Thanks, Brian! It's from a TTRPG, Denoa, that is supposedly still in development. I spotted this art on Hammerdog's booth at Gen Con a couple years ago.
I remember seeing this a couple of years back and it inspired lore in my homebrew world! I’m glad I finally got to find the amazing artist!!! You are awesome!!
Thanks, glad you found it inspirational! This was illustrated for a client setting, but I'm not sure where they're at in production. I guess the art has gained a life of its own in the meantime.
Darn right it does. I love using art to tell the story. Adding elements that aren't in the script, but work well within the framework of the narrative. I want to know more about this world. Way to go!
Haha, a good point. About as well as Drasnia did in the Belgariad, I guess? Which is to say that they're probably also a merchant city (focusing on different goods?), with information brokering on top of that.
The left city looks more technologically advanced (giving atompunk vibes), but less cheerful while the right city looks more medieval but happier. Right also respects the environment while left is barren.
I guess left cares more about progress, and right cares more about community and environment.
Dare I mention there are only three prints of this one remaining? While I'm not saying I'll never print it again, it might be a while until the next restock: https://www.brucebrenneise.com/shop/merala-s3fyg
Very true! A lot of these sorts of fantasy landscape scenarios rely on some form of magic to stabilize places like this so that towers are not sheering off every now and then as the cliff naturally erodes.
I have answers to many of mynown questions here and I’m amused that my answers are not the only plausible ones. I’m gonna think about this piece for a long time I think.
I have one question because I can’t see at this resolution. What are those things at “ground” level pointing across the gap? Like…gangplanks from a ship or something?
Good question! The cliffs slam shut every now and then, the two cities interlocking. The 'gangplanks' are sort of hinting at that. Although they're technically not entirely necessary, it would provide a bit more time for people to get back to their respective sides as the cities withdraw.
Hahaha, exactly! I'm sure that particular myth, or that and the Pillars of Hercules, were the inspiration for this particular scene. The idea of that RPG seemed very much a fantasy Mediterranean.
Well {headcannon} they are SO distinct with none of one style in the other so there must be little or no intermingling since the last closure. So each wall must stay sheer cliffs for many many miles…no way to cross quickly even with a boat!
Yeah, it begs the question of the mercantile value of these locations, since they're relatively inaccessible. I'd guess that they must each have nearby ports, but very monolithic cultures that don't generally encourage much mixing aside from what's necessary.
Comments
One a decrepit underworld of crime and madness and another a utopia, a paradise of aristocrats.
Tonvoisin (French Dissident Writer) bye bye X !
BSKY Wings of Change
https://youtu.be/HK-iCHL_ShU?si=057zhLiwGMuKsSVe
Thanks for the prompt.
I say, "Water pretty".
I guess left cares more about progress, and right cares more about community and environment.
I have answers to many of mynown questions here and I’m amused that my answers are not the only plausible ones. I’m gonna think about this piece for a long time I think.
Cheers!
"Not until the cliffs shut, you know that."
“…..mom you’re so old…no one even remembers those…”
Great image 👍