These are not laid out in chronological order. The ones which are half creature and half "princess" were the starters. Looking at them now, they look soooo awkward . . . they must be junior-highers (hahaha). I have a lot to learn, but it was a fun exercise.
I ended up modeling the knight in Maya. This is a base mesh so he looks a bit chunky. Looking at him several weeks later, I'm not digging the axe head top and definitely not the front of the helmet. Must change . . .