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lunaticvee27 — Grenadiers: Nicola
Published: 2007-09-13 06:15:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 827; Favourites: 2; Downloads: 4
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Nicola Fia Brey-Tordoran
-Morrowan
-Cloistered Cleric of Ascendant Angellia
-Learned One
-Fangirl
Presented here is Nicola, Lorekeeper of Garrison's Grenadiers, adopted daughter of Kimball Garrison, wife of Decklan Brey, mother of Decklan Brey Jr., chronicler of Grenadiers history, former nun, slayer of Tendriculous, and teen mom .
This is Nicola as she appears after the end of the campaign, assumingly after giving birth to Decklan Jr. and losing the baby weight. The outfit, of course, is her newest vestment, after moving to Ceryl and taking up church duties there. Seen in her left hand is her faithful heavy mace, Lucky, with which she crit-killed the rampaging Tendriculous of Virdinia. (Fact: Nicola is actually right handed, but holding books with one hand is hard.)
Nicola is quite possibly the cutest character to grace Immoren evar, though she's in close competition with Piddowalujibsgenkankamudareleg, and Katrinadaramunrel for that title. She's very demure, mousy, and sweet, and I love drawing her, because she gives me a chance to stretch my "cute" muscles in my art, lol.
I love this vestment, and I had a lot of fun designing it. You've seen a version of it in the "Decklan Brey + Nicola Garrison" deviation I did a while ago, except this is the slightly sexier, slightly more mature, much more revealing version of it. I figure, it makes easy access for breastfeeding, and with a baby on her hip, that's important. That, plus I'm sure Decklan doesn't mind. He's a dirty old man, afterall. >D
The bodice and little floofy shirt thing that comes out of it is based very loosely on Moresca's Kadija-style bodice, however, I did it from memory after seeing my friend Jackie wear one, so I doubt it's anywhere near exact. I just really enjoyed the undershirt's ruffle, so I included it. ^.^ The short sleeves are flattering with the bare shoulders (which I find very sexy in a classy way, so it's perfect for a slightly more mature Nicola, I think), and I love the bead belt. It's a little subtler, and makes it look like she has hips, as opposed to just a tube of a dress, and it's feminine, so she doesn't have to wear a real belt to get that definition, and look all weird and far too butch. That, plus it's a subtler, more understated way of wearing the Radiance on her lower body than emblazoned on her skirt like her original vestments (which were destroyed by green slime in Virdinia).
That, plus, if you notice, the Radiance is hanging over her lower abdomen and nether regions. A sort of protection, as it were, for any future children, possibly so they won't be burdened like poor Hellborn Decklan Jr. is.
Either way, I really like how this pic came out. Originally her boobs were a lot bigger, which I did by accident. I scaled them down, thankfully, because they looked ridiculous before. That, plus they made her head look small. Now I think they're a much more appropriate size for a girl who normally has a modest bust, but because of being in the middle of puberty, as well as being a mother with an infant son, they clearly have swollen.
The hand on the book took forever to get right. I ended up taking pictures of myself holding my PHB2, and using those for reference. So yes, that's an artistic representation of my hand, there. Of course, with nicer fingernails. And larger. I have tiny carnival-folk hands. ;.;
And yeah, check that out: I drew fingernails! I never do that shit!
The book was a bitch to get the perspective on right, and I'm sure it's still fucked up, but at this point I don't give two shits. I hate perspective, so HARD. Four years of High School Art classes will kill any and all love for perspective you might have. Also, technical drawing. Also, anything that isn't figure drawing, because we NEVER got to do that shit. Pastelling (the one time we did it) rocked, though. I should bust out my set sometime, and see what I remember. That shit is FUN.
Wow, um, big derailment there. Anyway, for the mace I used the picture of the heavy mace in the PHB, as I suck at drawing flanges. It helped, though. I've found myself doing that a lot, as of late. It's a useful strategy. *nods*
Also, cocks.
