PIECE PROFILES
PORTAL
(Porta)

(an imposing door or gateway)

The desire to travel great distances in the shortest possible times is not an entirely modern phenomenon. Ancient sorcerers with urgent errands also wished to transcend the physical limitations of horsepower or dragonflight, and so we read in the Western Book of Mages that they created a magical web of unseen tunnels, astral highways that freed the traveler from the bonds of time and space and conveyed them to their destination in the blinking of an eye.

The enchanters who used this hidden network had their own private entrances; each portal designed for secrecy, the manner of its outward appearance limited only to the ingenuity of its creator. Some were round daises of carved stone, others mirrors, windows, cupboards, urns or even modes woodland pools.

However, the one thing the enchanters could not conceal was the aura of magic that emanated from the disguised doorways, and creatures that were sensitive to these powers, such as dragons, were irresistibly drawn to them. If the portal was situated inside a castle or deep cave, this would not normally present a problem, but if it was out in the open, say in a forest clearing or barren heath, the would-be magical tourist might find themselves having to drive away a fearsome dragon from the enchanted site before embarking upon their journey. Wither that or forcibly sending the dragon on an unexpected jaunt of its own.

Imagine the chaotic scene of an enraged dragon suddenly emerging from a portal that might be situated anywhere from a village well to a wizard's bedchamber.

The verbuMMagus ruefully observes; as ever with wizards, the desire for invention always outweighs the concern for consequence.

The above text is taken from the certificate that comes with the piece and was written by Andrew Bill

The picture below shows the strange multi coloured blotches/squares on the underside of the wings, this is the only part that spoils the piece for me, the Paint Trial piece shown at the bottom of this page didn't have these markings

Note that on the photo below it states '2002 Annual' but on the early test pieces and paint trials it said 'No. ______ of 2000' (see white at bottom of this page)

Below is the front and back view of the certificate that comes supplied with 'Portal'

The pictures below are of an artist proof of 'Portal' which in my opinion is superior to the production piece, the colouring is better defined, the under wings don't have those distracting multi colour blotches/squares and the back of the wings have a better metallic sheen to them (not fully visable on these photo's).


 

The pictures below show the piece unpainted in it's three main component parts - base, wings & body

Wings

Wingless Dragon

Base

Wingless Dragon on base

Complete White

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