Birthright Original Portraits and Artwork

[ShadowMoon]

I wondered if BRCS would ever use Birthright awesome original artwork. Honestly I don't know any of legal stuff related to intelectual property and/or artwork.

Anyway, I colourized for fun two Birthright NPCs; Rogr Aglondier and the Sword Mage.

I posted it together with its B/W originals. Regretfully I know not the names of original artists.

Rogr Aglondier is from Player's Secrets of Ilien (TSR 3108; AD&D Birthright).
The Sword Mage is from The Book of Magecraft (TSR 3117; AD&D Birthright).

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3989/rograglondierhy7.jpg

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/565/swordmagela4.jpg


PS: WOTC plz, don't sue me... ^^;

[Thelandrin]

Don't they have a completely different picture of Rogr Aglondier in the main BR box? He's depicted as a short, fat, laughing man, who reminds me eerily of a Gnome.

[Dcolby]

Perhaps the worries and cares of rulership have worn down poor Rogr??

[Thelandrin]

For the record, I really like the work you've done. Technically, your coloured artwork is considered derivative artwork, but still.

[Jaleela]

Yes, the Rogr of the Ruins of Empire from the original boxed set seems to be a very happy fellow with reddish hair. The Rogr in the PS of Ilien looks very grim.

Nice color application on the Sword Mage.

[ShadowMoon]

Yes, the Rogr of the Ruins of Empire from the original boxed set seems to be a very happy fellow with reddish hair. The Rogr in the PS of Ilien looks very grim.

Nice color application on the Sword Mage.

Well it could be that happy gnome-like old man is Moeran Aglondier, the old Count of Ilien.

Anyway, grim dawn theme on Rogr Aglondier could hue his hear, as well as highlight his gray streaks (old age maybe). His eyes show eldritch infusion, prolly taken in wilds, forging a lay line. At least thats what I had in mind.

And I went for purple-violet-reddish on the Sword Mage to depict her infernal focus (in my campaign the Sword Mage is a female) on Demon summoning and binding.

[AndrewTall]

hmmm, Rogr before and after he inherited the crown?

The pictures look good btw.

[Thelandrin]

Then again, are we sure that that it is a picture of Rogr? How do we know it's not his mystery successor?

(Silly question - I wasn't even aware that there was an Ilien PS. Whereabouts can it be found?)

[ShadowMoon]

I did this one today...

Colour scheme is taken from the necromancer on the cover of The Book of Magecraft. I read somewhere that it is the necromancer Quirad al-Dinn on the cover art.

Quirad al-Dinn is from The Book of Magecraft (TSR 3117; AD&D Birthright).

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1985/quiradaldinntd5.jpg

...

[Thelandrin]

That recolouring changes his expression. Whereas the B/W picture appears to be glowering at you, the coloured one appears to be looking skyward for inspiration! :)

[ShadowMoon]

That recolouring changes his expression. Whereas the B/W picture appears to be glowering at you, the coloured one appears to be looking skyward for inspiration! :)

Yeah, at first I thought he is missing an eye, but then I figured it is a bad scan; so I made my own eyes. Anyway I went more for like holding his anger while cursing the Avani and the Five Oaths.

[ShadowMoon]

That recolouring changes his expression. Whereas the B/W picture appears to be glowering at you, the coloured one appears to be looking skyward for inspiration! :)

I made another version of Quirad, on that one he is not gazing above.

So, I'll post them both, and You decide...


Quirad al-Dinn is from The Book of Magecraft (TSR 3117; AD&D Birthright).

First version:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4619/quiradaldinnti6.jpg

Second version:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6042/quiradaldinn02mj3.jpg

...

[Jaleela]

(Silly question - I wasn't even aware that there was an Ilien PS. Whereabouts can it be found?)

Check eBay. There are numerous copies available for small cost. I found 6 or 7 copies with a "buy it now" button next to it.

[Thelandrin]

Well, maybe I'm in the wrong country, but I searched for "Ilien" and found squat and diddly.

