What is the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia?

*UPDATE! The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is NOW AVAILABLE!*

 

Welcome to the Grand Bazaar!

For over four thousand years, the Grand Bazaar has been a nexus of culture and trade on the planet of Kiervis. Created by the mysterious traveler known as Ethra VanDalia, the Grand Bazaar is a massive city-sized market that is ever-expanding and ever-changing to meet the needs of the millions of beings that call it home. Kiervis is a world of monsters, and the thousands of races and cultures seek out the Bazaar as a neutral city to buy and sell, live and grow, and plot and scheme.

For nothing is as it seems under the tenting of the Grand Bazaar. While the hand of Ethra is no longer visible in the Bazaar, others, including Shaper, have stepped in to seize power within the Bazaar, and beyond. You must always be careful, for there are dangers to be found, and a quick and gruesome death is nearly as easy to find as roasted fwern hen stew. Chief among these dangers is the corrupting presence that has awakened beneath the Bazaar that lashes out with its destructive servants. This presence may even be beyond Ethra's great power.

The Books

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is a collection of art and interconnected stories. Ethra has gathered research, correspondence, anecdotes, stories, and even children's rhymes to better present an accurate impression of each entry as well as the Bazaar itself. Ethra provides their observations as well to give information and context that is beyond the understanding of the Bazaar's population. What is fact and what is fiction is left to the reader as they travel further into the Grand Bazaar.

As the first book in the series, it provides an overview of the Grand Bazaar as it explores some of the beings and beasts that live under the tenting. You will be introduced to the metal-bodied Yote, who have shed their organic forms for perfection, the scheming Shaper, and their array of living tools, the researchers of the Impure Husk, who seek to document everything, and many more.

The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia measures 9x12 and is 246 pages. The book features a faux leather cover with gold foil and a book ribbon.

The coloring book measures 9x12 and is 84 pages. It features one-sided art with solid black on the reverse side to allow marker use and to limit bleeding.

The 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons compatible stats book measures 5x8 and is 84 pages. It is set in the world of the Grand Bazaar and gives full D&D stats for the monsters from the book while presenting some insight into the psychometricians and their research. The book features a faux leather cover and gold foil to match the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia book.

The Clamshell is available in the collector's edition and is sized to hold all three books and the pin. The clamshell features a faux leather cover and gold foil to match the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia book.

All three books are 100% COMPLETE and ready to go to the printers at the completion of this campaign.

The ART!

Do not forget about the art. A selection of the art from the book will be available as part of the Kickstarter. Each piece is offered in its own reward tier and includes a collectors edition set of the books. ALL other remaining pieces of the art from the book are available NOW!

As I have mentioned, the books are done. All the art is made, all the writing is completed, and all the layout is finalized. All we need now is your support starting Saturday, February 29th, at 10am EST. Together we can see this book a reality! The Grand Bazaar is almost here!

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here soon, the next week is going to be CRAZY! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Selection From the Aberrant Stilter Entry - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Known as Giant Eaters, Stilters, and more, the Iishlukmaw are a much-feared race on the planet of Kiervis. Consuming all in their path, they are a force of nature, but Ethra has seen within them something special. Today, I have for you a selection from the Aberrant Stilter entry that will be in The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia (Kickstarter launches Saturday, Feb 29th at 10am EST). This is an excerpt from a lecture on the importance of learning new languages written by Reginald Blatherskite. Reginald appears repeated in the book as he has a lot to add on many subjects. Here is the artwork for the Aberrant Stilter and an image of Reginald's writings, with it, repeated below for easier reading on electronic devices. 

Aberrant Stilter

11 x 14 - Pencil on paper

Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals

 © 2014 Christopher Burdett

Excerpt from a lecture on the importance of learning new languages

It had not yet been a year since I had become an Acolyte with the Impure Husk when I was selected for a research mission heading to the island of Druth. Or is it Druya? Or Drutha? No matter, to the island where the Stilters dwell. To be selected for this assignment at such an early age with minimal experience was a great honor, to say the least. The honor was not lost on me, for even then I had my wits about me. I may have still been wet behind the ears and ignorant to the complexities of the Bazaar, but I knew to grab the brass ring when it was in front of me. How I planned and prepared for that mission. Day and night, I would study the Stilter’s language and their ways, not that either is very complicated. I would pack and unpack my equipment, making sure I had all I needed and to make sure everything was arranged just so. You cannot imagine the mishaps that can occur if you are unable to retrieve a needed item from your rucksack in the middle of research. A spare quill, additional parchment, or even a book of translations, if they cannot be called forth in a moments notice there is the likelihood important information can be lost. So I would pack, unpack, and pack again until it was perfect.

