To give AI art generators some chance to redeem themselves after last time, here's an image of the Rathurbosk that I managed to coax out of ChatGPT (animated below by DeeVid). I've never cared much for that dully realistic trad fantasy style, but at least the AI managed to get a sense of the scale, though still not close to the sense of wonder that even a rough sketch by Leo Hartas conveys. Looks like the best human artists aren't going to be replaced anytime soon.
The setting and environs of the Rathurbosk have a numinous seasonal feel, and if you want to make use of that then Damian May has an excellent adventure seed for you; "Captain of the Gouge" gets right down into the chasm for another angle on Legend's most miraculous bridge. Whether you're spending the holiday period high or low, hot or cold, busy or quiet -- have a good one.
Not to be picky, but what's the adventure you're linking to? Because one introductory paragraph does not an adventure make...
ReplyDeleteIt's an adventure seed, not a full scenario, but next year I'll run a complete adventure set on and around the bridge.
DeleteSounds good. I look forward to it.
DeleteYou'll have to remind me. Both Leo Hartas and Tim Harford have run some splendid adventures on the Rathurbosk, so I'm going to see if they still have their notes.
Delete'Whisper Beyond the Stars' is high on my 2026 reading priority list, Dave. Alas, my wife wrapped up 'Haunted Castle' as a Christmas present so didn't get chance to look at it properly beforehand. It threw me a bit when she asked if it was for me or our son! (I went with son.) I also finally got around to reading 'Castle of Lost Souls' and really enjoyed it, enough so to leave an Amazon review.
ReplyDeleteHave a good seasonal one yourself, and thanks for all the brill blog posts again this year.
The beauty of Haunted Castle being a sort of puzzle book, Andy, is that you can offer to help your son out with it and that way you both get to enjoy it. (Leo might add that you could always buy another copy!)
DeleteThanks for the review. I've done one of my own for Lucy of the Lammas Lands, so let's hope Amazon Studios throws £100 million at making the movie version soon.
An interesting take, Mr Morris. To my mind, I always imagined it as looking like the bridges on p. 72 or p. 120 of "Marienburg - Sold Down the River". Maybe it was due to the fact that the picture was drawn by your friend Mr Russ Nicholson. Not accurate, I know, but just how I thought about it at the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued, Stan, but I don't have a copy of the Marienburg book. Did Russ base those illustrations on any historical bridges?
DeleteMr Morris, if you go to this page of Mr Nicholson: https://russnicholson.blogspot.com/2012/12/ you will find an example of a bridge.
ReplyDeleteRuss did some truly marvellous illustrations. Thanks, Stan.
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