Of Lilac Flames and Lessons: A Deep Dive into Tyrian Wing - Fantasy Spirit Guide

If you have ventured into the Lore Gallery on the new site, you may have noticed a flash of something unusual. Not the typical, angry crimson of a phoenix reborn from a bonfire, but something cooler, more elegant, and infinitely more dangerous.

Meet Tyrian Wing. Or, as Elara affectionately (and often to his great annoyance) calls him: Spark.

In my world, a spirit guide isn't a fluffy companion meant to provide moral support and a warm glow. A guide is a mirror—and sometimes, that mirror shows you things you’d rather not see. Today, we are diving deep into the lilac flames to understand why Spark is the teacher Elara never wanted, but desperately needs.

The Aesthetics of Tyrian Wing

When I sat down to design Tyrian Wing, I wanted to move away from the traditional "firebird" tropes. I wanted a creature that embodied the "smart best friend" vibe—sophisticated, slightly judgmental, and possessing a vocabulary that could cut deeper than a talon.

Imagine, if you will, feathers the colour of twilight in the Cotswolds—shades of lilac, lavender, and deep, bruised plum. When first summoned through the bond with Elara's familiar, Relnar, Spark appears as a "minute, pulsing orb of gold and white light" no bigger than a large marble. As he manifests, he becomes a "perfect, tiny ember" radiating a silent, intense will, where his stylised phoenix shape is faintly visible within the glow.

These aren't just for show. In the lore of my world, a phoenix’s colour dictates the temperature and the nature of its power. Tyrian Wing’s flame is a "searing lilac-white"—a "cold" fire that doesn't just burn; it reveals. It is the "Wildfire," acting as a furnace that provides the heat to purify "ore" and melt away tyranny. When fully unleashed, Spark can grow to human size. If Elara's skills grow, maybe more.... illuminating the world with a "brilliant, pure light" that leaves no room for shadows or corruption. He moves with a grace that feels both ancient and immediate, his presence a constant reminder that true power is built on "pure focus" rather than raw destruction.

The Fantasy Mentor: Morally Grey and Immortally Snarky Spirit Guide

Spark is not a "good" bird in the classic sense. He is ancient, and with age comes a certain level of cynicism that borders on the magnificent.

He serves as Elara’s spirit guide, but his teaching methods involve a healthy dose of sarcasm. He doesn't give answers; he provides riddles that usually result in Elara nearly getting herself arrested or insulted at a high-society gala. He represents that "wicked, unexpected edge" I love to write. He is kind, in his own ancient way, but it’s a kindness tempered by the knowledge that the world is a dark place and Elara needs to be sharper than the knives she’s up against.

His moral grey-ness comes from his perspective. To a creature that has seen empires crumble and reborn, a "little" lie or a "small" betrayal is often a necessary tool for survival. This creates constant friction with Elara’s more human ethics, leading to that snappy, snarky dialogue that keeps the pace moving.

The Domestic Spirit Guide

What happens when you take a mythical being of pure light and shadow and trap him in the mundane world of tea services and social hierarchies? You get Spark.

There is a particular joy in writing a fantasy spirit guide who is a phoenix with strong opinions on the quality of a household’s library or the scandalous nature of the local gossip. By placing Tyrian Wing in a domestic setting, albeit a fantasy one, we highlight the layered emotional stakes. He isn't just guiding Elara through a magical quest; he’s guiding her through the treacherous waters of human relationships, where the monsters don't always have wings.

Why No Spice? Because Spark is Busy

I often get asked why I choose to write "no-spice" fantasy, and characters like Spark are the answer. When you have a relationship as complex as the one between a spirit guide and his ward—filled with intellectual sparring, emotional growth, and the tension of shared secrets—you don't need a romance to fill the pages.

The "chemistry" between Elara and Spark lies in the mind and the soul. It’s about trust earned through fire (literally) and the terrifying vulnerability of letting someone—or something—see your true self. To me, that is far more gripping than any bedroom scene.

From the Author’s Desk: The Evolution of Spark

Spark actually started as a much darker character in my early drafts. He was almost an antagonist—a bird who wanted to use Elara for his own rebirth. But as I wrote their first conversation, that "smart best friend" voice took over. He became the snarky mentor, the one who makes a dirty joke at the absolute worst moment just to see if Elara is paying attention. This will evolve from the first meetings in Book 1 through future stories where we see him interact with Elara much more.

We are in it for the long haul, which means you get character development from fledgling manifestation through to so much more.

He is the anchor of the lore on the new website because he represents everything this community stands for: Intelligence, Mystery, and a hint of Malice.

Your Turn: What’s Your Guide?

If you were to step into the Inner Sanctum today and choose a guide from the Lore Gallery, would you want a Tyrian Wing? Would you want a teacher who tells you the hard truths in a lilac blaze, or would you prefer something a bit less... incendiary?

I’ll be sharing some "Micro-fiction" snippets of Spark’s lessons later this week, so make sure you’re subscribed to the blog. And if you’re applying to be a Beta Reader, be prepared—Spark will be watching your critiques very closely. He’s quite particular about his grammar.