Since I announced the final contest themes last week, I figured I'd better get on with clarifying the subject material for theme number 2: Illustrating a scene from my novel. That's right, I've finally put together three different scenes for you to choose from, and you can either illustrate a single moment from the text, or, for those of you that might be a of a brave/masochistic nature, depict it in graphic novel/comic format. If you opt to go this route, you wouldn't need to go all out color. (Talk about ridiculously time consuming.) For those doing a single illustration, I would prefer to see finished pieces, preferably in color or as finished black and white renderings. All mediums will be accepted, and you can submit as many entries as you want. (Same goes for theme one, too.) Of course, if you have any more questions on these, (or feedback, a good critique on my writing is ALWAYS appreciated!) don't hesitate to ask. I'll upload some new character references if need be, and provide some links. Tentative deadline is in October, will likely extend if need arises. As far as prizes, I'll be offering a full painting commission from me, possibly some prints of your choice, and subscriptions. Others have volunteered to offer prizes/judge, and I'll be checking in with them a bit closer to deadline to make sure offers still stand. (You know... real life has a tendency to happen.)
SCENE ONE:
(Setting: In the Black Forest in an "alternate universe medieval Germany." Ridiculous enough for you?)
Adelaide had heard the gruff whispers of the hunters from her perch high up in her favorite beech. She watched them, one swiftly splitting off from the others, sprinting out of her range of vision as the others slipped back silently until they too were out of sight. She frowned to herself. They were on her father's property, and it did not matter whatever creature they hunted. She would not have it. Not here! She paused in her thoughts and weighed the situation carefully. What could they be after? She could not help but wonder after seeing how they had split up and gone in separate directions.
She gripped her cloak tightly around herself and pulled her hood down over her head. Following an old habit, she checked to make sure her hollowed ox hunting horn was secure on its strap, and scaled down the smooth trunk of the tree. The thick layer of leaves muffled the sound of her landing. Moving surely over the familiar forest floor, Adelaide followed the sounds of the hunter who had ran ahead, staying hidden in the thin brush, far enough behind that he could not possibly see her. All the while her curiosity mounted higher and higher until it nearly masked her indignation at the hunters' trespass. What could they possibly be after? It certainly wasn't deer.
Adelaide faltered. She had seen something, felt a soft rush displacing the air. She peered toward the source, off to her left. There, sprinting over the leaves and threading between trees at an incredible speed was the hellhound. Her blood froze at the sight of the great golden beast. For a moment she was paralyzed, half fear, half terrible awe holding her in place. She realized, then, why the hunting party had split up.
Too late. She saw him swerve in her direction, a wild fear on his face, a glance that chilled her very soul. He knew what was happening just as well as she did. He dived... A heavy shaft thudded deep into his flesh, and a fierce roar of pain shattered the still air as he crashed into the ground.
Like vultures, the hunters came out of cover and rushed towards the fallen beast, his futile efforts to deter them sapping the last of his strength. Cautiously they drew closer, all the while bracing themselves for a surprise attack. Step by cautious step, they advanced, crouched low, hands on their bows. The beast remained still. Then they were on him, gingerly touching his dark gold pelt with trembling hands. He couldn't be truly dead. Surely he was waiting for the moment to spin around on them with vicious jaws! One of the hunters drew a long knife from the leather scabbard in his boot. Encouraged by fervent whispers from his fellows, he quickly felt for the beast's maned neck, fingers digging nervelessly through the thick fur.
NOTE: The reference to a "hellhound" here refers to pallanophs, specifically those of the Nehrannon tribe, and in this case, my character Nharath.
SCENE 2:
(Setting: In the woods in an "alternate universe Sweden.")
Sorstan must have still been speaking. Reivig could see his mouth moving, though the sound never made its way to his ears. His pulse was a heavy, pounding rush that blocked out everything except his bloodlust. It was now, while they still had the element of surprise, or never.
Sorstan watched with some detachment as his comrade appeared to uncoil, his whole body lurching forward in a dark blur. For a brief moment, he admired the grace manifested in Reivig's training. A shame, really, he couldn't help but think, though he quickly allowed the feeling to dissipate as he turned his mind to business. With striking athletic grace, Sorstan gathered himself and sprang after Reivig.
Orstad turned then, as if alerted by some invisible warning, and met, face to face, the silent wrath of Reivig bearing down upon him. The ambassadors reared in outrage, and the guard turned, bristling. Despite the alarm of his companions, the king seemed oddly emotionless. His face showed a lack of surprise that struck the assassin in mid lunge. Something was out of place. Why didn't he cower with rightful fear? It was at that moment that the answer occurred to him. He had been informed.
