Creative Corner

[columns] Life-like statues had been created to protect the clan's lair. Rouge dragons, seeking shelter from a storm, would spot the towering statues in blizzards and steer away. The gruesome teeth and mangled jaws of the statues terrifying almost anyone that couldn't tell the difference between a dragon and a statue. [nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/15584.png[/img] [/columns] [columns] [img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/238204/23820374p.png [/img] [nextcol]The magnificent art pieces did their job well. Too well according to some clan members. The clan members that were scared of them wanted to throw the talented artist out. The ice sculptures, although a testament to the artist's talent, were too fearsome and were considered bad omens. [/columns] [columns] The clan had existed in the Southern Icefields for a long time and relocating would be difficult, but the clan leader, Sealbriyi, didn't want to toss out their peaceful artist. She had heard the call of the Arcanist, feeling the tug on her very soul and magic to move anyway. What better reason than now? Without the ice and snow the artist would not be able to make their incredibly life-like sculptures and the clan's dragons would be at peace with them. [nextcol] [img]http://www1.flightrising.com/static/map/icons/ice_3.png[/img] [/columns] [columns][img] http://www1.flightrising.com/static/map/icons/arcane_3.png[/img] [nextcol] Almost without any troubles or regrets, the clan packed up shop and moved. Upon arriving in the new magical territory, Sealbriyi was overcome with special marks along her body. The mark of the Arcanist that showed her and her clan that they had all made the correct choice. The Arcanist welcomed them into his land without even making himself physically present, but his gift was welcomed. [/columns] [columns]Sometimes, Sealbriyi stares into the distance at other lands, shifting her gaze across the horizon as she hears the call of other gods and goddesses. Her magic, in tuned to the elements, is tugged in all directions, sometimes settling on one type of magic in particular. Maybe, if the pull is strong enough and her clan feels ready, they will move again.[nextcol] [img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/197512/19751151p.png[/img] [/columns]

[center][size=7] An Icy Beginnning [/size] [/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8fFP1Wh.png[/img][/center] The clan started when two dragons came together in the Southern Icefields. At the time of their joining they were a female Fae as white as snow and a Male Guardian who's scales shone brighter then the sun. The Guardian had been searching for his charge when he happened upon the Fae. Luckily his footstep hadn't been a few inches to the right or the Fae may have lost her tail that day, or worse.. As with all other Faes Zuria had trouble communicating with other dragons, she did however have a mighty temper that made her stand out from the rest of her species. Usually she would rely on looking into other dragon's eyes to figure out their emotions. Though when she did that with the Guardian all she saw were blank cloudy orbs. [i]The Guardian was blind.[/I] A fact that she spoke to him her monotone voice as if the Guardian didn't already know. Luckily the Guardian had spent enough years talking to different dragons so he was able to determine from the female dragon's monotone voice that she was a Fae. [i]What was a Fae doing all the way in the Southern Icefields?[/i] She had been blown off course when she was out following a particularly large vein of magic that she had found. She had been born right on the edge of The Fields which she believed was the reasoning behind her very white scales, not that the Guardian could see them. He couldn't help but think that she sounded very pretty, possibly even [i]beautiful[/i] even from the short simple description that he had been given and right then and there he decided that the Fae must be his charge. The one that he would spend his entire life guarding and protecting from any harm that may come her way. From that moment Seath was totally smitten over his very small and angry mate. When Zuria returned to her clan with her new found mate the dragons were at first wary of the appearance of the stranger. That quickly wore off when the clan was attacked by a pack of Winter Wolves. Seath was able to easily crush the enemies and quickly earned a place in the clan's heart. The clan's location certainly wasn't perfect, there was hardly any coverage from the bone chilling wind or the deathly cold nights. But to them it was home. Luckily for Seath the clan members were more than happy to create a nest for him out of pelts and random scraps of fabric that they had, Zuria's body was small but surprisingly warm. He was able to sleep comfortably. Their love soon brought their first nests. Only one of their children survived through the harsh weather that their environment challenged them with. They were joyous for his survival but too soon he grew up before their eyes and left the clan. His mother didn't understand his need to go but his father explained that it was what his kind needed to do. After all, it was how the two of them had met. Zuria still didn't understand even with Seath's explanation but she no longer questioned her son's motives and bid him farewell knowing that she would not see him again. