Rust

Born to a clan of Banescales in the Blacksand Annex, Rust was raised on aggression and violence. The clan wished to return Banescales to a state of glory that their ancestors supposedly had, and believed the only way to do that was through battle and conquest. Strict authoritarian rule was the norm as it was believed that harsh discipline would result in fierce warriors. Dragons were forbidden from interacting with non-Banescales, lest they betray the clan’s cause. Even the games of hatchlings, usually carefree and fun, were violent affairs that left none unscathed; the elders saw them as an opportunity to train the future soldiers of the clan. The only activity not inherently violent was the reading of ancient Banescale songs, albeit twisted and warped to messages of harshness and hate.

Rust excelled in this environment. She was always stronger, faster, tougher than her peers. Her talons could crush boulders. A blow from her wings could shatter ribs. The whiplash from her tail could snap a tree trunk in half. She became a rising star in the eyes of the leaders of the clan, who saw her as an exemplary model that all Banescales should aspire to be. She was granted rank after rank, and given freedoms not permitted to others. But despite her status, secretly, she hated all of it. Rust longed to escape the clutches of the clan, seeing her only path to escape was through the upper ranks of the clan where she had more freedom.

Shortly after she escaped her birthclan, she came across Nova. He was completely different from any Banescale she had known. His shy and timid nature was completely at odds with her cruel upbringing, and his interests in flowers would have been blasphemous in her birth clan. The two of them realized their similar situations–both were fleeing their birth clans. Under this shared kinship did feelings blossom, and the two lovers decided to flee together in the hopes of finding a place where they belonged.