The Book Novel
Legend of the Soulwards
Deep within the Blue Forest stands the Ether Tree, source of the flow that spreads through Skyland, carrying life through its roots and branches. When an ancient darkness, a name none dare speak, rose to smother it, no kingdom moved to defend what we all shared. Yet a few stubborn souls rose when everything pushed them down. They faced a battle with no chance of winning.
Among them was Ellowyn Sarethiel, an Eldian whose heart was too curious to be silenced, and whose will struck as hard as the waves of the Five Wind Seas. Fragile in form but unyielding in spirit, she stood against the tide that should have drowned them all.
And so the Soulwards came to be. Not heroes, not champions, but seven nobodies who stood alone. Their memory endures, carried long after the smoke faded.
"I saw a glow beneath the branches. When I arrived, there was no army, only a handful of fools, or so I thought. Yet after that night, Skyland drew another breath because of them."
The Identity
For the cover of Legend of the Soulwards we wanted a scene that felt both heavy with despair and alive with a trace of hope. The Ether Tree became the natural backdrop, a symbol of life and silence, framed in darkness that pressed in from below. Even though the tale follows seven souls, we chose Ellowyn as the central figure. Her presence captures the fragility and defiance of Skyland, standing at the edge of fear while reaching toward something greater.
The Mood
We explored several sketches to find the right stance and view, Ellowyn facing the Tree with her back to the reader, creating a sense of humility and determination without presenting her as a lone savior. Palettes shifted between cold greens and deep blues, always anchored by shadows and light. The mood needed to balance quiet awe with looming threat, a cover that drew the eye but also hinted at the weight of the journey ahead.
We also worked to reimagine the Ether Tree in a way that felt organic rather than abstract fantasy. Its scale had to be believable as a living structure, massive yet rooted in reality. By placing it at a distance and letting its canopy blend with the horizon, the Tree became something ancient and immense, not a spectacle of magic, but a force of nature that towered over everything.
The Essence
Lighting and contrast became the heart of the composition. We needed a strong accent that could break through the darker palette and draw the eye. At first we considered a simple Ether glow, but later chose something rarer: a Kosmic Skyshard, which is one of the rarest in the world of Skyland. Its light cuts through the blues and greens with a golden flare, creating tension between shadow and radiance. The shard does more than highlight the scene, it hints at what awaits in the tale, a glimpse of the power and mystery at the center of Skyland’s struggle.
Step beyond the cover and into the story itself. The Legend of the Soulwards follows seven souls bound not by destiny, but by the choices they make as Skyland fractures around them. Read the tale, experience their struggles, and uncover the shadows that creep beneath a land both harsh and beautiful.
Final Design
Hope you enjoy this glimpse into the journey of shaping the cover for Legend of the Soulwards.
Help Us Grow Skyland
Cloud Wander Studios is a small, creator-led studio fueled by passion, long nights, and plenty of coffee. Every story, illustration, and piece of music is crafted with care and love. Your support on Ko-fi helps us keep this world alive, funding collaborations with artists, voice actors, musicians, and other creative minds who bring Skyland to life.
Join the Skyland Circle
Be part of Skyland’s creation. Subscribe for behind-the-scenes arts, early chapters of the novel and webtoon, previews of the audio drama, and free testing RPG downloads before they’re released to the public. You’ll be the first to explore it all.