Landmark
Drakelands' Bridge
Two bridges span the Gintu River, carrying travelers from Firya into what was once Glimmerthund, the home of the Gnommers. Now the land is known only as the Drakelands, a scarred frontier battered by the endless gales of Shiruba’s Maw, the vast whirlpool at the river’s center. Eldian sigils carved into the stonework keep the crossings intact, breaking the fury of the winds. Even so, permits are tightly controlled; only guild members, royal envoys, or those under heavy escort are allowed through.
“Only a madman dares cross alone. The wind alone can strip you of breath, and that’s before you meet what lives beyond.”
The Identity
The Drakeland’s Bridges were envisioned as more than crossings. They are monuments to Skyland’s divided heart, stretching over Shiruba’s Maw, the colossal whirlpool at the very center of the land. These vast spans once led to Glimmerthund, before its fall into ruin as the Drakelands. We set the perspective to place travelers high above the raging waters, capturing the dizzying sense of scale and danger that defines this place.
The Mood
The early explorations focused on angles that could show not only the structure of the bridges but also the immensity of Shiruba’s Maw. Color studies shifted the tone between calm skies and foreboding light, until the right balance emerged: the whirlpool as a dominating force, framed by the fractured horizon of the Drakelands. Sigil stones were added to the rails and pillars, hints of stability against the churning chaos below.
The Essence
The final composition sought contrast and storytelling. Darkened ridges frame a glowing expanse, while the vortex pulls the eye into its depth, with a distance of forgotten ruins from a civilisation long gone. By placing a caravan of Eldian envoys crossing the span, the piece ties history and narrative into the environment, showing these bridges not only as engineering marvels but as lifelines between nations, where each step forward feels both monumental and fragile.
Final Design
Hope you enjoy this glimpse into the crossings of the Drakelands.
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