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AxeMan5 — The Witcher's Path
Published: 2014-01-26 14:44:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 1274; Favourites: 17; Downloads: 0
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Description
Note: I would personally recommend clicking on the image to view the zoomed in drawing in full detail!
The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia digital fan art based on his appearance from the videogame The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. The total drawing time took me roughly three continuous days of work from start to finish, at roughly around eight or so hours spent on the graphics tablet each day. Drawn using Sketchbook and a Wacom Intuos graphics tablet.
This drawing doesn't typically represent anything that actually appears or happens in the game, I thought I'd use the opportunity to create my own background setting. After all, Geralt being a Witcher has likely hunted monsters on a snowy mountain range during night at some time in his life I'm sure! Being the professional monster slayer that he is and all.
I plan on drawing Vernon Roche, Letho, Iorveth, and a select few other characters soon too, so be sure to check back for those if you liked this piece too! And after playing the second game through to the end for the first time, I now can't wait to get my hands on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt this year!
I absolutely loved Assassins of Kings, so much so that it ranks highly amongst my favourite fantasy role playing games of all time. I'm on something of a Witcher series hype at the moment, and should hopefully be coming into possession of the books on which the games take inspiration from sometime soon! I'd also like to personally thank CD Projekt Red for making the game even more value for money by including a free guide, map, and soundtrack cd in my copy of the Enhanced edition! There's not many companies I know who offer such value, especially when the game alone warrants it's full retail price!
I hope all you Witcher fans out there like this piece! I may not be the best artist in the world but I thought I'd show my appreciation for the game by throwing this neat little drawing idea together! Thanks for taking the time to look, and should you be interested in seeing the process behind the art, you can see the drawing in stages over at my Twitter profile below! And feel free to follow too, I'll happily return the favour!
My Twitter: twitter.com/AdamVarnham
The Witcher franchise was developed by CD Projekt RED, and was published (at least in the EU I believe) by Namco Bandai Games. Inspired by The Witcher book series by Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski.
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Comments: 18
You say this scene doesn't represent any one scene in-game. But it reminds me of when Geralt had the one flashback where he's sitting at a campfire in the mountains, he just fought a Manticore, and all he cares about is finding out what the Wild Hunt did with Yennefer.
Pretty good work. 
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You deserve a medal for that comment my friend, for that is exactly where I got the idea for the snowy background of the drawing! I loved those cinematic slideshow movies, the art style really caught my attention!
Thanks for the compliment! Glad you like it! And I sure am new! I never played the original as I never owned a gaming pc at the time, however I read about the story for it thoroughly and decided to pick up Assassins of Kings to start playing, which now has me completely immersed in the mythos of the franchise! I loved the second game, and can't wait for the third! So I'm picking up the books soon as well, to read whilst I wait! And thanks for the warm welcome, if all Witcher fans are as nice as you then I've certainly chosen the right franchise to become involved in!
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It's one of the most mature fandoms I've ever been in. I have yet to see a single shipping war, and even the Roche fans and the Iorveth fans for the most part seem able to agree to disagree.
Definitely check out JustAnoR 's work. She has some stunning pieces from both the games and the books. (I'm a total Iorveth/Saskia shipper, so this is my favorite by her.) If you like Roche, ServiaDeath is the girl to see. She's his biggest fan, at least that I know of, and has lots of great art featuring him and the Blue Stripes. 
Also, thanks for faving "Iorveth And The Stars." It's a scene from my fanfic.
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Ah, fantastic! Thanks for pointing me in the direction of more creative Witcher artists! 
I'll go and take a look at some of their work shortly! I'd sure agree about the maturity of the franchise and it's fan base, the content in the game that I've seen certainly doesn't shy away from mature themes! Can't speak for the books just yet though, but I'll be able to soon hopefully! It's a refreshing change to see such a great fantasy world bolstered by a cast of memorable characters who are driven by their own reasons, be them in terms of politics, racial equality, revenge, or anything in between.
I've just started playing Assassins of Kings again on Dark Mode, I'm siding with Iorveth this time around, to see if I like him and his Scoia'tael as much as I did Roche and his Blue Stripes! And to see the difference in terms of story progression! I thought he seemed a cool character though, and his Lord of The Rings references throughout the early game were amusing and awesome!
And no problem, that was great drawing of yours! I haven't had time to check through your entire gallery just yet but I sure will! You have considerable creative skill! I love reading fan fictions too when I get the chance, so I'll be sure to take a read through!
