The Magic Lantern - Books 1 to 3
The people of Obalan. Now fully illustrated.
The Magic Lantern - A Speck of Dust ( Book 1)
From the eyes of a young boy, this is how we first see the world of Obalan.
We get to learn about his life and how he’s had a hard time keeping a secret, only for it all to get turned around upside down. If an opportunity to follow your dreams presents itself, what would you do?
Mago - two pointy ears, a green tail and bucketful of determination, we follow his story through the world of Obalan as he sets out onto the unknown to follow his passion.
Ash - A small blue flame, with a hot temper, he’s been a part of a mages collection for a long, long time until he met Mago and they became travelling companions.
Atlan - or Great Tome Atlan, as he would insist to be called, a thoroughly unpleasant book to be around, full of impetuous grandiose
Dorina - “a tough old bird” would be a very accurate description. A Bolter by trade and by name, she makes a living outside the city walls, where she became the adoptive mother to an unusual boy who arrived through mysterious circumstances.
Muffulu, Tuffulu & Boboro - three little rascally Pigmin, they are avid scavengers who are in dire need of help when they run into Mago.
Lucidor - The story demands that you know nothing else from this shadowy figure besides the name, and so it will be.
The Magic Lantern - Colossal of the Lake (Book 2)
On their journey North, in search of a job, they run into a whole lot of fantastically weird people. It is the season of celebration in this little rural village and so there is plenty of opportunity for work and plenty of delicious food to enjoy!
Pecoraro - An enigmatic wanderer, who is confusingly carefree. Putting himself in danger without a second thought.
Balad - A melodious hairy frog! He accompanies Pecoraro who insists she is not a pet, but a fuzzy little friend.
Madame Barca Monsay - A necromantic fortune-teller with a deviously sweet allure. She is a part of a travelling troupe of Sorcerers!
Mr Chardstock - Someone must have invented the word curmudgeon just for him. He has the most outlandish stories about his times as a guard. Who knows if any of them are true?
Galvan! - His name doesn’t have an exclamation point, but he does insist you always say it enthusiastically. A travelling illusionist who’s putting up a magical show that will light up the skies!
Ryler - A local boy who’s running errands for the troupe of travellers along with some of his friends. When they are not playing ball games, they are delivering posters for the show or helping the troupe to set up the event.
The Magic Lantern - Thieves and Glory (Book 3)
As they cross through the borders of Calangara, our little group makes friends with with a ragtag team of Caplium, and with his new mushroomy buddies they get in more trouble than they know what to do with. In this strange land so far from home, there is a lot to learn and a lot to see.
Myco - You’ve never met a friendlier mushroom! When he’s out doing his chores more often than not, he’ll get distracted reading the adventures of The Cadmium Caplium.
Walwyn - A Caplium who’s been hardened by a previous life, he now cares for a group of young misfits and outcasts. He will look after his own, whatever it takes.
Kiki - This little one is as tough as they get, always running around after Myco and the others, giggling and chittering.
Coran - His looming presence fills the air with tension, a sense of danger makes your skin tingle. Be careful.
Damastor - A loyal guard mutt, he is Coran’s companion. He’s a very good boy, if you’re not causing any trouble that is.
Orron - A devious travelling merchant, he will trade in all kinds of goods. A great man to know, who has a finger in every pie.
Other Characters
Update Oct 2024 - I shared below some more characters that are part of “The Explorers of Obalan” stories, they are set in the same world but I’m writing them to share on substack rather than a book.
The Explorers of Obalan - Characters
“Four years ago, the Explorers of Obalan were officially founded.
To you, from the home of magic.
Marco D Blanco.
This is fantastic. This whole vibe is just lovely - mix of Legend of Zelda and Spirited Away. With that same amount of charm and underlying seriousness. More than just cute, it's deep and feels so real and fantastical at the same time.
Ash is the cutest 😍