Tag: Horror

Posted on

The Dark Fantasy Worlds Behind My Books — And the Art They Inspire

A crazed looking old man in red overalls, holding a meat hook. He has patchy, wild white hair and and jokers grin. He stands in a rundown old room; the wallpaper is covered in red arcane symbols and is peeling from the walls.

Here we go with another image I have created using AI tools. This one is an illustration of a character known as ‘The Caretaker’ from my short horror story ‘Low Life’. Yes, I know the title of this blog post refers to dark fantasy worlds, but that’s not referring to the genre of the book, it’s referring to the world, and I reckon the world is dark and it is not real, therefore it is a fantasy world. Alright, I might be stretching things a bit, but how about we just let this one slide, eh?

Anyway, the world behind this piece of art is dark indeed, a rendition of a hell with 18 levels in fact. The idea came from the title and theme of the anthology that I originally wrote the short story for – ’18’, which was published by Vision Writers. I subsequently released the story on its own under my own imprint, and later included it in an anthology of my own short stories called ‘Ripples Through Murky Water’. Needless to say, I’m really pleased with how this image came out, it fits the description and portrays the character well. Again, this isn’t exactly how I pictured him in my head, but it is quite close. This version of the character kind of reminds me of a cross between Jack Nicholson in ‘The Shining’, and Christopher Lloyd as Doctor Emmet Brown (A.K.A ‘The Doc’) from ‘Back to the Future’. I don’t have a problem with that, after all one of these falls in the same genre, right?

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post, why not share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

CREATURES OF THE AUSTRALIAN REALM?

Hello Readers,

I hope you are ready for another animal from my creature files. Everyone knows Australia is home to a host of dangerous creatures, but few know of the Marrin-Gul (Shadow that Hunts). More commonly known as the Bush Bastard by those at the local outback pub. This ancient monstrosity is a seasoned hunter; it covers ground quickly with its fast bounds and tears its prey apart with sharp claws and pointed teeth. I certainly would not want to meet one, if I was all alone, in the vast expanse of the Australian Outback.

MARRIN‑GUL

A rabid looking kangaroo hunches over the remains of its dead prey in the Australian Outback.

Procyon ferox umbravallis — “The Shadow That Hunts” (Common name: “Bush Bastard”)

Origin

Said to predate the oldest outback settlements, the Marrin‑Gul emerged from a lineage of nocturnal scavengers twisted by drought, starvation, and something older lurking beneath the red earth. When the first frontier cabins were raised, these creatures were already watching from the treeline. Folklore claims they learned to hunt humans by studying the patterns of campfires and the weaknesses of those who wandered too far into the dark.

Physiology

  • Thick, soot‑black fur that masks movement in low light
  • Elongated limbs built for bounding pursuit
  • Oversized claws curved like hooked knives
  • Needle‑point dentition designed for puncture and tearing
  • Blood‑rimmed eyes adapted for extreme nocturnal vision
  • Muscular hindquarters enabling explosive leaps
  • A tail used for balance during rapid directional shifts
  • Saliva laced with bacteria that accelerates rot in wounds

Behaviour

  • Hunts with sudden, silent bursts of speed
  • Displays territorial aggression toward anything entering its hunting grounds
  • Emits low, guttural growls that mimic distant wind through the gums
  • Rarely travels alone; where one is seen, others are circling unseen

Habitat

Remote outback scrub, abandoned homesteads, hollowed creek beds, and regions where human presence has thinned to whispers.

Abilities

  • Shadow Bound: Covers ground in rapid, loping strides that seem unnaturally fast
  • Rend‑Strike: A flurry of claw swipes capable of shredding flesh and hide
  • Night Veil Vision: Sees clearly in near‑total darkness
  • Pack Echo: Communicates with others through sub‑audible clicks and growls
  • Fear Break: Its presence induces panic in livestock and unease in seasoned bushmen

Weaknesses

  • Bright firelight disrupts its depth perception.
  • High, metallic noises cause it to recoil.
  • Its endurance is limited — prolonged chases exhaust it quickly, forcing it to rely on ambush tactics.

Cultural Lore

Bushmen say the Marrin‑Gul only hunts those who walk alone after sundown. Old-timers at the pub swear that if you hear claws on corrugated iron at night, you’re already marked. And if you see its eyes glowing red between the trees, you’re not looking at one — you’re looking at the one that wants you to notice it.

Would you survive if this critter sprang at you from the Outback plains? I wouldn’t fancy your chances.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my creature posts, you can find them in my Bestiary.

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

The Dark Fantasy Worlds Behind My Books — And the Art They Inspire

A black horse pulls an old wooden wagon through the snow, before an old shack. Snow-covered, ragged mountains sit in the background.