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8fFP1Wh.png[/img][/center] For the moment the two were unable to suffer through the heartbreak of losing more children -either through dead eggs or having them leave- so they spent the majority of their days together enjoying each other's company. Zuria's small stature allowed her to perch on Seath's horns and she would describe everything that she saw around them to the male. Seath was a dragon of little words and was content to simply listen to his mate chatter on and on about the world around them. Their ability in battle made the two an easy choice for patrol. Being able to leave the clan's den made the scenery that Zuria described more interesting for the both of them. They were happy. Before the sun rose one morning Seath decided to go on patrol on his own. Earlier in the week he had tracked down a nest of Tundra Grub and he had wanted to dig some up to surprise his mate before she woke. When he came to the snowdrift that he had marked with his scent he began digging... Unfortunately he didn't find the grubs, he had found something much more special than that; a Ridgeback breed change scroll. Gods knew what it was doing out in the Southern Icefield buried in the snow. The moment that his talon touched the scroll pain filled his every sense before he passed out upon the ground he was standing leaving a massive dent in the snow pile. The newly changed dragon was awakened by Zuria as she had recognized him immediately. The small Fae had been worried when she woke in their blanket nest alone, so she decided to search for him. Upon noticing he was awake, Zuria spoke in her monotone voice. "Seath, you are not a Guardian anymore. Rather, you are a Ridgeback." She held the empty scroll within her claws. It had activated when he had touched it. Seath didn't know what to say or do as he kind of laid in his spot before he decided to stand before walking back to where he knew the clan was at the moment. He heard flapping of wings as Zuria followed him. When they had arrived, whispers were heard throughout the clan at Seath's new appearance. Luckily the clan was able to recognize Seath even in his new body because of how closely Zuria followed. The two soon disappeared into the room that Seath had dug out for them both. As he dealt with his physical change Seath retreated more into his mind with each passing day. Even Zuria's company was not enough to keep him from spiraling further away from the clan. One day another group of wolves sprung an attack on the clan, Zuria did her best to defend the clan on her own but there were many casualties. The leader was fully prepared to toss the two out into the snow until one day something finally snapped in Seath and he returned ready to fight. While walking with his head down in the clan's tunnels another dragon whispered some sort of insult as he passed. Seath knew that he wasn't worthless and ended up proving it to that dragon as well. He was still the top fighter in the clan. That event changed things for the better Seath was back to his old self and Zuria was more than content to perch on his nose or the spines along the top of his head and chatter at him once again. Her mate was back. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8fFP1Wh.png[/img][/center] When Seath had been a Guardian he was almost graceful in his body, watching him fight as a Ridgeback was awkward for anyone who happened to be around. He still won fights but he ended up hurting himself more to achieve his victories. Zuria had a choice to make. She had always helped her mate in battle but her small size was now a disadvantage rather than an advantage, she wasn't able to focus on the battle when half of her mind was always worried about how Seath may harm himself. Deep inside the clan's library a book was held that would be able to solve her issue. She spotted a rare scroll that changed her into a Skydancer. Her father was a Skydancer. And, she still had that aura issue. The Fae decided to choose this scroll. She had told Seath her plan as he opposed it. She was great as a Fae. She didn't need to change for him. Zuria had always been stubborn and took no heed of his thought on the issue. Her mind had already been made up. She used the scroll to become a Skydancer. It took a few days for the pain to subside, but she felt much better as a Skydancer rather than a Fae. Her ability to read auras was a lot easier to control than it had ever been. Not to mention, she could