The Complete Elmore - Part One: A Book of Power

Update: I have received word that, sadly, The Complete Elmore is no longer available and will not be reprinted in the form seen here.
Thunder cracks! The earth opens! Eight men fall in - but not the Bard for he had the wit to be in a different town altogether, pouring over a tome from the depths of his library. It is the Complete Elmore, a volume of wonder so mesmerising that a single video cannot safely contain the powers within!
End card art by Penflower Ink: www.penflower-...
My shield was made by a fellow called Vaughn, a cracking blacksmith whose work can be seen on his facebook page: / v.m.metalcraft

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Mystery solved by erinaco - cracking work! Not This One was the cover of 1987's Trail of the Seahawks. www.lwcurrey.com/pictures/medium/139712.jpg It's not a TSR novel (Edit: it IS a TSR novel. Is there no end to the snares of lore?) but those beasts certainly qualify as owlbears or 'something'.

[@johnnyjohnson6643]

Legendary work, Erinaco!

[@jimmymcgill2961]

Foxbears?

[@timhough]

Less than 2 hours after the video went up! Outstanding work!

[@Fastwinstondoom]

I'm going to have to agree with the artist, those foxbearthings are... not what I would have chosen either!

[@timmowarner]

Fantastic! Can you pin this post for future viewers?

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Lo! To remain in accordance with the secret oaths I made a decision to make this a two part video. Other reasons include: 1. The final subject does indeed deserve a video of its own, 2. The video threatens to be longer than time itself otherwise and, 3. I have a box with heroquest written on it and I wish to halt Elmorian filming to see what's inside.

[@jphillips6983]

I hope the new edition of Heroquest comes with the dreaded Fortress o' Peril and Gravity Land

[@Diarmuhnd]

All of the above, yarp.

[@pewpewplunkett87]

I watched the HeroQuest video so many times, I can recite it by rote!

[@iangrant3615]

Those are great reasons! Let it be known that this adventurer enjoyed your return and this part one video greatly! And the coming of the second part and, we can hope, a video about the new Heroquest in due course! I raise my Browdswoard in anticipation for such a blessing to emerge!

[@teoudvooreenhippenaam3914]

@@jphillips6983 I'm also very much looking forward to play the Gravity Land version! Awesome

[@roadkillz78]

My brother, a few buddies of his, and myself had the pleasure of meeting Larry Elmore at a fantasy convention in the late 90's. My older brother is a huge fan of his so he was all star struck when it came to talking to him during the panel and autograph signing (haha). I gave him my art book to sign and he took notice of a picture I did of Verminaard that was based off of Jeff Easley's work "Verminaard and Ember" and talked to me about it and then he thumbed through my art book before signing it. Such to say, I was bit embarrassed that he did because I felt most of my other doodles in there were crap (it would be like Picasso looking at a 5 year old's drawings). After his panel, we went outside for some air and were geeking out about D&D stuff and meeting Elmore and lo, and behold, the man himself walked out! He walked into our conversation circle and lit up a cigarillo and talked w/ us about his own RP experiences and how he helped flesh out the world of Dragonlance through his art. It was an experience I, and my brother (and his friends) will never forget! Larry was such a humble and wonderful guy!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

What a grand experience!

[@MosoKaiser]

Like a wizard, the Bard is never late. He arrives precisely when he means to.

[@Chillmvster]

Super on point

[@zeebaa6]

Haha. Best comment. 🤣

[@lolaldanee2743]

Indeed, just when I was very down and kind of depressed yesterday evening, suddenly a bard showed up and all my sorrows were gone cracking video!

[@VagabondTE]

If anyone know how to make an entrance, it's the bard

[@mcfarvo]

"Look to my upload on the first light of the fifth day, at dawn look to the subscription feed." - the bard

[@GoobertownHobbies]

Look at those physiques! I love every minute of these, thank you! :-)

[@Captain.Fantastic]

So cool when one of my favorite KZbinrs comments on a vid of another one of my favorite KZbinrs! ;)

[@RFC-3514]

The muscularity!

