Rita, whose definitely not using her pursuit of health as a way to push down her trauma. She's dedicated to helping any injured who come to her- good or bad. This gets her into some trouble at times, but usually shes treated enough people to get her out of any trouble for the short term atleast.
Ive been loving seeing other peoples oc's, so feel free to ineract as i'd be happy to interact back!
Got the rough sketches done for a DND animatic I'm making as well as basic color blocks. Haven't had the time to start working on working to make the frames actually look good yet.
Also been concept arting some important NPC's for a campaign I plan to host for my friends sometime after the current campaign I'm in is over.
Been playing Darkest Dungeon 2 over the holidays, have loved Darkest Dungeon for awhile. Love the stories of the game, so to take a break from bigger drawing projects I tried to draw my Darkest Dungeon OC in the games style. I didn't quite hit it but it was a fun attempt!
with the holidays and work, I havent had much time to start new drawings. So, right now its just bigger project grinds
I'm working on a simple animatic for the first minute of "digital affection", featuring a bunch of different AI/robot characters I love. Its takin some time though, some robots are harder to draw than others (looking at you Glados). Planning phase is done, in the sketch phase.
And a DND animatic that's still in the planning phase, set to "Everything stays", the full minute thirty version.
Writing WIPs:
Star Wars: Last Echoes, an alternate universe star wars fanfic ill probably never post anywhere. But its fun to show progress (TLdr, kind of apocalypse type thing? basically post original trilogy the republic goes on a spree of killing ALL sith and jedi, and is successful to the point where theirs only a handful of trained force users left)
Ive also got an elder scrolls one focused on my main Dova, Shen. But its not progressed far yet.
Ref sheet for my other Dragonborn oc, Andi! (With holiday stuff I didn't have a lot of time/energy to make it look nicer)
TL;DR: She was a Kynareth worshipper at the whiterun temple, but when the dragon attacked Whiterun she assisted the guards as a medic (and throwing a few ice spikes to try and keep the dragon away from the patients), and once the dragon was defeated it was revealed she was dragonborn.
She was never a fighter, so over the course of the game the companions assist and help train her, and others she meets and helps over the period of the game also give her training.
In the final fight against Alduin, although she defeats him, she loses her arm in the process.
A lil ramble about her backstory under the cut that's a bit more detailed cause i think its interesting:
Andi was born in a Molag Bal cult, hiding deep in caverns. She was born on the 20th Evening Star, Molag Bals summoning day. This was believed by the members to be a sign that when she grew up she would be the one to lead them in a bloody destruction of Skyrim.
So, the following year on his summing day and her birthday, they began a horrible ritual to try and embody her with strength, power, and evil. But they had gathered many prisoners to be executed, and this brought much attention to them.
So, the ritual was interrupted by the companions who killed off the cult. There, Andi was found covered in ritual paints. Although the ritual had been stopped before completion, she had still been blessed (or cursed) partially. But, seeing that she still acted like an innocent child, they brought her to the temple of Kynareth. Kodiak kept a distant eye on Andi, incase she became evil.
But, Danica, the high priestess of the temple, raised her there and taught her restoration magic. Andi suffered horrible nightmares as she grew up, and had an unnatural physical strength. But the nightmares made her a cowardly person, and so no danger was ever seen in her. She was even allowed to study for a few years at the college of Winterhold.
But when the dragons attacked, she was discovered as the Dragonborn. She was terrified of dragons, and had never engaged in combat against anything but wolves. But now, she must learn to be able to fight and kill the strongest dragon in all of time.
These were just me concepting out the idea of what his humanoid forms would be after I read on the wiki that he did say he had one. They need work still but this helped me get the idea out so I figured I'd share.
My Dovakiin, Shen, for height reference.
I have some explanation as well as like- a narrative description of what I think the two forms would be below the cut :)
Wretched Form:
The form looming before you is tall, and your eyes cant quite understand where parts of it begin and end. He seems to be wearing a cloak to add some kind of modesty to his form, yet you are unsure of where it ends and he begins. His eyes still pierce into you.
