This 1-bit piece was done on commission for good friend @Sotenga (who doesn't post here much but really should). His prompt was, "the front gates/opening from Castlevania" - the MacVenture-esque interface surrounding it was entirely my idea. Drawn entirely in FullPaint on a 1986 Macintosh Plus, with the "raw" version courtesy of Mini vMac.
And as far as finishing touches go, I felt like a MacVenture riff wouldn't be complete without some prose, and I am nothing if not a major Castlevania geek. Transcript of said prose is under the Read More.
After the full day's travel, you find yourself before the gates of the Demon Castle Dracula. You had no idea this place still existed -- you'd thought it destroyed, or so the texts had claimed, back in 1476. Your family history disagreed, of course. Grandfather Soleiyu insisted that you practice with his old bullwhip, learn the old ways of pious warfare. One night, he came to you in a cold sweat and begged you to take up arms. You didn't need much convincing. The night felt wrong. Profane, almost.
Before you is a wrought iron gate set in a stone wall. The castle lurks just beyond.
