Hello, everyone.

My name is Michael Sacal. I'm a writer working on my first graphic novel, Knights Legacy: Awakening of the Pen Draig, and I thought it would be fun to share some of the work in progress here for you to check it out and see if it's something that might interest you.

Knights Legacy is the story of Ethan McBride and Laurence Grey, the two modern-age descendants of Arthur Pen Draig. Ethan and Laurence are two flawed individuals who abuse their birthright to cater to their selfish desires and oppress the weak, until their parallel journeys from the world of man to the world of magic and from the world of magic to the world of man lead them to find their missing sense of virtue and justice.

We are looking at launching a Kickstarter fundraiser to raise the funds to finance the production of the graphic novel on August 1st, after which it'll run for 30 days. The rewards will range from a digital copy of Awakening of the Pen Draig, to a Kickstarter exclusive printing of the first 24 pages of the graphic novel, original art, lithographs, and, hopefully, a replica of an artifact from the novel itself.

If possible, I'd appreciate if you could share this on Facebook and Twitter with the #knightslegacy hashtag to get it to trend.

Please visit the KL Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/KnightsLegacy), where you can follow the progress of the novel as artwork comes in, and afterward, progress of the campaign itself.

Knights Legacy: Awakening of the Pen Draig Cover by Karsten Klintzsch. Based on a script by Michael Sacal.

Knights Legacy: Awakening of the Pen Draig Page I by J. Andrey Portilla from a script by Michael Sacal.

Ethan McBride -- The Epic Hero ‎#knightslegacy ‎#kickstarterprelaunch

Ethan McBride is a 35 year-old entertainment centre manager from Hawick, Scotland who believes in honoring his promises, though he only takes action expecting a reward for his efforts. On the day Ethan was born, the reverend Leonard Zarik found him wrapped in a basket left on the steps of St. Mary’s & Old Parish Church and gave him shelter. Soon after, Malcolm and Marina McBride adopted Ethan, whom they raised as if he was their own child.

When Ethan was five years-old, an unidentified woman kidnapped him and took him away from Hawick. While she had him in her care, the woman gave Ethan a sealed locket she claimed held the truth of where he comes from inside it. The ordeal of the abduction changed Ethan, and transformed him into the selfish and demanding man he is today.

Ethan spent the intervening years struggling to open the locket to learn where he comes from to decipher where he is going, but then he met and fell in love with Amelia Lewis, a writer of travel guides, and his focus changed.

As our story opens in the summer of 2014, the Provost's Council has chosen Ethan to serve as Cornet in the Hawick Common-Riding, the first of the border festivals, which celebrates both the ancient custom of riding the marches of the common land, and the capture of an English Flag in 1514 by the youth of Hawick in Hornshole. Ethan sees this as an opportunity for him to propose to Amelia using his locket as an engagement present.

Pencils by J. Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal.

@michaelsacal: Why don't you show some images of the artwork associated with this? Otherwise this is just spamming.

@decept_o Sorry man, I intended to, but your system blocked me from editing, something about posting too fast. I had to go out and didn't come back till now. I fully intend to finish what I started, assuming that your system doesn't block me from doing so again, heh.

Laurence Grey -- The Tragic Hero ‎#knightslegacy ‎#kickstarterprelaunch

Laurence Grey is the chief executive officer of Carmarthen International, a multinational research and development corporation based on Waterford City in Ireland. Grey is responsible for the everyday operations of the company, reporting directly to the board of directors and chairwoman of Carmarthen International, his mother, Aileen Grey, to implement their decisions and initiatives, and maintain the smooth operation of the firm with help from senior staff.

Born on Nov. 1st, 1974, Grey grew up in the Isle of Iona in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. In 1967, his mother was the first woman elected leader of the Iona Community. Grey’s father, Payton Douglas, died before he was born.

Grey attended Iona Primary School and Tobermory High School. In 1992, Grey enrolled in the University of Dublin School of Business, where he met Robert Trevor, Carmarthen International’s current chief operations officer.

