Link to final design:
https://tesrenewal.com/files/bat_axe_final_ca_dl.jpg
Lore-friendly pattern - thanks to lukkar:
http://i.imgur.com/exu2i3U.jpg
Next task for me is a redesign of the artifact weapon "Wings of the Batqueen" (better name for typing). It was a model you can find in Morrowinds CK, but it was never implemented in vanilla game.
I hadn´t found much lore about it, as it seems to be a outsorced item for Bethesda. But I mention it was a daedric gift for one of the shrine quests and might have something to do with Molag Bal and his vampires. Also the Winged Twilights could be involved, but as they are the servants of Azura, a cruel axe seems a bit out of range.
By studying the Molag Bal Designs in Skyrim and older games, they were always brute, spiky and demonic. For this axe I would like to implement some fantasy stuff, but also keep the descent realistic look of skywind. Here are some shapes:
We have a two-handed axe, size nearly to player (as in vanilla Skyrim). A (warpick) and B are my favs - C is mostly original, a silhouette of a flying bat fruit. D is a two handed mace, which is also an interesting idea imo. E and F are free for discussion.
I know that there is an earlier dead post for this weapon, but I created this new for a better overview.
I think I like shape E the most; I think it has more of a new look but keeps some of the originality of the first model! That's good thinking on the daedric involvement there, too.
C is fine I like the original.
E looks totally wicked! I love it!
I like C the most, though the wings could stand to curve down a bit more, I think.
I love F, it's the most unique and would definitely be my first choice, though it is a big departure from the original. E is my second favorite, it's got more of the standard double-headed axe shape, but with a cool twist. C would be my third pick, it's not as exciting as F or E, but it strikes a good balance between the iconic bat symbol silhouette and a functional battleaxe. It's also the closest to the original.
C is most traditional to MW.
D is most practical.
We're going to be giving this item to Molag Grunda, who is going to be a 'vampire lady' (female vampire lord) instead of a Winged Twilight, as Molag Bal refers to her as his 'daughter'.
I might like to see something that looks more like a double-headed war scythe, with very large wing-blades. Similar to B, but starting further down on the weapon and taking up more space to look more like a double headed battle axe instead of a staff.
Yeah I would say C and E are good shapes, But I would make more room for them so the actual heads of the axes can really be big and have weight to swing around. Looking good so far, excited to see where these go =D
Wasn't this already made?
Mostly all votes went to C and E. I made a hybrid of them. The second is the warscythe hing, Smitehammer suggested. I really like the idea of making a less axt-like weapon for a female vampire...
love this style of sketching! I feel like the handles should be a little thicker on G, but then again, people say my handles are too thick so maybe not. I really like G, looks painful to get hit with.
I prefer the second one, but you could try to broaden the wings, so have it looking more solid.
I love H, it looks so unique!
I prefer G. H just looks weird to me.
IMHO G is better direction. More in style of MW's, you get more points from nostalgia. Maybe handle could be a bit thicker, but it is nothing serious.
Go with H and improve on it. Make it look like there are two batwing shaped meat cleavers on top of the handle. Shape the pummel into a bat's head and you have a winner.
No real nostalgia points on this particular one since it wasn't attainable without console commands before, hehe. I trust FDT 2 to make a good decision on the final appearance, though. He's done a good job taking feedback and assimilating it into his designs.
Smitehammer wrote:
Probably not a good idea because she also appears in ESO as a Winged Twilight and plays a role in the main quest. So anyone who has beaten ESO's (disappointingly short) main quest will have seen her as a winged twilight.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Molag_Grunda
http://orcz.com/ESO:_Molag_Grunda
If this artifact is associated with Molag Bal then H would be a better direction than G, which simply doesn't look imposing. H on the other hand is kinda elegant, but above all brutal - very fitting for an artifact associated with Lord of Brutality.
Bonus points to H for originality. G just feels... generic, and not really fitting in the Elder Scrolls setting.
G definitely. H looks abit too much of a fantasy vampire magic blabla thing
H is way cooler I think; loads more original, and daedric items should never look generic. It also just looks evil! Whereas G looks a bit like something a twelve yr old would have on Halloween (no offence - it's the influence of the original design). Personally I'd be tempted to reduce the size of the axe-heads to make them look more realistic, but realism is never obligatory with daedric weapons :) great work!
Sorry for the long break, I was on a trip till today. But I continued the Wings of the Queen of Bats, H got slightly more votes in the end:
"An old relic, as old as the vampire that guards it. The Coldharbour steel is still sharp, but years of beeing locked out of the realm finally started corrosing it."
Edit: Will add some polishing and detailed texture. And sorry for re-using the steel shield size-dummy, but I´m busy this evening.
I love it! It's kind of like a double sided bardiche.
I would stick to the Battleaxe theme, I think C is the best template and E has potential if you make wing gap wider at the top as well as blades larger. As for the H template looks too much like a blunt weapon and not an axe, looks a little orcish too, and doesn't symbolize the bat enuf. Look at the old one for example, bat wings with daedra engraved symbols. If you do end up keeping H then add symbols but I wouldnt make that the axe. Possibly an axe with two bats at top of mantle each facing out and their wings connect to form each side of the blade.
Pretty sure its been finalized Cawwean
It´s done I think!
Thanks to Nexos for helping by resizing the blades to a more axe-like shape. Also added some glowing runes as reminiscence to the old design. Btw, this Molag Grunda size dummy is a simple work of mine, it´s not her final appearence ;)
It was a lot of fun, is it worthy?
Wow, I was super iffy about the silhouette for this one, but I really like the completed concept! Bravo.
Erh I don't know about the blade being so short now, kinda takes away the intimidation from it.
I disagree. It actually looks like a usable weapon now instead of a weird scepter thing.
I too appreciate that it was shortened somewhat. To me it just seems like a wonderful design with a great mix of realism and fantasy/innovation.
I like it, though calling it realistic is not the best idea :P
Thanks a lot
I preferred the older proportions, in case it still/ever matters/ed, but either way it's awesome - super iconic!
Well, I know this topic is [completed]. But until we have super-lore friendly approach to almost everything. I have only one suggestion to pattern. Just change it into deadric script from Manifesto Cyrodiil Vampyrum
(Yeah I know that we are in Morrowind but I don't see problem to use this quote, master of these sheep is the same)
Just use this quote
"To you whom We have seen
Stalking at night by eyes keen
Transcendant of savages
Sating thirst sans avarice
Your coffers stay stuffed
By social graces robust
None know your nature;
save Us
None share your fate;
save Us
None welcome you as kin;
save Us"