The Missouri Ozarks
Where ordinary life hides extraordinary truths.
Before there was Capheleon, there were the Ozarks.
Mist settles over quiet coves. Thunder rolls across the hills. Limestone caves disappear beneath the forests. To most visitors, it's simply another vacation destination.
Donata Marino has always known there was something more.
Life on the Water
The Lake of the Ozarks is known for its marinas, winding shoreline, and summer crowds. But beyond the boats and docks are quiet coves, hidden trails, and stories that locals have carried for generations.
When the Weather Changes
Some places leave an impression on the people who grow up there. The Ozarks shaped Donata long before she understood why. The storms, the caves, the forests, and the water all felt familiar in ways she could never explain.
Hidden Places
Beneath the trees are caves, forgotten paths, abandoned foundations, and places that feel untouched by time. Many of the locations in Capheleon Nights were inspired by places just like these.
Faithful Companions
Some of my favorite memories of the Ozarks involve exploring with a dog beside me. That quiet companionship became part of Donata and Magnus long before I ever wrote the first chapter.
