Haunted Dragons

Greetings Hoarders,
As you peer into the darkness, you have discovered the red skull dragon. While he seemed less than enthused about the interruption, he joins your growing horde of dragons. The storm has picked up and you struggle to relight the lantern.  

Up ahead you notice a large crypt, the doors left open. You hurry to hide in it's shadowed shelter. After several attempts you are finally able to relight the lantern. A shuffling sound draws your attention deeper into the crypt. Not quite willing to brave the storm outside, you decide to test your fate as you venture deeper into the ancient structure.

Your flickering lantern reveals reliefs from times long since past. The story of dragons and men, ancient battles between undead and the living. The shuffling draws closer. Your dragons hide behind you, as you turn the corner to reveal...a mummy derpy dragon!!! Which one did you find?

Vote in today's poll and let me know ^_^

As I mentioned in the other updates, the red skull dragon was also inspired by an illustration for my Dark Muse art book. The character is based on my D&D fairy which I shared in a previous update. She is holding a sketch which my 8 year old daughter drew based on the traumatic events that my character faced during the campaign and her greatest fears. I also took a picture of my daughter holding up the picture as the reference photo for this illustration.

I don't know why I like putting skulls on heads...I just do. 😅☠️ Probably because it reminds me of the Barbarian helmets from ancient Germania.


Anyway, I can't wait to see which mummy you find in the vote! 

Until tomorrow, have a spooktacular day.

Yours in art,
Therena

Greetings Hoarders,

How was your long weekend? Mine was amazing, and my love-tank is filled to the brim from the quality time I was able to spend with the people I love most in the world. 

Now that the week has officially started again, it means our adventure into the Haunted hollow can continue. The last vote was really close! We had a tie until the final hour between the red and green skull dragon. But in the end the green dragon won out and will now be joining the hoard!

 As you resume your journey through the dark cemetery, a sudden gust of wind blows out your lantern. Shrieks and yips from the startled dragons echo your own startled scream as the world around you goes dark.
The wind howls, tree branches scrape violently above, and a low growl draws your attention. As you turn, you see luminicent eyes peering up at you from the darkness. Which dragon did you find next?

We are nearing the final original designs, and I can't wait to see who you vote for!

Fun fact about the green skull dragon. Like the purple one, the skull was taken from another Dark Muse illustration. In this case a fantasy self portrait I did earlier this year. All three skull dragons were inspired by other illustrations I drew. And it was a lot of fun bringing them to life in a new way!


We are halfway through the campaign, and things tend to go a little slower during this time. Which means it's the perfect time to start planning something exciting. I was thinking possibly a livestream this Saturday where I would draw another derpy. It may either be a full illustration, or it could be a brand new one based on the conversation we have during the livestream (No idea which yet.)

Would you be interested in a live draw/chat? I would have to host it via twitch, but the stream will show on the Backerkit page. And if you are interested, which times would you prefer? I live in PST, so anything from 11am PST-2pm PST would be good starting times. Let me know in the comments! Alternatively, we can do it the following Sunday, October 27th around the same times. So if you would be interested in joining a livestream, and see how a derpy comes to life, let me know what day and times you prefer! I will try to make it work for as many as possible.

Well, until tomorrow! I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Yours in art,
Therena
 
PS: We are teetering around the next stretchgoal, and would love for you to join us if you haven't backed yet!

Greetings Hoarders,

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians and Indigenous People's Day, to my US friends.

No matter which you celebrate today, my hope is that it's a great day! 

Now, I know that this pumpkin isn't very Thanksgiving-ey, but I thought it fitting that the next unlocked dragon was the pumpkin derpy as we often decorate thanksgiving with pumpkins up here in Canada.


In fact, I decided to finish the illustration for it yesterday while my husband prepared our feast.


Not sure whether this derpy is hiding or waiting to jump out and scare you. What do you think?

As you gather him with your growing horde of dragons you venture deeper into the cemetery. The deeper you venture the larger the crypts and more elaborate the statues and gargoyles become.

Centuries of weather have left its mark on the marble and stone. Ivy  and moss cover the older crypts as you venture forth. The wind is now howling and a chill runs down your spine as you pass a large tombstone guarded by an angel with its wings spread wide.

The feeling of being watched draws your attention to a small dragon peering up at you. Who did you find today?

I love seeing who you guys vote for!

I'd also love to know if you celebrate Thanksgiving where you live, and if so, what is your favourite tradition?