[@cory7328]

These videos are so wholesome. I love the fact Goober is a fan of the Bard as well.

[@oboeshoesgames]

Always a pleasure to see a new vid from the Bard

[@SupMamma88]

Everytime

[@alanmartin9207]

Big smile on my face when I realised why this video was on my subs page.

[@GannAinm]

Amen.

[@Utubesuxmycock]

Looking forward to part 2. Releasing next Thanksgiving

[@Jux925]

Always like Christmas

[@richardpain]

I'm dying for part 2 of this study. Your passion for the art and magic of the book is more than infectious. Please, part 2, asap

[@Sparkyy-1]

When we needed him the most, he returned

[@jearl75290]

As the prophecy foretold.

[@richardpain]

The sacred texts, at last, to life!

[@fancyhobo]

There is something so warm and welcoming in the way this man talks about art and memory. Brings back the nostalgia for a time in gaming I remember very fondly.

[@AndyMoranPhoto]

Me too. It's been many, maaany years since I played my last game of dnd but this and the rest of his channel brings me back to the times in high school surrounded by friends under a single overhead light surrounded by figures and bowls of chips and popcorn for hours. Miss those days

[@erebostd]

@@AndyMoranPhoto me too, friend, me too. I still have a room in my house, above all in the attic, where my RPG stuff lives. Old Posters on the wall, bags filled with dices and miniatures in drawers, dusty bookshelves full of rulebooks at the walls, a big table in the middle, an old couch opposite to the big window. We spend many nights up there. But live moves on. Your job demands time, wife and kids are your priority on the weekends. Every now and then there’s a mail from the old gang, proposing to ignore the other stuff and just go on and game once more, one more night. But then a kid gets ill, another time one has to work, next the bathtub is leaking and has to be redone on the weekend. But the times will be remembered, an I hope once we are old, and all we have left is time, we’ll gather around this table - or another - once again, to fight evil and rescue villages from certain doom…

[@catlee8064]

I dont know if BB will read this, but please keep uploading, your excitement and huge amount of knowledge are a breath of fresh air on youtube. Your presentation style is second to none!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Thank you! :)

[@cliveward4484]

Ditto!

[@scaryviking8657]

We are still waiting for part 2. Come on, Bard - we need you!

[@aaronchiusano8732]

"It's gonna be quite a while before 1985 roles around again but when it does, I'm ready" Absolute gold 😂

[@mcfarvo]

"Roles" or "rolls?" Ah, perhaps both, friend! Yarp!

[@aaronchiusano8732]

@@mcfarvo lol, yarp. you're right, should be rolls.

[@PikkuMao]

Well he's not wrong :D Next time the '85 calendar is useable is 2030.

[@disruptive_innovator]

"Where the battle is not to win something but to keep what you have." This resonates with me.

[@Caliban_80]

This man is a treasure of our time.

[@samsowden]

and all times!

[@mikkelberg9144]

I know this comment will be lost among the thousand you have received, but thank you for this. The vary majority of the internet is horrible, condencensing, negative, judgemental, horrid. But this channel, these videos, are brilliant and a testament to what the internet could have been, what it was in the early days. Pure, true and loving. Thank you.

[@TreeBeardBookReviews]

This man’s oration and prose is so on point. I couldn’t even imagine being a player in a group he DMd

[@David-pt3mh]

“The battle is not to win something, But to keep what you have.” Epic. Incredible to hear from you as always.

[@DrumsTheWord]

JOY...my favourite KZbinr is back with a new video!!

[@Fastwunz]

For the love of god give this man some of the best fantasy novels ever written, a microphone, an audible contract and I’ll buy all of them

[@funebure]

From Queen's blade to Peter Cushing The dripping culture of the Bard's videos are not only educational but hold this comfy vibe of listening a tale around a campfire or in a pub, sitting in a DnD campaign with you as the DM must be quite the experience looking forward to that Novel Cover Review and more artbooks in the future

[@DocOmally101]

IT HAS BEEN AGES! The DwarfKing has returned to us at last! Well met bard!

