a few ally. I mean I'm in a pvp guild and it's my job =( (plus I need to practice my new key bindings)
All in all I was originally a bit down earlier cause it seemed like you were about to end the comic a bit early. But now.. =D Looks like it's turning into a real great thing.
BloodCrow Mar 9th 2011 2:41PM
I would just like to thank the creator for this comic. I have been anxiously reading each installment and have yet to tell you what a wonderful job you are doing here. Thank you.
-Aybarra (US Cairne - Horde)
Cadychan Mar 9th 2011 5:09PM
Thank you so much! Make sure you give plenty of credit to my guild leader Ktok, who has been graciously helping me write SP since day 1. The strength of an artist is knowing your weaknesses, and mine's writing. :D
Ktok has made this story a true pleasure to draw and collaborate with. I'm happy you're happy!