Tag: fantasy worlds

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

A group of mages and sorceresses sit around a large wooden table. A cloud of smoke swirls around a miniature castle in the centre and a small black dragon breathes fire at one of the mages beards. A tapestry on the wall behind, shows an open book with the words 'Making Magic' embroidered upon it.

Time for another image representing a scene from one of my stories. This one, generated with the use of AI, is a scene from my short story titled ‘Making Magic’. The story is set in the modern world and follows Alcus, a ‘would-be-writer’, on his visit to a writers’ group, where he meets a number of unique characters and experiences real magic. This is a short story with fantasy and horror themes, and plenty of laughs in between. As for the image, I couldn’t get the AI tool to give me all the characters the way I described them, and every time I asked it to fix something, it would change something else on another character. I’m slowly improving at writing my prompts to generate what I am asking for, but I still have a way to go, and with so many characters in this image, it was a big ask to get them all perfect. Anyway, the image represents the story scene well, even though it isn’t true to the characters descriptions.

Happy Reading!

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?

Hello Readers,

Welcome to the last of my ‘Dark City’ posts. The final post in this series brings us to… Toronto!

A dark fantasy re-imagining of Toronto City. The CN tower and the Gooderham building take centre stage in this image. The tower glows with an ancient script that adorns its sides. The city sprawled behind it under the light of the red moon, and the Gooderham building below in the foreground. Ancient gargoyles watch over the city from the rooftops.

What questions flood your mind when you gaze upon this dark fantasy city? Here are a few I’ve created for you to ponder over:

When the crimson aurora coils above the CN Tower, what forgotten creatures awaken beneath its steel veins?

Which spirits haunt the mist‑choked streets of Queen and Spadina, and what do they whisper to those who walk alone after midnight?

What lies beneath the frozen waters of Lake Ontario, and does it stir when the moon turns red and the runes begin to hum?

What memories do the gargoyles keep of the first night the sky broke open and the city learned to fear its own reflection?

When the Flatiron’s walls pulse with red light, which souls are drawn to its doorway — and which never return?

I hope you’ve enjoyed my ‘Dark City’ Series. If you’d like to see your city (or any other city) transported into a place within this dark fantasy realm, just let me know which city you want to see in the comments, and if I get time, I will see what I can do to bring it to life.

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

If you want to conjure up your own mug with a ‘Dark City’ design, check out my Merch here.

Happy Reading!

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

Hello Readers,

The next city to plunge into the darkness is… Vancouver!

Vancouver City transformed into a dark fantasy setting. Dragons fly in the turbulent sky, sigils run down the length of the tower blocks, and strange creatures loiter in the shadows.

I’m a big fan of Vancouver City. In fact, I’ve only just returned from a holiday in Canada, and I spent some more time in Vancouver after having enjoyed the hospitality of this city in the past. But this re-imagined version of the city is not the Vancouver I know, and it makes me wonder if the seaplanes in the real world have been replaced by the dragons seen in the sky.

Here are some questions to tweak your dark curiosity…

When the storm clouds coil above the city, what runes awaken on the glass towers of Coal Harbour and why are they there?

What is the cost of passage paid by for the ferrymen to the serpents that dwell beneath Lions Gate Bridge — Do all their passengers make it to the other side?

Which forgotten gods breathe through the neon haze of Granville Street, feeding on the desires of wanderers?

When the fog rolls down from Grouse Mountain, what spectral beings cross the seawall unseen?

What ancient oath binds the ravens circling the Vancouver Lookout, and why do their eyes burn with green fire?

Which souls are trapped within the reflections of False Creek, pleading for release when the moon turns crimson?

When the rain falls black and heavy, what creatures rise from the alleys of Gastown to hunt by the flicker of lanterns?

What memory does the city itself keep — is there really a heartbeat echoing through glass, steel, and shadow — waiting for the one who can hear it?

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

If you’d like to conjure up your own mug with a ‘Dark City’ design, check out my Merch here.

Until next time,

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!

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

Hello Readers,

This week another well-known city has sunken into the depths of dark fantasy. Though this old city already has a grim past with a history of blood-soaked battles and ghostly spirits. The dark star of this post is Edinburgh!

Edinburgh City comes alive as dark figures wander the cobbled streets under South Bridge. The city lies beneath the shadows of the castle, sigils glowing on the buildings in the mist filled streets beneath the stormy sky.

There is a morbid beauty in this rendition of Edinburgh City. Though I certainly wouldn’t want to wander these cobbled streets at night. Would you?

Before you decide, here are some questions to think over:

When the storm clouds coil above the Castle Rock, what ancient runes awaken in the stone, and whose names do they spell?

Beneath the bridges of the Old Town, who’s screams echo between the shadows and the mist‑bound souls who never left?

What spectral procession climbs the Royal Mile when the lightning strikes and the howling wind causes the bells toll?

Which forgotten deity watches from Arthur’s Seat, and who does its gaze fall upon?

What pact binds the gargoyles of St. Giles’ Cathedral — guardians or prisoners of a faith long corrupted?

When the North Sea fog rolls inland, what creatures ride its breath, whispering secrets to those who dream too deeply?

What memory does the Balmoral clock keep frozen at midnight, and what happens if it ever strikes thirteen?

Who tends the lanterns that burn green along the Grassmarket, and what do they illuminate — or conceal?

What song do the ravens sing above Calton Hill, and which mortal hearts answer their call?

When the runes flare across the city walls, what power stirs beneath the cobblestones — and who dares to claim it?

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

If you’d like to purchase your very own ‘Dark City’ mug, why not check out my merchandise.

Until next week…

Happy reading!

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

Hello Readers,

The next city to undergo a dark fantasy transformation is… Quebec!

I love Quebec, but the thought of living in a dark fantasy version of this old city sends shivers down my spine.

Here are some questions to mull over, but don’t spend too long pondering these questions, for I fear you may get sucked in to this world… never to return!

When the Blood Moon rises above Château Frontenac, which runes flare to life, and what evil beings do they offer protection from?

What spectral ferrymen drift across the St Lawrence River, and what is the price of the toll they demand for passage through the mist?

Beneath the cobblestones of Old Quebec, what ancient machinery hums unseen, binding the city to an eternal winter? And why… does the cold hold something monstrous at bay?

When the aurora bleeds crimson and green, do the cathedral bells toll for the living—or for those who never left?

What creatures of shadow and ice prowl the narrow alleys of Petit‑Champlain, whispering names that no mortal should remember?

Which statues turn their heads at midnight, and what do they watch for beyond the walls of the Citadel?

Come back next week to find out which city is destined to follow Quebec into the gloomy shadows of dark fantasy.

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

For those of you who are interested, you can purchase your very own ‘Dark City’ mug from my merchandise.

Happy Reading.