Rhosalth Female 36,000 Element: Energy Color: Shifting Mated: Ohen Guardian Played by Rhosa | Appearance
Rhosalth has features that are both avian and lupin in nature, her face is a combination of raptor like angles and wolf-like planes. A fan of ridged spikes raises from the crown of her head following the line of her back all the way to the tip of her tail. She stands at a very tall 50 meters and is nearly twice that in length with a wingspan that stretches as long as she is tall. Her body is covered in hard armored scales that overlap like slats on a roof and they shift colors depending upon her mood or mental inclination. Her limbs are long and gracefully proportioned roped with heavy muscle all the way down to her 4 toed paws, each of which are tipped with wicked sharp claws. The only scars upon her body thanks to sheddings are clustered around her ruined eyes, the pair glowing a pale purple within her face.
Personality Rhosa is a reserved and dignified individual, having been raised in the old ways she thinks before she speaks and values the ancient traditions deeply. Her demeanor is often standoffish, as she spent so long alone and apart from her people. Having been blind for most of her existence she takes little notice when people mention it, becoming more sarcastic and sardonic in her manner. Rhosa becomes rather defensive and rebellious if anyone suggests she can’t or isn’t able to do something. She does have a bit of a playful streak, though she only lets it out around people she knows well. Her patience is rather high except when it comes to Ohen who has the uncanny ability of robbing her of her patience completely.
History During the peak of the most violent storm since the dragons first came into being, Liphea and Rekoth of the Zephyr Clan welcomed their 2nd hatchling into the world. She would be their first and only female, and for a time she was their pride and joy. From her earliest memories she could recall playing with her brother Vom, an Air Dragon as all the Zephyr Clan are, a lively and protective male who doted on his little sister. During her gestation Vom had been the primary protector, 5,000 years her elder he was given the grave responsibility of keeping her safe while their parents were off dealing with dragon business and the harpy war. Once hatched the two were never far from one another, the little female often seen riding the winds upon her brother’s broad back. He was enchanted by her graceful curiosity and her tenacious thirst to know and see everything. Anyone who met her fell instantly in love, charmed by her exuberance and feminine finesse. At the peak of her 200th year the entire clan gathered around for her naming ceremony and it was Vom who named her Rhosalth, giving voice to the lively and graceful creature she was growing into.
Under her brother’s guidance Rhosa became a quick study in all things dragon including the old traditions, customs, and ceremonies that her family held in such high regard. Vom also began teaching her to fight, imparting to her the importance that she be fierce, agile, vigourous, and dexterous in order to catch an ideal mate.Her father would sometimes watch his two children, making stern comments to both in order to shape them into the refined future of the Zephyr Clan. Though he was often stoic and rigid towards his offspring he adored them, showing his love in a very different way than most. Rhosa never even so much as heard her mother speak, the female was constantly away from the nest on business thought she never minded. Vom was all she needed. The young dragonling held onto her brother’s every word, practicing and rough housing under his expert guidance through all the years leading to her pinnacle 500th year.
Her family had no doubt as to what she would be, for never had an offspring of the Zephyr clan not been tapped for air. The Zephyr Clan was one of the few who didn’t take outside elements, keeping to a puritan way that ensured the winds of Ephilion would always be governed by one of their own. Because of their surety Rhosalth met her 500th year with not a worry within her heart, the turning of her age taking place in the midst of the spring showers so she had to wait till the Summer Equinox Gathering for her tapping ceremony. With all the elegance and pride of a Zephyr female Rhosalth was escorted into the Gathering by her brother Vom and presented to the Guardians. Unlike most dragonlings Rhosa stood with a quiet dignity, having been told since birth that she was a Zephyr through and through, air would be her element and the skies her home.
The Elders invoked the magic of Ephilion, dedicating her life to the realm effectively unlocking the element that had been waiting dormant within her stout heart. Rhosa felt the moment those flood gates opened deep within her, tendrils of mist of the deepest black boiled around her enveloping her lithe, grey form. An intense heat seemed to permeate through her entire body as her bones expanded, muscles stretched and expanded, and her leathery skin erupted with impenetrable scales that layered over one another like armor. Almost as quickly as it had begun it was over, the mist dissipating to reveal her newly formed self to the Hold. Her family looked upon her with disbelief even as for the first time in her life she felt awkward and afraid.
