When I first started thinking about how to illustrate the rulebook for Nobles & Glory, I was torn. On one hand, using public domain medieval art felt incredibly authentic. These were images made by people who actually lived in the world my game is trying to capture. But when I dug into it more, I worried. The artwork varies wildly in style depending on region and era, and a lot of it isn’t in great condition. I was worried that if I stitched too much of it together, the final book might look patchy or inconsistent; and that could break the immersion I was aiming for.
For a while, I seriously considered using AI-generated artwork instead. It seemed like a clean solution; I could craft cohesive, stylised images that matched the tone of the game perfectly. And, being honest, AI art also seemed like a practical middle ground when hiring an artist wasn’t within my budget.
But the more time I spent actually looking at real medieval art; pouring through many a manuscript and codex; the more I realised something… There’s an incredible richness to medieval artwork. It’s messy, vibrant, crude, sometimes a bit strange; but it’s absolutely packed with life and history. Every illustration tells a story. Every brushstroke feels like a real voice from the past. The variety, rather than being a flaw, started to feel like a feature. A real tapestry – pun intended – of medieval life.
For a game so rooted in medieval theming, a game that tries to honour the complexities, struggles, and legacies of that world, it would feel almost dishonest to create mock historical images when the real thing already exists. I want Nobles & Glory to teach a little history along the way. And part of that experience should be letting players and readers see actual medieval imagery; not just an interpretation.
So, the rulebook for Nobles & Glory will feature real medieval artwork, sourced from public domain collections. It won’t be perfect, and the styles might shift slightly from page to page. But that’s okay. That’s what history really looks like. A little chaotic. A little inconsistent. But beautiful, meaningful, and layered with humanity.
This project was always about honouring the past while building something new. And I think the visuals should do the same.
Cheers,
Jonathan