Hello Readers,

This image was generated (with the help of AI) from the description within a scene from my short horror story ‘The Cold and The Dead’. It took me a few attempts to get the wagon in the right style. The shack in the background and some of the details are not how I imagined, so you’ll find the actual descriptions in the book differ a little, but overall, I’m pleased with how it turned out.

If there is a scene from one of my books that you’d like me to re-create in an image, please leave a comment to let me know which one.

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post, why not share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

CREATURES OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Hello Readers,

Welcome to the next post from my creature files. You may recall the Rib-back, a Canadian terror from a previous post. Well while I was searching for this beast I came across another frightful being. It’s the kind of thing the locals whispered about around campfires when the wind cut through the pines. Known as the Shadow-tail Cabin Creeper, this is no ordinary Raccoon. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more vicious creature of its size. And a scary thing about them is, where you find one, there are usually a few more in tow.

SHADOW‑TAIL CABIN CREEPER

A vicious looking raccoon bares its teeth, its eyes glowing red, and the skeletal remains of a person lay at its clawed paws.

Procyon umbracaudus tenebris — “Shadow-Tail Cabin Creeper”

(Also Known As “The Pine‑Hollow Butcher”)

Origin

Born from generations of raccoons forced to scavenge in cursed logging grounds, the species adapted to the dark resonance of abandoned cabins and blood-soaked soil. Over time, their bodies twisted to match the predatory hunger that seeped into the land. Locals claim the first Creeper emerged after a winter famine drove a raccoon pack to cannibalism beneath a moonless sky.

Physiology

  • Matted charcoal fur that absorbs light
  • Elongated muzzle with serrated, needle‑like teeth
  • Eyes glowing red from hyper‑vascularised night vision
  • Hooked claws capable of rending bark, bone, and flesh
  • Prehensile “shadow-tail” used for balance, strangling, or anchoring during ambush
  • Musculature far denser than a normal raccoon, granting unnatural strength
  • Carrion‑tainted saliva that accelerates decay in prey

Behaviour

  • Hunts in loose packs of three to six, though scouts often appear alone
  • Displays eerie stillness before striking, as if listening to something beneath the soil
  • Known to toy with prey, dragging bodies into dens to rot
  • Highly territorial around abandoned cabins, root cellars, and logging shacks
  • Communicates through low, rattling chittering that echoes unnaturally far in the pines

Habitat

Dense pine forests, derelict cabins, forgotten hunting trails, and regions where human habitation has decayed into silence.

Abilities

  • Shadow Pounce: Launches from darkness with near‑silent acceleration
  • Rot‑Claw Rend: Claws coated in necrotic saliva cause rapid tissue breakdown
  • Pack Convergence: Nearby Creepers are drawn to the kill-site within minutes
  • Fear Scent: Releases a musk that induces panic in small animals and unease in humans
  • Corpse Burrow: Hides within carcasses or debris piles to ambush intruders

Weaknesses

  • Bright, sustained light disorients them.
  • Fire drives them back.
  • Their heightened senses make them vulnerable to high‑pitched metallic sounds.
  • Lone Creepers are far less bold without pack support.

Cultural Lore

Campfire tales warn that if you see one Creeper watching from the treeline, two more are already circling behind you. Old trappers insist the faint cabin window glow seen deep in the woods isn’t a lantern — it’s the reflection of their eyes, waiting for you to step closer.

Would you survive if a group of these creatures visited your cabin at night? You better not leave any food scraps in your garbage can, just to be on the safe side.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my creature posts, you can find them in my Bestiary.

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

CREATURES OF THE AUSTRALIAN REALMS

Hello Readers,

Here is another post from my creature files. This terrifying animal was once extinct, but scientists meddling with the cloning of genes tried to bring it back to life and re-introduce it to the world. They partially succeeded, though you can’t really say this Thylacine is alive. Meet the Bone-Striped Tiger, an undead devil sometimes referred to as a Rot Runner by the locals.

BONE‑STRIPED TIGER

A zombie like Tasmanian Tiger stands before a lake with mountains in the background. Its eyes glow red and rotten flesh oozes from its open ribcage.

Thylacinus ossifera revenant — “The Rot Runner”

Origin In an ill‑fated attempt to resurrect the extinct Thylacine, geneticists spliced preserved Tasmanian tiger DNA with experimental regenerative sequences designed to repair cellular collapse. The process reanimated the body but failed to restore true life. What emerged was neither clone nor animal, but an undead predator driven by instinct, hunger, and a strange, lingering echo of its former species.

