Ichabod

The path you choose has led you deep into the shadows. Fear starts creeping up on you. In the distance you see a faint blue glow. You hesitate. Just when you decide uh-uh, you're going back up the path and head back to safety, you hear something stirring ahead of you. You're rooted to the stop. Inside your head a voice is screaming to start moving, but your whole body has gone rigid with fear.


Appearances are deceiving. Ichabod knows this better than the average dragon.
History is full of that sort of thing, the lies that victors tell, the truths (or half-truths or lies) the vanquished tried to preserve.
And historians must learn to see what's really there.
He tries to pass that trick along.
How to see the shape of the truth, by looking at lies.
How to see past the illusions that the world throws up, so you can know what you're getting yourself into.
That sort of thing is important for those living in a place with so many tricks waiting to lead the unwary or unobservant astray.
Ichabod also knows he can seem scary. But fear can be a good teacher, and if a bit of terror helps them remember his lessons better? It's all worth it.
(Besides, that illusion never lasts long. He is too gentle a soul and too kind a dragon for the construct of a stern and menacing researcher into dark mysteries to survive.)(edited)
And yes. He does delve into the darkness. He unearths the metaphorical skeletons of things other people might wish stayed buried, drags the knowledge of past misdeeds into the light.
Because those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Because just because a crime was committed long ago doesn't mean it should go unsolved.
Because things that fester in the darkness cannot survive the scrutiny of someone who does not believe their lies.
Because the shadows behind the eyes should bring peace, not terror.
Because just because someone does not pick up a weapon, does not mean they don't fight to protect the clan in a different way, upon a different battlefield.
(While he is around, his clan will not be repeating history. And he plans on being around for a very long time)