Gemini

(Named for the Gemini space project.)

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An expat from Wind, Gemini left his birth clan to pursue a deep love of astronomy. He found what seemed like the perfect place to do exactly that rather unexpectedly, not terribly far off from the Zephyr Steppes, in the form of a small clan that had formed around a cursed shrine on the fringes of the Starwood Strand.

Originally intending only to stop for rest and then carry on further into Arcane territory, Gemini found himself taken in by the hospitality of the little clan, many of whom were also Wind dragons. At the time they were a disorganized and ragtag bunch, barely able to keep their lair and the shrine it supported from falling apart. What leadership they had was reclusive and less concerned with material necessities, but they were generous with what they had, always welcoming to newcomers. Gemini was intrigued and then enthralled, as his stopover lasted for days, then weeks, then months. In the end he admitted to himself that he was simply unable to leave, and officially joined the clan.

Unfortunately for Gemini, the clan's hospitality failed to extend to its own members. Once his initiation began in earnest, he became the target of every seemingly lazy dragon with obligations they wanted to be rid of. "Could you fetch me my crystals, Gemini?", "Would you round up the hatchlings today, Gemini?", "Take over cleaning the altar for me today, Gemini?", "Would you be a dear and organize those scrolls, Gemini?", "Arrange the gathering party this time, Gemini?", "Sort and catalogue the hoard, Gemini? You're so good at these sorts of things." The chores and responsibilities piled up until Gemini was practically running the entire clan by himself, holding everything together through his manic energy and sheer devotion. He ran himself ragged for the clan, rarely having the time to stargaze as he originally wanted, and recieved no recognition for it. But the strife that was to come, and the resulting mass exodus of Wind dragons from the clan, would change all of that.

On the very edges of the Starfall Isles, sandwiched between Wind and Plague lands, the shrine saw its fair share of diversity - and struggle. At the time, the curse over the area was weak with age and lack of strong magic to keep itself sustained. Many dragons could pass through unhindered, and the clan grew and shrank erratically as travellers came and went. This openness proved to be to their detriment when neighboring clans began to encroach upon them, clashing over territory disputes. These tensions came to a head when Wind and Arcane began arguing over ownership of the bay between them, and Gemini was caught squarely in the middle of it, as the most well known Wind dragon in the nominally Arcane clan. Warring energies had ripped open the sky and sundered the earth, uprooting the crystals that anchored their territory and sending it into the air. Worse yet, the small cataclysm had reawakened the once dormant curse, making the resident dragons paranoid. In their despair they turned their fears inwards. Suddenly everyone became aware of how much power they had given the energetic little spiral, and how much they relied upon him, and some resented him for it. They questioned his loyalty to the clan and the Flight as a whole, spreading rumours about plans to betray Arcane and pledge the clan to Wind. This was the final straw, and the once friendly and easygoing young dragon became embittered.

In a desperate bid to save the clan he had become so attached to and finally prove himself worthy, Gemini convinced a large number of his Wind-born brethren - as well as a fair number of others - to join the Arcanist's forces. As more and more dragons were exalted, the clan shrank more than it ever had before, and thereafter the population was permanently changed. No more did Wind dominate their little sanctuary, and as the newly strengthened curse quickly replenished their numbers, the little clan became both darker and stronger. Now many, many dragons enter, but few ever leave.

These days Gemini has regained much of his former cheerfulness, and delights in welcoming newcomers himself. While his work load is still exhausting, his unusual drive and focus for one of his breed and birth flight, and the lengths he has gone to support his new home, have garnered him the recognition of the clan's elders. He has earned his emblem, and his place in the world, and is content. He can often be found passed out in a pile of half-written scrolls, cuddling with his beloved duskrat.

Just keep in mind that all the mice he's collected aren't for eating, and you'll get along fine!