Away From Reality

One of my current favorite WoW webcomics is Away From Reality. It’s funny, the characters are likeable, and the art is totally unique from any other WoW webcomic I’ve ever seen. Instead of drawing, screencapping, or using WMV, Erik Jensen uses the program Poser to model and render his characters. Although this makes the art less immediately recognizable as being derived from WoW, I think the more broad-spectrum fantasy game look also makes the comic more accessible to non-WoW players.

On the “About” page, Jensen comments,

I would love to see someone with actual artistic talent someday render some of my characters or comics, but for myself, this is all I can do.

This invitation has been bouncing around in the back of my brain for awhile now, and out it came onto paper when I was searching for inspiration for something to draw yesterday.

Here we have the main cast of Away From Reality (well, sort-of):

night elf druid Alaxia
human prot warrior Gord
human warlock Morgatha
gnome mage Thizzible*
dwarf holy priest Hurgon

*Night elf hunter Targe is formally the fifth member of the “main cast”, but it’s seemed to me like Thizzible has made more appearances than Targe since the crew reached Pandaria.

The outfits in the picture are (somewhat loosely) based on the in-game clothing items that I thought best matched the clothing the characters wear in the comic — though these are not, obviously, complete Transmogrification kits because most of them are lacking gloves.

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Azeroth Beautician’s Manual of Feminine Style — Appendix3: Racial Height & Build Comparison

Kamalia’s Guide to the Barbershop (bonus edition)

Okay, so, height and build aren’t exactly things that you can change at all, let alone at the barbershop. They are, however, appearance-related. I put together this scale comparison of the various World of Warcraft player-character races for my own reference. Although it’s kind of rough around the edges, I thought others might find it useful, too.
Click on the small picture to see a larger version.

The Alliance races were all compared to a normal-sized NPC human. The Horde races were all compared to a normal-sized NPC blood elf. I used a comparison between a tauren and a normal-sized, neutral night elf (a Moonglade NPC) to make sure that the two factions were correctly scaled relative to each other.

Also, I finally managed to update the rest of the Azeroth Beautician’s Manual of Feminine Style to include pandaren color and style information.

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Sunday Clothes

Over about a year and a half, from September 2010 to May 2012, I drew a series of pictures depicting Azerothian sapient species dressed in the sorts of clothing that one might see in a contemporary congregation of Sunday church-goers.

Well, okay, perhaps this sort of dress might only be seen on a teenager during Prom season.

The unmodified artwork for “The Speedbarge Summer Soiree” fits into this meme, too.

This dress might only be seen during a town’s “celebrate our pioneer heritage!” week.

While I was in graduate school, one of my male friends found this outfit at a thrift store and delighted in wearing it to church periodically ever afterward.
I wonder if he still wears it sometimes?

Another dress most likely to be seen on a teenager around Prom season.
The blue shirt + yellow tie combination was very fashionable when I was in my late teens and early twenties.

I drew the lineart for this picture directly in ink and the figures turned out so badly proportioned that I needed to draw a background to rationalize them.

Then, with Humans, Dwarves, and Forsaken remaining, I ran out of steam.

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Six Shamans and Two Druids

A couple of pictures that I drew around the beginning of Cataclysm.

The clothes these shaman are wearing are modeled after the apparel of the Shaman trainers in each of the starting zones. Once, each of the women in this picture was a character on my roster. Aside from Kamalia, only the dwarf and the orc remain — and the orc’s existence is somewhat tenuous.

Hey, look, it’s the curly-haired tauren! The night elf used to be on my roster, too, but, like most of the shamans, she didn’t survive the pruning I did last summer.

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Things my Mages Wear: Sin’dorei and Kaldorei

A collection of Transmogrification Template Kits actually worn in-game by my Blood Elf and Night Elf Mages. I will update it whenever I change my in-game TTK. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

Merciless Magistrix

Crown of Endless Knowledge, Merciless Gladiator’s Silk Amice & Raiment, Gossamer Belt, Brightcloth Gloves, Cushy Cenarion Walkers, Invincible Stave, Stylish Red Shirt
During a recent Horde-side LBR excursion to Tempest Keep, Kaelinda was lucky enough to pick up the T5 shoulder and chestpiece tokens. I decided to turn them in at Quel’Danas for the PvP items because I’ve always liked the rich, jewel-like colors of the Merciless Gladiator’s Silk set.

