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Description
As often for my personal projects, it started as a random doodle just to have something out of my mind. For some reason, I spend a lot of time those days in various reference books, especially city maps and views from 16th century. Before I realised it, I already had half of this city drawn, exploring the engraving styles of this era, applied to a fantasy city. Here : Estandir, a city of my own fantasy world.

Estandir is the 3rd biggest city of the Realm of Thard. Sadly, Thard is not what we could describe as a pleasant and comfortable country, being mostly a cold desert of black stone. This specific stone is the foundation of the whole Realm, and is as important culturally speaking than it is in architecture. It's a solid and durable stone, having interesting magical characteristics. An important event, 10.000 years ago, had some rare spots of the desert turning white. Same stone, but different color, and stronger magical characteristics.
Being an important commercial cross-road, Estandir is also well known for its unusual skyline : the two giant constructions shaping the view made its reputation. The black Anchor Tower and its giant broken bridge, backed to the Hill of Iösh, was supposed to be used as a dock for Thardälm, the flying capital, but felt into ruin ages ago and is only used nowadays for the rare dragons sent by the Queen. But the huge White Citadel, of sinister reputation, is still in use. Originally built as a celebration of the might of thardian wizards and mages, it's now the biggest and worst prison of the whole Realm... especially for mages, who are unable to use their magic when trapped into the white stone walls.

So, here is Estandir, presented in two versions, as I can't decide which one I prefer : top is the nude engraving, bottom is the colored version.
Hope you'll enjoy the view, and please don't forget to take an official transit-pass if ever you plan to visit the city !

Description
As often for my personal projects, it started as a random doodle just to have something out of my mind. For some reason, I spend a lot of time those days in various reference books, especially city maps and views from 16th century. Before I realised it, I already had half of this city drawn, exploring the engraving styles of this era, applied to a fantasy city. Here : Estandir, a city of my own fantasy world.

Estandir is the 3rd biggest city of the Realm of Thard. Sadly, Thard is not what we could describe as a pleasant and comfortable country, being mostly a cold desert of black stone. This specific stone is the foundation of the whole Realm, and is as important culturally speaking than it is in architecture. It's a solid and durable stone, having interesting magical characteristics. An important event, 10.000 years ago, had some rare spots of the desert turning white. Same stone, but different color, and stronger magical characteristics.
Being an important commercial cross-road, Estandir is also well known for its unusual skyline : the two giant constructions shaping the view made its reputation. The black Anchor Tower and its giant broken bridge, backed to the Hill of Iösh, was supposed to be used as a dock for Thardälm, the flying capital, but felt into ruin ages ago and is only used nowadays for the rare dragons sent by the Queen. But the huge White Citadel, of sinister reputation, is still in use. Originally built as a celebration of the might of thardian wizards and mages, it's now the biggest and worst prison of the whole Realm... especially for mages, who are unable to use their magic when trapped into the white stone walls.

So, here is Estandir, presented in two versions, as I can't decide which one I prefer : top is the nude engraving, bottom is the colored version.
Hope you'll enjoy the view, and please don't forget to take an official transit-pass if ever you plan to visit the city !