Paya

Paya's name is a reference to the above character from the Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild. The original Paya was a girl living in Kakariko village. Her parents had died, leaving her in the care of her grandmother Impa. Impa was once a warrior, acting as hand-maiden and bodyguard for Princess Zelda. If you are familiar with The Legend of Zelda, you'll know that after a battle, Princess Zelda is trapped mentally fighting with an evil force (Calamity Ganon) inside Hyrule Castle for 100 years (her body doesn't age). This is how Paya is able to follow in her grandma's footsteps.

Paya is undoubtedly the shyest, most innocent dragon you will ever meet. She grew up in a small clan, being taken care of by her grandmother after both of her parents were exalted. She was far too young to understand why they were leaving, or why it was good for them. She only knew that she would never see them again. But that was when she was only a week old hatchling. She no longer remembers their faces and instead showers her grandmother with love.

She's a loyal, steadfast dragon, although she's very jumpy and gets frightened and hurt easily. You'd have to be a very cold-hearted, mean person to tease Paya. It's like being mean to a kitten.

Despite being such a scaredy-cat, Paya really did want to see the world outside her clan, but never dared to venture out for fear of what was out there. She knew that she'd be able to go on a journey anytime, but she was too scared and she also felt tied to her clan and her grandmother, as she takes care of her. But when Nayru came to visit the clan, bringing something to her grandma, she saw something strong within Paya. It was only a small spark, but Nayru could see that Paya truly had the spirit of a brave, loyal dragon, ready to throw her life on the line for what is right. She knew it would take a long time to coax that spirit out, but was determined to get it out one day, so she invited Paya to come live with her clan and act as a hand-maiden for Zelda. Paya couldn't believe it. She wanted to go badly, but she was too afraid. Surprisingly, it was her grandmother that pushed her forward! She revealed that when she was young, she had acted as a hand-maiden for Zelda's mother in the wind-flight. When she was exalted, Paya's grandmother (named Impa) moved to the clan where Paya and her parents were eventually born for an early retirement, along with many other wind-flight dragons. She told Paya that because of this, it was her destiny to go to Nayru's clan and follow in her footsteps, just like Paya's mother would have done had she not been exalted. With tears in her eyes, both of happiness and sadness, Paya agreed to go and bid farewell, with promises to visit whenever she got the chance.

Nayru recognised that Paya's story was very similar to this and so officialy gave her the title of "Handmaiden Paya".