use it in the fights to feel opponents that would try to ambush attack either Seath or her. It was a great decision. Though Seath wasn't too happy about her change, he realized she was a lot happier in this form. He would smile and be moral support for the change. She was also a lot easier to cuddle now than as a Fae. So, the cuddling became a norm for them especially if one really needed the other. They were a team. A fighting team. Though the clan was a peaceful place, they were appreciated. They stuck out yes, but they were appreciated. Especially when others attacked them. When other clans (dragons or beast) attacked, Zuria and Seath were at the ready. And that was why the entire clan appreciated their fighting spirit. [img]https://i.imgur.com/nQQeECt.png[/img]

[center][size=7]A Young Leader [/center][/size] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8fFP1Wh.png[/img][/center] Over in the Scarred Wasteland an egg hatched. This sort of event happened many, many times everyday but this egg was special. Although the female Nocturne that hatched would never know the two dragons who nested together and created her egg she would not grow up parentless. The two dragons that found her egg taught her all about the world. Sealbriyi was not brought up naïve, but not cruel, either. Her parents never believed that a dragon had to be one or the other, and she learned from the very best that you could recognize harshness and unkindness but still be kind to those dragons around you. The clan's leaders were not brought up the same way as her. The Nocturne that ruled the clan was cruel and bloodthirsty. Although her parents were clan elders their words of harmony fell on deaf ears. Knowing that their daughter would not be able to change a clan so set in its ways they sent her off into the world where they knew that she would be able to make a difference. Sealbriyi would never had been able to leave the clan or her parents had they not promised her that their love would follow after her and that she was more than brave and clever and kind enough to make it on her own. Luckily Nocturnes were more than adept at mimicking those around them, something that dragons found oh so delightful. Sealbriyi was able to win her way into the hearts of many clans though she never stayed in any of them for very long. It was usually only a day or two's rest and then she would be off again trying to find a home of her own. At one point Sealbriyi had the pleasure of stumbling across a small clan of other Nocturnes and she found how much she missed her parents. She spent many weeks here, reminiscing her fellow dragons and learning of the world of war around her. Hatchlings were naturally drawn to the female and she loved them all dearly. Her own childhood had not been filled with games and laughter so she set out to make at least one hatchling laugh a day, something that was usually achieved before breakfast. One day while she was the 'finder' in a game of hide and go find that she was playing with a group of hatchlings Sealbriyi wandered into a Parda’s den where she found a small one, who must have been the runt of the litter. It looked like her mother had left her behind. The small creature began to chirp loudly in as it stared up at Sealbriyi inquisitively. Sealbriyi tilted her head a little as she stared down at the creature before she mimicked the noise that it was making at her. This seemed to appease the small creature who stood up quickly and hopped up onto the dragon’s shoulder before turning in a few circles and laying down and purring happily.The Prada would soon be called Drazini by everyone who knew the two. Sealbriyi had found someone who was going to come with her on her journey, and help her make a place in the world where they would both be able to make it. [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Pd8m9bXm.jpg[/img] [/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8fFP1Wh.png[/img][/center] The world was new and filled with adventure so with heavy hearts the two left the group of Nocturnes and began searching for something that fit the idea of home that Sealbriyi kept in her mind. The Southern Icefields weren't too far from the Scarred Wasteland where the two had been staying and so she decided to head South with her Parda perched on her shoulder. She had heard of mighty Icewarden who cared not for his creations and how he ruled his icy domain with an iron claw. When the two arrived the Icefields were not as terrible as they had been expecting. They were barren but there was so much land and it seemed like it was anyone's for the taking. Or so she thought. Sealbriyi was not accustomed to the cold and quickly crafted a fire to warm them as darkness fell. She would have to gather food tomorrow for now she needed rest. Overnight a blizzard hit and the two were trapped in the ice cave that had been their shelter for the night. It wasn't terrifying but both of their stomachs rumbled