Physiology

• Emaciated, wolf‑like frame with exposed ribs and necrotic musculature

• Bone‑pale striping along the flanks, glowing faintly in low light

• Elongated jaws with desiccated lips pulled back from permanent snarl

• Eyes burning with unnatural red luminescence

• Limbs reinforced by partial ossification, granting unnatural speed

• Thickened tail vertebrae forming a whip‑like, skeletal lash

Behaviour

• Hunts in erratic bursts, alternating between stillness and explosive pursuit

• Drawn to heat, movement, and the scent of decay

• Displays territorial pacing patterns reminiscent of living thylacines

• Emits a rasping, breathless bark‑snarl that carries across wetlands

• Shows uncanny persistence, tracking prey long after a normal predator would give up

Habitat

Swamp margins, dead forests, abandoned research sites, mist‑choked valleys, and any region where rot, stagnant water, and shadow converge.

Abilities

• Gravebound Sprint: Accelerates with terrifying speed despite its decayed frame

• Rot Aura: Proximity induces nausea, weakness, and rapid spoilage of organic matter

• Bone‑Howl: A resonant, corpse‑dry cry that disorients prey and attracts others of its kind

• Death‑Scent Tracking: Follows the faintest trace of blood or decomposition across vast distances

Weaknesses

• Fire disrupts its necrotic tissues;

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight slows its movements;

• Cannot cross running water;

• Becomes disoriented by strong chemical disinfectants.

Cultural Lore

Locals claim the first Rot Runner rose from a vat that cracked open during a storm, lightning illuminating the creature as it staggered into the marsh. Some say the Bone‑Striped Tiger is not merely undead but angry — a spirit wronged by humanity’s meddling, doomed to wander until its lineage is restored or its remains are finally laid to rest.

Would you survive if you saw this beast, just as it spotted you from the tree line? Just how fast can you run?

If you’re interested in seeing more of my creature posts, you can find them in my Bestiary.

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

CREATURES OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Hello Readers,

This is the second post from my creature files. This week we have crossed the timeline to the Northern Hemisphere in search of strange beasts and find ourselves in Canada. And what dark creature could be more appropriate than this Ribbed-back Revenant, more commonly referred to as a Rib-back. This monster evolved from the grizzly bear and dons a partial exoskeleton of ribs, coupled with a row of defensive bone spikes, that run down either side of its back.

RIBBED‑BACK REVENANT

A fierce creature akin to a grizzly bear, it has red eyes and exposed ribs running down its back that are coupled with protruding bone spikes. The creature is snarling from the bank of a lake in a mountainous setting, with a tattered Canadian flag flying from a flagpole behind it.

Ursus horrendum redivivus — “The Rib‑back”

Origin

Born from the grizzly bear’s relentless survival instinct, the Ribbed‑back Revenant represents a grotesque evolutionary divergence. In regions where famine, radiation, and predation pressure converged, the species adapted by externalising portions of its own skeletal structure. What began as hardened scar‑bone plates eventually became a full partial exoskeleton — a macabre armour forged from its own ribs.

Physiology

  • Towering ursine frame with elongated limbs and hypertrophied musculature
  • Exposed rib‑plates forming a natural exoskeleton along the flanks
  • A double row of jagged bone spikes running down either side of the spine
  • Patchy, blood‑matted fur revealing necrotic hide beneath
  • Skull elongated into a predatory wedge with protruding fangs
  • Eyes glowing with bioluminescent red tissue, adapted for low‑light hunting
  • Internal organs partially shielded by fused rib‑growths, granting unnatural resilience

Behaviour

  • Apex scavenger‑predator hybrid; attacks opportunistically but with calculated brutality
  • Known to stalk wounded prey for hours, letting fear weaken them
  • Displays territorial aggression toward anything entering its kill‑zone
  • Emits low, rattling growls caused by air vibrating through its exposed rib structures
  • Shows an eerie fixation on human remains, often dragging bones back to its den

Habitat

Boreal forests, alpine foothills, and abandoned frontier settlements. Prefers regions scarred by conflict or ecological collapse, where carrion is plentiful and cover is dense.

Abilities

  • Rib Shield Carapace: Externalised ribs deflect blades, claws, and small‑calibre rounds.
  • Bone Spike Charge: A devastating shoulder‑rush that impales prey on its lateral spines.
  • Gravehowl: A resonant roar amplified by its hollow rib structures, capable of stunning prey.
  • Revenant Endurance: Can continue fighting long after sustaining wounds that would kill other megafauna.

Weaknesses

  • Limited flexibility due to ossified rib‑plates; struggles in tight spaces
  • Bright light disrupts its low‑light vision, causing momentary disorientation
  • Bone spikes can fracture under extreme blunt force, leaving it vulnerable

Cultural Lore

Frontier survivors whisper that Rib‑backs are the restless spirits of the wilderness itself — guardians twisted by humanity’s encroachment. Some claim the creatures are drawn to battlefields, as if feeding on the echoes of violence. Others insist that when the forest falls silent and the wind carries a hollow rattle, a Revenant is already watching from the treeline.

