About This Collaboration
Since February 2022, I've been creating dark fantasy artwork for Blind Coyote Games, bringing to life their gothic fantasy TTRPG projects. This ongoing collaboration spans two major works: Heart of Darkness, a character-driven gothic fantasy ruleset, and Gateway to the Dreamscapes, an adventure set in a sprawling mega-dungeon.
The setting masterfully blends gothic fantasy aesthetics with elements of weird western and Arthurian romance, creating a unique atmosphere that required equally distinctive visual treatment. Each piece needed to capture the dark, foreboding tone while maintaining the fantastical elements that make TTRPGs engaging.
The Projects
Heart of Darkness is a character-driven RPG ruleset and gothic fantasy campaign setting scheduled for release in early 2026. It establishes a world where darkness is not just aesthetic—it's fundamental to the gameplay and narrative experience.
Gateway to the Dreamscapes is an adventure set in a mega-dungeon within this gothic world. Currently written for Heart of Darkness, there are plans to adapt it for 5E D&D to reach a broader audience. The adventure takes players through the titular Dreamscapes dimension, requiring detailed maps and haunting illustrations of otherworldly locations.
Creative Process & Challenges
The collaboration has been remarkably smooth throughout. The client knew exactly what they wanted and communicated their requests clearly and straightforwardly, which made the creative process efficient and enjoyable.
The most interesting technical challenge arose with map scaling. When preparing files for print, we discovered the map scale wasn't representing the intended measurements accurately—it was as if the scale itself was shrinking. Through collaborative problem-solving and mathematical calculations, we cracked the issue and successfully delivered maps that printed at the correct scale. This kind of technical challenge, solved through client collaboration, exemplifies the professional relationship we've built.
What Makes This Special
Any project that includes both illustrations and maps is special to me. While I love cartography, the opportunity to work on character illustrations, environmental scenes, and conceptual pieces alongside traditional map work allows me to flex different creative muscles. The Blind Coyote Games project perfectly balances both—from the elemental illustrations depicting cosmic beings made of geometric shapes, to the horrifying river of sentient goo in Gateway to the Dreamscapes, to the detailed cartography of Pangaea and the Dreamscapes dimension.
Artistic Approach
All pieces were created at 300 DPI for print-ready quality. Most artwork featured black-and-white lineart with a stark, high-contrast aesthetic fitting the gothic genre. One piece incorporated color accents to highlight specific elements, while another received a full parchment overlay treatment for an aged, arcane manuscript feel.
The deliverables included PNG formats for digital use and PSD files with separated layers, giving the client maximum flexibility for layout and design in their final publications. The project embraced an unlimited revisions approach, ensuring each piece met the exacting standards required for professional TTRPG publication.
Looking Forward
With the Heart of Darkness ruleset targeting early 2026 for publication and Gateway to the Dreamscapes following later in 2026 or beyond, this collaboration continues to evolve. The latest piece was delivered in January 2025, and more artwork is planned as the projects develop toward their respective launches.