Energy. She hadn’t been tapped for air like so many of her ancestors or her family, she was a deviant, given an entirely new element that had never been seen before. As she looked around at her family her father looked livid, her mother disappointed, and the rest of the Zephyr clan a mixture of disgust and disbelief. Only her brother Vom looked happy at the outcome, his congratulatory smile buoying her sinking spirits as her entire world was flipped on it’s axis. Instinctively she knew her own powers, the abilities that were now hers to command though she had to sit with the Guardians to explain them. For the rest of the Gathering she was given the cold shoulder by her Clan with the exception of her brother Vom who stayed by her side an ever comforting presence.
Once the Gathering was over it became apparent just how much her life had changed for as the rest of her family flew to their home in the clouds her father ordered Vom to find her new lodgings away from the clan. Under the ancient traditions she would still be protected and sheltered under the Zephyr Clan but she would no longer be apart of the Clan itself. Much to her father’s chagrin Vom found a large cave high up in the mountains and insisted he stay with her, going against the protests of the entire clan. While Rhosalth worried for her brother’s standing she was ever so grateful that she had him in her corner.
Rhosa and Vom grew ever closer as they spent day after day together; hunting, roughhousing, and generally spending time in one another’s company. Rhosa learned to harness her powers using them to their complete effects as she grew into herself. Energy is an ever shifting entity that is never created or destroy, it simply transfers from one place to another; as a result her scales changed colors at her will, an involuntary side effect of being an energy elemental. Sometimes they gave sway to her mood, making it essential that she master her emotions lest she give herself away. She found she could absorb energy from practically everything as energy was present in abundance in the world at large and she could use that energy in a variety of ways. Telekinesis came easily, her mind shifting the currents of energy around an object or many objects to lift and manipulate them as she saw fit.
Vom stood with her and supported her, defending her against those who had once been her family and the occasional attacks from harpies with a stubbornly immovable attitude. Despite their father’s many threats and her pleas for him to leave Vom was a solid pillar of strength that she could lean on in the face of every storm. Her father often spit censure and condemnation at her for being so selfish, her weakness tethering her brother to her side. Predictably during the next Solstice Gathering she attended her father pressured her to enter the duel for a mate. Rebellious against his venomous disregard for her Rhosalth abstained from the duel and many many more that followed.
Such as it was her life continued for the next several thousand years as she and her brother existed together on the outskirts of the Zephyr Clan’s disapproval. They were gifted with 2 more brothers, both of which were tapped for Air, and were kept well away from Rhosa and Vom. Still the war with the Harpies was becoming ever more brutal, their attacks leading the brother and sister pair to join forces with the Zephyr Clan on many occasions to beat back the shrieking hordes of flying hags. With each passing year the Harpy’s number only grew and their efficiency and skill at killing dragons became alarming. The situation became even more dire as many females were reported having laid eggs including several Zephyr females, Rhosa’s mother among them.
The entire Dragon Hold was put on high alert, guarding their precious eggs heavily as the threat to their future was imminent. Still for all their preparation and determination the blood shed and loss that followed would forever go down in history as the Great Mourning. Droves of harpy’s descended upon the Dragons, hitting several nests at once in a brutal and vicious attack. Rhosalth and Vom had stationed themselves close to the nest, steadfast in their goal of keeping their youngest sibling from harm. The moment the sun sank below the something like thunder rumbled in the distance and for as long as she would live Rhosa would never forget the screeching wails as the swarm descended upon them. Together they fought, the last line of defense as members of the Zephyr clan fought tooth, tail, and claw to protect their young.
Still the odds were overwhelming, the sheer numbers of the harpys making it so that their wings blocked out the night sky in a flurry of feathers and death. Rhosa fought harder that night than she had ever thought possible, protecting the precious eggs at her back and her dearest brother at her side. They seemed unstoppable, using their natural weapons as well as those given to them through their elemental links. Had she known that would be the last sunrise she would see, the last day she would spend hunting and playing with her brother, or the last time her eyes would ever look upon the stars Rhosa would have savored every moment.
The swarm pressed in close picking off dragon after dragon after dragon, Rekoth had disappeared and the Liphea crouched behind them with a few other females ready to defend their eggs. With the initial guards out of the way the battle shifted to Rhosalth and Vom who stood tall at the entrance to the nest, a heavily muscled male the color of dusty white and yellow beside a slightly smaller female who at the time had shifted to a deep, dusky black. Things erupted quickly in a swirling storm of flames, feathers, and blood. Rhosa was a gnashing whirlwind of sharp claws and teeth, shooting flames in all directions as she manipulated the energy around her to hurl harpy’s away from the nest.
