David was a draftsman by trade but he was very talented in freehand drawing, writing and hand crafting. He drew many cartoons and pictures you will see here.

He spend the better part of 4 years writing a book named Rendering Nirayel and it was so long the publisher decided to turn it into 4 separate books Wayward Fates, Stepping on Arbitos, Thief's Prophecy and Demons Dreaming.

The story is about a guy playing an online game when an accident mesmerizes all the players and their consciousness becomes the character they were playing in the game.

Science Fiction was his favorite pass time. He wrote under the pen name Nathan P. Cardwell. This is a play on the term NPC meaning Non Player Character.

He drew all the pictures and art for his books.

Cardwell Bio

          Born in Texas, and raised in Oklahoma by parents who insisted on a solid command of the English language, Nathan is probably best regarded as an uncouth redneck with an overdeveloped sense of vocabulary.

With no formal education to speak of, save a very impressive GED, and a bit of vocational training in the upwardly mobile fields of drafting and welding, Mr. Cardwell yet finds himself writing a Bio in the third person while in the midst of some very well educated and experienced Authors. Needless to say, he finds it all somewhat disconcerting.

          To be perfectly honest, Nathan simply hopes his writing will be enjoyed sufficiently enough to overlook the fact that he thoroughly enjoys hog-jowls, bodily noises, shiny objects, and the company of those rare and special ladies who do indeed chew his brand of tobacco.

Wayward Fates – Blurb – 400 words:

Doctor Orval Kwibee is faced with an encroachment of his governmentally backed virtual flight simulator enhancement project. As such, he devises a plan to salvage his career by staving off a very insistent Colonel Hereford with a special presentation.

Following a briefing that largely escapes the Colonel’s lack of technical prowess, he is then presented with a live demonstration. Here, he comes to realize that among other enhancements, one particular feature of interest is the vast alteration in one’s perception of time while inside the virtual modifications. Another point of interest is the program’s ability to reshape the memories and identities of the subject or subjects in any way the program determines is required to achieve its objectives.

Unfortunately, the Infra-subliminal Bio-Optic Translator (IBOT) is not disengaged afterward. As a result, it is inadvertently commanded to initiate the executable for an online game that had previously been loaded by a junior assistant for research purposes. Once IBOT patches into the online gaming server, it quickly reroutes the connections of over a quarter-million players to its own enhanced version of the game, then melds them with a newly structured role-playing environment of epic proportion.

Not having planned for an extended stay at Port Dwergus, Squire Thistle has not foreseen the need for provisions. This would have posed no problem, were he not obliged by the letter of his own Council’s edict to remain at his post until a certain tardy Warrior finally arrives. With no other viable options, Jester is forced to pilfer a few apples from a local bakery, and although this is in direct opposition to everything he has ever been taught, the threat of starvation triumphs over an irritating morality.

While returning to Arbitos, Corporal Borin Krue finds himself faced with the precariously unavoidable services of the Druid, Squire Jesterwolf Thistle, who continues to land Borin in an almost constant string of ill-fated circumstances. This includes an incarceration over stolen apples, a seduction by Jesterwolf’s sister, and a most unfortunate introduction to her seven-foot tall Barbarian husband. Aside from that, his only real problems are that he’s not who he thinks he is, and none of this is actually happening.

Intrigue and humor set the pace in book one of the Rendering Nirayel series. And just as Corporal Krue becomes unwittingly entangled within a myriad of allied and opposing Faction, Class, Race, and Magic, so then shall you.

Wayward Fates – Blurb – 200 words:

Doctor Kwibee plans to demonstrate his flight simulator enhancement program in hopes of appeasing the military. Unfortunately, the plan backfires when the program accidentally patches into an online gaming server, where it reroutes the connections of a quarter-million role-players to its own enhanced version of the game, then melds them with a newly structured environment of epic proportion.

Following his Council’s edict, Squire Thistle continues to await the late arrival of the Warrior he has been ordered to escort to Arbitos. Regrettably, his extended post in Port Dwergus prompts a minor pilfering of produce, as starvation triumphs over an irritating morality.

Upon reaching the Dwarven port of call, Corporal Borin Krue becomes unavoidably acquainted with Squire Jesterwolf Thistle, whose unpredictable assistance continues to land Borin in an almost constant string of ill-fated circumstances, including an incarceration over stolen apples. Aside from that, his only real problems are that he’s not who he thinks he is, and none of this is actually happening.

Intrigue and humor set the pace in book one of the Rendering Nirayel series. And just as Corporal Krue becomes unwittingly entangled within a myriad of allied and opposing Faction, Class, Race, and Magic, so then shall you.

