Over time, the stories have become filled with strangely named characters and organisations; not to mention many of the eccentric titles. This page is here to attempt some explanation, provide a little background which may not be in the stories, and a few links between characters. It will fleshed out as time and temperament dictate. Forgive me my bouts of whimsy in naming my characters, and I hope this proves interesting.

Appearance: A tall shapeshifter, Jepar looks much like his darker nature; with the long, lanky limbs of a cheetah and emerald green eyes to match, he passes for human except for his hair - gold, mottled with brown spots. Often smiling, Jepar isn't made for seriousness. Four scars run down one side of his face; a souvenir from the events of Ouroboros.

History and relationships: As the son of a prominent shapeshifter family, Jepar's presence in Ryars Valley remains something of a mystery, even to his friends. First appearing in Shimmer, he remains one of the central characters of the series, though in later stories he has stayed more in the sidelines. For all his merriness, Jepar is one of the few characters not in conflict with his inhumanity, and with a solid family life. Brother to Gatajri, soulmate to Alisha, ex-boyfriend and firm friend of Chatoya, partner-in-crime of Cougar and eternal optimist, life seems to be almost perfect for Jepar. Almost...though the epilogue of Chimera may throw a spanner into the works.

Appearance: A relative rarity among the exotic Nightpeople of Ryars Valley, Chatoya can - and often does - pass for human. A tall, plain girl with moss-green eyes and a maturity gained from the loss of her family, her magical nature shows more in her accessories than her appearance. Most at home in the barrens of Ryars Valley's ghost roads, little though she realises, there is an element of the wild in Chatoya that only those closest to her recognise.

History and relationships: First arriving in Ryars Valley in Shimmer after the slaughter of her twin brother and family, Chatoya became close to the earliest members of Circle Strange; Jepar, her closest friend and one-time boyfriend; Cougar, in whom she finds a kindred spirit despite their many differences, and Lisa, on whose advice she often relies. Soulmate to the ever-vicious Blue, whose attitude and motives towards her remain unfathomable, later taking a hand in Pursang, Chatoya also finds she shares a strange link with the legendary dragon Bhari.

Appearance: Tall, dark and delicious, Cougar Redfern has the striking beauty that runs in his bloodline - and is very much aware of it. With spiky, messy black hair and hazel eyes that turn to a fiery gold whenever he gets emotional (often), and the icy-pale skin of someone who didn't see much sunlight in his childhood, he's eye-catching. Prone to sunburn, scowling and snapping, Cougar isn't so much a lamia as a crocodile in human form.

History and relationships: First appearing in Vae Victis/Splitscreen on the Satiari enclave where he grew up, Cougar was later framed for the murder of Carinna del Saccio, by his detested half-brother Blue Malefici. Fleeing, he arrived in Ryars Valley where he became firm friends and housemate to Jepar, Lisa and later Chatoya. In Heartsong, he found not only his shy, conflicted soulmate Ria, but also several past lives he was unaware of. Brother to Alisha lives ago, former boyfriend to Zara, maker of made vampire Ruby, tormented, tense and shockingly vulnerable, Cougar remains unsure of anything - or anyone - in his life.

Appearance: Unusually among the exotic creatures that make up Circle Strange, Thom is a quiet, unobtrusive Old Soul whose icy-blue eyes have a serenity that comes from knowing he'll be doing this life business all over again in a hundred years or so. With white-blond hair he hardly ever cuts, battered glasses and a wry patience with his friends' tempestuous natures, Thom is rarely ruffled by the strangeness of life in Ryars Valley. Often blunt, he is willing to solve the tensions that frequently churn under their daily life.

History and Relationships: First appearing in Kelekona, Thom is closest to the less edgy and emotional members of the Circle; Lisa and Cern, his half-breed housemate, are his confidantes, and the three like to argue and throw about ideas over breakfast and coffee. Older-brother figure to Therill Chusson, and brother to Kirsty Ausner, as well as amused advisor for Zara's chaotic relationships, Thom remains an enigmatic figure.

Appearance: A witch of mixed blood, Cern has the deep purple eyes of a Harman, but little of the power. A short, compact but delightfully built boy, his mahogany hair curls frantically, and is always messy. Though he lacks the sculpted looks of Jepar or Cougar, Cern is far more popular with the women of Ryars Valley for reasons we can only speculate about. An incessant flirt, with an easy charm and a sardonic sense of humour, Cern is at heart a practical joker, confident in his own abilities. Largely witch, but with a dribble of vampire blood, and enough werewolf blood to enable him to shapeshift, albeit painfully, Cern's heritage makes him an outcast even in Ryars Valley.

