Costume for Halloween and the occasional science fiction convention.

Frustrated at my friends all heading off for parties and fun while I sat on the sidelines handing out candy to increasingly ungrateful brats, I was determined to join in the shenanigans. Going all-out to create something memorable for such occasions, the project consumed spare evenings and weekends for over a year. What came out the other end was Scabrous Vermicelli the Draconian mercenary, inspired somewhat loosely by artwork from Margaret Weis’ Dragonlance novels.

This brought together pretty much everything I'd known in 3D media along with a good deal of new R&D; lifecasting, sculpting, moldmaking and casting, airbrushing, sewing, and of course kludges and subterfuge.

I can’t claim credit for the armor; that was a prior creation of a professional leatherworker (found serendipitously on eBay!), though I did spend considerable time in restoring it…just polishing all the brass rivets and buckles took a couple of weeks in itself.

The head alone is comprised of 69 separate pieces, individually sculpted and re-cast in fiberglass and various resins to save weight (it’s about two pounds total). Jaw moves, with a cast vinyl tongue within. Other elements include clawed hands, muscle undersuit and an articulated tail. The most difficult part proved to be the trousers(!), patterning for a third cuff for the tail without binding up.

Theatrical contact lenses complete the look. The entire outfit—70 pounds worth—takes over an hour to put on, with help. But it’s worth it for the reactions he gets! Rar!

What started as a modest Halloween project has mutated into a side business in itself! Scabrous Vermicelli has appeared at Renaissance faires, store openings, conventions and other occasions around Northern California. Visit the Contact page to inquire about having a live dragon at your own event.

Sorry, no children’s parties!