Exalted Art Challenge - 3 - Favorite Charm

The Righteous Devil form isn't merely a martial art, but a spiritual reckoning.  When you draw on this art, you're pulling from that turmoil deep down, from all the sins you've ever committed, and all the sinners you've ever reckoned with.  All that roiling guilt and anger and painful understanding refined and channeled into the flame of your soul, of your weapons.  

It took me years to even begin to master it...and it almost destroyed me.  Only one who can understand their own sins can channel what it means to be not only a Devil, but a Righteous one.

- Memoirs of Kalara Vadras, The Uncrucified, RY 800.

I was stumped a long time on this topic because there were just too many fun options to choose from!  I explored a few of them in the sneak peek compilation I posted in the previous post.

Funny enough, Kalara only mastered 3 of the Charms (or magical abilities) pictured here, not including the one I chose for the final piece.  I always intended for her to master the Righteous Devil style, if only because the later levels of this celestial martial art allowed for such epic imagery as wings of flame and the judgement of souls.  Judgement, revenge, and redemption as themes play a big part in her arc as a character, which makes the style so fitting for her!

The final piece ended up being a bit of wish fulfillment for mastering the charm Garda Flies on Gilded Wings Attack, which is a Charm from the Righteous Devil path.  Perhaps one day it will happen in her story?  We shall see!

Painted in Procreate.

The prompt list.  Join in by using the hashtag #ExaltedArtChallenge on social media!

Exalted Art Challenge - 2 - Regional Fashion

I wonder sometimes if I would even recognize myself back then. I still remember the soft light of Gem's crystals and the teeming underground marketplace that never slept. As a slave of Iblan, I was dressed in attire to represent the household of my master, an aging master goldsmith. 

I owned no finery of my own, not even the bangles I wore which served as an example of Iblan craftmanship for all to see and admire, for even their slaves must convey everything about their stature as Gem's famed goldsmiths. Instead of gems sewn into my shawl as any fine lady of Gem might own, mine was painted and embroidered to mimic gems. I was a pale imitation of what a noble Iblan lady might be.

- Memoirs of Kalara Vadras, The Uncrucified, RY 800.

Here we are on Day 6 and I've only gotten through 2 topics!  It seems like this one's going to be more of a 'when I'm done' instead of a daily thing, but that's quite alright because I had a lot of fun with this!  I may have to come back to the concept of Kalara stealing some time for lunch beside a crystal cluster in the city, as I really enjoy the casual slice of life of it.

Stay tuned to my Patreon later this week for an exclusive Patreon Early Access peek at all the sketches I did for this particular piece and a little more behind the creative process.

Painted in Procreate.

The prompt list.  Join in by using the hashtag #ExaltedArtChallenge!

Exalted Art Challenge - Topic 1 - Favorite Caste

The Solar Exalted are chosen for a caste by the Unconquered Sun based on our propensities for violence, for diplomacy, or for many other specialties. Sol sees our potential and blows on the embers of our ambition, no matter our station in life, no matter if we are good or evil, as long as we can bring about the change that this world in chaos needs. We are marked with a symbol that shines upon our foreheads, a beacon of purpose and power for all of Creation to recognize, if not respect.

- Memoirs of Kalara Vadras, The Uncrucified, RY 800.

My Favorite Caste is the Eclipse Caste. They are the voices of reason, the keen wit, and the clever bargainers. They are the ones who keep the four arms and virtues of the Unconquered Sun in balance, just as they do for their Circle of allies. They are also the Kingpins, the ones who can play the 'game' that others aren't suited for. Where violence's effectiveness ends, the power to persuade hearts and minds begins. In all these facets, the Eclipse shines.

I designed this marque to represent Kalara Vadras, my Exalted character born in the deep desert mining city of Gem. The Fire of her region ripples throughout her cartouche, balanced by the silver associated with her Caste. Tail feathers of the phoenix adorn the center, a symbol of renewal for this character who began life anew as a Solar Exalted. She spent much of her mortal life in slavery toiling against a great machine of oppression. Reborn to the Eclipse Caste, Kalara uses her divine writ to push the tapestry of progress and mercantilism to create a better world purged with fire and sanctified with new bonds of trade.

The prompt list.  Use the hashtag #ExaltedArtChallenge if you're joining in!

If you fancy a look at my preliminary sketches and creative notes for my Challenge pieces, consider pitching into my Patreon, where I'll be posting a compilation of sketches and notes each week as exclusive Early Access posts!