In the beginning…

The Land of Lo (which, many years after naming it so, I found out is an actual place in the far East) was not always a beautiful countryside with an infinite lake and mountains. No, it started out as fire. An endless – and beginning-less – blanket of eternally burning fire. It became that after a period of “darkness” that occurred on the Great Mountain. The Great Mountain serves as a sanctuary and headquarters for the creatures known as The Tillers. With its rose petaled waterfall, powerful portals, and immense library of all things knowledge, it is appropriately deemed such.

The Tillers are tall, slender, and have long limbs and heads that resemble thick shark fins with gills, or even a succulent plant. All things Lodian are primarily plant or sea creature – based, as you will begin to see more and more. I created the character design based on the way my wife tied up her curtains. One day, it just looked like something, and I sketched the first idea of a Tiller. With a flowing train of robe hanging down to the ground, a meditating Tiller floats in a cross-legged position, with their arms folded in front and covered by the sleeves. They have keyholes in their chests, for which each Claviger (that post is to come) has a key that fits. They have walking staffs that have magical pearls that enhance their manifestation, and often keep pomi birds as companions.

The Tillers oversee all creation. All creation happens through meditation by the Tiller, who then manifests something that fulfills a need in the world. It is then sent in the form of a seed, to grow into what it must become. They’re pretty cool creatures. Below, there is a gallery of the progression of the character design. Simple shapes at first, then kind of a humanoid, and finally a more aquatic and plant-like entity. The final photo is of the first color portrait I created of a Tiller. The first chapter of the Lodian origins tells the story of how a young Tiller discovered the endless sea of fire, and manifested water for balance, becoming Lake Chitali once the steam settled. What came next, you’ll have to wait and see!

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