Image: Tarnished vs. Tree Sentinels on the Steps of Leyndell

The illustration portrays a dramatic, anime-inspired battle scene set on the massive stone staircase leading to Leyndell, the Royal Capital, in the Altus Plateau. Autumn light filters through bright golden trees flanking the steps, their leaves scattering around the scene as dust and debris swirl from the hooves of two armored warhorses. At the center of the composition stands the Tarnished, clad in the dark, tattered-yet-elegant Black Knife armor. Their posture is low and braced, one foot forward and one back, as they grip a glowing spectral-blue sword that emanates wisps of ethereal energy. The Tarnished’s hood conceals their face, giving them an enigmatic, ghostlike presence that contrasts with the golden brilliance of their opponents.

Charging down the staircase are two imposing Tree Sentinels, each mounted on a massive warhorse plated in ornate golden armor. The Sentinels’ full suits of burnished gold plate gleam in the high afternoon sun, bearing the unmistakable Erdtree motif engraved across their shields and cuirasses. Their helmets, crowned with flowing crimson plumes, lend them an austere, ceremonial grandeur. Unlike spears, each of them wields a massive halberd—the broad, curved blades and pointed tips unmistakable in shape—held high in both hands as they prepare to strike. The halberds are exaggerated slightly in an anime-stylized manner, with clean silhouettes and sharp edges that emphasize their lethal elegance.

The Sentinel on the left leans forward aggressively, his horse mid-stride as dust kicks up around its hooves. The Sentinel on the right mirrors the attack but raises his shield defensively, angling it toward the Tarnished while holding his halberd poised for a downward slash. Their horses’ golden faceplates, adorned with intricate designs, create an almost emotionless, imposing front—like living statues animated for battle.

The background reveals the iconic golden dome of the Leyndell entrance rising grandly above the steps. Its massive pillars and pristine stonework stretch upward, bathed in a warm glow that contrasts with the violent struggle unfolding below. Though distant, the architecture creates a majestic sense of scale, emphasizing how small the Tarnished appears compared to the enormity of the capital—and the foe blocking their path.

The overall color palette blends warm golds, muted stone grays, and the pale blue of the Tarnished’s glowing blade. The composition captures dynamic motion, rising tension, and the heroic solitude emblematic of *Elden Ring*. Every element—from the armored horses to the ornate weapons, swirling dust, and sweeping staircase—contributes to an epic, high-fantasy confrontation rendered in a crisp, finely detailed anime aesthetic.

The image is related to: Elden Ring: Tree Sentinel Duo (Altus Plateau) Boss Fight