GodOfPower: Sorry I took so long to say thank you. I really appreciate your comment, and as you can now see, I've taken your advice and kept it up.
I was inspired to come up with these first three pictures by the topic in the wishlist about racial weapons. I tried to reflect both the different cultural styles and differing physiques of races when coming up with corresponding racial weapons. In the first picture are two Diaboli style weapons, similar in type to a war pick and a dagger. These designs had more to do with creating a style that reflects diaboli appearance and mindset than their body type. The second picture, on the other hand, does relate to kran specifically because they use crystals in much of the craft and art and they receive more damage from blunt weapons. I got the ideas for the shapes from Aztec Macahuitl and Simple Incan maces. The Gudor and Darg could use diamond for the blade instead of obsidian, which could be made sturdier by being held together with magic in addition to adhesives. In the third picture on top I have a Nolthrir weapon in the style of Tonfas, with a handle on the side so that the user can swivel the blabe between a more defensive or offensive position. I thought that this seemed to make for a fluid fighting style which fits with Nolthrir lifestyle. Also, when swiveled back the sword increases the surface area around the hand, perhaps allowing for use while swimming. The curving waves of the blade even mimic flowing water. Finally the Dermorian Rapier has a handle mimicking twisted treebranches, though it's not apparent in my sketch. I'm not content with the rapier yet, but I threw it up their anyways. The edge of the other sketch in the third picture was an idea that didn't work out, but I was too lazy to cut it out of the picture after I scanned.
These are some sketches exploring plate armor for a Nolthrir. I tried to streamline everything and devise ways to extend large, flat surfaces from the hand and feet to make swimming a little easier with the armor on. Of course, if the armor were merely forged of steel, swimming would be a joke, laughed at and never tried seriously, but perhaps in Yliakum there is (a) a lighter metal, such as aluminum, which is still strong and can be mined and refined without the complex processes needed for aluminum. Mithril would be an example of the sort of metal needed, as it is light as air and stronger than steel, though I would expect the name to be different for Planeshift. OR (b) a way to use magic to lighten already existant metals, such as steel. Maybe some combination of rock and air glyphs to produce ores as light as air?
This is the first idea I had for fins on the feet which could be switched between out and in, but the method on this was too difficult to switch back to the in position to be efficient, and the ribs on the fins would be too flimsy if they had to be flexible enough to bend back on themselves.
This was my new solution to the problem of flimsy ribbing on the fins and difficulty of switching between modes quickly. The ribs are not attached to the webbing between them, but fit into sleeves when they extend. The webbing scrunches up when the ribs are stored inside the she in cavities, and when they are released by the depression of a metal peg in the side of the shoe, they are pulled forward quickly by an elastic strip of material, clicking into place at the end of the elastic band of material with another metal peg. The ribs are sharp on the tip so the extending action can be used as a surprise weapon. To push the ribs back in, the second peg must be depressed and then the ribs must be pushed back to the point where the first peg can slide back into place. This is much easier to do and doesn't require the use of the hands.
After deciding on the design of the armor, I set about making a cleaner colored version. The proportions ended up being a bit off, but I think they may be justifiable after all. Wjile my Nolthrir has arms much too long for the rest of his body, this abnormal length could serve as an advantage while swimming. Just as many claimed Michael Phelps' abnormal proportions gave him a natural edge when smimming, perhaps similarly longer torso and arms with shorter yet still powerful legs would be present in an aquatic humanoid, as the body proportions best suited for swimming would remain evident in the genepool, while traits less suitable to marine life would die out over time.
Just a quick sketch of what was originally intended to be a kran but changed as I went and now doesn't quite match kran body shape. I was inspired to sketch this by Zephan's excellent sketches, and I admit that some of his style may have been retained. I do not mean to copy you so as to steal your work. I merely used some of the same features as you used in your Enkidukai sketch because I was so impressed with your understanding of the musculature and facial character. I must admit I like your kran sketch better.
This is still a work in progress, but as you can see it is a bust of a Ynnwn in plate mail armor.
These are some quick idea sketches of Hammerwielder style helmets and chain mail armor. I'm not content with any of them right now.
Here are a few new creatures, as promised a while back:
The Mordov
Before you stands a creature which surely must have come straight from the bowels of Dakkru's realm of Death, for a creature more deathly ill and to all senses appearing to be on the decay has never been seen. However, this charade of decadence is a farce, as the mordov is a gentle giant, and there have been very few documented cases of attacks on sentient creatures. Every aspect of the mordov's appearance is actually perfectly suited to its role as the sole predator of the bivrab, a small, swift scavenger. The appearance of decay is enhanced with scent glands producing the odors of rot, which draw the elusive bivrab in. Furthermore, the mordov is excellent at playing dead, thereby furthering its disguise. As soon as the bivrab is close enough, the mordov uses either its long, spiky tonge or its pincer-tipped arms to grab and quickly devour the bivrabs unlucky enough to approach. Unfortunately, no drawing of the bivrab could be obtained, as they are so elusive and quick that they are hardly ever in one place long enough to be accurately drawn.
The Stalag
A fascinating creature known to inhabit the central lake of Yliakum, the Stalag gets it's name from It's ability and tendency to mimic cave formations so as to remain camoflauged. Many ships have found themselves lost after searching for stalagmite landmarks which simply were not there. This is of course because the stalagmite in question was simply a Stalag hidden from view. No one is sure what they consume as their shells are nigh on inpenetrable and they are not usually caught out of their disguise. the only race to come into contact with them in their uncamoflauged state are the Nolthrir, who sometimes see them swimming throught the murky depths. According to report, they are gentle and curious, quite often shy, and can reach massive proportions.
The Kreeble
A small rodent picks at some seeds on the earth. The night is as dark as obsidian, yet the Kreeble looks straight up at you as you approach. This is no doubt a product of the Kreeble's third eye, capable of infravision. He chirps when he sees you aren't a threat and continues his quest for food.