Serious Adventurers
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- Greater Lore Drake
- Posts: 2732
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:00 am
- Location: The Court of the Crimson King
Serious Adventurers
I was just thinking of how often in fantasy art, nobody is smiling. Everyone looks so serious and dour, especially the guys, looking sort of downward, sullen, scowling, frowning eyebrows.
It might be related to the scarcity of dental-related cleric spells, not sure.
There seem to be more moments of mirth in earlier games, pointing and laughing at kobolds getting zapped or smirking at a successful purse grab. A little bit evil, but at least they are having a good time.
I am not sure, but I think the dourness coincided with oversized armor, dreadlocks, tattoos, and piercings on everyone. Maybe that is making them unhappy?
Don't get me wrong, I like the grim hopeless slog as much as or more than most, but I appreciate an adventurer you could get a beer with and they wouldn't just sit in the corner and glare under their hood, or shank you and take your lucky drinking horn.
I wonder if game designers ask for improbably muscled, overarmored, sullen looking illustrations.
It might be related to the scarcity of dental-related cleric spells, not sure.
There seem to be more moments of mirth in earlier games, pointing and laughing at kobolds getting zapped or smirking at a successful purse grab. A little bit evil, but at least they are having a good time.
I am not sure, but I think the dourness coincided with oversized armor, dreadlocks, tattoos, and piercings on everyone. Maybe that is making them unhappy?
Don't get me wrong, I like the grim hopeless slog as much as or more than most, but I appreciate an adventurer you could get a beer with and they wouldn't just sit in the corner and glare under their hood, or shank you and take your lucky drinking horn.
I wonder if game designers ask for improbably muscled, overarmored, sullen looking illustrations.
My C&C stuff: www.rpggrognard.com
Re: Serious Adventurers
I imagine its because art directors don't ask for illustrations of characters having a good time, they ask for, most likely, where serious and intense events are ocurring.
Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
- Buttmonkey
- Greater Lore Drake
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Re: Serious Adventurers
Flip through the 5E PHB and marvel in horror at the smiling halflings. The happy art is out there. *shudder*
tylermo wrote:Your efforts are greatly appreciated, Buttmonkey. Can't believe I said that with a straight face.
- GatewayTodd
- Mist Elf
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Re: Serious Adventurers
One of the things I love about Goodman games is the quality, variety and style of their artwork. Take a glance through the Dungeon Crawl Classics core book and see what you think.
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Cincinnati, OH 45245
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- Greater Lore Drake
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Re: Serious Adventurers
The rictus on the bard is pretty creepy.Buttmonkey wrote:Flip through the 5E PHB and marvel in horror at the smiling halflings. The happy art is out there. *shudder*
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- Buttmonkey
- Greater Lore Drake
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- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:00 am
Re: Serious Adventurers
That bard illustration is the first good argument I've ever seen for race as class. Hobbit bards should. not. exist! (Not if they look like that, anyway.)Aergraith wrote:The rictus on the bard is pretty creepy.Buttmonkey wrote:Flip through the 5E PHB and marvel in horror at the smiling halflings. The happy art is out there. *shudder*
tylermo wrote:Your efforts are greatly appreciated, Buttmonkey. Can't believe I said that with a straight face.
Re: Serious Adventurers
I read Tolkien as a kid. I think having done that turned me off to super serious, world-hanging-in-the-balance fantasy, because I felt that I had already seen it. Sounds dumb, I know, but that's the effect it had on me. So, after that, I gravitated towards adventures that were either more existential (Elric) or more earthy (Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser). To this day, I prefer adventures of lesser magnitude. Such as the adventures that might "believably" be experienced by a group of adventurers in your average game or campaign. So, no, I don't need super serious adventures or characters. Not that I read a lot of fantasy, because I don't. I think the last fantasy author I really enjoyed (and there are many I haven't read, to be fair) was David Gemmel. I read Knights of Dark Renown and Morningstar, and was impressed and delighted by both. Great characterization, iirc. Never read anything else by him, though.
It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes.
Re: Serious Adventurers
Here are some less serious adventurers!
http://www.larryelmore.com/store/DRAS/d ... roud-of-it
This one doesn't feature adventurers, but they aren't very serious
http://www.larryelmore.com/store/DLLH/d ... -last-home
http://www.larryelmore.com/store/DRAS/d ... roud-of-it
This one doesn't feature adventurers, but they aren't very serious
http://www.larryelmore.com/store/DLLH/d ... -last-home
Re: Serious Adventurers
Tom Wham is needed!
Lord Tadhg - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Ardmore
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth
Re: Serious Adventurers
Yeah, I've always loved Elmore's artwork.jdizzy001 wrote:Here are some less serious adventurers!
http://www.larryelmore.com/store/DRAS/d ... roud-of-it
This one doesn't feature adventurers, but they aren't very serious
http://www.larryelmore.com/store/DLLH/d ... -last-home
"And so I am become a knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows!" - Mark Twain
Forgive all spelling errors.
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Forgive all spelling errors.
Knight Errant & Humble C&C Society Contributor
C&C Society