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crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
@crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
11 followers 13 following 26 posts
thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co

indie 2D animation pilot project
magicpunk/horror

🚫AI🚫

THE GHOSTS ARE ANGRY AND YOU HAVE THE MOST POTENT BLOOD
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crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS @crystalcityfalls.bsky.social · 17d
THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS is a 2D animation pilot project!

Elevator pitch for normies: Two elves are drawn into a deadly conspiracy that will unravel the ancient secret behind their immortality.

Elevator pitch for leftists: it is anarchist propaganda. 😊

Read the pilot at thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co
Lineup of six elves with blue skin. Moving backwards, right to left: LIIREM, our protagonist, who is at least a full head taller than the next tallest elf and wearing the most boring robe you have ever seen. He has a total of seven halo-like blue "bands" on: three around the head, two around the throat, and one at each wrist. He has long hair down nearly to his ankles, and looks upset to be here. Next, MIA, Liirem's sister. She has short, pointy, dyed-red hair and a single red band worn halo-like around her head. She has a short yellow skirt, a shirt with a lion on it, and a uniform black and blue jacket that marks her as an "adventurer." Beside Mia, RHEM. He is a similar height to Mia and has a broad, stocky built. He has slicked-back dark hair, a red tunic, and notably a staff. He wears a red band and a jacket matching Mia's, but with wide sleeves. Next, RIENI, a slightly taller fem who is always up on her toes. She has curly hair and bright lipstick. Her jacket has a silly cape on it, which marks her as higher rank. She wears black bands on her wrists to keep her from flying. Next to Rieni, ARAAN. They are a third-gender "harmon" and the commander of the group in matching jackets. They should probably get a cool cape but I didn't draw it here. :( They are holding a little sewing needle, don't worry about it I'm sure it means nothing. Finally, OMERA is here, though she's not in the pilot episode. She's wearing a short skirt and round glasses, and a blue band around her throat like a choker. This character isn't introduced until the second episode, she is a necromancer who works for the government. Cleaned-up storyboard panel style test! "The magic that pulses through the crowd is not illusory. The protestors ROAR, intoxicated with Draagrin's Influence." Liirem stands at the center of a screaming protest crowd behind Mia and Rhem. He is wondering what he's gotten himself into. Read the whole pilot at thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co! 49 hand-drawn pencil and paper storyboard panels covering scene 13 and 14, the Council House scenes, from pilot episode "THE LAST LEGAL MAGIC" I would past the whole section but it is too long for alt text :( Read it in full at thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co! Cleaned-up storyboard panel style test! "As the crowd watches, Vontaas pulls the needle out, drawing with it a thin thread of blue blood from the wound." Councilor Vontaas, a pale elf in a deep red cloak, pulls a small metal needle or dart from their hand, drawing a line of blue blood from the wound like a thread.
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
This setting has three culturally-accepted genders and it took me some time to figure out the expectations for clothing and hairstyles.

A lot of my early Omeras have "harmonic" (puffy, layered) rather than "feminine" (slim, fitted) sleeves!
Too-skinny harmonic Omera walks away from screen. Pencil sketch on paper. Harmonic Omera and Narrow Araan holding wands together and it looks like Araan is looking at Omera's butt. I don't think these two meet at all until like episode 12 or so. Notes on the side: all deaths, not just elves but elves too. They are the sole beneficiaries but they are not safe. Fascists are incentivized to protect elves and offset the blood cost of their immortality onto the mortals. 100 mortals die so that one 1000 year old elf can live. Iconic harmonic Omera across two sketchbook pages, with a hand and pencil (sumo 0.9) on a sunny cafe table. The perspective is all off but I did it on paper with my hand. This one gets a great response in person but her dang sleeves are wrong. She is sitting on a desk on top of some papers and beside a pen, like she is asking you to sign a contract but also being seductive but also probably the contract says she's allowed to kill you.
January 24, 2026 at 4:59 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Omera is a necromancer who works for the government. Like Liirem, she's one of very few with an inborn intuitive control of blood magic.

Omera didn't make it into the pilot, but she'll get an introduction in ep2.

