Rakshasa Sketches
This is "Rakshasa Sketches and Ravanna". It shows my various interpretations of different Rakshasas: Some with one head, some with multiple, each in some form or another, showing their personalities through their faces (some do not, like the elephant Rakshasa). I even made a Female Rakshasa with a human face and mantis face (not many female Rakshasas are drawn, and they're usually tiger-faced).
And, the most noticeable of them all is the one on the lower left, WITH TEN HEADS! He is my concept of D&D's take on Ravanna (misspelled from the actual Hindu demon, Ravana) as shown in the Ecology of the Rakshasa in one of the issues of Dragon Magazine. Ravanna is the Deity of the Rakshasas; cruel and cunning, yet egomaniacal and decadent. For me, it was hard drawing ten heads, both placement and thinking of different animal heads. For placement, I simply used my eye for image flow and balance and for animals... let's say the bottommost head was the last thought up (that one is a mongoose, for those who can't figure it out). Ravanna has to be one of the toughest characters I've ever drawn. Even his "chest tarp", lined with vertical lines, gold bits, and skulls, was tough to look naturally working with the rest of his body. I'm just glad I didn't draw his hands, which would've been reversed being a Rakshasa and all.
Dream Larvae are Abominations who're created, supposedly, by deities of dreams and fancies, that're locked away in forbidden dreamscapes, never to be encountered by mortal dreamers.
Those who do misfortunately venture in a Dream Larva's Dreamscape are greeted by, to the individual, the most horrifying thing that the dreamer can imagine. Those that aren't killed, and survive the fright see the Dream Larva in its true form: a large, human-like shape, formed by mounds of larval worms. They have horns, sharp teeth in a wicked, curling smile, and eight arms; four ending in two-pronged claws, and four ending in three-digit clawed hands. If a Dream larva doesn't initially kill someone by frightening them do death, they'll simply rip them apart, and manifest themselves in the real world through the dead-dreamer's mortal body, transforming into the Larva itself, where they can create their own nightmare worlds on the Material Plane.
The one on the right is my variant of the Dream Larva, who, of course, resembles a perplexing fusion of features pertaining to caterpillars, velvet worms, and mantis shrimp. The two other features that stick out more-so would be its six, pudgy humanoid arms, and its upper face plate, which superficially, possibly even capriciously, resembles a "mask" of a screaming human face. Those who actually live long enough to encounter it will know that the "face" is merely the top part of the creature's head, and behind the chin and jawline of the plate lies the creature's sharp-toothed maw.
This variant, apart from appearance, works in a more subtler way than the regular Dream Larva. Its forbidden dreamscape is intentionally serene, albeit dreamlike. It uses this as its advantage, as it also takes the form of a friend, or someone familiar, until its prey becomes all too comfortable and relaxed, when this Larva devours the prey it "hunts". This Larva does not usually wish to enter the Material Plane, for its subtle methods and means of deception make this variant more deadly and more frightening (killing and leaving no trace), in a more fanciful package. I do not know what to call this variant of Dream Larva yet, though.
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A loyal servant to the powerful Illithid named Nnemagon, Zaugorphon will follow orders to the letter, and kill anyone who dares harm his master. Zaugorphon resembles an Orc with brassy colored skin, deep red-orange eyes (imagine the color of Day-glo sauce in Chinese food), and flame red hair and mustache and turn to dirty yellow at the ends. He is equipped with a flaming bastard sword he has dubbed "Bronze Anger", and diabolical-looking breastplate armor, bracers, and greaves that have the undeniable stink of burnt sulphur (which has a more accurately diabolical name. Brimstone).
However, the real truth is known to Nnemagon and his thralls: Zaugorphon is a Haraknin Canomorph, a special breed of Hell Hound that can transform into any humanoid shape it chooses. While in his Hell Hound form, Zaugorhpon will blast anyone with his flaming breath, and attack with his blazing hot fangs. Being an planar Outsider, in nature, Zaugorphon never needs to eat or sleep. Which means that Zaugorphon is a tireless, pitiless warrior, on standby every hour, every day, every week.
No, these are NOT individual monsters that PC will encounter; They rove in groups! The Kopru slithering in areas closest to the water (even though they can survive on land, they are terribly slow on land, compared to when they're in the water... nothing a few vials of Fins to Feet couldn't fix, wink wink), And the Ineffable Horrors attacking from both the sky and on land, using their fast flying speed to excellent use, as well as brute strength.
