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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Oct 2005 : 23:22:30
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Well met
Sparked off by another scroll, I thought it best to open up a little discussion regarding thy favorite artists which have given their skills to Forgotten Realms cover art. Whilst I've placed this in the Products section, this does also extend to novel covers.
So, which artists, past and present, stand out most for ye? And which products\novels in particular have left a lasting image in thy mind and being a stand-out visual for the Realms?
Personally, as i've stated elsewhere, Todd Lockwood is my favorite artist. I've had the added bonus to meet Tood and view some of his original artwork up close (I also recommend his Transitions artbook, which features a large amount of D&D\FR artwork). Some of my favorite Lockwood art is from the Starlight and Shadows trilogy. Sons of Gruumsh is also outstanding in quality and detail. Onto the older TSR material, Jeff Easley and Larry Elmore have produced some amazing pieces, and although a few look a little dated today, still have great detail and flavor.
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Alaundo
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 00:32:54
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Well, as I've said elsewhere, when I got into D&D, it was when everything TSR put out had cover art by Larry Elmore, Clyde Caldwell, or Jeff Easley, and interior art by Valerie Valusek.
I got very used to seeing that level of outstanding artwork.
Since then, I've not seen any artists I even considered to be close to as good as that bunch, with the sole exception of Keith Parkinson.
For me, there is no finer artist than Larry Elmore. My favorite bit of Realms art by him is the cover of FR9 The Bloodstone Lands. There was also a nice piece by him in the old FRA. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 00:45:23
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I always loved Elmore's work, though in some ways in my mind I associated him more with DragonLance than with Forgotten Realms. But back in those days no one was reall TIED to one particular setting. I liked Caldwell, but Easley had a tendancy to make faces and features look too "puffy" for me.
Valerie Valusek will always be my favorite black and white illustrator that has ever graced a D&D rulebook.
I have always liked Gerald Brom's stuff as well, but not so much for the Realms, because his work is very distictive and I associate it more with Dark Sun. While Fred Fields was always a good technical artist, none of his paintings really "caught" me and made me think that he had captured his subject, with the possible exception of Khelbun from the 2e City of Splendors boxed set.
Matt Stawicki, again, associated more with DL than FR, has never really won me over fully either, since his paintings have a sort of muddy, indistinct feel to them that while not unpleasant, don't lend much to my own (and its just my opinion) way of seeing a novel or game product cover.
Finally, Todd Lockwood. Yes, he definately deserves a mention in the Hall of FR Authors. I think there may be some residual backlash to some of his art due to the "Dungeonpunk" feel that WOTC wanted 3rd Edition to have, but in general, Todd, especially his dragons, are awesome. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 00:45:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Well, as I've said elsewhere, when I got into D&D, it was when everything TSR put out had cover art by Larry Elmore, Clyde Caldwell, or Jeff Easley, and interior art by Valerie Valusek.
I got very used to seeing that level of outstanding artwork.
Since then, I've not seen any artists I even considered to be close to as good as that bunch, with the sole exception of Keith Parkinson.
For me, there is no finer artist than Larry Elmore. My favorite bit of Realms art by him is the cover of FR9 The Bloodstone Lands. There was also a nice piece by him in the old FRA.
Elmore, Parkinson, Valusek, Easley, Caldwell IS D&D to me and it will always be that way. :)
Diterrizi (I probably butchered that name) will always be THE Planescape artist for me as well. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
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Edited by - Kuje on 04 Oct 2005 00:50:25 |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 00:58:32
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I am not saying that Elmore or Caldwell weren't awesome back in the day, but I think Lockwood and Reynolds are making some awesome fantasy work. I mean, did you see Reynolds Drow on the cover of Dragon? Wow. And I have a Lockwood picture of Zhai (from Demon Stone) going up in my bedroom at home.
I'll tell you what, though, Brom does an excellent Catti-Brie on the cover of the collector's Legacy of the Drow.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 02:34:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Well, as I've said elsewhere, when I got into D&D, it was when everything TSR put out had cover art by Larry Elmore, Clyde Caldwell, or Jeff Easley, and interior art by Valerie Valusek.
I've already expressed my love for the works of these talented artists elsewhere at Candlekeep, so I'll only say that I agree with Wooly -- these are certainly outstanding pieces of fantasy artistry.
quote:
Since then, I've not seen any artists I even considered to be close to as good as that bunch, with the sole exception of Keith Parkinson.
For me, the works of Parkinson are something that need to be judged on a case by case basis. Some of the art he did for a certain comic line was certainly interesting though...
quote:
For me, there is no finer artist than Larry Elmore. My favorite bit of Realms art by him is the cover of FR9 The Bloodstone Lands. There was also a nice piece by him in the old FRA.
