Miniature Silhouettes

Figure 1

These images are examples of a technique that I plan to explore further. As you can see in figure 1, they're photos of the shadows cast by miniature figures on tracing paper. Once I have them, the silhouettes can be mixed and matched, and the backgrounds can be stylized independently of the figures. The last image in the series is an example to show how the photos can be combined to make new scenes (it's also one option under consideration as a header right here on A Sword for Hire).

If I can find the time, I'd like to make a ridiculously large composite image with 100's and 100's of figures—something you could scroll for a long time up and down (below ground), left and right, discovering areas as you go. I always loved the cut-away aspect of the cover art on the original AD&D Monster Manual, so that's part of my inspiration for such a project.

gargoyle, werewolf, watch officer, giant caveweaver spider

Miniature Showcase: Pathfinder Battles Yeti

In these 4 photos of the yeti from Pathfinder Battles—Rise of the Runelords (#44), I used plaster-of-paris to construct a snowy berm for the foreground and some mountainous shapes for the background. The lighting and atmosphere were contrived to suggest either outdoor mountainous terrain or the inside of a snowy cave.

Click images to enlarge

Miniature Showcase: Pathfinder Battles Minotaur

The minotaur from Pathfinder Battles—Heroes & Monsters (#30) is one of my favorite pre-painted figures (I have 3). When I first started taking pictures of miniatures, I practiced with the minotaur a lot. You can see a sampling of those photos below, including one that's silly. Also pictured are Pathfinder Battles—Heroes & Monsters: Half-Orc Barbarian (#25) and Pathfinder Battles—Shattered Star: Tower Girl (#7).

The one in row 2, far right, is actually a reflection in water, which is a technique I use sometimes to help achieve an eye-level-or-lower angle when doing macro photography (see the photos immediately before and after it).

Click any image to enlarge 

Bursting onto the Scene

RPG Superstar finalists Brian J. Fruzen, Monica Marlowe,  Kalervo Oikarinen, and Christopher Wasko have already demonstrated superior creativity and RPG design skills, and I believe they all have it in them to produce professional-quality designs and products. In some sense, they have already arrived as notable talents in RPG design. But, there has to be a winner, and given the prominence of Paizo and RPG Superstar in the industry, the winner most certainly will be bursting onto the scene:

One Wraith or Two?

The wraith in these 4 photos is one of my favorite Pathfinder Battles figures. He's somewhat translucent, so I infused him with laser light to suggest negative and/or eldritch energy. The red swirls are d6's tumbling and swooping through the scene while the shutter was open. Of all my figures, I think I've photographed him the most. Orik Vandercaskin isn't bad, either. The face on his shield is well done, and he's a good figure for action shots.

The Wyvern

A wyvern hunting the shores of a still desert lake

\ˈwī-vərn\

I present to you a small collection of photographs of one of my favorite classic monsters, the wyvern. It also happens to be one of my favorite Pathfinder Battles figures.

A Monster's Essence

As I review the many excellent monsters submitted by this year's hopefuls in the RPG Superstar 2015 contest, I am reminded of just how much there is to consider when appraising and judging a Pathfinder monster. Much more than there is for items and maps, I would argue. Creativity and imagination play a huge role, and then there's style, accuracy and clarity of writing to consider, along with factors such as balance and mechanics. It is a given that some of these aspects can be judged objectively, while others can only be appraised subjectively.

In recent and not-so-recent posts here on A Sword for Hire, Mikko and Jacob have both done an excellent job discussing and addressing the many aspects of a great Pathfinder monster. I can't add anything to their expertise in that area, other than to describe my approach.

Impatiently Waiting

The Monsters are Coming

RPG Superstar's round 2 map-only challenge is a great way to display, assess and judge the creative talents of the contestants. Those following the contest already know that conceiving and presenting an interesting location in a clear and concise fashion is a critical component of putting together a great module. And, as a voter, it's fun to visualize and imagine adventuring in the cool surroundings and environments submitted by the contestants.

That being said,

Missed Shot

Now that the top 32 have been revealed in RPG Superstar, I know I missed my shot. Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I upset? No. Why?

Ambush at Copper Gorge

When I gm or play Pathfinder, I like to imagine the action from eye level, which helps me stay immersed in the game. Sometimes, the stats, rules, dice and paper can encroach upon or even eclipse the fantasy and role-playing aspects of the game. When that happens, I turn to my camera and miniatures to get my imagination going.

Champion Voter?

I've been casting a lot of votes in the RPG Superstar contest, and reached Marathon Voter status (1000 votes) early in the voting. I haven't kept track of my total, however, so I have no idea how close I am to reaching Champion Voter (5000). Last year, I was certain I wouldn't, and didn't. This year, I'm not so sure. The extended voting period may have put it within reach.

As we approach the end of voting for round 1, let me say thank you to all of the entrants who took the time and effort design an item. I have enjoyed every minute of voting and looking at all of your creative entries.

Crossing the Ífingr

I hope you enjoy these three variations of a miniature frost giant on a miniature ice floe. That is real ice, real water, and a figure that I've used in my tabletop games. In 90 percent of my photos, the miniatures are still attached to their bases. Occasionally, if one comes loose as a result of normal wear and tear, I take that opportunity to set up shots that would be difficult to get with the base still attached. You can see the other two below, plus a bonus animated GIF.

Workin' in the Coal Mines

Here are 3 variations showing an orc in a subterranean corridor. The walls and ceiling are hand-painted plaster, cast from hand-modeled clay. When I play Pathfinder, I often become very immersed, and imagine all of the action at eye level. Do you picture the action in such an immersive way, or do you stick to the stats, rolls, and mechanics?

Playtesting a Staff

It's been a busy week, so today's post is a photo only—I hope you enjoy it. Watch for an animated version in a future post. And yes, those are the sprouts of a sweet potato.

Discuss

• Help me with some captions or speech-bubble text—bonus points if it references RPGSS in a clever way.
• Could this be a new magic item in action, or a spell? How would it work mechanically?

RPG Superstar: A Captivating Tournament

Captivating Tournament (Ex) Once per year, Paizo can conjure an entertaining and enthralling RPG-design contest that lasts for 90 days. During this time, creatures that visit paizo.com must succeed on a DC 17 Will save or become captivated by the contest's alluring appeal. Until the contest ends, affected creatures have a 50% chance to act normally each hour, otherwise they spend that hour voting on wondrous items or other entries, and posting comments on Paizo's messageboards. Affected creatures with the gamemaster subtype must also succeed on a DC 17 Will save each year or be compelled to design a wondrous item and enter the contest. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

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I'm here now, writing my first post as a guest-blogger on Mikko Kallio's A Sword for Hire, because of RPG Superstar 2014. Only a little longer than a year ago, I had never heard of RPG Superstar. I was, and still am, a player and gamemaster of the Pathfinder RPG, but hadn't considered designing for the game. Then, about a year ago, I became aware of the contest during a visit to paizo.com, and within moments of reading about the contest, I felt compelled to design an item and enter. I shared this enthusiasm with a good friend of mine, and he, too, entered.