I made a visual breakdown of my 3 most recent pieces.
Blender is a wonderful creative tool, and even though I use but a fraction of what it can do, it's rewarding, fun, and I constantly learn something new.
Being surrounded by people who like what I do is equally priceless. Thank you!
#ffxivnsfw
It is early evening that day. Sable is approaching the campfire, A'zu and Karleen already sitting there, him having his arm around her shoulder. Sable: "Am I interrupting anything?" A'zu: "Not at all. Would you join us?" Sable finds a comfortable squatting position next to A'zu, eyeing the campfire. Sable: "Sharing a campfire with you... brings back memories." A'zu: "I have not forgotten any of them." Karleen: "So. What exactly is the story between you two?" The big frame shows the three of them sitting in front of the campfire from a top angle, with individual close-ups on their respective faces as they are talking. Sable: "During the war, I was a machinist and engineer in one of the scouting squadrons at the front. A'zu and Aziraya..." A'zu: "My sister." Sable: "...would often join us when we made camp, and they were in the same region." A'zu: "We had our own agenda and did not report to the blades. But we shared the same goals." Sable: "Whatever it was that you two renegades did, you certainly had a reputation with the garleans... and YOU with the women in our camp." Karleen: "Did he now..."
Triad (4/15)
As Sable joins A'zu and Karleen at the camp, she explains her past history with A'zu to Karleen, who in turn is rather amused about his... colorful past.
You can find all released pages at: a-zu.com/_/triad
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
That is such a lovely thing to say - thank you very much!
It is also how I feel about a lot of content I see out there. Not everything is up my alley, but I can appreciate the work people put in, and more often than not, see something I can learn from it.
A'zu is excited about an audible notification on his phone. He taps the Bluesky icon, which seems to have unread messages. After getting hit by a blast of fire and flames, he looks toward the viewer, puzzled, with a charred face and finger.
I just want to create nice things...
Hey!
Were you ever curious about how I work/do certain things, or even about the person behind all this mess, but you didn't dare/want to ask?
This is your invitation to please do so, and have your question (maybe?) answered in a soon due milestone comic - or here, if that's more suitable.
~A'zu
Thank you for the kind words.
As for the characters: Karleen and Sable belong to their respective players, they are not "mine".
That said, everything I post has been made with the explicit consent (and often in collaboration with) the owners of all characters involved.
He's a good sport, and - as most Hrothgars - able to put a lot of fluff and expression into his act, which can make it look more dramatic than it really is. 😊
And: You are most welcome! I absolutely love engagement like this. I'm beyond happy to see someone caring about the story & characters. 💜
Naturally, around strangers (which is what Sable was to Karleen just a moment ago), Karleen is likely to stay cautious at first.
But maybe the two ladies will get along just fine after all - the next 2 pages do have plenty of dialog to elaborate Sable's and A'zu's common past.
I'm not 100% familiar with the term, but I could imagine it's not far off. At least between the two of them, and not in a negative way.
Those two are very comfortable around each other with zero barriers. Playful banter or teasing is normal for either side, depending on the setting and the mood.
Maybe a teeny tiny bit!
She certainly is not missing an opportunity to tease him with her newfound knowledge about his past nickname, and with whatever else she may learn that evening.
And: He knows that.😳
A female Au Ra with black hair & red highlights and pale skin in front of an abstract background. The environment is full of blur, purple smoke, out of focus metallic lines and mirror-like elements. A metallic frame is staged behind the character, with her tail wrapping around one side of it. The words "Out of Bounds" are written along the side of the frame.
Out of Bounds
Because not everyone is willing to stay inside the frame...
(Vero intended this as a commission, but I didn’t feel confident enough - so this was done as a request instead.)