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Pencil drawing across two pages of sketchbook. This is Omera Vesiin, a master necromancer. She's an elf maybe 200-300 years old. She's short and has lots of curvy/round shapes with little delicate feet and hands. Her hair is cut short and angular, with bangs that barely give space for her big round glasses. She wears a simple shirt and a very short skirt. She has a (blue) band inhibitor worn around her throat like a choker and she uses a magitech wand, which would glow golden yellow. Outfit sketch of Omera wearing a mullet-type skirt with her hands behind her back like parade rest. A pair of quickly-sketched and very loose storyboard panels beside her reveal that she holds a knife behind her back. Another outfit sketch trying to get Omera to wear a skirt of reasonable length, and heels (requested on Patreon). The skirt has big slits in the front so her legs stick out. Again, she has a concealed dagger.
January 24, 2026 at 4:33 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Here's the very last named character in the pilot--Councilor Vontaas. They are a sensible moderate. They're certain they can explain the reason for the council's decisions if everyone just calms down a little bit. Oh no they are dead now. Well, anyway,

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Page of sketches while working on storyboard for this scene. There are several "panels" showing guards escorting councilors out, Vontaas looking over the balcony, the crowd shouting up at Vontaas. There's two portraits of elves, one with wide hair over the shoulders and one with a fancy updo like antlers draped in beads maybe. Five storyboard panels. Above the crowd, uniformed CITY GUARDS are evacuating the seven CITY COUNCILORS through a back door of a high balcony as the crowd rushes in, CHANTING. CROWD (continuously) Throw them deep into the sea! My magic belongs to me! COUNCILOR How did they get past the guards? A guard hurries them along. A second councilor hesitates and returns to the balcony to look down. This is COUNCILOR VONTAAS, a placid, pompous elf harmon with rich formal robes and an elaborate hairstyle. VONTAAS Please, we must have order. Five storyboard panels. Vontaas JERKS away from the railing as though burned. A small, silver, sewing needle is stuck in their hand. As the crowd watches, Vontaas pulls the needle out, drawing with it a thin thread of blue blood from the wound. From this thread, Vontaas's body ENTIRELY UNRAVELS in golden magic and blue strings of gore. Cleaned-up style test with Vontaas removing the needle from their hand.
January 21, 2026 at 11:55 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
These two characters, Dravem (masculine) and Gria (feminine) are known as "Draagrin." They hate each other and love power.

Harmonic couples are legally the same as one person and therefore Draagrin can collectively hold a title like "CEO" or "councilor."

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Closeup of a storyboard panel, which is, itself, a close-up. Dravem and Gria stand on a staircase surrounded by (illusory, golden) eye-cameras. Only Dravem's right eye and Gria's left eye are visible. They stand with their heads together, like a creature with two eyes (and two mouths, and two noses...) Design sketches of Gria and Dravem. They look like politicians. Page of storyboard showing five panels. CROWD (continuously) Draagrin, Draagrin! GRIA The city guard is here, and the wildland adventurers. The protectors of our fragile, harmonic peace. DRAVEM Your magic keeps the wildlands safe, and keeps us safe from the wildlands. DRAAGRIN (a magical push) If you know what I mean. The magic that pulses through the crowd is not illusory. The protestors ROAR, intoxicated with Draagrin's Influence. Page of storyboard showing five panels. GRIA You know us for our work as Luminists. DRAAGRIN (whispered, shouted) Famous luminists, illuminary illusionists, you could say. Brilliant, genius work, we're sure you know. DRAVEM Now it's illegal! The crowd BOOS.
January 21, 2026 at 6:12 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Araan is a third-gender "Harmon" and the leader of this group of adventurers.

Unlike the rest of the group, Araan is not a wild caster. They know a lot of magic (including a few new things they personally created) but it was all learned through hard work.

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Two early sketches of character Araan. They are an elf with complicated hair that loops around their ears, and a garment with long drapey sleeves. Notes helpfully say "feels off model to me" and "forgot how to draw" and a distant "this pencil is so tiny" Outfit sketch labeled "better" near the face. Going top to bottom: - a small v neck gap beneath a cowl is labeled "sexy cleavage" where Araan's skin might show. - inner arms are called out as bare--they need some exposed skin to perform blood magic. - tiny hands ✅ - tunic is using mullet styling: short in front long in back. -bare thigh called out. For the skin. - boots? Little sketch of Araan turning away from the camera. Storyboard panels. Araan speaks to Liirem/camera over the shoulders of Mia and Rhem. "It's about control." "(Illusion) was the last legal magic. The elders, the councilors, they don't even trust us with natural illusions. They are afraid of us."
January 21, 2026 at 2:21 AM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Rhem is part of Mia's troupe of adventurers, and like Mia, he has an intuitive control of fire magic.

Rhem struggles to perform his social roles and knows something is wrong with the system, but he's still hoping that compliance will keep him safe.

