WSG#11 Swordsingers: Warrior Monks of Hammerfell.

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WSG#11 Swordsingers: Warrior Monks of Hammerfell.

Post by Morden »

WSG#11 Swordsingers: Warrior Monks of Hammerfell.

Giving everyone a break from cityscapes this week. I hope you'll enjoy this topic. :D

For WSG#11 we turn to the mysterious Swordsingers of Hammerfell. Known for their outstanding swordmanship, and their ability to forge blades out of pure thought, they should prove quite an interesting faction in the game. I've spoken with Dexter before, and we considered the possibility of following what information we have, to delevope them as a society of warrior monks.

As luck would have it, I've got a picture of this Warrior Monk in my stock photo collection:

[url=http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shaolinmonk8rz.jpg][img]http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4907/shaolinmonk8rz.th.jpg[/img][/url]


I also just noticed that this WSG falls across Dexter's springbreak. I hope we'll see some sketches from our Admin, who is actually a pretty awesome artist. ;)




Now on to the Lore.. or pseudo-lore.. i'm not sure.


Required Reading

Please read this Information before continuing.


Redguards, Their History and Their Heroes by Destri Melarg
http://til.gamingsource.net/dfbooks/b004_redguard.shtml

This book is about the Swordsingers and their origins on old Yukoda. *Update: This is a book from Redguard* It conflicts with other aspects of lore. It claims that the ancient Swordsingers ARE the current day Redguard (named 'Red' for the blood they spilled), ignoring the history of the word "Ra Gada" (Pocket Guide). It claims that the original exodus from Yokuda WAS the Swordsingers fleeing a society that had forsaken them. It also claims that Hammerfell was named after the Swordsinger's final battle, before their exodus. As opposed to the hammer which was thrown, to indicate where the first settlement would be built, hence, 'Hammerfell'.
Hunding belonged to the sword-singers. This element of empire society grew from the desert artisans and was initially recruited from the young sons and daughters of the high families. They built the first temple to the unknown gods of War and build a training hall "The Hall of the Virtues of War". Within a few generations the way of the sword - the song of the blade - had become their life. The people of the blade kept their poetry and artisanship in building beautiful swords woven with magic and powers from the unknown gods. The greatest among them became known as Ansei or "Saints of the Sword". Each of these began their own training schools teaching their individual way of the sword. Those Ansei of the highest virtue wandered the country side engaging in battle, righting wrongs, and seeking to end the strife.
Hunding pursued the ideal of the warrior searching for enlightenment through the perilous paths of the Sword. Duels of revenge and tests of skill were common place, and fencing schools multiplied.
He became virtually invincible with the sword, gaining such skill and mastery that he finally stopped using the real swords created through the artisanship of his people and began using the Shehai or "way of the spirit sword". All sword singers learn through their intense training and devotion to the gods of war and way of the sword, the forms of discipline that allow the creation of the spirit sword. This is a simple form of magic or mind mastery where by a image of a sword is formed from pure thought. The sword singer forms the sword by concentrating, and it takes shape in his hand. It is an unstoppable weapon of great might, a weapon which can never be taken from the owner without also taking his mind.
He wrote his Learnings down in the BOOK OF CIRCLES while living as a hermit in a cave in the mountains of the high desert in his sixtieth year.
The Sword Singers were never a numerous people... and growing up in the unforgiving wastes eliminated all but those of iron spirit and will.

Lady Benoch's Words and Philosophy

"The ways of the warrior were never meant to be the easiest path. The archetype of the idiot fighter is as solidly ingrained as that of the brilliant wizard and the shrewd thief, but it was not always so. The figure of the philosopher swordsman, the blade-wielding artist are creatures of the past, together with the swordsinger of the Redguards, who was said to be able to create and wield a blade with but the power of his mind. The future of the intelligent blade-wielder looks bleak in comparison to the glories of the past."


The present day Swordsinger's live in the remote deserts of the Alik'r, where they have their temples and training grounds called, "The Hall of the Virtues of War".

