Pallex

Ever since she hatched, Pallex has endured a most peculiar condition: she was born without scales, leaving only a fragile layer of unprotected skin.
She was born into a Plague clan, so her family praised her for surviving with such an affliction. However, Pallex herself felt she was ugly and weak; she was so delicate that as a hatchling she often had to refrain from playing and roughhousing with other children, and though her family didn't mind, she lacked the gorgeous shining scales her breed typically boasted.

When she grew older, Pallex tried to become a hunter for the clan, to prove her strength, but every time she went out she came home wounded, and had to rest for a few days to heal.
Pallex felt confused and alone; when she tried to open up about how she felt, she was always told that she was beautiful and strong simply for surviving. But Pallex felt she was a burden to her clan, as she needed to spend so much time recovering.

One day, Pallex made up her mind: She was going to leave.
At nightfall, she left, opening her wings to the cold desert air. She flew, and flew, as far away as she could; the familiar twisting, rotting landscape of her homeland became softly-glimmering forest. Pallex grew exhausted, having not eaten or slept in days, and crashed into the Starwood Strand.

Meanwhile, a tiny Fae flitted about in the forest, searching for healing herbs and alchemy agents, when he heard a great crash in the distance, and saw trees toppling over. Curious, he flew over to the source of the sound, and was shocked to find a huge Imperial dragon, scaleless and scarred, groaning in pain at the trees scraping her skin.
Though he could be a prankster at times, ultimately Catalyst had a soft heart; he wrapped tendrils of shadow 'round the trees to move them away from the Imperial, creating a makeshift clearing for him to work in. For days, he stayed by her side, cleaning her and healing her wounds, and bringing fish from a nearby river. Slowly, the Imperial recovered, and grew lucid once more; when she truly woke, she looked for the one who healed her. It took her hours to realize that they were right under her nose, picking flowers in the clearing.

Ever since then, Pallex and Catalyst have been close; on many afternoons, you can find a colorful Fae sheltering under the massive wing of a red-wreathed Imperial, frills shifting with excitement as he tells her about his latest exploits.

Being in an Arcane clan at the time, Pallex had access to a wide variety of information; she asked the leader, Pythagoras, if she could help her find a way to grow her scales back, and Pythagoras agreed, taking Pallex to her own library to research.
Indeed, they found a way to grow back lost scales - Pythagoras performed the ritual, but it didn't work, as it was meant for someone wounded, not someone born without scales.
Frustrated, Pallex continued to search, even looking in the deeper, darker tomes Pythagoras had on hand.

And she discovered something:
A book bound in red leather, stained in blood.
It detailed a way to channel one's wounds and pain into power - blood magic.
Pythagoras allowed Pallex to keep the book; Pallex pored over it for days, all the incantations and rituals.
As she read alone in the forest, a roving monster approached; it ambushed her, slashing her flank, and she felt the wound - something clicked. With blood, she formed a wicked blade, and slayed it.
Now, Pallex has found her calling, and though she has no scales, she is happier than ever, flying into battle bearing her scars with pride. Though blood magic is dangerous, she has a wonderful healer at home waiting for her.