But yeah, I really enjoyed this piece. It was quick to do, once I got the proportions working right (you should've seen the first two failed drafts... ugh.), and I had a lot of fun trying new things, like that hand with the book. ^.^
Damn, Nicola is adorable.
This piece is the seventh in a series of Grenadier pieces.
Finished 9/13/2007
Done with a Papermate Erasermate Clear Point 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil, a Sakura Pigma Micron 005 Pen, and Crayola Coloured Pencils.
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Comments: 38
Oh, where to start? I'll mention things in the order I notice them I guess. First, she's super cute xD. Tiny cleric + large mace is clearly FTW. The dress and choker are really great too. You can see in some parts where there is blue shading, unfortunately 'teh white' sort of ate most of it.
I did some portraits the other day and I now, again, feel your pain when it comes to scanning and capturing shading. Seriously, it's a pain in the ass.
Okay, moving that random aside aside... it's another good pose. It's natural despite her reading a book and holding a heavy mace (left-handed O_O
And one last thing- I love the name of her mace. That's totally awesome ^o^.
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Thanks. Nicola is freaking adorable. I'm glad you like the clothing design. I have a lot of fun designing Nicola's outfits. ^.^ Yeah, again, the dreaded white got eaten by my scanner. You'd be amazed at how dark the blue is in the original version. Absolutely dreadful.
Yeah, scanners are far from perfect. It makes me appreciate more the artists who digitally colour their scanned linework. It's far more effective, it seems. If a bit more complicated.
Thanks, I had fun coming up with it. Nicola herself isn't left handed, but otherwise she'd fumble the book with her left hand. ^.^ Thanks about the hand detail. It was a bitch, it's true. o.o
Hehe, thanks. She named it after the Tendriculous incident detailed in "Miracles". It seemed appropriate. XD
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Wow, seriously? That sucks that you had to make it so dark on the original for it to only just show up. Still a great picture though, hence the fave ^_~v.
Digital colouring really is great. It's versatile and it can look really awesome. Also, it's easy to get rid of mistakes, you don't have to worry about smudging or waiting for paint to dry; and be damned if I'm not mentioning how much money you save on art supplies! It's just like anything. You do it enough and it becomes easier.
It's true. Hands are bitches *lawl*.
Oh awesome. So it was named for her 'lucky' throw. I do find it hilarious that the tiny, cute cleric was the one to end that thing. It was a really cool story xD.
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Alas. And thanks for teh fave! *yaaaay!*
True, true. I thought I was getting better at it before my copy of painter asploded. I need to get back on that horse, and try to figure out how to colour scanned lineart, for maximum awesome. ^.^
Yup. With a roll like 20-20-19, I think it's an appropriate name. She never used it again after that, though, which is pretty funny.
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You're welcome ^__^.
For sure. There are a lot of tutorials on dA and they often help a whole bunch. If anything they give you some tips and tricks that you might not think of on your own. I'm sure you can manage it if you can find a program that plays well with your tablet.
Damn, that's an insane roll too. I really do think it is an awesome way to destroy a massive creature like that. I love when overly amusing stuff like that happens, be it in games or real life. Nothing beats out an experience you can turn into an anecdote, I think.
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True, I just need to get me some software before I go try my luck at russian roulette, I mean, finding help on the internets. lol
It's true. Anecdotes are the fun. You think that's an insane roll? Ask sometime about Blue Dragons. All I have to say to you is 1-1-4. XD
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*ponders* Smitty was the one to introduce me to OpenCanvas. It was one of the first and most basic versions he sent me though, but it's neat to play with for something simple. It's a tiny program and maybe he could hook you up with it? *shrugs* It's an option.
Haha, I'm pretty sure I can figure out that one from the numbers. Sounds like a thrilling tale though, especially when dragons are mentioned xD.
