A few more days… the wacom cintiq should be arriving in 5-6 days from now.

I try not to have a day go by without drawing, coming home from working 2D art at ludia can tire me out from time to time  but I still like to get something done in between freelance projects. So here are some fun creature sketches I did this week. As usual I have some Daedonas lore to explore. To help locate : The Crescent Lands

Ulpug –  A semi-aquatic echindna, the Ulpug resides in the shallow rivers and lakes of the Illiak Wetlands. At three to four feet long  this creature is shy and reclusive by nature, rarely assaulting anything larger than itself and will flee at any sign of danger. Generally a social animal the Ulpug families live in burrowed tunnels within mud coasts and will venture into the water to feast on bottom dwelling crustaceans, snails and vegetation. Their powerful jaws and thick blunt teeth crush shells effectively while their large powerful legs propel them at speeds quick enough to stay out of immediate danger. Resorting to aggression in the need of defending their tunnels or that fleet is impossible they will charge at their attacker, striking with their under eye facial barbs inducing a paralyzing sting to deter any would be predators. Overall the Ulpug are well developed survivors, their eyes can tilt fully upwards to view the surface while underwater and have thick leather clad covered backs to defend themselves while foraging, but all these natural attributes mean nothing to a skilled poacher or a sharpened-stick-armed lucky Mou’yyp.  The Ulpug are mercifully hunted for their leather, which is an common element in base armor, while their barb toxin are used for poisons and medicinal purposes, for these reasons the Ulpug’s population’s are relatively low and will continue to dwindle with market economy rising in the Crescent Lands.

Stiltoaki - Almost every still water lake and pond throughout the Crescent Lands the call of the Stiltoaki is heard. Croaking at all hours of the night the amphibian’s will swim and stalk around the waters, catching  insects with it’s long and sticky tongue. The most notable features of the Stiltoaki are it’s long thin almost insectile webbed legs, they are useful for two reasons; to safely traverse muddy bog surfaces and to swim quickly using a squid-like motion with the wide webbed appendages. The Stiltoaki is a very successful species and can be found in many warm wet climate areas, unlike a rare few amphibians who secrete poisons from their skin the Stiltoaki possess no natural toxins or poisons but are still harvested by the People, mostly for their  leg webs which make durable sacks and aquatic clothing materials.

Jura – A quick-footed nocturnal animal, the Jura dwell in the undergrowth in the many coastal jungles of the Crescent Lands. Strictly a herbivore, this creature scurries in the dark of the night digging up tuberous root vegetables and various nuts. The Jura are small creatures that can grow in size up to two feet long, with strong limbs and large eyes to see clearly in the night, these creatures are a fairly rare sight to the surrounding People. Using their strong front teeth and paws the Jura dig deep for their food and for their burrows, usually living in large families of twelve to eighteen. The females care cooperatively for the blind-young until they are ten weeks old to forage by night on their own.

Hi everybody, in between sword work (I’m going to post a set of two new ones and a bunch of concepts soon) I redrew a Daedonas race, the Braymun.

When it comes to developing my world I like to really sketch out the character, the homes, and the expressions of the race. Before I go on and on about the history, physical traits and all that good stuff that helps bring it to life. So I’d like to actually draw more about him, today I’m posting a preview, and later on I’ll detail all about this bambi/human race.

The sketch is all pencil but the scanning butchered it a bit; my girlfriend had this scanner, it was old, looked like crap and was slow as hell but nothing I have ever come across did such a good job of picking up all the details and keeping a beautiful contrast, as if all I did was stick the paper to my screen. Now it has died and I’m stuck with this more expensive scanner that doesn’t do anything for me. poo.

Well enjoy!

Hey everybody, here’s a bit of Daedonas lore, the drawings were done a little while ago and I had just forgotten to post them. The Thurains are a three part species and here’s the first part the lowly working class.  So I’ve been illustrating a big demon tattoo for my uncle that I’ll post when he get’s it done by my cousin…or his cousin which makes him my uncle’s cousin and I have no idea what that is title wise…twice removed or something? I’m related to him and he’s suppose to be a kick ass tattoo artist, I’ve never met him so I don’t know if that’s true or some healthy family boasting.  I also got my 3rd freelance job from DarkSword Armory and it’s basically a concept artist’s dream job, paid to design as many weapons as I want and be as creative as I want (must be actually useable..so no Buster Swords) so soon enough I’ll be posting some swords, sheathes, axes…fun etc.