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Three early sketches of character "Rhem." Two give a design for "act 1" and the third is from "act 3" Act 1 Rhem has poor posture and downcast eyes. He has long greasy-curly hair pulled back from his face and tucked behind his ears, which are held tightly against his head. Additional notes say "cute nose" "relatable content" "can't-i-just-live agender disson" Act 3 Rhem looks at the camera smiling. Rhem is now bald and has ripped the (wide "masculine"-gendered) sleeves off the jacket. Little pencil sketch. Rhem holds the staff horizontally, creating an arc of flames above and behind. Act 3 Rhem with fire for hair and both hands on fire, gleefully running to the left. Storyboard sequence. After removing his inhibitor from his head, Rhem cauterizes the wound with a fiery thumb and then raises his flaming fist into the sky besides Mia. In the background, Liirem watches with distress.
January 19, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
chlorinesea.bsky.social
this one's for all the storyboard guys telling people to zoom out the camera

you're right 😘
Digital revision of a pencil-and-paper storyboard panel zooming the shot out a little bit. Digital revision of a pencil/paper storyboard panel. The revision zooms out a LOT. Digital revision of a storyboard panel with the chopped-up traditional version adjusted and zoomed out. Digital revision of traditional storyboard panel. The zoomed-out revision reveals the expression of a foreground character and a lot of little background detail.
March 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
chlorinesea.bsky.social
[pointing at Dravem] Donald Trump
[pointing at Gria] Hilary Clinton

They are married and therefore, stupid elf law dictates they can legally run for office as a singular joint entity.

Literally just THE WORST.
Two elves smirk pompously into camera with the focus group falsity of polished politicians. They are surrounded by a cloud of floating illusory eyeball-cameras.
March 25, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
chlorinesea.bsky.social
Process shots, starting with pencil and paper thumbnails. :)
Six thumbnails working out the composition and positioning of various characters with rough pencil sketches. Digital sketch based on thumbnails. Waterfolk were added later, in blue. Cleaned up (but still pretty rough) linework. Flat colors, no flame VFX.
March 25, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
chlorinesea.bsky.social
#thecrystalcityfalls starts as a murder mystery and ends as anarchist propaganda. Here's every character in the pilot, and a few characters who aren't.

#art #oc #ocsky #indieanimation #indiepilot #fantasyart #cyberpunk #solarpunk #traditionalanimation #csp #elves
Dramatic poster in style of abstract character heads smashed together. Almost all characters are blue-toned elves, excluding one shadowy background orc and a handful of compositional waterfolk.
March 25, 2025 at 3:27 AM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Rieni is second in command of this little troupe of adventurers.

Rieni was born with an intuitive control of gravity and grew up with her head literally in the clouds. She only learned to walk in adulthood, once gravity magic was illegalized.

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Early sketch of Rieni. She has short hair with little curls at the ears, dark lipstick, and fingerless gloves. Early sketch with some pretty questionable proportions. Rieni flies in the air, controlling the gravity with her hands and letting her feet dangle like a marionette. She has a little cloak that hangs from the shoulders in two sections, scarf-like Attempt to get Rieni in the correct style, with more simplified and exaggerated shapes. She has thin arms, wide legs, and tiny little ballerina feet, always up on the toes. Her face is a little flat or wide and heart-shaped. The cloak now goes to the knees. Storyboard panels. Rieni gets up in Liirem's face and smooshes his cheeks, to his dismay. Her face is a little too long in the first panel but she's got the right energy
January 18, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
beccanical.bsky.social
here are some types of elf:

* high elf
* wood elf
* dark elf
* slutty elf
* bitchy elf
* hater elf
* skater elf
* greater elf
* swamp elf
* double elf
* miniature elf
* mental elf
* power elf
* melodic death elf
* cuddle elf
* puddle elf
* mischief elf
* nuisance elf
* baseball elf
* orb elf
* elmo
January 17, 2026 at 7:11 AM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
A small test with character Mikel, who doesn't show up until act 2. #oc #HumanArtist #process #sketch #csp
Blue elf with gold magic glasses on does an "oh no!" face. It's then broken down into three step sketch that is basically 1. ball with some perspective lines on it 2. a literal emoji of the emotion you're trying to capture 3. draw the rest of the fucking owl
January 17, 2026 at 7:12 AM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
I would like to be part of a co-op animation studio where a bunch of creatives do all the parts of the process to make each other's projects happen.

Capitalism is getting in the way of all the interesting and challenging art.
January 17, 2026 at 3:12 AM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Liirem's younger sister, Mia.

She's a fun, irresponsible, short-sighted person who's fixated on her own pet issue, but struggles to see the big picture. Her hobby is fire, which is also coincidentally the cause of most of her problems.