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You've only played Roche's Path so far, then? Iorveth's Path is not quite as dark, but has some more fantasy elements, and of course (courtesy of the Vergen dwarves) plenty of raunchy humor. 
Thanks you're too kind. 
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I have indeed! I only got a hold of the game a couple of weeks back, and have only just finished playing it through! I decided to experience Roche's path first, as I felt as though I owed him for his help in the prologue at La Valette Castle. This time around though I'm siding with Iorveth and his group of 'renegade' branded elves! The 'brotherly bonding' with Roche and his soldiers was my favourite part of his path by far. It was awesome experiencing the story with like minded characters who were all in it for the good of Temeria. And I loved that drinking/hangover quest in Flotsam! It was probably the first time that I've truly laughed during a videogame for quite some time! It was a great way to make the player feel as though they could consider the Blue Stripes as their friends and allies!
After discovering what Iorveth is fighting for however, I'm very much looking forward to seeing where his path leads! And it'll be nice to see the full extent of Vergen, instead of the opposing army camp and surrounding areas!
Thanks for the recommendation, that story sounds neat! I'll be sure to check it out! I always did like the idea of Roche becoming Anais's protector/father figure in order to preserve Temeria's strength as a nation! It was heavily hinted at in the final chapter if I recall! It is somewhat hard to imagine Vernon as anything other than a combat ready commander, but I think he'd adjust to the father figure role for the sake of his homeland! ha-ha.
Awesome! Well you'll have to let me know when that story is up of yours and I'll be glad to read it! I remember sparing the dragon at the end of the game, it'll be nice to discover more about it on the other path that's for sure!
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If you're familiar at all with the books, I could see Roche and Anais going on to become exactly like Geralt and Ciri were.
Chapters 1 thru 9 of Saovine Convoy are up, but I would definitely recommend playing Iorveth's Path before reading it. It takes place after the game, therefore it references the game, meaning some pretty huge spoilers.
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Ever so sorry for the late reply, I've been playing Witcher 2 on Iorveth's path religiously over the past week! Trying to get it completed before I leave for an adventure break! I'm glad to say I finished it this morning and it was great! The ending battle to chapter II in particular!
I am somewhat familiar with Geralt and Ciri, and I would certainly agree with that comparison! Now that I've finished the game from that path I'll have to come back and read your story based upon it! I'm away from the internet for a week starting tomorrow, but I'll make a note and be sure to check your written work upon my return! I'm very much looking forward to reading it!
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Wow, I'm so flattered. 
Oh yeah, the Siege of Vergen is waaaay more awesome when you're helping Saskia's side. 
Where are you off to for the week? I'll be glad to hear from you when you come back. Gives me a little extra incentive to work on Chapter 10. It was on a back burner because I've been working on a new armor set for my Saskia cosplay , since the first one fell apart.
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Sorry for the late reply! I've been ever so busy lately!
I left...last Monday I think it was?...honestly I forget! It was quite a busy week too! I set out to Derbyshire in the UK which is a couple of miles away from my home county, for a week of cross country adventuring.
I almost got lost in my travels across the mountain ranges of the Peak District! And unexpected snow fall took me and my group of adventurers by surprise! Being unable to continue and read the map in such conditions, by evening we ended up sleeping inside a small sheltered cave for the night by fire side and everything! It was awfully fantasy-esque, as if I was on some kind of lengthy adventure! When we awoke the following morning about 6.00am, the surrounding mountains and fields where almost completely white with snow! The week was just full of things like that, walks through the forest, exploring caverns beneath the ground, trekking over mountain ranges and through rivers. I'd happily go there again for another week of exploring that's for sure!
That is an amazing cosplay! Really well done on both costumes too! Hopefully it'll stay together this time for you! Do you plan on wearing them to a convention or anything? Or is it just a personal project for fun? Either way I'm truly impressed, not only a great writer but great at crafting too! Keep up the fantastic work
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Ahh, that sounds glorious.
Thanks a lot. This armor set is turning into a real chore to get painted just right; I've lost count of the trips I've made to the craft store for "just one more" bottle of paint. But it'll be worth it. If my boyfriend and I can find the time off in common, we would love to wear our Iorveth and Saskia cosplays to a con. I'm also thinking of making a replica dice poker game we can set up and play with passing people. And I should give him a prop spearhead for when that one smartass comes along, beats him and asks for Sabrina's spear.
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So sorry for the late reply yet again! Ha-ha!