ShadowMoon, the second coloured version is much better :)

[Jaleela]

Yes, I was searching the US eBay site, where there are Player's Secrets of Ilien galore.

There's even a S/W original boxed set (for $79 US), bit rich for my tastes.

SM, I don't think al-Dinn looks "menacing" enough. The eyes have definitely lost some of his "angry" mage look.

[ShadowMoon]

SM, I don't think al-Dinn looks "menacing" enough. The eyes have definitely lost some of his "angry" mage look.

I agree, will try to fix it soon...

Thx for coments ^^;

[Thelandrin]

Shame about the different eBay site. That said, you can pick up some good stuff in the UK from some excellent retailers, but then c'est la vie.

[ShadowMoon]

I know it is not an oficial BR NPC, or as good as original artwork, but I wanted to share it.


This is a NPC from my Birthright campaign (Birthright d20R: Shadow Rising).

Count Balthasar von Khelnn, the Knight of the Silver Eye.


http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5527/balthasarvonkhelnnam4.jpg

...

[Thelandrin]

He does look suitably menacing. A Vos pirate perhaps?

[ShadowMoon]

He does look suitably menacing. A Vos pirate perhaps?

In my campaign (Birthright d20R: Shadow Rising) count Balthasar von Khelnn (NPC) is a memeber of the militant order of Ruornil called the Knights of the Silver Eye.
Khelnn family is old and traditional, but great tragedy fell upon this noble house. Old count Reuben Hilder von Khelnn died in fall of Adlersburg, count's eldest son Harald vanished on the Sturmwind's maiden voyge less than a month later, poor countess Kordelia's sorrow drove her mad, Khelnn castle burned to the ground by misterious fire, young Balthasar and his younger sister Kirsten Marie were separated and raised by strangers.
Anyway, to avoid beeing dragged in campaign storyline. Balthasar discovered to many secrets about himself and his family, and now he walks a dark and lonely path, seeking salvation, but offering none. On the other hand Kirsten Marie (Player Character) is looking for him, uncovering long forgotten horrors, following her brother's path, but something about her makes it all different...

Oo;

[ShadowMoon]

Quirad al-Dinn is from The Book of Magecraft (TSR 3117; AD&D Birthright).

Final version (I hate his eyes, need a better scan -.-):

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1563/quiradaldinn04xs9.jpg


High Mage Aelies is from The Book of Magecraft (TSR 3117; AD&D Birthright).

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7035/highmageaeliesvy9.jpg

...

[ShadowMoon]

So far:

Rogr Aglondier; The Sword Mage; Quirad al-Dinn; High Mage Aelies; and Balthasar von Khelnn.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/255/brnpcportraitsou3.jpg

EDIT:
Rogr Aglondier is from Player's Secrets of Ilien (TSR 3108; AD&D Birthright), The Sword Mage, Quirad al-Dinn, and High Mage Aelies are original Birthright artwork from The Book of Magecraft (TSR 3117; AD&D Birthright); I only colored them and did some minor editting.
Balthasar von Khelnn is work of my own (drawing and coloring).

[cccpxepoj]

great work, keep it going & keep posting it :)

[Thelandrin]

I know the High Mage Aelies and his brothers are all half-Sidhelien, but Aelies looks way too young. I'd expect him to have the gravitas befitting one of the (if not the) greatest human wizards in Cerilia.

[ShadowMoon]

I know the High Mage Aelies and his brothers are all half-Sidhelien, but Aelies looks way too young. I'd expect him to have the gravitas befitting one of the (if not the) greatest human wizards in Cerilia.

I agree...
Never liked his portrait, to weak, youngish, and harmless for such a powerful wizard, but its not up to me. Beeing youngish and tiny fits his description. But still...

[kgauck]

I think we might be evaluating Aelies strictly on human terms. Judge me by my size will you? You know the drill.

[AndrewTall]

I agree...
Never liked his portrait, to weak, youngish, and harmless for such a powerful wizard, but its not up to me. Being youngish and tiny fits his description. But still...