These decapod bred worker/warriors, the Ha’Rud are loyal to the Queen council without question and without choice. Living as the lowly third caste in the Thurian society they toil endlessly for the Queendom’s far reaching empire.

Standing at seven feet, the Ha’Rud have tough leather-like skin, a strong enlarged arm and three sturdy legs to support their bulk. A very unique feature of the Thurian Ha’Rud are their four nodes on the top of the their skull, these organs work as psychic receptors for the control of the Queens and the Ha’Thoon, which overrides the personal will of the workers. Unless overwatched by the Queens or their better – the Ha’Thoon, the Ha-Rud can control themselves freely. While most never know this luxury, the rare few who do keep themselves far away from any of their kin. For if ever they come in proximity to their once masters, their freedom and self awareness would be once again lost.  While the Queens can live hundreds of years, the Ha-Rud live short lives of thirty years, and even then most do not live that long as their harsh and unforgiving lifestyle leads to certain death.

Here is some more concept sketches to the stalker and a fun monster painting I did last week. I’ve been trying really hard to move away from creatures and monsters, but they keep sucking me back in. I’ll post what I’ve been attempting with character busts later on, been trying to develope a level of emotion in the faces, which has always been a weak point of my characters and I hope these little excercises might do something for me.

Prowling the dark recesses of the Cityspire the Facestalkers tirelessly hunt their victims using their loved ones against them. In the quest for market dominance the Geneseer’s gave birth to these faceless monstrosities to further their schemes, assassinate any opposition and route out all rebellion. The Facestalker’s vile reputation is in it’s means of hunting; beheading a fresh kill with it’s forearm blades, and placing the head into it’s mouth cavity the creature can then use the newly acquired victims memories and lure it’s true quarry. Crying and calling out with the voice of the newly dead and following memories to the target’s location the Facestalker truly is a psychological horror. Anyone  forced to battle must look into the eyes of their dead loved ones and fight through the  pleading calls of pain.

Sometimes you just have to draw fish…and then get bored and start drawing evil-looking crustaceans, octopi and humanoid fish/frog things. Anyway here’s some stuff I did a little while back, nothing too new. I’m still on the Paradise Lost illustration, it’s going pretty slow since it’s not my thing, but I’m still going at it.

– Update –

Well, I can’t seem to sit idly by and post Daedonas creatures without telling backstories.

Saikreen – A deep dwelling solitary hunter that preys on most large aquatic creatures off the coasts north of Forest Cairnus. ( ref. The Crescent Lands ) Although it is classified as a squid, the Saikreen propels itself much like a nautilus, using a powerful siphuncles on the top of it’s body to siphon the water and uses the sphincters on its underside for jet propulsion to maneuver quickly. At a maximum length of six feet including tentacles the Snareskeen is by far not the largest of underwater beasts, but it’s characteristic natural weapons make up for that fact greatly. With six writhing stalks ending in sharp barbs the Saikreen can retract and launch them at any larger target using strong muscle spasms. Once embedded the barbs are extremely difficult to remove and the Saikreen can feast on the much larger sea creatures parasitically for days until it’s hunger is sated.

Tadivol – Although these creatures have an intelligence as basic as the marsh dwelling Mou’yyp ( ref. Mou’yyp ) they are a peaceful amphibian race who excel as hunters and in times of need have been allies to the Grungi. Leading them to underwater air filled caverns for safety during war and gathering deep exotic resources from the ocean floors. Living a nomadic life the Tadivol travel near the coasts of the Crescent Lands feasting on the fish and crustaceans of the North and South depending on season. The life cycle of the Tadivol is a treacherous journey, during mating season they will swim up the rivers to the Illiak Wetlands to breed, leaving the eggs among the many dangerous and predatory creatures of the lakes. Once hatched from their muddy burrows the young Tadivols are born much different then their aquatic forebears, with thickset legs and a short tail they crawl and walk in the high grasses of the marshes. Keeping distance from the Mou’yyp they eat and grow, and as their legs atrophy and shrink their tails grow long and powerful until they are strong enough to eventually to swim out to sea and reach their kin.