[@monnierobinson9210]

Always unbashful, feverishly erudite, and a wizard phrasemaker. Entertaining, nice turn of phases, and fearlessly accomplished with information. Thanks to the Bard!

[@springheeledjackofthegurdi2117]

He returns, now one thing remains, one question left unanswered... What's the best thing about New HeroQuest?

[@BardicBroadcasts]

We shall see...

[@leifcian4288]

@@BardicBroadcasts The best thing about new hero quest remains to be seen you say?! 😬

[@philipgilbert3772]

@@BardicBroadcasts This must be done, the great muscular one decrees it! Ok it was really the dwarf but he was busy fighting the forces of evil at the time so the warrior took the credit.

[@veekleek7535]

Most anticipated video ever! Hope there's some muscularity 😅

[@duncancole1742]

It will be the Bard's new video.

[@DundletheViking]

I feel like the art of the critic has been diminished so much in recent years. The bard proves there's still so much a critic can give. Thank you for another amazing video, my friend.

[@bombarded15]

The story of the young couple randomly posing for a fantasy painting is so wholesome, thank you Bard, you rock

[@gunnerbrown8468]

My friends and I would routinely drop by Larrys house and studio after high school back in the 90s. He must have been covered in work and deadlines but he ALWAYS took the time to talk to us, answer our questions, and make us feel welcome. The art world has a true gem in Larry Elmore. -Lifelong Fan

[@BardicBroadcasts]

A lovely tale!

[@richardharrington2602]

I’m so glad you are back, we need more of you!

[@ananousous]

11:08 We need that 9 hour broadcast

[@Nusphigore]

@@ananousous yes!!!

[@Randomusernamehandle]

@@ananousous Definitely!!!

[@vaughn9134]

Thank you for the Shout out, Very much appreciated, and I hope you get many years of enjoyment from your shield :)

[@BardicBroadcasts]

I am very glad to now have it as, it seems, a fixed part of my videoing chamber. Thank you again, it was a most wonderful gift!

[@captaincokecan]

The bard returns when the world needs him most, still not 100% convinced he isn't one of the maiar spirits, perhaps one of the blue wizards?

[@adamolson3468]

Yo ho from the USA! You bring joy all across the world. I hope you remember that and it warms you like a cup of coffee!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Yo ho! Thank you very much for saying so! :)

[@aerouge4492]

What a cliffhanger! Still I am happy that a part 2 is comming. Could listen to the bard singing praise to fantastic art for hours.

[@WakoDoodle]

Everytime I hear him, it's like venturing into an epic adventure or leaping into the midst of a large scale battle. I'm sure he could make anything sound epic, no matter what it is!

[@MrLilac]

I would like to inform the fine folk on here who've been waiting for more arcane wisdom from the Bard, that he has a fine Twitch channel, and a fine community over there!

[@rey-o]

“Get side tracked by every image and talk for nine hours, we can’t have that” I would have that.

[@tombeckettuk]

I think the best content creators have the ability to make me interested in subjects I have little or no physical interest in. I came across The Bard a few years ago with the HeroQuest video and have watched all his videos multiple times . For my money , he’s the best. Very engaging and his enthusiasm extends to me in every video. I only wish to be greeted with his presence more often. I tip my hat to you Sir 🎩.

[@mathematics117]

My parents always had Elmore prints in the house with Ruth Thompson dragons. Seeing this art books makes me nostalgic for my childhood home with the classic elmorian prints hanging over the fireplace.

[@mortvia]

I'm so happy you did a video like this. Listening to your artistic evaluation of statues and game art are my favorite parts of your videos.

[@arodreth]

GLORY! MUSCULARITY! MYSTERIES! Clearly, the Bard never disappoints. Great to hear there is a part 2! We shall look to the east, on the dawn of the third day.

[@TheDeliciousMystery]

When Mankind needed him most he returned!

