Forest Encounter – Alex Drummond
I like fantasy architecture. I stud my worlds with impossible structures weaved out of dream-stuff and fancy. And the cyclopean trees of elven forests are among my favorites. It would have been almost unthinkable for Legends & Labyrinths not to include an illustration like this… and, thankfully, Alex Drummond delivers something that is both fanciful and feyish; beautiful and mysterious.
The Adjudicator – Viktor Fetsch
This illustration (which I adore) came very close to being the class illustration for the rogue.
As you know, the rogue was instead illustrated by Bonnie Tang. This piece is now likely to find its home on page 10, where it will hopefully encourage people to occasionally think outside of the traditional fantasy box as they read about “Step 8: Character Description”.
This is somewhat ironic, because the reason I ultimately chose not to use this image for the rogue was because I wanted the class illustration to inside the box — to remain essentially true to the “core conception” most people have for the classes. (On the other hand, the class illustrations are a little rebellious in other ways: Staying within the box, but also trying to find ways to reinvent the box and keep it fresh.)
Mountain Temple – Alex Drummond
Like Drummond’s Dove City, this is another vista designed to draw your eye and your imagination into the realms of fantasy: It makes you want to walk that long, jack-knifed road of dust-swept rock.
It’s also a radically different type environment, which was something else I was keeping firmly in mind while looking for art. Legends & Labyrinths is a radically inclusive game — pulling influences from every corner of the world; every nook of myth; and every aspect of fantasy. I wanted the art to reflect that by taking you to verdant forests; steaming jungles; underground caverns; icy glaciers; and dark coasts.
Alchemist Witch – Alex Drummond
The image of the game often seems to be “Conan and Merlin adventuring in Middle Earth”. But in my campaigns the strange vistas, cyclopean mysteries, and byzantine darkness of Clark Ashton Smith, H.P. Lovecraft, and Jack Vance are an important part of the mix. And I wanted them to be part of the mix of artwork in Legends & Labyrinths, too.
This particular illustration seemed to just ooze the arcane; the alien; the weird. I don’t know what she’s casting, but it’s nothing pretty or pyrotechnic.
End of the Adventure – Alex Drummond
Is this an illustration of an aquatic adventure or an urban adventure?
Given where the PCs are heading, maybe it’s the start of a wilderness adventure.
(Memo to my players: This may constitute minor spoilers. Also, you’re all going to die.)
A couple of other random thoughts here: First, a lot of modern gaming is predicated on the philosophy that failure isn’t fun. I, on the other hand, think that failure can be entertaining. And I think it also sets up greater opportunities for entertainment down the road.
Second, what I love about this illustration is that it dares to dream big. And I hope it will dare you to dream big, too. I think orcs in a 10′ room are great; I think gritty fantasy is cool.
But every so often you’ve got to release the kraken, right?
