Shannon Barnsley
@shannonbarnsley.bsky.social
Writer and folklore devotee from New England. Author. Poet. Editor. Chronic illness bard. 2x stroke survivor. Forest wanderer. Lifelong pagan. Dog person. Amateur baker. Occasional balladeer.
Another! So let’s go with the next obvious. Meet Katell, our spurned noblewoman Jack threw over to marry Kaiyla. Betrothed to Winoc Hawk in infancy and betrothed to Jack at age 4, Katell’s whole life was lived in preparation for a marriage that never happened. One can understand her being miffed.
May 22, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Another! So let’s go with the next obvious. Meet Katell, our spurned noblewoman Jack threw over to marry Kaiyla. Betrothed to Winoc Hawk in infancy and betrothed to Jack at age 4, Katell’s whole life was lived in preparation for a marriage that never happened. One can understand her being miffed.
After ~2.5 years at the war front, Jack happens upon a damsel in distress on his way back to Bowen Hill. After rescuing her, he takes the unconscious woman back to Hawk House, his ancestral manse in Bowen Hill, and nurses her back to health. When she awakens, he learns her name is Kaiyla O’Hare.
April 18, 2025 at 3:32 AM
After ~2.5 years at the war front, Jack happens upon a damsel in distress on his way back to Bowen Hill. After rescuing her, he takes the unconscious woman back to Hawk House, his ancestral manse in Bowen Hill, and nurses her back to health. When she awakens, he learns her name is Kaiyla O’Hare.
When Wynn Hawk left his post at Castle Verlan, Jack was 17, one of the best educated men in the kingdom, an expert swordsman, a well-connected man on the rise, and dashingly handsome. But, knowing he would soon have to marry his dead brother’s betrothed, Jack balked and ran away to the army.
April 18, 2025 at 3:26 AM
When Wynn Hawk left his post at Castle Verlan, Jack was 17, one of the best educated men in the kingdom, an expert swordsman, a well-connected man on the rise, and dashingly handsome. But, knowing he would soon have to marry his dead brother’s betrothed, Jack balked and ran away to the army.
When Jack was 7, Wynn took a post at Castle Verlan, serving as swordmaster to Wyotmond, the 9-year-old son of Lord Kaitasano Veralanos, a newly minted lord & the richest man in Galbrennen. Jack grew up thick as thieves w/ the Veralanos children, sharing in their tutors & joining in Wyot’s training.
April 18, 2025 at 3:20 AM
When Jack was 7, Wynn took a post at Castle Verlan, serving as swordmaster to Wyotmond, the 9-year-old son of Lord Kaitasano Veralanos, a newly minted lord & the richest man in Galbrennen. Jack grew up thick as thieves w/ the Veralanos children, sharing in their tutors & joining in Wyot’s training.
Place of Birth: Hawk House (not to be confused with Hawkhome)
Residence as of Book 1: The same unmarked grave under the blackthorn tree in the Blackwood
Residence prior to his death: Hawkhome, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: The same unmarked grave under the blackthorn tree in the Blackwood
Residence prior to his death: Hawkhome, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
April 18, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Place of Birth: Hawk House (not to be confused with Hawkhome)
Residence as of Book 1: The same unmarked grave under the blackthorn tree in the Blackwood
Residence prior to his death: Hawkhome, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: The same unmarked grave under the blackthorn tree in the Blackwood
Residence prior to his death: Hawkhome, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
In Tawny’s defense, he does have great hair.
April 18, 2025 at 2:18 AM
In Tawny’s defense, he does have great hair.
Oh, and did I mention her familiar? A female redbird (cardinal), Tawny is often close at hand. When Kaiyla and Jack were befriending one another and falling in love, Tawny kept trying to steal Jack’s hair for nesting material, much to Kaiyla’s horror and Jack’s amusement.
April 18, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Oh, and did I mention her familiar? A female redbird (cardinal), Tawny is often close at hand. When Kaiyla and Jack were befriending one another and falling in love, Tawny kept trying to steal Jack’s hair for nesting material, much to Kaiyla’s horror and Jack’s amusement.
so as to keep him safer and give him a better chance of escape in the event of a surprise attack on Hawkhome. Which is exactly what happened and, hey, it worked. Sometimes you gotta let the hawklings leave the nest.
Relationship Status (prior to her death): Married 10 years
Relationship Status (prior to her death): Married 10 years
April 18, 2025 at 1:54 AM
so as to keep him safer and give him a better chance of escape in the event of a surprise attack on Hawkhome. Which is exactly what happened and, hey, it worked. Sometimes you gotta let the hawklings leave the nest.
Relationship Status (prior to her death): Married 10 years
Relationship Status (prior to her death): Married 10 years
Got another like, so here’s another character. Meet Kaiyla Hawk (née O’Hare), mother of our MC, Cylas. When he was 11, she was killed in the Bowen Hill Massacre, along with her husband, Jack. Once more, I have no character art for you, but this is the closest license-free image I can find.
