FoxWander
Adventurer
I'd like to make a nice set of Maneuver Cards for Tome of Battle: the Book of Nine Swords. (since using the book practically requires using cards to track manuevers, especially if you play a Crusader) My concept for the cards is somewhat 'Magic:the Gathering'-like (love or hate the game itself- the cards DO look good) in that I'd like to have icons represent the different disciplines, as well as the different types of maneuvers, so you can see at a glance the basics of what your options are. Then put it all together on nice background- perhaps with color themes according to the disciplines.
I can do the card layout and colors fairly easily but, my problem is I'm not terribly good at original art. So I'm not sure how well I'd do at the icons- hence this request. If some of the immense talent that frequents this board could whip up some simple icons, I'd be very thankful. (As would all those who download the finished cards once I crank them out and post them here. Or rather, blank templates of those cards since the manuevers aren't open-content.)
Below are the names and brief descriptions of the disciplines- in case you don't have ToB, and for inspiration on the icons or the cards themselves. For all the icons, I'm looking for something to fit in a small circle or square that will be recognizable in the border area of playing card sized cards. Think- the mana icons of MtG cards, but perhaps a little bigger. They'll be in the border so you can fan the cardsa and see what you have.
Here are the disciplines, descriptions and what suggestions I have (these are simple icons, so I have simple ideas):
Desert Wind- focused on speed and mobility with many supernatural fire-based attacks. Icon idea- A moving flame, perhaps the spinning fireball Red Mana icon from MtG.
Devoted Spirit- faith and devotion based abilities; attacks that harm the type of creatures that oppose your cause; many abilities which allow you to heal and protect yourself and allies. Icon idea- maybe a shield or a shining sword
Diamond Mind- Mind over body; concentration and focus boost your attacks and defenses. Icon idea- Simple, a diamond. Either an actual diamond in traditional side-view or as from a deck of cards
Iron Heart- Absolute mastery of the sword; constant practice and study brings superhuman skill. Icon idea- A black, metallic heart; either with a forged, riveted look or the heart-shape but hard-edged and chiseled.
Setting Sun- Using your enemies power and speed against them; lots of throws and redirecting/doging/countering enemy attacks. Icon idea- Another simple one, a setting sun.
Shadow Hand- Deception, misdirection and surprise; some supernatural cold/shadow attacks. Icon idea- a black hand or the outline of a hand with a black aura.
Stone Dragon- Strength and endurance of the mountains; focused on devastating, powerful attacks. Icon idea- A dragon's head in profile, perhaps with eroded edges to look like worn stone.
Tiger Claw- Emulating the power, strength and bloodlust of an animal; ferocious strikes and leaping attacks. Icon idea- three, diagonal claw marks or the outline of a single claw.
White Raven- Cooperation and teamwork; battlecries and attacks that coordinate and enhance the attacks of the whole group. Icon idea- a white raven head in profile or a white feather
Below are the types of maneuvers that should have icons as well. There are three types of maneuvers and then there are stances. Maneuvers are used and then gone until recovered, stances are "always on" abilities. These all might be best expressed with extremely simple icons, perhaps just basic shapes. The types are self-explanatory but I'll describe how they're used in case that influences your ideas. And of course, there are my own ideas:
Boost- grants a bonus or enhancement; always a swift action to use so you can boost then attack. Icon idea- a starburst.
Counter- a fast, defensive maneuver; always an immediate action to use so you can interupt your opponent. Icon idea- an "X" mark or a circle-with-slash "No" symbol.
Strike- a special attack that has a bonus or advantage over a standard attack; always a standard or full-round action. Icon idea- perhaps a downward pointing triangle or a sharp "V".
Stance- a fighting method maintained from round to round; while maintained it provides some kind of benefit. Can be switched for another known stance with a swift action. Icon idea- a square or some fundamental, solid shape.
I can do the card layout and colors fairly easily but, my problem is I'm not terribly good at original art. So I'm not sure how well I'd do at the icons- hence this request. If some of the immense talent that frequents this board could whip up some simple icons, I'd be very thankful. (As would all those who download the finished cards once I crank them out and post them here. Or rather, blank templates of those cards since the manuevers aren't open-content.)
Below are the names and brief descriptions of the disciplines- in case you don't have ToB, and for inspiration on the icons or the cards themselves. For all the icons, I'm looking for something to fit in a small circle or square that will be recognizable in the border area of playing card sized cards. Think- the mana icons of MtG cards, but perhaps a little bigger. They'll be in the border so you can fan the cardsa and see what you have.
Here are the disciplines, descriptions and what suggestions I have (these are simple icons, so I have simple ideas):
Desert Wind- focused on speed and mobility with many supernatural fire-based attacks. Icon idea- A moving flame, perhaps the spinning fireball Red Mana icon from MtG.
Devoted Spirit- faith and devotion based abilities; attacks that harm the type of creatures that oppose your cause; many abilities which allow you to heal and protect yourself and allies. Icon idea- maybe a shield or a shining sword
Diamond Mind- Mind over body; concentration and focus boost your attacks and defenses. Icon idea- Simple, a diamond. Either an actual diamond in traditional side-view or as from a deck of cards
Iron Heart- Absolute mastery of the sword; constant practice and study brings superhuman skill. Icon idea- A black, metallic heart; either with a forged, riveted look or the heart-shape but hard-edged and chiseled.
Setting Sun- Using your enemies power and speed against them; lots of throws and redirecting/doging/countering enemy attacks. Icon idea- Another simple one, a setting sun.
Shadow Hand- Deception, misdirection and surprise; some supernatural cold/shadow attacks. Icon idea- a black hand or the outline of a hand with a black aura.
Stone Dragon- Strength and endurance of the mountains; focused on devastating, powerful attacks. Icon idea- A dragon's head in profile, perhaps with eroded edges to look like worn stone.
Tiger Claw- Emulating the power, strength and bloodlust of an animal; ferocious strikes and leaping attacks. Icon idea- three, diagonal claw marks or the outline of a single claw.
White Raven- Cooperation and teamwork; battlecries and attacks that coordinate and enhance the attacks of the whole group. Icon idea- a white raven head in profile or a white feather
Below are the types of maneuvers that should have icons as well. There are three types of maneuvers and then there are stances. Maneuvers are used and then gone until recovered, stances are "always on" abilities. These all might be best expressed with extremely simple icons, perhaps just basic shapes. The types are self-explanatory but I'll describe how they're used in case that influences your ideas. And of course, there are my own ideas:
Boost- grants a bonus or enhancement; always a swift action to use so you can boost then attack. Icon idea- a starburst.
Counter- a fast, defensive maneuver; always an immediate action to use so you can interupt your opponent. Icon idea- an "X" mark or a circle-with-slash "No" symbol.
Strike- a special attack that has a bonus or advantage over a standard attack; always a standard or full-round action. Icon idea- perhaps a downward pointing triangle or a sharp "V".
Stance- a fighting method maintained from round to round; while maintained it provides some kind of benefit. Can be switched for another known stance with a swift action. Icon idea- a square or some fundamental, solid shape.