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Nice. I'll have to pester him about it sometime. I've been meaning to pester him anyway. >D
Best part is: it happened twice. With two separate blue dragons on two separate occaisions. XD
He got his revenge, though. Years later, my character, Jingo (the occult slayer halfling) fell off of one mid-flight 300ft up. Now THAT was an epic death. XD
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Damn, man. They just don't make dragons like they used to 
And that's crazy. Since he's a halfling, that's sort of like having a human call 600ft... either way, that would have been sort of funny. You could get out a few words, sentences, whatever, before hitting the ground too. Or at least one mighty long "Nuooooooooooooooooooo!" which is always going to be a kick to deliver.
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If I remember correctly, it was a simple, annoyed, "Fuck." XD
Jingo's died hundreds of times in hundreds of games. Thanks to the first game he was in, and a cooincidence of fluff, and my tendency to throw him into one-shots, he's basically sort of immortal, but everytime he dies, he hops planes, reverting the age at which he died the first time (like, 32, I think) and beginning the aging process again. Thing is, everytime he dies, he loses all of his items, and appears naked where he lands (almost always falling from the sky), except for a few rare occaisions, where he's died on unusual planes. So he basically has to start all over. His level fluctuates too because of it.
To put it short, Jingo is the character I can play anytime, anywhere, with any equipment, and he'll always be hot. LOL
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Wow, he really sounds like a great character. So damn versatile. And the fact that he's almost expected to die makes him really awesome as well. And even his level changes... that really is neat. Yep, I'm rather impressed. He even has a rad name xD.
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Sorry, I did kinda completely go completely tangent hard, didn't I?
I like explaining Jingo. I need to stop doing that so much.
His name is rad, though. XD That, plus nothing is more fun than intimidating any other female players, or the rare guy who plays crossgender by flirting very brazenly in-game as Jingo. He is not a man of polite words by any means.
"Hey baby, are you from the moon? Cause I've got an erection. *wink*"
lol
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Don't worry and don't apologise. I like hearing stories and Jingo's was particularly entertaining ^_^.
You know, you are probably too good at making up horrid pick up lines *lol*. That was awesome xD.
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Okay.
Oh, I've got a million of 'em for Jingo. I started a small collection in my head. So fun. >D
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Rest assured, you're not boring me ^_^.
Sounds like it would be fun and somewhat deranged. Having a character that blunt would be amusing on so many levels. Especially for the players' and characters' reactions to the things you've said and done. It really could be awesome xD.
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Indeed. The typical reaction from male pcs seeing him do that stuff is something along the lines of "Retard."
From female pcs, it's more like "*slap*". XD
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That's why Jingo should always aspire to be an epic level character regardless of the game he's in. So he doesn't have to roll to dodge those dastardly slaps! They sting like a bitch... not that I'd know *j/k*.
And while it may seem somewhat retarded, I'm always at least a little impressed by those with enough balls to actual use tragically bad pick up lines. If anything it's always good for a laugh. I do however feel sorry for the lass the line is used on ^_^.
Honestly, your characters all seem brilliant. It does make me wonder where the hell Nicola came from. Different much? *lol*
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LOL, true, true.
It is an impressive thing, to hear something so stupid actually said aloud in all earnestness. It's pretty great.
Thanks! Nicola indeed is pretty different from my usual fare, not to say that my usual fare in D&D are pervy dudes, but with Nicola, I really wanted to do something completely different: a tragic, cute character. I've done tragic before, but not in such a realistic, genuinely sad sense. That, plus I rarely do mousey girls (I tend to play boisterious or cocky characters), so that's another difference. Usually when I try to play mousey, it's in a detatched, unemotional way, often robots. Nicola is the real wildcard in my character folder, and I think that's why she stands out so much. I love her.
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I guess it took me a while to realise just how different Nicola was. I did have to learn a bit about the rest of your characters first, so that'd be why. I can really see why you'd be attached to Skooj and Nicola. They're both so good at what they do. Being skill-wise or by theme.
