The Memory of a Giant

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[Part 1] [Part 2 (You are here)] [Part 3] [Part 4]

Daffodil may be a simple esk, but there were some things she understood well: two of which being adventure and treasure. It really didn't take much convincing before she was bounding off through the abandoned park. Soon enough, her sensitive eyes spotted a tiny object glinting in the afternoon light - a polished metal coin. Why, that old esk was right after all! There IS treasure here! 

Just as Daffodil resolved to make a hasty retreat with her newfound object, she became suddenly aware of her surroundings. In a courtyard, at the edge of a dry and cracked basin she stood, the shadow of an aged stone figure looming over her from the center. In the distance, rusted metal gates barring entrance to long vacant cells encircled the outer edge of the clearing.

The statue, imposing yet with a certain sadness, portrayed the likeness of a creature Daffodil did not know the name of - a lonely monument to the memory of this place. Though it bore evidence of continued human activity, it also hinted at a forgotten and neglected history, a deeper meaning to Daffodil's surroundings and the mysterious coin she now held.

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Part one Kirara: I need to tone it down and make simpler illustrations!
Part two Kirara: hold my beer

When I mentioned that Daf would be exploring a menagerie, I'm sure you were expecting a focus on the animal enclosures! Sorry to disappoint, but I decided on a more subtle route (and I really couldn't think of anything she would find interesting in an old animal cell, anyway). The idea of an abandoned baroque fountain struck me as something that would have quite a lot more story and meaning behind it. The pose of the elephant is intentionally outdated, something very reminiscent of a circus act, which would absolutely not be depicted or modeled today without heavy controversy. There is a very sad history of animal welfare (or lack thereof) in places like this, and I wanted to integrate bits of it without getting too dark. A lot of animal science and conservation knowledge has roots in unsavory beginnings, and I personally find that history interesting to explore (even if Daffodil doesn't). I'm getting off the subject now, though! I wonder what Daf will discover next, and what she will choose to do with her "treasure"? :3c

I explored a wider variety of palette combos for this second page, but ultimately chose another monochrome one. I ended up really liking the sort of hazy, slightly foreboding feel of the green. The other-worldly sense accidentally coincides perfectly with the idea that Daf, as a trespasser in origin, is treading into the history of another place and time.
[Daffodil]

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_{Artwork: DeviantArt | FurAffinity | Weasyl
Support: Etsy | Ko-fi | Patreon | Commissions
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_{Image Point Totals: 123AP, 44GP
Panels 1&2:
+10 AP, 4 GP [Shaded Illustration] x2
+5 AP, 2 GP [Full Body] x2
+5 AP, 2 GP [Abstract Background] x2
+5 AP [Personal Work] x2
+5 AP, 2 GP [Palette Challenge] x2
Panel 3:
+5 AP, 2 GP [Flat Color]
+5 AP, 2 GP [Full Body]
+20 AP, 6 GP [Scenic Background]
+5 AP [Personal Work]
+5 AP, 2 GP [Biome Bonus]
+15 AP, 8 GP [Quest Bonus]
+5 AP, 2 GP [Palette Challenge]
+3 AP, 2 GP [192 Word Count]
Esk are a closed species by witherlings and part of the ThoseWhoWentMissing ARPG}

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