April 18, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Got another like, so here’s another character. Meet Kaiyla Hawk (née O’Hare), mother of our MC, Cylas. When he was 11, she was killed in the Bowen Hill Massacre, along with her husband, Jack. Once more, I have no character art for you, but this is the closest license-free image I can find.
Here’s an in-progress shot of the custom Funko Pops for Cylas (top), Ælphmund (middle), and Moyra (bottom).
April 5, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Here’s an in-progress shot of the custom Funko Pops for Cylas (top), Ælphmund (middle), and Moyra (bottom).
Thrown into a strange land just as it’s riven by war, Moyra races to find her footing & take her first faltering steps toward a destiny no one had planned (Not even me. She tore up my notes & took the wheel.). But as she comes into her own, Moyra becomes one of the most powerful players on the board
April 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Thrown into a strange land just as it’s riven by war, Moyra races to find her footing & take her first faltering steps toward a destiny no one had planned (Not even me. She tore up my notes & took the wheel.). But as she comes into her own, Moyra becomes one of the most powerful players on the board
Lives With (as of Book 2): Fenella, her nursemaid turned lady’s maid; King Marix, her widowed father; Prince Malcolm, her elder brother; Princess Winifrith, her sister-in-law; and the rest of their household and relations
Relationship Status: Single
Relationship Status: Single
April 5, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Lives With (as of Book 2): Fenella, her nursemaid turned lady’s maid; King Marix, her widowed father; Prince Malcolm, her elder brother; Princess Winifrith, her sister-in-law; and the rest of their household and relations
Relationship Status: Single
Relationship Status: Single
Residence as of Book 2: Castle Maxen, Thvalla, Thvalla
Occupation as of Book 2: Princess of Thvalla and Lady of the Castle in Castle Maxen
Occupation as of Book 2: Princess of Thvalla and Lady of the Castle in Castle Maxen
April 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Residence as of Book 2: Castle Maxen, Thvalla, Thvalla
Occupation as of Book 2: Princess of Thvalla and Lady of the Castle in Castle Maxen
Occupation as of Book 2: Princess of Thvalla and Lady of the Castle in Castle Maxen
And speaking of, Moyra enters our tale in book 2 & marries Ælphmund, then a total stranger, for alliance in book 3. I intended these 2 to have an amicable political partnership, but they had other plans, ripping up my outline and adding an extra 2 books and the greatest love story I’ve yet written.
April 4, 2025 at 11:49 PM
And speaking of, Moyra enters our tale in book 2 & marries Ælphmund, then a total stranger, for alliance in book 3. I intended these 2 to have an amicable political partnership, but they had other plans, ripping up my outline and adding an extra 2 books and the greatest love story I’ve yet written.
Name: Ælphmund Veralanos
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Abernoth (September)
15th, 2517 AE
Age as of Book 1: 25
Place of Birth: Selby Castle, Brisborough, Galbrennen
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Abernoth (September)
15th, 2517 AE
Age as of Book 1: 25
Place of Birth: Selby Castle, Brisborough, Galbrennen
April 4, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Name: Ælphmund Veralanos
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Abernoth (September)
15th, 2517 AE
Age as of Book 1: 25
Place of Birth: Selby Castle, Brisborough, Galbrennen
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Abernoth (September)
15th, 2517 AE
Age as of Book 1: 25
Place of Birth: Selby Castle, Brisborough, Galbrennen
Next we got Ælphmund, my poor paragon of chivalry with diagnosable hypermorality. Here’s an in-progress custom funko pop I made of him. So far Ælphmund seems to be the fan favorite amongst my IG followers and Leofwine is the fan favorite amongst my alpha readers.
April 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Next we got Ælphmund, my poor paragon of chivalry with diagnosable hypermorality. Here’s an in-progress custom funko pop I made of him. So far Ælphmund seems to be the fan favorite amongst my IG followers and Leofwine is the fan favorite amongst my alpha readers.
Leofwine is simultaneously one of the lightest and darkest characters. He has a kind heart, a soft manner, and loves nothing more than tea and honeycake with a friend or playing the bogwood lyre by the hearth in a warm kitchen.
April 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Leofwine is simultaneously one of the lightest and darkest characters. He has a kind heart, a soft manner, and loves nothing more than tea and honeycake with a friend or playing the bogwood lyre by the hearth in a warm kitchen.
Occupation as of Book 1: Hearkener for the village of Bowen Hill
Lives With (as of Book 1): No one (The church mice maybe?)
Relationship Status: N/A (Vow of Celibacy)
Lives With (as of Book 1): No one (The church mice maybe?)
Relationship Status: N/A (Vow of Celibacy)
April 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Occupation as of Book 1: Hearkener for the village of Bowen Hill
Lives With (as of Book 1): No one (The church mice maybe?)
Relationship Status: N/A (Vow of Celibacy)
Lives With (as of Book 1): No one (The church mice maybe?)