In the Pithily Oroborus Campaign, they both become allied to a particularly vile character, for two totally different reasons. The Kopru desperately want to rebuild their fallen ancient Empire, but have cursed the name of their patron "deity", Demogorgon, for seeing no true end in sight for their race. The vile character, in question, proclaims that their deity can do what Demogorgon could not. Thus, the dreary, and vindictive Korpu join up to create a "golden future" for their race.As for the Ineffable Horrors... plenty of food aboveground. Tons and tons of meat (i.e. livestock, and anybody refusing to ally themselves to this sinister being's cause), live and breathing, to gobble up, and to keep their guts full for some time. Any other kind of meat (aka the dead and/or rotting kind) will not do for these Ogre-sized gluttons.
It's funny how similarly inhuman monsters can sometimes have differing reasons for joining one ally (well, not really, but it makes Roleplaying more rich and diversified).
The new leader of the Kuo-Toa in he Pithily Oroborus campaign. He is a Half-Farspawn Kuo -Toa. And apart from being deranged, untrusting and prone to fits of violence, his external anatomy is quite bizarre. Having one tentacle sprout from his chest, while the other grows suddenly from his right wrist, ending in wicked hooked barbs; his body being dotted with alien eyes and maws, his own eyes found on his face looking more like eyes of a cuttlefish, rather than the tiny-pupiled eyes iconic to Kuo-Toa. Small ropey tendrils flail wildly from his back, and having a skin coloration that consists of meshing swirls and swaths of grays, purples, and greens; the purple areas, oddly enough, give off a soft bioluminescent glow.
His clothing is also something of unusual taste, from the seaweed crown framed by a shark's jaw and decorated with pearls, to the shark-tooth necklace adorned on his neck, the pendant swinging around his chest tentacle, and the sash-belt and scarf with arcane patterns, illustrated by a bizarre animal with three eyes and monstrous mouth.His goals and ambitions are currently unknown, but his presence is known when he has Kuo-Toa attack from the waterways of Pithily Oroborus
Unlike the monsters bred from Kaorti experiments (the Rukanyr and Skybleeders), Kaortic Hulks 'supposedly' came into existence as the Kaorti, themselves. Myth states that these massive beasts originated from one familiar trapped in the Amoebic Sea, along with the Sorcerers who were foolish enough to open a rift into the Far Realm, a mistake made long before by ancient elves. An immense Elder Evil named Zurgurth found it, and, much like the Kaorti are now, it was remolded and pieced back together into the first ever Kaortic Hulk, a dinosaur-sized predator.
The Kaortic Hulk is eyeless, yet somehow senses its surroundings with unparalleled accuracy. Its armor is crafted from resin, then fluted and fit to go with the form of its body as a natural as a glove. But mostly, the Kaortic Hulk is used as siege engines by the Kaorti. It also has spell-like abilities like Gaseous Form, Spider Climb, Invisibility, and Silence, making an immense creature such as itself QUITE the stealthy predator.
Not part of the Pithily Oroborus campaign, Zuuk'h is something else I have in mind for a future idea. Zuuk'h is a Quarter-Fiend/Quarter-Red Dragon GREEN DRAGON! He is several centuries old, and poses as a false god in a bubbling volcano. He thrives on riches, but especially the sacrifices done in his volcano domicile. His greed and gluttony drives him, and anyone who dares stand in his way shall pay dear consequences. Those who attempt to fight him will either be charred, corroded by chlorine gas, squashed, skewered, and iconic to him; eaten whole.
Well, well, well... what CAN I say about this picture? Well, I'm sure Sup knows my feelings of character distrust with his "elf", Lyceila. However, neither he, nor anyone yet has met my newest "special" character that I made back in 2006, during our Evil campaign: A "human" that goes by the name of Mazaa. Unfortunately, I was too lazy to color this in fast enough, I was hoping to color this scene in the Underdark, with him using the Darkness spell, which allows a player to be unseen, even by beings who actually see in the dark (it's magical Darkness, compared to regular Darkness), and I was only going to have his eyes be visible amongst it, to give this art piece that iconic mysterious effect.
Also, though you may think he's stalking her... it's actually more like... observing her, like a vulture observes its prey. Mazaa does have "issues", after all.
