Award-winning illustrator Todd Lockwood and D&D artist Sam Wood updated the look of the world's best-known roleplaying game with their new concept and final art for the game's third edition. Now they take up their brushes for a new challenge: giving the Forgotten Realms a facelift. This month, the artists share with us their approach to the task by looking at three pieces in particular that together help answer the question, "Why a new Realms?"

Click on any of the images below to see a larger version.

Manshoon

"Manshoon is a badass," said Todd, "but he has a lot of money, and the affectation of the Mask reveals him as a bit flamboyant. So, rich robes that reflected his status, but which also had disturbing tailoring seemed in order for him. The fabric that looks like muscles is a deep, rich crimson, making him look absolutely flayed."

A New Elminster

"We made a number of small but significant changes to Elminster's appearance," Sam said. "First, we decided that the wizard's hat had become a bit of a cliché -- Todd theorizes it was incinerated on Elminster's recent trip to the Lower Planes. . . . His hair and beard have gotten shorter and dark-streaked, to evoke his recent travails and lend him a slightly more rugged look -- a mature but still vigorous and capable man in the style of, say, Sean Connery. His layered robes, appropriately elaborate and arcane for a mage of his stature, contrast with walking boots that are practical and well-worn. His Lion Sword replaces his previous staff, and the symbol of Shadowdale is now prominently displayed on his chest. The meerschaum pipe, naturally, had to be retained. . . ."

Storm Silverhand in Elven Chain Armor

"We had not drawn elven chain up to this point," said Todd, "so this was a great opportunity to see what it looks like. It follows the standard we had established as a centerline for the 'elven look,’ with lines that complement the figure and allow freedom of movement."

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