I'm figuring things out

I massively fell out of love with the original concept for this since I failed to render it how i wanted. i'm just not skilled enough yet. a shame because how these two meet has always been very vivid to me. Maybe I'll try to do a better job way down the line in procreate or smthn, I think it's a good exercise.

I'd originally had Tam and Rhys meet immediately after the human war under the pretense that Tam was in his teens when it concluded, but learned later that Tam would've only been 7 lol. So the interpretation has changed a bit...

This occurs at the Dawn court like a whole decade after the human war for independence is won. Tensions had mostly died down between Prythian and the Spring Court, the only court that fought staunchly in favor of slavery. They had lost plenty and faced significant indictments during the negotiations that followed, to the extreme displeasure of Tam's father. And yet, there are still negotiations to be made. Dawn Court was considered a neutral touchpoint.

Tamlin himself was silently grateful for the war’s outcome. He’d always been the softest brother, never having been able to stomach his family’s treatment of their slaves. When Tam is asked to shadow the rest of his family as a scribe, he doesn't complain.

Spring and Night’s families pass by each other in the halls in between meetings. Neither would have courteous words to say to one another, as such, everyone is silent despite the palpable tension in the air.

Rhysand, hair still cut close to his scalp from his time commanding the military, stays close to his mother, and pointedly ignores the glares of the Spring royal family. He never let the brutish appearances of the southern slave-owning court ruffle him, despite his burning contempt. Celyddon was easily the strongest high fae male he’d ever seen, and his sons had all inherited his build. Their bodies blocked the sun from his eyes as they walked past.

As the two groups had almost completely passed each other, Rhysand double takes when he spots the unfamiliarly small figure at the back of the entourage.

Since when did Cel have a third son?

The male young, likely no older than fifteen; a child. He has the awkward lanky build of one experiencing their first growth spurt, and Rhysand distantly wonders if this one would grow to be as tall, broad, and violent as the others. The boy's hair is as golden as his mother’s and falls like a messy mop about his shoulders. He’s underdressed compared to the rest of the group; almost plain looking. Instead of gripping a court sword, he holds a stack of parchment in his arms.

Eyes like newleaf glance towards him warily, and Rhysand notices the purple swelling around his left eye.

"Silent Spring"

This outfit is the default one that I usually picture tamlin in for most situations (taking a bit of inspo from @copypastus). Something regal, but not overly formal and relatively practical. I like to think that tam's fashion sense is deceptively simple (which matches his blunt nature) but holds a ton of small details in tailoring, embellishments, etc. that elevates whatever he wears into quiet elegance.

I also just thought that tamlin's mask durinh book 1 being full critter would be fun.

(Seasonal fae in my mind, also have high levels of chlorophyll in thier bodies, so tamlin's skin/hair tends to have a slight greenish hue. more on that later)

"Prince of thorns"

A somber fit for a sordid affair. This is a more realized version of what tamlin wears during his infiltration of hybern. The overcoat, made from ampethere scales and styled similar to a locust (or straitjacket), bears the brutal nation's crest on the back, highlighting his family's ties to his cruel majesty.

Tamlin is also hiding his tail here btw. hybern's court are made primarily of high fae supremacists and anything that denotes a fairy as being more animal or inhuman is viscerally hated.

"Stag knight"

Tamlin's wargear here is an elevated version of what he wore during his errant days as part of one of springs infamous warbands. Inspired by warhammer fantasy's wood elves (and dimitri from fe3h), with the enchanted bronze metal finished to look similar to polished oak. Don't be fooled by the slow gait, tamlin can tear you (or a balrog) in half before you even notice.

Tamlin doesn't wear his battle mask anymore for obvious reasons.

"The huntsman"

Green man!tammy on calanmai. Fully possessed by the will of spring itself, his scars and chimerical macroorganism- eque nature is on display here. "Hear me out " at your own risk.

(Enjoy the six tits @trash-shrike)

"Withered rose"

The war gear (and a thumbnail of casual wear) of villain! Tamlin. I wanted to make this feel very stark, and rather alien compared to how I usually depict him. So incorporating hybern's grayscales with muted plant tones alongside an uncannily humanoid appearance was the way to go.

This is a tamlin who has given up on caring. This is a tamlin who seeks a "world with no more people".