The only part of him that really seems real and physical is the large form of the claw looming from just within the cloak, peeking out enough to be known. The rest of him shifts and wanes, seeming as if everytime you blink he has changed in some minor way.
The 'Wretched Form' name comes from his quest in basegame skyrim where he is described as the wretched abyss. The claw coming from his classic daggerfall design.
"Improved" Form:
The form before you now is strange, tall still but to a more reasonable degree, its many eyes on its face look down at you. Horns jutting out from the mist that forms his head. His hands are like claws in a way, long and thin and coming to a fine sharp point.
Parts of his form seem to be made of skin, that hangs loosely off of him. Some parts sway in the absent breeze. The skin has ink writing on it, though you cant discern the words and they seem to change constantly, shifting in the tide of time.
I like the idea that Hermaeus is too vast in a way to really be able to nail down a humanoid form that isn't freakish in some way. His idea of such a form comes from written words, rather than what he sees before his many eyes.
The idea of the skin comes from his artifact book made of skin, the idea being that he connects it in another way to a 'mortal' seeming form. The horns being a mock of the ones are daedric princes feature in some of their forms.
I think Hermaeus, if needed, could bend a mind to see him as a completely normal humanoid form. But that is what he would always truly look like. So although the person being bended may see him as a normal elf, others would see the true eldritch form beneath.
Ramblings/Explanations of my Dragonborns history/relation with Hermaeus Mora cause I think its neat. (even if he is a slow talker).
Read More to prevent wall of text:
First Meeting / Discerning the Transmundane:
Shen was one to help out anyone, no matter how weird- as long as they weren't outwardly evil. Although Shen doesn't understand the importance, she is willing to help the crazed man unlock the box. Thus, bringing her fate in front of Hermaeus Mora.
Shen rejected Hermaeus's offer, and saying although she was willing to help the man she had no interest in the offers Hermaeus had. He declared as he usually did, that she could not evade him forever, and she left.
Even after reading the book and benefitting from the knowledge, Shen continued to reject Hermaeus offer, and their paths split. He did not pursue her any further, knowing that soon enough fate was going to lead her to him again.
Second Meeting / Freeing Miraak:
When Shen was forced from the black book into Apocrypha, she seemed like the perfect target to become maddened by his realm. Shen was a curious person, and she looted many of the books that were left strewn about if she did not recognize them.
But she continued to remain both impressive and apathetic, easily defeating the many monsters and beasts within Apocrypha and navigating the dizzying halls without losing herself. But still, she rejected being champion. Only willing to accept the help that would get her to Miraak.
In her ultimate betrayal to Hermaeus, (Though, she will state it was hardly a betrayal since she had done nothing but insult him) she freed Miraak from the realm and brought him back to Nirn.
Post-Solstheim:
Had it been a different prince, perhaps the Dragonborn would have been chased to the ends of the earth for what she had done. But Hermaeus Mora was no such beast. Her control of her own fate, strength, and curiosity had still intrigued him greatly. And her rejection of becoming Champion made her an interesting target.
What sealed her continued fate was her curse, which she kept secret. What laid under her mask, the nature of her curse, anything about it was known only to her. She told not a soul, and never even wrote it down.
So, Hermaeus continues the pursuit of his fleeing champion. Trying to persuade her into a deal, reveal her secrets to him- and he in turn, will lead her to the knowledge she needs to break said curse.
She continues to reject him, but he knows he has time. Using the influence of the black books and the Infnium had on her mind, he continues to plague her dreams and sometimes appearing in visions during her waking hours to attempt to break her.
Her apathy towards knowledge, her distrust towards daedra, and miraaks help keeps her from being controlled by him- but Mora is slowly breaking her down little by little.
The wound in my chest strained against me, the health potion I managed to down while he was absorbing another dragon soul had given me more time to fight. But it still hurt, the barely healed wound sending shockwaves of pain through me with every breath.Â
But I was ready, I learned how the things of this plane fight. Miraak has been trapped here for so long… He’s only had them to train on and dummies. I’ve fought countless things across Skyrim and Cyrodiil. I know how to fight in styles he wouldn’t, having been trapped in this place. He fights quickly, with great strength. But I know how to take advantage of it now.