I believe we have a large degree of latitude with how we portray the Swordsingers. Not much definate lore exists regarding their order in the current Hammerfell. It's up to us to adress these questions:

1. What do their temples look like?

2. How do they dress?

3. How do they fight? What do 'spirit swords' look like?

4. What gods do they pray to? Are their known Yokudan gods of war?

5. What is thier role in society? Are they reculsive and independent, or do they help those in need? Do they fight as mercenaries, or for other reasons?


Results for this topic:


Lutemoth:
[url=http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7646/swordsinger8bg.jpg][img]http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7646/swordsinger8bg.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5357/swordsinging6gq.jpg][img]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5357/swordsinging6gq.th.jpg[/img][/url]


Nyren:
[url=http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsingermale4nz.jpg][img]http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6375/swordsingermale4nz.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsingerfemale3ob.jpg][img]http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7398/swordsingerfemale3ob.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsingerapprentice9gm.jpg][img]http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/2589/swordsingerapprentice9gm.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sihai8pu.jpg][img]http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/176/sihai8pu.th.jpg[/img][/url]


Macar:
[url=http://img462.imageshack.us/my.php?image=monk5ul.jpg][img]http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/4156/monk5ul.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rough9bi.jpg][img]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/466/rough9bi.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=firstsword9iy.jpg][img]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3146/firstsword9iy.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flippy2it.jpg][img]http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/1027/flippy2it.th.jpg[/img][/url]


Dexter:
[url=http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger19fw.jpg][img]http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9555/swordsinger19fw.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img501.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger24ss.jpg][img]http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/720/swordsinger24ss.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger36fv.jpg][img]http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5904/swordsinger36fv.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img70.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger42kx.jpg][img]http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/3812/swordsinger42kx.th.jpg[/img][/url]



Morden:
[url=http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsg11moswordsinger21hm.jpg][img]http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/126/wsg11moswordsinger21hm.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsg11swordsingermo4a2zu.jpg][img]http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3728/wsg11swordsingermo4a2zu.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsg11moswordsinger9il.jpg][img]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3454/wsg11moswordsinger9il.th.jpg[/img][/url]



LadyN:
[url=http://img446.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sworddancerrecruit8ww.jpg][img]http://img446.imageshack.us/img446/8343/sworddancerrecruit8ww.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger9sf.jpg][img]http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3151/swordsinger9sf.th.jpg[/img][/url]


Groza:
[url=http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger1bc.jpg][img]http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/696/swordsinger1bc.th.jpg[/img][/url]


Hayden:
[url=http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger29ph.jpg][img]http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/716/swordsinger29ph.th.jpg[/img][/url]


The Bard:
[url=http://img391.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsingercolor4ns.png][img]http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/8687/swordsingercolor4ns.th.png[/img][/url]


Enigma:
[url=http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=warriormonk5um.jpg][img]http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3144/warriormonk5um.th.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=meditationchamber6eu.jpg][img]http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/8089/meditationchamber6eu.th.jpg[/img][/url]
Last edited by Morden on Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:11 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Post by ENIGMA* »

really i thing that strory is a bunch of BS but the ideas are genuine..... so i think i'll do swords....
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Post by Macar »

:shock: it's not architexture. Is this the first organic WSG?
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Post by Lady Nerevar »

well.... um... not all of hte stuff was purely architecture... but i gues this is the first one where you realy DONT have to include architecture of any sort...

*lady n thinks she'll have some fun with this*
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Post by Orix »

For ease of finding and inspiration, here's some links to books that have sword-singer characters, or figures.
Some of which are in the [url=http://til.gamingsource.net/dfbooks/b105_alt_redguard.shtml]Compilation of Redguard History[/url].

Books on Sword-Singers/Spirit Swords:

[url=http://til.gamingsource.net/dfbooks/b086_divad.shtml]Divad the Singer[/url]

[url=http://til.gamingsource.net/dfbooks/b022_memorystone.shtml]The Memory Stone[/url]

[url=http://til.gamingsource.net/dfbooks/b087_notesredguard.shtml]Notes for Redguard History[/url]

[url=http://til.gamingsource.net/dfbooks/b004_redguard.shtml]Redguards, Their History and Their Heroes[/url]


All are fairly short apart from Redguard, Their History and Their Heros.

