The Great Gold Wyrm is the world’s protector and the inspiration for holy orders of paladins and independent heroes. Although the Gold Wyrm’s physical form seals the gap that prevents the Abyss from erupting into the world, its dreams and the agents it employs still move through the world, helping those who will fight and even die for what’s right.  –From the 13th Age icon teaser description

The Great Gold Wyrm brought to life by Lee Moyer’s mastery of digital painting.  This was another one that floored me when I first saw it.   You’ll notice that the painting really goes beyond my  pencil drawing (below).  It’s not just thousands of scales for vanity’s sake, though.  I’m sure  in the modern world of dragons there are those who have their scales multiplied to fulfill some concept of beauty, but the reason the Gold Wyrm has this many scales is simply because he’s a dragon of gigantic proportions.  A little gnome could probably strap a saddle on one of those scales for riding…or rather he could try.

*Here’s a bonus sketch for everyone who has been tolerating my corny commentary in these posts.  Thank you for not breathing fire on me:P