Would you survive if this Ursidae nightmare crawled out from the bushes before you? Thankfully they are rare creatures that tend to inhabit the wilds, rather than our cities.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my creature posts, you can find them in my Bestiary.

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

CREATURES OF THE AUSTRALIAN REALMS

Hello Readers,

Welcome to my creature files, a series of posts about fantasy creatures. Some of these will be from my stories, others from mythology and folktales, and some I have just created for fun – Like this week’s creature. The Nocturnal Maw; a larger, darker relative of the drop bear, and its better known, cuter, friendlier cousin the Koala.

NOCTURNAL MAW

A rabid looking koala with glowing red eyes, sharp claws, and vicious looking teeth. The beast sits upon a tree branch in a desolate outback setting under the light of a red moon.

Phascoloctonus sanguinolentus — “The Nocturnal Maw”

Origin

Folklore speaks of a once‑ordinary arboreal marsupial twisted by an ancient lunar curse. During a blood‑red moon, the creature’s gentle lineage fractured, giving rise to a predatory offshoot that feeds not on leaves, but on fear, flesh, and the warmth of living breath.

Physiology

• Matted charcoal‑grey fur streaked with dried blood

• Oversized claws adapted for silent vertical ambush

• Lantern‑red eyes capable of piercing total darkness

• Elongated muzzle with carnivore fangs replacing herbivore dentition

• Dense, compact musculature allowing explosive leaps

• Prehensile limbs retaining koala ancestry but warped for predation

Behaviour

• Nocturnal ambush hunter, descending from trees without warning

• Exhibits territorial rage when the red moon rises

• Emits low, rattling growls that mimic wind through dead branches

• Known to stalk prey for hours before striking

• Displays eerie stillness — can remain motionless for an entire night

Habitat

Dead forests, drought‑stricken bushland, abandoned clearings, and regions touched by wildfire scars. Prefers trees with hollowed cores or skeletal branches.

Abilities

• Crimson Gaze: Induces paralysis or disorientation in prey when eye contact is made

• Silent Drop: Falls from height with near‑perfect soundlessness, crushing prey beneath its weight

• Lunar Frenzy: Strength and aggression surge during red‑moon phases

• Scent of Warmth: Tracks living creatures by heat signature alone

Weaknesses

• Bright light disrupts its night‑vision and causes temporary blindness.

• Fire and intense heat repel it.

• Becomes sluggish during daylight and avoids open ground.

Cultural Lore

Bush legends warn travellers never to camp beneath dead trees during a red moon. Some claim the creature is the restless spirit of the forest itself, awakened to punish those who trespass on scorched land. Others whisper that if you hear nothing at all — no wind, no insects, no rustling — the Nocturnal Maw is already above you.

Would you survive if this little beast fell upon you from the treetop canopy above? Let’s hope you never have to find out.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my creature posts, you can find them in my Bestiary.

Happy reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

Posted on

Fantasy Weapon of the Week.

You’ll want to feast on the vision of this evil item and fantasy weapon of the week. Sixth in the series of concept art images taken from my collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a halberd of doom. Take care not to fall beneath its shadow, for its thirst for blood is insatiable.

A dark fantasy style halberd lying on a cracked stone floor. The long, dark metal blades curve down on either side like angels wings. But this is no holy about this cursed weapon. Evil runes glow red on the side of each blade and a skull sits in the centre, capped by a long spike. A caption reads 'A harbinger of doom. A bringer of death. Hungers eternally for blood’.

What would you name this weapon?

To see my other magical weapon posts, visit the Armoury.

Happy Reading!

Posted on

Fantasy Weapon of the Week.

A dark fantasy style Scimitar lying on a cracked stone floor. Runes burn red along the dark metal blade, as it curves to towards its pointed tip. The guard akin to the set it hails from; a grinning skull with glowing red eyes, flanked by spikey wings. Leather-bound handle capped in a curved, metal pommel. A caption reads 'Serpent of the night. Dancer of death. Thirsts for the soul'.

This deliciously dark scimitar is crying out for your attention. Fifth in a series of concept art images from my collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a curved sword that delights in the sorrow of the dead. A collector of souls with a thirst for blood.

What would you name this weapon?

To see my other magical weapon posts, visit the Armoury.

Happy Reading!

Posted on

Fantasy Weapon of the Week

A dark fantasy style Flail lying on a cracked stone floor. The head is a ball of dark metal, with runes glowing between its deadly spikes. The head is connected by chain to a leather-bound handle. A caption at the base of the image reads 'Bound in darkness. Wrought for pain. Chaos given form'.

Mesmerize yourself with the chaotic beauty of the fantasy weapon of the week. Forth in the series of concept art images from my collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a flail with dark desires, only sated when the spikes of its deadly head are embedded in flesh.

What would you name this weapon?

To see my other magical weapon posts, visit the Armoury.

Happy Reading!