Wayward Fates – Blurb – 170 words:

When an advanced form of artificial intelligence is unintentionally loosed upon the Internet role-playing game, Wayward Fates, a quarter-million gamers become redefined as the fantasy characters they play. Among their number is Borin Krue, whose harrowing journey through a world of dangerously realistic fantasy begins at the end of a long voyage, and his unenthusiastic acquaintance of a Druid.

While returning to Arbitos, Borin Krue is unavoidably faced with the assigned Dryadic services of Squire Jesterwolf Thistle, whose obligatory and somewhat precarious association continues to land Borin in an almost constant string of ill-fated circumstances. This includes an incarceration over the Squire’s recent theft of apples, a seduction by his adopted sister, and a most unfortunate introduction to her seven-foot tall Barbarian husband. Aside from that, his only real problem is that none of this is actually happening.

Intrigue and humor set the pace in book one of the Rendering Nirayel series as Borin Krue becomes unwittingly entangled within a myriad of allied and opposing Faction, Class, Race, and Magic.

Stepping On Arbitos – Blurb – 400 words:

Sarah Hoffman is introduced to the civilian, and somewhat nerdish computer scientist, Doctor Orval B. Kwibee, who has been disavowed by his military employers following the accident that led not only to her husband’s current dilemma, but similarly, her own brother, who the Doctor insists will remain trapped until the IBOT program is allowed to complete whatever mysterious internal objectives it has set for itself. Considering her husband’s undeniable condition, Sarah reluctantly accepts the odd man’s otherwise ridiculous account. Even more reluctantly, she volunteers to participate in an unauthorized Internet entry of the now militarily controlled project.

Sarah opens her eyes to the alien world of Nirayel as she occupies the computer-generated Paladin, Selina Valorous, who just happens to be a personal, if not precisely genial comrade-in-arms to Borin Krue.

At long last, Borin completes his arduous journey home, though it would appear that his unfortunate association with a certain infernal Druid is to persist, as he and said fleabag have both been selected to serve in respective ambassadorial capacities.

While the leaders of Arbitos and Spurious Grove prepare to commemorate their upcoming alliance, dark mischief is afoot both above and below the streets of Arbitos. And as Empire agents seek to sabotage an association that could very well put an end to their plans for invasion, it is determined that both of the newly appointed Ambassadors must die.

Sarah finds herself attending the Ambassadorial Inauguration under the escort of her good friend, Marcus, a well-meaning fellow Paladin whose interest in Selina escalates directly after her disgusted condemnation of Borin’s liaison with a barmaid. Still confused by that strange turn of events, she encounters Jesterwolf, who also happens to be the character template for her brother, Jesse. What follows is an unforeseen failure on the program’s part to discern between a certain similarity in neuro-pathways, as is often found in relatives, especially siblings.

 Arbitos is suddenly attacked by the Dark Empire as they burst through an exploded section of stonewall surrounding the city. Having been caught unaware, Arbitos cannot hope to prevail. Their only remaining recourse is to evacuate the city, assuming an avalanche of bloodthirsty Dark elves doesn’t overtake them first.

The pace quickens, the plot thickens, and Borin Krue’s problems have only just begun as book two of the Rendering Nirayel series continues to expand the horizons of a world more real than the one he can’t remember.

Stepping On Arbitos – Blurb – 200 words:

As she watches her husband drool on his keyboard, Sarah Hoffman is drawn by a knock at the front door, where she is introduced to Doctor Orval B. Kwibee, now disavowed by his military employers following the accident that led not only to her husband’s current dilemma, but similarly, Sarah’s brother, who Kwibee insists will remain trapped until the IBOT program is allowed to complete whatever mysterious objectives it has set for itself. Considering her husband’s less than attentive condition, Sarah reluctantly accepts the nerdish man’s otherwise ridiculous account, and volunteers to participate in a remote Internet entry of the now militarily controlled project.

 While occupying the computer generated Paladin, Selina Valorous, Sarah finds herself attending an Ambassadorial Inauguration, but all too soon becomes caught up in a desperate struggle for both her Husband’s life, and her own unstable internet connection when Arbitos is suddenly attacked by the Dark Empire as they burst through an exploded section of stonewall surrounding the city.

The pace quickens, the plot thickens, and Borin Krue’s problems have only just begun as book two of the Rendering Nirayel series continues to expand the horizons of a world more real than the one he can’t remember.