Upon completing his studies, Grey joined his mother in the Carmarthen International head office on the Isle of Iona. Within six years, Carmarthen International opened offices in the 100 best countries to conduct business in, like New Zealand, Denmark, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the United Kingdom.

In 2009, the Carmarthen International global headquarters, an iconic 119-metre, 32-storey building with 22 floors of apartments above 10 floors of offices, opened in Viking Triangle in the mall area of downtown Waterford City. That same year, Carmarthen International purchased Waterford-Wedgwood PLC, the former holding entity for a group of companies that specialized in the manufacture of high quality china, porcelain, and glass.

Grey oversees his family’s empire from a penthouse office on the top floor of the Carmarthen International building. Under his management, Carmarthen International’s mission has been to find ways to end the hardships of life in the European Union, such as violence, war, poverty, greed, and lack of faith in elected leaders. Grey is committed to a long-term view, reflected in Carmarthen International’s industry-leading investment in global humanitarian aid.

As a philanthropist, Grey started the Grey Foundation in 2012 to help reduce the inequities in the European Union. The Grey Foundation supports philanthropic initiatives in the areas of global health and learning, with the hope that in the 21st century advances in these critical areas will be available for all people.

In 2013, Grey wrote “Awakening of The Pen Draig”, a nonfiction book that explores the socio-cultural impact of applying the ideals and values of Arthur Pendragon’s round table to everyday life in the European Union. The book has received wide critical acclaim, was listed on the best-seller lists of the "New York Times", "USA Today", "The Wall Street Journal" and on Amazon.com, and is available in more than 60 countries in over 25 languages.

Pencils by J. Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal.

Very cool stuff dude!

@godofart: Thanks!

Leonard Zarik – The Fagin ‎#knightslegacy ‎#kickstarterprelaunch

Leonard Zarik is the Protestant Catholic Presbyter of St. Mary’s & Old Parish church in Hawick, Scotland. In 1979, Reverend Zarik found Ethan McBride in a basket left abandoned on the steps of St. Mary’s church. The reverend is hypercritical and an alcoholic, which, in recent years, has driven away his parishioners. Accordingly, attendance has decreased, which has left St. Mary’s abandoned and in disarray.

Pencils, Inks, and Color by Glenn B Fleming, from a script by Michael Sacal, with reference material by Damien Ramirez.

@michaelsacal: cool

The Knights Legacy Kickstarter campaign rewards mainly involve a series of lithographs created specifically for the fundraiser by J. Andrey Portilla and Michael Sacal.

These are the pencils for seven of those lithographs. Check them out. For more information, visit the #knightslegacy page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KnightsLegacy), and follow @HeroicTStudios on Twitter.

@the_poet: Thanks!

Gallery

Some really excellent work there.

The art is beautiful. Interesting ideas here.

Thanks, guys!

@michaelsacal: But seriously, who is the artist? this is crazy, best I've seen on this site.

@themanintheshoe: His name is J. Andrey Portilla. http://andreyportilla.deviantart.com/

Denise Coyle – The Jewish mother #knightslegacy #kickstarterprelaunch

Denise Coyle is Ethan McBride’s bossy and overprotective best friend. She is the barista at the Beanscene café bar located in the Tower Mill entertainment centre in the Heart of Hawick in Hawick, Scotland. She is a devout Christian who only wants Ethan to find happiness.

Pencils and Inks by Oliver Borges from Aurora Comics , from a script by Michael Sacal

Aileen Grey - The Crone #knightslegacy #kickstarterprelaunch

Aileen Grey is the founder and chairwoman of Carmarthen International, a multinational research and development corporation based out of Waterford City in Ireland. As chairwoman, Mrs. Grey is responsible for running the board. Her duties include maintaining strong communication with the chief executive officer and other high-level executives, formulating the company’s business strategy, representing management and the board to the public and shareholders, and maintaining corporate integrity.

Born on the Isle of Lewis in 1940, Mrs. Grey was the first woman elected leader of the community of the Isle of Iona. Her focus following her election was the restoration of Iona Abbey, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, an effort met with exuberance by the isle’s devout Christian residents.

