Going just from what I've seen in the art, how do the much smaller furs seem to end up the slave masters rather than the slaves? I mean would seem to require a lot of work to make a 7' tall bear a slave unless it started out with a submissive slave personality.

There are a number of ways one can wind up being a slave while being physically impressive:

1) Be sold/placed into slavery at a young age. Slavery is not necessarily all about oppression and abuse--a slave can be treated quite well, but still yet be a slave since they are owned by another.

2) Willingly go into slavery.
Indentured servitude was a common way of handling a variety of various financial affairs, from paying debt to paying for tutelage to even just making a buck. (The Greek manner of becoming a doctor meant forced indenture--the internship.) Again, being a slave was not necessarily as frowned upon due to way slaves were treated in Andur.

3) Be bargained into slavery.
Related to 2), families could sell members into slavery as payment. Yes, you lost a son or daughter, but you also kept your house. Unfeeling as it may seem, it worked.

Considering the US welfare system we aren't much off from 3, only the parents breed the kids for extra income from the state to live off of them, instead of selling them off to someone else. All things considered would probably be better of being sold to someone under those conditions; at least you'd have a slightly better chance at a decent life.

Yes, number 2 is what Hasim did Lady Naballa at the Violet Pillow. He willing sold himself into slavery for a specific set time limit, and so long as her follow the Terms of Contract at the end of that time he is released. The adavantage for Hasim is that he does not have to pay for his room and board. He does not have to pay for his guild dues or twice a year check up by a doctor. Also much of his wardrobe is supplemented. He doesn't get any of the rate that the Violet Pillow charges for his "services" but he does get to keep any tips he earns. Number 3 is the arrangement is true for Petina's servant Sunni-kwan. Both Natavda and Hani-ha are arrangement number 1 although Lady Naballa has stated that if they serve her loyally and faithfully for ten years they will be freed. She has also had it put into her contract that if dies and if they are both found faultless that they will be immediately released. Of course they don't know that.
A final method of control that exists in Andur is the use of magical restraints. Jedel when she was owned by Petina had a special set of cuffs and collar that magical dampened her magical abilities and in a worse case scenario would act like a Deadman Switch. Unfortunately we discovered later that the talismans on her were insufficient for the task, and one time under extraordinary conditions she ran amok!

Dang, the way you draw bears communicates that she's a big,s traong girl, but has a soft side. Good job.

Well I find it nice to try all body types. One problem I see many artist fall into is that they learn how to draw one style of body and that is it. Fortunately my dreamscape seems to be staffed with a range of types.

Oooh, I really like the Iron Age look to her armband, belt, and shoes.

Yeah, the Violet Pillow really plays up her appearance since in the northeast african city of Andur a Eurasian Brown Bear is exotic. Therefore they have played up the whole " Savage barbarian princess from the mysterious North" routine. Never she hasn't been there since about age three and can barely remember any of her life there; it makes a good MO for her and helps her keep things under control when she has to put her foot down. Which is quite large too!

You know, you have all of these wonderful sketches and character designs, but I don't think I've seen a single completed story with any of them. Is there a place one can find this?

Unfortunately no. I have been kept busy enough with other obligations to BackBreaker and comics pay very weak compared to other work that I've had to perpetually backburnering them. Maybe someday as a webcomic.At the moment they exist only in my sleep and sketchbooks.

I'd love to see them someday.

She is a bigger girl then I see you do, I do wonder if there are chubbier girls working there as well. If I remember correctly, bigger girls in brothels of old were usually more desired.

I like her.

Mmm....to be a sailor visiting THAT port!