Stepping On Arbitos – Blurb – 170 words:

Sarah Hoffman is introduced to Doctor Orval B. Kwibee, who has been disavowed by his military employers following the accident that led not only to her husband’s current dilemma, but similarly, Sarah’s brother, Jesse, who Kwibee insists will remain trapped until the IBOT program is allowed to complete whatever mysterious objectives it has set for itself. Considering her husband’s condition, she reluctantly accepts the nerdish man’s otherwise ridiculous account, and volunteers to participate in a remote Internet entry of the now militarily controlled project.

Sarah opens her eyes to find herself in the alien world of Nirayel as she occupies the computer-generated Paladin, Selina Valorous, but all too soon becomes caught up in a desperate struggle for her husband’s life, and her own unstable Internet connection, when the Dark Empire suddenly attacks.

The pace quickens, the plot thickens, and Borin Krue’s problems have only just begun as book two of the Rendering Nirayel series continues to expand the horizons of a world more real than the one he can’t remember.

Thief’s Prophesy – Blurb – 400 words:

With her link severed, Sarah returns to reality just as government agents close in on her home. Meanwhile, and in crossed-correlation with the Doctor’s untimely connection drop, the paradox previously formed by a genetic link to her brother, Jesse, now forces a duplication of Sarah’s identity to become overlaid with that of the previously occupied Selina template, some seventeen years after the invasion of Arbitos. The result is a pseudo-Sarah waking to a world where Dark elves dominate the majority of civilization. This includes the city of New Malice, once known as Arbitos, while her new home, Brinehaven, has become the last Human occupied city to evade the Empire’s grasp.

Jesse Berrach was once a dedicated paramedic. This was before the horrendous accident that not only placed him in the hospital, but also marked the end of his career, and marriage. During his lengthy recovery, his sister and brother in-law send him a package containing an online game, Wayward Fates. Beneath the title, the slogan reads, Welcome to a world where Destiny is what you take of it, unless Destiny takes you first, and believing he’s finally found something to alleviate his endless boredom, Jesse enters the game at the very moment IBOT absorbs it. His eyes quickly become fixed and dilated, followed shortly by small lines of drool at both corners of his mouth.

Many refugees of the Empire’s rise have endeavored to forget their previous lives. This includes Borin, who is now Selina’s lover, and Marcus, who for reasons beyond Sarah’s comprehension, is now Selina’s husband. Yet while Selina’s long endured melancholy fades, Sarah is drawn away from Brinehaven by the ethereal beckoning of a distant wolf, and toward her own destiny.

Jesse awakes to a world far removed from that of his hospital room. Initially, this is no more than the wheat field where he finds himself. However, as he exits the tall purple field, he is confronted with more severe conflicts in terms of reality, or sanity as the case may be. This includes a variety of strange and sometimes nightmarish creatures, like giant rabbits, overly friendly wolves, and something that can only be described as a screeching thirty-foot crow-chicken from hell.

While the very boundaries of reality become distorted, the star-crossed web of lives and crisscrossed intrigue continue to expand as book three of Rendering Nirayel prepares for the final chapter of the four-part series.

Thief’s Prophesy – Blurb – 200 words:

Sarah returns to reality just as government agents close in on her home. Meanwhile, the paradox formed by a genetic link to her brother, Jesse, now forces a duplication of Sarah’s identity to become overlaid with the previously occupied Selina template. The result is a seventeen-year gap in memory as a pseudo-Sarah wakes to discover a world where Dark elves dominate the majority of civilization.

Jesse Berrach was once a paramedic. This was before the accident that put him in the hospital, and marked the end of his career. During his recovery, he receives a package containing the online game, Wayward Fates, but upon entering the program, his eyes quickly become fixed and dilated as he enters a world far removed from that of his hospital room. Initially, this is no more than the wheat field where he finds himself. However, as he exits the tall purple field, he is confronted with more severe conflicts in terms of reality, or sanity as the case may be.

While the very boundaries of reality become distorted, the star-crossed web of lives and crisscrossed intrigue continue to expand as book three of Rendering Nirayel prepares for the final chapter of the four-part series.

Thief’s Prophesy – Blurb – 170 words:

With her link severed, Sarah returns to reality just as government agents close in on her home. Meanwhile, the paradox formed by a genetic link to her brother, now forces a duplication of Sarah’s identity to become overlaid with the previously occupied Selina template. The result is a seventeen-year gap in memory as a pseudo-Sarah discovers a world where Dark elves dominate the majority of civilization.