Relationship Status: N/A (Vow of Celibacy)
Name: Leofwine O’Dell
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
31st, 2515 AE
Age as of Book 1: 26, going on 27
Place of Birth: O’Dell Farmstead, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: The Bowen Hill Church, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
31st, 2515 AE
Age as of Book 1: 26, going on 27
Place of Birth: O’Dell Farmstead, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: The Bowen Hill Church, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
April 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Name: Leofwine O’Dell
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
31st, 2515 AE
Age as of Book 1: 26, going on 27
Place of Birth: O’Dell Farmstead, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: The Bowen Hill Church, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
31st, 2515 AE
Age as of Book 1: 26, going on 27
Place of Birth: O’Dell Farmstead, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: The Bowen Hill Church, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
While we’re at it, here’s the hearkener (parish priest/confessor), Hearkener Leofwine O’Dell. If you take off the glasses and make the hair just a touch more brown, this could be him. Leofwine found Ro, half-frozen, in the church sanctuary 6 yrs ago & has been the Mr. Tumnus to her Lucy ever since.
April 4, 2025 at 10:31 PM
While we’re at it, here’s the hearkener (parish priest/confessor), Hearkener Leofwine O’Dell. If you take off the glasses and make the hair just a touch more brown, this could be him. Leofwine found Ro, half-frozen, in the church sanctuary 6 yrs ago & has been the Mr. Tumnus to her Lucy ever since.
Lives With (as of Book 1): Ryan Riley, the blacksmith, a human; Ibba, his septuagenarian servant, a human; and Hairst, their cat
Relationship Status: Single (and decidedly not looking to change that)
Relationship Status: Single (and decidedly not looking to change that)
April 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Lives With (as of Book 1): Ryan Riley, the blacksmith, a human; Ibba, his septuagenarian servant, a human; and Hairst, their cat
Relationship Status: Single (and decidedly not looking to change that)
Relationship Status: Single (and decidedly not looking to change that)
Name: Rowan
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
19th, 2524 AE
Age as of Book 1: 17, going on 18
Place of Birth: [Redacted]
Residence as of Book 1: The Riley House, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Occupation as of Book 1: Blacksmith’s apprentice
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
19th, 2524 AE
Age as of Book 1: 17, going on 18
Place of Birth: [Redacted]
Residence as of Book 1: The Riley House, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Occupation as of Book 1: Blacksmith’s apprentice
April 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Name: Rowan
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
19th, 2524 AE
Age as of Book 1: 17, going on 18
Place of Birth: [Redacted]
Residence as of Book 1: The Riley House, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Occupation as of Book 1: Blacksmith’s apprentice
Species: Elfling (elf/human)
Date of Birth: Brennoth (December)
19th, 2524 AE
Age as of Book 1: 17, going on 18
Place of Birth: [Redacted]
Residence as of Book 1: The Riley House, Bowen Hill, Galbrennen
Occupation as of Book 1: Blacksmith’s apprentice
Next up, our leading lady, Rowan, better known as Ro. Her hair is much wilder/curlier/more buoyant than this, but otherwise this pic is pretty spot-on. A runaway shrouded in secrecy, Ro, then nearly 12, turned up in the village of Bowen Hill one night during a snowstorm just before Midwinter.
April 4, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Next up, our leading lady, Rowan, better known as Ro. Her hair is much wilder/curlier/more buoyant than this, but otherwise this pic is pretty spot-on. A runaway shrouded in secrecy, Ro, then nearly 12, turned up in the village of Bowen Hill one night during a snowstorm just before Midwinter.
Lives With (as of Book 1): Ríagan, his wolfling (wolf/dog) familiar; Daniel (his urchin ward, a human), 11; and Luck, Daniel’s dog (a border collie)
Relationship Status: Single
Relationship Status: Single
April 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Lives With (as of Book 1): Ríagan, his wolfling (wolf/dog) familiar; Daniel (his urchin ward, a human), 11; and Luck, Daniel’s dog (a border collie)
Relationship Status: Single
Relationship Status: Single
Place of Birth: The Abandoned Cottage, Fenwillough, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: A treehouse, Lockwood Grove, the White Pine Forest, the Outlands
Occupation as of Book 1: Harper, hunter, forager, occasional herbalist/healer
Residence as of Book 1: A treehouse, Lockwood Grove, the White Pine Forest, the Outlands
Occupation as of Book 1: Harper, hunter, forager, occasional herbalist/healer
April 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Place of Birth: The Abandoned Cottage, Fenwillough, Galbrennen
Residence as of Book 1: A treehouse, Lockwood Grove, the White Pine Forest, the Outlands
Occupation as of Book 1: Harper, hunter, forager, occasional herbalist/healer
Residence as of Book 1: A treehouse, Lockwood Grove, the White Pine Forest, the Outlands
Occupation as of Book 1: Harper, hunter, forager, occasional herbalist/healer