Shapeshifting is not new to fantasy stories, so that called for a shapeshifter with challenges, flaws, and consequences that would make him memorable. Lord Dranger, the leader of the Wrenlar people, became that character in The Strandlock.
His Name
When I created the early scenes with Tima meeting the shapeshifter, I wrote his name as Haywin. Not sure where that came from, but when one of my critique partners read the scenes, she commented that the name didn’t fit him. It made her think of a farmer growing hay and straw. I reconsidered and came up with Dranger, since it sounds more dangerous. I did keep the Haywin name, but for a supporting character.
His Role
At first, all the scenes in The Strandlock were from Tima’s point of view. Dranger was a supporting character, an important one but not one that the reader would get close to. However, after I started working on the sequel, I realized readers needed to understand more of Dranger’s journey. I added more scenes in The Strandlock to provide his point of view.
His Magic Ability
Lord Dranger’s magic consists of the ability to assume the shape of other animals and creatures, some extremely menacing. There is a risk to each transformation, and a price to be paid for every shift. Those consequences become critical to Dranger and his future.
His People
Although Lord Dranger is young, he is the leader of the Wrenlar clan. The clan includes other shapeshifters. Children are taught from a young age the rules for safely assuming an animal form.
His Personality
Dranger can be moody, stubborn, sarcastic, and difficult to read. At times, his demeanor is unpredictable, a result of changing into different animal forms.
In addition, he bears a burden, a secret from his past. That shadow haunts him and becomes a barrier to be overcome.
Dynamic Relationship
Tima and Lord Dranger approach problems from very different perspectives, which leads to plenty of conflict. Some of my favorite scenes in the novel involve the two of them trying to work toward the same goal while disagreeing about almost everything else.
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Loved this character – he’s quite a being, and one to root for.
I’m so glad I added him as a point-of-view character. It added more depth to his presence.