Hmm, a potential downside to being a half-elf in a human setting - you always look young so you get under-estimated. I wonder if the matrons at court want to mother him and feed him up a bit...

His apparent youth no doubt wins him enemies amongst the envious, though I am sure he takes full advantage of the way that strangers mistake him for 'the high mage's apprentice', or seek to take advantage of one so clearly outdone by their own reputation.

I wonder sometimes if he is really the aloof loner he pretends or whether he cuts a swathe though the young ladies of the court being rich, powerful, young, etc...

[ShadowMoon]

Another NPC from my campaign (Birthright d20R: Shadow Rising).
My original drawing and coloring. Hope You'll like it.

Oswald Bauer; the Ordenmeister of the Celestial Glyph:

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1838/oswaldbauerjv7.jpghttp://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/OswaldBauer.jpg

...

EDIT:

Note: Exploration of the ruins of Adlersburg (picture theme)...

[Thelandrin]

Oooh. Now I *like* Oswald Bauer's pic. That does look good. (Shades of Yul Brynner and Max von Sydow.)

[Elton Robb]

I know I'm late, but . . .

wow.

Elton.

[Beruin]

I'm also late, but great work, Shadowmoon. I especially like your coloring of the swordmage.

Btw, for those of you looking for character portraits or fantasy related art, check out http://conceptart.org/?.

Really lots of great stuff here, including some works from professionals you've probably seen before...

[ShadowMoon]

Rhobher Nichaleir; The Archprelate of the Western Imperial Temple of Haelyn
TSR 3107 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Tuornen

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2836/birthrightrhobhernichalsw8.jpg

...

[Elton Robb]

Rhobher Nichaleir Archprelate of the Western Imperial Temple of Haelyn
TSR 3107 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Tuornen

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2836/birthrightrhobhernichalsw8.jpg

...

Ah. Can you do the same for Suris?

Elton.

[ShadowMoon]

Sure, I guess... ^^;

[AndrewTall]

Rhobher Nichaleir; The Archprelate of the Western Imperial Temple of Haelyn
TSR 3107 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Tuornen

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2836/birthrightrhobhernichalsw8.jpg

...

Looks great! The face is brought out better in the black and white, and the background makes him look better.

I wonder if his army would be lighter though - I thought priests of Haelyn had a white schtick?

[ShadowMoon]

Suris Enlien; The Celestial Archpriest of the Ruornil's Celestial Spell
TSR 3106 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Medoere

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1540/birthrightsurisenliennp3.jpg

...

[Thelandrin]

She looks decidedly spooky. Interesting work!

[Elton Robb]

She looks decidedly spooky. Interesting work!

Yes. She looks like someone you wouldn't trust on first sight.

[AndrewTall]

Yes. She looks like someone you wouldn't trust on first sight.

A little pale maybe - she should get out in the sun more, kids these days, up all hours of the night... :)

[ShadowMoon]

A little pale maybe - she should get out in the sun more, kids these days, up all hours of the night... :)

Player's Secrets of Medoere:

"She has hair as dark as night, large gray eyes, and skin the color of pale moonlight. Wispy thin and only of average height, Suris nevertheless has a presence that draws people to her."

[AndrewTall]

Player's Secrets of Medoere:
"She has hair as dark as night, large gray eyes, and skin the color of pale moonlight. Wispy thin and only of average height, Suris nevertheless has a presence that draws people to her."


I can see the older women telling her to smile more :) She has a forbidding look about her that probably keeps people at a respectful distance...

[ShadowMoon]

So far...


Rogr Aglondier
TSR 3108 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Ilien

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/RogrAglondier.jpg


The Sword Mage
TSR 3117 AD&D Birthright: The Book of Magecraft

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/TheSwordMage.jpg


Quirad al-Dinn
TSR 3117 AD&D Birthright: The Book of Magecraft

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/Quiradal-Dinn.jpg

...

EDIT 01: Better frame...
EDIT 02: Moved pictures to Photobucket...

[ShadowMoon]

So far...