An ordained minister, Ms. Grey was Iona’s spiritual leader, a role that made her responsible for the public’s spiritual welfare. As a historian, Ms. Grey has authored over a dozen books that detail the history of Iona, beginning with its use as Pagan Druid holy land, and concluding with its transformation into Saint Columba’s Evangelism Ministry.

As her health has declined in recent years, Mrs. Grey has faded from the spotlight, and entrusted the continuing operation of Carmarthen International to her son, Laurence Grey.

Pencils and Inks by J. Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

Interesting so far... Just hope it doesn't wind up being like Knights of Justice.

@cyberv: shut up, you, lol (don't worry mods, I know who this is, heh).

Robert Trevor -- The Jewish Lawyer # knightslegacy #kickstarterprelaunch

As Chief Operations Officer, Robert Trevor is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Carmarthen International’s worldwide operations. He leads a global organization and oversees corporate operations that support the work of Carmarthen International’s over 90,000 employees.

Along with Carmarthen International’s Chief Executive Officer, Laurence Grey, and other senior executives, Trevor serves on the senior leadership team that sets the overall strategy and direction for Carmarthen International.

Trevor lives in the Carmarthen International building in Waterford City, Ireland with his adopted daughter, Joanna.

Pencils and Inks by J. Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

I take it back... It's more like Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders (ducks)

(no, seriously, I'm kidding, it's cool)

Christopher Eleazar - Redeemer Figure #knightslegacy #kickstarterprelaunch

Christopher Eleazar is Carmarthen International’s lead archaeologist. Christopher is an adventurer, a linguist, erudite scholar, and devout Jewish man who believes that any man can earn forgiveness for their actions through atonement.

Pencils, Inks, and Color by Michael Tyler, from a script by Michael Sacal

...Isn't that Dante from Secrets and Seekers?

I have a battle cry for Ethan... "NOM NOM NOM!"

An alternate version of Denise Coyle and Leonard Zarik by graphic novel artist J Andrey Portilla.

Serilda Regner – The Black Knight #knightslegacy #kickstarterprelaunch

Serilda Regner is an assassin in service to an ancient Druid order that seeks to turn the European Union into a Druid Mecca. Serilda is the leader of the phantasmal group of huntsmen known as the Wild Hunt, who ride across the skies on black horses alongside the horrible black spectral hounds of the Cŵn Annwn in search of their prey.

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

An assassin... up against THAT guy up top?

Sounds like a fair match to me!

@cyberv: heh

Gabrielle Ott – The Paladin ‪#‎knightslegacy‬ ‪#‎kickstarterprelaunch‬

Gabrielle Ott is the enigmatic Chief Security officer of Carmarthen International. As CSO, she serves as the business leader responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the organization’s strategy, programs, and corporate security vision. She directs staff in identifying, developing, implementing, and maintaining security process across the organization to reduce risks, respond to incidents, and limit exposure to liability in all areas of financial, physical, and personal risk; establish appropriate standards and risk controls associated with proprietary goods, and direct the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures related to data security.

Gabrielle serves as head and leader of Carmarthen International’s security force, the Fianna.

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

...For someone that sounds dangerous, her job sounds very dull.

Don't take these character descriptions at face value. There is much about these characters still hidden under the surface.

These short summaries are intended to bring the audience up to speed on who the characters are when they first meet them. The story that unfolds in the novel reveals hidden truths about who the characters are, what they want, who they struggle against to get it, and how the experience changes them.

She may sound "dull", or at least her job might, but that doesn't mean it is.

Satkiran Kaur – The Virago ‪#‎knightslegacy‬ ‪#‎kickstarterprelaunch‬ ‪#‎avalon‬ ‪#‎arthurian‬ ‪#‎roundtable‬ ‪#‎pendragon‬ ‪#‎excalibur‬ ‪#‎caliburn‬ ‪#‎knightlyvirtues‬ ‪#‎codesofchivalry‬ ‪#‎merlin‬

Satkiran Kaur is a world-renowned glassmith whose services Carmarthen International secures to restore an ancient relic that is key to their plans for the growing prosperity of the European Union. As a Sikh, she believes in helping the weak, honesty, equality, fidelity, self-defence, meditating on God, and never bowing to tyranny.