Finally, with a great flash, he’s right in front of me swinging once more. I’m ready this time. I fake him out, making it appear as if I am dodging right before I quickly move left, ducking down quickly and slashing at his side. As I move past I slash again at his back, and finally sweep his legs.
As he turns to look back at me, I know this is my moment. I had prepared for this, weaken him enough that I could make him listen- even for a moment- but not so weak that Hermaeus would finish him off. I quickly take off my glove and show him the writing on my hand.
“Please, say these words quickly with me so that we may have a moment to speak!” I yell.
(rest under cut to avoid putting a wall of text on your dash!)
“Does every nord find such plight in trying to read books?” Teldryn said, leaning over above me to peek at the book. It’s all nonsense to him, but with how much attention I’ve put into these tomes up in the throat of the world- he can’t help but be curious. But the dragon language is strange, and stranger to one who doesn’t have it weaved into their blood.
“No, I… I’m just double-checking my work before we go. If I mess up even a single step of my plan…” I stop, biting the inside of my cheek for a moment. I used to have a habit of biting my nails before I got cursed. Not sure if this is any better.
“Right.” He says, with a slight sigh. He’s tried to covnince me out of this a couple of times, but we both know what has to happen. If I don’t do this, that island will be destroyed. And then who knows how far this will spread. “Your still planning on giving me all your money before you go, right?” He says, the humor poorly hiding his true feelings. He doesn’t want to see me go. I don’t want to lose him either.
But to come up with my own shout? The graybeards have said that I’m probably the only one who could do such a thing without a team of others since I’m the dragonborn. I can only hope this will work when the time comes. Though, if all goes to plan, how am I going to explain Miraak to the graybeards? Or to Paarthurnax? They’ve helped me in exchange for some cryptic conversation, but they don't know my true intentions. I can only hope it will work in the moment…
I hear his voice stutter for a moment in surprise, but then his hands ball in a fist. I can feel this realm around us tensing as I have done something unexpected. But I’ve learned Hermaeus's ways, his desire to learn what will happen is far greater than his desire to stop this. It will give us the time we need.
Together, we shout as one. “Dovahkiin Uth Tiid!” The Thu’um hurts, straining the dragon souls in my vains to their limits. We will not be able to hold this long. Time slows around us to a near-stop. The Thu’um is allowing us to pass freely, while everything else is temporarily slowed. If Akatosh was not also the god of time- I suspect this would not work at all.
Miraak seems surprised, but he speaks as he slowly rises. He stands at least a head taller than me, his power still emanating around him in the ghostly horns on his body of the dragon aspect. “Clever, Mal Dovahkiin. I hope you have more plans than just this. Or are you giving me more time to finish you off?”
“I…” I ball my free fist, feeling the strain of the shout. It’s hard to maintain this, I always knew we couldn’t hold it forever. “I can free you. I don’t have enough time to explain how I can, just that I can. All I need you to do is hold my hand as tightly as you can, and don’t let go until we’re back on Nirn.”
The way he tilts his head, the way he moves his body as he observes me. I’m still surprising him. I offer my hand out, the words still carved into my flesh. I didn’t want to write it in ink, to ensure Hermaeus couldn’t foresee this. “And how can I trust you?”
“You can’t,” I say, dropping my blade. “But I beg you to.” I say, keeping my hand outstretched. He hesitates, before bringing his blade to the wound in my chest.Â
But stopping just before it could dig into it. One last attempt to make sure I wasn’t tricking him, I suppose. Or maybe just making sure if this is a trick, he has the upper hand. “Fine, let’s see what the little dragon has up her sleeve.” He says.
As his fingers intertwine with mine, time feels like a rush as we move back into the regular flow. I quickly take out my winning card.
Hermaeus Mora, god of knowledge and memory. I had met him once before- he even declared me his champion. I denied it then, and I denied it still when I met him again. He tells me I cannot defy the allure of his dimension forever, people become corrupted and seek its knowledge eventually.
I had thought for a long time on where I could get an artifact to save Miraak, it would have to be as powerful as a daedric artifact- but also something that could defy his power. And it would have to be a daedric prince willing both to work with me and to potentially anger Hermaeus.
