Tag: nice

eyesofblack:

While in devolved form, Dumah’s role, personality, and armor were influenced by the idea of a Ronin Samurai. Who it was that initially inspired his vampire appearance is still unknown. Dumah’s vampire features include a down-turned nose, pointed chin, square shaped jaw, and trademark scar over his right eye. I tried sourcing possible influences by looking at old Japanese silent films from close to the same era as the other posts. I found an actor by the name Ōkōchi Denjirō (大河内 傳次郎) who plays the lead role in Tange Sazen, a ronin formerly known as Tange Samanosuke. The film (丹下左膳余話 百萬両の壺 Tange Sazen Yowa: Hyakuman Ryō no Tsubo, 1935) shows Tange Sazen with a down-turned frown and is always very stern faced throughout the film. As punishment for betrayal of his clan, the Soma Samurai, he was mutilated in such a way that it left his eye scarred and missing an arm.

Historically in Japan, the Soma clan fought against aggressive expansionist clan lead by Date Masamune, one of the memorialized leaders in Tohoku Japan. He was missing an eye and was wearing a full suit of samurai armor in most of his statues. He was given the nick name “One-Eyed Dragon of Ōshu”. I actually saw this statue in person during my visit to Aoba Castle. You can spot one of his eyes in the statue is completely smoothed over to show his blindness.

eyesofblack:

The inspiration for Rahab’s vampire appearance in Soul Reaver is another that has not been declared officially. However, Daniel Cabuco mentioned him to be a collected, level headed character. I sniffed around for some source material anyway to see if I could find possible inspiration for his looks. Rahab has level cheekbones with his jawline and uniquely set and shaped eyes. His almost fish-like lips extend the length of his mouth fully from corner to corner, both upper and lower. I found similar features in a silent film actor by the name of Buster Keaton. Keaton was famous for his ‘deadpan’ emotionless facial expression in his films and nicknamed “the great stone face”. He was a maverick when it came to making his own stunts and was said to have broken every bone in his body collectively during the time he was an actor. The pain didn’t matter so long as he could execute a scene successfully the way he envisioned it. He made several short films including “the haunted house”.

Do you two have a favorite artist? Or favorite art movement? Because I’m curious to know if the empire had any patronage of arts.

overazielous:

“Oh, yes.” Kain said from where he was seated at a long table. The tone with which he said it could be mistaken for sarcasm. A frenzied scrabbling was heard opposite him and Raziel very suddenly popped up above the table top, his bangs fluttering about his temples. You realize Kain’s tone was more exasperated in preparation for Raziel’s enthusiasm.

“The arts? The Razielim were the highest regard in patronage of the arts. My High Library was the crowning jewel of my territory.” The wraith spread his claws across the marble as he leaned forward. The emotion in his voice was more than enough to be infectious for all its joy and the vacuum of sadness waiting just behind it. “Although I am now aware of the ironic foreshadowing of the Emperor’s Wing.”

“Ah, yes. The Emperor’s Wing.” Kain recalled without looking up from his parchment.

“That was the top floor of the library where I tediously collected pre-empircal history and artifacts. Only Kain and I were allowed in access. I thought I was just being thorough but I may very well have cultivated the information leading to my own demise. So thank you for that, Kain.” Raziel spoke very proudly of his collection even whilst mentioning his death. Across from him Kain had merely made some sound in acknowledgement.

“The Empire had a healthy appreciation for the arts that only waned the last couple centuries. Melchiah and I kept each other’s interest in utilitarian arts. He was quite the artist. Indeed the Melchiahim were a very hands on, productive people in general. Zephonim territory always did give rise to the most creative types. Their royal theater troupe… I’ve forgotten the name of it now. It was phenomenal.” His jubilant expression was such a rare occurrence it was almost more painful than anything to be privy to.

“A thousand years is much too long to pick definitive favorites. Latest I was fond of the turn Rahabim art was taking. The heavy tattoos and piercings of sailing humans began to trickle upwards through the coast-minders into pockets of aristocracy and captains… I remember seeing the tattooed hoods and pierced crests of the devolved Rahabim upon my dark return…and absent-mindedly thinking it suited them.” Raziel trailed off in memory.

“You were always a prince of the arts, Raziel.” Kain remarked.

“Is that such a dreadful trope?”

“It is a telling trope.”