Weeeeeeell, would you be surprised if I told you I didn't actually have a "big reveal" planned this time?
Yeah, didn't think so. π
I do have something to share, though -- it so happens I've had a collection of original character drawings in store for some time. I was planning to share it after I finished three of them, but since they seem to fit the Halloween vibe pretty well (and since I don't have a proper "big reveal" to share), I thought I'd go ahead and share the two that I've completed so far.
So, remember the first two OCs I shared here -- Queen Susanna and Prince Isaac? If not, I don't blame you. I started sharing them over three years ago. π Since then, I've come up with some adversaries for them, so allow me to introduce you to the first two: Commander Rusalka...
...and Commander Keres.
They may not look much like warriors (let alone commanders), but you can be sure that they and their armies are, in fact, forces to be reckoned with.
Commander Rusalka, whose name comes from a water spirit in Slavic folklore, is a femme fatale (if you don't know what that means, look it up, I can't do everything for you) who specializes in seduction and thievery, using her looks, charm, and balls of black slime to her advantage. The "looks" part is a mere illusion, however -- her true form is actually quite hideous (and slimy), which is partly revealed by her left arm in this drawing. Consider yourselves lucky I haven't drawn the whole thing yet. π
Her design is mostly based on different kinds of parasites. Her earrings are designed after lampreys, her hairstyle after poison ivy, her shoulder straps after poison sumac, her outfit after a spider web, and her shoe ornaments after a type of mushroom called "destroying angel." In case it hasn't been made obvious, she ain't the kind of person you wanna get friendly with. π
And if she happens to remind you of a certain evil redhead from Ace Attorney...that may or may not just be coincidence. π
Commander Keres, whose name comes from a death spirit in Greek mythology, is a heartless killer who wields a knife that separates into three pieces, getting sharper as the pieces are removed, as well as fierce blasts of blazing fire (not to mention a very short temper). Get in her way, and she'll flare up on you in a heartbeat. Get on her bad side, and she'll erupt like an active volcano. ...I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to drawing that, either. π
Her design has two themes: lions and rage, which are reflected in the yellow strand of hair that looks like a bomb's wick, the crab claw design in her hair, the skull on her forehead, her sharp teeth, the lion motif of her face paint and shoes, and the flame design on her heels. As with Rusalka, getting friendly with her is a bad idea. The word "friendly" isn't even in her vocabulary, for that matter. π
And if she happens to look a bit like a certain creepy child from Undertale, that may or may not just be coincidence. π
You may also have noticed the Hebrew writing on Rusalka's forehead and Keres's hoodie. The English translation will remain secret for now (for those of you who can't read Hebrew, at least), but I will share this much -- the words indicate what these villains are meant to personify. Not sure why I didn't include something like that for the protagonists, now that I think about it. π€
Anyway, there's more artwork and lore for these characters in the works (as well as for the ones I still need to draw), but I hope you enjoyed this little sample (and that you weren't too freaked out by it)! π Stay tuned, y'all!