If this mission was not exciting enough, an airship was hired to take us to the island! I had never been on an airship before, and I had many a sleepless night lying there in bed thinking about what it would be like to soar through the skies. I was a little nervous too, for airships are not without their hazards and flying is as of yet not a refined art. In the end, I think I was more excited than nervous.

I could not sleep at all the night before we departed. I laid in bed awake for what felt like an eternity. I got out of bed and paced in my room for a while. I then had a snack, I even tried to read, but nothing was working. I chose not to recheck my pack for I knew it was perfect. Finally, I decided to go for a walk, clear my head, and take in some night air. The Bazaar was quieter than usual that night. I walked a few streets out from the tower, and on my return, I came upon a Stilter on duty. What luck! Here was a perfect opportunity to try out my language skills before arriving on the island. I knew if this went well, my mind would be at ease, and I could finally sleep.

 I approached the Stilter and in a loud voice said, “Berr kreuw Iishlukmaw. Istrew verd?” There was an uncomfortable silence as it pivoted around and looked down at me. It stared at me with its dull yellow eyes just long enough that doubt entered my hearts, and I feared I had made a terrible mistake. Then in a booming voice, it replied, “Gruest verd, wuk.” Success! I had made contact and was having an exchange with an actual Stilter. All those hours of studying had paid off, and I knew I was prepared for the mission, but I was not prepared for the odor of that Stilter’s breath. It was also unsettling for the Stilter to refer to me as ‘food.’

That was when a second, larger Stilter came around a corner and joined in the conversation. This second Stilter, who had the most delicate orange spots running down its neck and arms, was a lot more talkative as well as curious as to why I could speak their language. It was touch and go for a while as we found the limits of my vocabulary and syntax. In the end, I think we had a charming and informative conversation. That was when I noticed how bright it was. The sun was well into the sky by the time I returned to the tower. Proctor Chr-po Za’que was furious and a little concerned. No one had been able to find me, and they had feared the worst. The research team had waited as long as they could while others searched, but the airship was on a strict schedule, and they had to depart. The team was gone, I had missed the airship, and I had squandered the opportunity that was given to me.

After the team failed to return a second expedition was sent out to investigate. An account of the mission was found in what was left of the airship on the Stilter’s island. There had been an issue with the balloons, and they were forced to land. The Stilters appear to have eaten all aboard as well as a good portion of the cabin. I should have been among the dead, and yet I missed that fate by getting into a lengthy conversation with a pair of Stilters. The twists and turns of life are like that sometimes.

 Reginald Blatherskite - Anointed Seer of the Impure Husk
Excerpt from a lecture on the importance of learning new languages - 2038.7

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Pensacon Next Week! ...and MORE.

One week from today, I will be returning to Pensacon for the best three days at a convention that Florida has to offer. Pensacon is always a ton of fun, and this year should be no different. I will have my remaining client-related stock marked down as I continue to clear out my inventory in advance of the Grand Bazaar. But don't worry, I will be talking at length about the Grand Bazaar while at Pensacon. 

Come see me at Pensacon 2020!

As previously mentioned here on the blog, I will be taking part in three panels at Pensacon. Two of them are on Friday, and one is on Saturday and should offer up some great information regarding art, games, and working as an artist. If you are attending and have questions regarding making monsters and art, you should really stop by these panels.

Pensacon panels for all your Pensacon panels needs.

And the elephant in the room... We are just over one week from the launch of the Kickstarter for my book, The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia! I should clarify because it is actually THREE books that will be part of the Kickstarter. ALL THREE ARE 100% DONE and ARE ALREADY AT THE PRINTERS! There is also a super awesome crest of Ethra enamel pin too! Read more about all of these here. It's finally here. All I need now is your help. Let's make the Grand Bazaar a reality!

Coming to Kickstarter 02/29/2020 @ 10am EST

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

SIX New Pieces of Spot Art - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

We are just over a week from the launch of the Kickstarter for The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia! That means no more playing around. Today I have for you SIX pieces of new spot art. These relate to some of the environmental pieces that are found in the book. You can read more about these sections of the book on The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia blog.

