If anyone has better artwork (with transparency) that they'd like to see on it, let me know.
This is an awesome idea!
I think we could make them look even better though. I like the "Unofficial Game Supplement" part alot.
Shouldn't the Wendar one be green?
Are you willing to consider alternate logos? I have some laying around...
Håvard
Old Dawg:
This is an awesome idea!
I think we could make them look even better though. I like the "Unofficial Game Supplement" part alot.
Shouldn't the Wendar one be green?
Are you willing to consider alternate logos? I have some laying around...
Old Dawg, I hope I didn't sound too critical here. I meant to be quite the opposite. I really like these things!
Håvard
There are tons of sources of art online that we could use to flesh them out a bit, using the designs you have made as a basis. And of course it's not that hard to do the map bit in the background. A bit of fiddling in Photoshop and Illustrator could get it done within a few hours, if I or someone else put their mind to it.
Has anyone tried HeroMachine? I just got given a copy tonight, and it has great potential. The pose is fixed, so it isn't a solution to everything, but it could certainly be used sparingly, with some very nice results.
I'm sure I've heard of other things too...
Do we have any budding artists in our community? I must admit, I haven't seen much Mystaran art over the years. (Mapping doesn't count, no. :P )
There are tons of sources of art online that we could use to flesh them out a bit, using the designs you have made as a basis. And of course it's not that hard to do the map bit in the background. A bit of fiddling in Photoshop and Illustrator could get it done within a few hours, if I or someone else put their mind to it.
I was just thinking the same thing. I might try my hand at it a bit later, if I get a mind, but to be honest, I've got a lot on my plate right now, and need to stop pushing the food around to make it look like I'm eating.
Do we have any budding artists in our community? I must admit, I haven't seen much Mystaran art over the years. (Mapping doesn't count, no. :P )
Finally going to be getting a scanner/copier next weekend or so, so I'm personally looking forward to finally doing some pictures and things of my own, but I'm not promising they'll look all that spectacular! ;)
PAS3 - The Swords of Wendar, Princess Ark(tm) Gazetteer: This supplement focuses on the Kingdom of Wendar, city-building elves. It details its people, their history and their land. Elven magic, architecture and engineering skills are revealed. Haldemar narrates his journey across Wendar and his discoveries.
Its interesting to note that Wendar as envisioned by Bruce was identified as a country of city building elves. Magic, Architecture and Engineering were their specialties. Intriguing.
The ref guide also has ideas for a Heldannic Knights gaz:
PAS1 - The Heldannic Knights, Princess Ark(tm) Gazetteer: This is a successor to the old D&D(r) Gazetteer series. This new supplement focuses on the Heldann Freeholds and the chaotic knighthood that rules the nation. The Heldannic Knights have been long time foes of the Princess Ark. Includes an in-depth look at an order of knights in the D&D(r) Game, an expanded background and new powers for Clerics and Avengers.
And one on Sind:
PAS2 - The Winds of Sind, Princess Ark(tm) Gazetteer: Focuses on the Kingdom of Sind. It details this vast realm of gurus, beggars, and wealthy maharajahs. A common port of call for the Princess Ark lies in the city of Jahore, Pearl of Putnabad. The captain of the Princess Ark, Haldemar, narrates his visit of Sind.
By the way, I am really looking forward to seeing your artwork Andrew, and ofcourse artwork from other Mystara fans!
Håvard
The artwork was originally sketched out, scanned as a gif, and then redrawn using illustrator 8. Some of the detail available in the sketches can't be replicated very well with illustrator which likes big broad art - that's why its perfect for the gaz maps.
The background map is a trace over of Thorf's X11 map.
Wendar doesn't need a green cover. The nation's official color are grey and gold and its pennant is a gold star on a gray field (as per X11 description).
I may try to do a real color pencil drawing of the designs already their and use Photoshop to make its background transparent.
At the moment I'm editting a copy of the Wendarian mini-gaz that was at the Vaults - I think everyone who was involved in its creation will like what I've put together. That should be finished this weekend.
After that I'm mocking up a cover for the Northern Wildlands and Heldann. If anyone has suggestions or contributions drop a link.
Your mention of PAS series is interesting. It seems Wendar has had quite a few revisions:
1) X11 where it is basically all human with elves up on the plateau
2)WOTI/PWA where it is a half human- half elf society, but the elves are far more human than say in Alfheim
3) Bruce Heard's vision of city building elves - is there some Vault article where he was talking about sentient power lines?
