DM_aka_Dudemeister |
My favourite thing about the art in the blogs and web fiction is so many of them work perfectly for character portraits. I have a player with a tree hugging Elf Rogue that could use this picture for her character straight up.
I'm excited about the prequel. Plague of Shadows is my favourite Pathfinder Tale in the series so far.
Cpt_kirstov |
My favourite thing about the art in the blogs and web fiction is so many of them work perfectly for character portraits. I have a player with a tree hugging Elf Rogue that could use this picture for her character straight up.
I'm excited about the prequel. Plague of Shadows is my favourite Pathfinder Tale in the series so far.
Yeah, but the art in the webfiction isn't part of the community use policy yet
Haldir |
DM_aka_Dudemeister wrote:Yeah, but the art in the webfiction isn't part of the community use policy yetMy favourite thing about the art in the blogs and web fiction is so many of them work perfectly for character portraits. I have a player with a tree hugging Elf Rogue that could use this picture for her character straight up.
I'm excited about the prequel. Plague of Shadows is my favourite Pathfinder Tale in the series so far.
Pretty sure he means home use. Heck I've done that with allot of fantasy artwork.
Love the pic + PofS is a great read so far. Pacing myself so I don't run out of reading material, ha ha.
Also love the interludes, really like the way they show the back-story of Elyana & the rest of the adventuring party.
Russ Taylor Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6 |
James Sutter Contributor |
Good picture, but I'm disappointed she wasn't drawn with her hair tied back. Nice and realistic detail from the book. I liked that she opted for practical over feminine when on duty.
Remember, this art goes with the prequel story, which takes place decades before the book. Maybe she wore her hair differently back then. I mean, wouldn't you try a few different hairstyles if you lived for hundreds of years?
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
GeraintElberion |
Good picture, but I'm disappointed she wasn't drawn with her hair tied back. Nice and realistic detail from the book. I liked that she opted for practical over feminine when on duty.
A boob window in the armour and you're complaining about the impractical hair? :D
She's meant to be beautiful and aware of her effect upon the men around her, but at the same time hard as nails. I think the artist has done a pretty good job of capturing that.
Mairkurion {tm} |
Russ Taylor wrote:Good picture, but I'm disappointed she wasn't drawn with her hair tied back. Nice and realistic detail from the book. I liked that she opted for practical over feminine when on duty.A boob window in the armour and you're complaining about the impractical hair? :D
She's meant to be beautiful and aware of her effect upon the men around her, but at the same time hard as nails. I think the artist has done a pretty good job of capturing that.
Agreed. But I object to the characterization of "boob window." Obviously that is an air vent. The fighting lady gets very hot in the midst of action, and heat rises. This practical feature of Elyana's armor keeps her in the fray and protects her from overheating.
Thank you, Eric Belisle and Howard Andrew Jones. Elyana, I salute you.
Berselius |
I didn't know about Oracles when I wrote the book, but I probably wouldn't have used one anyway. A high level cleric would have made things a lot simpler for the characters, and who wants to read about that? :)
Who says the cleric has to be high level? As for making things simple, I'd kinda doubt that but hey, it's your book. Good job writing it none the less.
gbonehead Owner - House of Books and Games LLC |
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
Just curious but what class or classes is Elyana? She has the abilities of a paladin (lay on hands) but I really don't see her being a paladin. A ranger maybe but not a paladin.
Howard, I love the contrast between "green" Vallyn & "veteran" Vallyn. Nice job conveying that part of the stories.
Thanks for that. Glad you enjoyed the Vallyn contrast.
I don't have the notebook with me that I statted Elyana out in, but she is a high level fighter with a few ranger levels. I didn't want her to be able to cast a whole lot of spells -- that would run contrary to the sort of noir feel I was going for. I did mention her ability to communicate with her horse once or twice and that was another ranger ability, but I didn't do too much else. I suppose she should probably have been casting more spells, but I elected to keep her low magic, just as some gms tweak their campaign world a bit. For instance, when I'm running I always prefer wizards to have to obtain a new spell even if they're qualified for one, and they can't just go and get it at the local spell-o-mart.