High Mage Aelies
TSR 3117 AD&D Birthright: The Book of Magecraft

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/HighMageAelies.jpg


Rhobher Nichaleir
TSR 3107 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Tuornen

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/RhobherNichaleir.jpg


Suris Enlien
TSR 3106 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Medoere

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/SurisEnlien.jpg

...

EDIT 01: Better frame...
EDIT 02: Moved pictures to Photobucket...

[ShadowMoon]

My own work...


Balthasar von Khelnn
D&D Birthright d20R: Shadow Rising

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/BalthasarvonKhelnn.jpg


Oswald Bauer
D&D Birthright d20R: Shadow Rising

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z216/Uhr78/OswaldBauer.jpg

...

EDIT 01: Better frame...
EDIT 02: Moved pictures to Photobucket...

[Thelandrin]

Your pictures keep disappearing. Have you tried hosting them on Photobucket etc.?

[ShadowMoon]

They are hosted on Imageshack...

What do You mean dissapearing?

EDIT: I hosted them on Photobucket now, any better?

[Thelandrin]

That's Tetley :)

[ryancaveney]

She has a forbidding look about her that probably keeps people at a respectful distance...

Not at all -- she has exactly the sort of look that would encourage me to hit on her. =) "She has hair as dark as night, large gray eyes, and skin the color of pale moonlight" describes several of my ex-girlfriends. Therefore, I really like the colorized picture. ;)


Ryan

[Riggswolfe]

Wow, these colorations are awesome. Have you done any more since the last one?

[Thorogood Roele]

ok, what is the D20: Shadow Rising that's listed below some of your artwork, is it a birthright supplement, if so where can it be had?

[Riggswolfe]

ok, what is the D20: Shadow Rising that's listed below some of your artwork, is it a birthright supplement, if so where can it be had?


I think it is his home campaign or maybe a PBEM.

[ShadowMoon]

Shadow Rising is my Birthright campaign that I've been running for years...

[ShadowMoon]

Wow, these colorations are awesome. Have you done any more since the last one?

Unfortunately, hadn't got any time to spare on it. Guess, my absence from posting shows how sad my life has become Oo;

hehe

[Riggswolfe]

Shadow Rising is my Birthright campaign that I've been running for years...

I just wanted to say I love your artwork, especially Count Balthazar. Do you have a campaign homepage or anything?

[ShadowMoon]

I just wanted to say I love your artwork, especially Count Balthazar. Do you have a campaign homepage or anything?

Thanks for Your compliments...

I had a website long time ago, but since my crew never used it, I canceled it...

[Riggswolfe]

Thanks for Your compliments...

I had a website long time ago, but since my crew never used it, I canceled it...

Lol. That happens to me. I run a campaign and put up a website, no one ever so much as looks at it and I close it.

[ShadowMoon]

Njorna; The Queen's Seer of Hogunmark
TSR 3135 AD&D Birthright: Player's Secrets of Hogunmark

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6792/njornaer3.jpg

...

PS: Some people here asked when will I post something new; well I got few spare hours, but honestly didn't knew what to do exactly, so I picked random BR material, and here it is.

Note:
Description says that she has violet eyes, so basically that set the color theme, which went nice with the dreamy background. Book states that she has visions often through dreams, so here she is deep within the Dreamfall, listening to the whispers from beyond...

[kgauck]

See also
http://www.birthright.net/brwiki/index.php/Category:Portrait

including
http://www.birthright.net/brwiki/images/0/07/Njorna.png

[Blastin]

heh...I like shadowmoon's MUCH better

[ShadowMoon]

I just noticed a funny thing, and that is that both of us went for pinkish mist rising from the bowl...

^^;

EDIT: I didn't knew that we already had Njorna colorized...

[Thelandrin]

Well, ShadowMoon's recolourisation does look a lot better closer up, but the first one certainly isn't shabby, considering that (in my opinion) the original portrait just isn't that good anyway.

