Ellessario

The Arch Mage of Ramazith ❤️

I saw this via @thesanguinesonnet - it’s so cute!

Here is Ellessario in all her glory.

She’s known as Bhaal’s Golden Butterfly, a moniker she only discovers in Balthazar’s journals along with his drawings and annotations of the complete vivisection of the wings she once had. By the time she defeats Ketheric, and Myrkul’s avatar, her wings are restored and her aasimar nature is revealed. It’s her celestial blood that ends up proving the key to the cure for the sun for Astarion and the rest of the Spawn, something that comes much, much later with the help of Rolan.

I have a very expansive almost isekai headcanon that this painting slots right into. I know everyone focuses on his grumpiness and bitterness, as those emotions are a major part of his storyline, but we see some real moments of joy and confidence in himself in the game and I like to think that, when he isn’t running from danger, isn’t fearing for Cal and Lia, and finally feels SAFE, relaxed Rolan looks like this sometimes. Enjoying a drink with his lover at a bar, in a suit he knows they adore (and he looks incredible in. He knows he does.)

Also, it looks like an old fashioned, but it’s probably a negroni. I received an epic Cameo from George Taylor last year, who was drinking a negroni at him one as he evoked Rolan in all his glory, so that’s canon now, ha!

The painting took me way too long, and it’s very very messy close up because I got really lost with it. I think it’s unfinished, and his hair is awful (I’m usually so much better at hair!) but I’m sharing it anyway. I hope you enjoy it! What are some of your fun headcanons for Rolan?

- suit reference was a fashion shoot with Austin Butler

- bar reference is Marble Bar in Sydney

- procreate + Apple Pencil, and some stamp brushes for outlines including the bottles, lampshades, staircase, plants, ceiling and barside patterns.