I decided to participate in the Dragon's Rise character design challenge because I found the concept really interesting.
When I think in Forgotten Realms, I think on a place far, far away, far beyond our reach. A place where we can only visit in dreams. For me, dreams are like galaxies. They can be magnificent, like nebulae; or terrifying like black holes.
Following this idea, I am going to design the six characters as if they were representations of various constellations, giving them a unique personality and a story that will accompany them. Also, the two creatures are going to represent the key ideas that I mentioned earlier: the nebula and the black hole.
Thinking about the color palettes, the palettes of blues, pinks and violets, with gold and white, will predominate.
Here you have the characters I designed:
- Andromeda: Andromeda is the Wise Lady. Her main task is to inform and document everything that it discovers or finds out. She's very suspicious of her knowledge, since, like she says, in the wrong hands it could cause the imbalance of the galaxy. However, if she likes you, she might share a bit of her wisdom with you.
- Orion: Orion is famous for hunting stars. He travels in his sailboat always accompanied by Circinus between the galaxies to carve out his fame as a star hunter. What does he do with them? He offers them to the highest bidder to make stardust, to study them... The final fate of the star is none of his business. He just wants to have one more adventure in his repertoire that he can tell in the nearest tavern and be the center of attention again.
- Volans: Volans is the number one in the messaging sector. Quick and agile, she travels the entire universe delivering packages, scrolls and letters. There is nothing that can stop her. She will captivate your heart because of how naughty and curious she is.
- Circinus: Circinus loves to travel with his companion and friend Orion. To be part of his adventures, to see how he hunts stars and all that stuff. But what really motivates him is discovering a small new galaxy, planet or asteroid and documenting it. He greatly admires Andromeda and hopes, in the future, that he can encourage her to join him on his many journeys.
- Scutum: Scutum was personally chosen by King Cepheus, and when she was named King's Shield, she took the name Scutum, which literally means Shield.
Before all that, Nara lived in the suburbs, facing beings much bigger and older than her for defending what she believed was fair. One day, Cepheus observed one of these exploits and decided to adopt her and raise her as his daughter.
- Cepheus: Thousands of years ago, Cepheus assumed the weight of the crown. He has seen planets die and be born, he has participated in many wars to preserve the balance of the universe. Now, from his Great Throne, he watches and meditates.
From time to time, he travels through space posing as another citizen to learn first-hand the state of his kingdom. He thinks that it is the best way to learn and adapt to the changes that are taking place.
- Tarandus: Stories tell that Tarandus, the Nebula, flies through the sky, crossing the entire galaxy. It is said to be half deer, half dragon. Whoever sees it will be blessed with good fortune. According to the various tables and documents that I have been able to read, it is a creature like the world itself, and in the same way.
- Ursa: Ursa is the sister of Tarandus. Or so the legends say. It is said to be so gigantic that it will devour entire galaxies if it wishes.
If you like to see the art progress, you can check the Challenge.