from hunger. Looking out the entrance of the cave only made them feel more alone in the world so they did their best to entertain each other from their lonely thoughts. Finally, a sound other than the snow hitting the ice outside the cave could be heard. Footsteps crunched through the snow. Although she didn't like to fight Sealbriyi had been trained to do so and she crouched ready to attack if necessary. A long stick poked into the cave's entrance though when she got a better look at it Sealbriyi realized that it wasn't a stick at all, it was a Ridgeback's nose! Perched upon the nose was a female Skydancer who was crouched ready to spring at the Nocturne. For a moment the Skydancer stared at the other female though eventually her eyes moved to the Parda on the Nocturne's back and then to the fire. There was no threat here. The Skydancer relaxed and spoke quietly to the Ridgeback who finally poked his head into the cave with a huge grin. The two studied Sealbriyi curiously with grins. The young Nocturne really didn't know how to react though seeing their smiles but her at ease and she relaxed once again next to the fire. The Skydancer spoke in her monotone voice, loud enough for the Nocturne to hear, and explained that the two guarded the nearby clan from attackers. Their names were also Seath and Zuria. Sealbriyi absorbed all the information that they told her about their clan and eventually introduced herself along with her companion. She also shared the tale of her journey and how she was searching for a place that felt like home. Zuria and Seath allowed the Nocturne to speak her piece before they admitted that their current clan didn't feel like home to them but they would be glad to give the Nocturne protection from the icy lands around them for the time being. Oddly enough, Sealbriyi had ended up finding a place that finally felt like home. Her two guards had quickly accepted her as their leader although they were both older, neither of them had any interest in leading a clan. For the time being the small cave that the Nocturne had found was the home of the three, they had to build an addition so that Seath was able to fit more than just his head inside. As time went on the clan grew. Sealbriyi found herself gathering more and more compatriots, little at a time. Without ever truly realizing what had happened, she became the matriarch of her own little clan, a peaceful, wandering troupe where understanding is key.

[center][size=7]A Necessary Move[/size][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Most of the dragons in the clan knew that there was no reason to be afraid of the world outside of the icy cave. There were some, one in particular, a fearful dragon who still worried that the clan was unsafe. A male Skydancer known as Molly was the worst worrier in the clan even after the reassuring of the other dragons in the clan that there was nothing to worry about the feeling that something [i]could[/i] happen was almost too much for him to bear. Although the male was one of the happiest and friendliest dragons that one would have the joy of meeting, he had a habit that frightened the clan to no end. Molly took it upon himself to carve ice guardians near the mouth of the cave in hopes of keeping anything or anyone frightening away from his home. The sculptures worked well, almost [i]too[/i] well. They were so lifelike, their claws, scales and fangs sculpted so precisely, that they ended up terrifying the members of his own clan especially when they returned to the lair late at night or left before the sun fully rose. There was something eerily magical about the sculptures, almost as if they were living rather than just made of ice. It was decided that the clan would move to get away from the sculptures. They would move somewhere that Molly would be unable to create his terrifying art. When Sealbriyi was asked where by her she pondered the question for a few days. She had always felt the pull of different types of magic from the different Gods but the one that felt the strongest was that of the Arcanist from the Starfall Isles. [i]That[/i] she decided was where the clan would move to. Fortunately, the move was not too wearing on the clan. The two territories were relatively close to each other so even the elderly members of the can were able to make it without too much stress on their bodies. Moral was boosted the moment that Sealbriyi's claws touched the fuchsia soil and her body was graced with special runes from the Arcanist himself. That was all the reassurance that the clan needed to know that they had made the right decision in their move and they were welcome to call the land home. The crystals of the Crystalspine Reaches were fragile enough that creating a new lair was something that was accomplished in a few days from the help of the larger and stronger dragons. To this day the clan is thankful for the flexibility to expand their lair as necessary. