Michael J. :: EverQuest (1999-2002)

EverQuest Computer Game Preliminary Box Cover Sketch of Dagda Icefury

Artist: Keith Parkinson (All)

2 Comments - 510 Views - 1 Like

EverQuest Computer Game Preliminary Box Cover Sketch of Dagda Icefury Comic Art

Additional Images:

Computer Game Box Cover

From EverQuest.com: "It's interesting to see how elements changed either by flipping them left to right, or by simply moving them to try to achieve a desired effect."

Rough Layout Draft #1

Rough Layout Draft #2

Rough Layout Draft Revision

In-Game NPC: "Dagda Icefury regards you indifferently -- what would you like your tombstone to say?"

Previous Item:
EverQuest RPG: Game Master’s Guide Preliminary Book Cover Freeport Militia Skeleton Drawing

Artwork Details

Title:	EverQuest Computer Game Preliminary Box Cover Sketch of Dagda Icefury
Artist:	Keith Parkinson (All)
Media Type:	Pencil
Art Type:	Prelim
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	510
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	1/27/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This original 8.5" x 8" black graphite on paper EverQuest drawing by fantasy illustrator extraordinaire Keith Parkinson was used as a preliminary character sketch during the creation of the groundbreaking massively multiplayer online role-playing game's box cover. The image depicts the fierce and formidable barbarian warrior Dagda Icefury crouching in a battle-ready stance.

As part of the computer title's Second Anniversary Celebration in 2001, the illustration saw publication on the official EverQuest website's "Concept Art" page, where it appeared by itself as a barbarian character model as well as on multiple rough layout drafts.

When EverQuest lead designer Brad McQuaid hired Parkinson, the artist described the commission as a life-changing experience.

"At the time, I saw it as a project that would allow me to revisit some subject matter that I missed. After years of book covers that explored different areas, the subject matter in this game was a chance to get back to the things I so loved and illustrated while I worked at TSR. I had the chance to paint ogres, trolls, and beautiful women again. It was a lot of fun," Parkinson wrote in his 2004 book, Kingsgate: The Art of Keith Parkinson. "It also took me two months to do the first painting. During that period I did a multitude of layouts and designed the player characters that appeared in the piece."

The finished 24" x 36" oil painting on masonite currently hangs on the walls of Daybreak Game Studio, which continues to expand the world of Norrath with additional zones and quests more than two decades later.

Hailing from the city of Halas, the frigid homeland of the hardy barbarian race in northern Antonica, Dagda's canonical character profile from Harpy's Head Tavern reads in part:

"Dagda is a strong woman, firmly rooted in the physical world. She is most comfortable dealing with things she can touch, hear, and smell. A follower of The Tribunal, she believes in the tenants of absolute justice, but, for the most part, has little use for the gods. The realms of spirit and magic are best left to those who have the time to worry about such intangible things. The extent of her mystical experiences consist of a single dream she received from Tunare, though she never knew nor cared about its source, that foretold her meeting the gnomes, Ognit and Dabner. Other than this, she has found that obstacles are best met head-on where she can see them face to face, smell their breath, and hear the crunch of their bones."

Dagda rescued the tinkering wizard Ognit Eznertob and Dabner Drednever, an unassuming cleric of Brell Serilis, from attacking raiders in Everfrost. Ever since then, she has vowed to protect the two diminutive trouble-making gnomes "with the ferocity of a bear defending her cubs" during their perilous journeys as fearless companions of Firiona Vie. Brief with words, but prolific with profanity, she possesses an unparalleled mastery of tactical combat on the battlefield.

According to the previous owner, the artwork came directly from Parkinson around the time of EverQuest II's release in 2004.

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About the Owner

	Michael J.
Joined:	August 2015
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Michael's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/28/2023

So great that this image was approved and it's in the foreground sharing the same view as we have of what's going on in the cover.

Sanford OVGA
Member Since 2020

Posted on 3/25/2023

Congrats on nabbing this from the Heritage video game art auction! I like your choice of mat. I haven't framed any of my prelim work yet but I'm always looking for good presentation ideas

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