17 August 2012

[Shared Topic] How has WoW changed your life?

From Effraeti, via MMO Melting Pot, from Syl:

How has WoW changed your life?

How indeed! I've talked about my out of game experiences with fellow players, something that never before seemed possible. I've talked about how much I appreciate the community of bloggers and Twitterati, and how important that it is for me to have something to stimulate my creative brainmeats and keep me writing fiction, even if it is fanfiction.

But today I mostly want to show you this:

As much as I love the idea of the Horde symbol, or even a Naaru (come on, that's an awesome design) I wanted something much more personal and also more obscure. To illustrate: I showed one WoW friend the design and got "Cool! What is it?" and then showed my warlock BFF "Oooh, the treant chest design!" Even I was surprised that she recognized it because I don't think she even has a tree druid...

The actual pattern in game has rounded, paw-like tips on the crescent, but I liked this version where they are sharpened like claws. I spent a few days drawing and redrawing it until I had a good idea of the shape and size that I wanted, and then I just had to wait until I was back in the States!

The artist I worked with said he prefers to do big, colorful pieces, but I requested him because he had a lot of game-related work in his portfolio. A lot of it was console game characters, but when we got to talking he said he had played WoW from launch until Wrath and he had a druid. Score!

If the details of the procedure gross you out, you can skip this part:


It took him about 15 minutes to get everything set up, from the ink to fresh needles to the music. The room was really cold, which coupled with my nerves had me shivering pretty badly. I had to do some jumping jacks to warm up - I think the artists must have thought I was a little off >_> Another artist, who was about to start a very lovely design of Navi (of the Hey! Listen! variety, not the druid!) on another girl came over to appreciate my design. I think he was trying to help me relax.

I didn't look at first, but it was surprisingly bearable with a few really painful parts. I was really worried about, well, freaking out, or flipping my hand around or something, but once he got started I sort of just settled in. I was able to look without being grossed out, which is helpful because he almost forgot the center dot!

My brother got a big piece on his chest there last year, so he was helpful telling me what to expect during healing. Despite some brief grumbling from my dad, my parents have also been supportive, which is nice, because now I can't help but think of other ideas!

18 comments:

  1. Love it! That's a nice subtle reference to WoW. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks :D I wish it didn't look so slimy in the picture ^^;;;

      Delete
  2. Oooh that's awesome! :D Cool-looking without being super overtly WORLD OF WARCRAFT!!!!1 I like!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It's subtle enough that I can easily explain it as "something from a game" and most people are satisfied with that :D

      Delete
  3. That is really cool Aka. Great design (and I hate to say even I didn't recgonise it..)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't worry...when I originally got the idea I was thinking of the *cat* shoulder design. I had to look up the treant one!

      Delete
  4. It looks amazing. I love your choice of something iconic and yet subtle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I can't wait till the scabbing goes away ^^;;;

      Delete
  5. I love that! I want one but I can't decide on the design. Since it's permanent I want it to be personal like yours, that and I'd have to find somewhere to get it done. Around here I'd be stuck with Bubba's Body Shoppe which doesn't instill a lot of confidence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh god lol. Maybe Bubba does really good work! And there's always the internet to ask for advice, both on designs and places you can go :)

      Delete
  6. I love that. I love love love tattoos. I have two now and when I meet my first goal weight, I've decided to get a WoW phoenix on my back with words under it. :D It's going to be awesome.

    YAY!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh! I can't wait to see your phoenix design :>

      I gotta say, this is making me a major believer in tattoos!

      Delete
  7. That's a cool design! It took me until I read all of your post to figure out that it's on your wrist, though :P

    You also have a lot more fortitude than I do. I can't stand needles; I'd probably faint!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops! I cut my hand off in the picture, didn't I ^^;;; I needed a place that could be easily covered!

      I have a huge problem with needles, but only when they are going deep. Having blood drawn sends me into fits. This was painful, but didn't bother me on a needle level :O

      Delete
  8. Awesome! and I miss you akabeko! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww welcome back! It's good to see your name online again :)

      Delete
  9. Aka, that looks seriously amazing. Be warned, tattoos are completely addictive. I now have five and have serious thoughts about my sixth - it may have to wait until after Japan though!

    (we are able to catch up, right? I need someone to show me the good rolling around and eating bread spots!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG you are so right. The instant I took off the bandage (well, really the moment he stopped with the POKEY NEEDLES) I was like well, that wasn't so bad - where next?

      We are totally able to catch up! I can't wait for the partying :D:D

      Delete