Elmore was the ART OF DRAGONLANCE. While Tracy and Margaret created the world of Krynn through their words... Elmore was the one to give that world an image. That's something that I will always remember, because the matching of three great artistic talents was what made the original DL stories -- the best!
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Diterrizi (I probably butchered that name) will always be THE Planescape artist for me as well.
That goes without saying  . The work of DiTerlizz was that special "something" that captured the nature and tone of the PLANESCAPE setting. I've not seen any other works that even come close to that.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 02:39:08
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Additionally, Brom's work for the DARK SUN line of products was always a pleasure for me. His images always managed to retain a certain sharpness about them... that integrated well with the harsh nature of the world he was drawing for.
And Caldwell and RAVENLOFT -- None of the 3e RL products ever came close to what Caldwell attempted during his run on the old RL products. When I remember Strahd von Zarovich, its always Caldwell's works that spring to mind  .
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 02:52:08
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| And I've really tried to be objective even when someone's art didn't strike me as wonderful, but does anyone else really not enjoy Thomas Baxa's artwork. I have nothing against someone that has a love of fantasy and can make a living in the industry . . . but not only did Baxa's work not seem quite as impressive as Brom's when I first saw it in Dark Sun material, but I haven't grown to like it any more as it has increasingly appeared in Realms products (for example, the Phaerimm from LEOF, or Aumvor in COR). |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 02:57:16
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My introduction to the fantasy works of Thomas Baxa was through M:tG. And I can't say that I've really found them inspiring, mostly because his fantasy images have a very "gritty" feel about them.
He certainly has a knack for fantasy imagery... but it's not my cup of java . (I wonder how many scribes will catch on to that reference... using java and Baxa in the same post ).
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Edited by - The Sage on 04 Oct 2005 02:59:03 |
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Kianna
Learned Scribe
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 03:13:09
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We do love Lockwood in this house and I love how when you order his prints he emails you himself and tells you they are on their way (unless its just me and in that case I wonder if he has a crush on me.. *grin*).
I do keep a special place in my heart for Elmore and Easley as well. There is some art that you see that just grabs you, and while you may not be a fan of all their work, that one piece will always make you stop and stare.
Or is it just me? |
Huzzah! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 03:17:48
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| Oh, and though Elmore got the skin tone wrong for Drizzt, I think his cover for The Crytal Shard was the best artwork to grace any of Drizzt books... |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 03:18:10
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| Dispite the fact that I wasn't a fan of the "dungeonpunk" remodel of clothing, armor, and the like for 3rd Edition, I really liked Lockwood's 30th anniversary bar room brawl painting that he did. That vicious blond elf in white with that dangerous glare in her eye . . . well, anyway, you get the point. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 03:23:58
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| Wooly, did you ever see the cover of the Icewind Dale Trilogy compilation? Its an Elmore that depicts Drizzt and Catti-brie. Best looking Catti-brie I have ever seen, proper skin tone for Drizzt, appropriately sized scimitars and all. He's also not wearing any extra trinkets, just a simple shirt and pants. Its actually an interesting visual piece. |
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Kianna
Learned Scribe
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 03:28:18
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| You know, I really liked how Drizzt was pictured in DemonStone too. Not too sure about the voice...but the visual was hot. :) |
Huzzah! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 05:44:13
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Wooly, did you ever see the cover of the Icewind Dale Trilogy compilation? Its an Elmore that depicts Drizzt and Catti-brie. Best looking Catti-brie I have ever seen, proper skin tone for Drizzt, appropriately sized scimitars and all. He's also not wearing any extra trinkets, just a simple shirt and pants. Its actually an interesting visual piece.
Nope, I missed that one... Anyone got a link to the pic? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 07:18:56
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| I would really love a Rebbeca Guay cover of the Realms.... |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 13:12:10
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| Lockwood is my favorite. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 13:21:45
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quote:
Originally posted by khorne
Lockwood is my favorite.
I have to concur. Lockwood is my favorite as well, although I'll always like Elmore and Easley as well.
I've seen the original for Lands of Intrigue and I own the original for Powers & Pantheons, and I have to add that the originals are 10x better than his already fabulous covers.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
Edited by - ericlboyd on 04 Oct 2005 13:22:18 |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2005 : 13:34:26
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Eric - that's not nice - no reason to make me jealous! :)
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2005 : 18:24:39
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| My personal favourites would be Larry Elmore and Therese Nielsen, especially Nielsen, the covers for Black Wolf and Heirs of Prophecy are my two favourite covers to the FR-novels (although Azure Bonds aren't bad either |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 01:26:14
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| Blast . . . the Elmore Cover for the Icewind Dale collection isn't on his site . . . I'm still looking . . . |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 05:45:44
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Todd Lockwood is my favorite, I got the chance to see the original oil painting of the Tangled Webs cover at a local con, and it was spectacular. I'm also a huge fan of Brom and Keith Parkinson. Steven Belledin and Jeremy Jarvis do outstanding work as well. It seems that the "grittyness" of many of the newer artists are not well received, but I prefer that to the 80's hairstyles of some of the older artwork. That being said, the covers of the Finder's Stone Trilogy are among my favorites in spite of Alias' hair.