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

Glass-smith, huh? I guess she can really <CENSORED IN THE NAME OF BASIC DECENCY>.

Manus Ragnall – Wise Old Man ‪#‎knightslegacy‬ ‪#‎kickstarterprelaunch‬ ‪#‎avalon‬ ‪#‎arthurian‬ ‪#‎roundtable‬ ‪#‎pendragon‬ ‪#‎excalibur‬ ‪#‎caliburn‬ ‪#‎knightlyvirtues‬ ‪#‎codesofchivalry‬ ‪#‎merlin‬

Manus Ragnall is a retired professor of archaeology from the National University of Ireland. Manus is an antiquated man who has turned his house into a virtual museum of ancient Irish Viking artefacts and mementos of his daughter, Brianna, who vanished 35 years ago under mysterious circumstances. Soon after that, Manus’ wife died, leaving him alone. All Manus wants now is to find his missing grandson, who disappeared at the same time as his mother.

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

© Michael Sacal. All Rights Reserved.

Nimue – Magician

#‎knightslegacy‬ ‪#‎kickstarterprelaunch‬ ‪#‎avalon‬ ‪#‎arthurian‬ ‪#‎roundtable‬ ‪#‎pendragon‬ ‪#‎excalibur‬ ‪#‎caliburn‬ ‪#‎knightlyvirtues‬ ‪#‎codesofchivalry‬ ‪#‎merlin‬

Nimue is the enigmatic Lady of the Lake. As keeper of the codes of chivalry, she challenges Ethan to prove himself worthy of his legacy. Water in all its watercourses and forms of precipitation is an extension of Nimue that exists simultaneously in the past, present, and future, bearing silent witness to the events that shape the course of history.

Nimue lives in a castle on the shores of L'étang de Comper in Brocéliande forest with 12 nameless and genderless water sprites that use pantomime and dance to relate the events she has witnessed to allow their audience to see their actions from the outside and learn what aspects of themselves they must alter in order to progress spiritually.

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

© Michael Sacal. All Rights Reserved.

Ah, the Lady of the Lake. A classic. Thanks for not modernizing her by sticking her in a bikini.

Amelia Lewis – The Guide ‪#‎knightslegacy‬‪#‎kickstarterprelaunch‬ ‪#‎avalon‬ ‪#‎arthurian‬ ‪#‎roundtable‬‪#‎pendragon‬ ‪#‎excalibur‬ ‪#‎caliburn‬ ‪#‎knightlyvirtues‬‪#‎codesofchivalry‬ ‪#‎merlin‬ ‪#‎camelot‬

Amelia Lewis is a travel writer who pens Kingdoms of Europe, a blog that records her travels across the European Union. Five years ago, Amelia met Ethan McBride when she visited Hawick to write about the Common-Ridding for her blog, and they have been dating long-distance ever since. She visits Hawick as often as possible to see Ethan.

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

© Michael Sacal. All Rights Reserved.

Merlin – The Mentor #‎knightslegacy‬ ‪#‎kickstarterprelaunch‬ ‪#‎avalon‬ ‪#‎arthurian‬ ‪#‎roundtable‬ ‪#‎pendragon‬ ‪#‎excalibur‬ ‪#‎caliburn‬ ‪#‎knightlyvirtues‬ ‪#‎codesofchivalry‬ ‪#‪‎merlin‬ #camelot ‬

Pencils by J Andrey Portilla, from a script by Michael Sacal

Myrddin Emrys - most commonly known as Merlin Ambrosius - is a powerful wizard and last of the Druids. Born of a mortal woman, sired by an incubus, the non-human wellspring from whom he inherits his supernatural powers and abilities, he is a sage who engineered the birth of Arthur Pendragon through magic and intrigue. Merlin served as the king’s advisor until the Lady of the Lake imprisoned him inside a rock in the remotest depths of Brocéliande forest.

© Michael Sacal. All Rights Reserved.