Image: Shadow Keep Confrontation: Tarnished vs Golden Hippopotamus

Available versions of this image

• Regular size (1,536 x 1,024): JPEG - WebP
• Large size (3,072 x 2,048): JPEG - WebP

Image description

This dark fantasy fan art captures a moment of eerie anticipation in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, set within the ancient, mist-shrouded halls of Shadow Keep. Rendered in a semi-realistic style with high-resolution detail and a landscape orientation, the image presents a dramatic confrontation between the Tarnished and the formidable Golden Hippopotamus boss.

The Tarnished stands on the left side of the frame, viewed partially from behind. Cloaked in the iconic Black Knife armor, the figure exudes stealth and resolve. The armor is composed of layered, weathered leather and dark metal plates, with subtle silver accents and a hood that obscures the warrior’s face. The cloak flows with ambient motion, its tattered edges catching the dim light. In the Tarnished’s right hand, a long, slightly worn sword is held low, angled toward the ground in a ready stance. The left hand is clenched, and the posture is firm—feet planted wide on the cracked stone floor, body leaning forward in anticipation.

Opposite, the Golden Hippopotamus boss dominates the right side of the frame. Its massive, quadrupedal form is hunched and muscular, covered in leathery, dark hide with patches of tarnished gold. Its back is crowned with an array of enormous, golden-brown quills that radiate outward like a fan of spears, each rendered with intricate texture and depth. The creature’s head is low, eyes glowing with a baleful amber light, and its mouth slightly agape, revealing jagged tusks and sharp teeth. Its thick legs end in clawed feet that grip the uneven stone floor, poised to lunge.

The setting is a vast, ruined chamber deep within Shadow Keep. Towering stone columns and arches rise into shadow, their surfaces worn and moss-covered. Mist coils around the base of the columns and across the floor, which is composed of cracked, irregular stone slabs. Shallow puddles reflect the dim, bluish light that filters through unseen openings, casting soft glows and deep shadows across the scene.

The composition is balanced and cinematic, with the Tarnished and the boss positioned at opposite ends of the frame. Diagonal lines formed by the warrior’s sword and the creature’s spines guide the viewer’s eye toward the center, where tension peaks. The muted, earthy color palette enhances the somber mood, while the golden hues of the creature’s quills and eyes provide striking contrast.

This fan art pays homage to the atmospheric storytelling and epic scale of Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. It blends realism with fantasy, evoking the dread and thrill of imminent combat in a world steeped in mystery and decay. A powerful tribute for fans of the game’s haunting beauty and intense boss encounters.

The image is related to: Elden Ring: Golden Hippopotamus (Shadow Keep) Boss Fight (SOTE)