Character Art Showcase

Characters, Monsters … and More

When I’m not writing I play around with AI to create images for some of the characters and monsters in my fantasy series. (Full disclosure: Our book covers are always produced by a professional book designer, not AI.)

My primary rule when first thinking about a character for a particular series is that I don’t think about them all that much. At least in terms of appearance. For example, Bryen Keldragan, the Protector in The Tales of Caledonia, has white hair, a white beard, a scar on his cheek from a three-taloned claw, and a thin black burn courtesy of the Ghoule Overlord. Other than that, I don’t say much more with respect to a description.

I leave it to you, the reader, to create an image of that character in your own mind. You don’t need me for that.

When it comes to monsters, I tend to be more specific. Sometimes because I have a very clear image in my mind. Often because I’m pulling from a mythological monster.

Below are character renderings I created based on what I think the characters or monsters would look like -- grouped by series. Keeping in mind that some characters are in more than one series.

The Tales of the Territories

Monsters

  • Bakunawa

    Sea dragon lurking in the Burnt Ocean. Several hundred feet long with a penchant for attacking ships.

  • Stalker

    Clawed monster that has a vague resemblance to a human. Prefers to hunt at night.

  • Wraith

    Hunts in the Murk yet can never leave the Murk. A silent assassin who never fails to find its prey.

  • Draugr

    One of the undead, raised from the grave with the Curse.

  • Skath

    Disciple of the Ancient One, the master of the Spirit World who seeks to join his domain with the Natural World.
See books -- The Tales of the Territories

Characters

  • Rafia Riverstone

    In this series the Master of the Order of the Magii. Also has a role in The Tales of Caledonia. A very powerful Magus ... with a mean streak.

  • Jakob Kestrel

    Enslaved as soon as he sets foot in the Highlands, he soon becomes a leader in the resistance and the Wraith who is not a Wraith.

  • Talia Carlomin

    Trader and merchant who seeks to clear the Sea of Mist of pirates and in the process of doing that challenges Hakea Roosarian for the rule of Fal Carrach.
See books - The Tales of the Territories

The Tales of Caledonia

Monsters

  • Ghoule

    Warrior loyal to the Ghoule Overlord. Eight feet or taller. Incredibly strong and surprisingly fast. Also, hungry. Very, very hungry.

  • Ghoule Overlord

    Commander of the Ghoule Legion. Practitioner of the Curse seeking to subjugate Caledonia ... if he can break through the Weir.

  • Slayer

    The Ghoule Overlord's preferred assassin.
See books - The Tales of Caledonia

Characters

  • Bryen Keldragan

    Slave. Gladiator. Protector. A skilled warrior who must also learn how to master the Talent.

  • Aislinn Winborne

    Lady of the Southern Marches. An adept Magus ... and less than pleased when her father foists Bryen on her as her Protector.

  • The Blademaster

    Jurgen Klines. The Blademaster of the Royal Guard. Befriends Aislinn Winborne and becomes a part of the revolution.

  • Lycia

    Davin's sister, she fought in the Pit until freed by her friend, Bryen Keldragan. Becomes a key ally of Jakob Kestrel. Also plays a key role in The Tales of Caledonia.

  • Davin Noname

    Lycia's brother, he fought in the Pit until freed by his friend, Bryen Keldragan. Becomes a key ally of Talia Carlomin. Also plays a key role in The Tales of Caledonia.
See books - The Tales of Caledonia

The Sylvan Chronicles

Monsters

  • The Shadow Lord

    Malevolent creature long thought dead and forgotten who rises again, seeking to conquer the Kingdoms.

  • Ogren

    A monster with a preference for the taste of human flesh. Foot soldier of the Shadow Lord.

  • Lord Chertney

    Master of Dark Magic and the Shadow Lord's second in command.

  • Shade

    A servant of the Shadow Lord who subsists on the spirit of its victim.

  • Fearhound

    Never fails to claim its prey, tracking them by their heartbeat.
See books - The Sylvan Chronicles

Characters

  • Young Thomas Kestrel with Beluil

    An only son, gifted with magic challenged to free a people threatened by an ancient evil. Will he be forced to risk everything in a battle against the forces of darkness?

  • Older Thomas Kestrel and Beluil

    The headline says it all. Beluil of course being the wolf who is bigger than a pony.

  • Kaylie Carlomin

    Heir to the Fal Carrach Kingdom. Strong willed with a strong temper. Just as skilled with a blade as with the Talent.

  • Oso

    Thomas Kestrel's best friend, Oso fights to free the Highlands from the iron grip of the High King.

  • Rya Keldragan

    Thomas' grandmother, a Sylvan Warrior and master of the Talent who is fiercely protective of the people she loves.

  • Rynlin Keldragan

    Thomas' grandfather, a Sylvan Warrior and master of the Talent who has a mean streak and is happy to make use of it.
See books - The Sylvan Chronicles

The Fallen Knight Series

  • Axel Draig

    A hard man for King Arthur. Also his son. He was dead, free from his father, until a Witch brought him back to life.

  • Melissa Gorgonella

    A thief with a hidden past. She can steal anything. Ancient artifacts. Magical texts. Even hearts.

  • Butch, Cassidy, and Sundance

    Draig's dogs. They're very protective of him. They have a mean streak. And they're more than cuddly furballs with voracious appetites.

  • Merlin

    The most powerful Sorcerer of the Teg and King Arthur's right-hand man. He comes across as a professor. Until he gets angry ... or vengeful.