[@mihaisfira7612]

I have no idea why I even clicked on the video since I knew nothing about Larry Elmore, but I found your clear interest and enthusiasm about the topic really captivating. I stayed not only to marvel at the gorgeous paintings, but also for your commentary and context added to each piece. Great video!

[@teoudvooreenhippenaam3914]

Aaaah,... finally! A reason to get out of bed in the morning. Another video from the Bard. And there is no finer video-maker in the land. For he is the Bard, the most epic storyteller in this earth-realm.

[@Jackalblade9]

No better reason to get out of bed, to be sure!

[@Stratega_Digitalis]

A video from the bard to tide us over the next 12 to 18 months until the next one ....It's a premature christmas miracle !!!!

[@shanehudson88]

You haven't aged at all!! Finally something consistent! More content!! Love it

[@AndyMoranPhoto]

Bard!! Please continue with the long form and don't shy away from talking openly and freely without constraint about any and all of your favorite works here, always love hearing your take on the good and the bad!

[@robbvartanian8771]

A glorious return! Well met!

[@stuartrobertson696]

The Bard is the true enigmatic hero of the internet. Insightful, enthusiastic, good humoured and eloquently barbaric. I raise a tankard of ale in honour.

[@seanjohnston2453]

Thank God he is back. Never more have we needed his wisdom. I also crave a cracking unboxing.

[@rifleman7622]

I don’t know what it is, but I can listen to the Bard talk about anything,…. and enjoy every minute of it.

[@berserkshirtbear1271]

Thank you for more fantasy art appeciation vids, it's something I feel is neglected by a lot of people because they only see the modern digital stuff and don't always see its merits

[@justrok79]

Project A-ko was one of my earliest introductions to anime. I use to go to The Wherehouse music shop and in the back they had a video rental area. They were the only place I knew of that had anime so I'd rent something every week. A-ko was a heavy rotator. Anyways, it's good to see you back and this is definitely an awesome review for your return.

[@BoptimusPrime]

I sincerely appreciate you so much

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Thank you :)

[@parduke]

I imagine that sitting around a campfire and chatting with you about the evolution of fantasy art would be most enlightening.... I wouldn't understand most of it but I would be enriched beyond measure.

[@kornolis]

I would love to play a d&d campaign with him. Hell, I'd even just love to watch.

[@Snaffdude]

This is the only channel where I've *Ahem* Rung the bell for word of when the Bard sounds off on a new topic ... OF POWER!

[@deusdiggerdiary2056]

The true Mentor of KZbin returns! Really great to see you back, your knowledge and evident love of the subject is inspiring. I hope you will endeavour to provide your loyal community with more videos. Your flair and delivery style are second to none. The way you can impart knowledge in an engaging way does more service to the artists and will garner a new appreciation to their works. Long live The Bard!

[@esperthebard]

23:17 the best "in a little bit" that I have ever heard uttered

[@DaxWoodsWanderer]

Man your videos are the best, they may not come often, but when they do they just hit different.

[@consecrated2718]

We said grace at the table and then instead of cutting the turkey we watched your video. Truly a magical day

[@AngelWolf12]

SING HIGH PRAISE! LET THE HORNS BLOW LOUD AND LONG, AND THE PEOPLE DANCE IN CELEBRATION! The Bard returns! The Man of the Mountain! The Bearded Wanderer! The Lord of Gravity Land and Ruler of the Fortress o' Peral! Bard! Bard! Bard!

[@1337ism]

So glad to hear your dulcet tones back on the tube. I'm now picturing you on January 1st, 2030, unwrapping your mint 1985 calendar with smug satisfaction and child like glee.

[@Katia_Targaryen]

16:21 yelling of Chakan, the Forever Man rsss

[@thickerwheat]

The power of the voice truly the best thing about this channel is the channel creator himself!

[@daveshaw5728]

Welcome back, Bard! May your evenings be full of roaring fires, malt beer, and red meat off the bone!

[@MellowGaming]

Always a most enjoyable day when you grace this "internet" with your presence in video form. It at least gives us a few minutes away from the demons that reside elsewhere on this world wide web.

