From Character Sheet to ‘Dragonlance’ Cosplay Character
From the Gaming table to the cosplay arena, this week we’re talking about original Dragonlance cosplay creations!
There is hardly a day that goes by when I won’t prattle on about my adoration for the Dragonlance worlds. Dragonlance was my first fantasy series, my first true literary love, and a continued source of inspiration for writing, gaming, and role-play. I have always gravitated towards the wild elf cultures of the Kagonesti, so when I was tapped by The Weirdlings to join their Heroes of Awesome Campaign, “The Dominion of Essalund,” it was a great opportunity to create a character from that world. I had a lot of fun writing her backstory. I had the most fun creating a Dragonlance cosplay of her!
My goal was to create a druid character for 5th edition D&D. The circle of the moon druid was instantly the most exciting class in the system for me. I had to create a druidic elf, and the wild elves made the most sense. I played this character in a few different campaigns, from the Weirdlings over to some homebrew campaigns as well. But my favorite part of creating this character was the epic creative photoshoot I did with my friends from AzulOx Visuals.
Dragonlance Cosplay Inspiration
My first D&D character sheet for her is HERE. Rowan is a Circle of the Moon Druid who has a special affinity for transforming into a bear. I used this as a hilarious plot device in many different story arcs. She’s a surly, sassy character who doesn’t do too well with people. Perfect for an antisocial Kagonesti with zero chill and a lot of tattoos!
I fell in love with Rowan from the moment I created her. I decided very quickly that creating her for D&D was not enough for me, so started thinking of ways to bring her to life. I mention often my love of Renaissance Festivals, and the upcoming Sherwood Forest Faire was going to be a perfect opportunity to manifest Rowan.
Rowan TrueMoon, A Dragonlance Cosplay
Rowan is a Kagonesti Elven Druid, who worships Lunitari, the red moon, goddess of Neutral Magic. As a hunter of her tribe, she has the indicative tribal markings of her people, which Lunitari has imbued with her own special brand of magic. Her back is covered with a giant Rowan Tree, bare of leaves, with the moon of Lunitari hiding in its branches. As Rowan grows in her magic and helps the world restore balance from the chaos plaguing it, her tattoos sprout leaves, as the red moon of Lunitari waxes and wanes.
To bring Rowan to life in the real world, I took a mixture of earth tones and really vivid greens. I wanted to give her a wild, woody feel with a pop of fantastical. I had a friend create a gorgeous rowan tree out of henna down my arms and back, mimicking the tattoos that Rowan would have earned in her life with the Kagonesti tribe.
Collaborations with AzulOx Photography
My favorite photography studio, Azulox Visuals, LLC, is exactly where I turn when I want to bring inspiration to life. I contacted them when my cosplay for Rowan was completed. I knew they would love the challenge of capturing her. I was not disappointed. We took our yearly trip out to the desert of Langtry, and used that wild setting to capture her essence. All of the images here come from that shoot. You can see more of their work, HERE.
Lunitari’s Blessings Poem for Dragonlance Cosplay
Because I’m extra ridiculous, I created a poem to go along with my cosplay and D&D character. I was always fond of the beautiful epic poems included in the Dragonlance novels and wanted to create one of my own. Here is the result. I hope you enjoy and remember – have fun creating your own characters and cosplays!
May Lunitari’s Light be on your path
Illuminating reason and righteousness
Taming the chaos of the shifting universe
Calming the tempests of darkness
May Lunitari’s Light be on your path
Revealing love and passion
Ending the pains of loneliness
Stoking the fires of imagination
May Lunitari’s Light be on your path
Bringing comfort and understanding
Lending the wisdom of the ages
Eclipsing the misdirection of spirits
May Lunitari’s Light be on your path
Coaxing energy and ingenuity
Raising the hopes of ambition
Strengthening the resolve of discovery
May Lunitari’s Light be on your path
Introducing Wanderers and Companions
Drawing the fates of many close
Revealing heroes to conquer the storms
May Lunitari’s Light be on your path
Offering blessings and gifts
Rewarding the service of the faithful
Seeking Solace in the balance of magics
~Join us next week for more Cosplay Coverage~
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