Before he could understand the meaning of this impossibility, he felt a crippling blow to his back that the vaguely recognized from his training sessions. Unlike his memories, however, this one stung terrifically, sending streaks of electric pain through his spine. He was crushed gracelessly into the ground before the king, the air gusted from his lungs with a spastic heave. Thus he lay, stunned, beneath Sorstan's feet. A huge wave of infuriated confusion threatened to engulf him, and he tried to scream, "What is this?" He felt himself shifting, his thoughts blurring together in a haze, and try as he might, he could do nothing to make sense of the present moment. He struggled to see his brother in arms standing over him. He couldn't believe this, it could not be happening. Why would Sorstan betray him?
NOTE: "Ambassadors" refers to two pallanophs from the Andirg tribe, and "guard" refers to a pallanoph of King Orstad's tribe, the Skirdet. I'll provide quick references of both to give you an idea.
SCENE 3:
(Setting: in a washed out hollow beneath an ancient old beech tree, in the Black Forest)
She awoke some time later with a strange suddenness. She had been dreaming that she was running through a landscape of featureless white spaces, unable to find where she had to go. She blinked the film of sleep from her eyes, wondering how long she had been dozing. Slowly she lifted her head…
A wave of terror exploded in her chest. A warm gust of air fanned her face, and not inches away from her nose, an array of pristinely white fangs protruded from a tapering muzzle; the lips were curled back in a fierce display. Hardly daring to breathe, her eyes slowly traveled up the muzzle and straight into dark gold and green eyes that flickered with fierce and intense intelligence. A deep growl rolled in his chest. He spoke: "What have you done?"
Adelaide stammered, "I have helped you. You are safe now."
"Safe?" The word sounded foreign, despite the fact that he was speaking her own dialect. It came out in a sort of rumbling bark, the volume of which made her jump and flinch. "Do not lie! You are in my presence, human. There must be something that you want of me. Speak the truth! I will know if you are lying."
Adelaide trembled, but now she felt a hint of anger. Bravely, she glared back into those narrowed eyes. "I saved you," she began firmly, "because you needed my help. I saw you fall. They wounded you on my father's property. "
The pallanoph let out a low, rumbling roar of anger and dragged himself closer still. She saw, then, that he was holding her bow and her quiver in his powerful forepaws. She felt suddenly weak and very afraid. "You know nothing of what I wish," he snarled. "How dare you make the assumption that I should want or need your help."
"I didn't lie," Adelaide managed to whisper. "I told you the truth. Honest. Please, you must believe me."
The great creature fell silent with a shudder. He sniffed at her, then drew back, his eyes suddenly dark and his graceful ears tucked back. Lifting his head high then, he surveyed her with a haughty expression, and with a great effort, he lifted his forepaws, releasing her weapons and baring his ruffed throat. "Indeed," he spoke, and she found that his voice had grown quiet. "You have spoken true."
"I am Adelaide," she ventured, unsure of how she should introduce herself. "Who are you?"
For a moment, Adelaide felt certain she would receive no answer. But the pallanoph surprised her. He lifted his head higher still. "I," he answered, "am Nharath. And I am in your debt."
Helpful visual references (Note: Some of these need updating! I will do so when time permits.):
Nharath:
(Color reference accurate color wise, but see the portrait studies for more recent images)Adelaide:
Sorstan:
(Pretty up to date as of now. You get the idea.)Reivig:
(Top portrait!)
King Orstad:
Andir ambassadors / Skirden guard:
Sorry for the text wall... but if you've got questions that need answering, I'll do my best to answer. *Punches malfunctioning brain*
WAITING LIST:
Commission for kalmanen -painting
Commission for Bueshang
Commission for Torafox -on hold
Commission for =rage1986 -on hold
Kiriban for ShinigamiSquirrel
Kiriban Sketch for SaralynRenu
Kiriban Sketch for Acayth
Collab with tschahri 20% finished
Trade with =Jaskari
Trade with Slickbrush
Trade with The-Diet-Elf
Various gift arts. I'll note you.
Thank you all for your patience! I apologize for my tediousness....
I am not accepting trades as of now, and am very limited to what I can do. Note me if you are interested, but be prepared for rejection.
I believe in the collective unconscious. Do you?
~~~~~~~~~People who I admire and/or give me their support!~~~~~~~~~~
and many more!
People that I know and love (offline)
and others from the ol' MCAD crew.