Realizing the threat she posed and how much power she wielded the feathered horde focused on her, though as long as she could see she held fast and steady. Unfortunately they grasped that and in a merciless stroke one of their leaders dropped from the sky, claws extended, and aimed straight for her eyes. Rhosa had never known such pain, as the talons of several harpy’s viciously lacerated her eyes, obscuring her vision completely. Vom let out a bellow of rage and she tried desperately to get to him but under the onslaught, blinded as she was she stood no chance. Still the young dragon fought with every last fiber of her being, struggling to get back to her brother’s side. After what seemed like hours her body collapsed in a shaking heap, her mind sinking into the deep darkness she had assumed was death.
Rhosalth woke to a much darker world, the raging screams of her father filling her ears the moment she gained consciousness. Rekoth roared at her in his fury, blaming her for the deaths of their family and the ruin of the clan. Though she mourned the loss of her mother, her two younger brothers, and the little egg that might have been she felt Vom’s loss most keenly. After she had been attacked and maimed Vom had left his post of the nest entrance and fought to get to her side. Her heart had been exposed but before the killing blow could be delivered her valiant brother had intervened and given his life for her. Still it was all her fault in the eyes of her father, had she not been a deviant and thus weak, Vom wouldn’t have left his position exposing the females in the nest to the harpy’s. Her mother would still be alive, her brother’s wouldn’t have been killed, and she wouldn’t be a disgrace to the Zephyr clan.
All this she had to take in, alongside the heart wrenching discovery that the attack had not only left her wounded but blind. Her eyes had been damaged beyond repair, the lacerations too deep for even the skills of a healer to restore. In one night of blood and anguish the Dragon Hold had been reduced in population by nearly ¾ leaving only one Elder surviving and only 2 of the dozens of eggs the next generation. Rhosalth suddenly found herself in the upper tiers of the Hold, as practically none of those surviving were over 5,000. Rekoth disappeared shortly after the burial ceremonies, labeling himself a renegade and swearing vengeance upon his disowned offspring he left and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Heartbroken and alone Rhosalth would have like to curl up into a ball and escape from the world at large however, being blind and one of the oldest left it was her duty and responsibility to help rebuild. During the next Gathering mating became an important undertaking however she once again abstained as no male was interested in a physically impaired female. She lent her voice and opinions instead and with her help the Hold endured. Those that were left slowly rebuilt what had been lost, labeling the event the Great Mourning and moving on as they must.
Years ticked by in the inevitable passing of time and Rhosalth too endured, her element granting her the power to see without seeing. Though sight had been robbed from her Rhosa was able to see the flows of energy in her mind's eye, the shifting currents through anything that was living, solar, lunar, caressed by wind or water were visible to her. Flight was nearly impossible as the wind never gave predictable readings, the viscous wisps as wild as Ephilion itself. Ice was a forbidden terrain as it preserved energy in a solid state, producing an unyielding landscape that gave her little direction or substance.
She passed the many millenia in a solitary existence, only venturing within the populace during Gatherings where she lent her voice of wisdom. Though she had been shunned by her home Clan Rhosa had been raised in the old ways, the traditions of her ancestors as deeply rooted at the energy that flowed through her veins. As more generations came into being the Hold began to experience a frisson in their culture, as more deviants were tapped and the younger generations questioned or outright ignored the traditions that had become such an integral part of their people. By this time Rhosalth was around 31,000 and well on her way to becoming one of the first Elders since the Great Mourning. She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about the younger generation's way of thinking and certainly wasn’t ready for the live wire Ohen to come crashing into her life.
She’d made her home in a giant cave at the base of a mountain that was cushioned on all side by a vast forest of oakwoods. A Clan of Earth elementals lived close by, giving her the benefits of protection and respect due one of her age while also keeping their distance from the disabled female. Her sight didn’t keep her from hunting or from doing all the other things a dragon likes to do, by that time Rhosa had nearly forgotten what the world had once looked like, for to her eyes it was a dark canvas with swirling streams of energy that changed colors in a beautiful dance. The ancient female had become content with her life, at ease in her isolation, and the last thing she had expected was the vibrant Ohen to come crashing into her life.