While designing the Kaorti's Resin suit, I DID like the original design from the 3rd Edition Fiend Folio: Organic, and yet unsightly. Eddie G gave me the suggestion of making it look pitted, and grimy, and I must say that it does add to the creep factor to it greatly. I had a LOT of fun designing the Wristlancet, as described in Dragon Issue 358. My dad says it looks like the monster from the movie, "Monster of Piedras Blancas", and it actually does, except for the face.
Both I and Supah decided to try our hands at drawing each others characters, after I asked him to help draw for my webcomic Blue Eden. He made his own version of Tabby and I made my own version of Dess. I was a little impressed by that one particular pic he did of Dess with the "fiendish" armor so I drew it in my style. She's supposed to be a Good character but Sup seems to have plans about her having a fiendish heritage.
Anyways, I like how I drew her pose, especially with her summoning Minute Meteors, to smite some miscellaneous foe. I will color this, as soon as possible.
C'coth has a special place in my heart, mostly because he was my first character I created, and because I really thought outside of the box with him (back when Psionists, races who use psychic abilities, where exclusive to only Humans, Dwarves, and the other base races). He was kicked out of his clan because they saw his Psionic practices, which he did in secret, as sheer heresy. Since then, he has survived in the harshness of the deserts of Eternal Sun. And no, unlike typical players who play Gnolls either as emo, or as some way to take out their "Furry" interests (I apologize to those who do, be it accidentally or intentionally), Kor was played as bitter about being kicked out for practicing something he had found out about by accident (his psychic abilities), and as an opportunist, all while thinking with "Might Is Right!", like most Gnolls typically would, without stepping too much out of line.
This picture was done at Eddie's request. Reason is because this is a character of his, rather than one of my own. Also, I had simply had gotten the impulse to draw this race for 3rd Edition rules, to which, obviously, Ed mentioned Zool.
Zool is a Thoul, which, to those not familiar to 2nd Edition or Mystara, is a magical crossbreed of a Troll, a Hobgoblin, and a Ghoul. According to Ed, Zool is aware of his magic-induced existence, but instead of seeing it as a curse, he saw it more as an opportunity to experiment more with magic. Zool Milyardo also belongs to an underground resistance movement, thwarting any attempts or machinations of the more evil, malignant forces of the world they reside in.
Odd enough, though, when I showed my mom this, she told me "He kinda looks like Robin Williams.", which made us both crack up, really hard.
These creatures are in 3rd Edition D&D, but I drew one because I'm simply displeased with the illustration done for them in the book called Fiend Folio. They are described as once being humans that had been trapped in a plane, or dimension, of pure Lovecraftian madness called the Far Realm. Once trapped they became hideous, genderless, and alien, with faces looking similar to a melted spider's face. The illustration in Fiend Folio looks more like "Lizard-dog" than "Melted Spider". SO, I did my version of the Kaorti character design, more appropriate to the description, and, in my own opinion, much better than the one done by Wizards of the Coast (I do have respect for WotC, regardless of this statement).
Here is my personal visual rendition of some Monsters of Dungeons and Dragons that have yet to be adapted to 3rd Edition D&D. These particular Elementals originated in 2nd Edition D&D, in the Mystara Campaigns. I felt that, since the forces of Good/Evil/Law/Chaos are more emphasized in 3rd Edition, that these would fit well in 3rd Edition D&D quite well.
What makes these Elementals so Chaotic? The Pyrophor (Left) is Chaotic Evil, as well as being sadistic and burn-crazy. The Undine (Right) is Chaotic Good, which means it protects good beings, but at it's own choice, rather than obligation.
Here is my personal visual rendition of some Monsters of Dungeons and Dragons that have yet to be adapted to 3rd Edition D&D. These particular Elementals originated in 2nd Edition D&D, in the Mystara Campaigns. I felt that, since the forces of Good/Evil/Law/Chaos are more emphasized in 3rd Edition, that these would fit well in 3rd Edition D&D quite well.
