astralprisms

[astralprisms]

Do you have tips on how you draw mind flayers? I cannottttt get a handle on that anatomy (especially the head) and your art is so impressive! 😁❤️

of course! I threw this together pretty quickly, so it's not exactly comprehensive, but I hope it helps (and please, feel free to ask if you need clarification on anything)

I take a fair amount of creative leeway with how I draw illithids (and god knows that has been a process, please know I'm honored that anyone would ask this lmao), but also keep in mind that no two are the same. For example, I draw Thyneron and the Emperor broadly similarly, but some key differences that I keep in mind are that Thyneron is both shorter and more slender than the Emperor, and in turn, I prefer to draw the Emperor slightly more built (larger biceps, broader shoulders, etc).

However--I do also have a ripped model from the game that I use for reference. It's a fully configured fbx file (shoutout to @arcandoria for both supplying me the model, and helping me figure out how to get it to work in clip studio!), so below I've included some basic head angles, as well as a few trickier ones

As always, reference reference reference, and never be afraid to trace things for practice. I spent a lot of time just tracing the Emperor's head shape to get my hand and arm used to the motions of drawing something so alien. I rarely need to do so today, but if I'm drawing the Emperor's head from a particularly weird angle, you bet I'm loading the model in and grabbing exactly what I need. Thank you so much for asking this (and for the compliment <3), I hope this is useful!

[astralprisms]

Okay, so today in modern au I present to you - courier Minsc, Jaheira from HR, just your regular employee and boss Emperor

[astralprisms]

yeeha last @theemperorweek piece for prompt Intimacy

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I love her way too much.

[astralprisms]

Tom, the Kinda Rogue Mind Flayer #7: The Waltz of the Flutist.

Tom experiments with a song and dance routine !

Drawn by @marzipanrose Written by: @tomahawkbunny

[astralprisms]

thinking about home

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ketheric piece

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Biblically accurate Pigeon circa 9:42 dragon

[astralprisms]

you know what? fuck you (marries your leitmotifs together so that you might be redeemed by love)

[astralprisms]

[astralprisms]

Portraits:

@first-flower-of-my-house @ratheralark @justbeingbuck @tavsversion

sketch page:

@halsins-herbal-underpants @queen-scribbles @vitamindel @taki-yaki @arach-tinilith

I’m still working on some; the day isn’t over yet! Stay turned 💪

[astralprisms]

Thinking about Pigeon again lately

[astralprisms]

the babe of frontiers 🫶

[astralprisms]

Lae'zel, my beloved 💘🐸

[astralprisms]

Wyll the sea serpent | mermaid au 🪸

[astralprisms]

"You need a guardian, choose one."

[astralprisms]

OC KISS WEEK - REUNION

Featuring @astralprisms's AU Skaro and my fellow Sha'sal Khou member Gaalil.

No CW necessary, a bit more than 1k words.

---

Swirls spun on the horizon. Lost threads of silver aimlessly danced as they traveled, snaked by in numbers. A rare, perfectly natural occurrence to welcome the phalange of a dead God completing its orbit. Claimed as a Githyanki intermediary outpost, the Finger of Vr'ikh'tor held safety, and only the right company. In this unremarkable citadel carved out of stone and bone, a small squadron of Sha'sal Khou members collected under the guise of business.

In his advanced age, the timeless qualities and low gravity of the Astral Plane meant Gaalil had excuses enough to glaze over his duties on other planes. What an unpleasant surprise it was when he was informed the next formal meeting would take place in the Astral Sea. What kind, acknowledging accommodation it was, so he would not, could not miss it for the fifth consecutive time. At least, the expected presence of an old friend motivated his journey.

Gaalil had made it earlier than most, trying to make a short vacation out of this business trip. When he wasn't running back and fourth with his inconveniently far too plenty belongings, he waited on the dock, lotus legged, counting down turns like stars. Thankfully for him, it was not sleep that welcomed him on the third.

The Githzerai's characteristic doe eyes near disappeared, squinted by what seemed like an ever widening smile. The pace of his steps picked up. Last he had seen Skaro, the young Zerth was still earning his name on Shra'kt'lor. The youth was now a man, and his home had since long drifted away from the constraints of Zerthimon's teachings.

Assurance in his now tight musculature, Skaro stared down the former Gith’attala approaching him, who unlike him, hadn't earned a wrinkle in the hundreds of years they spent apart. He refused to relax his posture, even when arms melted his core as they wrapped around him. A kind hug took him hostage.

