1/17/2021 0 Comments Zandalari Horde SymbolNext up is the Zandalari Troll Horde symbol. I love Dazar'alor, it reminds me of the lost city of gold. With its great temples and ornate designs, it feels like the World of Warcraft version of what I had always pictured. I went with the warm gold, small blue gems, and a fire brazier to illuminate the Horde symbol. I figured it would receive a place of honor where it would have its own light source to show our allegiance with the Horde. The gems are my favorite part of the piece, it turns out that I really enjoy drawing gems and metal, so this felt at home to me. I also went into this piece and first one without practicing at all, and feel like my soft gradients in the metal vastly improved even though these were only two months apart. I also got new prismacolor colored pencils in the middle of this drawing and they are so much better to work with than the old set I was using. The soft cores allow for a more gentle approach to the shading that makes the piece feel softer and less ridged like colored pencil strokes can be!
Click here to see the first drawing of this series!
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1/17/2021 0 Comments Void Elf Alliance SymbolWhat would it look like if the Allied Races made the faction that they joined, symbol their own?
This is the question I've been asking myself. I wanted to do drawings related to my favorite games but I'm just not really a character artist, my true love is still life and for a long time I didn't know how to marry these two ideas. Then one day it came to me I was looking at @eluvianna on twitter's little coffee cup with void tentacles coming out of it and I was in love, that was the type of thing I wanted to do, but I didn't want to copy her idea, so what would I do? What was like that, that was my own idea? And then finally it came to me, I saw tentacles coming out of the void, wrapping around the alliance lion and trying to pull it back into the void and I knew that had to be it. I had to create the faction symbols adapted by the allied races. I fell in love with putting my characters in the maps that would help me with this idea, looked into lore and found out so many things I never knew, poured over art the allied races, and relentlessly pictured how I could tie those things together. This is the first piece of this series for the on twitter I am posting WIP pictures and I'm calling it #WarcraftSymbolSeries! It is for the Void Elves, and though I main Horde I love my Alliance characters too and the opportunity to draw space in my first drawing was too good to pass up! I went with making the lion face a traditional alliance gold and then the blue flag background that it normally sits on, then I went into the void, trying to add those deep purples and blues that are ever present in the void, and finally the tentacles, it just wouldn't be right without them! This is one of my first real colored pencil pieces. I had done others but they were abstract, the one exception was the drawing I did of my priest and I feel like I've learned a lot since then! Click here for a link to my shop with the design on more items! Now that they are open to a new story, a third faction would be pretty cool. A peaceful one that was looking to fight the true dangers of the land. Not the Alliance or Horde but instead the things like demons, and titans, and the broken world that has seen far too much fighting. This would mean that even if you were on a PvP server you wouldn't be able to fight the Horde or Alliance though, but it could also mean that you could go to Stormwind and Origimmar for example. You would simply be neutral in all senses and maybe even have a new story line for this?
On the other side of this was my boyfriends idea. I was telling him about the idea that you could be in a third faction and he instantly went to that meaning you could kill everyone (I sighed at him). On this side of the coin you would not be safe in a major city, ever and I think that there should be a "blood thirsty" debuff where if you kill too many people that the guards in a city would instantly attack you, but you could kill either faction. I personally like my idea better but I'm pretty peaceful when it comes to PvE. It could be neat to add in more factions like these instead of having it only be the Horde verses the Alliance to give the game a new flavor. With that being said you would still be able to play with these people but if you helped someone who was blood thirsty you could still get the debuff too or on the other side of that when grouped with someone neutral you wouldn't be able to kill anyone. I'm not sure how you would balance all of that but it could definitely be cool and interesting! After so much waiting and anticipation I was finally called back to Andorhal, the air seems tense, as the haze sets in. Something