We always celebrate by gathering as a family over what I believe is a kingly feast. Both my mom and husband are exceptional cooks, and while I can't follow a recipe to save my life, I am very grateful I have them. (If I had to do thanksgiving dinner it would probably be a deli meat turkey sandwich 🥪 😅 which you have to make yourself)

Until tomorrow, have a most wonderful day.

Yours in art,
Therena

Greetings Hoarders,

Welcome back to the haunted hollow where derpies roam free and dragons lurk between the crypts.

A rumbly sound draws your attention. As you look down, you have found the most peculiar little dragon sleeping beneath the shadows of a large statue. Hiding beneath a skull you discover a baby purple dragon. His little snores like little rumbles as they rattle the skull beneath which it hid.


He opens a weary eye as you lift the skull, and stretches in an almost cat-like arch. You decide to take him with you as you continue your quest. 

The wind is picking up and swirls of leaves flutter around you. Above you, ancient trees rustle, branches scraping ominously against each other. 

You pull your cloak tighter around you as the wind howls and the large trees above sway. Shadows dance around you, the lantern's meager light barely illuminating the graveyard as mausoleums rise around you like concrete giants. 

Unseeing eyes from statues and gargoyles gaze eerily down upon you. You hustle around a tombstone to find another dragon...who did you find?

You guys have unlocked all the purple dragons! 😁 Fun fact about the purple skull 💀 dragon 🐉, it was the first pin I designed for this set! Plus, the skull was taken from another illustration I drew for my upcoming Dark Muse art book.

My art isn't all dragons, sometimes I draw gothic fairies too 💀🧚🏽‍♀️. But I do like drawing skulls and bones. ☠️

This illustration was one I made for my D&D character for a campaign we are currently playing. I was looking through races and my husband said I couldn't be a fairy because I don't like colour and only wear black. Naturally this meant I had to make a gothic shadow magic fairy.

Do you play D&D? Or tabletop roleplaying games? What about online RPGs?

I do both, I used to be a big gamer (Guild wars, Baldur's Gate, Dragon Age, KOTOR, etc) but find myself doing art, reading & writing more for fun these days. That being said, BG3 was epic!

I can't wait to see which dragon you vote for next! Until tomorrow, happy Sunday!

Yours in art,
Therena

PS: we are really close to unlocking the next stretch goal, so if you haven't backed yet, we would love to have you join us! We only need a few more backers!

Are you waiting for the adult skull dragon? I have finally revised the art to a point where I am 99% happy (just one more tiny tweak). But it will unlock as the 11th dragon at $11,000!
We have unlocked 9 out of the 10 original designs. So far here's what you guys have voted for:

Greetings Hoarders,

Your quest through the cemetery has paid off. 🪦 Armed with the shiny 3D lantern 🏮you have revealed the sneaky voodoo Derpy Dragon, who was clearly up to no good. 📍☠️📍


I mean just look how sus he looks at you! Like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar... (Ooo that might make a cute derpy pin!)

Reluctantly putting away his toys, he follows you through your trek between the towering 🪦 crypts and statues. The shadow dragon glances around nervously as the Grim Reaper stalks with confidence behind you. 

Above you, the little skelly dragon flutters erratically. His mothlike gossamer wings glistening in the flickering lantern light. 

You glance around the shifting shadows, as your gaze fall upon large glowing eyes staring up at you.

Which dragon did you find?

Remember to vote on today's poll!
And while you are here, I'd love to know if you live in the northern or southern hemisphere? Are you blissfully enjoying the Autumn 🍁 Fall 🍂 weather, or preparing to hibernate for summer? (Or is that just me?)

I was born in the southern hemisphere (South Africa) but now blissfully enjoy the cooler weather of tropical Canada (aka Vancouver Island).

I love Fall so much, I got married in it because I wanted Fall 🍁 leaves in my wedding photos! (💍Today is our 17th anniversary 🍂🍁) 🤔 Maybe I should make a fall derpy covered in leaves...

You know, I always get inspiration writing these updates for you guys. Cookie jar derpy...fall derpy...we have the makings of next year's Pintober!

Until tomorrow!
Yours in art,

Therena


Haven't backed yet? We are close to unlocking the 10th derpy design! And then we head into backer inspired designs! As well as the adult dragon skull, which unlocks at $11,000. (Final design in progress and to be revealed soon)