Edit: I can't believe I forgot Jeff Easley, no list of greats can be complete without him. |
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Edited by - Xysma on 06 Oct 2005 14:44:46 |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 06:54:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
Todd Lockwood is my favorite, I got the chance to see the original oil painting of the Tangled Webs cover at a local con, and it was spectacular. I'm also a huge fan of Brom and Keith Parkinson. Steven Belledin and Jeremy Jarvis do outstanding work as well. It seems that the "grittyness" of many of the newer artists are not well received, but I prefer that to the 80's hairstyles of some of the older artwork. That being said, the covers of the Finder's Stone Trilogy are among my favorites in spite of Alias' hair.
Yeah, I do enjoy Todd Lockwood's work.
Makes me kinda feel robbed, that they commissioned him to do are for the reprints of the Daughter of the Drow and the Drizzt novels.
I also like Mathew Wilson, Wayne Reynolds, and Sam Woods out of the new people too.
Of the older artists, Elmore, Easley, Caldwell, Brom are some that come to mind, along with the guy that did alot of the art for Planescape. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 11:11:02
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quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
Todd Lockwood is my favorite, I got the chance to see the original oil painting of the Tangled Webs cover at a local con, and it was spectacular. I'm also a huge fan of Brom and Keith Parkinson. Steven Belledin and Jeremy Jarvis do outstanding work as well. It seems that the "grittyness" of many of the newer artists are not well received, but I prefer that to the 80's hairstyles of some of the older artwork. That being said, the covers of the Finder's Stone Trilogy are among my favorites in spite of Alias' hair.
Yeah, I do enjoy Todd Lockwood's work.
Makes me kinda feel robbed, that they commissioned him to do are for the reprints of the Daughter of the Drow and the Drizzt novels.
I also like Mathew Wilson, Wayne Reynolds, and Sam Woods out of the new people too.
Of the older artists, Elmore, Easley, Caldwell, Brom are some that come to mind, along with the guy that did alot of the art for Planescape.
In my opinion - Lockwood made that series visually appealing with his new artwork. The previous covers weren't that catching. Either way, the story was good, though, so huzzah!
I also really didn't like the artwork for the original Arilyn books. The almost human models painted over look kind of scared me. I much prefer the new covers. Except that Elaith has a goatee, and that I do not think he should have.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Kianna
Learned Scribe
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 13:58:46
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| Again....mustaches on elves!!! The world has gone mad. |
Huzzah! |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 14:41:17
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
I also really didn't like the artwork for the original Arilyn books. The almost human models painted over look kind of scared me.
C-Fb
I know what you mean, I like my fantasy art to be fantastic. It bothers me when the covers looks like my neighbor on his way to a renaissance fair. The original cover of Black Wizards and Titan of Twilight stand out in my mind as particularly bad. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 14:57:30
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quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
Of the older artists, Elmore, Easley, Caldwell, Brom are some that come to mind, along with the guy that did alot of the art for Planescape.
Coming back to the mention of DiTerlizz and the art of PLANESCAPE... I also feel that Dana Knutson should receive a special mention, since it was his "medieval-tech" architecture designs and imagery that made Sigil so intriguing.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 06 Oct 2005 15:00:30 |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 15:21:07
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That's true - I think Planescape found the right mix of artists that will always make that CS stand out, and really added the whole feeling to the setting. I was familiar with his art after PS was out as he drew quite bit of art for Rage the CCG and Changeling.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 15:32:39
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
Of the older artists, Elmore, Easley, Caldwell, Brom are some that come to mind, along with the guy that did alot of the art for Planescape.
Coming back to the mention of DiTerlizz and the art of PLANESCAPE... I also feel that Dana Knutson should receive a special mention, since it was his "medieval-tech" architecture designs and imagery that made Sigil so intriguing.
Ah, Sigil. My favorite fantasy city. Waterdeep doesn`t even come close. Dana Knutson is a very good artist. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2005 : 17:17:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
I know what you mean, I like my fantasy art to be fantastic. It bothers me when the covers looks like my neighbor on his way to a renaissance fair.
That's why I'm an Elmore fan. His artwork matches what I'd expect to see in a fantasy world... The people are proportioned correctly and realistically. Elves look like elves, dwarves look like dwarves, odd humanoid critters look like odd humanoid critters... And his dragons capture the majestic appearance we're always told dragons have.
Elmore is the only one who makes me feel I'm looking at something that could really exist somewhere. |
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Forgotten Realms artists
