The Art of Erebus

Illustrations & Graphics for games

Category: Fantasy Art

  • Exploring the wonders of Drintera

    Exploring the wonders of Drintera

    I created this illustration of a group of adventurers exploring a mysterious artifact in the wilds, for Drintera by Shewstone Publishing, a new “rules neutral” fantasy setting in a magazine format.
    I was given pretty free rein from the publisher, in creating a group of characters exploring the wonders of Drintera. Only rule was I had to create characters I can repeat in later illustrations, so I did a bit of character study too for it (attached).
    I wanted to create a diverse team of adventurers, while also keeping it close to the iconical RPG references, but with my own take/tastes.
    They decided to use it also for the cover of their kickstarter, which you can subcribe to here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shewstonepublishing/drintera-fantasy-ttrpg-world-2025

  • Drintera™ World Map

    Drintera™ World Map

    I’m excited to share my latest illustration: a detailed map of the enchanting world of Drintera®, created for Shewstone Publishing! ( https://shewstone.com/ )
    I painted the map with careful attention to the writers’ indications and their hex-based sketch map. My goal was to blend a sense of realism with the classic RPG aesthetic and conventions, making sure that each hex presents a unique biome and/or highlights a single significant location.
    I even designed a custom frame to align with the Drintera® logo, enhancing its fit for the page layout.
    From the publisher: “Drintera® is a fantasy realm inspired by heroic mythology and the whimsical dream logic of myths. Adventurers here are not just characters; they are exceptional beings seeking achievement and glory.”
    Dive into the world of Drintera® and let your imagination roam!

  • The Butcher of Kings

    The Butcher of Kings

    First lieutenant of the Shadow Lord known as the Crimson Conqueror, the “Butcher of Kings” was previously
    known as “Kardek the Red.”

    He was a bloodthirsty and ruthless warlord who adored violence and battle to the extent of always placing himself at the center of every conflict, regardless of his own safety. This drew the attention of the Crimson Conqueror, who bent his already corrupt mind to his own will, granting him immortality and power over blood, war, and violence. Thus, transforming him into his greatest general, the “Lord of War,” who leads his armies to spread the will and corruption of the Crimson Conqueror everywhere.

    His mere presence incites people to the most depraved violence, bloodthirst and rage. This not only makes him into a formidable leader and adversary, but also into a whirlwind that sows discord, division, and strife all around him. And, of course, this pleases the Crimson Conqueror because where there is violence, discord, and strife, he and his power thrive and find new slaves to dominate.
    He earned his nickname when he began to flay the skins (and souls) of all the greatest Kings and Emperors he defeated on his path, weaving their faces into his garments. From those same tortured souls, he draws some of his powers and immortality.
    (for the Shadow Lords RPG: www.shadowlords.net )Show less

  • The Crimson Conqueror

    The Crimson Conqueror

    This work is for my narrative universe, called “Shadow Lords”, and its homonymous RPG ( www.shadowlords.net ). It’s my personal cosmic-fantasy project rooted in myths, urban legends and ancient beliefs. Based on similar figures from literature and music, this Shadow Lord embodies the primordial concepts that gravitate around war, domination and violence.


    THE CRIMSON CONQUEROR:


    “Amidst the blood and flame and dread,
    The Crimson Conqueror rises, undead.
    His very name brings men to their knees,
    As he spreads his foul disease.
    From the depths of man’s own mind,
    The Crimson Conqueror shall find,
    The darkest fears that he can bind,
    And rule them all, unconfined.”
    – Old Assyrian poem


    – “I am the blood that flows through your veins, the conqueror of your dreams, the emperor of your nightmares.I am the pulse of every war, the blood of every conquest, and the fire that burns in the heart of every man. My reign is eternal, my power absolute, and my conquest never-ending” – From the book of the Crimson Conqueror


    My notes on the Crimson Conqueror are scarce, as even the mention of his name sends shivers down my spine. What I know for sure is that he is a being of immense power, with control over the forces of war, destruction and chaos. His influence over his lieutenants is total, and they carry out his every whim with ruthless efficiency.
    “The few sightings of his minions suggest that they are not of this world, nor are they bound by the laws of nature. Their very presence causes madness and despair in those who witness them, and those who survive their attacks are left forever scarred, both physically and mentally.
    I heard whispered rumors that the Crimson Conqueror seeks not just to conquer the physical world, but also to dominate the minds of all living beings, twisting their thoughts and desires to suit his own. Whether this is true or not, it is clear that his power is far-reaching and nigh-unstoppable.
    I had the opportunity to examine one of the Crimson Conqueror’s thralls, a twisted and malformed creature that seemed to be part-man, part-machine. Its very essence reeked of death and decay, and its eyes held a malevolent intelligence that chilled me to my core. I could not help but wonder what other horrors lay in wait, under the control of the Crimson Conqueror… the more I learn about this being, the more I realize how little we truly know about the nature of human evil.” – Dr. Landon, investigator of the occultShow less

