This is the initial cover sketch. Mind you, a lot of things could change, but these are the basic ideas.
There's a story behind the image. Each of the characters on the front cover have a back story and purpose. They are hunting otec in an secluded temple. On their approach, they are accosted by a maroc liche and his cronies - a djeziniti horde. The maroc liche is riding a massive maridh, his pet sand-worm has joined him and he has summoned some kind of salt/sand golem.
It's sketchy, but you can also see the statue of a Numid that has crumbled in the background on the back cover.
By posting this image, we are actively soliciting feedback. It's a sketch at this point, so changes are easy. (In fact, many of the figures are on different layers, so we can change size, placement, etc.) Since it's a sketch, we can also change poses and accouterments, etc.
This is the "standard cover" for the softback and future hardbacks. It is *not* the "Limited Edition" hardback cover. (We've already posted those sketches.)
(http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae345/SellStuff_2009/PSCoverSketch.jpg)
Very interesting, and nice concept. My first impressions are that humans don't play a big role in this game? I should also say I'm slightly weary of the orc-etype as a tusked low sloping forehead warrior with pointy ears, especially when he's the focus of the image.
Inexplicable or unexplained intentions are what hook me into a cover or a picture, like that Dark Sun cover with the skinny blue guy ringing a HR Geiger bell with the caravan in the distance. Why is he ringing the tiny bell? Is it a magical alarm, a ritual before battle, or just calling the hounds to dinner?
(http://dave.monkeymartian.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Dragon173Brom.jpg)
Make me ask questions about what's going on, like say give one group eyeless masks or something. How can they see? Is it magic or a natural ability?