Fantasy Character Workshop #007

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters.  When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group.  later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories.  As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.)  so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations.  I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below).  This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid.  I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you.  I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy

WOC


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Fantasy CharacterWorkshop #007 

Race: Half-Elf

Gender: Male

Class: Barbarian

Armor: Platemail and Small Shield

Weapon: Pick

Missile:  Crossbow

Motiff: Wolf

Equipment: Hat, spurs, wand, journal

Another fun juxtaposition of elements I never would have come up with on my own.  The half elf is not a race that one commonly associates with barbarians, while plate mail and a pick is not the kit commonly used to arm this class either.  I was able to use the randomly generated motiff of the wolf as the unifying element both with the hide cape and small shield that would give the character a more tribal aesthetic, while the pick became more inspired by an American Indian war club rather than a European military pick.

Thanks.

WOC