She’d met him as a hatchling, a little squirming grey tyke filled with curiosity and personality in equal measures. Much to her surprise he took an avid interest in her, visiting her and practically following her everywhere. While she wasn’t sure what to think of him, she secretly loved his presence as he was a precocious and amiable even to a loaner such as her. Though she was loath to admit it she also enjoyed that Ohen seemed to pay no mind to her blindness, once he grasped how it had happened and how she managed without her sight he never mentioned it again. Most others of her kind seemed either tiptoe around it or couldn’t stop mentioning that she had no sight, adding to her urge to stay on the outskirts of the Hold.
Ohen’s Tapping Ceremony finally came and Rhosa looked on in her own peculiar way as the magic of Ephilion was called forth to claim the young dragon. She found joy in watching each tapping for through her “sight” she watched the energy of the element explode from within each Dragonling, shaping them anew. It was an incredibly beautiful experience and she thanked whatever deity had given her the gift of energy. A brilliant golden light more vibrant than the sun itself took hold of the Dragonling, reconstructing him into a powerful and dynamic male.
Ohen then became somewhat of a sensation, his personality was lively and vivacious, drawing attention everywhere he went especially among the females. Even to one as blind as she, it was clear Ohen was a natural leader and an outspoken advocate for the contemporary. Being the traditionalist loaner that she was, the Ancient kept to the old ways since the old ways were a tried and true method of propagating their species and protecting their culture. After the Gathering, the newly matured deviant Ohen left his Clan, traveling around as most males were wont to do in order to scope out where he wanted to live and visit the different clans in order to spot potential mates.
Rhosalth expected that she would only ever see Ohen again during Solstice Gatherings therefore she was highly surprised when he showed up to see her. He was much changed from the curious dragonling she remembered, more confident and self assured. Though from their first conversation it became apparent that they clashed more than she would have liked for he argued with her over everything and nothing at all. He seemed to take great pleasure from provoking her, purposing drawing her into little tiffs that left them both frustrated and annoyed. Then he left again leaving her in peace though after a few years in his absence she came to miss his cheeky wit.
Before she knew it he was back again with the same annoying and badgering attitude only to leave once more. Thus they continued their cycle though she had to admit she enjoyed his visits despite how easily he could get under her scales. He didn’t mind in the least that she was blind and she felt like he knew just how much she was capable of despite her disability. Still he prodded her often, inciting tiffs in which she gave as good as she got until they were both bristling and moody. At every Solstice Gathering she urged him to take a mate, for he was in no shortage of admirers and could have his pick of the best females the Hold had to offer though oddly he continued to abstain from the mating ceremonies. She teased him mercilessly for it, all the while wondering what made him to shy about it.
It was around her 34,500 year of life that the two were chatting during a Solstice Gathering as the perspective females began to put themselves forward for the duel. A few younger females had since taken to insulting her, both her sight deficiencies and bringing into question her viability as a female. They even went so far as to question her status as a dragon, cutting her deeply to the core. Ohen had been pestering her about putting herself forth to quell the rumors that the malicious females had been spreading. Rhosa desperately wanted to shut them up but she feared the embarrassment that would surely follow when she wasn’t chosen.
Rhosalth told him under no certain terms would she be embarrassing herself in front of the entire hold upon which Ohen responded his agreement, inferring that the other females were probably right, that she would probably end up hurt or injured anyway. Though her mind had been telling her much the same thing coming from Ohen in his patronizing tone of voice set her teeth on edge. Rebelliously Rhosa threw caution to the wind and in a stubborn show of pride entered the duel in order to shut his smug mouth. The entire Hold sat aghast as she took her place among the other vying females, followed by lots of amusement and condemnation. As a less than optimal female she stood no chance of being chosen by a male and would most likely be injured coming out last in the standing therefore she was wasting the time of the Hold.
Obstinate to a fault Rhosa stood firm, her jaw set as she took her place among the other females. The ensuing duel was an all out free for all, as the females who wished to attract mates battled one another to show off their ferocity and finesse. Rhosalth had done battle many time but every time with Harpy’s though she had stood witness to many duels over her extended lifetime. The next several minutes were a violent blend of teeth, claws, fire, and elemental magic as the females clashed in a fight for supremacy. One by one the females all yielded until only two were left: Rhosalth and Yana, the female who had been the primary propagator of slander against her. They had all gone after her in the beginning and each one had been beaten back and defeated, out maneuvered and outgunned by the blind weak link.
Her sides heaving Rhosa waited, watching Yana’s energy aura until she moved in to strike before she made her move, using her lithe flexibility to whip around hitting her opponent with her tail as several large boulders went flying at her head. The final conflict was short, ending with Yana nearly knocked out as Rhosalth stood tall and dignified in her victory. The entire Hold stood in astonishment as she took her place at the front of the candidates for mating, curling up to take a nap as the next stage commenced. Before she could drift off a buzz of excitement rippled through the females as Ohen himself took off in search of a prize, and deep within her heart she felt a stirring of sadness and jealousy.