What makes these Elementals so Chaotic? The Eoli (Left) can be any Chaotic alignment (Good, Neutral, and Evil), making it highly spontaneous and unpredictable to the point where it is dangerous. The Erdeen (Right) is Chaotic Neutral, and is curious about the collapsible properties of earth (rockslides, shifting sand, cracks in gems), even to the point where it might trap adventuring characters just to discuss about the complexities nature. Also, it is physically asymmetrical (one limb on each side being longer than the other, having only one eye, and, in my version, some Erdeens have an extra, though useless limb)
Although this is in the D&D section, this was actually a monster I had in a dream back in High School. I don’t remember the details too much; apart from me fighting/running from it… it might’ve been some quasi-biblesque dream (dreams never have just one type of atmosphere or genre, and the more we see in our dreams, the more we learn about ourselves and what can be around us). Well, anyways, as the title suggests, instead of this big mythical monster being photorealistic, it’s “stylized”, even more so than what I usually draw with Blue Eden. I personally liked how it came out, all except for the paws.
Nyth’ghuul vs. Rass
Me and my friends once decided to make an Evil-themed D&D campaign. Brendan was a Necromantic Cleric nicknamed “Dirge”, Sup played a Troglodyte Druid named Rass ; (the reptilian creature in the Aztec garb in the picture), and I, because I always find ways to stand out, I played a Mind Flayer (or Illithid to the more RPG savvy, and to the less savvy, the creepy octopus-faced creature also in this picture) named Nyth’ghuul Galeb who was a Sorcerer and a Ranger. And, seeing as Rass is a Druid and despises the other two characters, one choosing to pervert nature with Necromancy, and my character for being a “creepy unnatural sin against God” (Ha ha ha. I do my best ^__~). SO, to thank Sup for the fun times our characters argued and almost went at each other’s throats, I did a drawing of them “resolving an argument” (and yeah, I tried my best not to make it look like one was having an advantage against the other).
One of the few villains I made for the Evil Campaign, mentioned earlier. Turel is a Rakshasa (a Tiger-faced diabolic being that’s supposed to be the living embodiment of evil). And, much like a typical Rakshasa, he plots, plans, and manipulates to get what he wants. He can also change his appearance, and, seeing as I wanted to incorporate some predatory feel in him, I wanted to give him have a fondness for food (rich food, especially meat), and riches, like any greedy, and powerful monster would. As for why I gave him the eye patch, I still need to officially make a story as to how and why he lost his right eye.
Thud Cragus
Thus is a Half-Orc, and make his profession hunting down animals, and sometimes people, at a price. He also has a pet vulture named Riikh. Now, though he does a lot of dirty work, he’s superstitious when it comes to dealing with the dead and stuff from tombs (sometimes making a character with flaws is fun). Unlike most of the current character I’ve drawn so far, Thud is NOT in the Evil Campaign.
Nyth’ghull Galeb
Nyth’ghuul is a Mind Flayer, a creature with a head similar to an octopus’s face. But that’s not all, because of his alien nature, his kind eat brains as necessary dietary need to create enzymes and proteins needed to survive (much like how humans need to eat meat for protein, vegetables for minerals and nutrients, fruit for vitamins, and bread and grain for carbohydrates). But because of this need, and their abnormal abilities, Mind Flayers (or Illithids, which is their name for themselves), are feared and hated, which also fuels their already cold, cruel, and bitter nature.
Nyth’ghuul chose to, not only became a Sorcerer for his innate magical capabilities, but also a Ranger to learn about the Underdark (a title for the intricate underground caves in which they live), to “know” the Underdark. It is because of these choices that he is seen as an individual amongst his kind, which is both unusual to the hive-mind of his culture, and possibly a threat in the wrong eyes.
Naugenheim the Illithid Haberdasher
Oh ho HO! An Illithid that majors in making hats? How can something this silly be existent? Well, I remembered, once again referring to the Evil Campaign, Sup making cracks about my character “skinning dwarves (D&D Dwarves. Think Gimli from Lord of the Rings) and making nice hats out of them.” Well, Nyth’ghuul wasn’t going to do something as silly, but maybe I’d make another Illithid that could. Add fancy clothing, scissors, a ruler, a majoring in working with cloth, and a German-esque accent and VOILA, the birth of Naugenheim!
Who says evil can’t be a tiny bit silly?
Cassandra Flowerwind
Here we have Cassandra, a female Elven Ranger. Too bad she had gotten in the clutches of my Mind Flayer character, Nyth’ghuul. Reason why he had captured her was to speed up his nature training. Good thing for her that, through his sheer arrogance and naiveté, he accidentally let her go. I remember the last thing she said to him. With a look of anger and disgust, she said “Good luck with your training.” Of course, she was being sarcastic and rude, but hey; when you escape an evil monster, wouldn’t you be rude, or run for your life?