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
Quote:I didn't know about Oracles when I wrote the book, but I probably wouldn't have used one anyway. A high level cleric would have made things a lot simpler for the characters, and who wants to read about that? :)Who says the cleric has to be high level? As for making things simple, I'd kinda doubt that but hey, it's your book. Good job writing it none the less.
Glad you liked it, Bersellius. Honestly, it never occurred to me to have a cleric, but as I'm thinking back on the plot I am seeing some scenes that would have turned out differently if one had been along. Maybe I'll try writing one if I get another title.
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
Dark Sasha |
Your story was a real page-turner, Howard. Smooth action sequences along with realistic, complicated and interesting characters kept me quite well entertained.
As I am trying to get into writing myself, I paid particular attention to how you wrote up your fight scenes. They didn't seem awkward or stiff at all. I wasn't aware that I was reading about a fight. It felt like I was watching it happen. That can be one of the hardest things to do in a fantasy story.
Congratulations on an excellent story, and may you write many more after this one.
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
Your story was a real page-turner, Howard. Smooth action sequences along with realistic, complicated and interesting characters kept me quite well entertained.
As I am trying to get into writing myself, I paid particular attention to how you wrote up your fight scenes. They didn't seem awkward or stiff at all. I wasn't aware that I was reading about a fight. It felt like I was watching it happen. That can be one of the hardest things to do in a fantasy story.
Congratulations on an excellent story, and may you write many more after this one.
That's quite a compliment, Dark Sasha. I appreciate it.
If you've never read Robert E. Howard, you definitely should see how he choreographs his fight scenes. They're amazing. I spent a lot of time trying to take his combats apart to figure out how they worked, although I don't think I ended up sounding that much like him.
And I hope you don't mind me saying this -- but if you liked this book, I sure hope you'll try my other, a swashbuckling Arabian fantasy titled The Desert of Souls. It just came out a week or two ago and if it's not at your local Barnes & Noble, it's always available at Amazon.
Dark Sasha |
If you've never read Robert E. Howard, you definitely should see how he choreographs his fight scenes. They're amazing. I spent a lot of time trying to take his combats apart to figure out how they worked, although I don't think I ended up sounding that much like him.
And I hope you don't mind me saying this -- but if you liked this book, I sure hope you'll try my other, a swashbuckling Arabian fantasy titled The Desert of Souls. It just came out a week or two ago and if it's not at your local Barnes & Noble, it's always available at Amazon.
R.E.Howard is one of my favorites. I do agree though, that none of your characters fought at all like Conan does in Howard's works. But then, who does? Not many I'll venture to guess.
Thanks for the book suggestion, I'll make note of the titles for when I have some spare cash again. I do like my swashbucklers.
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
R.E.Howard is one of my favorites. I do agree though, that none of your characters fought at all like Conan does in Howard's works. But then, who does? Not many I'll venture to guess.
Thanks for the book suggestion, I'll make note of the titles for when I have some spare cash again. I do like my swashbucklers.
Which Robert E. Howard stories have you read?
The man had great action chops, as they say. Leiber and Zelazny were great with action as well.
Erik Mona Chief Creative Officer, Publisher |
Dark Sasha |
Which Robert E. Howard stories have you read?
The stories I have read are all compiled by Mark Shultz within the volume titled "The Comming of Conan the Cimmerian". I purchased this one because it held the best examples of his work without additions by later authors who were not Howard. I think there are a couple more of those volumes I don't yet have.
As Erik above mentions, The Tower of the Elephant and The Queen of the Black Coast are excellent examples. My favorite of all the ones I've read is The Phoenix on the Sword which contains all the elements of a true Howard story plus some very awesome short poetry.
"What do I know of the cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."
I haven't yet had the chance to read Fritz Leiber. But Fafhard (sp?) and the Grey Mouser are on my list read eventually. I am in the middle of Zelazny's Amber Chronicles, but his stuff does not hold my attention as well as others. I am also in the middle of reading Jack Vance's Dying Earth series. Also in the middle of reading some nonfiction; Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, geeky Anthropological lay person's stuff.
