
Troy Taylor |

Us rules geeks too often overlook the quality of illustrations in Dragon. But I was really struck by the artwork for The Umbragen article.
Steve Prescott and David Wahlstrom really captured the exotic feel of Xen'drik and the shadow elves themselves in the two main pieces of art -- the ones of the drow in the temple ruins and later the drow taking down the mind flayers.
As you can see, I've decided to adopt the archer's profile for my avatar. (Tough choice, since I was attached to Gimble the bard). Way to go fellas!

Koldoon |

As you can see, I've decided to adopt the archer's profile for my avatar. (Tough choice, since I was attached to Gimble the bard). Way to go fellas!
Troy -
I was quite attached to the roper - I like the mini-monsters that they use for the avatars, and was mulling a change to either the aboleth or demogorgon figures kyle did, should they get added - but the jester has a peculiar sort of feel that struck me.
I've always loved the art in Dragon... especially the covers. Issue #78 (I believe) had a faerie dragon scene that, for me, captured the feel of the faerie dragon perfectly.
- Ashavan

Koldoon |

I remember a great picture with a gypsy and a scarecrow - can't remember which issue it was in but it cried out for an adventure to be written around it - maybe there was?
Hmmm... I know, some of those illustrations just really get the creative juices going. I'm almost tempted to do a jester critical threat to match my avatar - but I think it'd probably get shot down as requiring too much game info for a 1250 word article.
- Ashavan

Richard Pett Contributor |

Hmmm... I know, some of those illustrations just really get the creative juices going. I'm almost tempted to do a jester critical threat to match my avatar - but I think it'd probably get shot down as requiring too much game info for a 1250 word article.
- Ashavan
You never know unless you try. I'm definately going to have a go at setting that picture into a submission - can you remember which issue it was Ashavan?

Koldoon |

You never know unless you try. I'm definately going to have a go at setting that picture into a submission - can you remember which issue it was Ashavan?
I'm afraid not... the only gypsy issue I remember off the top of my head is issue #93 - and I think I can discount that one, as I have some fairly solid memories of the illustrations and there wasn't anything with a scarecrow. My suggestion would be to check halloween (October) issues, since gypsies and scarecrows both tended to show up in those issues. I'll keep an eye out for it though, and if I find it I'll be sure to let you know which issue it was in.
- Ashavan

Koldoon |

You never know unless you try. I'm definately going to have a go at setting that picture into a submission - can you remember which issue it was Ashavan?
Richard -
Apparently Critical Threats are in a bit of a limbo at the moment, so I'm not sure that's the best idea. I still really like the Jester though... maybe I can tie one into an adventure. I'll have to toy with the idea a bit.
- Ashavan

Richard Pett Contributor |

I'm afraid not... the only gypsy issue I remember off the top of my head is issue #93 - and I think I can discount that one, as I have some fairly solid memories of the illustrations and there wasn't anything with a scarecrow. My suggestion would be to check halloween (October) issues, since gypsies and scarecrows both tended to show up in those issues. I'll keep an eye out for it though, and if I find it I'll be sure to let you know which issue it was in.
- Ashavan
Cheers Ashavan, it seems quite some time ago now since I saw it, I'll have a check through, let me know if you find anything!
rich
Troy Taylor |

You guys are on target with the idea that artwork can be a terrific source of inspiration for other creativity.
To be honest, the artwork for the Isle of Dread feature that ran in Dungeon a few months was the inspiration for my Class Acts article on Bards Using the Universal Language in the March Dragon.
I just picked up both Eberron and Sandstorm, and although I've not had a chance to read either book, some of the illustrations inside might be the spark for another submission.

Calidore_Chase |

You never know unless you try. I'm definately going to have a go at setting that picture into a submission - can you remember which issue it was Ashavan?Hmmm... I know, some of those illustrations just really get the creative juices going. I'm almost tempted to do a jester critical threat to match my avatar - but I think it'd probably get shot down as requiring too much game info for a 1250 word article.
- Ashavan
I'm not Ashavan, but here's a link to the issue http://paizo.com/dragon/products/issues/1989/v5748btpy738h
There you go.