Irascible Immortals

A highly detailed, dark, and whimsical fantasy illustration titled "Irascible Immortals" in an ornate, gold-embossed font. The aesthetic is gothic and folkloric, set at a table where diverse mythological figures—including a weary Norse-style god holding a "Retired Not Expired" mug, an Anubis-like figure with sunglasses, a dark-skinned faerie, and a skeletal figure in a top hat—are gathered for drinks. A complex, circular, metallic-gold emblem rests in the center of the table. The scene includes dark, atmospheric details like ravens, a riverboat in the background under a full moon, and stacks of books labeled "Questionable Plans" and "Catastrophes." Beneath the main illustration, a panel features decorative icons for a clock, jester, martini glass, flame, and lotus, accompanied by playful, evocative text summarizing the theme of myths, legends, and unforgettable, occasionally dark, characters.

Meet the Immortals

A detailed character profile card for Odin, titled "Allfather, Wanderer, Very tired of everyone." The left side of the image features an elderly, one-eyed man with a long white beard, wearing ornate robes and an eyepatch, seated with a raven on each shoulder against a background of a dark, wintry landscape with a distant castle. A circular golden emblem inscribed with Norse runes sits on a table in the foreground. The right side and bottom contain biographical details about his past as the ruler of Asgard, his current retirement in Midgard, and lists of his personality traits, likes, and dislikes, all presented in a dark, scholarly, and folkloric aesthetic.
A dark, atmospheric character profile card for the Egyptian deity Anubis. On the left, a tall, imposing figure with the head of a jackal and a muscular human body stands against a backdrop of a full moon, pyramids, and a stormy sky; he holds an ankh staff. On the right, the text describes him as the "Guardian of the Dead, Keeper of Sacred Rites, and Reluctant Hero," with a quote: "The dead deserve better than shortcuts." The card highlights his role in guiding souls, protecting the balance of Ma'at, and notes that he is from the Egyptian pantheon, appearing first in "How You Remind Me." The overall aesthetic is gothic and folkloric, featuring deep blues, dark shadows, and faded gold accents.
A dark and elegant character profile card for Mab, the Queen of Dreams and Nightmares. On the right, a striking woman with long auburn hair wears a crown and a black lace gown, holding a staff topped with a glowing purple orb while standing on a balcony overlooking a moonlit, gothic cityscape. The left and bottom sections feature purple-toned text on a dark background, describing her as an ancient faerie queen of the Dark Court who is currently on a "holiday" in New Orleans. The layout includes lists of her "Likes" (including Samhain, beautiful things, and beignets) and "Dislikes" (including boredom, administrative duties, and rebellious nightmares), with the aesthetic centered on a moody, dark fantasy, and folkloric vibe.

Immerse Yourself in the Mythology

What Calls to You?

dystopian fantasy thor
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skeleton with beads and sequined hat in a nook between buildings in new orleans
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Inspiration Behind the Story

Optimal Reading Order

Want to dip your toes in? Try:

Product mockup image displaying a physical book, a tablet, and a smartphone, all featuring the cover art for the book "Breaking the Habit" (Irascible Immortals Book 1) by Ronel Janse Van Vuuren. The cover art depicts an elderly, bearded, one-eyed man with a staff, sitting on a bench in a dark, folkloric village setting with ravens under a full moon, holding a mug that reads "RETIRED NOT EXPIRED."
Explore Odin’s story
Product mockup image displaying a physical book, a tablet, and a smartphone, all featuring the cover art for the short story "How You Remind Me" (Irascible Immortals Short Story Series #2) by Ronel Janse Van Vuuren. The cover art depicts an anthropomorphic jackal deity (reminiscent of Anubis) in leather attire and sunglasses, lounging with a drink against a backdrop of Egyptian pyramids under a dark, purple-hued sky filled with smoke and mystical symbols.
Explore Anubis’s Story
Product mockup image displaying a physical book, a tablet, and a smartphone, all featuring the cover art for the short story "Queen of Nightmares" (Irascible Immortals Short Story Series #3) by Ronel Janse Van Vuuren. The cover art depicts a long-haired, red-headed queen wearing a dark gown and crown, holding a glowing purple staff amidst a dark, mystical street scene under a full purple moon with ravens and shadowy figures.
Explore Mab’s Story

Want to jump in? Read the full collection.

Continue Exploring

Want to explore beyond the novel?

Read the companion post for Breaking the Habit, where you’ll discover the folklore behind the story, behind-the-scenes insights, the inspiration for the characters, and more.

A dark fantasy promotional banner with a deep green, ivy-framed background and a central aged scroll. The text on the scroll reads: "FROM THE FAERIE MYTHOS ARCHIVE" above large text saying "BOOK COMPANION", followed by "FOLKLORE * INSPIRATION * DISCUSSION * EXTRAS". At the top center, an ornate circular crest features a swirl and botanical motifs. In the lower half, product mockups display the book "Breaking the Habit" by Ronel Janse van Vuuren shown on a tablet, a smartphone, and as a physical paperback.
Read the book companion

Read the companion post for How You Remind Me, where you’ll discover the folklore behind the story, behind-the-scenes insights, the inspiration for the characters, and more.

A dark academia-style promotional graphic set against a starry night sky framed by intricate golden filigree and glowing ivy. In the center, an unrolling antique parchment scroll features the text "From the Faerie Mythos Archive: Book Companion" along with the sub-headings "Folklore + Inspiration + Discussion + Extras". Below the scroll, mockups display the book How You Remind Me by Ronel Janse van Vuuren across a tablet, a smartphone, and a physical paperback. Flanking the devices are Egyptian-inspired motifs: an illustration of Anubis holding a staff on the left and a golden scale holding a glowing purple flame on the right.
Read the book companion