History and Relationships: A relative latecomer to Circle Strange, Cern arrived in Ryars Valley alone and grieving for his younger sister, who died in a fire. He became closest to the more tolerant and contemplative members of the group; Thom, on whose advice he often relies, and Lisa, with who he has an easy, close friendship. Cougar and Cern have a strong, if volatile friendship; the differences between pure-blood vampire and the worldly witch become quickly apparent. Soulmate to the ill-fated Jallakri ap Ganra, and a surprising friend of Felicity of the Pack, Cern's life seems to lack purpose and passion - a dangerous loss.

Appearance: Lisa likes to catch the eye, and her bright clothes and fantastical hairstyles often reflect this; a powerful African vampire with the honed looks of an athlete, she loves jogging and basketball, as well as endlessly sketching her eminently draw-able friends. Her loud sense of humour and warmth makes her a favoured shoulder to cry on, while she remains quietly elusive about her past and rarely reveals her own troubles.

History and Relationships: The second of Circle Strange to come to Ryars Valley, Lisa is self-possessed and settled. She regards her friends as her family, and mothers them relentlessly. Close friend and housemate of Chatoya, amiable troublemaker with Cern, who she secretly yearns for, and ever ready to argue with Thom, all we know of Lisa's past is that she is dimly connected to the ever-malignant Nightfire, though a piece of her past is soon to intrude on her life.

Appearance: While Reve-Lai has half-dragon blood, she tends to hold to a human shape in a human world, if an exotic one, a tradition dating from her childhood when dragon 'fashion' tended to the gaudy. With long and wildly curling silver hair, and eyes to match, Reve-Lai is eye-catching, despite her diminutive size. Often dressed in styles that can be described as eccentric at best, and horrendous at worst, her clothes tend to be ruined by any sudden shapeshifting.

History and Relationships: A secret child of the Burning Times who saw her father die in warfare, Reve-Lai was put into an enchanted sleep by her witch mother to hide her from the witches who would have murdered her for her half-dragon blood. Sent to Ryars Valley by an ambiguous organisation known only as angels with Feivel, she found herself befriended by the ever-curious Jepar and Chatoya, later finding her soulmate in the quirky Matt. Ferocious, and often over-protective, Dragon's temper tends to rise most sharply when those around her are suffering, though she is learning gentler ways for this new world.

Appearance: Built short and compact, Matt has the look of a human fox with his amber eyes, dark red hair and the pale complexion that often go together. Just the right side of cute, with a smattering of freckles and a wide, happy smile, Matt is affable and relaxed, treating everyone with the same charm, even when he finds them so irritating he wants to scream. In a town of Nightpeople, Matt is careful to keep his quirks a secret - like his ability to see auras, and his employment with Circle Daybreak.

History and Relationships: Sent to Ryars Valley by Daybreak, Matt first fell in with Circle Strange before realising he presented a serious threat to them; unwillingly, he shifted his allegiance to the safer, if less fun, humans in the town, and finds his friendships among Tam Slone, Rob Slivan and the irascible Ben Skykes. Much lusted after the women for his chivalry and sweetness, Matt is an object of desire for Chatoya, and contempt for Cougar. Soulmate to Reve-Lai, Matt has left Daybreak for the angels and is now a roving rescuer, if finding the life more dangerous than he expected.

Appearance: Perhaps the most human of all Circle Strange, Ria is desperately shy, and it shows in her posture and dress. A plain girl, with strawberry-blonde hair, and startling turquoise eyes that rarely look straight at anyone, she is half-overwhelmed by the strangeness and sometime inhumanity of her friends. Half-witch, and still learning her craft, Ria is easy to hurt, and slow to trust.

History and Relationships: Having spent much of her early years with her uncaring mother, and cruel half-sister, Bliss, Ria is often submissive, yet is at her strongest in times of enormous pressure. First befriended by a grief-stricken Jepar, who treats her with care and courtesy, she finds her soulmate in the tumultuous Cougar, with whom she has a decidedly rocky and often destructive relationship.

Appearance: Ruby's flamboyance was what drew Cougar Redfern to her, first in friendship, and later in immortality. With her short, dark red hair and the red contact lenses she favours, Ruby has a pale, demonic look about her and there's something a little crazed to her wide smile. Short, with a brittle energy, Ruby will break before she bends. Blunt and practical without much humour to soften her harsh words, she's always busy, involving herself in everything - whether wanted or not.