#oc #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Fast sketch of Mia jumpin around. This one's old but was character-defining. Mia wears a cropped and hooded jacket with a tall collar, a short and ruffley skirt, and tall boots. She has pointy teeth like a shark and her hair is pointy. She is a gangly skinny girl with knees and elbows and a totally flat chest, built just like her brother but shorter. Ballpoint pen sketch of Mia sitting on the floor and browsing social media with a magic wand instead if a smartphone while eating a bag of chips. Storyboard panels. In this sequence, Mia uses her wand to summon an illusory eyeball. It blinks a screen out into her face, which reflects whatever it sees. It looks down at Mia before it flies off to get a good view of the front of the crowd.
January 16, 2026 at 11:41 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
(there she is) #oc #HumanArtists #storyboard #sketch
Poorly drawn storyboard panel shows a close-up of Mia grinning at Araan among a crowd. Caption: (there she is) Extreme close-up of the poorly drawn Mia face. (there she is)
January 16, 2026 at 11:16 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
The Deeplore
Also forgot to mention but (the elves) decisively do not have any water magic, turning it into ice is the only trick they have, and the magic only works on freshwater. Why? I like to think they literally don't know and it has been driving elf magic researchers nuts for literal centuries. Kilobytten: does this mean this society does not use salt, a main preservative for food? I guess this must also be why they hate humans if they use salt in their food for preservatives or cooking at all chlorinesea: lmaoooo Imagine if elf food has no salt whatsoever and it's bland as all hell Kilobytten: the elves get to the human area and discover actual tasty food chlorinesea: Like yeah maybe??? Maybe they're like dogs more than humans and they can't handle a lot of excess salt in their food Like it makes them physically ill?? I don't know enough about the thing I'm talking about Kilobytten: I just think it would be funny if they realize o yeah cooking can taste different with different things haha (Struck through) ~~something something facism leaks into food too~~ i am extremely food motivated so this kind of thing intrigues me haha haha what if all elves actually get a bit sick from salt if ingested, and have a stomach ache Chlorinesea: Performing all internet searches with a range before 2022 to avoid AI https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-salt For a good time read this but replace every instance of "dog" with "elf" I think this sounds reasonable lmao. They can't eat some human food because of the salt content. I'll say an additional symptom is that is fucks up their spellcasting. Kilobytten: requesting a short scene/clip of one of the characters having something with salt and getting sick and being reminded elves cant handle salt but they keep eating it anyway, because like every person i know with a (non serious) food allergy we are drawn to the Forbidden Food like the dumbasses we are Chlorinesea: When the elves are working with the mortals later on. I may lay this curse on Mia, it sounds like something she would do. Kilobytten: Yessss lmaaooo legit thinkin about Mia too!! Liirem: why Mia: ITS SO GOOD Mia later: HOW COME MY FIRE SUCKS Liirem: 🙄
January 15, 2026 at 6:59 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
Elfs are weak to salt.
January 15, 2026 at 6:05 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
I am torn between wanting to be Really Professional and wanting to shitpost how do people manage.
January 15, 2026 at 6:04 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
"yes it is I, a fellow neurotypical"

Liirem is a "young immortal" under 100 years old, and he doesn't pay attention to politics. Terrified of his own intuitive blood magic, he instead works in the tech industry as a contract ritualist.

#oc #art #indiepilot #thecrystalcityfalls
Messy sketchbook page showing a few drawings of Liirem. Four out of five he looks stoic (labeled "99% of the time" "yes it is I, a fellow neurotypical" "stoic perfection at a distance ONLY") In the last drawing he's screaming unattractively, which says "Rapunzel ✅, out of control ✅, a mess ✅") Notes Liirem sits on the ground and holds a cup of tea that produces stylized smoke around his head Five Liirem outfits. The last one says "don't like this one" its silhouette is wrong. Liirem in an adventurer jacket, casting a large magic circle with a wand and holding a staff in his other hand.
January 15, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
chlorinesea.bsky.social
This scene was based on a dream from like 2014, originally documented in my abandoned Tumblr dream journal. I'm hoping to use "DO NOT WATCH THIS PLACE" graffiti later on in the story.
Some manner of “bad guy” is stealing and killing children from a station/waypoint thing. There were many shops selling assorted junk and used items, the setting felt kind of post-apocalyptic, but also there were spaceships, but also kind of steampunk airships kind of thing. It was neat. Anyway, the “bad guys” took a girl and left a big sign. (Drawing of the sign. In scratchy Capslock it says DO NOT WATCH THIS PLACE) They sent another child–also a girl–back, holding the sign. When someone found her, she “unraveled” into blood starting with a sparkling golden string on her ankle. (Drawing of the girl, on her hands and knees with the ankle in the foreground. Labels for color indicate her skin, then the golden thread, and then a line of blood. Looking at the thread on her leg, the girl says "what..." but won't have time to complete the question before she unravels.) They’d done something to her already and we couldn’t save her. Low-res tiny sketch of the doomed kid looking over her shoulder at the thread that's about to unravel her. In CCF we're unraveling people who deserve it, not random innocent children.
January 14, 2026 at 6:56 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
The "unravel" assassination scene. #storyboard #oc #art #indiepilot
Hand-drawn storyboard page. "Something GLIMMERS in the air. Vontaas JERKS away from the railing as though burned. A small, silver, sewing needle is stuck in their hand." Hand-drawn storyboard page. "As the crowd watches, Vontaas pulls the needle out, drawing with it a thin thread of blue blood from the wound. From this thread, Vontaas's body ENTIRELY UNRAVELS in golden magic and blue strings of gore." Hand-drawn storyboard page. "Their SCREAM dies as their head unravels from the neck up. Their eyeballs fall from their face and unravel as they fly over the railing." Hand-drawn storyboard page. "All that remains is a blue-black puddle of gore. The HEARTBEAT stops. Then the CROWD erupts in SHRIEKS of mixed confusion, terror, and triumph. The guards are frozen in shock. Horrified and clutching his head, Liirem is finally able to push his way outside in a rush of other panicked elves."
January 14, 2026 at 6:50 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
#portfolioday #art #indiepilot
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS @crystalcityfalls.bsky.social · 17d
THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS is a 2D animation pilot project!

