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Welcome to The ESO Community Spotlight, our series featuring some of ESO's amazing community members and the things they have created! Our first edition features an incredible Naryu cosplay and interview with costume and prop creator Valara Atran.
How did you get started creating costumes and props?
I started in 2014 when I was 16. Old enough to keep a sharp blade and cut the materials for the weapon and armor parts. For myself, cosplay is not only about making costumes: it is about revealing a world of miracles that we (cosplayers) capture through our creations.
Playing The Elder Scrolls games for all these years (since 2006) led me to believe that this world and its lore must exist outside of the game in a physical sense. The first costume I created was successful, and I received great support from my relatives, inspiring me move forward and do more. My six most-recent costumes were based on Bethesda Softworks games, and five of them were based on The Elder Scrolls in particular. In The Elder Scrolls, I play as a Dunmer (Dark Elf) woman, so with any costume I make, I always appear as a Dark Elf.
What attracted you to The Elder Scrolls Online's Naryu?
Naryu, as a typical Dark Elf, has a nature and appearance that appeals to me. As soon as the ESO: Morrowind trailer was released, I received at least seven messages from my friends and cosplay comrades in one evening asking things like "Have they put you into the game?" Also, her character and personality is similar to mine, though I don't keep a sharp blade under my pillow. Oh, wait a second…
Naryu's resourcefulness and her keen mind is what I most value. Although she is an assassin, Naryu has a keen sense of a situation, and she may change her plans in order to avoid trouble. Mix that in with her child-like spirit and you get a noble warrior. One whom I try to reflect.
How long did it take you to design and build the costume?
With years of experience in making costumes, it took me about a month to craft and sew the entire suit from scratch. I got started right after I saw the release trailer, as I wanted to have a photo session before the game's actual release.
To help plan the costume, I made dozens of screenshots of the trailer from different angles and edited the exposure to see which part of the costume belongs to which.
It was hard to craft the costume while also completing my studies, as I had to invent some new methods for texturing the surface, but at least I had something to do in the cold evenings, dreaming of my journey to Vvardenfell!
What was your favorite part of becoming Naryu Virian?
Aside from pretending to be a master of stealth and blades? I must admit, it feels very satisfying to find the right character. As a cosplayer, you must immerse yourself in the character like an actor might to truly become them. Being Naryu Virian just feels right to me. It's as if the only thing left for the transformation to be complete is makeup and a suit.
As a craftswoman, I must say that in any aspect of creation, the process itself is rewarding, and seeing the fruits of your labor being accepted and appreciated afterwards is great.
In general, becoming Naryu itself was the best part of it, not only through acting and playing the part, but through the process itself, including things like choosing the materials, planning, and crafting.
What materials did you use to create Naryu's Morag Tong armor?
Just like Morag Tong gear, all of my costumes are made from EVA foam. To create the right shape, it is bent under a set temperature and sculpted with soft polymers on the surface.
What was the trickiest part of the costume to create?
The trickiest part for me was the sewing of the suit. I don't sew much, and this was a real challenge. There's the shirt, jacket, and pants – Gods! – with two different fabrics all merged together in an fantastic and complex scheme.
I had to waste a lot of fabric before I figured out how it should be sewn together. However, as they say, “The more you work, the more you learn!" Avoiding the obstacles would give me nothing, as the challenge is what improves your skills. This is also rewarding in its own way!
Are there any other ESO characters you'd like to cosplay in the future?
I was thinking of making some armor from ESO after I am done with some side Elder Scrolls weapon projects and have a rest. I especially like some leather suits from the Crown Store, but there are not many armor parts to craft, so I am leaning towards some Dominion or Pact armor sets.
Do you have any advice for other cosplayers who would like to cosplay Elder Scrolls characters?
I once dyed some Redoran fabrics in the bathtub that included acrylic bloodstains. Yes, it looked like a crime scene, but it was fun! Do not be afraid to experiment. Mud, burns, blood, scratches, flaws, and other imperfections all help to build the atmosphere.
Here's my best advice to you, fellow Outlander: do not just create, but make people believe in your crafts! Make them believe in your journey through the Ashlands, forests, and swamps, and do not forget what your character has gone through.
Where can people see more of your amazing costumes?
Every finished project is on my Deviant Art page: whitedemon19.deviantart.com. If you are interested in the process and would like to see my most up-to-date records, including how different parts are crafted, please visit my instagram on instagram.com/valara.atran.
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Thank you to Valara for being our first featured community member. Were you inspired by The Elder Scrolls Online to create something amazing? Or have you seen a fantastic creation by somebody else in the community? Let us know about it on Twitter at @TESOnline and Facebook!