That’s where the realization hit me. I needed someone crazy enough to do it. And that is how I found myself at the throne of his mad castle, his dimension made me sick to my stomach. Sheogorath. Madness could defy it, knowledge is lost on a madman. Too crazy to desire such a thing anymore.
Sero had come with me, though he regretted it quickly. But I was glad to have him with me, it kept me grounded. Sheogorath recognized me, in his own way. We had met once before, in the mind of a dead man. “Oh! Oh! I recognize you… Let me guess! Donavan, NO! Darius the Cannibal! Or could it be….The Ghost of Horse Man?!” He yelled, pointing a finger at me.
“No, but you are close, prince of madness,” I say with a bow. “I come seeking your aid, but I did not come empty-handed. First, a gift!” I yell, unstrapping the gift from my bag. Gods was it heavy, and unwrapped the paper in front of him. “A wheel of cheese, made from many other cheeses! And also things that may not be cheese, I’m just not sure anymore!” I yell, presenting it. I needed to present myself like something that atleast somewhat fit in this realm. Though the madness of this place scratched on the inside of my skull.
Sheogorath loved cheese, and he certainly loved a present that understood him. He observed it, giving it a good whiff. “Yesss, Yes! A good gift, great gift!” He wrapped an arm around me as he circled. Sero was tense, but I gave him a knowing look. “You know, I knew I liked you from the moment you didn’t hesitate shooting those two people with the wabbajack. You really brought life to a deadman!” He yelled, putting his arms up again.
“Yes, unfortunately, I come seeking something. I have carved what I require into this head.” I respond, taking out the skinned head. “An argonian head, or perhaps something else? It’s hard to tell once all the top layer stuff is gone.” I say, presenting it to him. It was nasty work, but I knew these were the steps I had to take to be taken seriously by a madman.
He read it quickly and smiled. “This! This I can doooo! But lass, you're gunna have to do some non-cheese favors for me first.” He said, his voice becoming low and ominous.Â
I nodded. “I am ready to do what it takes for this.” I said, putting my hand over my chest.
He smiled, his wicked mad smile. “I knew I liked you! C’mon!”
Three weeks and many grueling (and some cheese-related) tasks later, I had been presented what I desired. It was time.
I could tell by the way Miraaks grip tensed that he could sense the power from the artifact, even if it was… strange. It resembled a smoking pipe, long with something in it resembling leafs. Gods know what it actually is. It has strange symbols running down it, Sheogorath told me they were lunatic writing, but I think he put more time in it than he’d let on. I think he was excited to pull such a fast one on Hermaeus.
A deep puff, and I felt horrible things enter my mind. Madness filled the lining of my skull. But I had to persist, I saw the tentacles and eyes start to form. Miraaks grip tightened, the blade digging slightly into my chest. And I blew, a bubble coming from the pipe and around both of us. Before Hermaeus could stop it, it popped.
And like I had asked for, we ended up outside my home in Falkreath. It was secluded, but had a great view of the lake and the local wildlife. Sero would be waiting for me inside. I felt Miraaks grip get so tight it felt like it would break my hand, but the blade retracted from it's place.
“I can feel whatever you did has weakned me. But you stood by your word.” He takes a step towards the lake, allowing his hand to be freed of mine as he looked towards the setting sun. The light gleamed off of his mask and the lake. A distant deer with large antlers sipped at the edge of the lake. “I can regain my power in time, but I have my freedom. But- why would you…”Â
He turned back towards me as my legs began to give out. The artifact fell from my hands, cracking into pieces. It was a one-time use, of course, I had expected that. Didn’t matter, it worked. But the pain from the wounds, and the weakness from the artifact draining me, and the madness waving through my body. I heard the door slam open behind me.
“Shen!” I heard Sero yell, as I began to collapse fully to the ground.
“Shen? You… I never even…” I don’t hear the rest of what Miraak has to say as my vision goes dark. Though I make the realization all the same.
Oh right. I think to myself, the pain shocking through me. I forgot to tell him my name.