The Thronebearer was a personal project the goal of which was to design, sculpt, and 3d print a functional narrative creature. The themes I chose to guide the concept were Dark Catholicism, Insects, and Body Horror. She took over a year to complete in free time after work and the print stands at 18” tall with over 20 parts. I also added modularity by using magnets imbedded in certain parts to make swapping them easier. This added the potential to expand the narrative.

Software Used:

Photoshop

Zbrush

Keyshot

3D Print

I was able to print her before heading abroad. I intend to paint her when I return and get more high quality images but the initial shots can be seen below.

Process and Story

Thronebearer started as a loose idea. My first goal was to get the idea down as a basic sketch, after that was reference collecting. Both my concept and reference can be seen below. I worked on Thronebearer in a series of chunks first blocking out the whole thing and then tackling each part individually. Once all the pieces were refined, I combined some of the smaller parts into larger ones for posing. Once posed she was sliced and split up.

The Story of Thronebearer:

I.

“It all started with a plea for help. Wanting something more than their miserable existence in their feudal kingdom. Fighting and dying for noble families greedily pursuing their neighbor’s power. Unlike the gods they claim support their causes and wars, She exists. She came in their dreams at first. A kind mother, her belly swollen with her future children. She promised something more: Life beyond the suffering, life in a way no one knew was possible, a level of connection transcending mere words and actions.

For those deep in the pits of hopelessness and despair, she became the light that would lead them to salvation. And so the Goddess made herself known to the realm of men and those who saw her light marked themselves with her symbol…”

II.

“It was not long until her followers gathered, seeking a way to bring the Goddess’s light to all those who suffered needlessly. Those most zealous were granted visions and gifts that brought them closer to their Goddess. These gifts mutated their flesh and made them more. Eyes to see through time, mouths and stomachs to consume anything, strength far beyond their fellows, hard chitinous plates to protect them, and more.

The leader of these chosen zealots, the Matron, was greeted by a vivid vision; A ritual to bind their flesh and become a physical vessel for their Goddess. So the Matron and her bishops performed this gruesome ritual. Their muscles and skin fused and grew, and by losing themselves as individuals they became irrevocably connected to the Goddess. The other cultists built a lavish shrine and throne upon the back of this mountain of flesh. Perched atop this throne sits the Matron, the immortal child of the Goddess in her belly providing life and infinite sustenance for her Thronebearer.”

III.

“The Matron became the Voice of the Goddess, preaching the gospel in her incomprehensibly ancient tongue. Her bishops are always at the ready, comprehending and recording the muttered tenets and instructions for the cult.

These are recorded on long scrolls and are organized by the Keepers of the throne. The wings of her keepers, babies reborn at the original ritual, buzz about the Thronebearer. Though tethered by their umbilical cords, they can reach and maintain every part of the Thronebearer. They ensure that candles are lit, scrolls are stored, and any other whims of the Matron are carried out.

Those blessed enough to be granted an audience with the Thronebearer see her veiled face towering over them. Only those most trusted are granted the sacred scrolls and orders from Goddess to be carried out verbatim and at their prescribed times. Through these scrolls and instructions, the enemies of the cult started to weaken. Those foolish enough to openly threaten this fast-growing cult were quickly silenced, whether by flawless ambushes as if the cultists had every detail or through blackmail with knowledge no one could have known about. The Voice of the Goddess is subtle and discreet.”

IV.

“The Thronebearer itself became the Hand of the Goddess. The fused bishops providing a physical presence by which She could influence the world. The formidable musculature, thick chitin, and healing capabilities make the Thronebearer a force to be reckoned with. Many assassins and mercenary groups alike were tasked by the noble families to destroy the abomination that was turning their people against them, only to be provided with news of their missing agents.

Defense is only a part of what the Hand offers its Goddess. Those cultists who have truly excelled in their service are offered a gift by the Hand, known as the Ascension Ritual. Only those worthy are allowed to see the true face of their Goddess as the keepers lift the veil covering her face. This porcelain mask of the Goddess is seen whole for a brief moment before the chosen is firmly grasped. The mandibles opened wide to reveal eyes in the palms of toothed appendages. The mask splits and in an instant, its lower half fixes itself to the chest of chosen, its stinger buried deep.

As the poison courses through the body of the chosen, the entry wound knits itself together and mutations run rife throughout their former flesh. When they rise once more, they become one with Her and can see nothing but Her light and know Her truth; blissful slaves to Her will.”