By the sounds of things, each sword (as Macar suggests below) is unique to their singer that forms it, for example: "I am Makela Leki a warrior, a sword-singer, a second level Ansei. In my cradle I could form the Shehai, the spirit sword - The mystical blade, mine formed of pure thought serpents intertwined with vines of roses to form the blade".

The brightness may be a reflection of it's leathal power too:

"In collecting these stories, I once thought I was seeing a Shehai being formed, by an old Hall master, but the thing, if it was a spirit sword was so faint that even the sword shape was questionable. I didn't want to insult the old man so I claimed I saw it too."

"I reached for the Shehai the spirit sword, that which I could never reliably form when I needed it, and behold ... it was alive. Alive with fire. It formed in my hand. Ablaze with power. Oh I slew mightily, right and left, like a scythe through wheat."

There seems to be a rank system among sword singers:
"I am a simple warrior. I grew up as a Maiden of the Spirit Blade. As early as I can remember I wanted to be a Singer."
"At eleven, I entered the Hall of the Virtues of War and joined the Maidens of the Spirit Sword."
(Maidens of the Blade and Sword are probably different names for the same thing)
"We joined in our learnings in the Hall with our Brothers of the Blade."
(Males and Females must be tought seperately)

"To be a Ansei of the first level you just need to be able to call it, and that I could, so I became the first Ansei from our local hall in two generations."
"Only a few have the purity of heart and virtue to be able to take the step and learn the mysteries of Ansei. Sword Sainthood."
"I am Makela Leki a warrior, a sword-singer, a second level Ansei."
"Hunding, was a sword-singer, a master, no, a Master Ansei."
(Apparantly different levels of Ansei)
Last edited by Orix on Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:53 pm, edited 10 times in total.
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Post by Macar »

I'm no loremaster, but "Redguards, Their History and Their Heroes" is an ingame book from Regaurd. I'm not shure about the other source.

Just to get the ball rolling as far as discussion, I'll share my vision so far:

1. The temples should be hard to find, in order to keep them mysterious. I imagine them perched high in the mountains, with a hymalayan look.

2. I want to draw 2 outfits, something bluky and consealing for travel that can be easily cast off, to reveal a lightwieght fighting outfit.

3. I have lots of ideas for this. I think it would be cool if each fighters sword was unique (after all each mind is unique).

4. I think they should be mostly reclusive and mysterious, serving thier own hidden agendas. However, there should be a few radical do-gooders, and even a few bad-doers.

Cant wait to give this a shot.
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Post by Morden »

Those Ansei of the highest virtue wandered the country side engaging in battle, righting wrongs, and seeking to end the strife.
'The highest virtue' would suggest that while it may be an ideal, not all Swordsingers acted as a 'noble knight' for lack of a better term. It is possible that many were reclusive, but it doesn't seem like they were the bad do-er type.
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Post by Lady Nerevar »

im sure that some of them were bad-doers... for instance, someone who chose not to cmopleat his training, like divad, but then because he thought that he is superior to everyone else, he decided to be bad.

now a technical question:
Spirit Sword, as a weapon or as a spell in game? (im going for spell, since its described as hard to achive and prone to failure)
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Post by Morden »

It's a physical manifestation of their minds. They consentrate and the sword takes forum... possibly conjuration magic.
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Post by Orix »

Everything points to it being closer to a spell, like a "bound weapon" spell but without the need for a base weapon in most respects. Because of the mental connection to the wielder NPCs shouldn't be able to knock it from the player's hand, although players should be able to drop it, since Divad formed 5 great magical swords and placed them in 5 guarded cave for later use. I'm not too sure about how durable or damage it should do, but that example I gave in my previous post sounds pretty strong.