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
Howard Andrew Jones wrote:Which Robert E. Howard stories have you read?
The stories I have read are all compiled by Mark Shultz within the volume titled "The Comming of Conan the Cimmerian". I purchased this one because it held the best examples of his work without additions by later authors who were not Howard. I think there are a couple more of those volumes I don't yet have.
As Erik above mentions, The Tower of the Elephant and The Queen of the Black Coast are excellent examples. My favorite of all the ones I've read is The Phoenix on the Sword which contains all the elements of a true Howard story plus some very awesome short poetry.
"What do I know of the cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."I haven't yet had the chance to read Fritz Leiber. But Fafhard (sp?) and the Grey Mouser are on my list read eventually. I am in the middle of Zelazny's Amber Chronicles, but his stuff does not hold my attention as well as others. I am also in the middle of reading Jack Vance's Dying Earth series. Also in the middle of reading some nonfiction; Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, geeky Anthropological lay person's stuff.
It sure sounds like you're reading the right stuff if you're serious about sword-and-sorcery! My advice on Fafhrd and the Mouser is that you don't necessarily have to read them in the order that the stories are supposed to happen for the characters -- I think the early to middle stories by the date they were written are much more enjoyable. Those collected originally in Swords Against Death are many of my favorites.
I loved the first Amber series, but I haven't read it in 20 years. Is The Pastel City on your "to be read" list? Any Moorcock or Brackett? The Sword of Rhiannon is a must read. Planet Stories is reprinting a lot of great Brackett. That lady could write -- fine, fine action scenes, and she was great with setting as well.
There are two more Conan volumes. And I think you're right about REH's poetry -- he was a natural storyteller and poet. He's one of my very favorite writers. I think some of his best battle scenes are to be found in his historicals.
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
Here's also a master of conveying atmosphere, as in Tower of the Elephant and Queen of the Black Coast, two of my favorite Conan stories. Lots more than just action going on in those tales. God, I love Howard.
Howard Andrew Jones ain't bad, either! :)
Yeah, REH, Brackett, and Lamb are my three top favorites.
And thanks for the nod, Mighty One!
Berselius |
Maybe I'll try writing one if I get another title.
Personally I'd go with a Aasimar Paladin with self-confidence issues (due to not being able to fit in with the other villagers in his youth) who recently attracted the amorous (and flirtatious) attention of Thais...but as I said earlier...it's your book...so I'm sure whatever you'll do will be AWESOME UP THE WAZZU! ^_^
Kevin Andrew Murphy Contributor |
Dark Sasha wrote:
R.E.Howard is one of my favorites. I do agree though, that none of your characters fought at all like Conan does in Howard's works. But then, who does? Not many I'll venture to guess.
Thanks for the book suggestion, I'll make note of the titles for when I have some spare cash again. I do like my swashbucklers.
Which Robert E. Howard stories have you read?
The man had great action chops, as they say. Leiber and Zelazny were great with action as well.
Zelazny was a great guy too. I got a chance to work with him when we both did stories for Wild Cards: Card Sharks and I got to borrow his character, Pan Rudo, for one of my villains.
Howard Andrew Jones Contributor |
Howard Andrew Jones wrote:Zelazny was a great guy too. I got a chance to work with him when we both did stories for Wild Cards: Card Sharks and I got to borrow his character, Pan Rudo, for one of my villains.Dark Sasha wrote:
R.E.Howard is one of my favorites. I do agree though, that none of your characters fought at all like Conan does in Howard's works. But then, who does? Not many I'll venture to guess.
Thanks for the book suggestion, I'll make note of the titles for when I have some spare cash again. I do like my swashbucklers.
Which Robert E. Howard stories have you read?
The man had great action chops, as they say. Leiber and Zelazny were great with action as well.
You're a lucky man. I wish I could have had the opportunity to work with him. He remains among my favorite writers.