vanade's d2 blog

I have a callus on my left middle finger from long hours on the controller playing Destiny 2. D2 was a reprieve when work got too overwhelming, especially when I was in a really toxic former job. It was truly a comfort game for me, and though I've been gone since EoF, I do feel the gap still.

It was the first game I ever pre-ordered (impulsively too). I'd always wanted to play D1 but I didn't have any friends to play with, and by the time I was comfortable joining alone, I felt too behind so I gave up. I started D2 as a solo player anyway, and it still felt fulfilling alone.

I loved the whimsy, the comradery and the kindness of blueberries over the years. When I started sharing my D2 art and then befriended other D2 players in the community, I finally got to experience dungeons and raids and I'll forever be grateful for everyone I've had a chance to play with.

It was also the D2 art community that pushed me to make more art, more AMBITIOUS art and I grew so much as an artist because of the inspiring creators in this community: artists, 3D artists, cosplayers, writers. We all love this world so much, we want to expand it and share our love for it.

And the D2 community itself is so receptive and appreciative of its creatives in a way I never experienced before that (coming from smaller games and communities who barely care about fan works). When my first comic blew up I was so touched, and then... It just happened again and again. I felt seen.

I loved sharing my fan art and fan comics with you all over the years. I loved connecting with D2 players from all walks of life with jokes, shared experiences, and recent story beats. I loved reading comments on twitter, Reddit and Tumblr. I was honoured to have my art featured in the TWAB/TWID. And Ceph. He started out as a nameless warlock whom I drew exactly like his character-creator self. It was the D2 art community that inspired me to make him whoever I wanted him to be. He is my most precious OC and I'm thankful for the time D2 let me spend with him.

I have no plans to stop drawing Ceph. He may be a bittersweet reminder of the 9 years I've spent with D2, but he grew into a character who has become more to me, and I'm so honoured any time anyone expresses that they like seeing my art of him. So you will keep seeing him!