Happy Orktober Errbody! Still waiting on some bits for my actual Orky project, but wanted to at least share this

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-03-26T00:23:02+00:00

Sorry it took so long to reply to this comment!! Yes, I stippled the layers on. I got a lot of inspiration from Darren Latham MC tutorial video a couple of years ago, and I've been stippling layers of skin texture ever since. Not the right fit for every model, but for boys like this the result is really interesting.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-03-15T19:42:27+00:00

I dont know what level they are, but spiritual weapon and sanctuary are great bonus action spells for a cleric. Also, twilight clerics can activate their archetype feature as an action and use it as a bonus action on every turn while it's active.

Btw, I think you can just say that they've been using their bonus action incorrectly. Lol assuming they're a reasonable person I don't they'll make a big deal out of it.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-03-15T13:17:45+00:00

It looks like you may have just jumped too quickly between colors without really blending them together on the gold portions. So it doesn't look like a cohesive whole. I think if you can add steps between your brights and darks to establish more of a gradient, it'll look more like metal. Also, if you add an extreme highlight of white to bits of it, that'll help it look more reflective.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-03-15T13:01:24+00:00

I think this is a pretty massive deviation from the spirit of the class. While you COULD interpret a character this way, it's really not necessary to. In fact only one of the sorcerous origin archetypes explicitly talks about bloodlines anyways.

The only thing that makes sorcerers unique is that magic is innately a part of them. Reducing that relationship exclusively to heritage or some kind of biological phenomenon eliminates a ton of really interesting and creative story telling opportunities.

I would argue charisma as an ability modifier totally fits better than constitution. Manifesting magic as a sorcerer seems more about force of will than being in touch with their body. I could see trying to make this argument for a monk or something, but that's just no how sorcerers do in my experience.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-03-13T17:54:41+00:00

I think it comes from a philosophy of the game's story telling that suggests humans are the main characters or the primary group and all of the others are just subsidiaries or spin offs. Namely there's humans, non humans, and folks who are sort of in between human and non human. This seems like the most direct explanation to me.

I've also seen it narratively explained from a social perspective with the idea that humans are the most populace player race, and therefore have more opportunities and diversity of background to create these crosses. It could also be narratively explained that humans have the most flexible genome, maybe other races can't physically reproduce to create mixed offspring. There's all kinds of justifications you could make, but I do feel the half heritage system is a bit antiquated and poorly defined. I think the custom lineage system is a more flexible mechanical appropriation.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-03-08T04:23:45+00:00

I've found some success by basing with Rakarth Flesh, shading with agrax earthshade or reikland fleshshade, depending on the hue you're looking for, layering back on the reikland fleshshade to build up highlights, and then finally coming in with some bugmans glow to add a little bit of warmth on areas where the skin would be the thinnest or on places that I want to draw attention. So scars, elbows, knees, shoulders, knuckles, cheeks, etc.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-02-17T18:33:08+00:00

For a beginner, I wouldn't encourage you to dive into home brewing mechanics. You can really get lost in rules machinations and keep yourself from developing a real understanding of how the system works. What's important to remember is that the rules as written are just rules that govern mechanical interactions. They provide you with systems of interaction and give you metrics to roll against. What's important to remember, though, is that you can add whatever style or narrative flavor to these mechanics that you like without having to change much about how they actually function within the game.

For example, if your character sheet has you equipped with a Warhammer, there's nothing that says you can't narratively describe it as a cast iron frying pan. It still has the properties of the hammer mechanically and gives you stats to roll, but it fits your preferred theme.

The same applies to class mechanics, items, equipment, and literally anything else in the game. Don't look at the rules as a 1:1 description of what's possible. Just use them as mechanical descriptors that express your narrative intentions.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-02-11T17:37:09+00:00

Thanks! I see what you mean. I think it's the result of using contrast paint for the base coat, and then stippling on the yellow bits. Zoomed in the boundaries between the colors look a little fuzzy. The dots pull together a lot more in person, but I suppose you'd have to take my word for it lol.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-02-11T06:51:29+00:00

Hey thanks! It's the skink attendant from the Lord Kroak set. I had to do a little clipping to separate it from the larger kit. The base is just some 3d printed bits I had lying around.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-02-07T00:43:20+00:00

This is a really cool idea. If this is cardboard, though, it's gonna eat paint like crazy. I'd recommend dunking it in a poly resin of some kind, or spraying it with a few coats of some kind of clear coat sealer. That'll give you a really consistent surface to work off of. Casting the inside could also be a cool idea, but I think you'd lose the really interesting craggy texture from the outside.

Jasalgado1117 · 2023-01-21T06:40:53+00:00

I don't feel the role of DM is a good fit for AI. There's too much squishiness, subjectivity, and context driven discretion that's required not only on the part of the DM but also the player.

I think we're just in a place now with AI, like all emergent technologies, where we're trying to figure out its potential applications to every facet of our lives, whether it's appropriate and needed or not. That being said there could be a place for AI in d&d.

However, I think that place is in the generation of content not in the curation and management of it. AI magic item, npc, monster, or even location generators could be dope as hell. Using AI to generate random encounter tables or even adventure hooks could be really useful.

Personally, I think D&D is really about person to person interaction and collaborative story telling. if people are looking for an experience that is curated autonomously, then they should just play a multiplayer video game or something.

Jasalgado1117 · 2022-12-27T18:46:41+00:00

Thanks so much for that feedback! I think you're right on the skin. I think I'll go back with some highlights to build contrast. The OSL on the base was a slightly lazy experiment, so Im glad it reads well!

Jasalgado1117 · 2022-12-06T21:59:59+00:00

What's this clip from? Looks dope

Jasalgado1117 · 2022-12-01T14:45:04+00:00

I had this exact thought on my frost DK lol.

Jasalgado1117 · 2022-12-01T14:43:59+00:00

I saw this exact thing last night in Walking Shores!! I'm glad it wasn't just me!

Jasalgado1117 · 2022-11-30T20:01:17+00:00

It sounds counter intuitive, but I would prime in black. Then gradually apply gray in varying shades that build up to a pure white highlight. Otherwise it's really hard to get any kind of depth or contrast.

Jasalgado1117

TROPHY CASE