D&D Online: The Art of Shavarath, Part One

D&D Online art lead Jeff De Puy has penned a short diary discussing the art style they’re giving Shavarath, the Plane of Battle, in Module 9.

Shavarath is like nothing in our game. It is a place devoid of vegetation, and the sky is covered in a deep cloudy smoke created from thousands of years of fighting. Instead of trees, there are immense crooked spires of rock that give this place an otherworldly feel. What can best be described as tar fills the deep chasms that separate the regions in Shavarath. This tar emits noxious fumes, which culminate into beautiful vales of light a vivid contrast in this dreary world. The evidence of war is quite clearly seen all over the vast plains of Shavarath, from burning corpses to terrain covered in arrows and weapons. Ancient ruins dot the harsh and unforgiving terrain. Upon arriving on the plane, the player has a unique and breathtaking view of Shavarath. The different regions can be seen as well as epic points of interest, begging you to venture out to them.

With the art, we tried to really distinguish between the three factions. Each faction has their own personality deeply embedded in the artwork. For example, we chose purple and orange for the devil’s color scheme. Since the devils are Lawful Evil, the cooler purples reflect how they are cold, calculating, and evil. They are also quite organized, hierarchal, and selfish. This is represented in every element and structure associated with them. From the tall, proud, cold steel tower, to the aqueducts that suck the remaining resources from Shavarath, it is evident to the viewer that the devils are a menace to both their enemies and the lands they occupy.