u/ErikaTheDeceasedGal

I was giving descriptions, reference images from actual artwork I have had done of the character... Then I was like "ok I'm gonna need a sketch, since you're a stranger on the internet and everything."

Their posts before this were really robotic, like AI responses to requests. "I can definitely make..." (Over and over).

This is what they sent me as a "quick mockup"

It has nothing to do with the instructions and references I gave.

The hair is off, it was supposed to be a big braid over the shoulder, the tail is off, it was described as thick, I said nothing about wings, the proportions have nothing to do, the character looks weirdly androgynous, the clothes have nothing to do, they had a simple mark under their eyes they chose not to include, the eyes themselves are supposed to be empty.

I'm not going with this artist either way, but, surely this is AI with the request that it looks like a simple starting sketch, right

Heyo! Have been playing this Blood Domain Cleric and witchy girl, Fern, for a bit, in a campaign with mysteries, sort of creepy horror vibes and intrigue with a secret organization the party works for, and I'd like to see someone's spin on her :)

Born Infern Darkwrit, Fern had quite the eventful upbringing. She was raised in noble court, one of two daughters of the Darkwrit family, an aristocratic noble house with a long history of serving high paying clients by counseling, writing and setting up deals with extraplanar beings and mediating for the mortals who dare strike them. Think of them like magic lawyers- it's essentially what they've always figured they were. She was always a good listener and insightful observer, serving warm looks and interested remarks to let the people and adults around her talk beyond what is good for them, interjecting only to give small advice, encouragement and pointers for the conversations to go on, but never being the focus to them (and her demeanor as a party member is just the same). A skilled courtier.

Being the second daughter to her elder twin by moments, she was largely left to her devices and grew closer to the branching Faerie House Thangali, a group of fey descendants and bodyguards that, in the past, have had their founder swear allegiance and protection to the Darkwrit. She was initiated in their customs, their battle arts and sacraments, their worship of the Red Mother, a martyr goddess of blood and self sacrifice, depicted akin to a fierce mother, in every sense - even the violent type. In that house she found the love of her life, and in its duty, she lost it, when one of many assassination attempts befell the two Houses...

Even if not quite. As the Thangali tend to linger in their martyrdom and attachment, and their spellcraft and cleric's miracles are shaped to incorporate that affinity with spirits and specters.

Having accompanied her sister - who was once Feylost due to one of the many ancient enemies the Darkwrit have naturally amassed, and also rescued by Fern herself, in an expedition that lasted a year in truth, but seemed to bestow upon the cleric wisdom of ages, due to a deal struck in secret to join a hag coven honorarily, and undergo a ritual called "The Ripening", involving being staked to a tree and absorbing wisdom from its roots - she now flees her family's urges of succession of the family head position, and overprotection that followed that fateful attempt on their lives. They were always closer to the Thangali anyway, and though it pained her to depart, her sister is half her world that remained, after she became a widow.

This quirky "goth baddie" my table has also gone ahead and nicknamed "sunshine" is something of a moral compass and endearing councilor of the party, has some motherly vibes to her demeanor and personality, and is very much older and wiser, at least in spirit, when juxstaposed with her entourage of young adults. She will bleed and die for any of them, even when they do stupid shit, and especially her sister among them. Besides that just being her, maybe that has to do with her partner waiting on the other side.
She fights with blood magic, spirits and hexes, conjuring bloody slashes and crimson weaponry to wield from her own blood, ushering forth protective spirits of the Red Mother's faithful, and some dark rites when need be - somehow still honoring this macabre looking doctrine's motherly side, being soothing as a cleric.

When she's especially happy, flowers bud in her hair and wings - though she doesn't show, that hasn't been the case in a while :(