Na’Ghauls – Scavengers and marauders of the deep, these nocturnal fish creatures prey on all matter of beasts and People by the coasts. Preferring the warm waters above the Southern Crescent Arm they are the bane of all fisherfolk and are the naturally enemies of the Tadivol, attacking them on sight. Although sentient, the Na’Ghauls possess only a base savage intelligence, living only to feast and breed. Rising from their depths in the night they creep onto the shores and cliffs, stealing away the young and any easy prey they can lay their clawed hands on. Being able to hold sea water in the hanging bladders around their neck, they can use their gills to breath for hours while still on land, although rarely do they leave their waters for more then a quick raid. Many coastal People guard their villages by night and keep a wary eye for their souless white eyes under the waves.

Cairphian - Among the teeming hordes of crustaceans in the southern Crescent Arc live some of the most deadly efficiant and monstrous horrors of Daedonas. And the Cairphian is by far one of the deadliest, this water-based crustacean is at home in the shallow waters and the sharp cliffs of the Southern Arc. Being able to scale most rock walls, and swim great speeds with it’s soft-skin tail the four to six feet long Cairphian is a top predator and even the most wary fisherfolk have a hard time defending themselves from this beast.

]]> http://terrymaranda.com/2008/10/09/denizens-of-daedonas-the-taheil-and-some-preview-concepts/ Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:29:59 +0000 Terry Maranda http://terrymaranda.com/2008/10/09/denizens-of-daedonas-the-taheil-and-some-preview-concepts/

In the heights of the Ta-Teer Mountains the peaceful Ta-Heil’s live a solemn scholars life in their high rising Temple Libraries guiding and studying the people of Daedonas. These highly advanced gastropod’s are considered the teachers of the Crescent Lands and their wise advice and philisophical reasonings guide many leaders and people of the lands. 

The Sages pursue knowledge and understanding for the most of their long four century life, studying the past and predicting the future. Compiling tomb upon tomb of literature in their vast libraries they record all stages of the Crescent Land’s history and withhold all it’s secrets. Entrance into the temple libraries are highly selective and only through extensive interrogation would one be able to, for in their deep vaults they hold the greatest tools of destruction and creation, the last of the soulroot artifacts.

The Ta-Heil are an asexual gastropod race that live in few numbers at the highest altitudes. They have very many unique characteristics that define their race; They float through the air using a complex system of inflatable hydrogen bladders. Two methods control their movement, by filtering out the hydrogen from the oxygen in the air they maintain their buoyancy, and they control their direction by the use of minisicule valves expelling the gas. The Ta-Heil’s tough fibrous body has very little feeling to the cold high altitude climate and the their sphincter like mouths allow quick powerful intakes of air to fuel that levitation. And lastly, their long coarse beards are sensitive to the most minute changes in the weather to better gauge where the wind will take them and how best to work with it.

I also have a few head sketches, they’re for future Daedonas Denizens and I’m itching to do some more personal artwork, but freelancing comes first. I’ll have an update on what I’ve been doing for White Wolf in about a week. 

One of the more savage denizens of Daedonas, the Rohrak are a simple and peaceful people. They live a sedentary life, farming, husbandry, hunting and defending themselves. The Rohrak are prized as labor and warrior slaves for their strength and stamina, and capturing them can be a slave masters greatest folly.  Although slow to anger, an enraged rampaging Rohrak can be an engine of destruction, and in times of war a whole tribe can be compared to a natural disaster. The Rohrak primarily follow a male chief that holds his rank based on the number of wives he has and being able to best any challenger to his position.

Their frontal tusks. are solely a male feature and are a source of much pride, a Rohrak that loses his tusks through any means is not considered a male and is cast out from the tribe. Many Rohrak mercenaries, slaves and wanderers are tuskless and are far from the peaceful people they once were. The tribes of the Far Plains and the Colbyt Highlandsare constantly beset by the slave caravans of the Degune, the expanding farm lands of the Kinken and the raids of the Braymun.

At an average of eight feet tall and five hundred pounds the People of the Tusk are by the far the strongest warriors in the Crescent Lands.

Hey everyone, here are some artworks I did a while back, nothing new at the moment. I’ve been pretty busy with working at Ludia on the American Idol video game and concepting the Paradise Lost video game. New stuff will be coming soon from Paradise Lost. And you can check out there site at www.paradiselostgame.com there’s some pretty good artists I’m working with there.

