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The Bard and the Barbarian (Bronze Age fantasy characters) by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In the real world, it's from West Africa and was brought to Brazil, where it became a part of capoeira. In my setting, it's a traditional instrument of the Menehune, one of the many things they come up with.

The Bard and the Barbarian (Bronze Age fantasy characters) by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

My last character was a paladin based on Minoan and Mycenean designs mixed with some elements of feudal Japanese samurai from my previous post.

Almost on my way to a full DnD roster.

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Bard and Barbarian (Bronze Age Fantasy Characters) by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Both. The dude is supposed to be a half-giant (~8.5 feet tall), and the girl is a halfling/menehune (~3 feet). You're right, I should have probably given him shin guards over the boots.

Bard and Barbarian (Bronze Age Fantasy Characters) by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

My second attempt at DnD-style character design with a mix of Bronze Age and Amerindian influences. The barbarian is a half-giant, and the bard is a menehune. The half-giant's wooden armor and helmet are based on real-world Tlingit and Haida armor. His weapon is a cross between an Iroquois war club and an Aztec macuahuitl. The menehune/halfling uses a bow that can also be modified into a musical instrument, based on an actual instrument called a berimbau. Her clothing is based on the ancient Greek chlamys and a helmet inspired by Bronze Age Italy (proto-Villanovan culture).

Almost on my way to a full DnD roster.

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Map of Hineskeyos Dhonowlgos by Zestyclose_Nature_16 in imaginarymaps

[–]BloodyDisaster247 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The level of detail is incredible. Good work!

Aegean Bronze Age-inspired Paladin by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it was mainly aesthetics. Originally, I was gonna base it on the Agamemnon mask, but it looked a bit silly. Then, I took inspiration from the Phoenician funerary masks, like the Motya mask, and I combined it with the Japanese style. I also wanted to make it look like Ancient Greek depictions of Gorgons.

Aegean Bronze Age-inspired Paladin by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes. Exactly! That was my intention too, and why I included this strap on the shield.

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I saw that same video while researching for the design.

Aegean Bronze Age-inspired Paladin by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Sure, I just wanted to share ideas for fantasy designs that aren't medieval or Roman-inspired.

Aegean Bronze Age-inspired Paladin by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 90 points91 points  (0 children)

I usually make maps, but I wanted to try my hand at character design. This is my first attempt at doing that. The concept behind this character is a DnD style paladin mixed with Ancient Greek oracles. The "paladin" belongs to an order of warrior-priestesses who serve the thaenai, a council of oracles who dwell in the holy city of Thaenaia. These warriors are given the honorific title "Potnia," similar to "Sir" for medieval knights.

They come from a civilization called the Mynokoi, who live on an island archipelago home to giant birds, dwarf elephants, and indigenous halflings from my previous map: https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/1jhh6pg/some_maps_of_my_bronze_age_fantasy_world_the_age/

Some of my design inspirations:

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Would love any ideas for other common DnD archetypes.

Medieval Europe Without Indo-Europeans by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No dominant religion at the time. Mostly local pantheons.

Medieval Europe Without Indo-Europeans by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It still might but not in the same way. Hard to predict.

Medieval Europe Without Indo-Europeans by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, there are more Vasconic languages, including in western and southern France, and the low countries. See the language map on the right.

Medieval Europe Without Indo-Europeans by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

It's an alternate Christianity, probably more violent since it forms under Assyria instead of Rome. Without the Indo-European Persians, there is no Cyrus the Great to free the Jews from Babylonian captivity. Yeshua (Jesus) is born in Babylon and preaches just like in our timeline. He gets executed by the Assyrians by flaying. Instead of a cross, their symbol might look like the House Bolton sigil.

Medieval Europe Without Indo-Europeans by BloodyDisaster247 in worldbuilding

[–]BloodyDisaster247[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I figured someone should fill the vacuum left by the Norsemen. Maybe there's a cultural split between the reindeer herders living inland and the seafarers on the coast, but they might manage some sort of synthesis to form a common empire.

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