about the village seems abuzz but at the same time, the air is full of an eerie silence. It wasn't even Koltira who really called me back, or it wasn't even his plan at least. He thought they would wait longer, that they had a deal, but Thassarian made the first move. I wonder where his loyalties will really lie. In a way I feel bad for Koltira, he has nothing. The only thing he has now is a sense of duty and it doesn't even seem like he wants that. In a way it actually seems like he would have rather died with everyone he knew than be here with nothing, fighting the one he considers a brother. I still do not trust him, that love could be deadly for the Horde and our hold on Andorhal, but I do pity him. I have no idea where I would be if that burden was placed on me. I wish I could control the gargoyles all the time, they are rather stealthy for how large they are, the farmers were so busy with the behemoths they didn't even notice the gargoyles coming for them. The humans do make an unfortunate crunch squish noise when they are dropped, I'm not sure why they thought it was a good idea idea to try and attack us with no armor, no training, and no real weapons. I wonder if Thassarian is using this as a distraction or if the farmers were just too foolish to realize this would only lead to death. As I went to find Thassarian, I noticed something about this land, it is scorched by fire, and the plague, smells of death, and toxic chemicals and seems beyond repair. The Argent Crusade maybe on a fools errand trying to heal the Plaguelands, but if anyone can do it, it would be them. Their pureness is far beyond my own, it is like they don't even see the Alliance as the villains, they only seem to see the damage being done to Azeroth. At least for their sake I haven't been asked to release more plague... yet... Oh my! I met Lady Sylvanas, and oh my I feel bad for Koltira... The Dark Lady does not seem to be kidding about his punishment or his weakness... The Banshee Queen is one intimidating person, I will have be very careful not to get on her bad side... I would not want whatever fare awaits Koltira. Never ever do I want to be on the Banshee Queens bad side. I do not know where he is going but he seemed to and he seemed very scared of that place. Some of the rumors I had heard about Lady Sylvanas but never believed may be true... She is ruthless in the defense of her people. I cannot blame her after she has died more than once, but I also fear her. She may have forgotten all of her Blood Elf roots in that darkness... I wonder what she is willing to do in the name of her people?
6/15/2017 4 Comments Animal Face Gamer GlovesPoro's count as animals right?? I think they do, after making the panda faced gamer gloves I thought, hey I could make poro ones too, and the poros are just too cute to be left out. They are such adorable balls of fluff that are happy to see you, so I couldn't think of a reason someone wouldn't want that little face smiling back at them! Plus they seemed like a perfect fit for gloves because I bet they'd be very snuggly and gloves are like warm snuggles for your hands XD I thought a panda face would be cute and boy was I right. This one is probably my favorite of the three, pandas are pretty adorable and having a little smiling face looking back at you is always nice! I was looking at conversations I had, had a couple of months ago and realized that I was probably inspired by someone who was talking about liking panda. I am really glad that I had that conversation because it made me come up with these :3. I of course had to make kitty gloves too! I think they turned out pretty cute but I may change them some. I feel like some of the little details that you normally think of when you think of cats (like whiskers) get kind of lost because the colors are pretty similar but that also has to do with the time that I took the picture (it was kind of overcast). I may just test it out and see what other colors I like I was thinking about doing white, as I think the whiskers will pop better but we will see! I have so many ideas for gloves and other things that it will probably be awhile until then. Regardless I do think these ones turned out pretty cute!
For those interested the button takes you to the Etsy listing :). My boyfriend started checking the peoples ranks that we were playing with and against in flex que because something seemed to be up. Some game it just seemed like one lane would completely stomp another, and there was nothing that could be done about it. Well it turned out that a plat 5 facing a bronze 5 may not be the most fair thing. These people we are playing with maybe silvers, golds, bronzes in flex que but then in solo/duo que they are actually plat or diamond and that's fine for him and I to fight against but pretty ridiculous for the bronze on our team to fight against.
