There are two things that are making me really happy right now. One is the layout for Sword Noir. Rob and Melodie Wakefield have totally kicked ass and turned this book into a piece of art. Maybe I’m biased—okay, I am biased—but I’m really excited about the look.
Second, Ed Northcott has handed in his line art for the book and it is amazing. Ed is a friend, but he is also a professional illustrator, and when he said he’d be willing to help out with Sword Noir, I was thrilled. He’s totally nailed the look of the two iconics I created for Sword Noir’s included setting.
Below, have a look at the character blocks for Aterus and Fasgar, then take a gander at a preview of the art depicting these two. If that’s not getting you pumped for this game, I don’t think anything else I say will.
Fasgar, Right Hand of the Invisible Judge: This is a massive brute of a man with long, muscular limbs and a broad chest. His blonde hair passes his shoulders and his reddish beard is plaited. He claims to act for the Invisible Judge, a rumoured enforcer of justice in the Warrens, though he exhibits an independent streak and a tight friendship—closer to brotherhood—with the thief, Aterus Pullo, who can be found in Al-Sham.
Concept: Warrior Skald +2
Background: Northern Barbarian +2
Faculty: Swordplay (Phy) +4
Flaw: I am an Honourable Man -2
Phy 18; Agl 15; Wit 9; Cha 15; Wil 18
Brute Force (Phy +4); Wolf in the Night (Agl +4); Charming Rogue (Cha +2); Traveller of the World (Wit +2); Voice like Honey (Cha +4)
Aterus Pullo, Right Hand to the Many-Eyed: He is a small man with bright, alert eyes, dusky skin and dark hair. He is dressed in tarnished finery with a feathered beret on his head and a slim sword at his hip. He claims to represent a wizard known as the Many-Eyed, but has an independent streak and a tight friendship—closer to brotherhood—with the barbarian, Fasgar, who can be found in the Warrens. Aterus himself resides in Al-Sham with various flophouses and apartments, each with the exterior appearance of pathetic disrepair, but hiding palatial interiors—and many, many trips, traps and locks.
Concept: Civilized thief +2
Background: Failed scholar +2
Faculty: Cat Dancing (Agl) +4
Flaw: I am Smarter than You -2
Phy 9; Agl 18; Wit 12; Cha 15; Wil 12
Beauty of Swordplay (Agl +4); Cat Burglar (Agl +2); Cat’s Paws on Carpet (Agl +2); Dabbler (Wit +2); Pupil of the Many-Eyed (Wit +2); Crystal of Scrying (Wit +4)
Click for embiggenage
