The Hammer of Thursagan portrait repaints

[Lord-Knightmare]

Nice portraits! But could you please put some decorations on their shields to differentiate them further.

[thespaceinvader]

He's already said he's going to. Read threads in future before responding.

[DUHH]

As per usual: Sorry for the delays. Life, life, life...

Just started differentiating Masked Dwarf #1. Spiked helmet, red beard, evil axe.

Any ideas for symbols on shield and belt? Each masked dwarf should get their own symbol, I think.

[octalot]

That dwarf looks scary, even unarmed.

Masked Dwarves #1 and #2 appear in scenario 8 (the map with the wave of ulfs), a couple of scenarios before Karrag is unmasked. All four portraits appear in the final map.

My suggestions for the shields:
#1 and #2: a fist wearing an evil-looking gauntlet, like in the Orc portraits.
#3 and #4: Karrag's gauntlet, and the central rune-pattern from Karrag's chest.

[Pewskeepski]

Maybe a skull, a mask, or two bloody axes crossing each other?

[esr]

Campaign author here.

All the suggestions for symbols made so far work for me.

These dwarves are racist xenophobes. Artists should think of them as a dwarven equivalent of the Ku Klux Klan and design symbols appropriately. For example, a blazing torch would also work.

Also bear in mind that by choosing to go masked they are doing a thing that is deeply perverted by dwarven standards - the equivalent of criminal insanity, rather than just criminality.

[DUHH]

Thanks for the great comments!

ESR: Sorry about not updating you more often. Too many things going on at once.

Anyhow... Small update:

[DUHH]

Progress. Nearing finished for this dwarf?

Also... Quick sketch for the 4 different symbols. All relating to the hammer, and being sorta rough.

[Boldek]

I think you should stick with the fist, it gives a pleasant fascist/commy feel to these guys, while something garish like a drooling skull reminds the player too much of undead.

[Shinobody]

So, first thing: yes, all relate to a hammer... But the Hammer looks different. It is not cavalry hammer with hook on the other end, it's two-sided runesmith's hammer. I guess 90% of these fanatics haven't seen the hammer they are ready to give their lives for, but it still gives player a false clue.
Fist is good idea, since it has become shorthand for "This nation is Nazi Germany. Strength through purity. Heil /our great leader/"
In Wesnoth universe, flame does NOT mean "agressive/totalitarianism". I mean, Spectre of Fire is symbol of the good guys.
Skulls have one thing not right: orcs do not have big fangs sticking out of their mouths. Nor do goblins or trolls. Only ogres do, but this is a bit too small thing for dwarves to care.

[Pewskeepski]

So, first thing: yes, all relate to a hammer... But the Hammer looks different. It is not cavalry hammer with hook on the other end, it's two-sided runesmith's hammer.

Oh, rly?

[AI]

Skulls have one thing not right: orcs do not have big fangs sticking out of their mouths. Nor do goblins or trolls. Only ogres do, but this is a bit too small thing for dwarves to care.

Nope, but they *do* have fangs. Skulls lack lips, so they will be visible.

[Xalzar]

Shinobody wrote:
So, first thing: yes, all relate to a hammer... But the Hammer looks different. It is not cavalry hammer with hook on the other end, it's two-sided runesmith's hammer.

Pewskeepski wrote:
Oh, rly?

People we have a problem... Are we sure we are talking of the same hammer?

[Joram]

Quick comment from the peanut gallery: Three of your proposed symbols (#1, #2, #4) are very centered/symmetric. It makes #3 (the one where the hammer is bashing the skull) feel a little out of place due to its non-symmetrical nature. Of course, you're never going to see the symbols lined up this way in the campaign, so it's probably not a big deal, even if everyone did agree with me.

The only suggestion for a replacement that I can come up with would be a close-up of the head of the hammer with blood dripping off of it or something.


Oh, one other thought that just occurred to me. Maybe instead of flames on #4, you could have lighting? Some sort of blue, jagged, lighting things coming out of it towards the edges. I think it would probably come across as a little more aggressive/we will kill you.

Loving the artwork.

[Shinobody]

Actually, Thursagan's Hammer always was square-sided maul, not horseman's pick. Look at campaign icon.* (Or Karrag's sprite). Or old Karrag's portrait. Or (shown here) Thursagan's portrait.
In fact, new Karrag's portrait is ONLY place where it appears as "pick" version.
I mean, I remember that author of SoF repaints even wanted this hammer to be recognizable in HoT, to give player "spot-check" clue. Ironic, isn't it?
* - It seems it is that one.

EDIT: Just occured to me: Skull IS very good idea. It foreshadows fact that guy IS A LICH.