Nahast: Lands of Strife
Started in 2002, Nahast: Lands of Strife is a Fantasy Webcomic by Alejandro Melchor which follows the story of a newly-created cadre of an order of female fighters called "Hawk Maidens". Despite the best efforts of their teacher, Derrexi Tzelan, the group garners little initial support from the people of the city of Beldatz. Worse, they end up caught in a power struggle between the factions in the city, at least one of which is determined to destroy them outright. Though the odds are stacked against them, the Hawk Maidens must pull together to protect each other and carve out a niche for themselves within the city.
Tropes used in Nahast: Lands of Strife include:
- Action Girl: Half the cast.
- Badass Boast: Xiang. "NOTHING moves a dwarf!"
- Badass Preacher: Larriki the birdfolk monk, who at one point defeated several thugs without a scratch while by himself and on the ground.
- Big Badass Bird of Prey: The hawk is the sacred animal of Zuze'en, goddess of the dawn, and the Hawk's Talon fighting style and the Hawk Maidens fighting order are both named for it. Also, the hawkfolk can be pretty fearsome.
- Blade on a Stick: The Weapon of Choice for Hawk Maidens.
- Blood Knight: Thunder the warrior spirit.
- Braids, Beads, and Buckskins: On a couple of characters, including Xu're. The fact that he's an exile implies that it's normal for people from his native land.
- Brown Note: Draconic can drive people mad if they don't learn it correctly.
- Cynical Mentor: Master Quitzam, the old wizard living in the lighthouse fort decides to become one when the Hawk Maidens move in.
- Dance Battler: Inverted, as the dances are based on the fighting style.
- Funny Animal: The Skrii'qek, also known as birdfolk.
- Good Shepherd: Larriki, priest of Zuze'en.
- Half-Human Hybrid Niriko. in addition to having the ears that identify her as a half-elf she also has blonde hair in part of the world where the only natural blondes are elves, so she is doubly identified and as such is subject Fantastic Racism
- Lady of War: Derrexi is the eldest daughter of a powerful noble family.
- Language of Magic: Draconic.
- Mayincatec: There are traces of Mesoamerican culture here and there.
- Magic Staff: Jakitza inherits one from her Cynical Mentor, but immediately converts it to a magical Blade on a Stick.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: The governor of Beldatz.
- Our Dwarves Are All the Same
- Our Elves Are Better: Wood elves, sea elves, probably other elves.
- Petting Zoo People: The Quetzerri, fox people who can turn into humans. They cannot, however, hide their tails.
- Power Glows: Magic staves in particular.
- Power Limiter: The Hawk Radiance Seal.
- Power Tattoo: Moonshade shadow tattoos.
- Powers Via Possession: Xu're and Thunder are capable of pulling this off.
- Psychopomp: Every soul has a Death Guide that exists solely to protect it in the afterlife.
- Scaled Up: Xis'veki the sorcerer, although he's a snake that turns into a human rather than the other way around.
- Schedule Slip: The comic updates "somewhat weekly", but months can pass between updates.
- The Smart Guy: Jakitza Egoski. Alias the Scroll Troll.
- Smart People Play Chess: Jakitza may or may not actually play chess, but it apparently looks like she does.
- Smart People Wear Glasses: Jakitza.
- Sophisticated As Hell: Derrexi indulges in this a couple of times.
- Spirit Advisor: Thunder to Xu're.
- Split Personality: Tzie and Eclipse.
- Taking The Arrow: Behari.
- The Hermit: Master Quitzam, the old wizard up at the lighthouse.
- Warrior Poet: Derrexi, on occasion.
- You Are Not Alone: Said multiple times, most notably to Behari.