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Setting aside google hits ("Nexus Inn" is used elsewhere) I'll call everything a 'working title' and keep going. Whether or not a collaboration happens here (see Random Musings/"Gush/Vent") I've got a large enough backlog of concepts, sequences and dialogue to at least start a thread - and the scope is wide enough to include almost anything/everything.

As a kind of preamble to "the bald hobbit" (Dory Thistle), here's the first useful appearance of Flint Hill (below; eyeballed from the original pencil version), the first piece that ties into everything else (most of which is still quite sketchy).

The images are smallish and "progressive" for the usual reason (high speed still isn't everywhere - got it here, finally). Will replace these with existing updated versions, uh, later (power supply still not installed, no access...); note glaring absence of striped pants in last image, etc...

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The shape of things to come...

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Sorry about the repeat image (earlier version seen in another Sijun post already).



DRAGON SPIRITS IN THE NEXUS INN
[HILLBRAND DISTILLERIES] Instant News interviews Flint Hill on his Dragon Spirit line of Astoundingly Overproof coolers.

IN: Distilled dragon. Where did you get the idea?

FH: Twas its time, I think. Here I was, chattin' up that Label Mabel lass and it comes to me: we been slaughtering the beasts for age upon age and there they lay, carcasses rotting and stinking to high heaven. With the inner planes and all that fancy recycling they're doing I says to myself, Flint, if any of our folk slays a great worm they might as well drag it in from the field. We made clear we pay heavy gold for the effort. And in they starts acomin': by wagon, by dog sled - you name it. Mind you, there's a few wizards who have no business teleporting a dragon stiff to this address. We had one close call and don't be wanting another.

IN: I understand a wine press is involved?

FH: Aye at first. Until we saw them trolls is better at eating than rending and stomping. The real trouble was finding a blender big enough. Old Percy, with those big arms of his, he twists up three great swords and knocks 'em together in the smithy. Throw a Briggs & Stratton underneath, bolt the biggest tin ya ever seen on top and there it is: a whirligig that makes a fine mess. And we don't waste time on the bones, it all goes in.

IN: Sounds grisly. You're doing a very good business already. Any closing thoughts on the new Dragon Spirit line of Astoundingly Overproof coolers?

FH: I should say the Red Dragon needs a bit of caution. Before you go gulping it down, mind yer fortitude. Less ye don't mind blowin' brimstone out yer arse.

IN: Mr Hill, thank you for your time.

FH: Come back anytime, we're always open.

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"The bald hobbit" was my nephew's idea (one I liked as a way of reclaiming hate speech), which fit nicely into the overall equation/concept. Again, apologies if some of these have been seen before (I've stopped keeping track).









Posting all this naive stuff (in various stages of development too) makes me cringe a bit, hehe, but I'm determined to get it out there before tackling new software, etc. Hmmmm, maybe this is something like a new years resoltuion (stop holding back)...

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[NEXUS INN] An Instant News exclusive.

IN: Behind the sudden fame of Hillbrand Distilleries lies the age-old - and possibly ageless - Nexus Inn. We're here with Theodore Thistle, veteran opportunist and sometime adventurer. Mr Thistle, thank you for talking to us.

TT: Call me Dory, everybody else does.

IN: Dory, you've agreed to undertake a daunting task, a catalog exploration of the Nexus Inn. Everyone has heard of the distillery but there's a history here and a mystery.

TT: By the things I've seen, it should stay a mystery.

IN: You're talking of course about the Nexus Inn, a house of welcome that spawned an overnight success. Some say behind its banal exterior lies a labyrinth of peril.

TT: If the food's good, I can handle the peril.

IN: Dory, what's your plan for cracking what some have called a "conglomerate of realities".

TT: I'll just feel my way along, if you know what I'm saying.

IN: Intuition; instinct; a bit of luck. The art of a professional explorer.

TT: That and free booze.

IN: Best of luck to you, Dory.

TT: Yeah - we're done now?

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[Patel Grand] An Instant News exclusive:

IN: Councillor Shiko, thank you for having us.

CS: You're welcome.

IN: Are you - are you okay? Are the lights too bright?

CS: No. I was attempting to smile.

IN: I see.

CS: Yes.

IN: Councillor, you've created a product that has stirred some controversy in recent weeks.

CS: Yes.

IN: A unique poison derived from the very popular Dragon Spirit brand of coolers.

CS: Yes.

IN: Councillor Shiko, by all accounts this is the world's most lethal poison. What was your motivation?

CS: It is a hobby.

IN: A "hobby" that has sparked a legal challenge from the owner of Hillbrand Distilleries, Flint Hill.

CS: Yes.

IN: I counted no fewer than fifty merchant vessels in the harbour, these are all prospective buyers for your product?

CS: Yes. The overland route was closed due to rioting.

IN: So your work is in high demand?

CS: That would be understatement. Yes.

IN: I gather Mr Hill is a fellow adventurer from years gone by.

CS: I still want to kill him. Yes.

IN: Councillor, can you give us a sense of how you're managing the legal case? Has there been talk of an out of court settlement?

CS: I need only get close enough to touch him...

IN: Councillor, thank you for your time.

CS: You're welcome.

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Flint: Dory Thistle, is it? The chairs is out while they lay the floor, a pity since we got some special made for halflings. Seat yourself in the parlour, if you please. Or what can Flint Hill do for ya?

Dory: Uh, there's a Mercedes blocking the rest rooms. Wasn't there when I went in, just, boom, there it is.

