Salvations Bastion, the stronghold and main base of the hostile faction in my DnD game, a group hell bent on killing all Dragons. This project was started to learn the new Mesh Terrain system in Unreal Engine 5.8, and further my hard surface/structural abilities, and PCG knowledge.
I wanted to use the Bastion for this project because it will be a pivotal location in my campaign. I could talk forever about this faction, but I don’t want to accidentally spoil anything for my players. But once this arc is finished, I’ll be updating this page to talk about the Cult of Salvation.
I intend to extend this project to include the whole Bastion, not just the fortress here. The whole complex sits in a huge ravine 10 miles long.
I set myself a timeline of 2 weeks for the project, to get it as far as possible before Develop Brighton. I faced a few set backs, learning the Mesh Terrain system, breaking it, and understanding the materials set me back at least 5 days, 2 of which from having to redo the whole terrain after breaking the original version completely - a huge reminder to use source control even for personal project stuff.
I wanted to make sure I was focusing my attention on areas I’ve not done much of before, so I have used Quixel Megascan assets for the foliage and cliff textures. I will be going back through after Develop to replace those assets with my own custom ones. I wanted to practice my Substance Painter knowledge and skills as well with this project, it’s not something I was able to use much in my previous role, so getting that experience was vital to show to myself that I actually remember what I was taught at uni all those years ago now.
I’ll be continuing this project as soon as I am back from Develop, there’s a lot of details I want to add still to the fortress, building up the modular kit more, and really pushing the intimidation of the fortress. This is the final fight, the last confrontation of this campaigns first arc, I want it to feel powerful.
Here is my overhead concept for the whole bastion, the focus of the project to start with is the fortress stronghold itself. However once the project’s modular kit is finished and ready to be used, I will expand it out; to start with up to the bone wall, and then further and further out.