Tag: Fantasy City

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The Dark Fantasy Worlds Behind My Books — And the Art They Inspire

A medieval city with high stone walls and a market square, centred around a large stone fountain. White banners flow in the wind, hanging from the top of the towers aligned between the arched gateways in the high walls.

Hello Readers,

Today I have another illustration inspired from my stories. This one is an AI generated image, created from a prompt describing a scene in ‘The Crimson Guild’. I really like this image, it has a strong fantasy feel, and the high walls are flying the banners of Rangor. Unfortunately, it does not fit the description I provided. Like previous attempts at generating art of scenes from my stories, this one has all the elements; the high walls, the fountain in the market square, the banners, the docks, and the tall masts of the ships, etc… but it isn’t set out correctly, and the market stalls are not very ‘haphazardly’ laid out. To try and get AI to re-organise it, so it looks the way I pictured it, is just too hard for the likes of me. But at least it has the right feels to it, and it is set in the right type of world, so I can live with it as a reasonable attempt to depict ‘Rangor – The City of Ships’.

I hope you enjoyed seeing it.

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

My ‘Dark City’ Series of posts is almost at an end, and who knows, I may bring it back to life again another day. But for now, I bring you a dark fantasy portrayal of… Perth!

A dark fantasy depiction of Perth City. Glyphs are infused into the buildings, glowing bright, turning Perth into a Vegas-like city from some dark nightmare. A huge tentacled creature rises from the river beneath the light of the blood moon, and dark creatures hide in the shadows.

Perth City. Another place I have yet to visit. Even though I live in Australia, this city is approximately 5 hours flight from Brisbane, and I can get to a number of international destinations in less time than it takes me to get to Perth. However, I still plan to get there one day.

But to visit the Perth of this dark fantasy world it would do you well to ponder these questions:

When the Blood Moon rises over the Swan River, how much blood flows from the ancient runes lit by its glow?

What creatures stir in the mist that coils around King’s Park, and what secrets does it whisper about the forest’s oldest stones?

When the auroras twist crimson and green above the skyline, do they mark the return of the river god, or the opening of a portal to another realm?

What tribute must the fishermen offer at Elizabeth Quay to keep the tentacled behemoth beneath the waters from rising?

Which cathedral bells toll backwards at midnight, and what souls respond to their call?

The creature in the water looks oddly familiar to me… I wonder… could it be… is this the lake dweller from one of my own tales or is it just a coincidence?

Come back next week for the final image in my ‘dark city’ series.

To see my other Dark City and World Building related posts, visit Fantasy Worlds under the categories section.

If you are interested, you can purchase your very own ‘Dark City’ mug from my merchandise store.

Happy Reading!

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

Hello Readers,

Today brings another city submerged in the shadows of dark fantasy. This week I give you… Sydney.

Sydney City in a dark fantasy setting. Glyphs are scawled across the sails of the Opera House, The Harbour Bridge is lit by the glow of the blood moon, and shadow creatures lurk on the banks of the harbour.

Before you visit this fantasy metropolis, you may wish to consider these questions:

When the storm‑crowned moon rises above the harbour, which runes awaken upon the Opera House sails, and what forgotten chorus hums beneath their glow?

Which spirits drift through the flooded lanes of The Rocks, whispering the names of those who drowned before the city was built?

What creature coils within the depths of Darling Harbour, feeding on the dreams of those who gaze too long into its waters?

When the ferries vanish into mist, do they return from the same world they departed — or from one that remembers us differently?

What ancient order guards the tower that burns emerald above Circular Quay, and what price must be paid to silence its light?

Which cathedral spires hum with power when the blood‑red moon touches their tips, and what prayers are forbidden within their walls?

What shadowed parliament convenes in the clouds above the city, deciding which streets will wake and which will sleep forever?

Food for your thoughts… but don’t eat too much of it, or I fear you may get trapped among the shadows conjured within your mind.

To see my other Dark City and World Building related posts, visit Fantasy Worlds under the categories section.

If you’d like to drink from your very own ‘Dark City’ mug, they can be purchased from my merchandise.

Happy Reading!