#shiny scribbles

Actually, I had a whole self-monologue with myself, because I tend to create voice notes for my own use when I need to voice my thoughts aloud or just make reminders. The topic of a very recent one was my concern over how the major characters will be viewed or interpreted. Part of which was comparing the major differences and some similarities between Riddle and Leona.

In that same voice note, I admit to myself that I am concerned with how Leona will be interpreted and if act two overall will be as good as act one. However, I recall having this same exact fear when it came to Damnation. At the time of posting those first Damnation results, after seeing how readers appeared to adore the Heartslabyul result, I worried a lot that Savanaclaw's result would never live up to it. While I do think Heartslabyul is the fan favorite of Damnation by far, Savanaclaw was still very well received and I was quite proud of it in the end. So I'm hoping that happens here with Empyrean, where it's just the case of me being too anxious.

That is to say, in a way, I hope Leona causes you all just as much grief as Riddle does, if not more. Here is something I will admit that I don't believe I've stated before...

There are about four or five characters I've written for so far in Empyrean that have made me viscerally react, either because I was rereading a part and got worked up or because I was actually writing a scene and got worked up (by worked up, I mean annoyed or irritated sometimes to the point of having to take breaks). Riddle was not on that list. Leona is, without a shadow of a doubt, on the top of that list for characters that made me get worked up in the story I wrote. I reread act two and he STILL bothers me. Use with that info what you will.

In a separate voice note, I was pondering why act three was my favorite so far and I believe I finally reached a conclusion. It is because act three feels like a culmination of the previous two acts, and takes the stakes a bit to the next level. At least, this is my current running theory. I wish I could go more into depth, but unfortunately, I cannot without getting into spoiler territory. So that will have to wait.

Anyways, concept art! So, since Jack Howl was formally introduced in the latest chapter, I can share what he looks like! Leona and Ruggie have had their concept arts shared, now it's Jack's turn.

Jack's first concept art was created in October 2025, I believe. But I drew it in a mostly dark room, so it's not the best. That's why I recently redrew some concept art for him yesterday, same design, this time in a setting with lights so it would actually be a doodle I believed looked at least decent enough to share.

Anyways, that's all! Remember, I write, I don't draw. So sorry if it's wonky. It's not my specialty.

Please don't judge me too harshly, since I'm no artist.

Some info here. The top image is a doodle I shared previously, I'm pretty sure. It was probably one of the first images I shared of Empyrean Riddle. The bottom image? This is the first time I've showed it for good reason, as you might have figured out by now. It's of that scene in chapter seventeen. It goes hand in hand with the line: ". . . it formed a symphony of destruction, and Riddle Rosehearts was the conductor. You could just barely make out his silhouette far off in the distance, as he raised his hands this way and that way, controlling every strand of thread and spell of pyro."

If you're asking for designs for the MC, I'm afraid there's not a lot I can provide. I don't actually describe what the MC is wearing often, mostly because it's not a huge deal and so readers are free to imagine something to their liking. However, perhaps I can provide some potentially helpful info?

One of the main things that should be kept in mind is the setting, so the MC would most likely wear something more simple when they were with Ace and Deuce because they had to blend in with other lawbreakers and there wasn't exactly an abundance of options available, versus a more intricate and expensive outfit might be worn by the MC when they're with Trey and Cater and Riddle who do have the means to provide more lavish options. That is to say, if MC's goal is to avoid unwanted attention, their outfits will change regularly based on the area or nation they're in so they can blend in.

If it helps, while I take a lot of liberties and it's based off fantasy, I once listed real general regions I took inspiration from when coming up with a rough outline for Empyrean (here). While it's mostly remained the same with a few minor changes (as far as the three acts I've written, at least), I'll share this image here.

This here is a map of locations I've used in my research, whether it related to the film the characters are based off of, looking into architecture, or looking for other information to learn and implement. The red signifies locations I looked into for Heartslabyul, the yellow is for Savanaclaw, and the pink is for Octavinelle. The others are notably absent because I've yet to dedicate proper time into researching for them. So, here's this if you or anyone else wishes to take a more cultural spin on the designs. If you so choose.

Unfortunately, unlike the other characters, MC does not have concept art. I'm really hoping you were asking about the MC, because if not I would have yapped about this for nothing 😭. BUT! Just in case, I will give info on the other characters. The other characters do have concept art floating around my blog! I'll link them here (the designs are supposed to be fully colored, I usually just get lazy or run out of ink):

Ace... written description found in chapter III

Deuce... written description found in chapter IV

Cater... written description found in chapter VII

Trey... written description found in chapter IX

Riddle 1 and 2 (he has two because I technically never made a concept art page for him)... written description found in chapter IX

Hopefully that helps. If not, feel free to check out #shiny showroom. I reblog Empyrean fanart with that tag, and some readers have made some amazing art!

I still have concept art for the others that haven't been posted (Savanaclaw and Octavinelle), but I'm iffy on one of Leona's designs, Floyd's design, and Azul's design. Although I did post some of the first Leona concept art for this series wayyyy before I should have, I'm talking MONTHS ago (here). The next one I can share is Ruggie's concept art. I thought about not sharing it yet, but meh, what the hell. Why not? Here it is.