Access Medallions, Tokens, Keys, and Tickets 
8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
  Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Street Food - Skewered poockele with hawcberry, Big Groow-lee’s kabob sampler, and raw netnete with grilled hooul’c slice
8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper 
Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Lucky Mouth
 8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper 
Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Prototype Cranial Housing
 8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper 
Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Grasping Branch
 8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper 
Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Offerings
 8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper 
Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Here are all of the monsters appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Aberrant Stilter, Belled Kreep, Corrupted Knight, Dight-Kin, Eau-de-nil Elder, Ethra VanDalia, Footman, Gray Wanderer, Gullet, Humgruffin Mother, Irritated Girasol, Judicator, Kiplorbic Animal Dealer, Lammergeier Transport, Myopic Rifler, Nimsbane Curse Victim, Ophiomornous Bureaucrat, Petrous Blacksmith, Quincaillerie, Rapacious Guttersnipe, Saint Marque, Smokestack, Thrice, Uncanny Scribe, Virulent Artificer, Woven Egg, Woven Shaper, Xandrell Tree, Yote Arms Dealer, and Zombic Spore.

Here are all of the environmental pieces appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Air Shops, Busy Streets, Hollow Alley, Keeper of the Clocks, Sunken Stalls, The Grand Bazaar, The Seated Dead, 

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

A Closer Look at the Stats Guide for The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia!

*UPDATE! The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is NOW AVAILABLE!*

 

 

Collected Guide of Reference Statistics and Cataloged Research Calculations pertaining to the Beings and Beasts of the Grand Bazaar of Ethra by Bryenn Stiihlmon and J’ff Soulohmon

As previously mentioned, I will be offering a 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons compatible stats guide as part of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Kickstarter. I was fortunate enough to have the help of Brian Stillman and Jeff Solomon, who kicked a whole lot of butt and created stats for the beings and beasts in my book. I can not express how happy I am with their work, and they truly brought a D&D feel to my creations.

The book is 84 pages and measures 5x8. It is the perfect size for a companion guide, and its contents are arranged in the same order as the main book. I had a lot of fun doing the design and layout of this book and creating the additional text and content. This is not merely at stats guide. It is a document created in the world of the Grand Bazaar by the psychometricians to better understand the world through numbers. For each entry, there is a small psychological write up by one of the two psychometricians who wrote this book, Bryenn Stiihlmon and J’ff Soulohmon.

Here is a look at the Iishlukmaw, but you might know it better as the Aberrant Stilter. 

CHOMP CHOMP! You better steer clear of that mouth.

To keep the page layout consistent, I created Proverb of the Psychometricians. I ended creating more than I needed, which is good since the psychometricians will return.

Proverb of the Psychometricians

I think I will share one more entry with you today! Here is the entry for Shaper's Sentries, but you might know them as Footman. 

Again, I am SO happy with the job Brian Stillman and Jeff Solomon did on these. I could not have done this without them!

The Kickstarter launches February 29th! You can expect to hear more about this in the coming days and weeks.

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Gray Wanderer Doll - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Today's piece of new spot art is a Gray Wanderer Doll. This relates to the Gray Wanderer section of the book. You can read more about this section of the book on The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia blog.

Gray Wanderer Doll

  8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
  Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Here are all of the monsters appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Aberrant Stilter, Belled Kreep, Corrupted Knight, Dight-Kin, Eau-de-nil Elder, Ethra VanDalia, Footman, Gray Wanderer, Gullet, Humgruffin Mother, Irritated Girasol, Judicator, Kiplorbic Animal Dealer, Lammergeier Transport, Myopic Rifler, Nimsbane Curse Victim, Ophiomornous Bureaucrat, Petrous Blacksmith, Quincaillerie, Rapacious Guttersnipe, Saint Marque, Smokestack, Thrice, Uncanny Scribe, Virulent Artificer, Woven Egg, Woven Shaper, Xandrell Tree, Yote Arms Dealer, and Zombic Spore.

