A commanding presence in his own right, Joaquin stands aside a team he recruited to protect the neighbors and allies of Sunbeam Grotto. His ever-present armor gleams in the sunlight, and the scales shining exposed between layers are covered in tiny scars, but no deep gouges - clearly, any foe clever enough to land a hit never had the chance to dig in deep.

Due to a predisposition to never take 'no' for an answer, Joaquin has become one of the few dragons outside of the clan's elder council to serve as an authority in any capacity, and ever since has lived and breathed for his self-invented role. With a little funding to get started and a whole lot of luck along the way, Joaquin's original team of warriors has battled victoriously across nearly every land in Sornieth, reaching a boastful status over the years. Now, he is proudly classed as a master fighter, and anticipates bringing a greater number of his clanmates under his expert tutelage in the future.

---

A veteran warrior hailing from a neighboring Wind clan, Joaquin found his way to Sunbeam Grotto when he decided to take the same path he'd walked many times before as a young dragon. Yet this time, when he passed through the thicket of bamboo at the edge of the Zephyr Steppes, he found himself overlooking a pale stretch of beach occupied by a bustling clan.

Ever the gentledragon, Joaquin introduced himself to the first dragons he came across - a group of elders lounging in the sun who claimed to be the leaders of the clan. After a brief chat with the council, each of their responses odder than the last, Joaquin questioned their defenses. Driven by an innate sense of duty and order, Joaquin was proud of his ability to redirect his flighty Wind comrades when it came to questions of organization or protection from outside forces. The wide, open swath of land that the clan occupied seemed to be vulnerable from all angles, and, as any good fighter should, he had been analyzing possible strongholds and escape routes since his entry into the clan's territory. To imagine he, a complete stranger, could just walk up to the defenseless elderly - why, they had no clue of the danger they were in! Joaquin's face was painted with shock when the leaders calmly informed him that they had no tangible protection against intruders, nor any plan to form a team for battle.

Joaquin would never dream of arguing with elders, especially not complete strangers, and he absolutely did not spend the afternoon doing just that. Eventually, despite the protests of the council, Joaquin managed to ingratiate himself he could assemble a team to fight for the clan's protection, that he would be allowed to train them by battling malevolent forces elsewhere in Sornieth, in case an attack was mounted on the clan in the future.

However, if he'd known the general temperament of the clan matched the lackadaisical elders, Joaquin may never have assigned himself the task. Practically every dragon he met was the frivolous type, content to waste their days on unprofitable hobbies like art or research; or the weary type, already occupied with duties of procuring food or caring for hatchlings. Those who were neither seemed to be absolutely opposed to the idea of leaving the clan at all! As he was about to return home to draw out training schematics, Joaquin's keen senses alerted him to a presence at his side. A tall Tundra's deep emerald eyes bore into his own, and in the silence Joaquin knew he was greeted by a fellow warrior. This would make things much easier. Joaquin beckoned the stranger to join him, and they returned to his home clan to regroup.

After Joaquin returned home, the Tundra - Sybil, the elders had called her - at his side, the team was finally able to recruit their third member...though she certainly wasn't Joaquin's first pick. Pita's incessant energy had been a thorn in Joaquin's side since she was a hatchling, always interrupting him at clan meetings and making noise out his window while he was trying to work. But...she was a blank slate, meaning she'd be easy to train into a warrior he would be proud to fight against. Now that the team was assembled, the trio traveled back to Sunbeam Grotto with their minds set on protecting their home from hostility.

The dragons' intentions are benevolent, but Sunbeam Grotto is essentially an impenetrable sanctuary. For longer than even Sybil has been alive, the territory has been interwoven with the magic surrendered by the elder clanmembers. Sky, land, and sea are enchanted to protect the clan against all potential threats. Still, the clan has grown in the years since, and the ancient magic is only centered on the beach. Viridian Forest, Redrock Cove, and areas of the Zephyr Steppes and Sea of a Thousand Currents may very well be Sunbeam Grotto's territory, but they aren't graced with the same protection.

Joaquin, Sybil, and Pita are learning to work as a team, harnessing magical and martial means to combat threats at the edges of Sunbeam Grotto's territory and beyond.

---

---

Joaquin has never been particularly interested in his appearance, choosing instead to let his strength speak for him. It was unusual, then, when his clanmates observed him sporting jewelry - those in the know, though, know. A ring, filched from a fearsome foe alongside his most trusted allies; earrings, received as an unearned gesture of goodwill...there's room yet for more!

---