#ffxivnsfw #aura
A close-up shot of Karleen on the left, Sable on the right, with A'zu in the middle, who has a hand on each of the ladies' shoulders, introducing them. Sable seems cheerful, while Karleen still acts reserved. A'zu: "Karleen, meet Sable! She's an engineer, and knows her way around guns of all kinds. Sable, meet Karleen!" Sable: "Good hunting, Karleen! I met A'zu and his sister at the front in Bozja many years ago." A'zu: "We had some good times back then." Sable, raising her hand and a single finger in approval: "We certainly did! Remember when..." A'zu interrupts her with a similar hand gesture of his own: "We asked to stay at the tents at the beach. Why don't you join us later so we can catch up?" Sable, looking positively surprised: "Those were available? Lucky you! That's the prettiest spot here!" She turns to leave, raises her hand as a goodbye, and with turned head, says: "I'll stop by after my duties! See you later, big bear!" A wider shot shows Karleen and A'zu continuing their path along the shore. Karleen has an amused smirk on her face. Karleen: ",,Big bear'', huh?" A'zu, partially flustered: "It's a long story..." Karleen: "Can't wait to hear it later tonight then, big bear." A last panel shows A'zu rolling his eyes, while Karleen, walking ahead, sticks out her tongue. A'zu: "Twelve have mercy..."
Triad (3/15)
Introductions are being made, and A'zu invites Sable to join him and Karleen at the camp in the evening, to catch up, and talk about the good old times.
You can find all released pages at: a-zu.com/_/triad
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
Oy! Thank you for the tag! 💜
5 likes, 5 tags:
• Hiking with our dogs
• Fantasy Worlds
• Food (cooking & eating)
• Warm brown and green colors
• Celtic Music
@runningmountain.bsky.social
@blackwoodxiv.bsky.social
@noahsfantasy.bsky.social
@fidgetingway.bsky.social
@soldoliodos.bsky.social
"More advanced" isn't always better. Illustrated books for children can have the simplest of art - and the most captivating stories.
Be proud of what you made - It's legible, it's personal and unique, and it's all done by you.
I wanted to respond to that days ago... but I finally get to it.
I think this turned out great!
There are so many parts that make up a drawing besides just brush strokes. There's the pose, the framing, lines, coloring, shading - and of course the context of what you're trying to share and show.
A female hrothgar in casual attire is tending to a rifle on a crate, looking towards the shore, using her hand to shade her eyes from the sun, saying: "Thal's balls. It really IS you!" A'zu turns his head, Karleen looks slightly irritated, as A'zu says: "...what are the odds!" A wide angle shot of the female hrothgar running towards the shore, while A'zu is holding his arms wide open, offering a welcoming embrace, yelling: "Sable!" In a casual hug, Sable leans against A'zu, her hands on his chest, his on her waist. Meanwhile, Karleen has her arms crossed, trying to judge the situation. Sable: "It's been ages!" A'zu: "It has!" Sable puts her hands on A'zu's cheeks, her nose touching his, A'zu seems joyful. Sable: "How've you been, big bear? You look well!" A'zu: "So do you! And I've been well!" Sable: "And who's your lovely company?" Portrait shot of Karleen with a very cautious, distant expression. Karleen: "Who's asking?"
Triad (2/15)
Meet @runningmountain.bsky.social (and give them some love! 💜)
Sable and A'zu are clearly excited to see each other - while Karleen tries to judge the situation, and A'zu's affectionate acquaintance.
You can find all released pages at: a-zu.com/_/triad
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
Karleen is looking at herself in a mirror, having both her hands placed on what is a small but noticeable bulge on her belly, indicating an ongoing pregnancy. A warm smile is on her face. She's wearing nothing but a bra and a tanga in white, laced lingerie. Her hair is straight with two bangs and a bound pony tail. On the dresser that holds the mirror is a wooden box containing glamour prisms. 5 are still in the box, one is set up in front of the mirror with a faint light coming from it. The room itself resembles - to those familiar - the changing room at the Ivory Chapel, at which the cermony of eternal bonding is held.
A Light for Another Dawn
Because not every vow needs an audience.
(2 alternative versions can be found on my Discord.)
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
A'zu and Karleen are heading towards the shores of Gangos, Ilsabard. Crates, tents and people of the Bozjan resistance are visible in the background. Karleen: "I can't wait to get out of this armor." A'zu: "It looks good on you, though!" Karleen gives A'zu a cheeky look. Karleen: "Better than nothing at all?" A'zu: "No." A wide frame shot shows them walking towards the water. Karleen: "Thought so." A'zu: "To be fair, that view is tough to beat..." A wide angle shot shows the two of them against the opening of the cove against a bright sun. Karleen places her hand on A'zu's arm. A'zu: "...but this comes pretty close." Karleen: "I can see why." An unknown voice from the off: "A'zu? Is that you?!"
