Steampunk as a genre has often been dismissed on very superficial terms.
The classic "stick some gears on it" that was used as a derogatory form for some steampunk efforts. Or the even older "steampunk is when Goths discover the color brown".
On the other hand, it is undeniable that the visual component of the steampunk genre - of steampunk culture, if you prefer - cannot be dismissed.
The same can be said for roleplaying games - the artwork is often as important as the text.
And so, when designing a different steampunk setting, one needs to strike a fine balance, between the familiar and the exotic, the old and the new, the classic and the heretic.
Working on Hope & Glory, we are lucky.
We have Angelo Montanini.
And so here on the right is one of his designs - the very first, actually - for the look and feel of Hope & Glory.
You can see the prep sketch and the earlier phases of the coloring.
Gorgeous, isn't it?
And there's more to come.
Davide Mana
Asty, Italy