New Lineages Concept Art
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Mar 26, 2025 at 08:37:43 AM
Hello all!
We are now at the half way point in the Kickstarter and half just over two weeks to go! Thank you all for your incredible support, and remember to share the campaign with anyone you think would be interested so we can unlock even more stretch goals!
Today we wanted to share a look at some of the concept art for some of the new Lineages you’ll find in Beyond the Woods. All of these were created by the amazing Clara-Marie Morin.
Aos Sí
The Aos Sí are faerie folk from beyond the Ballarainn Mountains to the north of Céad Darach. Their connection to the Otherworld allows them brief glimpses into the world beyond ours.
The Aos Sí are very close in origin to typical fantasy elves. This is because it is believed that JRR Tolkien based his elves on the Aos Sí from Celtic and Irish myth. We wanted the Aos Sí to feel familiar but also unique in their own way, and have a real otherworldly feel about them, rather than just being humans with pointed ears. Clara-Marie achieved this by adding crystal-like markings to their bodies, iridescent features, and designing their hair to be one long piece rather than strands, almost like flowing silk.
Baloran
Baloran are descendants of the legendary Fomorian warrior Balor. The Fomorians were said to be monstrous and darkly beautiful creatures that dwelled beneath the earth and waged war on the people of Tír Nascath millennia ago. Balor was the greatest of all Fomorians, and his gaze, or “evil eye”, was said to wreak destruction wherever it fell.
Fomoroians are closely tied to the sea but were originally said to come from under the earth, so we explored the Baloran being tied to roots and rock, and having veins of glowing ore running through their skin. There are conflicting tales as to whether Balor had a single eye, like a cyclops; two eyes, one of which was “evil”; or a third eye that would open to reveal itself. Clara-Marie incorporated the idea of a third eye — placing it in the Baloran’s necks!
Púca
Púca are shape-changing fae creatures from The Otherworld. Most Púca find their way to Tír Nascath accidentally, stumbling through faerie rings or emerging from portals deep in the wilds of the Cuilchemar. Once there, they often decide to stay, enjoying the freedom and mischief it offers them. Púca have the ability to take on the form of a horse, hare, and other creatures and critters.
For the Púca, we wanted them to be a little closer to faeries and sprites, but with animalistic features like whiskers and fur. Initially they were quite varied in shape and a little more bestial. In the end we settled on a more humanoid design, keeping them more closely in size to a halfling or gnome. Púca can have a wide variety of appearances, as you can see from the artwork!
Join the Community
We hope you enjoyed this look into the designs for some of the new lineages. Please drop any questions you have below, or share which of these three is your favourite (don’t forget, we also have the Changeling and human-like Daoine!).
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