Craig Maher’s contributions to Warlord started from the very first set Saga of the Storm. From there he would go on to create traditional oil paintings for more than 30 cards including three Warlords, an Overlord, and a Medusan Lord. Some of his most recognizable paintings include the iconic challenge lords Sir Tython and Eiael Darkfeather.

What got you interested in artwork in general and why was it gel pens? What was your first foray into illustration and how did that come about?

Having read 5,000 comics in a single sitting to win a bet, I suffered brain damage and appeared directly thereafter as - an illustrator! I think my very first card was for Legend of the Five Rings. Evil Portents, which turned out to be a major power card in the early days!

How did you come to hear about and work on Warlord? Were you black-mailed into it?

I was already doing some L5R cards (and Seven Seas, and Legends of the Burning Sands) and was contacted by an art director about Warlord, most likely Jim Pinto.

Did you get assigned specific races, factions, or classes? What kinds of images did you enjoy creating the most and why?

Heroes are the core of storytelling Illustration. I think Jim liked my figures and gave me characters or, at least, character based cards. Free Kingdoms cards were great with their patched armor and damaged weapons and I loved getting those details in.

What's it like rediscovering pieces you did decades ago - do you notice a significant change in your style then and now? Looking back over them, do any of your contributions to Warlord stick out as your favorite?

Warlord was great because I had already done quite a few cards for other games and learned/taught myself a lot of basics (still with room for improvement). So when I started on Warlord I had a good system going and could just dig in, to the best of my ability, on these really fun fantasy images. Looking back, I think a few came out pretty good! I was really happy with Jaqueline Windson, Rustiq Umbala, Stephen Blake, Srykin, Carmyn Buran, and especially Sir Tython! I was able at that point to open a window into this fantasy world and show a realistic character, struggling to survive!

What's your best Warlord memory or story?

Those were the days of taking your reference pictures with a polaroid camera and it's really fun to glance back through the old pics of friends, family (and myself) in the most ridiculous get-ups and makeup with expressions twisted into snarls of rage!

We're doing a Warlord art colosseum style battle royale! Who's your champion and why?

Sir Tython, Free Kingdoms Overlord! He is a, slightly exaggerated, portrait of my Father who is, at 93, a hardcore survivor!

Alright, thanks for answering these and engaging the community in this way! What's going on with you these days? Anything you want to plug?

I am creating, with writer Charles Harrington, The Tarot of the Immortal Night for Llewellyn Worldwide. Follow my progress @craigmaherart on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, everywhere!