Flint: My apologies. Things has been a mite spooky of late. Wizards, you understand - and the renovation hasn't helped none. Here's something for your trouble. I know you got your own business hereabouts, I saw them reporter folks and all. I don't mind nobody snoopin', as you may be inclined, long as some good comes of it. If you can help us out along the way, there's more of that coin for your pocket.

Dory: Thanks.

Flint: Aye, enjoy your stay. Yer bags will be along shortly.

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[TERES MINOR] Following a marathon eight month media blackout, Instant News reports live from the set of "Billions and Billions".

IN: We're on location in the ice fields of Teres Minor where we've caught up with Ace McNaughton, veteran stuntman for "Billions and Billions". Mr McNaughton, can you give us a sense -

AM: You can tell that bearded weasel, Hill, he can stick his dragon swill where the sun don't shine - I don't care how much of this shoot he owns...

IN: Mr Mc -

AM: We've had three accidents in three days - this is insanity! This morning that crane - that one over there - nearly took my head off - the operator was juiced! That's him, that kobold over there - look, he's staggering...

IN: Mr Mc -

AM: Where were you guys then? In the chalet, knocking back a few? I work for a living, buddy...

IN: Go to commercial - go to commercial!
---------------




Dory: Hey, you're Ace McNaughton. I saw you in the TV spot.

Brig: I'm not using "Ace" anymore. It's Brigadier.

Dory: Why does that sound familiar. Not Brigadier Moss?

Brig: Yeah... Mom thought I'd go into the military. Dad thought I'd be a career convict. He was right, sorta.

Dory: Weren't you in that pilot back in the nineties? The one with the octopus - I forget the name of it. We worked together. I was wearing the cat suit.

Brig: That was a suit?! Wow - yeah, shame it didn't go anywhere.

Dory: Who was that other guy, your cousin or something.

Brig: Handel - he's around here somewhere. He got fired too. Been off his mark ever since but he plays a great dufus, give him that.

Dory: Well, maybe I'll see you around.

Brig: Right - have a good one.

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Bailey: Hi sweetie.

Dory: Wow - are you Mel Karel?

Bailey: If you want me to be, sure.

Dory: Uh oh...

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Updated version is here:
http://forums.sijun.com/viewtopic.php?t=42874



[delete x3]

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[Edit:] Woops, double post - newer versions here: http://forums.sijun.com/viewtopic.php?t=42874&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

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Full sequence is here.

[room 129]

Dory: At least they got the bed size right...

Dory: [listens] There IS something under there...

Zeek: No-no-no. Please no. Shhhh!

Dory: A dragon...

Zeek: Shhhh! Oh please sir, please don't turn me in, I don't want to be a beverage. Please!

Dory: Ah, the distillery. I see what you mean.

Zeek: Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you!

Dory: You can come out, the door's locked.

Zeek: Oh, thank you, sir. Those dust bunnies and my allergies...

Dory: It's Dory.

[...]

Zeek: And that's the whole story.

Dory: So you renoed this whole wing yourself, "just to keep busy".

Zeek: Just the rooms. When there was nobody around, of course.

Dory: Uh... where did you get the paint?

Zeek: That's the other family secret.

Dory: ...

Zeek: It's true I can't breath fire, I...

Dory: You're saying you - breath paint?

Zeek: Latex. Don't worry, it washes up with water and it only happens when I'm REALLY mad!

Dory: [eyes wall] This is dragon spit?

Zeek: No, it's -

Dory: Boogers? This place is boogered?!

Zeek: No! It's - fire! Think fire! It's a dragon thing!

Dory: No, it's a stomach thing...

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Okay, that's an adequate reveiw of the hobby version. The Nexus Inn is based on an old RPG scenario "Ye Olde Come Back Inn" (you can enter the inn but can't leave - kinda Hotel California, now that I think of it...), except this one has 'extradimensional' doorways to everywhere. Er, call it stale, hackneyed, derivative, cliche, etc. and I'll agree, hehe. Gotta start somewhere.

Moving on, here's the more recent/focused effort (moved here from WIP/Patel Grand), a first side adventure from the Nexus Inn:




111111 - Forgot to note this one (above) is an 'overpaint' (vectors over GS).

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Back to the collaboration idea, here's the basic layout of the inn (common area, minus chairs, tables, etc.). With a renovation underway (see above), the layout could change a lot (for the better, hehe). The farther from the common area, the wilder/derelict it becomes (ie. could support various scenarios in itself).



Okay, time for a beer...

Oops, forgot one - need some rats to contribute to, um, atmosphere, yeah.

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Yep, this is one of those moments when nothing's coming out right. This post will be back when my brain's back online (when/if I've got the text sorted)...

The practical effect is, this thread is a "sandbox".

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Another island chain (done in a fraction of the time...). New processor's still not powerful enough to handle another level of detail - oh well. Onward.

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Realizing I tend to 'image bank' so I don't have to draw something new each time (read *lazy*), which doesn't help with learning... Someone mentioned gesture (next concern for me):

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Back again -
geeze, didn't realize this page is overloaded (still annoying @68 kbpsd),
apologies for that (where needed)...

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Saw a Gorillaz fan video and something clicked -
yeah, I dont get out much, "Gorillaz"?

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Then another one...

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And again...

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And again...

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Back to 3D (square kilometre)...

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...better sense of scale (figure to cliff base = 140 m)...

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Elevations - okay we're done.

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Would be more effective with more shadow-casting objects in the foreground, I think...

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~2 km square...

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~4 km...

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Blocking's done (good enough)...
(if the shadows invert, glance at the darkest spot, middle right, to fix)

Next up: detail the action spots...

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Remembered (finally) the tablet includes PS Elements 7 - test drive: