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Talented cosplayer and ESO Fan Geonhdrio returns to share his latest mechanical masterpiece—the Dwarven Refabricated Heavy Armor!
Hello, and thank you so much for once again joining us! You’ve crafted some incredible ESO objects in the past, including the Dwarven spider, a Clockwork skeevaton, and more. What is it about the Elder Scrolls series that inspires you to create such intricate builds?
What I really appreciate in the Elder Scrolls series is the amount of incredible, meticulous details contained within the lore and the overall aesthetic of the world it takes place in. Even the smallest of details have been carefully thought through. As a crafter, that challenges me to create these sorts of replicas, with the goal in mind to make them as close as possible to the original design, bringing these creations to life.
Geonhdrio in full gear
You are clearly passionate for one of the Elder Scrolls’ most mysterious races, the Dwemer. What is it about them that appeals to you so much?
The Dwemer are not only one of the most enigmatic of races that once walked Tamriel, but they are also revolutionary inventors and masters in technology, engineering, and craftsmanship. As a person with a passion for Steampunk aesthetics, I was very intrigued by the Dwemer’s steam-powered mechanisms, copper/brass aesthetic, and their peculiar eye for detail that makes their creations not only functional but also a greatly artistic.
Why did you choose the Refabricated Heavy Armor as your next big cosplay project? Did you happen acquire it from the Halls of Fabrication trial?
When I first saw this armor set, I instantly knew I wanted to recreate it as a wearable cosplay. To be honest, I actually purchased the armor style when it was available in the Crown Store, haha! I was already working on this armor by the time I was able to dive into the Trial.
The Refabricated Heavy Armor is immensely ornate and detailed—how did you go about planning for such a big project?
There actually wasn’t really much planning that preceded tackling this outfit. Honestly, I just started working on one piece after another and decided to see where it would go next. For me, that’s the big part of the adventure and the challenge of creating and progressing along the way.
The Refabricated Heavy Armor up close
How did you go about forging the arms and armor?
First, I took a couple of different screenshots from different angles as a reference. Next, I had to consider which materials I wanted to use. After all, I would be wearing the full get-up, and so I wanted it to be comfortable. I started conceptualizing templates, creating and adjusting each piece step by step. The main material I used during this process was EVA foam.
Foam cut-outs for the armor
How did you give the cosplay that Dwarven bronze finish?
I find that metal paint usually pops out better on a black base, so I started out by coloring the full armor set black. I then wanted to go for an antique gold color, so I gave the outfit three layers of this color to match the exact look that I wanted. After the gold was finished, I wanted to apply a more weathered look, so I dry-brushed all of the pieces a couple of times with a dark brown ink paint.
Painting the armor
The entire outfit you’ve created is extremely impressive, but, if you had to choose, is there one specific aspect of this build that you’re especially proud of?
I think I am most proud of how the shield turned out. I constructed the shield so it’s magnetically attachable to the back of the chest armor while keeping the magnets concealed. It allows me to keep the shield attached on my back while I am moving in the outfit, but still easily detachable whenever I want to wield it.
Did you encounter any unexpected challenges that you worked to overcome as you constructed this cosplay?
The biggest challenge for me with this build was to assure the outfit was comfortable enough to wear while also achieving the aesthetic I desired. It was a matter of putting the pieces on, seeing how well it fits or doesn’t, taking it off, adjusting, and repeating the whole process until I got it just right.
Do you have any advice for your fellow cosplayers who wish to craft an outfit of their own?
No matter your skill level, be patient and take your time. Do not be overly focused on the final result and make sure to enjoy the adventure along the way! When you enjoy creating something, it is already an amazing cosplay!
The full set complete!
Wonderfully put! Before we depart, would you like to shout out to anyone?
I want to give a big shoutout to @byHjallvir for taking these amazing photos of the Refabricated Heavy Armor cosplay, helping to give it even more life!
I’d also like to thank everybody in the ESO community for all the support! Please continue to support all of the amazing crafters in this talented community. Be sure to follow their work on social media and share your support with these creators. Your words go a long way!
And lastly, thank you very much ZeniMax Online Studios for highlighting my work in another Community Spotlight!
Thank you very much for the kind words and for sitting down with us today to discuss your latest ESO project! Be sure to follow Geonhdrio on Twitter and Instagram, and check out his work in his online portfolio.
If you know an ESO content creator who deserves to have their work spotlighted, please share them with us via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
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