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.
This work provides examples of:
- 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.
- Beast Man: The Quetzerri, fox people who can turn into humans. They cannot, however, hide their tails.
- Blue-and-Orange Morality: Behari's Psychopomp thinks that killing her is more merciful alternative to letting her live. Given how messed up Behari's life is, she may be right.
- 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.
- The Guards Must Be Crazy: Subverted. The city guards leave Derrexi's cell unlocked and her possessions with plain view as a gesture of respect.
- 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.
- 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 spear.
- Noble 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.
- Our Elves Are Different: Wood elves, sea elves, probably other elves. The sea elves that we see are a pretty decent bunch. The wood elves we see are murderous racists that would give the Death Eaters a run for their money.
- Poor Communication Kills: Niriko becomes convinced that Behari is planning on betraying the hawk maidens after partially hearing a conversation. Most of the readership found this development rather bizarre as Behari had taken a poisonous arrow for Niriko not long before.
- 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.
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Schedule Slip: The comic updates "somewhat weekly", but months can pass between updates.- May be an Orphaned Series at this point.
- Smart People Play Chess: Jakitza may or may not actually play chess, but it apparently looks like she does.
- Split Personality: Tzie and Eclipse.
- The Hermit: Master Quitzam, the old wizard up at the lighthouse.
