Echoes of Time and Magic

This is an ancient device lost to the frozen North after the collapse of the civilization that built it. The three “modern-day” explorers have discovered it unexpectedly as they trek through the icy land. They are excited to have made such a discovery, but they don’t yet know the significance of this device.

In my steampunk world, humans have harnessed steam to power their society because they lack the ability to use arcane energy. This device extracts arcane energy from magic-infused crystals, which at one time allowed the people that built it to use magic as an energy source. This device is going to completely revolutionized “modern” steampunk society.

It won’t be an easy transition; a few years into the future after this picture takes place, a war will be fought for control of this machine and the technology it represents. The red sunrise is meant to foreshadow that coming conflict.

My complete creative process used to bring Echoes of Time and Magic to life can be found here.