Elevator pitch for normies: Two elves are drawn into a deadly conspiracy that will unravel the ancient secret behind their immortality.

Elevator pitch for leftists: it is anarchist propaganda. 😊

Read the pilot at thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co
Lineup of six elves with blue skin. Moving backwards, right to left: LIIREM, our protagonist, who is at least a full head taller than the next tallest elf and wearing the most boring robe you have ever seen. He has a total of seven halo-like blue "bands" on: three around the head, two around the throat, and one at each wrist. He has long hair down nearly to his ankles, and looks upset to be here. Next, MIA, Liirem's sister. She has short, pointy, dyed-red hair and a single red band worn halo-like around her head. She has a short yellow skirt, a shirt with a lion on it, and a uniform black and blue jacket that marks her as an "adventurer." Beside Mia, RHEM. He is a similar height to Mia and has a broad, stocky built. He has slicked-back dark hair, a red tunic, and notably a staff. He wears a red band and a jacket matching Mia's, but with wide sleeves. Next, RIENI, a slightly taller fem who is always up on her toes. She has curly hair and bright lipstick. Her jacket has a silly cape on it, which marks her as higher rank. She wears black bands on her wrists to keep her from flying. Next to Rieni, ARAAN. They are a third-gender "harmon" and the commander of the group in matching jackets. They should probably get a cool cape but I didn't draw it here. :( They are holding a little sewing needle, don't worry about it I'm sure it means nothing. Finally, OMERA is here, though she's not in the pilot episode. She's wearing a short skirt and round glasses, and a blue band around her throat like a choker. This character isn't introduced until the second episode, she is a necromancer who works for the government. Cleaned-up storyboard panel style test! "The magic that pulses through the crowd is not illusory. The protestors ROAR, intoxicated with Draagrin's Influence." Liirem stands at the center of a screaming protest crowd behind Mia and Rhem. He is wondering what he's gotten himself into. Read the whole pilot at thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co! 49 hand-drawn pencil and paper storyboard panels covering scene 13 and 14, the Council House scenes, from pilot episode "THE LAST LEGAL MAGIC" I would past the whole section but it is too long for alt text :( Read it in full at thecrystalcityfalls.carrd.co! Cleaned-up storyboard panel style test! "As the crowd watches, Vontaas pulls the needle out, drawing with it a thin thread of blue blood from the wound." Councilor Vontaas, a pale elf in a deep red cloak, pulls a small metal needle or dart from their hand, drawing a line of blue blood from the wound like a thread.
January 14, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Reposted by THE CRYSTAL CITY FALLS
clownsaint.bsky.social
Ersatz is OUT!
The indie pilot I've been solo-animating for 1.5 years is now on youtube. Check it out!
youtu.be/yf2tBjHvx9s?...
ERSATZ | PILOT
YouTube video by saint greaver
youtu.be
January 10, 2026 at 11:04 PM
crystalcityfalls.bsky.social
This is my favorite drawing of Liirem in the original storyboard. #oc #art #sketch
Liirem runs into the open door of a subway train, hunched over and looking distressed. He says "I think that was blood magic!" Alas this scene got changed. I promise to draw him looking like a dweeb in other shots.
January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM