Welcome to my next installment of Behind the Scenes, a look into how I create my story worlds and creatures. Today I’d like to talk about villains, in particular my Froggen King, Siltworth.
The first book in my Firebird series, The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes, had several major revisions before it became what it is today. I already had an evil mage as the over-arching bad guy, Tambrynn’s father Thoron. A half-blood, Thoron became a dark-magic-using mage bent on stealing his daughter’s powers and life-force. In doing so, he would turn Tambrynn into an undead beast.
Gruesome enough, right?
But, after I got my main characters from one kingdom and into another, there had to be real dangers for them to traverse. Here’s where it gets good.
I needed another, more detestable villain. Something that would create more peril as she navigates her way in a new and magical world–something she had no experience with. And the first obstacle she was going to come across was paddling across a sea. Our heroine knew nothing about boats or how to use them. Moreover, she’d just survived a magical battle that had crippled her Watcher and love interest. It had been a day!
So, I researched water creatures that would be something out of a nightmare. Something that would curl your toes to face in real life. Something . . . disgusting.
Growing up I read about the princess and the frog. The princess had to kiss the frog to change him into a handsome prince. I grew up on a farm that had a pond attached to a stream that curled around the outside of the property. I was no stranger to frogs. I did not want to kiss them.
However, the idea of a frog-like race of creatures was intriguing. It had to be a being you wouldn’t at first guess was a villain, though you would be put off by it’s appearance. Dapper and abominable. Odd but genteel. The Wikipedia page I used for inspiration is here. I modeled my frog king after the photo from that page, named him Siltworth, and dubbed his race the Froggen. This is my description of Tambrynn’s first interaction with him:
It stands in front of me, one webbed hand spread across its yellowish belly, while the other arm is crooked behind its spotted back. Dangling from its hand is my necklace. The toes on its webbed feet are long and rounded at the ends. Yellow-green, bulging eyes squint at me as if sizing me up. The perusal stops as it stares into my eyes. It shows no shock or surprise.
“Hail, silver mage with the star eyes.” It, a male from the sound of its deep, sticky voice, bows low. The top of the bulbous head shines wetly. “It is I, Siltworth of the Sunken Forests. My clan graciously welcomes you home … and as a token of goodwill, I return the talisman you lost.” When I hesitate, he tosses it at my feet and bows his head in a strangely formal manner.
I really enjoyed creating an odd frogman and inserting much drama into his interactions with my main characters.
Buy The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes HERE if you want to read more about my wacky characters. Book 2, The Girl With Fire in Her Veins will be released in April 2023. And stay tuned to next time when we learn more from BEHIND THE SCENES!
Marilyn says
I can’t wait to read it!!!!
Dawn Ford says
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Marilyn!