-Old Dawg
At the moment I'm editting a copy of the Wendarian mini-gaz that was at the Vaults - I think everyone who was involved in its creation will like what I've put together. That should be finished this weekend.
I will be very interested to see what you come up with. It was really one project too many for me, though it was fun talking about it in that thread. I felt that it really needed someone to go through and tweak everything into a more cohesive whole - especially the names of communities.
After that I'm mocking up a cover for the Northern Wildlands and Heldann. If anyone has suggestions or contributions drop a link.
Well, Heldann obviously has to have a warbird or two! And a Heldannic Knight in full armour and finery would be great too.
The Northern Wildlands I'm not so sure about... Ruins would be the obvious thing, but I'm sure Geoff would have some wonderful ideas for it.
Your mention of PAS series is interesting. It seems Wendar has had quite a few revisions:
1) X11 where it is basically all human with elves up on the plateau
2)WOTI/PWA where it is a half human- half elf society, but the elves are far more human than say in Alfheim
3) Bruce Heard's vision of city building elves - is there some Vault article where he was talking about sentient power lines?
I prefer to see it as building up our information on Wendar rather than revisions. After all, the information was so sketchy that it's not too hard to view it that way.
Anyway, come to think of it, Bruce did mention Wendar at various points with regard to the city building elves idea, you're right. I still think it sounds like an interesting idea - it would be great if we could incorporate it into Wendar more. As of now, it's all rather vague, and we don't have any kind of overall picture of how the elves live.
My take on things would be to make them city builders who take nature into account, shaping everything around and together with nature, rather than clearing it aside and then building like humans do. They could have a more all-encompassing view of nature, too, perhaps viewing stone and some metals differently from other elves, and using them in their constructions in a natural sort of way.
I think the best of each Gazetteer was to improve something about the region that could be useful in all the world.
Karameikos introduced the skill system, Ylaruam storytelling, Glantri some new magic stuff, Darokin & Minrothad for trade, DotE aerial movment & combact... (and these are only examples, you know).
Now, from Wendar gazetteer we need not only political and geografical entries, but we need some new, interesting rule. Maybe about buildings and engeneering. And, of course, something about Sentient Buildings and Magic Power Lines.
I think the old boxed set for Castles is really useful in building structures. It is for AD&D2ed (obviously) and I don't know if it is something like it in D&D3.5
Reading Bruce's Wendar -- Power Lines & Sentient Buildings I think Buildings should have some kind of household magic, like Nithian Pyrmid Energy. Maybe Nithian rules for Pyramid Magic could be revised for Wendarian Buildings. And they could also be so rule-generic to be useful with OD&D, AD&D2ed and D&D3.5...
The Northern Wildlands I'm not so sure about... Ruins would be the obvious thing, but I'm sure Geoff would have some wonderful ideas for it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Thorf! You're right about the ruins - what I envision is this:
The colour would be red (for the blood shed by thousands of men and elves who sought to conquer and retain these lands), dark grey (a cold colour), or perhaps dark green (symbolising the deep, ancient forests).
A traced map in the background (as with other gazetteers), with Soreth, Nimbeth, Thalion, and major forests named. I'd also throw in a faded caption reading something along the lines of, "Fallen Realm of Forenath" near the top.
In one bottom corner or the other, mid-ground, I would have either a frog man, an orc, or a Denagothian warlord. Either way, the brute would be wielding a wicked sword or spear, be wearing partial armour, and possibly standing over a fallen foe.
Also mid-ground, in the middle of the cover, would be the silhouette of a ruined city - ideally the partially collapsed silver domes of Nimbeth.
In the foreground would be a ragged warrior, likely elvish, but possibly half-elven, wielding a nicked sword and carrying a tattered banner bearing the symbol of the House of Nimbeth (three silver domes in a line on a black background - the middle being the tallest one), which still exists in Wendar. His look would be one of grim determination - a man who has suffered great losses, but who would be prepared to lose everything he still had if there was even the slightest chance of regaining his birthright.
How's that?
Geoff
Just a thought: but I would like to see all the artwork you guys have come up with--especially alternative logos. I've been looking for one... Maybe Havard would send me a few samples to browse? *crossing fingers*
Roger
Might the Vaults put another section amongst it's files to consist of Fan-created art? Logo-alternatives, Gaz covers, NPC illustrations, or just a sketch of Glantri City during spring break?
Just a thought: but I would like to see all the artwork you guys have come up with--especially alternative logos. I've been looking for one... Maybe Havard would send me a few samples to browse? *crossing fingers*
Roger
if people sent it to me definitely