The Imperial word calerus has come to describe the many crystal forests that now dot the continent of Xeryn. The vast majority of these forests can be found in the east, in the province of Sargot Kala but some have grown in the central region of the Empire. Some caleri can be visited in the game, such as Loom, or the twin caleri simply called North Calerus and South Calerus.

This environment artwork displays one of the many arid hill regions of the Empire, be it the Border Region between the Ashlands and the Jagged Waste, the Windbelt, known for protecting the plains of Hargad Tuul from the constant gale coming from the north, or the Hills of Plenty, nestled snugly beneath the highland that forms the majority of the Dragonlands, guarded and patrolled by mighty Dragonguard forces.

Another week, another location artwork! This time, somewhat of an odd 'location' at that, one that is not really a region of its own right but a road that crosses many areas. Chances are, you'll see it a lot.

Hargad Tuul (an old name meaning 'The Hollow Plain') is our next location artwork reveal that is found post-Prologue. With its fog, overcast sky, solitary gnarly trees, and greenery the area is a far cry from the usual arid wastelands and rocky deserts of the rest of the continent. The art captures its melancholy dampness and bleakness perfectly.

Another location from the main game, Arken is a frequented hub and a town of great import as it sits on the Empire's largest marble reserve as well as close to other treasures of the earth. The settlement borders the Arkoros Forest, where instead of trees large standing stones cover the terrain. With low walls of stone and several districts (including a set of villas and temples), Arken would be a lovely place if not for the constant dust and the wind that whips it. Thus, only people who work here live in the town along with some merchants and a handful of dedicated craftsmen. Stones are gathered in warehouses to be sold and shipped off all over the Empire. A strong garrison of undead soldiers - maintained by necromancers - guards the town as no living beings would stand on the walls constantly plagued by the terrible dust. But how loyal are those who run Arken to the Empire with such a force at their fingertip?

The next artwork on display is that of the Jagged Waste. You won't spend time wandering there in the game's Prologue but may catch a glimpse of it, as this area is available in the main game. Here's a little snippet to go along with the revealed environment image for the area:

One of the greatest desert regions in the whole Empire, the Jagged Waste is named after the spiky, sharp, and jagged rock formations that cover most of it. Sub-regions differ vastly but generally, the Waste is an arid plain dotted with various formations of rock. Saw-like ridges and ravines are very common. The Waste usually has a washed-out yellow or bone color. Skies are visible but have an orange tint due to the sun’s terrible power that beats down on the naked stone. Winds often become brutal, carrying deadly dust and stone that can - according to legend - eat the flesh off men.

Markets and bazaars are the throbbing heart of the rebuilt cities of the Riven Realms. Due to the isolation of many settlements and regions thanks to the Calamity, trade - propagated mostly by comitati - is key to the survival of these regions and thus to the survival of the Empire.

A lot of the Riven Realms are endless wastelands and deserts. Yet even in the deadliest of deserts, some life remains; thrives even. Most of that life tends to be found around an oasis.

Vagrus - The Riven Realms is a game rich in storylines and quests, and most of these appear in the form of what we call Events: text based interactions where your choices guide the story. There are a lot (and I mean a LOT) of these Events and due to their nature, writing for the game involves quite complex scripting and a non-linear narrative design angle. But what does this mean in practice and what does it involve?

Most fantasy adventures have an inn or two but in our case - in a game where you lead a caravan and its crew on all kinds of journeys - taverns and inns are vital and appear in almost every sizeable settlement.

The artwork you can see, the versions of which will serve as a backdrop for such watering holes in Vagrus, was painted by the amazing Péter Kovács. The image perfectly captures the alien feel of the world, the dark and hard fantasy elements, as well as the relatively peaceful atmosphere of an inn.