Also, I think it's cool that you play boisterous characters in the majority. They would just be so much more fun, it would also add a great WTF-factor to playing mousey types. Just because I can imagine everyone would be thinking "Wait, Luna is sitting there, a female NPC is being described and there's not a single lewd comment??? OMFG, THE SKY IS FALLING!?!" That, and Nicola really is cute. It's good that she can be mousey and still stand out ^___^.
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Yeah, well, considering the majority of my characters I draw and write about are my IK characters, or my World of Darkness characters, it's understandable. Not much variety in the ol' gallery, really. o.o I should solve that, once I finish the Grenadiers series and Turbulence's request. Maybe some members of the Brandybuck/Took/Darker/Lockheed family from Ken's campaign setting. Lots of halflings, ugoloths, and drow-blooded folk. Good times. XD
I like playing them. They're usually (usually. Skooj and Jingo notwithstanding) not over-the-top, but generally fun to be around and laid-back.
Oh, it is always a shock when I'm playing a guy and lewd comments don't fly. XD It's rare, though. I think I've only ever played one guy who wasn't a perv. He was a halfling cleric of the halfling god of death, though, so he was kind of quiet and creepy.
Hehe, thanks. I think because of the people she hung out with, was why she was so different. I mean, hanging out with the likes of Kimball, Hoon, Decklan, Griffin, Phineas, Bastian, Alys, and them, clearly her being so quiet and sweet and ladylike is a complete about-face from the way the rest of the group acted.
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Hey, it will be cool to see a bunch of Hin and Drow. That should be really cool. Gotta love those dark elves, they're fun critters.
They sound like cool characters. It wouldn't be fair to be the one making waves in every game. Every party needs a few people who can go with the flow, otherwise everyone's just rolling Leadership all the time. And let's face it, speeches aren't that interesting.
It may be rare for you not to be throwing out those comments, but you have to admit you are good at them. And you might as well play to your strengths *lol*. Though, it sounds bad when you say it like that ^_^. I have said it before, but creepy characters are great as well. They're sort of opposite to the perverts, where people will go very still and quiet after you say something as opposed to screaming and slapping you *lol*. Though, that all depends on what you say, really.
You're welcome. I like how Nicola is the quiet one in the IK group and that makes her stand out. Sure is funny how that works sometimes. It is a very good point though, how the others only add emphasis to her character. She really is a neat one ^_^.
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Indeed, though a bit played out by fanboys, I must admit. I've never had the opportunity to play a classic drow (sadistic, chaotic evil good times), as the drow in the Darker side of the family are good (at least, as far as they entered the Brandybuck family), and good drow have such a bad stereotype (thanks to a certain scimitar-wielding marysue). They are awesome, though. And so visually appealing.
Drathir'a has leadership, but she tends to lead in two ways: example, and gentle nudging in the right direction. She's too chaotic to take charge in a classic fashion, so it's fun to do a bit of subtle leading. And agreed, speeches suck. I've never seen a successful party leader who gave speeches. Usually just the occaisional pearl of wisdom, or great turn of phrase.
Thanks, hehe. True, though. If cheesy pickup lines are my strength, I have to worry, lol. Creepy characters rock. And it is always fun to just shut people up with a few well-placed words. So fun. >D Ken did that to great effect with a halfling Dread Necromancer he played, Blanc Whyte (a doodle of which is a ways back in this gallery), whose backstory was that his wife committed suicide when she found out she was rotting from the inside out because of having sex with him, because of his charnel touch ability. He was so infused with negative energy, his semen was making her innards go necrotic. Screwed up, huh? Well, every once in a while, he would make a reference to his dead wife in some way, and the rest of the group would just kind of look down, shuffle their feet, and get really quiet. He was so creepy (but I felt so bad for him! I wanted to give him a hug.), and very effective as a character. So morose. o.o
She truly was something different in that game, that's for sure. And thanks. ^.^
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It's true. However, in an evil party, they can be a wonderful roleplaying experience. Or even in a neutral party that could give two shits. The easiest way to have such party relations work well would be copious charm spells and diplomacy checks, lol.
