Fantasy Character Workshop #003

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 Character Workshop #003

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Class:Wizard

Armor:None

Weapon: Flail

Magic: Acid

Familiar: Owl

Missile:  Crossbow

Motiff: Lightning

Equipment: Rug, Spork, Bottle, Coffer

This character design was a fun challenge.  Initially focused on the flail and the owl, I finally realized that the off-hand addition of the rug, would make for an exciting addition for a wizard as an enchanted flying carpet.  Balancing on a flying carpet gave the figure a twisting, surfing effect, while the cape and the addition of a scarf added movement and speed to the design.  The lightning motif was incorporated into the carpet, the cape and the spell casting.

Enjoy

WOC

all text and images are ©William O'Connor Studios