Iris

Least Concern The Emerald Starling is native to savanna woodlands in parts of West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast). Not much about this insect- and fruit-eating species was known until fairly recently, but they are considered locally common, and not currently at risk of extinction, although it has been recommended that more conservation areas be establish to protect populations of this species.

Fun Fact: These birds are usually found in the tops of tall trees, often using dead trees as perches. However, they will also forage for ants in areas of bare ground that had been cleared by fire.


Iris is the founder and matriarch of Clan Tearmann. She came to the Viridian Labyrinth on April 14, 2014, from a place called Thedas, where she once lived on a mountaintop that overlooked an ancient ruin in the Frostback Mountains. When she first arrived in these lands, with no idea where she might want to settle permanently, she found an ancient forest not far from the sea. In a grove of alder trees beside a gently flowing river, an owl called to her, and they soon became fast friends (Iris and Nairne are basically inseparable; you will almost never see one without the other).

So, it was here Iris decided to stay, and called the place Coille na Cailleach-oidhche - literally, “Wood of the Night Hag.” Most everyone just calls the place Owl Wood, though. Not long after that, she gave birth to her first clutch of babies, and soon, dragons began to arrive from various parts of the realm. Many of her children have since departed to other clans, or into the service of the Gladekeeper. Iris doesn’t have a permanent mate, so she has sole responsibility for the clan, which she calls Tearmann, or “Safe Haven.” However, her first born, Taricha, stayed with her, and helps her in any way he can.

Iris is an introvert by nature, but is also a natural leader, and others find her warm personality to be quite charming, so she’s often the center of attention. She enjoys musical performance - she sings, and plays the lute - so this also puts her in the spotlight. This is fine, for a while, as long as she gets plenty of time alone, to recharge her batteries. One of her favorite things to do is fly up to the top of the highest peak, and just sit and look out over the ocean.

She very much considers herself the guardian of this clan, even though she is no longer a Guardian - during the Night of the Nocturne in 2014, she decided to undergo a transformation, and she is very happy with her new physique.

Still, the desire to care for those in her charge is strong, and to some degree, she thinks of most of the dragons in her care as her children (which sometimes annoys the older dragons in the clan, who, even though they are all much larger than she is, are not immune to being coddled). Although she went from being relatively large for a Guardian to being a rather petite Nocturne, she is still a fierce protector, and an extremely powerful and experienced warrior. Her partner in the coliseum is Tanys, and together they are responsible for training almost all the young dragons preparing to go live with the Gladekeeper.



In addition to the dragons in her care, she still looks after her Charge, a special relic that she brought with her from her old home: a small urn, filled with ashes (which she now wears around her neck). It was given to her by the previous guardian of the ashes, just before she left Thedas. She thinks perhaps someone will come looking for it someday, and it will be up to her to decide whether or not that person is worthy to take a pinch of the ashes. As of today, however, no one has yet has sought this special treasure she guards.

The clan has a special relationship with the birds in the area - each dragon who lives here is bonded to at least one bird companion. Iris has also proclaimed this to be a safe haven for members of any Beastclan who need shelter.