[Primordial] Monster - Primordial Corruption of Fire

(Full Rare+ Version)

The primordial corruption of fire is a gargantuan elemental borne of flame, heat, and volatile destruction. It typically manifests as a creature drawn to fire such as a fire beetle, moth, or pseudodragon, or as a creature whose home has been ravaged by the primordial incursion event such as a forest beast or woodland critter. Whichever its form, the primordial corruption of fire becomes a being of pure molten material encased by a hard magmatic shell, joints leaking globules of glowing magma.

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DESIGN COMMENTARY

This primordial corruption was the first one I had an idea for. In an effort to devise something more unique, I chose a ladybug/fire beetle for this creature - something a little less unexpected than phoenix or dragon. The hard shell would serve as an incubator of sorts for the internal magma, and its bright spots would be visible from miles away. Statistics-wise, I experimented with a more persistent view of fire instead of its quick volatility, arriving at a fight that is more about outlasting enemies. This monster can be deadly if not fought properly!

This was also the first primordial corruption I attempted to name, but later realized none of the names I can conjure would do it justice or make sense in context. I also didn't want to draw inspiration from existing myths since these were on par with leviathan-type creatures. Primordial corruptions would also take different forms each time they invade the material realm, so it wouldn't be right to assign one name to all of them.

This was the first I drew but probably my least favorite of the four. I'm not quite sure what's missing from the art piece - probably some sort of treatment regarding the internal glow and the smoke rising from the bottom, and lack of silhouette detailing around the mandible. But it still looks good in other aspects and gets the point across. I'm content with the rendering on trees, burning landscape, and hard shell. If I had more time or hindsight I would do some things differently, which is a good learned lesson.