It just doesn't feel right for everyone on the team to be in "silver" in flex but really they are no where near silver in solo/duo que. The skill gap between bronze to plat is pretty large and I really think the flex que ranking should be affected by it (and I kind of think that the diamond players looking to just stomp noobs should have their fun squashed, go pick on someone your own size!). I would figure that this would already be in the works because I doubt my bf and I are the only ones that noticed the drastically solo/duo que ranks of the people all playing together. I also think changing this may make people take it more seriously. I'm not really sure why but there seems to be this idea that flex que doesn't matter (even though we are supposed to get more rewards for getting gold in both) and bringing it to a more even playing field should help change this thinking. It seems like far too often people give up before really trying when things are too difficult and I guess the drastic difference in ranks is one of those things. Hopefully this change would make flex que a better experience, because right now it is a pretty begrudging task, one that I just want to get over with instead of actually enjoying the experience (& doubt that is very healthy for the game!). I hope the rewards are worth it and that next season we get to see a more even playing field! 6/12/2017 0 Comments Cloth Outfit Ideas, Guild Wars 2The Inventor, they maybe on the verge of being the mad scientist! Researcher's Masque Hellfire Mantle Forgeman Raiment Primitive Handwraps Acolyte Pants Researcher's Shoes With Steam Staff and Tempered Spinal Blades. In Molten and Charcoal dyes. Angelic Battle Mage, the angelic spell caster that is fighting for the light and is ready swoop into save those in danger. Storm Eye Radiant Mantle Stately Garb Radiant Vambraces Inquest Breeches Apprentice Shoes With Glyphic Staff and Golden Feather Wings Backpack In Glint's Isolation and Antique Gold Matriarch of Death, do not cross her.
Bloodstone Crown Chronomancer Epaulets Bladed Vestments Arm of Koda Feathered Pants Illustrious Footwear With the Reclaimed Staff and Black Feather Wings Backpack In Charcoal and Rosewood with a hint of Midnight Ice in the shoulders. 6/10/2017 1 Comment So Many QuestionsSoftly I breath,
Lost in thought, the world spins around me but all I can see is what I think My perception, my reality. I try, I really do to think of it from so many angles but is it enough? Is it every angle or just enough to make me comfortable with my perspective I over think everything, over and over again rewriting the story Changing my image of reality How can I be true when my truths may not even be? Is any of it real? Or is like watching a Tv show, everything happening around me but never present in the action. What is my purpose, am I meant to be lost in this ocean or should I swim? Can you see me? The real me? What am I to you? Who am I to you? My version of me feels more complete but if I cannot touch my spirit, my soul, how does it exist? Are we even really separate or all connected? Do you feel it? The energy coming off the person next to you. We are connected, I feel it. I feel that warmth, the wealth of emotions. I feel their soul, and see it in their eyes. Who am I? I am nothing and everything. I am a piece of a much greater puzzle, whether I am just a blob of color or the piece that completes the picture is up to me My version of reality is all I will ever know, My perspective is my truth, but that doesn't mean it can't change. It doesn't mean I've stopped learning, I want my truth to be the truth but I will not force it. I will accept what I've learned, with a critical mind and always ask why. I will be a bit of everything. I will be human, and I will be love, and that is what brings me life and it is my purpose. Unlike the undead the Argent Crusade has some much more wholesome tasks for me. I'm surprised they were even willing to allow me to help after the mess I've made but I am happy for the chance. So much of my adventure has been full of dark and terrible things, but my heart yearns for the work of a true hero. The ones that go down in history because of how awesome they really were. Clearing the area of the plagued creatures is a tedious task but one that is well worth it. I may not be able to heal them now but hopefully the samples that I recover will yield the missing information the Argent Crusade is looking for. The land itself seems to be healing but the animals are not, they are stuck in this plagued life, tormented by it until their deaths. I do not know how the Horde can work with these Alliance though, especially after they were preparing to attack us in Hillsbrad Foothills, I do not like being by them, it feels like some of them maybe spies or something for the Alliance. I hope these druids really know what they are doing or it may cost us dearly. At least I was given a really Horde druid to help. Poor Zen'kiki isn't very good at being a druid, he isn't really helping me, it seems more like they are just having a pity party for him and allowing him to tag along with me to give him something to do. He hasn't gotten in my way too much at least, but he did manage to starcall himself and almost died... I wonder if the Argent Crusade will be able to find a use for him. I'm not sure that being a Druid is really his calling. The plague has a strange way of taking hold of its victims. Even the plants are cursed by the this darkness and undeath. I would also like to know how the plague has managed to bring these things to life. An animated pumpkin that is looking for blood is really something. I did still have some lingering quests from the undead... at least I don't feel as bad since these humans are dying anyways. I'm sure we will need more undead soldiers in the fight against the Alliance and whatever other evils we will face. I've heard rumors that the Legion which was once expelled from this world has returned. Oh my, I have no idea what this once was, but it definitely has to be extinguished. The plague has brought so many horrors. Seeing this also has me wondering if I should be near this farm, right after I used the plague. What an unsettling party, at least we have more soldiers. The Val'kyr is rather intimidating, she says nothing, silently she does my bidding, and with her magic we brought these humans back as undead. I'm not sure if she is an angel or a demon, her powers seem to be a little of both, light magic that seems tainted by the darkness. After releasing her back to Lindsay I was relieved to hear, that I could go back to helping the Argent Crusade. I wonder if I will see Lindsay or the Val'kyr again, they were very unsettling but powerful. I feel like we may need them when Koltira is ready. The battle for Andorhal looms over my consciousness, the anticipation is like a plague of its own.
