Hi RJ, I'm Mic, an independent artist working in original, hand drawn 2D fantasy art everything I make is drawn by hand, no AI generation involved.
Your list is right in my area: fantasy creatures, armor and weapons, treasure pieces and item icons, as well as characters. I'd be very happy to start exactly the way you suggested, with one small paid piece first, so you can judge the style and quality before we talk about anything larger.
My usual process is: I work from your references and specs, send a rough sketch for your approval, then finish the piece once the direction is locked. Price, revisions, deliverables and commercial use in your app would all be agreed in writing before I start, and no unpaid custom samples, as you said.
Examples of my work: https://artbyabigail.netlify.app/
My Prices are budget friendly lets discuss the details !
MY EMAIL: iamabigailivy@gmail.com
discord: aby_gail112