My piece for Light Grey Art Lab’s Animystics benefit show! The colors and pattern on the magpie are really interesting and it’s quite amazing that a bird would pick up and collect shiny items. I thought it would be fun to let the story play differently where the magpie is stealing not just for it’s own collection but rather to help people in need. It is believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals, being one of the few to pass the mirror test, it would make sense to have one as a sort of sidekick creature!
Some backstory on the illustration: The Magpie has occult knowledge, can appear in more than one place at once to warn adventurers of danger ahead. It is also known to take items from people who won’t notice they’re missing in order to fill secret stashes of helpful things in numerous locations to help friends. By being aware of special markings on tree bark, an adventurer in need can climb to access secret spots where the magpie leaves potions or valuables that can be traded off for food and other supplies. All the Magpie asks for in return is that they give something back in one of their nest as a token of gratitude when their situation gets better. Ungrateful looters can be swarmed and chased later on by groups of magpies, as they remember faces and voices.
