Image: Steel Drawn Against Sorcery: Tarnished vs. Smarag
Published: January 24, 2026 at 4:23:45 PM UTC
Last updated: January 24, 2026 at 4:24:48 PM UTC
High-resolution anime-style Elden Ring fan art showing the Tarnished wielding a sword in a tense face-to-face standoff with Glintstone Dragon Smarag in Liurnia of the Lakes.
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Image description
The image captures a powerful anime-style standoff in the flooded plains of Liurnia of the Lakes, frozen in the moment just before battle begins. On the left side of the composition stands the Tarnished, fully turned toward their foe and grounded in a steady, battle-ready stance. The Tarnished wears the Black Knife armor, depicted with layered dark fabrics and fitted plates that give the silhouette a sleek yet lethal appearance. A deep hood shadows the figure’s face, concealing all features and reinforcing the anonymous, determined nature of the Tarnished. Their posture is tense but controlled, knees slightly bent as their boots press into the shallow water, sending faint ripples across the reflective surface.
In the Tarnished’s hands is a longsword, replacing the earlier dagger with a weapon that emphasizes resolve and readiness for open combat. The blade glows with a cold, bluish light, its polished edge catching reflections from the misty environment. The sword is held diagonally forward and low, a measured guard rather than a reckless challenge, suggesting experience and caution. Subtle highlights along the armor and weapon reflect the ambient light, adding depth and contrast against the dark silhouette.
Directly opposite, dominating the right half of the image, looms the Glintstone Dragon Smarag. The dragon faces the Tarnished head-on, its massive head lowered to bring its glowing blue eyes into direct alignment with the warrior’s gaze. Its jaws are partially open, revealing rows of sharp teeth and a faint arcane glow deep within its throat. Smarag’s scales are jagged and layered, colored in deep teal and slate tones, while clusters of crystalline glintstone erupt along its head, neck, and spine. These crystals emit a soft, magical blue light that illuminates the dragon’s features and reflects across the wet ground.
The dragon’s wings are partially unfurled, framing its colossal body and suggesting restrained power. One claw digs into the muddy terrain, creating ripples in the shallow water and reinforcing the sense of weight and scale. The contrast between the Tarnished’s human form and the dragon’s immense bulk underscores the imbalance of power, while their mirrored stances and direct eye contact convey mutual awareness and imminent violence.
The surrounding environment heightens the tension. The ground is soaked and uneven, dotted with puddles, wet grass, and mud that mirror the muted blues and grays of the overcast sky. Mist drifts through the scene, softening the outlines of distant ruins and sparse trees in the background. Fine droplets hang in the air, suggesting recent rain and lending a cold, somber tone to the landscape.
Overall, the composition emphasizes anticipation over action. Both figures face each other squarely, unmoving, suspended in a breathless pause. The anime-inspired style amplifies drama through crisp silhouettes, glowing magical accents, and cinematic lighting, capturing the exact heartbeat before steel meets scale and sorcery erupts.
The image is related to: Elden Ring: Glintstone Dragon Smarag (Liurnia of the Lakes) Boss Fight