The Asura

[TOAD.4718]

Where did they get the design idea from? Honestly the more I look at them the more creeped out I get. It’s like a Mogwai and a Garbage Pail kid had a baby together.

 

I would really like to know the origin and thought process behind their design if anyone knows a well done article or video about it.

[Telgum.6071]

The origin of the asura is simple, they are the result of mixing skritts and krait, hence why they have that face and those reptile traits, and that superiority complex and prepotent attitude.

They also somehow inherited the intelligence of the skritt when they are together, hence why they live in a society pragmatic and technologically advanced. They still resemble the rats though.

[Eekasqueak.7850]

They're just goblins without the noses and green skin. 

[The Greyhawk.9107]

This ain't going to end well.

[Konig Des Todes.2086]

3 hours ago, TOAD.4718 said:

Where did they get the design idea from?

Goblins.

3 hours ago, TOAD.4718 said:

I would really like to know the origin and thought process behind their design if anyone knows a well done article or video about it.

https://kristenperryart.com/projects/mqbvVy

https://web.archive.org/web/20121018064219/http://www.arena.net/blog/angel-mccoy-on-writing-asura

https://web.archive.org/web/20111019194900/http://www.arena.net/blog/matt-barrett-on-asura-design

And for a joke:

https://web.archive.org/web/20121018064400/http://www.arena.net/blog/hey-bookah-smart-asura-answers-to-stupid-questions

But the third link was most important for your questions:

Spoiler

Asura, the little goblin-y, flappy-eared tinkerer creatures… They make magic machines, right? They’re tinkerers, yes, but also intuitively powerful masters of the elemental energies surrounding them in the caverns of their native sub-Tyrian world.

The talents of the asura carried their civilization through ages of harmonious existence beneath the lands of Tyria. When the destroyers forced them to the surface, their truly exotic technology and traditions flooded out and changed the world.

The asura represent a force of explosive change, cutting traditions and forcing adaptation. With no investment in the heritage of the world above, they impose their will without restraint. They apply their technology in ways never before dreamed within their rock warrens, let alone in the lands of sun.

Their essence can be summarized thus: Nobody is prepared for the asura except the asura.

The little people themselves were conceived originally as scrawny, creepy, Gollum-like, gnome-y creatures, with pointy red hats, arcane mutterings, and pale skin. They were to be mischievous, dwelling on the fringes of society, scavenging mysterious artifacts of their advanced neighbors.

This was my first crack at the asura (below), before they’d been given a larger part of the story. Note the idol he wears as a pendant.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111019194900im_/http://www.arena.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/first-asura1-345x600.jpg

Their role in the story changed, however, and demanded that their appearance reflect a deeper complexity. The asura were to be underestimated by the first sun-siders to encounter them. For this new role, the asura needed to be at least a little sympathetic, or even cute, but not too cute. They needed to give the impression that condescension would be imprudent. Thus, they gained their present feline-reptilian-alien aspect.

This next asura design (below) was headed in the right direction, but it’s really pretty creepy.  It’s got an alien look, but it’s not even slightly cute, nor does it suggest anything resembling ambition.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111019194900im_/http://www.arena.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/second-asura1-320x600.jpg

Physically, asura are mostly unintimidating, with scrawny shoulders, pencil necks, short legs—all hands and feet and noggin. At first glance, one might see a childlike individual, with wide-set eyes, a round head, and stumpy legs that waddle-run in the most adorable way.

However, look any longer and one will see the disdainful, scheming eyes, the unsympathetic reptilian mouth, generally sophisticated gremlin-like bearing…and the five-meter-tall stone golem standing behind him. You don’t want to call the asura cute unless you also want to see how hard that golem can clamp your throat while a mad-genius gremlin hisses insults into your eyes from between pointed reptilian teeth.

This asura design (below) popped out one morning- the first thing I drew that day, and I knew I’d nailed it.  This would be the Ur-Asura.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111019194900im_/http://www.arena.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/third-asura-326x600.jpg

 

Edited December 3, 2022 by Konig Des Todes.2086

[TOAD.4718]

34 minutes ago, The Greyhawk.9107 said:

This ain't going to end well.

I dunno. I like the discussion so far.

[DarcShriek.5829]

The Asura need to go back to the pits of hell that they came from.  Primordus is dead, they have no reason to stay here.  Go home and stay home you freaks.

[TheOrlyFactor.8341]

38 minutes ago, DarcShriek.5829 said:

The Asura need to go back to the pits of hell that they came from.  Primordus is dead, they have no reason to stay here.  Go home and stay home you freaks.

That's a funny way to spell Charr.

Edited January 5, 2023 by TheOrlyFactor.8341

[DarcShriek.5829]

3 hours ago, TheOrlyFactor.8341 said:

That's a funny way to spell Charr.

If I spelled Charr correctly, I'd get kicked off the forums.