[Nameless One]

Yeah, Rjurik portraits are quite a disappointment. I haven't opened the book for a long time but I remember that blonde, human-like Lleaddra (Mistress of Lluabraight) and a small, skinny, cute and funny goblin warlord were the greatest disappointment for me. Njorna isn't that bad really, a the colorizations are great. I prefer ShadowMoon's style as it retains some of the darkness from the original portrait. Ken's version is great as well but she looks slightly more cheerful there.

[ShadowMoon]

I just hope this will not turn into comparation field...

There is always someone that likes something else more, so there is really no need to point that here. The whole idea behind posting is sharing, and often self-improving, and not expecting praises or critiques, tho constructive critique is always welcome.


EDIT:
Slightly off topic but related:
For some time now, I am playing with the idea of retouching good old BR Warcards, maybe even make some new ones, as well as re-create some maps. What do You think about it? Would that be a waste of time, other than regular practice or would our BR "covenant" have use for it?

[Nameless One]

I just hope this will not turn into comparativeness field...

I'm sorry, I never had such intentions. I just wanted to post my opinion about the colorations.



For some time now, I am playing with the idea of retouching good old BR Warcards, maybe even make some new ones, as well as re-create some maps. What do You think about it? Would that be a waste of time, other than regular practice?

I think it's a great idea, but I don't know how many people would agree as not many of them liked the warcards when I was more active in BR PBeMs. I personally like them and I think new versions of the artwork as well as an improved warcard-based battle system would do a lot to give more life to Birthright setting.

As with most of Birthright works, there's a lot of mistakes with warcards as well, and that's what I would like to see corrected the most. For example, Coullabhie warcards have totally mixed-up artwork. There has also been a lot of reusing of old artwork in the later Birthright works. For example, some different Vos units share the same artwork and if I remember correctly there is very little new artwork on Tribes of the Heartless Waste warcards.

All in all, it is a great idea and I'm looking forward to seeing your first results with warcards.

As a note, I had quite a collection of custom warcards I found while looking for Birthrigth stuff on the net back before google. Sadly, most of them are on some backup cd which is who knows where. I managed to recover some of them from the website of a game I used to run. I could post those cards in a new topic if anyone wants them.

[ShadowMoon]

I'm sorry, I never had such intentions. I just wanted to post my opinion about the colorations.

No need to apologize, I was talking in general...




As a note, I had quite a collection of custom warcards I found while looking for Birthrigth stuff on the net back before google. Sadly, most of them are on some backup cd which is who knows where. I managed to recover some of them from the website of a game I used to run. I could post those cards in a new topic if anyone wants them.

Sure, I would like that, thanks in advance...
In regard of old custom Warcards, I'll check my old hard disks for my house-made Spider Raiders warcard, heavily influenced by Birthright: Gorgon's Alliance...

[kgauck]

I always liked the warcards. Improved warcards and new warcards would certainly be welcome.

Regarding images on the wiki, I think that most characters, places, and things are not even detailed, let alone illustrated. We should certainly not let the perfect become the enemy of the good. I'd rather see a lot of good descriptions and illustrations than a few great ones. So pointing out what was up would help illustrators with time constraints work on what was not yet done. I am certainly happy to see my work improved. Guthrim Gauksson is a case in point. I illustrated years ago with PC Paint. Its a weak colorization, and I'd really like to improve it (or see someone else do it). But given the choice between colorizing line art in one of the PS or improving an existing image, I'd rather put new art up. I did end up re-woring Hjalmar Helder in part because I was experimenting with some layering techniques.

[ShadowMoon]

I did this today...
Didn't wanted to open new thread, but I might... Like a thread for Birthright inspired artwork...

I called it Sidhe Guardian, but when I finished it, I was thinking it might be in service of Erik as well, anyway basically I had an idea of Earth Elemental/Golem... So what do You think?

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2945/sidheguardiandi5.png

...

[Thelandrin]

Oooh. I like it :) I do think it's far more Erik-themed than it is Sidhelien-based though.

[ShadowMoon]

Oooh. I like it :) I do think it's far more Erik-themed than it is Sidhelien-based though.

Keeper of the Grove maybe? Hm... I agree is does fit more into Erik theme...