[@robertgebruers9519]

A superb return! Did you ever imagine an alternate universe where Elmore had painted the cover art for HeroQuest? Of course you did. Silly me.

[@MrLordmikel]

I had the Team Work picture when I was younger. My parents bought it for me and it was on my wall for years. I loved that dragon over my bed. Right now on mu right, I have the picture, "Shadamehr encounters Baakesh Va." And two others Elmore prints on my wall. Thank you for a great video.

[@robertluna5737]

For those curious: “When will The Complete Elmore book be back in stock?" The Complete Elmore was a limited edition Kickstarter project. We are sold out, and there are no plans to reprint it at this time.

[@88COR88]

This makes me sad. I just learned this book exists =(

[@WilliamClarkNC]

Seeing a new video from your channel is the highlight of my day!!

[@StariusPrime]

You're a man after my own heart, Bard. I am so excited for this new series of videos from you. Fantasy art books are a passion of my own, and I can't imagine watching anyone discuss them other than yourself!

[@luccamedeiros]

Most things that the Bard speaks about I had no idea of, maybe I saw a picture or 2 and that was it. But its amazing how I become an instant fan of anything he discourse about. Cheers!

[@makyounerez]

Bardic! Where are thou?!?!? The Space dwarves have returned yet you are nowhere to be found!

[@-Markus-]

He is leading them, youtube can wait while theres wars to be won!

[@ErikWalle]

Your critique of reason and honest journalism is an inspiration. Don't be afraid to dwell on tangents, you seem to do all right at recapturing the main thread.

[@khemikora]

I have Larry's wonderful leatherbound version of this book as I was one if his original Kickstarter backers many moons ago. Think it cost me £150 for the copy but it is so beautiful. I know the painting you speak of and it is indeed a marvel! I won't spoil the surprise though for the others! I'm dusting off the old book again. Feels great. My personal favourite is 'Bloodstone Lands' on page 83. What I'd give to have that hanging on my stairwell wall. A beauty and no mistake. Keep up the good work Bard! :)

[@ELA1ization]

So much love and care is put into each of these videos. Thank you for the entertainment, Bard! Know however, that the best and most attractive feature of your extremely polished videos, are you.

[@NightStalker1988]

Shields up at maximum! :D Artbooks are so enticing to me, sadly they are somewhat expensive and the great and exhaustive ones seem to be hard to find in store.

[@emporium-of-the-weird]

Yeah I am having the same problem, like this one showed on this video... I just couldn’t find it anywhere not even on Amazon. Damn shame

[@risingdawn5259]

It's a rare KZbin video that gets a true laugh out loud in the first 40 seconds, proof yet again that quality always trumps quantity; what a great end to my day, thanks Bard

[@stephencollie8102]

My guess, and hope, is that you were leading up to Dragon Slayers And Proud Of It. I love that one! No piece of artwork has quite captured the look of D&D for me. Although Dwarven Kingdoms of Krynn is another contender but I have a dwarf bias.

[@Corvus-fw2hr]

Absolutely. That picture was everything that I love about RPGs.

[@sionatube]

I nearly choked on my own spit when I saw this! The lord has uploaded a video again! A blessing

[@arock155]

"Otherwise I'll get sidetracked and talk for nine hours, we can't have that." Why? Why can't we have that?

[@47streetcop96]

We may only get a video or two a year but the Bard never lets us down and his videos always bring a huge smile to my face! Excellent video as always!

[@GodzillasaurusJr]

It doesn’t “epitomise D&D” as an experience, but my favourite always was and still is Avalyne the Lifegiver. I can’t think of which one you might be referring to, but Dragon Hunters (or whatever the name is) fits the bill! I’m talking about the one where the adventurers are holding up the dead body of a dragon as if it were a trophy fish.

[@dericksmith2603]

I had a look through his art to try to figure it out and I was down to those two images also. I'm with you though. I think it's the dragon slayers one.

[@adinotheeznite3593]

Dragon Slayer's and Proud of It - is the name of the piece. And this is my vote as well.