Jesse Berrach was once a paramedic. This was before the accident that put him in the hospital, and ended his career. During his recovery, he receives a package containing an online game, but upon entering the program, his eyes become fixed and dilated as he enters a world far removed from that of his hospital room. Upon waking, he is confronted by severe conflicts in terms of reality, or sanity.

While the very boundaries of reality become distorted, the star-crossed web of lives and crisscrossed intrigue continue to expand as book three of Rendering Nirayel prepares for the final chapter of the four-part series.

Demons Dreaming – Blurb – 400 words:

Now forced to cooperate in the retrieval of a government agent who was lost when sent into the program, Sarah finds herself returning to Nirayel in much the same fashion as her first experience. The differences, other than general duress, are the location of entry, the lab, and several rather unpleasant agents who will be watching over her body while she’s away.

Following a failed attempt to reacquire the Selina template, now occupied by Sarah’s duplicate, Kwibee reroutes her signal to the closest available computer generated character. Once again, Sarah enters the world of Nirayel, but finds herself within the body and mind of Jesterwolf’s sister, Ezlea, and though relieved to have emerged in such close proximity to both her spouse and sibling, she cannot help but be at odds with Ezlea’s somewhat overly promiscuous personality.

Having escaped their mundane lives in Brinehaven, and with their differences surrounding Selina finally resolved, Marcus and Borin are once again determined to follow the paths of Warrior, and Paladin. And despite the improbability of success, Borin’s heart is lightened. In all the long years since the fall of Arbitos, he is finally able to smile in the face of adversity, for at long last, he is as every Warrior should be, questing to right a wrong.

To an extent, Jesse has reluctantly come to terms with the inescapable delusion that the world of Nirayel represents. He even manages to maintain a minor semblance of clinical curiosity. What he’s not prepared for, are the relentlessly unyielding teenage advances of the most frustrating female Wood Elf rapist that it has ever been his guilt-ridden pleasure to meet. Of course, there’s also the jolting discovery of two Sarah’s, and the mysterious inclusion of a rather benign Demon who possesses animals as it offers such cryptic advice as -- Here marks the outset, whereupon the borders of madness and reason shall arise unto the Fates, there to deliver salvation, or damnation, as the discord of our worlds sway in the balance of immutable opus. He also tells jokes with no apparent punch line. Other than that, everything is perfectly normal.

Finally reunited in the forth and final chapter of the Rendering Nirayel series, Sarah, Sarah, Jesse, and Borin are guided by the disavowed Demon, Surripere, as they journey through uncharted lands in one final quest against all odds to reclaim Arbitos, and the lost souls of Earth.

Demons Dreaming – Blurb – 200 words:

After failing to reacquire the Selina template, Kwibee reroutes Sarah’s signal to the closest available computer generated character. Once again, she enters the world of Nirayel, now within the body and mind of Jesterwolf’s sister, and though relieved, she cannot help but be at odds with her host’s overly promiscuous personality.

Having escaped his mundane life in Brinehaven, Borin is again determined to follow the Warrior’s path, and despite the improbability of a successful quest, his heart is lightened. In all the long years since the fall of Arbitos, he is finally able to smile in the face of adversity.

To an extent, Jesse reluctantly comes to terms with the delusion of Nirayel. What he’s not prepared for, are the advances of the most frustrating female Wood Elf that it has ever been his guilt-ridden pleasure to meet, the jolting discovery of two Sarah’s, or the prophetic ramblings of an otherwise benign Demon.

Finally reunited in the forth and final chapter of the Rendering Nirayel series, Sarah, Sarah, Jesse, and Borin are guided by the disavowed Demon, Surripere, as they journey through uncharted lands in one final quest against all odds to reclaim Arbitos, and the lost souls of Earth.

Demons Dreaming – Blurb – 170 words:

After failing to reacquire the previous template, Sarah’s signal is rerouted to the closest available computer generated character. Again, she enters the world of Nirayel, and though relieved, she cannot help but be at odds with her new host’s promiscuous personality.

Having escaped his mundane life, Borin resolves to follow the Warrior’s path, and despite the improbability of a successful quest, his heart is lightened. In all the years since the Empire’s rise, he is finally able to smile in the face of adversity.

To an extent, Jesse comes to terms with his delusions, though he is yet unprepared for the advances of a most frustrating female Wood Elf, the discovery of two Sarah’s, or the prophetic ramblings of an otherwise benign Demon.

Finally reunited in the forth and final chapter of the Rendering Nirayel series, Sarah, Sarah, Jesse, and Borin are guided by the disavowed Demon, Surripere, as they journey through uncharted lands in one final quest against all odds to reclaim Arbitos, and the lost souls of Earth.