Altena

Altena hatched to a small, somewhat scattered clan at the fringe an island in the strait between the Viridian Labyrinth and Dragonhome. It was mostly peaceful in its remoteness. Being far from the rest of civilization, the clan's slow pace in its little forest hollows seemed sleepy even, in comparison to the unrelenting race of life deeper in the jungle glades of the Nature realm. But such places, where news travels slowly, if at all, can be dangerous for their aloofness.

What crimes may be committed in such secretive seclusion? Private peace and quiet may conceal historic sins as evidence is buried by the weight of years and growing nature.

Altena's wings were still too small to carry her in the air when she first met a dragon who wasn't there. She strayed from her family's den one morning to explore a drowsy old dell that once was home to a respected, reclusive clan elder before his passing. It was an hour's plod away, but Altena was determined, and her persistence was rewarded with the sight of a rotund kapok tree. Shaggy mosses and vines blanketed its unkempt branches, concealing the entrance to the hollow at its base. The air was stagnant there at the forest floor, below the wind and the warmth of the sun.

Then quite suddenly, the mossy curtain moved as if by a breeze, or… by a dragon entering.

Altena followed eagerly, and in the dim light she saw footprints making themselves on the dusty ground. She heard someone far-off humming a tune and going about their day, and hummed along as she explored. While opening a decrepit wardrobe she remembered her manners, and said hello. Abruptly the air was again dead and still. Silence seemed to slam into her ears with aggressive force, so sudden was the change.

But only for a moment. As Altena stared wide-eyed at vanishing footprints new sounds began, emanating from the decaying wardrobe. Muffled breathing, and a pounding heartbeat that got louder, and louder. Altena's head whipped around when from the back of the den came slow, heavy footsteps. There was creaking hinges, frantic shuffling, and a hysterical, strangled sob that cut off with a horrendous crunch.

Altena bolted. She never once paused for breath until she was home, which her parents were tearing apart searching for her. It was hours until she was recovered from her fright and flight to explain what happened. Her clan, thinking her too young and terrified to say what really happened, decided it was probably squatters trespassing on their dearly departed elder's den. A group of adult dragons set off to drive the disrespectful squatters away.

They returned in shock, bearing a bundle that they carried with respect yet looked on in horror and anger, that her parents would not let Altena see. It was the skeleton of a serving dragon long missing- a layabout who ran off, according to the elder, their employer. The bones were found pit beneath the wardrobe. The cranium was missing, and there were many fragments surrounding the other bones.

This revelation of an honored leader's true murderous nature threw her small clan into turmoil. Altena's family moved to a larger lair so to keep her away from it all, and consulted an exorcist to make sure the haunting had done no permanent harm. Altena was, fortunately, fine, and she was also fascinated by the exorcist's work. Though she had no special ability for sensing spirits or seeing the invisible, she eagerly soaked up all of the knowledge the older dragon had to give. As grew, her mentor even began taking her with them to put to rest malevolent spirits.

Her budding career was cut short by the second murder to mark her life. To her family's shock, Altena did not go into customary mourning. Instead, she channelled her anguish into anger, and all but forced her way into the official investigation to get justice for her mentor. After frantic months of gathering evidence and following leads, Altena tracked down the killer, allowing him to be brought to justice. She decided she'd had enough of death, and would spend her life protecting dragons from the depredations of the living. With the forest full of too many memories, she went west before anyone could stop her, and entered Dragonhome.

Now, rather than hunting paranormal beings, she keeps watch for a more mundane but no less abhorrent evil, working as the clan's warden to keep it clean of crime. She is a skilled investigator, and remarkably effective at taking down criminals considering her size. She still puts her old training into practice if ever the clan is struck by unearthly maladies, but as Ankou and her protégée Tilphousia are also up to the task this is not often needed.

On the job Altena is serious, no-nonsense, and completely unflinching in the face of danger (or, as the case may more often be, in the face of threadbare excuses). She's more relaxed at other times, and has an exceptionally deadpan sense of humor, pretending to take silly situation seriously and saying ridiculous things with a totally straight face. While not a prankster herself, she does enjoy sitting back and laughing as practical jokes unfold- especially if her mate Rajaion is behind it. Altena also has a rare talent for telling stories- not the epic tales, aged histories or even bedtime stories that Minerva tells, but spooky ghost stories, urban legends, and tall tales.

Mate

Ultramel Amphithere Familiar When a skin is shed this serpent is at its most vulnerable; it loses its feathers as well. 2550