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Of course the things that we run from have a way of finding us when we least expect it. As Seath and Zuria left for their morning rounds to be certain that nothing unwelcome had wandered too close in the night there was a form waiting for them outside of the crystals that they called home. Now the two had become used to odd things outside of the lair (something that only other Arcane dragons know) but this form wasn't a flock of Fallout streak.. no it was something much more surprising than that. What the two dragons found was one of the very sculptures that they had fled from had taken its place at the front of the lair, seeming to guard the entrance as it had back in the Icefields. Zuria would have been more than happy to simply destroy it, there was a sort of gleam in its eye as she approached and she was [i]almost[/i] certain that it was smirking at her, as if proud of its presence here. She would have destroyed it had Molly not noticed it first. The male dragon sprinted out to the front of the lair and stood in between Zuria and the sculpture begging her not to destroy it. She was so taken aback by his actions and his emotion for the thing that she agreed, though not without the threat of smashing it should "any funny business occur." Glad to have his guardian back from the terrifying world Molly agreed. Molly spent that day staring at his creation never wandering too far from it. As the sun set and the moon rose high into the sky the statue broke from its frozen slumber and the two began chatting. The statue, referred to himself as "Flurris" it had been a name that Molly had once muttered to it though he had long forgotten about it. Flurris told his creator about how he had come to find himself here. By sheer will alone, he had begun to move. It took some time, at first, to begin to chip and rip his own base from the pedestal of ice where he had once stood. The nights in the Icefields were filled with noises of groaning and ripping ice, some of it cracking under the pressure of movement. Even now, the two spend their nights together, playing various board games and chatting until the sun rises. Sometimes Flurris watches Molly work on a new artistic piece. It is obvious to the clan that Molly loves the statue with his entire being. His creation that had fought against the odds to come to life and find the clan again. Flurris does have to agree the feeling is mutual. He deeply cares for the clan. You just can’t protect and guard something for so long and just let it go so easily! Plus, his creator was here, the original that gave him life through the careful care in the artistic craft and magic being infused into the ice. Flurris has no qualms with his new life. He believes the clan understands him better now, and even accepts his protection. That, to Flurris is good. For life is a service to those you care for.

[center][size=7]An Unlikely Adviser[/size][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Arcane’s territory had its fair share of oddities for the clan. There were questions as to whether they somehow attracted the oddities themselves or if the clan was just lucky (or unlucky) enough that odd things kept happening to them. After the sudden appearance of Frisot and the way that he continued to watch over the clan the answer was clear, there was magic that surrounded this clan and they take all of the oddities that would occur to them in stride. One day at the edge of the clan a small Nocturne appeared, hungry and alone. As much as the members of the clan did their best to get information out of the hatchling there wasn’t much to be told. All that she recalled was that her name was Tieamat, there was nothing in her mind about her parents or birth clan. Seath and Zuria, especially Zuria, were appalled by this. The hatchling had obviously come from [i]somewhere[/i] and that somewhere was farther away than they could believe based on the color of her eyes. The two yellow orbs stared back at them as they comforted the dragon and brought her to Sealbriyi. [center][img]https://67.media.tumblr.com/9835e63adcbe6ffdbaf17d929e8efac9/tumblr_inline_oczoegU1v91r3h1o8_540.jpg[/img][/center] The clan’s leader knew what it was like to be without a clan and she couldn’t in her right mind send the hatchling out into the world to fend for herself, not that she would have done such a thing to begin with. Taking pity on the young dragon, Sealbryili took Tieamat under her wing, and the nocturne was welcomed into the clan. The longer she remained in the clan, the more peculiar the nocturne’s state seemed; even as the dragon aged, she did not physically mature. Even as an adult, she appears to be only a child; at this point, most of the clan has accepted that Tieamat would permanently remain in the body of a hatchling. However, her personality is anything but childish; Tieamat constantly shows wisdom beyond her apparent years, and is both knowledgeable and