wip
the spectral hands are a result of some form of magical parasite. some strains can kill even the strongest of dragons, but there is a weak strain that can form a symbiotic relationship with certain fae dragons. While it usually physically weakens the host and causes some appearance and personality changes, it greatly boosts magical power. So far, Veronica is unique in the fact that she displays almost none of the negative effects. she attributes this to the blessing of the Arcanist, and promotes faith in him as a treatment for the parasite. The fact that even devoutly Arcane dragons have succumbed to more deadly strains has not changed her mind.
Pandora was given her name because she was the first in the clan to have this parasite. she came to them in the early stages where one doesn't know they have it yet, and spread it to a few other dragons. In a way, she opened Pandora's Box.
The mask and jewelry she wears are spelled to prevent her from being contagious.
whatever strain Veronica has does not appear to be contagious. they have tried to spread her strain to other faes as a sort of vaccine (similar to how cowpox was used as an early smallpox vaccine), but it hasn't worked no matter what they do.
Soon after her arrival in Veronica's clan, she chose Rubus as her mate. Not long after that, her personality began to deteriorate and her formerly blue scales began to produce an oily black substance. By the time the spectral hands appeared, Rubus had begun to show symptoms, too. Because of the way the parasite affected their brains, they have found it very difficult to take care of their hatchlings. The rest of their clan has had to step in and raise them, and they usually leave when they are old enough to care for themselves. Although none of their children experience as strong effects of the parasite as their parents (as yet, none have spectral hands growing out of their backs) they still all have the oily secretions covering all but their wings and patterns shaped like runes down their sides. it also seems that the parasite may affect their personalities on some level, although further study is needed to determine if this is the case.