ROGUE TRADER GIFT EXCHANGE VI FEATURED ARTIST #3 | THATZOMBIECAT
PICTURED (LEFT): Lady Avida von Valancius, heir and scion of the von Valancius dynasty, overlooking her Magnae Accessio. Her features, usually composed beneath the burden of warrant and dynasty, are here captured with unmistakable yearning for her Seneschal, a man she not only respects, but understands in ways few others could. Before the night’s end, Avida would gather what courage she could and seek him out, hoping to ask for a single dance.
PICTURED (RIGHT): Markus Vane, age 27, Forge World Metalica. Rendered here as an artistic reconstruction, the image depicts the charged symbolism of his relationship with Kassard Oranox—a bond that would become a marriage of matched will, shared power, and unflinching honesty. Some accounts frame their devotion as possession, others as obsession, yet all agree upon one truth: it was so equal, so fiercely returned, that no eye could name who held whom. Thirteen years on, rumour maintains that Kassard Oranox’s heart remains most faithfully bound to Markus Vane.
Thatzombiecat is an artist whose style is so singular and exhilarating that it could be recognised at a glance. There is a distinct energy to their work, the kind that immediately pulls you in and makes each character feel vivid, expressive, and unmistakably alive. Their joy in drawing characters and breathing life into them does not simply meet expectation, but exceeds it entirely, revealing itself in the finest details of every work. From expression to posture to the smallest visual flourishes, thatzombiecat creates with a sense of care and enthusiasm that makes their art feel wonderfully personal and full of heart. Though Avida’s design already carries a striking sense of grandeur, it is in thatzombiecat’s hands that she becomes something more than simply beautiful; she becomes memorable and deeply human. The same could be said for the rendition of Markus Vane, how so much feeling rests in the smallest details. Firstly, the eyes, how they carry a depth that immediately draws you in, so full of confidence and loyalty. Then there is that playful smirk which gives the artwork its personality, hinting at a man who knows exactly whose heart he holds. And finally, Kassard’s hand: wrapped around his dog tags, where her name lays engraved into them, adding a beautifully intimate layer to the piece. "Seeing Markus portrayed like this was incredibly personal for me. Thatzombiecat understood that his hard exterior was not his true nature—but something built from experience and the need to endure. What moves me most is how the piece captures the forbidden nature of his relationship with Kassard. There is tension in it. Where the feeling that even the smallest glance between them meant something and cost something equally. But there is also such certainty in the eyes. They knew the risk, and they chose each other anyway.” —Jaal The details, colours, and endless care all speak of an artist who loves their craft, yet loves the characters more. Avida may have gold seeping into her skin, but it is Thatzombiecat’s own heart of gold that can truly bring any character to life. Thatzombiecat will be joining us again for their third Gift Exchange in 2026.
Our featured artists are creators who are apart of The Gift Exchange community and have been commissioned to create pieces of art specifically for use within The Gift Exchange promotions and cinematics.
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