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Rusl

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I finished it.  :crazy:

Or at least stopped workin' on it.  :faint:

As.... exquisitely as this fellow would have lent himself to my bad fixation on severely wounded hero types.... I wanted to portray him as being a little more, mmm, win.  And I'm betting that that whole bloody-bandaged couch-moaning episode was not one of his proudest moments.

And so here we have Rusl in the back room of Telma's bar, no doubt layin' in to the rest of the Resistance that crap just got real, and them what wants to save Hyrule'd better man up or get out.  No offense, Telma, Ashei.

In looking for references to draw from, I was able to reacquaint myself with Rusl a bit.  I have always loved his character.  Rusl is what a man should be.  A good and true friend.  A wise and steady mentor.  A brave and able protector.  A faithful husband and a loving father.  To this day, seeing him in the darkness of the village after the attack, ruddied by his own blood and dragging one leg, but still boldly bearing a torch and his sword as he sweeps the night for any remaining villains that would dare come near his pregnant wife.... oh my heart, how it just roars for that man's fortitude.

I remember the first time I, as Link, found him again after having lost him for so long.  He'd been half-dead recovering in the village the last I'd seen him, and out searching for the missing children the last I'd heard of him.  I wonder if he may even have crossed the Twilight wall on his own at some point, anything to bring back his son....  And then to think that I'd found him again before I even realized he was there before my eyes.  Words will never be able to express my shock and exhilaration at that one moment of revelation.

As Link I was the world's Hero.  But Rusl was my Hero.  He is an expert swordsman, a skilled falconer, a seasoned warrior, a befriender of creatures who have obviously somehow found the Triforce already, and at the very end.... a life saver.

From the Hyrulean Resistance, he is Rusl.

For Link's Friendlist at :icongame-art-hq:.

For much of the fine tuning of this I was listening not to music as is my wont, but to, uh, this playthrough of Twilight Princess.

Listening to a Zelda playthrough while arting will do nothing for your productivity.

I got to part twenty-five, the Temple of Time, before I was finished, and there were a few repeats.  Right now I'm listening to part twenty-six.

I would recommend that particular playthrough to anyone looking for high quality references for art (or just looking to relive his favorite Twilight Princess moments).  At 1080p it is the most crisp and gorgeous playthrough I've ever seen.  The YouTuber, ZorZelda, is a delight to watch as well.  S/he goes through the game efficiently, to be sure, but not in such a rush that s/he can't maintain the mood of the story, or pause to look at the occasional Easter egg.  It's not a speedrun, and it's not a blunderer; it's just a gorgeous, well-oiled happy medium.  Have a look.

Peace out.
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RedwallChick1303's avatar
HOLY DAMN THIS IS GORGEOUS .... it's so defined and well done ??? I LOVE IT