  • Hestia

    Owner of the Safe Haven, don't let the smile fool you. She'll do anything to protect her guests. Anything.

  • Peggy Rose and Pinkie

    A Sorceress with a knack for potions. She loves her motorcycle and Pinkie loves the sidecar.

  • King Arthur

    As King of the Tylwyth Teg, he rules the magical society with an iron hand. He has a long memory, and he never forgets a slight.

  • Morgase

    Arthur's sister, she wants him gone. For good. Because he's been in her way for far too long.

  • Mordred

    Son of Morgase, he believes that he's the rightful heir to the Teg throne. And he's tired of waiting.

  • Riga

    Draig's former love, she's also the Irish Goddess of War and Death. So you can understand why she might have a bad temper when it comes to those who might wish harm to Draig.

  • Seamus McCracken

    One of Draig's friends. In a perpetual bad mood, he prefers to be on the water. Because few Teg would dare mess with him on the ocean.

  • The Three Little Bears

    Brothers Ragnar, Urs, and Thorsen. Norse Berserkers, you don't want to get them angry. Because what they can shift into is a lot worse than what they already are.

  • The Daemon King

    Master of the Daemon Realm, he has an uneasy relationship with Draig. Though he is enjoying his retirement at his winery. Forced, but he can't complain.

  • Leya Coeden

    Druid by training, the Schoodic Forest and Blueberry Hill are her domain. If you enter without her permission ... well, better if you don't.

  • Raik

    Leader of the Renegades, the most dangerous motorcycle gang on the East Coast. His anger issue is most obvious during a full moon.

  • Typhon

    One of the Ancients with almost unstoppable power and a temper to match. He's spent the last few thousand years dreaming of escaping Tartarus. And his dream won't be a dream for much longer.

  • Jinx

    Typhon's daughter, she handles his dirty work. But she's got a weakness. The Kraken.

  • Cerridwen

    Draig's second, the Sorceress keeps an eye on Kraken Cove. Wary for any threats, past, present, or future.

  • Bile

    Celtic God of the Dead. He sees everything. Hears everything. Knows everything. Because the spirits of his domain can't stop whispering in his ear.

  • Eris

    Draig's half-sister, she always has a scheme in play. And she doesn't mind working against her brother if the price is right.

  • Arch Daemon

    The Daemon King's assassins, also known as a Claw for obvious reasons.

  • The Three Brothers

    Tom and Harry, Dick having passed though he's not forgotten. They handle the jobs in the Teg world that no one else can ... or wants.

  • The Three Faeries

    Gertrudis, Winnifer, and Marge. They don't like it when Teg visit their forest home without their permission, but they're even more protective of Draig.
See books - The Fallen Knight

Legend of the Dragon Lord Series

  • Mikel Stahlherz

    Mikel Stahlherz is as feared as he is mysterious, the master of the Crux's underworld who controls its streets with an iron grip. He'll do whatever is necessary to protect the people important to him.

  • Celindria Dengannon

    Celindria Dengannon's path to the throne is paved with betrayal and blood. Her father murdered and enemies circling like vultures, she's determined to seize the crown she believes is rightfully hers. But ambition alone isn't enough against her ruthless rivals.

  • Cadmus Frost Lord

    King of the Giants of the Rime, Cadmus zealously protects his homeland from dangers both within and without.

  • Teddy

    Mikel's best friend and business partner, he has a nose for numbers and a preference for cudgels when things aren't going well.

  • Natalya

    An orphan Mikel takes in, Nat demonstrates a unique magical skill and a stubbornness that can't be matched.

  • Assindra

    A Magus seduced by power, she has a special connection to Mikel that she seeks to exploit for her own ends.

  • The Battle Lord

    Henri Dengannon, uncle to Celindria, leads the Army of the Crux. He has a poor opinion of anyone seeking to deny her niece's claim to the throne.

  • Malor Dragoran

    King of the Tor, he has but one goal. To recreate the Splintered Empire, and that requires seizing the Crux.

  • Lucius Hanover

    Lord of House Hanover, his family used to rule the Crux. To reclaim the throne, all he needs is Celindria within his grip. And he'll do whatever is required to make that happen.

  • Finnelaus

    One of the few Magii on the Crux, he has a secret that only Mikel knows. And he's not telling.

  • Kaduna

    She raised Mikel. The cost? Her life.

  • Liria

    She and Mikel used to be partners, and not just with respect to business. She believes that Mikel owes her a debt, and she plans on collecting.

  • Peikko

    Giants of the Deep, Peikkos are brethren to the Giants of the Rime, though they keep to the shadows of the heart trees.

  • Seeker

    Seekers are assassins of the highest quality. Usually you feel their dagger before you see them.

  • Drude

    A monster from the Spirit World, a Drude resembles the Dark Magus who summoned them to wreak havoc in the Natural World.

  • Northern Troll

    Creatures that haunt the higher reaches of the Frozen Waste, they're a constant threat to the Giants of the Rime.

  • Creeper

    Monsters that lurk in swamps, they've also carved out a home in the Deep and some other very unexpected places.

  • Cave spider

    Once you're caught in their web ... well, the rest is better left unsaid.

  • Eisa

    An ice dragon who befriends Mikel, she doesn't take kindly to anyone she views as a threat.

  • The Dread

    An ancient evil desperate for revenge, he'll use anyone and anything to gain his objective.
See books - Legend of the Dragon Lord