Astraea:

Aesir: 41k

An image of an axe-wielding Aesir, perhaps the former 'Hoevding,' Thorvald Drengsen.

Aludra: 104k

A portrait of Aludra Linuxia Acesian, cousin to the former Deus of Acesius.

Angel: 33k

Find some picture of a model, stick some wings on her, and voila! Instant Empyrean.

Aurora: 31k

Drawn in pastels and colored pencils, this was the cover for a Christmas card, and also a plausible portrayal of Aurora, with her newly-restored wings.

Bust: 32k

This is a drawing done in colored pencils of what a bust of Cassius, sculpted by Endymion, might look like.

Carissa: 40k

The youngest daughter of Proserpina Tritonides and Alexander Gradivus, who later became wife to the Princeps, Gabriel Hesperos Augustin.

Cassius: 42k

Cassius Silvarius Augustin, the former pater familias of House Augustus.

Damaris: 47k

Damaris Iolanthe Tritonides, the "Silver Owl" of the Aegis and former matriarch of House Tritonis.

Dante: 45k

Adrianus, Aidoneus, Corvus... this dark Empyrean and Velite Optio has had many names, but most know him simply as "Dante."

Desire: 51k

Cassius and Elidi. 'Nuff said.

Dream: 52k

A nightmare leads to revelations, confessions, and finally, comfort.

Drusus: 46k

Drusus Marcus Jove, former Praetorian Guard and former Emperor of the Empyreans.

Embrace: 80k

This one pretty much speaks for itself.

Fallen: 84k

A portrait of a fallen Empyrean.

Ferrin: 96k

The first graisha, and lord of the beasts.

Folded Wings: 32k

An Empyrean with her wings partially folded around herself.

Forbidden Passion: 83k

With a title like that, you know Astraea's been reading too many romance novels. This image features an Empyrean and a Varati locked in a heated embrace.

Gabriel: 74k

Here's a picture of Gabriel Augustin, Aegian for his House, who, while he served in the Guard, earned something of a reputation as a boxer. He's winding leather straps, or "caesta," around his fists, and getting ready to spar.

Gladiator: 62k

This isn't a portrait of anyone in particular; just a rendition of a female gladiator after a fight in the arena.

Helena: 29k

Helena Ariane Jove, great grand-daughter of the late Emperor, Justinius Octavian Jove.

Khalid Atar: 96k

Khalid Atar, the brooding monarch of the Varati, seated on his throne.

Kiera: 78k

Kiera is a halfbreed mix of Sylvan and Empyrean, and graisha besides. Favored of Khalid, she is also a powerful wind-elemental, and this illustration shows her crouched in a tree while a storm gathers behind her.

Najada: 22k

One of the skin-shifting Najada, Atlanteans from the far north, where the seas are cold and the land is frozen.

Olivia and Niko: 24k

Here is a picture of the young heir to Augustus, Nikolos, or "Niko" for short, as well as his tender-hearted "surrogate mother," Olivia Augustin Jove.

Pasiphae: 34k

A Photoshop-enhanced collage depicting the Atlantean sea-goddess, Pasiphae.

Praetor: 83k

A member of the Empyreal Praetorian Guard, in uniform.

Princeps: 96k

Gabriel Hesperos Augustin eventually became Princeps of the Empyre, and led it into the new era of an Aegian Republic.

Rusalka: 83k

The Rusalki are a race of halfbreeds, with both Atlantean and Empyrean qualities, the latter of which allows them to "fly" through the water. A more fitting name might be "Angels of the Deep."

Shahar: 36k

Shahar al-Jehan Khalida, the former Pasha of Haven and Shakir of Clan Khalida.

Sheltering Wings: 65k

Drusus and Oriane share a tender moment before the Optio leaves for war.

Sights of the Palladium: 176k

Visit the Palladium and see all the lovely sights it has to offer!

Stormbringer: 87k

Beware the wrath of a wind-mage.

The Twilight King: 61k

An illustration for a story, wherein Aurora tells a fairy tale to an ailing child.

Xerise: 30k

A portrait of the scholar, historian, and genealogist, Xerise Cleona Januarius.

Casting Calls:

Aurora: 22k

Originally, this was a black-and-white photo of the actress, Emmanuelle Béart. After some doctoring in Photoshop, it's now a portrait of the former Empress, Aurora.

Cassius: 26k

Give Jeremy Irons ice-blue eyes and silver hair, and he'd be perfect for the former Aegian and patriarch of House Augustus, Cassius Silvarius Augustin.

Cynara: 23k

It was perhaps her role as the treacherous Lady De Winter in The Three Musketeers that inspired her player to choose Rebecca DeMornay for the part of Cynara, the "Lady of Thorns" and former leader of the outcasts in Haven.

Gabriel: 25k

Take a photo of Michael Biehn in a bullet-proof vest from some cop movie. Start futzing on a whim, and change the vest to armor. Add wings. You end up with an idea of what Gabriel Hesperos Augustin might look like -- former Praetor and now Princeps of the Aegis.

Khalid: 15k

Oded Fehr, who appeared in such movies as The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and Deuce Bigalow, Ace Gigolo, was chosen by popular demand for the role of Khalid Atar, immortal god-king of the Varati. This image was doctored in Photoshop from a photo of the actor.

Livia: 22k

Originally a black-and-white image of the singer, Faith Hill, this photo was doctored in Photoshop to resemble Lavinia of Ionis -- known more simply as "Livia," former proprietess of the House of Flowers.

Shinjukou: 24k

Shinjukou was the former Decemvir for the distant, exotic, Orcinus, one of the ten Atlantean Decemvirates. Her player chose actress Joan Chen for her Casting Call, and this image was created from a photo to represent the character.