The appearance is one of sculpted light:
The sword singer forms the sword by concentrating, and it takes shape in his hand - usually a pale thing of light, misty and insubstantial, a thing of beauty perhaps, a symbol of devotion to the Way and the gods, but no weapon. However, those Ansei of the highest level and sensitivity and those with talent in magic, can at times of stress, form a spirit sword, the Shehai which is far more than light and air - it is an unstoppable weapon of great might, a weapon which can never be taken from the owner without also taking his mind.

Since it's a sword of the mind, that requires great concentration and will to create, I'd suggest summoning it would take a great amount of magicka... possibly limited to mid to high levelled characters, or perhaps a high level of sword skill, and a school in magic, like conjuration (as suggested by Morden).
Last edited by Orix on Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Post by Sload »

The only reference to the location of any of their monesteries was in the mountains near Skaven. It was something like, "And he believes that there are still Swordslingers in a Hall of the Virtues of War near Skaven." This implies that they might not even exist anymore, but I'd like to think that maybe the Skaven hall is the last one and it could be a prestigious province faction for the Redguards.
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Post by Macar »

Lady Nerevar wrote:im sure that some of them were bad-doers... for instance, someone who chose not to cmopleat his training, like divad, but then because he thought that he is superior to everyone else, he decided to be bad.
I think they have thier own concepts of morality, so thier actions may seem bad to some.

As for Sloads idea of there being only one left, I kind of like it. But, I'd actualy prefer if thier monistary was hard to find. But I guess it could be hard to find, but still near skaven.
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Post by Sload »

Ofcourse it would be hard to find. "Near Skaven" basically means in the northern Dragontail Mountains, which isn't an easy place to navigate.
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Post by Morgoth »

I'm going to have alot of fun with this one. Finally some character art.
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Post by Morden »

I had hoped there would be a temple in the Alik'r (sp?) desert. From the story it says they had their origins in the harsh deserts of Yukoda. I'll be drawing some of my art with a semi-desert theme.
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Post by Sload »

Maybe there is. That would be a good way to have multiple quests for the faction, either you join with the Hall in Alik'r or you join with the one in Dragontail.

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Post by Morden »

My first submission... drew it up this morning. My own personal criticism would be that it turned out too 'western' in design. For my next peice i'll leave out the metal cod-piece and perhaps the hood. Please comment on what features should be kept and transfered into another drawing.

[url=http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsg11moswordsinger9il.jpg][img]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3454/wsg11moswordsinger9il.th.jpg[/img][/url]
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Post by The Old Ye Bard »

I personally don't like the use of metal plates also the use of black gives off a menacing look and it wouldn't be the greatest thing to be wearing in the hammerfell sun. try sticking with either white, light blue, orange, tan, and prehaps even pink.
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Post by Morgoth »

The Old Ye Bard wrote: also the use of black gives off a menacing look and it wouldn't be the greatest thing to be wearing in the hammerfell sun. try sticking with either white, light blue, orange, tan, and prehaps even pink.
Um, it's black because it's done in greyscale.
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Post by Dexter »

Since Morden has sufficiently buttered me up, this is the first of several.
[url=http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger19fw.jpg][img]http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9555/swordsinger19fw.th.jpg[/img][/url]
I'm thinking that one way the swords could appear is as forms of intense white light in the shape of a sword.
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Post by Orix »

True enough Morgoth, although I partially agree with Old Ye Bard. Personally I like the metal plates on legs and soulders, while the torso looks like a leather type protection. It does look a bit Dark Brotherhood like though, but not too much. Perhaps there could be a couple of outfits for different situations.

