The Redmarsh - Book Cover Art & Interior Illustration

Mario

Mario Nevado

The Redmarsh

Surreal Fantasy Art for an unofficial Dungeons & Dragons Guidebook.
Character models and scenes created in 3D. Texturing and digital painting in Photoshop.
This fantasy book cover illustration, The Redmarsh, was created for an unofficial Dungeons & Dragons campaign rulebook. It called for a world where decay and enchantment quietly hold hands — a bittersweet corner of a once-glorious kingdom. It was commissioned by AO Publications alongside a companion digital art portrait/concept art of The Prophet, main antagonist of the adventure
At the heart of this fantasy artwork is Sir Redleaf, the silent guardian of the marsh. Once a proud knight, now transformed by ancient magic, his head blooms into a blood-red rose, symbol of both life and inevitable decay. Bound by an unspoken oath to the Lady of the Marsh, Sir Redleaf wrestles with his duty: protect the wild sanctuary at all costs — even when it means turning against those he once called kin.
He isn’t a simple NPC. Players who cross Sir Redleaf’s path might find him torn between hospitality and hostility. Depending on their actions, he could offer them safe passage, guide them to the hidden library within the ruined Tower, or summon the marsh itself to rise against them. His presence adds a layer of emotional complexity to the fantasy RPG adventure — a knight not easily categorized as ally or enemy, standing like a forgotten statue in the mist.
Behind him, the ruins of his once-noble tower lean into the ever-choking embrace of the enchanted hedges. Above it all, a winged tiger-shaped gargoyle watches in silent judgment. To reach the heart of the marsh, travelers must survive not only the living plants and magical beasts, but their own sense of right and wrong in dealing with its last true protector.
This high fantasy artwork blends surreal storytelling with visual worldbuilding: a tapestry of enchanted forest illustration, mossy armor, twilight gardens, and half-remembered battles — the perfect setup for players hungry for stories that live between melancholy and magic.
Fantasy Character Illustration: “The Prophet”
“The Prophet” is a Dungeons and Dragons character design illustration for the unofficial campaign “The Redmarsh”, written and published by AO Publications. “The Prophet” is a towering visual presence that embodies the surreal and the divine. This 8-foot-tall celestial being is the final boss of the game and a central figure in the campaign’s metaphysical climax. Tasked with visualizing a being described as both worshipped and feared, I aimed to translate the complex mythology behind The Prophet into a piece that blends divine light with underlying decay. This dark fantasy character illustration was designed to capture the attention of both players and readers, anchoring the narrative in a single, iconic visual.
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Posted Jul 28, 2025

Surreal Fantasy Art for an unofficial Dungeons & Dragons Guidebook, incl. Cover Art and Layout.