"It's so good to see you- in the flesh," Gaalil exclaimed cheek against his chest. "You know, I didn't remember you being so tall," he laughed.

Skaro gently pushed him away by the shoulders, firmly grasping him, shaking him into place.

"Perhaps you shrunk?"

"I almost wish."

Gaalil finally let go. He rubbed his hands together, an Astral Fly as his eyes sparkled in excitement.

"Quick, before they ask of us for boring "professional" nonsense, would you like to hang out in my- yes, temporary- office, just for a little bit?"

"You wouldn't let me go anywhere else if I tried," Skaro replied cheeky. "Lead the way."

And so they sneaked away, coworkers disappearing into one of few towers making up this quiet citadel.

Gaalil had set up a small workshop. A menagerie of istik trinkets littered surfaces and poked out of boxes. Surely, he could've done without, but it was his way of life, had been even back when Skaro had met him. His eyes glazed over the mess he had expected.

Gaalil pulled his personal stool from under the desk. The unpleasant scraping of stone and wood greeted Skaro's ears, but he kept still.

"Take a seat!"

And so, he sat. Hunched over, Skaro's legs spread comically high, propped by the floor on furniture clearly not designed with his height in mind.

Although pleasant, the long winded conversation, first face to face in so many years, started turning to a blur. Skaro couldn't help but be distracted by news he'd heard from a fellow Githzerai colleague. His initial soft smile slowly dropped, despite Gaalil's enthusiasm. Eventually, Gaalil stood up to show Skaro some of his "project thingmabobs". Head deep in his desk, the Zerth found it in him to clear his throat.

"I can see you deeply enjoy Tu'narath, yes?"

"It is so wonderful. If I could take you there I-"

"I am starting to believe you are purposefully avoiding Shra'kt'lor."

His throat tightened around a hearty chuckle, jaw clenched as he turned around. "Who isn't?"

Skaro exhaled, rubbing his brow, exasperated.

"Gaalil, this is serious," he breathed, soft. "They're going to start suspecting things, suspecting you. You've been staying on Tu'narath longer and longer." He shook his head. "They expect your debriefs, you cannot delay those like the Sha'sal's."

"I feel good here. Yes, the Ch'r'ai keeps a close eye on me but-" He chucked the trinket he'd been fidgeting in the Zerth's direction, which the latter caught with ease, "-I think I've got life figured out there."

Skaro took a closer look at what he received. A small, bolt-like, bronze "thingmabob", engraved in an unknown language. Not quite cold, but lukewarm. Gaalil's attention still radiated from it. He smirked.

"Nice junk."

Satisfied with his inspection, Skaro threw the bolt back. Gaalil's wide open begging palms remained empty, as a loud clang indicated it landed on the desk behind him instead. A bright toothy smile grew on flush cheeks as he laughed. He bent backwards, his chest hovering while his knuckles dug into his hips. "I am old, tired, and simple. I like my peace, my quiet, and my junk." He paused. "The longer I can get away with staying, the better."

"Are your bones gonna start creaking the moment you leave the Astral Plane then, old man?"

"Hah! Like you're that much younger. You should come along, just so we could compare. Perhaps that might be the company I need to make sure I go."

"There might be far more suitable destinations than a Zerth council."

"... Right. They'd harass you worse than I."

Skaro's elbows rested in his lap as his fingers joined together. He bent forward.

"The Sha'sal could help you with home, you know."

Gaalil's gaze lost itself behind Skaro.

"I have connections there. They are far too important, especially for the cause. They wouldn't let me get away with that one bit." He crossed his arms. "I'm stuck, and that's okay." He closed his eyes, sighing downwards, smile near wiped off his face.

"Yes. I need to pull myself together. You are unfortunately right, as always."

When he looked back up, Skaro expected a punchline, but the man remained quiet, and so did he. They stared at each other, pupils dancing with the light of the room. Gaalil's frown softened with the minutes, the corners of his mouth jittering. He approached Skaro, resting his tired hands on his shoulders.

"I know that you know that I know, you are very, very special. But nonetheless, let me just say: I think you can be proud of yourself. You have come so far."

His thumbs straddling Skaro's cheeks, Gaalil leaned in. Skull pressed against his locs, he kissed the Zerth's forehead.

"I'm just glad you can still make time for me despite the fact."

"I have time enough for you. I don't think that's something that will ever change, no matter how old I get. You're a good friend to have, colleague or not."

"You are a delight of a friend, too."

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An alt! Skaro came to me surprisingly naturally. I think this took around an hour and a half or so, a very short amount of time for me.