The Ruby River Canyon narrowed considerably once we got by Skullrock Bastion. In a narrow stretch we found Scorchclaw, the first guardian of the passage. Scorchclaw appeared to have tentacles that stretched far beneath the surface of the water. There was no doubt in our minds that if we became entangled in them, it would be the end. Kenzie became very excited and scratched at my knapsack. I opened it and was greeted by the sight of the roots that the Qwimble Brothers had given us. What the heck I thought and tossed them into the water. The effect was immediate. Scorchclaw's tangled tentacles receded from the water and wrapped themselves around the rock on which he perched. We drifted safely by, another disaster averted.
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
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Skullrock Bastion sits at the opening to the Canyon of the Monsters looking like the entryway to some carnival boat ride. We could hear it before we actually saw it. Loud moans, groans, and growls were bellowing from the mouth of the bastion. They were obviously meant to dissuade travelers from journeying further. As it turns out, the bastion is more huff and puff than actual substance and we were able to cruise by it without difficulty.
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
Tags: Topaz Studio 2.0 Fantasy MidJourney AI LightroomClassic Skullrock
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Qwim Swizzle gave us directions to the landing along the river that would lead us through the Ruby River Canyon. As we approached the shore a phantom-like being in a small skiff appeared out of the low hanging mist. This was obviously Shadowfer Shadewind. Dang I thought, why are these boat owners always wearing shrouds. As he drew close Shadowfer stepped out of the boat and appeared to levitate above the water. He extended a bony finger and motioned for us to climb into the boat--these boat owners don't seem to talk either. We clambered aboard. When I turned to thank Shadowfer, he had disappeared. And so we begin our voyage into the Ruby River Canyon of the monsters.
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
Tags: Topaz Studio 2.0 Ferryman MidJourney AI LightroomClassic Fantasy
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We found Qwim Qwizzle in front of his house. He also was quite interested in Kenzie. He told us that he was over 200 years old and was the only one to have traveled beyond the hamlet. He said to reach Ruby Falls we must travel through the dangerous Ruby Falls River Canyon. The canyon was protected by a series of monsters that had been created by the Ruby Queen whose castle lay on the far side of Ruby Falls. He told us that if we wished to return home, the Ruby Queen was the only being that could get us there. As for the journey forward he told us to seek out Shadowfer Shadewind, the keeper of the boats on the river. As a parting gift he gave us a bottle containing a potion that he said would gain us passage by the last monster in the canyon. The solutions to get by the rest of the monsters were up to our own bravery and ingenuity. As we were leaving he bent down and placed a collar with a single ruby around Kenzie's neck. "This will earn you a welcome with the Ruby Queen if you're lucky enough to make it that far."
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
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The sun was setting large and bright over the distant valley below Grimwood Burrough as we left the Qwimble Brothers abode in search of Qwim Qwizzle. The distant view gave us the impression that things were quite rosy and our journey might be easier from here. But what did we know?
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
Tags: Topaz Studio 2.0 Surreal Landscape MidJourney AI Fantasy Landscape LightroomClassic
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