Aquilorth Daemon - Not a denizen of Daedonas

Daedonas Weapons

Bulliwop of the Bog

There are many diverse denizens of Daedonas, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, the greatest strength and weakness of the Kinken are one in the same, trade. The Kinken are the most numerous and influential people of the Crescent Lands. With a high birthrate and the ability to adapt to many different climes the Kinken can be found almost anywhere, from the western highlands to the east coasts, living in anything from rural villages to ancient cities. Although not considered adept mentally or physically the Kinken’s make up for this is in their numbers and their innate understanding of trade and obsessive pursuit of wealth. This pursuit has led the Kinken to spread out all over the crescent lands, both peacefully and aggressivly, their settlers are far reaching and farms, hamlets and Kinken villagers are everywhere. This has led to the displacement of many Rohrak, Braymun, Grungi and Kukri, and has always led to much war and strife between other denizens and other Kinken. In the city they are the majority of the population and directly influence both government and trade, even if they aren’t always leading it.

Living an average lifespan of up to 60 years, most Kinken spend their lives in squallid conditions, eeking out a farming life fighting beasts, other denizens and rival Kinken for each acre of land. The city folk Kinken are the labourers and craftsmen. Those that excel in trade do rise above their kin and live in the more structually safe higher reaches of the ancient cities. Being an avian genus, the Kinken are born from eggs, there are generally more females then males and leadership of the kindreds rests on a male figurehead, but since there are so many females an incompetant  leader doesn’t hold his station for long.

Deep in the marshes of the Illiak Wetlands live the Mou’Yyp.  This race of amphibians are savage, dim-witted, weak willed people and their technological peak is a sharpened rock. Yet many trespassers have underestimated their feral cunning and great numbers. In most cases those that wander into the glades are killed and eaten, although sometimes they may find themselves captured and forced to teach the Mou’yyp the mastery of fire. The primitive people greatly covet this art and while some have learned this basic need, the lack of opposable thumbs, short memory and their low level of intelligence reduces most to living in damp squalor. Those that can create fire are the leaders of the Mou’yyp kindreds. Unfortunately, to keep their status they never teach others and create it in secret, and usually that knowledge is lost when an upstart Mou’yyp murders the leader thinking the ability to make fire will be passed on.

The Mou’yyp generally don’t live long, but with the effective reproductions methods of mass aquatic egg laying there are never a shortage of Mou’yyp in the Illiak Wetlands.

Of all people in the Crescent Lands the Degune are the only non-native race. They once lived in the land now known as the fell waste. After the cataclysmic destruction of it’s verdant rolling hills and grasslands, the Degune migrated into the Crescent Lands.

Standing at four feet tall and covered in soft numb flesh, the Degune were easy prey to the Pha’Druiin and soon after their arrival the peaceful prairie folk were forced into slavery. Under such oppression they developed their cruel intellect and lack of apathy. Now, living in the ancient cities of their old masters, they live as successful merchants and even more successful slave traders.

The coastal Grugni are natives to Daedonas and have always lived off the sea. Either living in sea side caves in the high sheer cliffs of the southern coasts, or in raised huts in the Urunti Archipelago and Illiak lake lands. Although considered bad traders because of their trademark gullibility the Grungi excel in fishing and lumaspore gathering. They live in great numbers and in relative peace.

Generally the men fish, trade and gather while the women govern and take care of the young. The Grungi are a mammalian race with two very exceptional abilities; first, their dual ears can block out sounds such as the constant sounds of waves breaking on the cliffs and the strong winds of the turbulent great sea. Second, the Grungi can have litters of up to 8 children, and are capable of controlling that number based on habitation room and food supply. 

-More to come!

Here are 4 maps - Carthusal and Daedonas are portfolio maps, while City Rathess and the Exalted Area maps were for a contract job for White Wolf’s RPG Exalted. I never expected to be a map illustrator when I started out my career as a freelancer, but when a job comes around it’s best not to be picky, and this turned out to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to doing more.

-Terry

Carthusal - City over the Siste

Daedonas - The Crescent Lands

City Rathess - © White Wolf 2008 Exalted RPG

Exalted Geographical Map - © White Wolf 2008 Exalted RPG

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