Considering their lack of favouritism with the autorities, camoflage would be useful, so perhaps tight white robes (to keep in moisture during the day) for daytime, and loose black gear for skulking around at night? Their clothes, while iconic to each other, should be relatively unassuming while out in the open and shouldn't give them away as Sword Singers, since the autorities would know what to look for if they were seen.
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Post by Macar »

Nice one Dex, looking forward to more. That's the first time I've seen a drawing of yours that wasnt a creature of pure, golrila-like muscle. He looks very lithe and dangerous. I'm guessing thier are going to be a lot shaolin-esque designs (like dexter's)

Here's a japanese warrior monk for some addional variety in inspiration. http://www.baxleystamps.com/litho/ogawa/ogawa_mil_7-1.jpg
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Post by Morden »

Nice sketch Dex. I like the shaolin look. I would definately like to see a unique warrior monk look that stays far away from the bad 80's movie, Dark brotherhood, ninja gear. I also think it's perfectly suitable for them to wear some form of metal armor, though it should be something rather light... unlike a full suit of plate. Pauldrons, bracers.. even a small breastplate would be fine.
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Post by Stalker »

I can't get rid of imagening them as Jedi and swords they "forge with thought" as lightsabers with brand "wzoom" sound.
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Post by Orix »

Meh, they're nothing alike. The Jedi order allows little to no freedom of actions, with them your either good or bad. The sword singers, while disciplined and seeminlgy moralistic dont have to do anything they dont want to.

The Shehai isn't like a lightsaber in the respect that its not a "tool" or used only for defence. The Shehai is a way of showing learnt discipline and possible devotion to gods, in its faint simple form its probabaly non-lethal. Only in times of anger or fury in battle is it brought to full itensity as a mighty weapon to powerfully mow down enemies that get in the way... or thats the impression I'm given by stories so far. Whereas Jedi cant be angry or show fury, and only kill what they have to.

"All ran back through the pass not even pausing to collect their dead and wounded. All who could stand ran for their lives, and I slew all I could reach," - The Memory Stone

If they were to be compared to Starwars lore they would probabaly be an amalgomation of both jedi peaceful discipline and sith's raw use of power to achieve goals. Singers are probabaly more like Samurai, which the Yoku were based upon, I think.

As for a sound, I'd suggest either a sweeping vocal/choral sound to the swings of the weapon, which may give the singers their name. Or no sound at all for the weapon, although the singers themselves could be vocal instead.

"The Song of the Sword was a joyous noise slicing through the ranks of evil." - The Memory Stone
Last edited by Orix on Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:50 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Post by the Bard »

The question is if they should look like the Shaolin or more like the one from Macar's image. Would they be like armored monks using only swords or really in kung fu style? I think armor would suit them for they are not hand-to-hand fighters but swordfighters. I think the Shaolin or otherwise kung fu style should be reserved for khajiti monks or something (though I don't know if those exist). If the swordsingers concentrate purely on sword fighting they would need to move around less which would make armor nice, I think.
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Post by Stalker »

I don't mean Jedi as order but as the look of the Jedi (robes and all that).
[img]http://img430.imageshack.us/img430/3336/oblivionforum5tb.jpg[/img]

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Dexter
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Post by Dexter »

I think Stalker was only referring to the sound effects the Shehai would produce, nothing more.
I think in terms of cultural influence, Shaolin is definitely something we should draw inspiration from. However, it shouldn't be totally influenced by them. My first sketch is over the top in the Shaolin influence, and I will be toning it down in coming sketches.
As for armor, I see them as not using any. I can't put my finger on it, but I think it stems from the logic that a monk society that has transcended the need for material blades would also have transcended the need for material armor. Besides, you've all read about the complex nature of Redguard martial arts. These guys are probably better at defending themselves without armor.
[url=http://img501.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger24ss.jpg][img]http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/720/swordsinger24ss.th.jpg[/img][/url]
This is either a sketch of a student of the order, who has not yet master conjuring a true Shehai, or a monk in the proscess of conjuring one.
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Post by Orix »

In terms of armour, I think, like their morals, there would be an individual difference between them considering armour.

In the Memory Stone the character and her companions rode into battle wearing magical armour, although it wasn't enough to protect them from the onslaught. Poisen dagger killed one, and the main character, even though victorius, died from her numerous wounds since their healing supplies were used up.

They, of course, may have only worn armour because they were going into battle. In one-on-one fights, or relatively small skirmishes, I can imagine them being adept at unarmoured combat. The Memory stone is the only mention of Sword Singers using armour.

