Esmerelda
(#45493793)
Level 15 Wildclaw
Click or tap to view this dragon in Predict Morphology.
Energy: 0/50
This dragon’s natural inborn element is Nature.
Female Wildclaw
This dragon is on a Coliseum team.
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Personal Style
Apparel
Skin
Scene
Measurements
Length
5.67 m
Wingspan
4.78 m
Weight
539.19 kg
Genetics
Obsidian
Starmap
Starmap
Obsidian
Alloy
Alloy
Obsidian
Stained
Stained
Hatchday
Breed
Eye Type
Level 15 Wildclaw
EXP: 26215 / 60881
STR
50
AGI
10
DEF
6
QCK
25
INT
5
VIT
51
MND
6
Biography
A trio of young dragons - not quite hatchlings, but not quite fully grown - found themselves drawn to a grove. As they stepped into it, the air around them rippled, sending a shiver down each spine. “Welcome,” came a voice. How they had missed the dragoness was beyond any of them, as she stood behind a tall stump in the middle of the clearing. “You’ve come to learn and I, Esmerelda, would be more than happy to teach you. Gather around.” Had they come to learn? What were they learning? Curiously - cautiously - they approached and spread themselves around the stump evenly; the action seems to please her.
“The Gladekeeper’s gifts are strong in you,” she told them, pride in her voice. “With my instruction and your natural talents, you will grow strong and well versed in the Dance.” The Wildclaw moved fluidly, more so than others of her kind, as she withdrew several items from some unseen niche in the stump. “I will guide you in your efforts to connect with both the Behemoth and the Gladekeeper, to harness their energy and your potential to create a special kind of magic.”
“Before I can teach you anything worthwhile, one must understand the basics! Come now, which of you can tell me about the elements?” Esmerelda swung her head about, looking at each of her new acolytes in turn, green eyes glinting in the sunlight that danced through the trees. The only sound for a moment, was the wind rustling the leaves.
Then a young Skydancer raised a claw. “I, um, I read in a book that there are four of them and they each correspond with a cardinal direction?”
“That’s exactly right!” Esmerelda moved four small bowls into place before continuing, pointing a claw at each one in turn. “Each element is represented here, in its proper direction. Water in the North. Feathers, to represent Air, to the East. Soil, representing Earth, to the West. Leaving Fire to the South.” As she spoke, she carefully igniting the coal within the bowl closest to her.
“Each element opposes each other, but in doing so, causes balance within the very fabric of existence. There are those of us in dragonkind that possess an affinity for the elements - whether it be one or several. It seems that you’ve all been drawn towards the element you have a natural affinity for, this is good. It’ll help keep you grounded as we move forward.”
“Wielding a needle can be difficult for our kind, but it is exceedingly important for each of you to create your own satchel,” she said, watching one of her young acolytes struggle with his needle. “In it, you will carry the tools you will use for Dances and Gatherings to come. Wand, runes, crystals, a ceremonial knife… All items that you will create with your own claws, imbued with your essence, your affinity for the elements, your connection with the Behemoth, your devotion to the Gladekeeper.”
“Esmerelda, I can’t- I can’t do this!” The young Snapper stomped hard on the ground, the imprint causing several hairline fractures in the earth. He looked discouraged, Esmerelda noted, frustrated - as if he wanted to give up entirely. She settled in next to him and looked at his work; it was something of a mess, but she could see that he was making progress and that is what mattered.
“Everyone makes their own way, little one. Even you,” she told him gently. “And if at first you don’t succeed, try again. Problem solve. Look for inspiration in the world around you and you will find guidance.”
The Snapper looked put out for a moment and took a deep breath, centering himself before taking in his surroundings. There were several things that drew his attention, but he was drawn to a woodpecker on a nearby tree. If he didn’t have to pierce the leather with the needle, that would save him a lot of trouble. Letting out a pleased rumble, he turned back to her.
“Thank you. I think I have an idea.”
