DelMato

Del Mato, Shen-Nurah, and Leeah-Suri are a trio of orphaned Ancients from a lair large and populated enough for them to fall unnoticed through the cracks. Shen-Nurah and Del Mato first met by what was nearly a fight over some discarded food. As they were busy baring fangs and growling at each other, it was Leeah-Suri who attempted to sneak in and steal the food away for herself. Emaciated and less then half their size, the Banescale's appearance struck both Gaolers off-balance. Choosing to abandon their hostile grandstanding in favor of a (very) shaky alliance, Shen and Mato sort of "adopted" Leeah (though they still didn't like each other much) and together the three Ancients were far more successful in making their livings. Shen and Mato together could strong-arm nearly any of the competition, while Leeah crept in unnoticed to spirit away the prize.


Mato is the strongest and most confrontational of the three, even getting into the occasional fight with Shen. He is infinitely gentle towards Suri though, something Shen frequently admonishes him for (she calls it "coddling")

---

"How long are we going to keep doing this, Shen?"

"What do you mean?"

"Skulking in the shadows, moving from one corner of this lair to the next each night, having to scrounge or fight for anything to eat."

"What else can we do, Mato? It's only barren desert for miles outside- Suri couldn't survive a journey to someplace in the east. We might not either, in that heat. And you and I can't cross the canyon to get to the highlands."

"Well, staying here is going to become just as much a death sentence. We can barely find enough food to get by now, and the other dragons are wising up to our tactics. It's only going to get harder, and more risky. As I was scouting the marketplace the other day, I overheard some of the traveling merchants talk about someplace by the southeastern coast-"

"The coast!? Mato, that's across the Charged Barrens. Suri and I aren't Lightning dragons; the Stormcatcher won't look out for us in that weather as He might you."

"We could cross in the southwest, where the canyon borders the Expanse and the Waste. That close to Fire territory and the storms won't be as strong. We could travel at night and in the morning, before it gets too hot."

"That's still a massive risk, going so far. Food and water will be even more scarce in the wilderness, not to mention shelter. We'd need all three of our patron deities and a whole ton of luck to see us through."

"Our situation here is only going to get worse, and soon enough we're not going to have any other options. If we start preparing now, we might be able to get out before that happens."

"... You're right about us pushing our luck here. I just hope you'll also be right about the coast."

"I know I'm right. You're also right to be cautious. Let's talk with Suri about it in the morning."

"Alright. And also, if we do leave for someplace better, and we do make it there, we won't go back to living like this. For Suri's sake, we'll find ways to make honest livings, all three of us."

"Agreed. Well, honest livings for you and me at least. Suri might not be big enough yet."

"Fair enough."




- More describing Del Mato specifically
- A young adult Gaoler, younger than Shen-Nurah but within a year of her age
- Dotes on Leeah-Suri, lets her get away with probably too much
- How well do he & Shen-Nurah generally get along now?
- Old lair location, on the edge of the canyon

Del Mato, also called Mato