Greensleeves

Greenweave shoulders chest pants & gloves+bracers, Wisp-Chaser Cord, Willow Boots, Green Linen Shirt
Perhaps it seems odd that a Night Elf Mage should dress like a Druid? Not really. Once a Priestess, Keriluna’s grief and anger over the death of her Druid husband at the hands of the Forsaken while he lay Dreaming in the Dor’danil Barrow Den drove her to secretly pursue her latent talent for the Arcane, which she openly embraced when the Highborne reappeared shortly before the Shattering.

Winter Veil Elegance

Whitemane’s Chapeau*, Nether Guards, Robes of Insight, Voidweave Cilice, Astralaan pants, Shimmering gloves & boots, Firwillow Wristbands*/Goldenvine Wraps, Invincible Stave
The Crown of Endless Knowledge is a great alternate headpiece.

Poinsettia

Greenweave shoulders, Red Linen Vest, Wisp-Chaser Cord, Greenweave pants, Narassin’s Gloves, Willow Boots, White Linen Shirt
The brown low-level quest rewards in this outfit are identical to the Archmage/Elementalist set of Outland greens.

Magistrix Alanna

Hood of the Arcane Path, Orchid Amice*, Alanna’s Embrace*, Magister’s Belt, Jumanza Grips, Shimmering/Ivycloth Boots, Formal White Shirt, Pilfered Ethereal Blade, Dreamseeker Dandelion
I farmed Scholomance diligently before Patch 5.0 dropped to get this robe.
I also like how this set looks with the Lavender Mageweave Shirt or the Sleeveless T-Shirt.
The Mystical Mantle would be a good alternative to the Orchid Amice.

Red Empress

Elementalist Skullcap, Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle, Imperial Red Robe, Voidweave Cilice, Black Mageweave Gloves, Archaeologist’s Quarry Boots*
If you were fortunate enough to acquire (and keep) the Clutch of Andros before Scholmance was revamped, that relatively plain black belt also looks very good with this set. The Black Belt of Knowledge coordinates well with this style of robe, too.

Deep Purple Dreams

Feline Mantle, Cat Lover’s Vest, Wizard’s Belt, Darkweave Breeches, Woolgathering Gloves, Ritual Stopper’s Slippers
In my experience, these pants are much, much easier to find on the Alliance AH than on the Horde AH. For Horde characters, the Speedbarge Leggings may be easier to obtain.

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art post: now play nicely, children

I drew the lineart for this picture in February 2008. Around February of this year, I decided it would be a lot more interesting with some color. I’d always mentally titled it “Kids in Shatt”, thinking of the children from the orphanage in Lower City, so I filled in the background with an appropriate screenshot. The wrong angles and sizes of various ears and the Draenei boy’s missing chintacles are due to the early date of the drawing. Fortunately, the much-too-small size of the Gnome girl’s head in the original lineart was easily remedied in Photoshop. I’m not sure anymore whether the Troll youth was originally intended to be a boy or a girl. The idea for the sign he-or-she is carrying came from my very poor recollection of this classic Norman Rockwell painting.

A doodle from February 2009. I’m not entirely satisfied with it because I drew the Gnome child first and then all the other children ended up looking much older than him. The gender of the Night Elf child is intended to be ambiguous.

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mog madness also-rans: filling up the Trophy case

Mixing things up a little, I’m going to present my “also-ran” ideas for this round of Mog Madness first and reveal my actual entry for the contest later. The Mog Build criteria for round 4 were pretty challenging. I made multiple Transmogrification Template Kits for each armor type, then picked my favorite out of them all for my contest entry. It was a tough choice, and I’m still not quite sure I chose the one with the best chance of getting me into round five.