A large pile of smooth, flat stones lay in the middle of the three acolytes; each one had a book of runes open and were taking great care in either carving or painting runes onto each stone. Esmerelda supervised, walking around to each pupil, admiring the way their lines angled just so. The oldest of the acolytes, an Imperial, was holding up a stone, staring at it with a critical eye. She seemed to be lost in thought.
“This doesn’t… feel… right to me,” she said slowly, setting the stone down. Esmerelda noticed then that the young dragoness had only made a few runestones and swept over to her. Placing a hand on her head, Esmerelda asked, “Whatever do you mean, dear?”
The Imperial hummed delicately and tilted her head as she thought about how to phrase her thoughts. “I think it’s the stones,” she explained slowly. “They don’t feel like the right… medium?” Esmerelda waved her on, to continue her thought, so she plowed on. “I think mine should be more personal. I think I should use antlers. From other Imperials.”
“That is a wonderful idea,” Esmerelda told her with a nod. “Antlers are akin to bones, which we use to draw on the spirits of whatever creature’s bones we are adorned in. Birds and large mammals are most common, but it isn’t unusual to don the hides as well. Using antlers instead of stones will allow you to draw on the strength and wisdom of the Imperials before you. It’s the perfect choice.”
Warmth filled her chest as she rose and bounded from the clearing, on a mission to find the perfect antlers for her runestones.
“Now crystals are a very important tool,” the Wildclaw was saying, emptying several baskets of crystals onto the forest floor. “Who can tell me why?” She was pleased to see each of their claws shoot up into the air. Waving her own with a small chuckle, she said, “In turn then.”
“They are used in spellwork and rituals!” the Skydancer exclaimed, plucking several crystals from the piles. “Hematite, for example, is really good for protective magic. Quartz is usually used in healing rituals and bloodstone is often used in fertility rituals!”
“They are connected to the elements,” the Snapper rumbled, arranging a few different piles to illustrate this. “Stones connected to Water include chalcedony, lapis lazuli, and pearls. Citrine, fluorite, and diamonds are connected to Air; agate, jade, and jasper are connected to Earth, while amber, garnets, and sunstones represent Fire.”
“They can be used during meditation to help you find the answers you seek,” the Imperial said sagely. “They can also be used to channel energies in your everyday life or to balance out the energies of a lair.”
Esmerelda was impressed; each of her students had clearly been studying hard and were learning things quickly. Soon enough, they would have the knowledge necessary to move on to other, more experienced druids and shamans, and the cycle would begin anew. But first…
“Your time with me is coming to a close.”
There was silence among her acolytes. They seemed… surprised by this. Or perhaps they were saddened? She couldn’t be sure.
“Your last task will be to craft either a wand or a staff to aid you in your dealings,” she explained. “Wands must be chosen carefully, as the wood used can affect the outcome. Crystals or gemstones can be set in the tip to enhance your magic, but be mindful of your selections, as this can be as much a hindrance as a well as a blessing.”
“Some druids prefer a staff,” Esmerelda continued. “They are more adept at storing your natural energies and should be kept with you at all times as it will make you stronger. Should it break, you will find yourself weakened for a time. This is normal, but unfortunate.”
Esmerelda dismissed them with the excuse that she had a quick errand to run and disappeared into the forest. Making her way deeper into the trees, she emerged into another, smaller clearing, the air rippling with magic as she passed through a barrier. On her altar were three shining blades, waiting to be blessed.
When she returned to her charges, two of the three had finished their work, but one was still carving runes into their staff. She took her place at the altar and bade them to join her as she laid each blade down.
“These ceremonial blades were crafted by the finest blacksmith I know and are my gift to you. You’ve completed your training with me and will go on to find new mentors and aide new clans. It’s my sincerest wish that each of you go with the Gladekeeper’s blessing. I will see you all at the Dance.”
It was with pride in her heart that Esmerelda watched each dragon take their blade, sheath it, and thank her before taking their leave. While she was sad to see them go, she knew it wouldn’t be long now before the Behemoth summoned new pupils for her to teach.
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Exalting Esmerelda to the service of the Shadowbinder will remove them from your lair forever. They will leave behind a small sum of riches that they have accumulated. This action is irreversible.
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