Lichen

Pre-clan
Lichen was orphaned as an egg and was taken in by a kind Wildclaw who hatched and raised him as one of her own. He grew up in a large clan deep within the Shrieking Wilds whose leader was corrupt and cruel. Lichen was always disgusted his leader and how she used the "Will of the Gladekeeper" to justify her actions. Lichen was banished from the clan when he helped a young Plague dragon, who was being held prisoner, escape. The Plague dragon was to be buried alive along with a tree seed as a 'sacrifice' to the Gladekeeper and Lichen, being the kind spirit that he is, could not let that happen. However, his act of bravery came with a grim price. Before Lichen was exiled, he was forced to watch his adopted mother and siblings be buried alive as a replacement for the dragon he released.

After being ousted from his home, a depressed and broken Lichen aimlessly wandered the Viridian Labyrinth with no care of what became of him. He blamed himself and the Plague prisoner for the death of his family until he was visited by Gladekeeper herself one night in a prophetic dream. She told him that she was pleased with his mercy and sorry for his unnecessary sacrifice. She showed him a place with three, great, live oaks with sprawling limbs and said for him to carry on and she will provide. Enthralled by her message, Lichen began his search for the three oaks. He eventually was joined by the very Plague dragon he rescued. After letting go of some hard feelings, the two set out in in search of the Tri-Oaks together.