Vastarien

[Aeron]

It had been many years since I'd last read this story, somewhere around 1996. Upon reading it again, the strange dream world contained within this tale, that horrific nightmare domain of Vastarien, was very familiar to me. I've had a similar place in my head since 2003 when I began the artwork found in The Imaginary Museum. Tom has always been a huge influence but this story reminded me of just how great an infuence he has been in directing my own imagination down ever darker and stranger corridors.

Now imagine the streets of Vastarien, what glorious horrific things are wandering there? One of the first concrete things that came to my mind was a twelve foot tall blob like fetus with 6 arms, each grasping onto a large wooden box. Small winged creatures flutter around its head, pecking at the exposed brains of this monstrous creature. It sits on a large wagon with rusty wheels, pulled forward by a cloaked figure wearing some grotesque mask, like a participant of an unusual festival who has lost their way.