forthcoming. Many dragons come to the nocturne for insight on both public and personal matters; her advice is taken with great consideration amongst the clan, and she is an honored advisor to the clan leader. She can be blunt when providing advice, but her wisdom is given with the best of intentions; the nocturne only seeks to provide help where it is needed. Sealbriyi is always the first to come and ask for knowledge from the smaller dragon. She knows that physical appearances aren’t everything, especially after being shunned from other clans simply for the colors of her eyes. The two have a good bond, although newer members of the clan are confused when they see their clan’s leader conversing with an apparent hatchling about issues such as food stores or patrolling the territory it is a relationship that works well for the two of them. Tieamat’s wisdom is not without grounds; the nocturne has a distinct thirst for knowledge, and can often be found poring over old tomes and scripts in the deepest part of the lair or even in the Observatory itself. She is always searching for new information in any subject of interest, and most of her personal belongings consist of her favorite books and various notes. Even visiting dragons are not overlooked; strangers are often questioned on their experiences and travels thoroughly by Tieamat in the hopes of gleaning any useful knowledge from them. However, she occasionally provides wisdom that cannot be found in any book; most dragons wonder whether it is a product of Tieamat’s instinct or some knowledge she recalled from her long-forgotten past. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] There were many dragons who sought Tieamat out for her knowledge, hoping that she would share it with them. There was one dragon who sought her out not for her knowledge, but because he desired something else from her. Friendship. The appearance of Burzkui was just another thing that the clan needed to accept. There was no reason that this Fae from the Southern Icefields should appear and claim that he was the “guardian” of the hatchling-sized Nocturne and yet, here he was. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/29Rl2WP.jpg[/img][/center] The rest of the clan took him in without hesitation. Faes always held a soft spot in Zuria’s heart considering she had been one at birth and it was easy to read their expressions based on the frills atop their head. From the way that this males’, Burzkui as he called himself, excitedly twitched as he spoke of the Nocturne that he had come to see it was fairly easy to see that he was genuine with his intent. Seath did his best to explain that Tieamat wasn’t the most conversational dragon, she preferred to keep the company of herself and her tomes but it did nothing to change the Fae’s mind. With a gentle smile, Seath used a claw to point towards the tree where the Nocturne liked to read. Burzkui flew to the tree and met the Nocturne who was peering down at a tome almost as large as she was. She was surrounded by scrolls and didn’t notice him at first. It was only a short while before she sat up suddenly and opened her wings as if to take to the sky. “Wait!” The words popped out of his mouth before the Fae could stop it. He hadn’t come all this way for nothing. His head frills fluttered in self-annoyance before he composed himself once again. “Where are you going?” Tieamat debated for a moment before folding her wings once more. “The Observatory. I just read this most wonderful thing about the Crystals that create the island…” Her voice trailed off as she explained that she needed to find another tome that covered it more. It didn’t seem to phase her that Burzkui was a dragon that she had never seen before around the clan. Her mind was too focused on the next bit of knowledge that she was curious to know more about. Well, he simply [i]must[/i] accompany her to the Observatory! He explained this to Tieamat hoping that she would understand. “To me it doesn’t matter much whether you are here or not..” Tieamat responded quickly, too quickly she realized when she noticed the fins on the Fae’s head lower. “Of course.. I could always use the company on the flight to the Observatory. It’s rather far and one can get rather lonely.” The Fae’s fins perked up at that. He never intended to get in the way of the Nocturne’s studying. He simply wanted to keep her company and protect her. Their relationship is an odd one. Instead of meeting Tieamat as intellectual level he simply keeps by her side. Where she goes, he follows. Where she sleeps, he makes her nest comfortable. When she speaks, his eyes grow somber and he listens with such devotion and intensity it is as though he has raised her. Tieamat recognizes his quirky faithfulness and takes care to acknowledge it when there is a moment in her busy work to do so. The fae could receive no higher praise. Together they hatch ways to better improve clan life and aid their clan leader.

