Anya

Microlore: Raised as a princess among the Bleachbone Horde, she is accustomed to the finer things in life. However, she feels it is her responsibility as a dragon of stature to impart charity to those beneath her. She is known for her grace. She is well-studied and reads much about history and geography. She longs to leave behind this constant bloodshed to become a priestess or attendant to a great temple to the gods.

Anya was the youngest of her nest, the small one, expected not to survive. Nevertheless, a survivor she was; her mother Kindra found her, alive and kicking, two days after she'd been left out in the cold exposure of the desert by the heartless adoptive father Amador, and took her under her wing for a time. In the few weeks of travelling with the Bleachbone Horde's raiding party, managing to stay out of the way and make herself useful around the camp with a quiet kindness which even the grizzled veterans found disarming, she flourished into quite the young lady under her mother's care. Her mother was just beginning to teach Anya to fight, when their 'disobedience' was discovered. Impressed by her resilience, and perhaps swayed by Kindra's pleas, Tanwar spared their lives but did drag Anya back to her 'father', claiming to have found her himself. Amador was far from impressed, declaring that he now had new hatchlings- (Kindra's, of course, not that anyone would ever admit it)- and her eldest sibling showed real potential, whereas the unwanted 'runt' was just a drain on resources. When Anya showed bravery enough to speak up, claim that she could be useful, would be useful- begged to be able to return to her mother, it was the last straw. In fury, Amador punished her- for refusing to acknowledge him as her parent- in her naievete and youth she had not the wisdom to lie. Anya was beaten to within an inch of death, starved, and packed in a crate barely big enough to move, much less grow- then shipped off to sell for slavery to the lowest price asking. The intention was that she would die en route, or come out so crippled that her life would not be worth living- but Anya found, in that dark place in the bowels of a slave ship, that she had a calling. She had a dream of the Glademother, whispering to her, calling her- told her how to coax life from the wood around her, remind it of the days it had been alive. She discovered magic, that day, and never looked back- she broke every cage, tore the wood to pieces and made it sprout roots that broke through the hull. The ship was torn to pieces, with few casualties- a passing trade ship from the Sun Soul clan picked her up and nursed her back to health.

Anya enjoyed her time in the sanctuary of the Sun Soul, playing in the sunbaked halls and cliffs of the clan, having the childhood she'd missed out on the first time around. Soon, though, the Gladekeeper's sweet voice was again calling her, through her dreams, whispering of a future in hills of emerald, where trees soared higher than imperials and the air was sweet with life. She shared these dreams with Solara, the clan's spirit guide, and was encouraged by the beautiful fae's wordless advice. Though she could not have explained it to another, the two spoke for hours that day, as only could such as who had been called by the Glademother herself.

It took some weeks longer for Anya to build up the courage, but when she was more experienced, more certain of herself, she approached the clan leaders to request that she be allowed to continue to follow that dream. She owed the Glademother her life, after all. With some persuading, they assented, reluctant because many had grown fond of her during her stay. But Oakheart beckoned, and even as she left the dockside at the harbour, the ground beneath her feet seemed to sprout forth with flowers, her happiness at the farewell blossoming in her wake.

Today, Anya is a welcome addition to the Oakheart clan. Her easygoing nature, her loving generosity of spirit, and her kindness, make her much sought-after company at the best of times. Her natural aptitude with Nature magic is remarked upon by scholars and mages alike; the wild nature spirit tundras seem to flock about her, guarding her like giant wooly watch dogs, needing no words to communicate their acceptance and affection. If the clan had such a thing, she would be the Nature Representative; even her visage is that of new life and flourishing renewal. Anya is much loved and welcome, and even Bard can't seem to find a nickname that suits her more than the one she chose for herself; Anya- 'grace, bringing goodness'. She brings sunshine, springtime and flowers, wherever she goes.

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Anya was heartbroken when her first love, the knight Paladin, son of Sixten and Cortado and fellow migrant from Oakrest, was struck down by a mysterious attack of Shade at Oakheart's outskirts. He and his squad of Sun Soul Knights were supposed to be investigating a string of disappearances linked to Shade activity, and she'd no inkling of the fate which would befall them from her beloved Goddess, despite her prayer vigil. Her son Gawain at least was spared, having been left behind to guard Oakheart while his father Paladin, trainer Ketara, and Knight-Commander Solas. Solas was the only survivor of the attack- but it seemed to Anya that something strange was afflicting the once-loved leader of Oakheart. He wouldn't come to the shrines anymore, wouldn't accept her blessings of the Gladekeeper. He spent much of his days meditating and in solitude, and was that a hint of darkness under his new skin...?