In this week’s edition of “Fresh Meat,” we wanted to share how we’re always looking to make the game better and better. And one of the more more visible ways we do this is by upgrading and improving the artwork that plays a central role in the game of Archwynd.
One of the very first monsters we created for Archwynd was the Minotaur. The Minotaur is a fearsome beast, known for stalking its prey and surprising them in the wild. If you encounter the Minotaur and live to tell the tale, you are a lucky Hero indeed!
Our first “stab” at the Minotaur is shown below. But we knew we could do better.
Improving the Minotaur
We set about recreating the Minotaur with the goal of doing justice to the fierceness of this denizen of the wilds of Archwynd. The following description is what we provided to our artist to help her get in the mindset of the Minotaur:
In the game Dungeons and Dragons, the Minotaur is a formidable and fearsome creature that combines the traits of a man and a bull, embodying a terrifying presence in the wilds. Here is a detailed description to aid an artist in capturing the essence of the Minotaur:
Key Traits
- Size and Build: The Minotaur is towering and muscular, with a broad chest and powerful limbs. Its physical stature is intimidating, often standing over 7 feet tall.
- Animalistic Features: The head of the Minotaur is that of a bull, complete with a pair of piercing eyes and a menacing snout. Its face expresses raw, untamed aggression.
Notable Features
- Horns: Prominent and sharp, the Minotaur’s horns curve outward and upward from its forehead, capable of goring its foes with deadly force.
- Fur and Skin: Coarse, matted fur covers its lower body, while the upper torso might be a mix of tough, leathery skin and patches of fur.
- Eyes: Glowing red or yellow eyes that enhance its menacing appearance, suggesting a creature not just of physical prowess but also of magical or cursed origin.
- Tail: A thick, bovine tail that sways or flicks with its moods, adding to its beastly demeanor.
Favored Weapon
- Great Axe: The Minotaur wields a massive great axe that is as brutal and efficient as the creature itself. The axe’s blade is large and imposing, often adorned with symbols or carvings that speak to the Minotaur’s savage heritage.
Additional Details
- Armor: Pieces of patchwork armor might adorn its shoulders or chest, often made from the remains of its victims’ gear or natural elements like bones and hide.
- Posture and Expression: The Minotaur often adopts an aggressive posture, ready to charge or swing its great axe. Its expression is one of fury and bloodlust, with flared nostrils and a bared, snarling mouth.
- Environment: Typically found in labyrinths or wild, untamed forests, incorporating elements like broken trees, skulls, or remnants of previous battles can emphasize its status as a guardian or terror of these realms.
Aura
- Aura of Fear: The Minotaur exudes an aura of primal dread. An artist might choose to represent this with darker, ominous colors around the creature, or a subtle glow in its eyes, suggesting a supernatural ability to instill fear in all who gaze upon it.
This portrayal should help convey the Minotaur’s fearsome nature and the threat it poses to adventurers daring enough to cross its path.
With the above description serving to enhance our artistic understanding of the Minotaur, the new and improved art for the Minotaur is shown below:
We think she nailed it. Our new and improved Minotaur is ready to slice and dice any Hero that crosses its path… what do you think?