[@thomasr7292]

Only just discovered Avalyne the Life Giver when I saw him flipping through the pages and I love it as well. Reminds me of some of Ted Nasmith's works, particularly "The Anger of the Mountains."

[@thundreturtle]

Only at the end did I come back to the title of this video and had a bittersweet discovery that this is a part one ..... :D. such a good clifhanger

[@TheFatalT]

You’ve left out Erol Otus! So many classic images - the cover to the Moldvay Basic Set, Deities & Demigods, Tomb of Horrors, etc, etc! Certainly he was a pillar - hell, many of those early artists (and let’s not leave out Trampier) were brilliant!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Ah, so true, and so much to be said.

[@Spongemonkeybobo]

i could sit here and listen to you talk about artbooks forever!

[@jubertbird9591]

The Bard could make a fortune if he monitized being a gamemaster for hire. Would be an absolute blast having this personality at the table

[@chronocide]

As a collector of TSR publications, this might be the most on brand KZbin video for me I have ever seen. Cheers to the Bard - much appreciated

[@CosmicGaijin]

Bardic is certainly from medieval times and discovered time travel and when he landed in the era of tabletop RPGs, he was like: “this is the greatest thing ever!” And then encountered the best board hand of all time… HEROQUEST! That being said, will you be reviewing the new heroquest Bardic?

[@erebostd]

I think he already has it, so i think we are in for a treat 😁

[@Inzanepiratical]

Rare to see you, but always a joy. Looking forward to the next time friend!

[@cat_or_rabbit]

But Bard! When is Part two coming?

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Forsooth! It shall appear - however there is hidden business to take care of first...

[@cat_or_rabbit]

@@BardicBroadcasts you had my interest, now you have my attention. I await with baited breath sir.

[@RotoRooster]

Another cracking un...booking??? Fantastic return to form with a video about one of my all-time favourite artists!

[@davenhla]

That is actually Might and Magic 6 "The Mandate of Heaven" Might and magic 8 is "Day of the Destroyer" and also has a giant dragon, but the art is not as good IMO.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Aye, I was a fool for reading the text! I certainly remember the art though.

[@dhaenir]

@@BardicBroadcasts The M&M 8 cover incidentally looks to be on the opposite page in the book. What does it say under that?

[@Nikalin]

The bard sings again. Excellent, thank you for coming back to YT!

[@Zoulz666]

Broaed swoaed

[@ananousous]

*_Fire of Wroth!_*

[@WHITEOGR]

All hail Bard mighty dwarven adventure ! Nice to have you back even if just for one video.

[@ShaiEi]

I feel like we all want, scratch that, need part two on this magnificent topic. Personally I would love to hear you explain on this book and other books more extensively, this content is pure gold.

[@plasnoid]

Not only is the artwork a masterpiece, the bards presentation is also masterful!

[@JeroenHoningh]

You are one of my favorite youtubers. Thanks for the upload(s) and dedication. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@mogsymn01]

We need more of these fantastic vids, us 70s/80s kids love to feast on these old bits of great art that inspired so many.

[@nightfire734]

Another cracking video about something I was unaware of the finer details. I had come across Elmore's work as a young lad browsing Google images while listening to Dragonforce for D&D references in the 2000s and even though this art had past the common fantasy depiction, there was something so quintessential to these pieces that I longed for. Nostalgic for an age I had not lived in.

[@mistersharpe4375]

9:00 I think the gormless couple having their weapons drawn indeed heightens their lack of experience in this scenario. Without the weapons, one might assume that these were simply unprepared, practiced warriors who were simply caught off guard in a moment of peace. But with those weapons at the ready, you can tell that this couple, while prepared, are entirely out of their depth. The woman's blade is at an awkward angle, the other hand raised up seemingly in an instinctive reflex, unsure of where that empty hand should be. The man looks like he didn't even notice the fellow in the alley until long after his female companion did. He is only half turned, his sword held out uselessly to the side, his unguarded left side protected only by his companion's body.