Part four, in which I go over chapters ten through thirteen. At this point, some of the imagery borders on spoiler territory, so view at your own risk.
Previous entries in this series: Part one - Part two - Part three
Chapter Ten
Like chapters three and four, this is another piece featuring the story’s architecture. Probably one of the more detailed in terms of grayscale with the intent of showing detail and scene depth.
From the book:
Gareth scanned the room. He quickly recognized that he was in some form of research laboratory. Along the outer walls of the two-story chamber was an unbroken string of bookcases and cabinets, many of which stored strange curios, including glass canisters filled with luminous fluids. A randomly-scattered group of tables, many on the periphery of his vision, was loaded down with equipment. Gareth was left to assume the entrance was behind him, since he saw no door.
The room’s strangest feature, though, was an opening, two yards in diameter, left uncovered on the other side of the chamber. The brick-laid lip stood just knee-height above the floor.
— Chapter Ten, The Long and Dark
Chapter Eleven
This is one of the first finished pieces in the series. As you can see by the concept sketch below on the right, initially I tried to flesh out the artwork and how best to arrange it on the page. After placing it in a mock layout, the original proved to be too tall. It’s clearly the source for the frames for each chapter’s ornamentation.
From the book:
As they continued to creep along, Gareth noticed something familiar at the end of the main chamber. A stone obelisk was carved with the image of a bride holding a lantern in one hand. Much like those in the Grand College and within Lyceed’s Asylum, this sculpture matched the ones inside the Chorazin sanctuary. The woman’s countenance also bore an uncanny resemblance to the Governess.
— Chapter Eleven, The Long and Dark
Chapter Twelve
Though the art is similar to others that feature the story’s many obelisks, its actually meant as portraiture of the Mericoinne.
While the reader has read of the Mericoinne before, this chapter is the first time that Gareth meets them in person.
From the book:
As they waited and observed the scene from the ridge, Gareth’s noticed human forms gathered around the entrance. Extending for hundreds of yards to the south of the portcullis were dozens of statues. These were unlike anything he’d seen before. While each was draped in a grayish-tan robe, they were posed differently, some on their hands and knees in supplication. On the head of each was a similarly-dyed hood, two feet in height and often bent over in one direction or another, adorned by a wreath of entwined twigs.
— Chapter Twelve, The Long and Dark
Chapter Thirteen
Another chapter where the reader finally comes across entities that are mentioned earlier in the story. This time around its one of the alien Ikkibu. On the right below is the original. Some tweaks were made to it before the final print version to bring it more in line with the description in the book.
From the book:
Gareth’s fear heightened as a form appeared out of thin air on the other side of the chamber. Taller than him by almost a full yard, the lanky humanoid was draped in layers of cloth similar to priest’s robes. Though the colors were faded and dull, there was a reflective quality about the thin fibers from which they were woven. Each of the figure’s limbs had extra hinge joints and each hand featured seven independently-moving digits. Rising from its torso was a serpentine neck, atop which sat a featureless face. A carapace-like shell formed from a tough hide concealed its features. Gareth saw no eye sockets, ear holes, or tufts of hair on its bald scalp.
— Chapter Thirteen, The Long and Dark
Be sure to check out the Gallery for additional artwork.