In the Compilation, I think it mentions that Hunding, the Master Ansei, wore no armour.
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Lady Nerevar
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Post by Lady Nerevar »

id think that each individual would decide wheather they want to wear armor or no.

(pics comming as soon as i ink nad scan them)
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Post by ENIGMA* »

ok here is my monk..... with little spirit sword....

[url=http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=warriormonk5um.jpg][img]http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3144/warriormonk5um.th.jpg[/img][/url]


and a meditation chamber in one of the "hidden" temples...

The Monks train their skill in the pit bottoms were the top is covered by a heavy drape. the drape induces a sauna like atmosphere were warriors train their consentration in excrutiating heat...

EDIT: here we are, the file was way too big that why it wouldn't work :p

[url=http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=meditationchamber6eu.jpg][img]http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/8089/meditationchamber6eu.th.jpg[/img][/url]
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Post by the Bard »

Okay, no need for armor, but I do feel they should be more concentrated on the sword then on their defense. I think a more samurai-like fighting style would be in order, rather than a jumping around kung-fu style. They would be more fighting in a way to kill quickly rather than avoid the opponents attacks.
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Post by Vholdrian »

Little question: Are these guys Redguards or some native chinese kind of race...?
[img]http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4350/ve3flv2.jpg[/img]

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Post by Macar »

If I understand our question; Yes, they are redgaurds. As Ragada as they come!

Since Morden's dropping hints, I'll drop some of my own. Cant wait to see Lutemoth's take on this! *hint *hint
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Post by Lady Nerevar »

a young recruit to the order. (i have no idea about the gender :P )

[url=http://img446.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sworddancerrecruit8ww.jpg][img]http://img446.imageshack.us/img446/8343/sworddancerrecruit8ww.th.jpg[/img][/url]
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Post by Morden »

Good job LadyN. :) I think the face tattoo and the robes are right in line with the concepts we're going for. I also think we should try to design our people with darker skin, so that they are recognisably Redguard. To date no official TES race resembles asian people... though with face gen we might be able to push the limits.


Here's my second. The metal bracers are for deflecting an enemy's sword. This offers him protection, agility, and flexibility, and he doesn't have to carry a shield.

[url=http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsg11moswordsinger21hm.jpg][img]http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/126/wsg11moswordsinger21hm.th.jpg[/img][/url]
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Post by groza528 »

Came out neither as menacing nor as mystic as I would have liked, but here's my approach. I figure they wouldn't opt for the long robes etc if they and, presumably their opponents, are swinging huge swords about.

[url=http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger1bc.jpg][img]http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/696/swordsinger1bc.th.jpg[/img][/url]
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Post by Lady Nerevar »

Morden wrote: Here's my second. The metal bracers are for deflecting an enemy's sword. This offers him protection, agility, and flexibility, and he doesn't have to carry a shield.

[url=http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsg11moswordsinger21hm.jpg][img]http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/126/wsg11moswordsinger21hm.th.jpg[/img][/url]
Now THAT i realy like! i think you've realy hit the balance of asian and middle eastern there.

bout the skin, i know :P it was a tad darker on paper... but anyhow, ill try
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Post by Macar »

I like the new entries. Lady N, you say your not shure about the gender of that character? Looks pretty decidedly female to me. Morden, I like that one much more than your first. I had the same idea about metal bracers. I figure metal soled boots and metal bracers would be really cool for expert parries. Groza, welcome. I agree that fighting in robes seems unlikely, but I guess an expert could pull it off. My version dosent wear robes eiter. I like the way you drew the sword; the blade is invisible but it still leaves some sort of trail in the air. Is that what it's supposed to be?

I have a few drawn already, but I wont be able to scan any until sunday :( . I might be able to take pictures of them, we'll see.
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Post by Dexter »

[url=http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordsinger36fv.jpg][img]http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5904/swordsinger36fv.th.jpg[/img][/url]
I've been tossing the idea for tattoos around for a while, and came up with this.
I'm trying to find a definitive style for these guys that isn't too Shaolin, and not too stereotypical Redguard. I'm getting close, and will upload a pic when I get it down.
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