Most of the time what we are doing in video games is fighting, fighting the "bad guys" but who the bad guys are is all a matter of perspective. I think the conflict between the Alliance and Horde is a good example of this. Both sides have done some messed up stuff in the name of their faction but their goal is to protector their people, and all is fair in love and war, right? The more I learn about the story the more I actually see the Horde as the bad guys (especially the undead, the lack of ethics with the undead is real) seeing as they invaded but I still fight for the Horde, the Horde is still my home and that means standing up for them right?
I really like these groups that are unaffected by the faction differences, like the Argent Crusade in the Western Plaguelands they don't seem to care about fighting for the Alliance or Horde all they care about is healing the land they live in, and that is beautiful. So often we get stuck in this Us vs Them mentality that we forget, that we should all be working together. Now I won't lie that isn't always easy, especially when there are those blood thirty, and willing to kill, but killing back not the only way. What I've learned is that education has a lot to do with these type of things, and that educating someone when they are the wrong path can help them be put on the right one (I think that most people would agree that going out and murdering people is the wrong path). I'm on a PvP server and when I was writing the blog that the picture went to I died 3 times at the hands of the same mage, it was very annoying, but I didn't go on a killing spree of finding all of the Alliance here and getting them. I could have even switched to my max lvl pally and just one shot them all over the place, but I didn't and I choose not to even when people are hunting me or killing me like that because I'm not a very vengeful person. It would be different if we were in an area like Nagrand or Hellfire where there are areas to fight over, so you know if you're over there that you will be fighting (I usually leave people alone anyways, which is kind of weird since I'm a big PvPer in other games but if they are just doing PvE I don't want to bother them). I like the idea of shifting the thinking away from being an US vs Them because it is important, we are all humanoids over here, and there are much bigger threats that we should be fighting, and I like that a lot of the WoW expansions point to that. We have to work together in most of the recent ones because the threats are so much larger than our petty squabbles. I don't believe you can change everyone because there are some people so full of darkness that they just don't even want to change but I do think you can change a lot of people. There were studies done showed that IQ and bigotry have links (along with certain critical thinking skills or lack there of pointing to an increased likelihood of certain types of bigotry) and it was interesting because that means people can learn to be better and that is something truly beautiful. I like to think of the groups in WoW that are resisting this faction war as those people who have learned to be better. It is a metaphor to me for the ability to really critically think about what is the true problem going on here? And how do we fix it? You have to take care of where we live (like the Argent Crusade is trying to do in the Western Plaguelands) or no one will be able to live there at all, and then what? All the fighting that the Alliance and Horde have done will be for nothing if everyone dies. Now that the original Warcraft story is coming to a close I think it would be cool if WoW added a third faction, one that was the Alliance and Horde working together, you could fight for everyone instead of just the Alliance or Horde (like how the pandas are before picking). I think that it would be pretty cool to choose a neutral faction at a higher level and be able to go to both Stormwind and Undercity ect... They could just be the Factionless, the true heroes here to fight against those who want to destroy Azeroth. One of the places that the studies were talked about https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/were-only-human/is-racism-just-a-form-of-stupidity.html#.WTasKty1uM8 there are multiple different articles about this (elsewhere) though. |
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Me! Krystal :D Archives
January 2021
CategoriesAll Conan Crochet Fanficion Guild Wars 2 Guild-wars-2 League Of Legends Life Overwatch World Of Warcraft World-of-warcraft |