In the previous part of our Companion Combat Guide (Part 1: The Basics) we left off at discussing the Leader's role in combat after outlining the basic rules of an engagement. In this part, we'll cover the actions that Companions can take during their turn.

Hargad Tuul (an old name meaning 'The Hollow Plain') is our next location artwork reveal that is found post-Prologue. With its fog, overcast sky, solitary gnarly trees, and greenery the area is a far cry from the usual arid wastelands and rocky deserts of the rest of the continent. The art captures its melancholy dampness and bleakness perfectly.

Another character in the long line of non-human cast members is the Orc mercenary and master-at-arms called Gor'Goro. Even among his warlike kin, he is considered a paragon of martial prowess and a very promising leader, yet a strange doubt seems to be tearing at his heart about the fate of his kind. Thus, Gor'Goro has left behind his tribe and set out on his own, swearing to forge a destiny independent of other Orcs and their troublesome politics. For years now he's befriended all manner of warrior folk and settled down in Tor'Zag's Shelter to teach and train. Yet someone like Gor'Goro could never bear sitting on his hands forever.

Another location from the main game, Arken is a frequented hub and a town of great import as it sits on the Empire's largest marble reserve as well as close to other treasures of the earth. The settlement borders the Arkoros Forest, where instead of trees large standing stones cover the terrain. With low walls of stone and several districts (including a set of villas and temples), Arken would be a lovely place if not for the constant dust and the wind that whips it. Thus, only people who work here live in the town along with some merchants and a handful of dedicated craftsmen. Stones are gathered in warehouses to be sold and shipped off all over the Empire. A strong garrison of undead soldiers - maintained by necromancers - guards the town as no living beings would stand on the walls constantly plagued by the terrible dust. But how loyal are those who run Arken to the Empire with such a force at their fingertip?

The reveal of our next character marks an important moment in artwork development: Renkailon is the first character who's not going to appear in the Prologue and thus is exclusively created for the main game.

In Character design - Part 1 we talked about the types of characters in Vagrus, focusing especially on Companions and their roles in the game. Now it's time to move onto the topic of what exactly goes into the graphic design phase of these characters.

Javek is one of our main characters in the Prologue and he'll hopefully make his return in the main game, too. A budding sorcerer with telepathic powers, he can read thoughts, see glimpses of the future, and even cause pain and damage to someone's mind.

His combat phases/poses reflect these abilities. Here's a list of skills the above displayed images are connected to:

It's spring 1990 and I'm in elementary school. My best friend brings a book to school that he reads aloud to a small group of us during our big walks at lunch break. The book has a weird old wizard on the cover conjuring smoke from a crystal ball. More interesting are the illustrations on the inside: intricate black and white drawings of strange fantasy creatures and dungeon locations. The little book is Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson's Warlock of Firetop Mountain, translated to our native language. Most of you probably know that it's a gamebook that you do not read from start to end but in branching numbered chapters that make the story personal and add replayability. Yet they are much more than simple choose-your-own-adventure books because they include a stat and combat system you have to manage throughout the adventure - albeit a really simple one.

Here are some character poses for the Orc Marauder enemy to feast your eyes upon!

Another character who plays a very important role in the Prologue, Javek is a young sorcerer who uses telepathic abilities. He is of Tarkian origin and because the Imperial province of Tark is based on early Persian and Turkish cultures from real life, Szonja designed Javek's appearance to match those in clothing and equipment.

Calm and easy-going, Javek's ability to pick up surface thoughts and glean motives can be very useful. He is also skilled at handling animals and beasts of burden. That skill is enhanced by his telepathic ability which works even better on animals. Does that remind you of someone? Hmmm. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? :)