A Kubaz Majordomo

30 January 2011 | Hisham | | Artwork, Star Wars
 

Here's another SWAG request I picked up. Derf requested a Kubaz majordomo character by the name of Rbarindan, with "many friends and relations in low places". His species is the same as Garindan, the spy who shadowed Luke, Ben and the droids in Mos Eisley on their way to the Milliennium Falcon in the first Star Wars movie.

We eats insects, thank you very much

Click here and hit the image there to see (or download) a larger version.

 

An Imperial Fleet Admiral

29 January 2011 | Hisham | | Artwork, Star Wars
 

I picked up a SWAG request from Jan Tolbara for a character named Tarn Majint, an Imperial Admiral. He is visually inspired by the actor Bill Nighy, but without the pirate hat and the tentacled face. Of course, a tentacle-faced Imperial officer isn't that much of a stretch for Star Wars.

I shall Adama-glare you to death!

Click here and hit the image to see (or download) a larger version.

 

Azamar Scenes of Battle

28 January 2011 | Hisham | | Artwork, Role Playing Games
 

I also had to produce two full page action scenes for the Azamar RPG in black and white, which I actually painted with GIMP in greyscale. It was quite a learning experience. If you've read the previous Creatures of Azamar blog posts, you'll notice a couple types of beasts in the second image that I have previously illustrated.

Presumably, these two are having an argument about the best shampoo to use

Falling

Player characters curse the random encounter chart as they fight Hazels and a large Fiend Devourer

Battle

Azamar RPG core rule book using the Cinema6 rules framework is published by Wicked North Games, and will be released in 2011.

 

Gamera Moves Into Town!

27 January 2011 | Hisham | | Humour
 

And there goes the neighbourhood in Pandan Indah.

Well, not really. Recently, I had Irfan's Gamera toy with me in the car, so wherever I drive and I find a photo opportunity, I'd take an impromptu photo of the toy in forced perspective with the surrounding buildings in view. So, here's what I've managed to come up with so far. Mouseover the images for the original tweets about them.

Gamera... Friend of all children! Oh, shiiiiii--
Gamera needs Esso! Raaargh!
 

The Savage Battle at ToysRUs

20 January 2011 | Hisham | | Star Wars
 

Today, we took a trip to Empire Shopping Gallery at Subang Jaya - a mall we've not visited before. Somewhere near the top floor of the mall was a Toys'R'Us outlet. Toys'R'Us as many of us are aware of sells toys. There are many sections in the store which I usually browse (but don't normally buy at the moment). One such section is the Star Wars aisle.

There was something I discovered here that caught my eye. A fantastic Star Wars: The Clone Wars diorama using dozens of action figures, some vehicles and a fantastic environment.

It was a battle scene, with the Grand Army of the Republic laying seige to a Separatist stronghold. And the Republic's heavy hitter was the Kuat Drive Yards A6 Juggernaut toy vehicle. Modified to have physical damages and custom-painted with carbon scoring, the Juggernaut (also known as the "Clone Turbo Tank") made a spectacular centerpiece. 

Come on, lads! Last one out gets first taste of cookie's gruel for supper!

Clone troopers are deployed from the ramp of the Juggernaut and they're mostly glad it's not a subzero environment and fighting without thermal underwear.

We've hit this AAT, sir. Should we exchange insurance details?

The Juggernaut driver seemed to have rear-ended an Armoured Assault Tank. The droideka laying on the ground doesn't seem to be having a fine day too.

 

Creatures of Azamar Part Six Already?

18 January 2011 | Hisham | | Artwork, Role Playing Games
 

Here is the latest batch of images commissioned for Wicked North Games' Azamar fantasy RPG core rulebook. I have to say I can't wait to see them all printed in the book. Perhaps I'll get to run some adventures using it.

Hazel

These creatures are somewhat small, but are able to fly and attack with their lethal tongues.

Fiend Lord

A Fiend Lord defeats a Tre'uoall Sword Chanter in battle. Poor dude.

Sycoveen

This Demon Fiend appear to have the legs for an extraordinary jump and is able to use magic.

Troll

The lumbering, somewhat hirsute creature known in Azamar as a Troll.

To check out the larger versions of the images, feel free to browse them at their DeviantArt gallery.

 

For The Win Book Review FTW!

15 January 2011 | Hisham | | Books
 

For The WinI had not read one synopsis nor any reviews of Cory Doctorow's novel For The Win when I started reading it. I barely knew what it was going to be about. All I knew was that it was a science fiction novel.

The novel follows the lives for several young people in various locations in the world, from California to Mumbai to Shenzen to Singapore. Oonline gaming (of the Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing kind) is an important part of their lives in one way or another. However, their lives become intertwined with gold farming, greedy and violent thugs, disapproving parents and an indifferent game company.

 

Azamar - Personal Combat Gear

12 January 2011 | Hisham | | Artwork, Role Playing Games
 

When one goes adventuring in a high fantasy world such as Azamar, one needs to be prepared for encounters with horrific beasts, lethal environment and evil sorcerors! I mean, if you attempt to take a journey through the Olm Jungle with only a Ben 10 plastic tumbler of orange cordial and an iPod, I'm sure you'll be shanked in the nads by Uumul before noon.

Here are pictures of weapons and equipment you can choose to wear or arm yourself with. Click on the thumbnail for a better view on things.

Stab! Maim! Decapitate! Circumsize!

Weapons

Ye olde SWAT police gear

Armour

Commissioned by Wicked North Games for the Azamar RPG sourcebook.

 

Azamar - Location! Location! Location!

11 January 2011 | Hisham | | Artwork, Role Playing Games
 

Other than creatures, I was also commissioned to produce geographical illustrations for the Azamar RPG sourcebook. Here are black and white digital illustrations for various locations in the world of Azamar. The book will be published by Wicked North Games in 2011.

Abalos

A view of a city skyline upon the picturesque continent of Abalos - the city of Orb, perhaps?

 

Back to School in 2011

05 January 2011 | Hisham | | Family Pics
 

Also, the first post of 2011.

This year, Irfan began his proper Islamic classes; three hours in the morning, ending about two and a hours before regular afternoon school starts. It was not as difficult as I thought it would be for him. He appeared to like going to the new school, and several of his regular school friends are there. But that seems to be the way of things normally anyway. Here in Pandan Indah, he has more friends and acquaintances than his parents considering the number of other students he socialises with at school.