WATER
CROUPIER, MUSICIAN
he/him

All his life, Water had wanted nothing more than fame. From the moment he could crane his neck up to meet the eyes of the sparkling pop identities pasted over the walls in his streets, to hear the crackling microphones and cheering crowds and orchestral music that backplayed a speaker's words, to feel that kind of almost magical charismatic power these presenters left over their audience, it was the only thing he dreamed of and he was convinced he'd never shake it til he got it. He admired Roundsey, the worldwide popular Spiral whose weekly lottery brought in hundreds of thousands of dragons all over the continent, always cheered on by a smile and a pose on bright screens that reflected in the young hatchling's eyes.

To an outsider looking in, it was painfully clear why Water so desired this kind of life. A runt-of-the-litter, he was born to a too-large family of labour workerers in a poverty-stricken town in Murkbarrow Close, and had little control of his life; no free time, no hobbies, only days poured into labouring for his kin. The weeks, months he would have spent away from sentient life, doing odd jobs for wealthy clans he would never meet face to face, were only made bearable by Water's hyperactive imagination that spun video tapes of daydreams when left idle; of himself revered on stages, his name cheered by thousands, of his image known by every last person on the streets.

The dragon's youth passed by with such an excruciating lack of excitement and vigour that he recalled it as though he was constantly on the brink of exploding, like being put in a bird cage and frantically banging into its bars while trying to get out. When he could finally leave his birth family behind, he pursued showbusiness immediately; grabbing at any opportunity he could get, in clubs, companies, in comedy stages and bars. Whether it was the glum unamused nature of all Shadowborn dragons that tried him or simply his overenthusiasm that bowled him, Water never made it off the ground and spent the latter years of young adulthood in a miserable state, for his dreams had fallen apart around him as if laughing and pointing that he couldn't do it, couldn't achieve what he had been waiting for his entire life.

Seaweed met Water at a depressingly rundown gig in Murkbarrow. The fae leader was so young at the time the Wanderers consisted only of herself, her husband, Pari and Belle, and their name was hardly known across Sornieth as it was later on. She told him about their efforts; to replenish the natural resources of the Driftwood Drag, to live in unity with it instead of simply populating it like other inhabitants, to live in harmony with its ecosystem, rehabilitate its animals, feed its plants – and suddenly Water had found his true destiny.

Now, Water has found a steady home with the Wanderers, and is much closer than the average member as he had been there from the very start. His new beloved occupation is running the small entertainment centre in the Wanderer village, in charge of the gambling games and the occasional comedy sketches; he's taught himself how to handle dice, shuffle cards, manage decks, and the thrill of the casino is awestriking to him; he's also learned to compose music under

The cheerful dramatic Spiral still looks up to his childhood heroes, and carries the same showmanship qualities he did in his performing years, but now to a healthy extent; he is content "performing" silly comedy sketches to the Wanderers, able to enjoy the work of others (like Roundsey) instead of having his experience marred by his desire to become what he saw on the screen.

He has found a close friend in gentle Firstglade, whose mellow and soft personality pairs well with Water's loudness and extroversion; the two, when they aren't working for the commune, can be found wandering the bog and chatting back and forth for hours on end. He also highly respects Seaweed; he praises her enormously, considering himself eternally indebted to her for granting him a life in her clan, which she accepts sheepishly. He and his partner Lovelace also recently came together; Water wandered into her laboratory and their eccentric large personalities immediately clicked.


by DragonJade!

by le me


If you can't keep me, please don't exalt me! Instead, send me back to the Spiral Sanctuary so I can find another good home!