History and Relationships: Cougar's first human friend outside the enclave, Ruby was shocked - and intrigued - to learn about the Night World. Later imprisoned by Bliss, her transition from human to vampire was difficult and dark. Infatuated by merry Jepar, whose sunniness is a counterpoint to her own fatalistic attitude, she remains wary of the girls of Circle Strange; Cern and Thom get on surprisingly well with her. Jallakri ap Ganra, alas, does not.

Appearance: A human with a smattering of witch-blood that only shows in her extraordinary voice, Zara is physically one of the most vulnerable of the Circle. With a slightly fey, elfin look, Zara has curly black hair and piercingly bright blue eyes. Small, and delicately built, her appearance belies her loud, wild personality; argumentative and opinionated, Zara is rarely intimidated, even though most of her friends could snap her in two.

History and Relationships: Arriving in Ryars Valley as a runaway trying to find the Night World history of her family, Zara's first encounter was with Cougar Redfern - and was explosive. Able to cope - if by shouting - with his temper, the two became friends and dated briefly. Later, Zara found herself entangled with the enigmatic Darkstar, and had an uneasy alliance with the ice-queen herself, Trifolia.

Appearance: Although human, there is a toughness and determination in Alisha that comes from her lifetimes spent suffering for one badly made decision. Devastated by the loss of her soulmate in a previous life, her sapphire eyes hold a depth of melancholy that belies her age. With long brown hair, and a pretty, wholesome face, Alisha is the girl-next-door, if a girl who has lived eight hundred years.

History and Relationships: Sent by Circle Daybreak to chase people thought vanished, Alisha is astonished to find Jepar, the soulmate she thought lost. Former sister to Cougar in a past life, and warmed by Chatoya's friendship, Alisha finds the place she belongs - with the people who don't belong. But hunted by David y Pelathas, her former lover, she finds she has to fight for what she wants - and maybe sacrifice more than she expects.

Appearance: The 'Oh-Fearless-Leader' of the North American angels, Shadow accompanies Reve-lai to Ryars Valley. A close-mouthed, devious vampire, his purpose in Ryars Valley turns out not to be what Reve-lai thought...

Appearance: A creature of dark artifice, it's very hard to tell what is real and what isn't with Bella. Her hair is a dark, shiny black which doesn't quite match her too-pale skin tone; her eyes are so pale as to be almost white, and catch silvery in certain lights. A witch who has found power in fear, she is decorated with the paraphenalia of her craft, dripping silver jewellery shaped in symbols.

Now settled in Ryars Valley, she is the leader of the cult Reve-Lai is sent to destroy. Intrigued by the charming, if naive Matt Wolff, hellbent on gaining the control and respect she believes she deserves, Bella is not quite as simple as her cruel facade suggests.

Appearance: Distant relative of Reve-Lai, Lanaka is an introverted witch with the thoughtful purple eyes of a distant Harman ancestor and the same long, silvery hair as her many-times great-aunt. Member of the angels, she is adviser, family and friend to the dragon, as well as a relatively powerful witch with a hint of prophecy.

Appearance: A feminine version of her younger brother, Cern, Myandra shares the same polyglot of blood, if with lesser power. She and Cern are not as close as they once were, driven apart by their mutual grief for the death of their baby sister, Becky.

Appearance, History and Relationships: A stocky tennis player, Rob's easy-going nature and ready smile have earned him a lot of admirers among the females of Ryars Valley. With his sandy hair and dove-grey eyes, he has a boy-next-door appeal, if not the sharp beauty of Cougar Redfern, who openly loathes him, or foxy good looks of Matt Wolff, a good friend of his. Close to and protective of Tamara Slone, who treats him as a lovable but annoying brother, Rob unknowingly clashes with the Furies. Appearing first in Shimmer, as the crush and friend of Sonj Jameson, he features in many of the stories, but most prominently in Remember, where his life takes a new and darker course.

Appearance and History: Appearing briefly in the early stages of Kelekona, Meliah is a lamia working for Circle Daybreak who finds herself in a spot of bother. Soulmate to Jon

Appearance and History: An angel and made vampire, Jon Baines is an elder cousin of Chatoya and Josh Irkil, with the same coal-black hair and striking blue eyes as Josh. From the side of the family with little power, but a liking of tangling with Nightworld denizens, Jon was changed for his own protection after annoying one too many powerful people. Partner of Reve-Lai, he acts as her mentor, friend, and avuncular advisor.

Appearance and History: The youngest member of the group later known as Circle Strange, Therill is the baby of the group, despite his too-old eyes and wild cynicism. Knowing the price of everything, and only beginning to find the value of the people around him, Therill is a bitter runaway. An albino shapeshifter - a polar bear - he has always stood out, and been victimised because of it.

