Aspen

Demigod of Plague

Aspen was cursed when he first entered the Tangled Woods. He was literally falling to pieces, breaking apart at the seams. He encountered a patrol from Nadijeh's clan, who brought him to their healer. She managed to remove the curse, but only just. The cracks in his body and wings were sealed, but left thick scars in their place. His memories of the life he'd led before were completely gone. His magical ability was exponentially stronger, but not his control. Worst of all, his beautiful eyes were replaced with hideous boils and angry red flesh.

Sending Aspen back to the Scarred Wasteland would have been a death sentence. After determining his condition wasn't contagious, Nadijeh invited him to temporarily stay with her clan on the condition that he learned to control his newfound strength. If you harm any of mine, she warned, I'll tear your throat out myself.

At first, his quiet and polite demeanor did little to endear him to his new clanmates. His dramatic arrival and monstrous appearance kept him isolated, except for his training with Jasper, the only other Plague dragon in the clan at the time. Aspen was a quick study, and became a force to be reckoned with in a fight.

One devastating night, the clan was raided by the Serthis while they slept. Aspen was one of the first to wake, and sounded the alarm. While the defenders launched a counterattack, Aspen rushed to the hatchling's hollow. He was just in time to save them from a particularly vicious assassin, who had already dispatched of the previous guardian. Aspen defended the children tirelessly until the raiders retreated.

Many things changed in the aftermath of that night. About two thirds of the clan had been killed before anyone had woken up. Those that remained couldn't find reason or energy to fear Aspen any longer, especially with many of the hatchlings following him around like baby ducks.

Today, Nadijeh's clan actively seeks out dragons like Aspen, with exceptionally high magical ability: the Primals. Aspen works with the most volatile, to help them control their abilities.