Shadow of Affliction
cloth, modeled by Kivrinne

Mag’hari Ritualist’s Horns, Bloodstained Surgeon’s Shoulderguards (normal), Cat Lover’s Vest, Cord of the Patronizing Practitioner (normal), Darkweave Breeches, Bracers of Dark Blessings (normal), Delaris’ Gloves, Boots of Duress, Thalassian Wildercloak, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Heartshiver, Telestra’s Journal

Karabor Voodoo
cloth, modeled by Kikimaia

Venomshroud Mask, Pads of the Venom Spider, Cat Lover’s Vest, Feralfen Sash, Darkweave Breeches, Greenweave Gloves, Vinerot Sandals, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Webbed Death, Forsaken Ball

Decontamination Specialist
cloth, modeled by Kelilla

Green Tinted Goggles, Mantle of the Tribunal, Chillwind Tunic, Ivycloth Sash, Darkweave Breeches, Delaris’ Gloves, Boots of Duress, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Vengeance Staff

Darkmoon Wanderer
cloth, modeled by Khrissalys

Shadowbrim Travel Hat, Mantle of the Tribunal, Chillwind Vest, Ivycloth Sash, Darkweave Breeches, Delaris’ Gloves, Boots of Duress, Syrannis’ Mystic Sheen, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Staff of the Four Golden Coins

Lament for the Ata’mal
cloth, modeled by Kandrista

Crown of Burning Waters (heroic), Mantle of Nefarius (heroic), Cat Lover’s Vest, Belt of Arcane Storms (normal), Darkweave Breeches, Supplicant’s Discarded Bracer, Delaris’ Gloves, Boots of Duress, Periwinkle Cloak, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Terokk’s Shadowstaff

Deadly Messenger
leather, modeled by Kelisanna

Other-Eye Patch, Dark Leather Shoulders, Wild Leather Vest, Crystallized Girdle, Gypsy Trousers, Madwolf Bracers, Ranger Gloves, Mud Stained Boots, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Shard of Azzinoth, Heartshiver or Webbed Death for off-hand

Jumblebeary Pie
leather, modeled by Kilannas

Emblazoned Hat, Dark Leather Shoulders, Dark Leather Tunic, Crystallized Girdle, Huntsman’s Leggings, Clefthoof Gloves, Clefthoof Wanderboots, Hibernal Cloak, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Wildfury Greatstaff

Dreamstalker
mail, modeled by Kerithian

Unyielding Helm, Spaulders of the Protectorate, Green Dragonscale Breastplate, Lifecycle Waistguard (normal), Green Dragonscale Leggings, Green Dragonscale Gauntlets, Auchenai Boots, Green Workman’s Shirt, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Tracking Bow

Shadowmoon Shocktrooper
mail, modeled by Keshona

Malefactor’s Eyepatch, Krom’gar Champion’s Mesh Pauldrons, Thick Netherscale Breastplate, Lifecycle Waistguard (normal), Bloodmail Legguards, Formidable Gauntlets, Formidable Sabatons, Green Workman’s Shirt, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Blood Fury, Maimgor’s Bite

Dark Retribution
plate, modeled by Khitka

Warleader’s Crown, Talonguard Epaulets, Chromite Chestplate, Symbolic Belt, Chromite Legplates, Symbolic Gauntlets, Symbolic Boots, Thalassian Wildercloak, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Sword of Nefarian’s Hand

Spectre of the Black Temple
plate, modeled by Karaveline

Horseman’s Horrific Helmet, Dreadmaul Pauldrons, Chromite Chestplate, Symbolic Belt, Chromite Legplates, Emerald Gauntlets, Emerald Sabatons, Recovered Cloak of Frostheim, Green Workman’s Shirt, Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, Lava Spine, Netherwing Defender’s Shield

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MOG MADNESS round 2: Glaive of the Nether-Beast Master

Amateur Azerothian, Effraeti, and Tome of the Ancient have teamed up to bring Mog Madness to the WoW blogosphere! There will be five rounds, and each round will have a different “Mog Build” prompt. For the second round, the Mog Build criteria are these: Hunter or Druid (using class-appropriate gear type), must incorporate Glaive of the Pit/Marrowstrike as the weapon.

