This week I return to the amazing work of Larry Elmore
and a piece that I have adored for years. This one is entitled “Cities of
Mystery” and was the cover art for a boxed set in 2nd Edition of the
same name. Incidentally, if you’ve never had the chance to look at that boxed
set, I highly recommend it. It was full of great ideas, plotlines, and NPCs
that could be used in any urban setting.
Getting back to the artwork, I love this piece because it
grips the viewer immediately. I think the first thing that draws your eye is
the grinning character (Gnoll? Werewolf?) on the right side. It’s only after closer inspection that
you realize that he is very well hidden and the real focus should be on the
“beggar” luring in the two unsuspecting travelers. I’d also like to think that
those two travelers are spending their very first day inside the walls of the
big city. Unfortunately, they seem on the verge of learning the hard way that
cities can be full of deceitful people.
Looking at the details of the piece, the “beggar” seems
to be trying to attract attention by the use of a small pendant, perhaps asking
the travelers if they are interesting in buying it. However, I’d also like to
think that perhaps the pendant has magical properties making the “beggar”
appear friendlier and more inviting than he really is. Either way, he seems to
have the travelers’ attention as they are turning inward for a closer look.
Interestingly, the travelers do have their weapons drawn and that could be a
hint that these folks won’t go down without a fight.
My intuition tells me that the next few moments after the
one depicted here will result in a very interesting fight. But who will be the
winner? You decide!
This was always one of my favorites - their expressions are really "1st level". And I always thought that was a gnoll, though his body shape doesn't seem quite right.
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