TALES OF XZINO CITY
WELCOME TO XZINO CITY A bustling cityscape based in 21st Century England, in a world engrained with mana energy.
Humans have evolved around it, or have at least tried to; some have thrived, gaining abilities and evolutionary advantages, others have been corrupted and slowly killed by an energy source that their bodies just cannot control. Most humans are adapted to the point of mana having no effect on them, but anomalies occur in every walk of life.
The story is seen through the perspective of Catherine Albec; a senior detective tasked with uncovering the leader of a local terrorist group under the name of "Maskless". Maskless are hellbent on the destruction of the systematic monitoring of mana-affected individuals, with methods of activism being controversial in the public eye.
As a detective, Albec is obliged to do her job, however her disillusioned view of society starts to change what side of the socio-political war she is truly on.
CATHERINE ALBEC | MAIN CHARACTER
A detective with years of experience under her belt, Officer Albec isn't someone you'd characterize as 'naive'. Yet, after spending her life around the Upper City, it's no wonder her worldview is so narrow. Her new case is set to ruin her outlook, crafting a distrust of Xzino City's artificial hierarchy.
Her clothing & appearance are well-kept, with the only 'imperfections' being entirely out of her control (i.e. scarring). A visual example of her upbringing.
LOWER CITY | SLUMS
Housed underground and trampled on by Xzino City's leadership, the Lower City is completely uninhabitable, but nonetheless remains habited by those with no other choice. Those being corrupted by the mana are socially shunned, shut away into caves filled with the very crystal that's killing them.
Early sketches of the Maskless.
Initial sketches of the Lower City.
Facial and body distortion sketches.
Any distortions caused by mana are completely random; some are seen as beautiful (e.g. elf-like ears, sharp features and tall straight-standing stature) but many are not. The corrupted are specifically stuck with bodily and facial distortions that are beyond cosmetic; they are mutations that destroy their quality of life.
UPPER CITY | HIGH SOCIETY
The home of the upper class; the politicians, the powerful and the lucky. Whether it be the genetic lottery or access to mana-dampening medication, they're loving the high life, and the peasants below need to stay there.
Key art compositional thumbnails.
Propaganda imagery used in the Upper City.
MANA CRYSTALS
The crystals that shape Xzino City's society. A neutral force of nature, used to either progress society or to maliciously tread on those below.
Mana material renders & colour palette.
Colour variation & experimentation.
The facial and bodily mutations that can occur from excess mana absorption. Whether those mutations are positive or negative, 'good' or 'bad' is just luck & human perception.
An example mutation pathway, with features distorting depending on mana concentration.
The typical skin mutation pathway is caused by either extended mana crystal contact or significant time in proximity to mana.