As it so happens, just a few weeks ago, I took my caster Druid, Kerisa, on a guild fun run night that started in Magtheridon’s Lair, then continued to Ulduar. The Glaive of the Pit dropped from Magtheridon, and I won the greed roll for it. Looking at that beautiful blue and gold weapon made me sad that polearms will never, ever be itemized for casters, because it matched what Kerisa was already wearing so perfectly!

For the purposes of the contest, however, I decided to look into mail and let my Hunters, Ketura, Katelyra, and Kerithian, be my models.

Mixing blue and gold makes green, and, as it happens, there are a matching set of beautiful gold, green, and blue mail breastplate and leggings — the Netherstrike Breastplate and the Leggings of Beast Mastery.

Thunderbringer’s Guard, Pauldrons of the Promise, Netherstrike Breastplate, Dreadhawk’s Girdle, Leggings of Beast Mastery, Triumphant Gauntlets, Radiant Boots, Permafrost Cape, Glaive of the Pit

This is the second time I’ve wanted to make an outfit for Ketura using this combination of chestpiece and leggings. Unfortunately, the chestpiece is a Bind-on-Pickup crafted item. I’m beginning to think that perhaps I should drop Ketura’s Mining, level Leatherworking until she can craft the Netherstrike Breastplate, make it, and then drop Leatherworking and relevel Mining (her other profession is Engineering, and no way am I dropping and releveling that!).

Ketura is also extremely unlikely to ever visit Al’Akir in the Throne of the Four Winds, so if I ever make this outfit for her in-game, she will probably use the much easier to obtain Cloak of the Moon instead of the Permafrost Cape.

Suggested ranged weapons to use with this Transmogrification Template Kit:

Mark “S” Boomstick, Expedition Repeater, Moonbow
I have deliberately chosen simply-styled ranged weapons to not compete with the elaborate melee weapon and to keep the visual focus of the ensemble on the chestpiece and leggings when in combat.

As the Thunderbringer’s Guard is a Horde-only quest reward, I have used the neutral quest reward Princess Poobah’s Tiara for Kerithian.

Round 2 Results!

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mog madness also-rans: Maroon Wizard and Greenwitch

These Transmogrification Template Kits are derived from ideas I iterated through but ultimately discarded as not really fulfilling my vision for a rustic or Vrykul-inspired caster look for Mog Madness round 1.

Maroon Wizard
I used the Simple Blouse and Colorful Kilt in my failed attempt to imitate the garb of the Vrykul Runecasters.

Starfire Tiara, Consortium shoulders, Simple Blouse, Gatewatcher Belt or Vindicator’s Silk Belt, Colorful Kilt, Pigskin Gloves + Crystalline Cuffs or Vindicator gloves, Oilfoot Slippers, Crimson Silk Cloak, Star Shooter + Watcher’s Star or Hotshot Cattle Prod + Elementalist Star

Some other good wands to use with the red version are Olakin’s Enchanted Torch or the Tirisfal Wand of Ascendancy. Other good wands to use with the purple version are Draenethyst Wand or Scribe’s Quill.

Greenwitch
This was my first attempt at a “Wise Woman” outfit. I liked how it came together, but it didn’t really fit the image I had in mind.

Sylvan Crown, Elunarian shoulders, Conjurer’s Vest, Nightsky Sash, Wandering Healer’s Kilt, Councillor’s Gloves, Vinerot Sandals, Grovekeeper’s Drape, Firestarter, Blossom of the Earthen Ring

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then and now — with a twist

Before I remembered that I had printouts of my oldest screenshots that I could scan for Vidyala’s “Then and Now” challenge, I thought perhaps I would use these drawings instead.

This is one of my very first WoW-inspired doodles, from about fall 2007.

I was playing with some new Pentel V5 pens, trying to use every color in the set. I hadn’t yet played enough of the game, or paid enough attention, to remember that Trolls have long, pointed ears and had to correct the picture later.

This one is from mid to late 2008, I think.

I still hadn’t grasped quite how long Night Elf ears really are, and I didn’t have the right angle for Blood Elf ears internalized yet, either. I really like the profile Night Elf face, though.

My most recent (early 2012) iteration upon the theme.

I was again playing with some new pens and wanting to use every color in the set. I’ve finally managed to get the ears right, but I still need to study the profile & head shape of the various races more carefully.

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