Image: Realistic Tarnished vs Fortissax in Deeproot Depths

This semi-realistic fantasy illustration captures a tense moment in Elden Ring’s Deeproot Depths, where the Tarnished confronts the formidable Lichdragon Fortissax. Rendered in high-resolution landscape format with a grounded, painterly aesthetic, the image emphasizes realism, atmosphere, and scale.

In the foreground, the Tarnished stands poised for battle, clad in the iconic Black Knife armor. The armor consists of a dark, weathered cloak with intricate embroidery resembling ancient leaf and vine motifs, draped over the shoulders and back. The hood conceals most of the warrior’s face, revealing only a strong jawline and a focused gaze. Their stance is low and ready, with one foot forward and the other braced against the uneven terrain. A straight steel sword is held firmly in their left hand, angled toward the dragon in a defensive posture.

The dragon dominates the background, positioned diagonally across from the Tarnished. Fortissax is depicted as a massive, grounded beast with outstretched wings that cast ominous shadows across the landscape. Its body is covered in jagged, obsidian-like scales fractured by glowing red fissures that pulse with ambient heat. The dragon’s eyes burn with molten intensity, and its mouth is slightly open, revealing rows of sharp teeth. A crown of twisted, fiery horns adorns its head, and embers drift from its body, illuminating the surrounding mist.

The environment is dark and moody, evoking the eerie beauty of Deeproot Depths. The terrain slopes gently upward toward a massive stone wall or cliff composed of irregular, weathered rocks. The ground is rugged, scattered with small stones, patches of dry grass, and twisted roots. Leafless, gnarled trees with skeletal branches frame the scene, with one prominent tree reaching into the cloudy sky from the upper left.

The sky is a deep, stormy blue with swirling clouds tinged in gray and teal, suggesting magical turbulence and ancient power. The lighting is subdued and atmospheric, with the dragon’s fiery glow casting warm highlights and deep shadows across the terrain. The color palette leans toward cool, muted tones, punctuated by the warm reds and oranges of the dragon’s glowing fissures.

The composition is diagonal, with the Tarnished and Fortissax positioned in opposing corners, creating visual tension and depth. The textures are richly detailed—from the embroidery of the cloak to the cracked scales of the dragon—enhancing the realism of the scene. This fan art pays homage to Elden Ring’s epic boss battles, reimagining the encounter with Fortissax in a grounded, painterly style that emphasizes mood, scale, and narrative intensity.

The image is related to: Elden Ring: Lichdragon Fortissax (Deeproot Depths) Boss Fight