W20 Art of Werewolf The Apocalypse
W20 Art of Werewolf The Apocalypse
W20 Art of Werewolf The Apocalypse
2
Introduction 4
Part One: Transformation & Bloody Violence 7
Part Two: The Defenders of Gaia 15
Part Three: The Wyrm 27
Part Four: The Weaver 43
Part Five: The Wyld 49
Part Six: The Umbra 55
3
Introduction
Werewolf: The Apocalypse Some readers may not know, but when people such
was one of the first roleplaying as myself develop books, we have to provide art notes to
games I ever just sat down to our art director, who then disseminates them among sev-
read, cover to cover. It was the eral artists we commission to complete the pieces. When
game’s third edition, which my I was first tasked with doing this, I had no idea whether
cousin allowed me to borrow, to be exacting in my art notes (worried that I might stifle
and it wasn’t just the words, the an artist’s create freedom) or loose (but then find out the
setting, and the powers that grabbed artist’s work doesn’t fit the book). It took practice to get it
me: It was the art. There were fantastic just right, and all credit goes to the artists in those books’
pieces from artists such as Ron Spencer, Steve Ellis, Andrew cases for producing art so well-suited to the game, even
Bates, Michael Gaydos, Brian LeBlanc, Melissa Uran, and when the instructions weren’t terribly clear.
Tagda Dragoo, among many others. Those pieces burst from The art of Werewolf: The Apocalypse is truly important
the pages, just as Tony DiTerlizzi’s work did for me with to me, as I feel the pieces found throughout the game’s
his work on Changeling: The Dreaming, and I realized existence are among the most evocative and high-quality
this game was alive with energy and potential. I wanted to illustrations you’ll find in any tabletop roleplaying game.
play it, run it, and just study those wonderful pieces of art. Many of the greats have worked on these books, and I have
It was a genuine joy for me to have my first published no doubt some pieces stick with you, and come to your
writing assignment in Book of the Wyrm for this edition mind just as you read this line.
of Werewolf. Being able to contribute to one of the earliest This book contains art from a range of Werewolf books
games to leave an impact on me as a young roleplayer was for the 20th Anniversary line, broken into different chapters
superb. What was even better was knowing my words would based on subject matter. I have personally curated this selection,
directly impact the art buy, as the developer would go on based on my favorites and pieces that just make me go “wow”
to use text from my work to provide notes to the artists we whenever I stop to just admire them. In some cases, I’ve added
hired for that book. It’s always a wonder to see how artists a little text to explain why this art is important to me, what it’s
interpret your words into illustrations, photographs, and depicting, and in which book the art can be found. I hope
drawings, and without doubt, is for me one of the most you find these notations useful, and enjoy this gorgeous book.
fulfilling parts of working in this industry. — Matthew Dawkins
Introduction 5
Violence right from the start, as a werewolf in Glabro form jams a silver
blade through the jaw of a Black Spiral Dancer.
Illustrated by Ron Spencer.
Part One:
Transformation &
Bloody Violence
Werewolf: The Apocalypse is a game of claws, teeth, and blood-starched fur. The characters you play are often
whirlwinds of violence who tear through their enemies, all in the name of Gaia and the idea of returning the world to a
state of harmony. No doubt this is why so much of the art in Werewolf depicts the Garou at their most ferocious, their
skin splitting as they transform or their claws drawing blood as they rip a foe in half. These pieces are selected to portray
those themes of transformation and bloodshed
Gaia’s champions come in many forms. Some are born Homid, oth-
ers Lupus, and rarer, those werewolves known as metis, born to a union
of two Garou. Each werewolf belongs to a tribe — a family of werewolves
bearing the same lineage and totem — and each is dedicated to one of
Luna’s Auspices. These art pieces depict an array of werewolves, profiled
to depict one of those markers: breed, tribe, and Auspice.
The most mysterious part of the Triat, the Wyld represents a combination
of unbridled creation and destruction. The Wyld spawns creatures,
spirits, and objects of wonder, at the same time weaken-
ing the Gauntlet between worlds, allowing spirits
to cross freely. It empowers the mystical
elements of the universe, not all of
which are kind. The Wyld is chaos,
nature, and the elements raging
without human interference.
This art represents some
of the Wyld’s chaotic
sprawl.