In all honesty, Drizzt is probably pretty boss. I've never read any of Salvatore's literature, but sadly, I probably never will, as Drizzt has been tainted so thoroughly by the fanboys who try to play him as every character, and the ones who never stop talking about him. I once met a guy at RenFaire who had two working steel replicas of Drizzt's scimitars made, and wore them around the faire like he was hot shit. Yes, they looked cool, but I can think of better things to spend my money on than custom weaponry. Maybe if they mass produce them...
LOL! Well, if you read the description in the DMG, the Periapt of Wisdom is actually a pearl, so...
Though I like the concept of a super-powerful version called the Pearl of Wisdom. Maybe it's a non-slot item which gives you a +whatever bonus to your wisdom score once per day for a minute, or something. Or if you perform a specific ritual requiring expensive components, exacting conditions, and destroys the pearl upon completion, you get a permanent increase to your wisdom score (note I said increase, not bonus. It's an actual jacking up of your natural capability). ...there would have to be one for each stat. XD I love it!
Blanc was such a tragic character, and one of my favourite of Ken's. Those kinds of characters are wonderfully effective. And I love that such a wide variety of characters can exist. This is the kind of stuff that makes roleplaying ROCK. XD
It's all good. Sorry about my late reply. I was away at Ken's house for the weekend.
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The problem, I find, with 'classic drow' is that they're not designed to play well with others. It makes playing in a group fairly hard. I'm sure there are ways to do it, but for the most part the inter-party relations would be tenuous at best. Which would make for a lot of fun actually... not a lot would get done though with everyone trying to off one another.
And I actually like Drizzt. A friend of mine made me read the whole series back in highschool, so I've a soft spot for it and the character.
Also, I suck *lol*. When I read that your character had "just the occasional pearl of wisdom" I immediately thought, "I've never heard of that item before..." And then about 5 seconds later I was like "Oh! Figure of speech! I'm a freakin' moron..." Good times. A Pearl of Wisdom would be a neat item though, now that I think about it. Heck, it could even be a legendary artifact from which the saying was inspired. Or I could just stop running with the idea *lol*.
I like to think that being able to say cheesy pickup lines are A strength. Not your only, or most defining, one. Well, we hope 
You're most welcome. Also, sorry for the late reply. I've been out for a few days *bows*.
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Another nice picture ^^
First things first: OMG! You drew sucsesfull fingernails o_o Ive been trying to do that for like 2 years now, and still i fail...
The dress looks nice (cool design) and the perspective on the book also seems ok to me ^^
Only thing is that she seems to be starring a little to the right of the book...
Well, lovely one!
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Thank you! I never really try for the exact same reason. It usually just ends up looking like something's wrong with the fingers, or like claws. I dunno, though, I've seen a few people doing it lately, and sort of took notes, I guess. I'm quite proud of it. ^.^
Thanks, I'm glad you like the design, and I guess if the perspective looks good, I should stop bitching about it.
Yeah, I know, but maybe she's a little distracted. Ok, the real reason is because I got a really nice shape on her eyes and didn't want to mess it up by shifting it again. Needless to say, I drew the eyes before I drew the book.
Thanks! ^.^
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I know the feeling... Thats why in theory, you should draw eyes last ( i do them first xD)
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I usually do, but for some reason, I did it like that this time. Oh well.
I usually start with the cheek and jawline.
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Oh yeah, of course
i also start outlining the face, but THEN! EYES xD I love drawing eyes : P
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Eyes are so fun to draw. I love colouring them, too. I've gotten back into my old bad habit of not drawing in pupils, and just putting in areas of darker colour. As weird and alien as it looks, I think it has a neat, expressive effect. ^.^
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Eyes can be drawn loads of different ways . . .
When colouring on the PC, i usually also just shade instead of drawing the pupils black...
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i can see it now
Nicola:"When did i get that tattoo in my wrist?"
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Nicola is delicious loli. She can't have bigger boobs. She must have delicious flat chest, lol.
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