Relationships: Distant - unknowing - relative of Vaje Chusson, Therill is closest to the quieter members of Circle Strange. Cern is his confidant, understanding hsi fractured childhood best. Lisa treats him as a miscreant son, but with more gentleness than the others for his seeming immaturity, while Thom is his favourite opponent in arguments.

Appearance: A lady very much aware of her charms, Bliss makes the most of her voluptuous figure, flaring red hair and rare violet eyes. Well - the violet eyes are contact lenses, but a little craft is in her nature; after all, it is what witches do best. Bliss has a devil-may-care attitude that hides a very sharp mind, and a hardened heart. Tough, and necessarily so, she is unafraid of trampling on other people's feet and emotions to further her ambition.

History and Relationships: The dominant and often cruel half-sister of Ria Lutinne, Bliss exploits her family as easily as she does unwitting strangers. Determined to ensnare the fractious Cougar Redfern, and potential assassin of Jepar Jubatus, she has little care for the consequences of her actions that bring her no benefit. However; she was not born so determined or so merciless - her master Kobe is due some thanks, as is another, less visible man of her past.

Appearance: A minor Nightworld lord, Kobe keeps up a careful public persona of a benevolent business man, but true to his venomous nature, helps his enemies to slowly rot from within. Rarely blinking, Kobe's shiny grey stare can unnerve even the coldest vampire, though he has inherited the ready smile of the Jubatus family. A small man, he moves with an odd boneless grace, and there is a fork to his tongue that one cannot fail to notice - though his poison-filled fangs are less obvious.

History and Appearance: As the most similar to the dragons of old, snakeshifters are the worst treated of the shapeshifters, and Kobe is no exception. Largely ignored and snubbed, only his family acknowledge his status at all. Kobe remains bitter, despite the fact he is heir to the Jubatus empire - as soon as his cousin Gatajri Jubatus and her brother Jepar are confirmed dead. A man of quick wit - and not inconsiderable charm, when he chooses to use it - his bitterness is only outstripped by his greed for power.

Appearance: Drawn from her long battle with cancer, Ria's mother has the same elfin build, though it hides a steely and embittered character. With fading blond hair, and the callused hands of a working woman, Lierra is very human next to her daughter.

History and Relationships: A brief fling with a Twilight witch produced her daughter, Ria Lutinne, who was an unwanted remnant of what Lierra considered a careless piece of fun. A staunch feminist, Lierra remains isolated, moving too often to keep friends, though she does her best by her daughter. Lierra loathes Bliss, partly because she sees something of her true nature, and partly because they have a similar stubborn streak.

Appearance: An imposing woman, Gatajri's wilderness appearance is belied by her cool head and unruffled calm. With the long, brown-spotted gold hair that is the trademark of her family, and a pair of tilting, ironic eyes, Irish green if not as lucky, she is a daunting sight. Aedd in the height and muscles of a born hunter, and it is little wonder Gatajri is a successful lawyer known for her predatory instinct.

History and Relationships: First seen in Shimmer, Gatajri is the local head of the angels' Intelligence section. Despite her off-handed manner, she does care deeply about a few people, particularly her runaway brother Jepar Jubatus, and helps where she can in an act of attrition for a deed she keeps staunchly secret.

Appearance: Known as the Ice Lady, Tri has the pale, European looks of the seventeenth century French noblewoman she was. Her icy-blonde beauty comes from her Scandinavian mother, as do her steady blue eyes. Small, yet deceptively strong, Tri has a streak of conservatism and plodding logic that often makes her friends and enemies alike grind their teeth.

History and Relationships: First entering the Nightworld at the unusual age of twenty, as one of the few made vampires who survived the change, Tri owes her unlife to Darkstar, her enigmatic boss. Working with the irascible Ross, who is both her nemesis and mirror, she finds unexpected friendship with Zara, and a wildfire attraction to the dramatic Iager.

Destrella Weald
Destrella from the Spanish meaning 'starry'
Weald from the Nightworld series

Appearance: A man who is almost as famous for his violence and cruelty as The Furies, Ross's disarming smile, and his cherubim's face have led many to underestimate him. Only his ice-blue eyes give a hint of his coldness and absolute ruthlessness. With a made vampire's strength, and a brutality crafted by Hunter Redfern and a life of hard knocks, Ross is formidable, and barely controlled by his boss, Darkstar. With no friends, and countless enemies, his life is empty of anything but violence.

History and Relationships: Ross has seen a lot in his six hundred years, and has worked with Vaje Chusson often over the years. Loathed by Trifolia, he eventually finds his true calling with the Furies, running the UK branch, and working closely with Lancelot Stormshot, he is a roving hunter.