#tidehome

[crayonflight]

Map update inspired me to finish some thumbnails of Tidehome that have been sitting around for a year or so

1. Tunnel Systems - There is one main tunnel from the surface to Tidehome, however many little tunnels weave around and lead to other points of interest. The tunnels are lined with silvery coral-eske bushes, small lights, baubles and nets. If you ever feel lost, silver chains indicate the main road. Sometimes you can see pockets of the ocean, the “windows” are energy field spells and regularly checked on by wizards.

2. A Temple - a simple place dedicated to the water god. Many of these exist throughout the city, some more intricate than others. 

3. A small town cluster in the tunnels - Some residents prefer a quieter place to live/work. Most clusters are residential and off the main path to Tidehome. A sparse few belong to tight-knit communities of expert artisans and require invitation to visit. 

4. Tidehome - Main city in a huge cavern. A lot of the buildings are modeled after spiral shells and spires. Some homes cling to the side walls and are only accessible by flying. The Queen lives in the palace, alongside her family, warriors, officials and head artisans. Tidehome is well known for the quality of it’s craftsmen, a large section of the city is dedicated to a market to display their works. Travelers are more than welcome to set up shops and booths here. 

[crayonflight]

Day 5: Biggest Eyesore

Nemo, who is every color. He’s a pretty chill mirror. He lives in Tidehome, which is well known for it’s expert artisans in everything (painting, pottery, textiles, sculpture you name it). Nemo here doesn’t make anything fancy, he usually weaves simple baskets from whatever sea plants he can find. Despite not making anything whimsical, Nemo gets a lot of business from everyday people looking for functional items. Occasionally he also makes ropes and simple linens. 

Despite his rather monotonous occupation, Nemo loves his work and is one hell of an optimist. If you can spot him under an enormous pile of baskets you’ll find the biggest smile around town. 

[crayonflight]

Day 6: Most Monstrous - this one looks at lot better in full-view

Hydra is an incredibly devout priestess. When Tidelord vanished, she, like many others, would sit at a scrying pool and search the sea for any signs of strong magic that may lead to their deity. This process involves sending out magical probes and just sensing, a spiritual “radar” of sorts.  

Unfortunately one day a strong presence Hydra investigated clung to her spirit and followed it home. The strange thing manifested as incoherent voices in her head, usually whispering jibberish. When other dragons pass her the voices start screaming things like RIP, TEAR, SHRED. If she gives in they sort of possess her, and she grows very beastly and violent. She’s caused some... unspeakable tragedies. 

Queen Scylla of Tidehome now keeps Hydra in her own personal temple beneath the city. As a disciplined priest Hydra’s ability to meditate and hold the voices back is mostly effective. The downside is no one can visit her, ever. On rare occasional Scylla will observe her, and in even rarer circumstances Scylla will let Hydra out on her enemies. These incidents are heavily guarded secrets, though there are usually no survivors to tell the tale.  

[crayonflight]

New girl, nicknamed her Sandcastle but not sure that’s what her name will be. Her goal is to make the most perfect sandcastle the world has ever seen, and then live in it forever. She seals them with magic so they don’t fall apart so easily (though they still do a little... its a horrible mess and Krill hates her for it). She loves to insult people from high above in her towers. Always seen with her shoddy shovel and a decorative flag on her head (???). Will not hesitate to use the shovel as a weapon.

[crayonflight]

Some scenery from the Coral Gardens in Tidehome! The depth varies from 2-10 feet throughout the area. The garden is fenced in, only the most esteemed members of the city and priests can visit. The airspace is sealed with magic so one can’t simply fly over the gate. Its considered quite the honor if you’re permitted to visit, but with an escort of course. 

Half of Tidehome is on the shore/shallows of the ocean. Dragons who can’t breathe water without magical aid and merchants prefer this half of the city, which i will try to draw soon :) I’ve always preferred doing lair art!

[crayonflight]

♪ I want to break free ♪

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Local demon cryptid, Shipwreck. He was magically chained to an ancient ship graveyard by a revered hero of Tidehome long ago. Now he’s faded into legend, told only to curious hatchlings. Over many centuries he’s fused himself into the ship debris, patiently freeing himself.

[crayonflight]

Kelpie, a shapeshifting snapper lady who tolerates no nonsense. Besides her normal dragon self, she most often takes the form of her namesake.

[crayonflight]

Some thumbnails of the Shallows District, the land part of Tidehome. Some of these were more successful than others. 

Citadel is a casual place where the bigwigs meet and plan things, of course the Queen’s actual palace is in the depths area and far more luxurious. There is a lighthouse and a private dock nearby. 

Connected by bridge to the mainland, the Citadel leads down a main street that meets up with a huge market circle. The buildings lining the edge of the circle are for residential merchants, the open-air stalls in the interior are for travelers to rent out. Tidehome is well known for their arts, so while many have workshops in the depths, the market sees more traffic for customers.

The main street continues to lead out to a central gate to the entire city. Several smaller streets lead down the cliff to many residential homes and local businesses. Most streets are lined by small canals of water or mini waterfalls lining the cliffs drops. The closer you get to shore, the fancier the white-faced buildings become.

Until you get to the shore, most of which is fenced off for the coral gardens and smaller temples to the Tidelord. The only area that isn’t off limits leads under the sea, eventually to pop up in the dark, silvery coral lined streets of the Depths.