Technical stuff: Figures done in DAZ Studio, rendered in Bryce, finished in Photoshop. Used helmets from Poisen, Michael 3, various armor bits and weapons I've gathered through the years. Scene was all done in Bryce, using mostly standard textures, with some Pro Materials for the up-close parts. I've done several versions of this scene, though I'm just posting this one for now. I think this is getting close to my original idea. Although the models have some great details, I really wanted a lot of silhouettes and contrast between lights and darks. The original inspiration for the image was a dream I had many years ago. The two figures are actually manifestations of some common dream archetypes and represent guardian spirits or challenges that block a sojourner's path toward a goal. They are shapeshifters and make appearances in different forms in myths throughout the world, a famous version being Scylla and Charybdis, from the Odyssey. In the dream that served as the original inspiration for this image, they were cloaked, medieval warrior figures. I tend to think in Arthurian imagery, and in fact these figures appear in the Arthurian story in which Lancelot must cross the Sword Bridge, where two hungry lions wait to devour anyone who would try to reach the other side. I'd still like to work some more on it. If I can find the time, I may need to do this one the old fashioned way, on canvas. Comments and suggestions are welcomed.