Today I'm posting the last unreleased character, Ebba. This is not the end of my posting, I'll continue adding the content we created in the previs/bluesky phase. It is a bittersweet moment, tomorrow it's our last day and posting Ebba feels like the end of Highguard for me.
I wish Wildlight and all my team mates the best of luck. You guys were the best experience I had in the industry in my more than 17y working on videogames. I'll carry all of you forever in my heart!
Let's introduce Ebba the way she deserves, her narrative wasn't fully defined but this was an initial pitch I had (please bare in mind these is not approved by Narrative)
EBBA: The last winged Warden.
Centuries ago, there was 5 fortresses dominating the skies. These fortresses were built to protect the Realm against the dark forces of the Dirge. These fortresses contained the source of many centuries of ancient magic and Skydrift was at the center of them.
Every one of these fortress was guarded by a dragon. These beautiful beasts were sacred and revered and alongside the ancient dragon Wardens. These winged guardians had dragon blood going through their veins, they protected the fortresses, making sure they were a safe space for dragons to exists.
One day the Dirge attacked with all its strength and managed to corrupt one of the dragons, this was the beginning of the end. One by one each dragon perish and every fortress felt from the sky. Skydrift was the last one to fall and with it, the end of dragons and winged Wardens.
This was a battle that humanity almost lost, but then, Highguard banished, taking with it the dark forces and any trace of all these myths with it.
For three centuries, the magic humanity knew started to dwindle and the image that people had about dragons shifted to the other direction, since while the big battle of Skydrift took place, the corrupted dragon annihilated many places from the Realm.
Time went by and Skydrift and Dragons became bedtime legends, people stop believing they ever existed. Until one day, a little girl was born with two scars on her back.
From a young age, Ebba learnt how to fetch for herself. She realized her wings were taboo for many people as what they remembered from Dragons were those terrifying legends told about them. Ebba grown up hiding her wings, until one day she had enough. She met someone that guide her through her powers and became a bounty hunter. No heads would scape Ebba.
Until one day Skydrift returned... She felt something on her skin and she started her journey back to a land that once belong to people like her.
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AD: Robert Taube
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On Ebba, we really wanted to push the two fantasies combined, her armor and language is all based on dragon scales, while also is worn and utilitarian for her bounty travels.
Ebba is a very stoic woman, hard facade and hard to get close to. She build a very strong wall and learnt how to protect herself from a very young age. In the skies she's free. Her imposing wings are something you can't ignore.
I want to take this moment to praise the amazing Narrative director we had Manny Hagopian and Jason Torfin. Thank you for the stories I got to read and taking some of the crazy ideas I had!
We had so much incredible lore written by them. Our world was beautifully rich thanks to the incredible stories they wanted to tell. It is just sad we don't get to share everything we had with the world but I hope you guys got a glimpse of what Highguard lore is through my posts.
Thank you for everyone that shown their support during this time!