[center][size=7]A Clan Elder[/size][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Family can come from anywhere. Since the beginning, Wilhelmina had only wanted to provide for those that could not afford to provide for themselves. Her small home had always been open to any weary dragon or even the odd beast who found themselves in need of a place to stay. The Skydancer spent all of her free time doing deeds for others. Her claws were quick to create anything that another creature could need or want. Scarves, sweaters, baskets, small trinkets, and her favorite gift, flower crowns. Word quickly spread of the dragon who only wanted those around her to be happy and Wilhemina became receiving treasure donations from others. There wasn’t much that the dragon could give as thanks, but flower crowns always brought smiles to her guests’ faces. A flower crown made by Wilhelmina became an almost coveted thing. It was a sign that the dragon wearing it had a good, kind heart. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FZwtxmr.jpg[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Throughout her years Wilhelmina had made many, many friends. Her longest and best friend was her cat Cheeks, named after his fluffy cheeks that always seemed too big for his face. Tragedy strikes everyone however, even the ones who deserve it the least. Eventually, Cheeks passed away from old age, leaving Wilhelmina heartbroken and unable to go about her daily routine. Her precious companion, the one she grew up with, had left her alone. Those that became her friends tried to comfort her, try to tell her that Cheeks had such a good life with her, but their comforts fell on deaf ears. Wilhelmina was too shaken up to listen. She instead threw herself in her work and kept helping others, regardless of the cost to her own health. Day and night she made sweaters and blankets and cooked food for those that needed it. If she caught word of there being a squabble, she rushed to the scene and settled things down. The Beastclans that knew her as an ally began to grow increasingly worried and even tried to stop her from working for the sake of her health. Their efforts failed. She only housed them all and fed them her food. Nothing they did could make her stop. She was working herself to death. All because Cheeks had passed away. In desperation to prevent her from falling even more ill, the Beastclans went searching for a cat. Not one that looked like Cheeks, but another one that would win over Wilhemina’s heart just the same. Eventually, they found the perfect match. A small black cat that looked like it was in desperate need of a home. The Beasts brought the cat to her and begged her to care for it. Wilhelmina quickly agreed and nursed the half-starved cat back to health. The black cat was set free once it was healthy, but it returned... with friends. Wilhelmina took the other cats in, gaining quite a following of felines that she cared her. Slowly, as if by magic, her health returned and her sadness from the loss of her friend was scabbing over. Those that loved and cherished her for her kindness watched happily. Their friend, their protector, had returned to them. Her warm smiles and gentle voice. Yet another problem began. Wilhelmina was growing elderly and had trouble remembering how to get home. She knew she had to help others, but would sometimes find herself in the wrong parts of the area. The dragons and Beast that cared for her would bring her home and worry in silence. Her memory was slipping away and the cats kept appearing. Cats that were injured or with matted fur. As always, Wilhelmina would take them in. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] It wasn’t long before another problem reared its head. Wilhelmina was growing elderly and had trouble remembering how to get home. She knew she had to help others, but would sometimes find herself in the wrong parts of the area. The dragons and Beast that cared for her would bring her home and worry in silence. Her memory was slipping away and the cats kept appearing. Cats that were injured or with matted fur. As always, Wilhelmina would take them in. Her friends came to an agreement. She had to go somewhere that she would be safe. A place that did not need her help as much, so she could spend her last several years at rest. As carefully as they could, the Beastclans took her most precious belongings--including all the cats-- and moved Wilhelmina to a clan they had heard about from their own allies. In the cover of darkness, they put the elderly dragon in an empty room and put her things down, arranging it just like her shack had been. They placed her cats with her and told her that she was home, that she was safe here. Wilhelmina believed them and waited there to meet her so called friends she didn't remember. When the rest of the clan woke up, they found a grandma wandering around, picking flowers and making them into crowns with her many cats following her. More cats appeared throughout the day, needing food and shelter. Wilhelmina would herd them into her empty room that she had apparently claimed. The clan was confused, but everyone knew the old dragon was no threat to them. She was senile and sweet. Besides, Wilhelmina won them over by placing the crowns on their head and saying how pretty and beautiful and handsome they all were. She wandered around, remarking about how she would clean stuff up and make dinner, and then wander back to her home to not be seen for days. The only sign that she was alive was the constant traffic of cats that entered her room looking like they had gone through hell, only to come out looking like show cats. Now it is custom for clan members to wear her flower crowns with pride. Wilhelmina isn't aware of it quite yet, but she has a clan that will protect her with everything they had. As far as they are concerned, this grandma is their grandma.

