ChOW#293 :: The Keymaster

[Eofn]

Character of the Week #293
The Keymaster
Design the great Keymaster of the Seven Halls!!

DEADLINE: SUNDAY 24th June 8PM GMT+1 (9PM British Summer Time)
Check your timezone!

In the middle of The Old Lands, sits the capital city; a glorious and beautiful place with seven magnificent halls at it's centre, one for each of the elements of the Gods; Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Light, Dark and Magic. The entrance to each hall is blocked by an enormous door which can only be opened using a special key. Each key, is unique for each door, and is in itself a symbol for the element it protects.

There are no kings or lords in the capital, and the highest position in the land is that of the Keymaster. This role is one that cannot be bought, won, or inherited; instead when one keymaster dies, they are replaced with a child born at the exact moment of death of the previous one. Keymaster's are born with completely white eyes, however they are not blind. Their eyes allow them to see the truth in people, and determine if they are worthy to enter any of the halls.

Keymaster's carry all seven keys on them at all times, bound to them with a chain made of gold.

Your task this week if to design a Keymaster. They can be any age and any gender, but the importance of their role and title must be evident in their design.

The Guidelines:

• Can be male or female
• Can be any age
• Does not have to be human - This could be an alien planet!
• Must carry seven 'keys' on a golden chain - each representing a different element
• They are not a king but hold the highest position of power
• Must have white eyes
• The style, time and genre is entirely up to you.

THE RULES
In addition to the brief, if you do not follow these rules, you will not be included in the poll.

• Files must be named: CHoW#293_Username 
(Files with any other names such as final.jpg or even chow293final.jpg will not be accepted)
• Finals must be posted in the finals thread BEFORE the deadline
• Final post must include the CHoW number and the artists username at the bottom of the image
• At least 3/4 of the focus character must be visible
• Final images must be accompanied with a basic character sheet in a separate image
 Character sheets should at the very least show a sketch of the front and back of the character and a couple of early thumbnails/silhouettes.
• Follow the brief!

[Havok Reed]

oooOOOOoooo! This one sounds fun!

[Craig Paton]

Are you the gatekeeper?

(Good topic, I may well contribute)

[delightful_piffle]

Are you the gatekeeper?

(Good topic, I may well contribute)

Art by Dan Schoening

"Gozer the Gozerian... good evening. As a duly designated representative of the City, County and State of New York, I order you to cease any and all supernatural activity and return forthwith to your place of origin or to the nearest convenient parallel dimension." - Ray Stanz

[LA-Fairy]

This sounds up my alley.

[MasterTroglodyte]

Well I never get to the character sheet so I figure I'll start w/ that... yeaaaaaahhh...

[Kahel]

Ungghhhh. Must. Finish. This. One.

Hang on, by any chance, is this character from a book/story? It sounds vaguely familiar. I keep thinking 1001 Arabian Nights for some reason.

[nudity]

this is a fun a topic. I hope I have time to finish it. (its supposed to be a kid, not a guy with huge head )

6/18 : added ink and color initial pass

[Eofn]

Ungghhhh. Must. Finish. This. One.

Hang on, by any chance, is this character from a book/story? It sounds vaguely familiar. I keep thinking 1001 Arabian Nights for some reason.

No it is an original concept - although these days nothing is truly original so the chances of a similar character existing in some form or another is highly likely but not one I have come across personally.

[Havok Reed]

The closest thing to "key master" that I can think of is Sora from Kingdom Hearts, but that's a completely different thing from where this thread is going. Gonna start on this when I get home from work!

[Barefoot]

I think I'll change the legs. And maybe the spiked ball to a lantern or one of those smokey things priests have.
"What can I tell you of the Keymasters?
Not much, I'll be honest. I know they're secretive. According to legend, they always have been; locking themselves away for weeks on end in the seventh hall. Even though one has never met another, they've all had a passion for the arcane, for mystery. The other six halls are, of course, open to the public, but the seventh... Well no one even tries to go in there, no one from around here anyway.
You get the odd traveller who wishes to consult the ancient tomes locked in the seventh hall. Most are sent scurrying at the sight of the Keymaster; his body elongated and deformed by exposure to arcane energy, his skin tight and pallid from lack of sunlight, he is not a pretty sight to behold. Don't be fooled though, the magics he studies afford his wasted muscles inhuman strength, and power enough to rival the sorcerers of old.
You seek the knowledge of the seventh hall?
HA! Good luck."

http://conceptart.org/forums/attachm...1&d=1340021381

[sleepykit]

this reminded me of the matrix well i will give it a bash!

[jsn]

sleepykit me too!
MasterTroglodyte lookin good!

A more loose and speedy style, than usual,...and happy so far!
Of course, I can't help going in and trying to tighten things up, I'll try to hold off the temptation!

[Tchuk]

I'm definitely in on this one, will be a good topic to test out my new mac on

[jsn]

Quick li'l update!

Trying me other pose, and character.

[ninjamupp]

I immediately started to think that this must be kind of a soul crushing thing for the Keymaster. All dreams mean nothing, only the position and the responsibility is there. So I tried to make the face both young and aged prematurely.

[Einen]

Here's an early sketch, although it's not like I actually have the time to finish anything this week. Huhuhuhu.

[sugarfoot]

1st challenge at CA for me, thought I would try this one.

This the 1st dwarf, from the tribal clans of the mountains, chosen as Keymaster. Born as Beren Gravelchip, he now serves as Keymaster, much to the dismay of officials in the Capitol, including himself!

[sugarfoot]

Wip 2

Design of attire

[sleepykit]

everyones looking great, i will hope to get my scans up either tomorrow or wednesday, debating whether to complete it in watercolour or acrylics. Its kinda going down the route of a crocodile king and a bird cage - it will make sense when you see it
particularly fond of Sugarfoots design reminds me of some dwarf boss in warcraft!

[GammaGrey]

Nice topic. First sketch/WIP.

[alo]

oh, nice prompt!

sketch/wip:

[Dayle]

wip - I am going for a classical / mythological concept. Trying to get a sense of scale and strength but using a feminine form to make it seem more ethereal and goddess like.

[nevreme]

[ninjamupp]

Slapped some colour on and made it a bit more relaxing in pose. And the feet into the water door = dignity is for less powerful beings.

[jsn]

GammaGrey and ninjamupp lookin awesome!


Typhoon slappin Osaka right now! Gotta go to work!
Here be me update!

[GammaGrey]

Wip 2.

[julcyfruit]

Hello! This'll be my first chow Here's hoping I'll get'er done! Quickie wip sketch of my idea, basically the 7 keys and chain is an extension of her hair.

[jefflarose]

very nice topic heres a wip

[Tchuk]

Here's what I've got done so far, I'm basing it off the whole Phoenix thing, death and rebirth and all that so he's been given bird like features such as sharp nails and a pointed nose as well as feathers in his hair.

As for the keys I liked the idea of immortal children, each representing a different element. It's gonna be a tough one but I think if it's done well it'll be really good