  • Ancient Fulcrum

    Ancient Fulcrum

    Inside underground caves, lies the ancient fulcrum, where all energy lines converge and where you can feel the weight of the whole world on your soul…

    Ancient Fulcrum
    Ancient Fulcrum

  • Tiletum boardgame cover

    Tiletum boardgame cover

    My box cover for the boardgame “Tiletum”, by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, published by Board&Dice: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/351913/tiletum

  • Ashworld landscape

    Ashworld landscape

    Started as a speedpainting, I added some small detail here and there anyway no more than 2 hours of work.
    It’s the landscape of the world of Ashworld, from my last campaign setting for Shadow Lords: shadowlords.net/index.php/2016…

    It’s a dying world, representing our Earth far in the future, when the sun is Red and gigantic but still the world is inhabitable. I know, scientifically there is some inaccuracy here, but who cares, this is freely inspired by the genius of Jack Vance Dying Earth cycle and Gene Wolf New Sun cycle.
    All melted down in a pulp-action style fantastic world full of adventure and fun for my players. That’s what’s matters!

  • Girl whit Bio-device

    Girl whit Bio-device

    This is one of the pieces I did for Monte Cook Games for Numenera – Technology Compendium: Sir Arthour’s Guide to the Numenera (www.montecookgames.com/newest-… )

    The piece is without background since it’s an illustration for the pages of the manual.

    I will show more pieces in the next days, now go buy the guide if you are a Numenera fan! :)

    © Monte Cook Games

  • Belem and the Dragon

    Belem and the Dragon

    belem_and_the_dragon_by_erebus74-d5qvycq

     

    A piece I drew fast (4 hours initially) for a Portuguese professor that has done an article on my work for boardgames and asked if I could do a piece on Portugal. So I draw the Tower of Belem (with reference, both because It was not pratical to draw it without, and because I was full of other works and so I had to do the piece in a hurry), and a marauding dragon on it: it was a long time I wanted to do a piece on dragons.

    In the end, I retook it for another 2-3 hours of corrections to correct the left wing and refine a bit more the dragon (since I had not the time to detail the dragon initially).

    Anyway, enjoy it, I had fun painting my first dragon, and while I’m satisfied on how his head comed out, I will surely do better the next time!

  • Numenera: city with statue

    Numenera: city with statue

    This is one of a lot of illustrations I’m doing for Numenera and The Strange. I’ve been given permission to show a couple of them. For the rest, wait for the products to be out :)

    For the upcoming book of Numenera: Sir Arthur’s Compendium. See Numenera RPG site here: www.numenera.com/
    Copyright by Monte Cook Games (www.montecookgames.com/)

  • Prometheus

    Prometheus

    Shroud your heaven, Zeus,
    With cloudy vapours,
    And do as you will, like the boy
    That beheads thistles,
    With oak-trees and mountain-tops;
    You must my Earth
    Now abandon to me,
    And my hut, which you did not build,
    And my hearth,
    Whose glow
    You begrudge me.I know of nothing poorer
    Under the sun, than you, Gods!
    You are barely nourished
    By sacrificial offerings
    And prayerful exhalations
    Your Majesty
    And would starve, were
    Not children and beggars
    Hopeful fools.

    When I was a child,
    And did not know the in or out,
    I turned my wandering eyes toward
    The sun, as if beyond it there were
    An ear to hear my lament,
    A heart like mine,
    To take pity on the afflicted.

    Who helped me
    Against the Titans’ mischief?
    Who delivered me from Death,
    From Slavery?
    Did you not accomplish it all yourself,
    Holy, burning Heart?
    And glowed, young and good,
    Deceived, your thanks for salvation
    To the sleeping one above?

    I should honour you? For what?
    Have you softened the sufferings,
    Ever, of the burdened?
    Have you stilled the tears,
    Ever, of the anguished?
    Was I not forged as a Man
    By almighty Time
    And the eternal Fate,
    My masters and yours?

    Do you somehow imagine
    I should hate life,
    Flee to the desert,
    Because not every
    Flowering dream may bloom?

    Here I sit, forming people
    In my image;
    A race, to be like me,
    To suffer, to weep,
    To enjoy and delight themselves,
    And to mock you –
    As I do!

    Goethe

  • Magician

    Magician

    The “Magician” card illustration for the boardgame “Wraiths and Redcaps”, inspired to the old Ghost&Goblins©.
    Game by Duncan Wright! More coming for the kickstarter!

    I was asked to get a realistic/gritty feeling, while retaining a BIT of the “cartoon” or painterly look of the videogame.