I seem to find myself less and less in my hometown just recently, or with a lack of access to any source of internet! Fortunately this week is different, so I can finally get caught up on replies and artwork, and all of that jazz!
I think I've got all up to date with your fan-fiction now too! Finally got up to speed with it this very morning. I loved what I've read, great characterisation, your story is excellent, really well written and faithful to the game, and I loved your subtle hints to the game throughout, such as actually using elven words that the Scoitael use! Made it far more immersive and believable! I could truly believe the events actually taking place after the Assassins of Kings.
Did you say you would be writing any more for it out of curiosity? I'd love to continue reading should you do such a thing! And thanks for pointing me towards reading it in the first place too!
Oh, and to answer your question. I sure do! I love the great outdoors, particularly places in the UK like the Peak District, places where the mountains run so tall as to actually breach the clouds, places where there is nothing to behold but wide open untouched clearings or expansive forest landscapes, free running rivers, and snowy mountain peaks. They may be a challenge to traverse, but the sights you see and the inspiration you gain make it all worth while in the end!
Ha-ha! I had a good chuckle at that dice poker sentence! That would be fantastic. I've always been terrible at dice poker, but to be able to play it on a replica board would be all levels of awesome! The armour set is looking fantastic though! You've both done a smashing job on it! And I wish you all luck in finalising it!
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Thanks for all the feedback.
I definitely intend to continue with Saovine Convoy. It's just right now I have two jobs and I work Monday thru Saturday, so I've been having more trouble finding time to sit down and write. I'm slowly but surely etching out Chapter 10. It's from Iorveth's point of view, and it goes more in detail about the difficulty he faces upholding his promise to Saskia and protecting the party in the wilderness...considering they haven't completely forgotten his ways and he might have been responsible for the deaths of some of their fathers and grandfathers.
By the way, would you be interested in taking part in the Witcher 2 Group Portrait Project I'm making? All you have to do is either describe an OC and tell me which character they should stand next to, or tell me a favorite part of the game you'd like referenced.
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I'm dreadfully sorry for the late reply! Been out and about endlessly for the best part of two months, so I've had barely any time to be internet social! Finally got the chance to reply to everyone today though! So I guess late is better than never right? Ha-ha.
That's quite alright! And that sounds fantastic! I know what you mean, it's terribly hard to find the time for hobbies and such between working and other duties! Be sure to let me know when it's done though, and I'd love to see/read it! I'm on a Witcher hype again now after E3's 'Sword of Destiny' gameplay reveal trailer for the Witcher 3. Spent a while drawing Geralt again not long back, after being inspired by the video! Need to get around to sending it to the game devs actually come to think of it!
I sure would! (If it's not finished that is). Well Roche is my favourite character, so any thing to do with him really! Something referencing the 'friendly' fist fight scrap between him and Geralt at the Blue stripes camp in upper Aedirn would be fantastic! I always loved that moment of the game! He was also pretty badass during the siege of Vergen, especially when that drawbridge broke and he descended onto the streets below to punch that Kaedweni soldier in the face, that was awesome!
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Sword of Destiny looked promising.
I did manage to get Chapter 10 of SC posted. It is Iorveth's POV. I'm off work in a week from Friday for 4th of July, so I'll probably take out Ch11 that three-day weekend. That'll be Saskia's POV again.
I played Iorveth's Path first, so he had already secured the "Favorite character" spot for me, but Roche definitely won some brownie points in that bridge scene.
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It looked great didn't it! I'm very much hyped for it! It's going to be the highlight of the gaming year 2015 no doubt!
Oh it is? I'll be sure to read it soon then! Your fan fiction story was so good that I can still very much remember the story to it, so it'll be good to continue reading again!
The bridge scene was great wasn't it! Yeah, I think that's also why I liked Roche more myself! When I first played the game I felt like it was my duty to help him first given the events of the prologue and all, so spending the first play through with him and the Blue Stripes nabbed him my favourite character spot! I like his reckless determination and abrupt in your face badassery! Though that being said, Iorveth was very much the same way for his cause in a similar sense!
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I ended up not getting to work on my story 4th of July weekend. I was DMing a tabletop game. 
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And I'm back! For the millionth time this year! Ha! I swear I might as well just move out for the lack of time I'm at home with internet access!
Oh you didn't? That's a shame! Be sure to let me know when it is eventually up, I look forward to reading it as usual! Oh I haven't yet no, but I'll be sure to give it a read as soon as time allows!
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