Sunshift

She only ever wanted to see.

Growing up in a clan that loved her, even as an egg abandoned by a wandering dragon, she only ever wanted to see. Clan Myosotis resided in the Gladekeeper's domain, and it was peaceful. They named her Sunshift for the way the sun danced upon her bronzed scales under the shade of the leaves. As a kit, she was sheltered amongst many wings, and never wanted for love.

She spent many long days in the Scrying Pools, where seers, prophets, and others blessed by the gods looked at Sornieth in ways she could only dream of. Others in her age group settled. They began families, had eggs of their own. They began apprenticeships, or opened shops. They battled in the coliseum for the good of the clan. Still others were blessed with Sight by the Gladekeeper, or were called by her, or by other gods.

Sunshift felt no call, and saw nothing.

Days passed, as they are wont to do, and she languished. She was loved, yes. But what was her purpose? She felt as though her place should be in the Scrying Pools, though she had no gifts bestowed upon her. Instead she drifted aimlessly around the clan, her sadness a shadow all it's own.

One day, a group of travelers passed through bringing tidings for some of the others. One stopped by to seek guidance from the Scrying Pools and Sunshift learned of something that would change her life's path: deep within the Scarred Wasteland, there was a way to become one of the chosen of the gods. Her entire life she had longed for a gift, and this was her chance! She had never wanted anything so badly, nor feared anything quite so much at the same time.

What did she know of pain, sheltered as she was? Would she truly have strength enough to withstand the Plaguebringer's trials? She could only have faith that it would work, and she would return the Mother's Emissary to the clan.

In the end, Clan Myosotis wished her well on her journey. They always did for those whose paths took them elsewhere. Still, a small voice inside wished that at least one friend had asked her to stay.

By the time Sunshift made it to the Rotrock Rim, her determination had already begun to wear thin. She had seen things in the Plaguebringer's domain that horrified her, and in truth she was no longer sure if this was a god she wished to serve. Still, she had come all this way. This was the only way she could prove her worth, and obtain a god-given gift.

The first trial felt almost too easy. It alarmed her to see plague appear upon her scales, lesions oozing and infection spreading but it wasn't until the second trial that she truly began to feel regret. It hurt. The pain felt unending, and as the plague spread she truly tried to suppress it with naught but her will. Until it reached her face and into her eyes. As the world darkened around her, she realized that she was crying endlessly and she couldn't stop herself. She cried out for the Mother, and briefly, oh so briefly, thought she felt a presence.

In that singular moment, two things became clear in her mind. She would never become a Necromancer, for she was not strong enough to become one of the Mother's chosen. There was a way, a terrible, wretched way, for her to live and see her clan-mates once more.

She lived. Not as the Mother's Emissary, though that is how she presented herself to the clan upon her return. But as a horrible, cursed thing, infected not by the Mother's favour, but by the creeping, inorexable tendrils of the Shade.

She only prayed that one day the Mother, the Gladekeeper, or some other god would have mercy upon her. For until then, she had only the chill in her bones and the darkness that surrounded her. She would never see again.

During her trip back to her clan she was found by a Raptorik Ringmaster. They accompanied her back home, and have stayed with her ever since. She is unaware of it, but it is a small sign that she hasn't yet been abandoned by the gods entirely. She still has a tiny chance to fight off the Shade if only she can find the strength of will to do so.

Sunshift returned home to Clan Myosotis to (falsely) present herself as the Mother's Emissary. She resides on Temple Row, fearful of the day one of the Mother's actual chosen will visit the Clan and expose her lies.