More concept art - Elves
by Joel Steudler · in General Discussion · 04/17/2002 (11:43 am) · 6 replies
Here are a couple more concept pieces I did yesterday to further explore styles for the elven characters in Realm Wars. First up...
Another Sorceress
This one focuses more on a feminine look than the previous sorceress I posted. It dispenses with the armor (and vine/leaf protective gear), leaving her with only her magic as protection. The outfit, you'll notice, has no left sleeve. There could be a few reasons for this- perhaps clothing or other encumbrances inhibit the casting process. Or it could be that the swirling mystic energies that she summons ruined enough shirts that she decided to go sleeveless on her casting arm.
Next,
An Elvish Knight
Typically, at least as far as I know, elves generally aren't depicted in fantasy literature as having heavily armored knights. Despite this, I figured it never hurts to try something a little different. Thus you get this guy. The weapon in his right hand that looks a bit like a can opener is basically just that... meant to pierce and pry off heavy armor and open a place to strike at with the long curved blade held in the other hand.
The runes all over his armor could represent a family history, detailing their exploits and ancestry... or maybe they're magic wards meant to enhance his strength and protect him.
...anyway, hopefully these will spur on some further discussion of what the elves in Realm Wars ought to be like.
Another Sorceress
This one focuses more on a feminine look than the previous sorceress I posted. It dispenses with the armor (and vine/leaf protective gear), leaving her with only her magic as protection. The outfit, you'll notice, has no left sleeve. There could be a few reasons for this- perhaps clothing or other encumbrances inhibit the casting process. Or it could be that the swirling mystic energies that she summons ruined enough shirts that she decided to go sleeveless on her casting arm.
Next,
An Elvish Knight
Typically, at least as far as I know, elves generally aren't depicted in fantasy literature as having heavily armored knights. Despite this, I figured it never hurts to try something a little different. Thus you get this guy. The weapon in his right hand that looks a bit like a can opener is basically just that... meant to pierce and pry off heavy armor and open a place to strike at with the long curved blade held in the other hand.
The runes all over his armor could represent a family history, detailing their exploits and ancestry... or maybe they're magic wards meant to enhance his strength and protect him.
...anyway, hopefully these will spur on some further discussion of what the elves in Realm Wars ought to be like.
About the author
Composer, artist, player of games. www.joelsteudlermusic.com
#2
Just a thought,
Michael
04/17/2002 (2:45 pm)
I like your elf knight idea, the picture looks cool too. Why not even try elf berserkers? eh? Unusually buff elves still with a slender build and unorthadox clothing wielding battle axes?Just a thought,
Michael
#3
Elf Knight - Nice, but seems a tad short, throwing off the idea of armor. Also, needs to show more elven qualities, as I wouldn't be able to tell if it was an elf or not if I didn't already know, aside from the ears, which seem to be really forced into the picture. They wouldn't show up too well in the game anyway. The ears of elves have always been their trademark. I'd lighten up on the bulk of his armor, and allow more room on his head. Have you ever seen the padding on oriental armor? Perhaps you could work with something like that. Or, you could take the typical tunic design for elves (think of Link from the Zelda series) and turn that into armor. The helmet would look especially nice, with a plated effect as the helmet reaches back behind the neck yet still allows the ears to protrude and be noticeable.
04/17/2002 (11:24 pm)
Elf Sorceress - I think her clothing needs to be looser to give the impression of freedom, a quality associated with nature. To me, right now she looks like an elf hooker. ^^Elf Knight - Nice, but seems a tad short, throwing off the idea of armor. Also, needs to show more elven qualities, as I wouldn't be able to tell if it was an elf or not if I didn't already know, aside from the ears, which seem to be really forced into the picture. They wouldn't show up too well in the game anyway. The ears of elves have always been their trademark. I'd lighten up on the bulk of his armor, and allow more room on his head. Have you ever seen the padding on oriental armor? Perhaps you could work with something like that. Or, you could take the typical tunic design for elves (think of Link from the Zelda series) and turn that into armor. The helmet would look especially nice, with a plated effect as the helmet reaches back behind the neck yet still allows the ears to protrude and be noticeable.
#4
As for the knight, I actually did do a few rough sketches of a more Oriental samurai style armor design (on a more typical slender elf, to boot). I may finish one off, but the knight there was meant to be atypical and against the grain of what elves are usually portrayed as.
I'd have made the knight's ears more prominent, but as I was drawing it I thought: 'hmm. Would this heavily armored elf really want to charge into battle with his ears exposed? He wouln't make it through a single swordfight without the tips getting hacked off'. So, I gave him the Wolverine-sytle ear guards. :)
04/18/2002 (12:07 am)
The overriding factor in favor of using tight fitting clothing on the sorceress is that it would be much easier to model. If there were no worries about making low poly clothing look good, she would be wearing a very free flowing dress. Or alternately a cloak, and looser clothes in general. Am I wrong in assuming that we don't really have the ability to make low poly models of loose clothing look good in a game engine?As for the knight, I actually did do a few rough sketches of a more Oriental samurai style armor design (on a more typical slender elf, to boot). I may finish one off, but the knight there was meant to be atypical and against the grain of what elves are usually portrayed as.
I'd have made the knight's ears more prominent, but as I was drawing it I thought: 'hmm. Would this heavily armored elf really want to charge into battle with his ears exposed? He wouln't make it through a single swordfight without the tips getting hacked off'. So, I gave him the Wolverine-sytle ear guards. :)
#5
For the female elf, I was mainly not meaning to say lose clothing in the sense that it's baggy, but more that she would be wearing cloth, not tight-fitting garments. If I had a scanner... The only way I can put it is to make the drawing's clothing size about 1 up from what it is now, plus a little more of it. Hope I'm conveying that well enough.
The concepts are great, but need a little balancing so people will feel the full effect while they're playing.
04/18/2002 (2:18 am)
Yeah, I figured that's why it was drawn that way. What I'm saying is that it's a good design, but it doesn't portray the character as being an elf very well. There's needs to be a balance between trying to make an atypical elf and still making sure it's noticeable that it's an elf.For the female elf, I was mainly not meaning to say lose clothing in the sense that it's baggy, but more that she would be wearing cloth, not tight-fitting garments. If I had a scanner... The only way I can put it is to make the drawing's clothing size about 1 up from what it is now, plus a little more of it. Hope I'm conveying that well enough.
The concepts are great, but need a little balancing so people will feel the full effect while they're playing.
#6
1) unlikely to get an elf in full armour unless enchanted.
2) More likely to get elf archers
3) Elves seem to go for a clean look. This means if any armour is used, its mainly high polish, not high detail.
Just a few thoughts.
Phil.
05/03/2002 (5:48 pm)
One of the things that strikes me about elves is that they wouldnt naturally like to be encumbered. This would mean a few things..1) unlikely to get an elf in full armour unless enchanted.
2) More likely to get elf archers
3) Elves seem to go for a clean look. This means if any armour is used, its mainly high polish, not high detail.
Just a few thoughts.
Phil.
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