[center][size=7]A Difficult Sacrifice[/size][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uCpGANO.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Tough times resulted in sacrifice. During famines, some clans would be forced to ration what they had. When in the middle of a plague, some clans would be forced to toss out the sick to protect the well. Sometimes, when times were difficult and clans were desperate for treasure, they gave away their young to other clans. It was during one of these times of desperation that Mohanadas' parents gave her away to a clan in the Starfall Isles. This was an act of love. Had her parents kept her they could have never cared for her or fed her. Times were too tough for that. They knew that their child would be safer in another clan that wasn't currently suffering. If anything, their act of giving Mohanadas away was the greatest gift they could give their child. To let her be adopted by another clan and cared and loved for. Their precious daughter would never have to suffer starvation or from the cold. This sacrifice was not understood by a young Mohanadas. She couldn't comprehend why she was given away. Was it because she wasn't good enough or what they wanted? Despite these countless thoughts, Mohanadas always received weekly letter from her parents or another member of the clan that she would have grown up in, had she stayed there. When Mohanadas was young Seath and Zuria, who cared for the young dragon, read these letters to her and would write letters back to the clan in response to the questions that had been asked in that week’s letter. Simple things like her progress with reading and writing as well as her health were always discussed, usually Mohanadas included a drawing that she had made for her parents. It wasn’t an ideal way for a child to grow up, but they made it work as best as they could. These letters did little to sooth Mohanadas, though. Being so young, and being in a new place, she was terrified. Seath and Zuria tried to soothe the young dragon by telling her stories while she curled into a nest made of blankets by Seath. These stories were of the clan, where they came from, things that happened. Some stories were funny, others were scary, and some stories had important lessons. These tales helped Mohanadas to fall asleep, feeling safe and at peace with her life during the nights. The other clan members helped to make Mohanadas feel accepted in the clan. Wilhemina made as many flower necklaces as the spiral could ever want, which was a surprisingly large amount. Molly used his skill of carving to sculpt small trinkets for the Spiral to play with. Rarely anyone brushed the young dragon off, somehow knowing how difficult it must be for her to be so far away from her home. The Starfall Isles were much different than the Everbloom Gardens. The twisting, thick forest of the Gladekeeper made the Arcanist's lands seem bare and desolate. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sNSNO57.png[/img][/center] Luckily, the feeling of being an outsider disappeared over time. As she grew older, she was able to write back to her parents on her own. Her feelings of anger had long since faded away ever since she could read the letters herself and have private conversations with her parents. Her parents helped her understand why they had to give her away through their letters, but Mohanadas could feel their love in every word. They wanted what was best for her and they could not provide her with what she would need. So, they did the only thing they could. Mohandas had to agree with their decision. If her parents had not sent her out of the clan, she never would have met such wonderful dragons, have seen such wonderful lands, or have gained as much knowledge as she had. Mohanadas' curiosity grew along with her. She would tell her parents about the dragons she met in the clan. Seath and Zuria were always what she talked about the most, but Mohanadas began to wander away from them and meet other clan members to learn more about them. Her parents would always respond with praise that she was getting out and getting to know other dragons. It was this praise that lead Mohandas to meet two of her closest friends. Tieamat and Burzkui. The three spent a lot of time in the clan’s library together, studying all the books and scrolls they could. They even traveled to the Observatory's library to try and learn more about the world around them, studying the Arcanist's own notes. Their search for knowledge eventually took them to other clans to learn about their customs and their way of life. Other clans could offer amazing knowledge, could show how things could be done in an entirely new way. As always, Mohandas would update her parents about these events and would ensure that she put in instructions for any medications or recipes for an alchemist to use. Her parents were soon updated on everything Mohandas had learned, including her undying love for the clan leader, Sealbriyi. Something about the clan leader just made Mohandas' heart flutter and she would get weak knees near her. Her parents said it was love. Mohandas didn't deny them. If she was in love, then that was fine. The only bad part was how weak her body seemed to get when talking to Sealbriyi head on.