Here are all of the environmental pieces appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Air Shops, Busy Streets, Hollow Alley, Keeper of the Clocks, Sunken Stalls, The Grand Bazaar, The Seated Dead, 

That is all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Pensacon 2020 Panel Schedule

We are just over two weeks away from Pensacon and the launch of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Kickstarter (Feb 29!!!!). The Pensacon app and website have been updated with the panel and event schedules. I will be on three panels this year, and I am already looking forward to them. All of the information can be found over on the Pensacon website, or right here for your convenience.  

Be sure to check out my panel schedule, as well as the rest of the guests, planned events!

I will be talking about something I know a few things about on Friday from 4-4:45pm... MONSTERS! This is a great lineup, and there should be a lot of information to be shared during this panel.

From 5:15-6pm on Friday, I will be sharing the stage with a fellow RPG artist that I have done several panels with before, Brian LeBlanc. We will be answering your questions and talking about working in the industry.

Lastly, on Saturday from 11-11:45am, I will be part of a great line up of artists talking about illustration. This should be an excellent opportunity to get questions answered from a group of artist that work on a diverse range of projects.

That's all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Removed Sentry Venting Socket - The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

Today's piece of new spot art is a Removed Sentry Venting Socket. This relates to the Footman section of the book. You can read more about this section of the book on The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia blog.

Removed Sentry Venting Socket

  8 x 10 - Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
  Currently Available Grand Bazaar Originals
© 2020 Christopher Burdett

Here are all of the monsters appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Aberrant Stilter, Belled Kreep, Corrupted Knight, Dight-Kin, Eau-de-nil Elder, Ethra VanDalia, Footman, Gray Wanderer, Gullet, Humgruffin Mother, Irritated Girasol, Judicator, Kiplorbic Animal Dealer, Lammergeier Transport, Myopic Rifler, Nimsbane Curse Victim, Ophiomornous Bureaucrat, Petrous Blacksmith, Quincaillerie, Rapacious Guttersnipe, Saint Marque, Smokestack, Thrice, Uncanny Scribe, Virulent Artificer, Woven Egg, Woven Shaper, Xandrell Tree, Yote Arms Dealer, and Zombic Spore.

Here are all of the environmental pieces appearing in the first volume of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia: Air Shops, Busy Streets, Hollow Alley, Keeper of the Clocks, Sunken Stalls, The Grand Bazaar, The Seated Dead, 

That is all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

The Derek Diamond Experience Interview

I recently had the opportunity to be on The Derek Diamond Experience, where I talked about working in Los Angles on TV and movies, my upcoming appearance at Pensacon, and the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Kickstarter (coming February 29!). It was a blast, and I hope you take a moment to listen. If you liked what you hear, be sure to check out the rest of The Derek Diamond Experience interviews.

You can listen to the episode over on the site,

or you can listen directly here.

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Ancient Carp Playmats - BACK IN STOCK!

My Ancient Carp playmats are back in stock! Over the weekend, I got a new batch signed and ready to go. They are available on my store or over at Original Magic Art. Two ways to get them if one of us might sell out. I have heard some of you have been trying to get your hands on them, and now they are once again available!

Officially licensed Magic the Gathering Ancient Carp Playmat

Each Ancient Carp playmat comes signed!

Again, head over to my store or  Original Magic Art to get your hands on one of these signed Ancient Carp playmats. You will not regret it! RAWR!

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

A Closer Look at the Grand Coloring Book of Ethra VanDalia!

Bring a little color to the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia.

Guest contributor Achsa Nute has some information regarding the Grand Coloring Book of Ethra VanDalia!

I don’t know if you heard, but we’re doing a coloring book from the BAZAAR!!! I’ve always liked the line art that comes at the beginning of Chris’s work. I always thought it would be fun to color. So I looked into what makes a good coloring book.

Images are single-sided with black backs.

It will be printed on good paper stock with images on only one side, so you don’t have to decide which picture to sacrifice. The back of each image will be printed in solid black to help prevent bleeding for anyone who likes to use markers.

At the centerfold is the Grand Map of the Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia

The map will be a two page spread across the center of the book, so if you want to keep it all attached, it’ll still be easy to color, but if you don’t, it’s all on one sheet.  We did our best to clean up a few of the earlier images that were from photos to make it complete, but most importantly, ALL of the environments have been made into lovely lines for your Bazaar coloring satisfaction. I feel like these will also make amazing gifts for those awesome kids and adults who love coloring and don’t get enough monsters.

Enjoy!

Kickstarter goes live February 29
-Achsa Nute

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com