While the Brigade has encountered, and in some cases even recruited, various practitioners of Blood magic over the past few years, none of these have come from one of the oldest group - the Blood trolls.

The first encounter between Halza'jin and the Brigade turned out to be quite hostile and resulted in lots of damage, casualties and Halza'jin's capture. After being taken prisoner, Halza'jin had ample time to get to know the Brigade and its customs. When the time of freedom arrived, the Blood troll wasn't so thrilled to wander off and re-join the tribe, which would most likely result in more than violence.

Fast forward a few years and Halza'jin is seen thriving among the Brigade folk. Having adapted to the more 'civilized' ways and still being allowed to use blood magic in combat against the Brigade's enemies, Halza'jin is now feeling right at home. Having found not only friendship but also a mate, it is unlikely that any return to the Blood Troll tribes is being planned, or even desired.

Here we see Halza'jin from the time before the Brigade involvement, most likely during the first encounter with the mercenaries. Wild, untamed and extremely skilled with Blood magic, Hal'zajin was quite the adversary to overcome.

I have worked on this piece during a period of time when I experimented with completely different portrait painting process. Smooth airbrushing prevalent in most of my work has been switched for hard brushes and textures, and I have opted to avoid overpolishing. I hope you like the final result despite the obvious difference :).