The Tempestuous Providence
Ethan Bockman
See it On Campus: Level 2
Intro
Five characters, five stories. A multipurpose and multifaceted project, the Tempestuous Providence is the culmination of all my years as an artist, writer, designer, worldbuilder. With care, carved into every crevice of this project is the cultural heritage that I carry within me, of both Asian and European descent.
Made to exist within the context of a game, whether digital or tabletop, this project is made manifest in the medium of a guide, a handbook of sorts. Inspired by the storytelling methods in the dark fantasy genre told from a limited point of view, the details of the world and plot are given to the reader or player implicitly, as if they were really there in that world. With every excerpt, the setting is unraveled bit by bit.
Early Ideation
Pivot
At the outset, the final output for the garment was to be a tabard. As such, the scope of the worldbuilding was relegated to this sliver of a view. I had finished making a physical prototype, but at the halfway point I realized that what I wanted to make was not something real, but to make something unreal have reality embedded within it.
Ideation – Phase 2
Herald
The Erstwhile Herald’s attire is inspired by manchu officials of the Qing dynasty, wearing the same colours that they would have to symbolize his status. On his tabard is a European interpretation of hei. The corset-like fastening he has on his collar is inspired by the high-collared trench coats worn by highwaymen of the 1800s. The shape of the red feather on his Leung Mao, or cool hat, is meant to symbolize the feather of a phoenix, as are the feathers that make up his cape.
Hunter
The Wulei Hunter bears eight tassels on his belt for luck, with eight being an auspicious number in Chinese culture. The hide he wears on his back is of a mythical creature inspired by raven and fox myths of European and Asian cultures respectively. On his shirt are Chinese knot buttons in red for good luck, as well as the sash hanging from his belt.
Battlemage
The Battlemage’s sleeves and armor is inspired by landsknecht mercenaries to denote his line of work. He holds a guandao, a Chinese polearm akin to the European glaive. The plate armor he wears is meant to evoke the appearance of lamellar armor. His boots are the shape of Hanfu boots with their upturned tips, but are leather of European style.
Seamstress
The Golden Thread Seamstress uses a distaff and spindle to make her golden thread from the wool of a special sheep. The cut of her Hanfu robe, which are usually wide-sleeved, is lined with Wulei fur due to the cold climate of the land. This version of the robe was historically worn by farmers and peasants, whereas the Seamstress’ is red with golden trim, showing her humble beginnings and high status interwoven physically. The golden cylinder on her belt is a needle case.
Fisherman
The Fisherman Vagrant uses cormorants to fish, a technique developed in China, Japan, Greece, England, and France. He carries wine in a dried out calabash gourd, both to appease his drunken nature as well as a symbol of protection to ward off evil spirits. The reed skirt he wears was worn by Japanese fishermen, and the pants inspired by the trousers of Nordic fishermen. Since the Fisherman Vagrant is more of an outcast compared to the other characters, whose clothing pulls mostly from Chinese and British cultures, it was fitting for the Fisherman’s clothing to be the most eclectic culturally.
These five characters are only the beginning. The project will continue to grow long after graduation. I hope to find the way forward into a new style of fantasy, where cultures are more freely explored and unified to create something new and exciting.
All drawings created in Infinite Painter and IbisPaint X
