Crimson CHOW #67 Barbaric Elephant King

[Lege1]

Barbaric Elephant King

Concept: A colossal, hulking elephant king, not of a civilized or traditional monarchy, but of a brutal, barbaric horde. This is a ruler who leads from the front, a warrior-king whose might is his scepter and whose conquests are his crown. He is a blend of natural majesty and savage, man-made adornment, a testament to his power over both his own kind and the creatures he has subjugated. Can be human, or more animal like!

Physicality:

Size: He is immense, even for an elephant. His tusks are massive, thick, and chipped from countless battles. He has a powerful, muscular build, with scars and old wounds criss crossing his thick, leathery hide. His ears are torn and notched.

Posture: He stands tall and proud, but with a slight forward lean, as if perpetually ready for a charge. His head is held high, but with an aggressive tilt. His trunk is often coiled, ready to strike or to trumpet a command.

Expression: His eyes are a key element. They should be intelligent but ruthless, with a fiery glint. A low brow and a permanent scowl complete his fearsome visage.

Attire & Adornments:

Crown: Instead of a delicate, jeweled crown, he wears a crude, heavy helmet fashioned from the skull of a rhinoceros or a similar formidable beast. It should be adorned with jagged teeth or horns from his fallen enemies.

Armor: He is not fully armored, but wears key pieces of brutal, heavy plate or mail. This could include a gorget or shoulder plates made from hammered bronze or dark iron, fastened with thick leather straps. The armor is not polished, but dented and stained.

Tusk Rings: His tusks are wrapped in thick metal bands, possibly engraved with runes or tribal symbols of conquest. These bands might have hooks or chains attached from which trophies dangle.

Trophies: He is festooned with the spoils of war. This could include skulls, bones, or even preserved heads of creatures or lesser kings he has defeated, woven into his hide or hanging from his armor. A necklace of human or orcish skulls would be a powerful visual.

Jewelry: He wears heavy, primitive necklaces and bracelets made of large, uncut stones, polished bone, or crudely hammered metal.

Weaponry:

A Massive Club or Mace: A huge, gnarled club or mace, possibly with a head made from a massive stone or a piece of forged iron. It should look unwieldy and incredibly heavy. He holds it not with his trunk, but with a specially designed grip attached to his leg or back, or perhaps wields it with a prehensile appendage created by his tribe.

War Scythe: A curved scythe-like blade could be affixed to one of his tusks, turning it into a devastating weapon.

Setting:

He is standing on a high cliff overlooking a desolate, conquered landscape.

He is seated on a throne made of the bones and rubble of a destroyed city.

He is leading his war horde—a mix of lesser elephants, mammoths, and other primitive creatures—into battle.

Mood & Atmosphere:

Mood: Grim, imposing, and aggressive.

Atmosphere: Heavy, dusty, and filled with a sense of raw, untamed power. The lighting should be dramatic, perhaps with the low sun casting long, intimidating shadows.

Keywords for the Artist: Brutal, Primal, Warlord, Conqueror, Colossal, Imposing, Scars, Trophies, Crude Metal, Bone, Skulls, Desolate, Raw Power.

Character Design References Challenge Rules

• No photograph paint overs, must be 100% original work. (See next rule for exception)
  
• 3D is permitted and renders MAY be used as whole or in part of a painting, as long as YOU created the work. Pre-made and/or purchased, online, assets are forbidden.
  
• AI may be used in the ideation process, but the final image must be 100% hand-drawn.
  
• Studies are recommended, but not required.
  
• There is no restriction on image formats (horizontal, vertical, square).
  
• Environment backgrounds are optional.
  
• Keep in mind you are not required to stick to what is in the passage. It is more of a guide in terms of mood.
  

Rules:

• You must post at least one WIP in the WIP thread to be accepted into the final poll.
  
• Finals must be posted in the finals thread before the deadline.
  
• At least 3/4 of the character must be visible (minimum from the knees up).
  
• Only ONE submission per person in the finals thread.
  
• No fanart. We want to see your original, unique interpretations!
  
• Voting will be held for 5 days after the deadline.
  
• In an event of a tiebreaker, a winner will be chosen through a randomized name picker.
  

-=WIP THREAD=-

Deadline is Wednesday, September 30th, 2025 @ UTC: 23:59