Triad (1/15)
A'zu and Karleen have arrived at the resistance camp in Gangos, enjoying cheeky banter and a magnificient view, until A'zu hears a familiar voice...
You can find all released pages at: a-zu.com/_/triad
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
The title page of "Triad", a comic marked as 18+ explicit. A'zu and Karleen are visible from the back, both wearing combat ready armor and weapons. They are headed towards the shores of Gangos, where the Bozjan resistance camp is located. It seems to be later afternoon on a sunny, cloudless day.
Triad
After 3 months of work, Triad is ready to be released, one page every Sunday.
Triad is a work of passion that I'm proud of, and I hope you will enjoy the story and imagery over the next 15 pages to come. 💜
You can find all released pages at: a-zu.com/_/triad
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
You're most welcome!
You're not on a payroll or a clock here, you can allow yourself to take it easy and focus not on "deliverables" but on the journey.
Play with things that intrigue you, no matter the results. Allow yourself to have some fun, even if you don't post anything at the end. 💜
Create the art YOU want to see - not the art you think people want to see. You're among mutuals, not customers.
It will be genuine, it will be personal, and it will find the audience that appreciates it - and reach other artists that may get inspired by it.
You made plenty cool things so far.
It's not a competition. It's a form of self-expression, and a hobby - that is supposed to be fun.
Don't feel bad for taking a break if it's not. Embrace the "Oof." you see in old stuff which you would now do differently as a sign of growth.
And, what I personally believe is the most important bit:
"Those facial expressions are so much better than mine!" - "Compared to this, my framing and composition is really boring." - "Oh wow, those colors. I could never."
Which leads to: "Is what I'm doing really good enough, or am I just pretending?"
But that question is already flawed.
Holding yourself to high standards means you care about your works, and that's a wonderful thing. I'm all too familiar with the circle of "is that really good enough?":
I may be really proud of a piece, and get humbled immediately by the next few images on my timeline.
Tips and tutorials are great if they are helpful to you, but there is no absolute truth and "single right way" to do something.
Sometimes, straying from what is the "norm" is what makes a piece truly outstanding. Art is personal, it's not meant to be standardized.
A closeup of Karleen's face as she is restrained on a St. Andrews Cross. She's wearing a black leather-like blindfold over her eyes and a black leather collar. A'zu's hand is simultaneously brushing two fingers against her cheek, lifting her chin up with his thumb, and tugging on her collar with his ring finger. Kareen's mouth is slightly open with visible teeth, making it apparent that she's reaching her climax. The speech bubble next to her says "Haaahhh...".
A closeup of Karleen's naked waist, continuing the narrative. A'zu's hand, two fingers still curled from caressing her nethers moments ago, has retracted just a short distance. A stringy display of bodiliy fluids connects the tips of his fingers and her labia.
A closeup of Karleen and A'zu again. Karleen is smiling with an open mouth, A'zu is gently holding her chin, looking at her in an assertive way, saying "Good Girl...."
Another closeup of Karleen and A'zu's heads, this time even further zoomed in. A'zu's hand has moved to gently cup Karleen's cheek and forehead. She's smiling, he is leaning in, eyes closed, his nose touching hers affectionately, as he says: "MY Good Girl".
X Marks the Spot
Character is proven through tenderness, not through force.
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
Thank you so much. I always strive to convey narrative and mood with the scenes I portray, and hearing that both are legible is such a wonderful compliment.
Congratulations, and well deserved. I've yet to see something from you that is not are alluring in *some* way.
A Final Fantasy 14 Online Hrothgar couple in a modern BDSM setting. She is wearing a collar and a blindfold while being restrained to a St. Andrews Cross with leather cuffs around her wrists. He is wearing nothing but a leather pair of black shorts, using one hand to raise her chin with his thumb, the other to have two fingers fondle her nethers. Her look is full of anticipation and excitement, while he wear a gentle confident smile, both parties enjoying the moment.
X Marks the Spot
Through steady hands and deliberate touch, A'zu reminds Karleen both about his intention, and her place.
(An alternative version with even less clothing can be found on my Discord.)
#ffxivnsfw #hrothgar #hrothgal
