My entry in the latest challenge by @pwnisher , Chasm’s Call. Here's the All Renders Montage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0GvmzhL6Do , mine's at 4045s . No generative AI used.

0:00 Template and Entry 0:40 Inspiration and Concept 1:19 Historic 3D Objects 3:16 Credits

Got some help from a few tutorials here:

Did you know THIS about MatCaps? by Michael Bridges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FddN7YubLuo

Particle flow on Curve - Geo Nodes Blender by Polycount https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYW4s2i0E8

The SECRET Method for AMAZING Animated Materials by Smeaf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxkcj38acRk

The Best Way to Animate Texture Transition in Blender 2024 by Architecture Topics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up6QEqVmiF8

The vid's credits have a lot more links, once I figure out how many are allowed here I'll include them in the description.