Pushing those emotions away Rhosa closed her eyes and went to sleep, tired after her ordeal and ready for the next stage to be over. She knew that she wouldn’t be chosen, no male in their right mind would pick her over all the other possibles. She may have come out on top but her blindness alone made her unworthy of a mate and of being a mother. She’s entered the duel to shut Ohen up and the stop the rumors as well as the criticism towards her. One by one the males returned presenting their prizes to the females of their choice, a few females had multiple suitors, and yet not a one made their decision as the entire Hold knew that each one waited impatiently for Ohen to return. Finally he came flying over the horizon his large kill, a magnificent and heavily muscled manticore held firmly in his talons.
Manticore took great skill to bring down and from the looks of the mane he had taken a leader of a pride. It was by far the most highly prized tribute that any male could present to a female and the entire Hold watched with avid interest as he landed, carefully took his kill, and walked toward’s the waiting line of hopeful females. While the rest were standing poised with barely contained anticipation, Rhosa still lay curled up at the head of the line the ground in front of her bare as she knew it would be. Still she cracked an eye open, watching Ohen’s one of a kind golden aura slowly walk up the line from the back so slow, almost reverently place that Manticore in front of her.
It took several moments for Rhosalth and the entire Hold for that matter to register what he had done and yet Ohen himself stood stoic staring at her, waiting for her answer. Rhosa felt their stares, felt the energy pointed towards her of every dragon within the Hold realized that it’s most eligible male had chosen the blind female as his mate. Anger and outrage surged up within her while her heart did a funny little flip within her chest. “You’re an idiot.” She spat, glaring at the golden wreathed male before her. She felt his amusement as he responded, “Prove it.” With a sound of disgust Rhosalth did just that, leaning forward to accept the kill and his offer of mateship.
Things moved along at a somber pace following their scandalous mating though neither really paid it any attention. After consuming her meal, which was by far the best she had ever consumed, the pair slipped off to a secluded spot, curling up together under the moon to seal their mating. Rhosa had convinced herself that she would never have nor did she need a mate, that she was content living and existing alone. However sleeping with Ohen curled up around her felt right and for the first time in many many millennia she felt genuinely happy. Their mating wasn’t always smooth, they bickered and argued constantly but after a few centuries they settled into a comfortable place, and Rhosa couldn’t imagine life without him.
Their 1000 year approached and after some heavy debating both agreed that they would try for an egg. Luck was with them and following the most exhausting 24 hours of her existence Rhosa sat over a large and absolutely perfect egg. Both parents were extremely attentive and alert, knowing full well that Harpy’s would be on the lookout for an egg. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months as the single year slipped by without incident. Ohen constantly had to sooth Rhosa, her normally cool demeanor shifting into paranoia as they approached the hatching of their egg. Fate has always been a cruel bitch, who takes great pleasure in picking on the most valiant of hearts.
Harpy’s did indeed find the egg and attacked the couple, and after a vicious battle the would be parents were devastated at the sight of their empty nest. Rhosalth was heartbroken, her lack of sight had crippled her ability to see the one winged-hag that had managed to slip past her defenses and made off with her first egg. For months she never spoke a word, feeling utter wretched as she had let her male down and lost their first offspring. Of course she blamed herself, had she not been blind she might have caught the little sneak and they would be raising a hatchling rather than mourning what could be.
Still they pushed past it, the wounds healing into scars that didn’t seem to want to fade. All the while the Hold was dealing with contention within the ranks as more Harpy attacks were becoming common and the younger generations didn’t want to conform to all of the traditions that governed their species. The current Guardians were ready to step down, having already named a mated pair to be their successors, keeping the leadership within the Verdant Clan. During the Solstice Gathering there was an uproar following the announcement and gave way to a great debate. Ohen of course was all for changing things up and voice his opinion most ardently while Rhosa remained silent for the most part. While she did hold to the traditions as one of the oldest members she knew there needed to be some changes, lest the Hold undergo another situation like the Great Mourning a second time.
In the end the Dragon Hold voted and Ohen was appointed as the new Guardian and given his choice of who his Co-Guardian would be. Shocking the Hold once again Ohen chose Rhosa to stand as Guardian at his side, a move that was controversial and widely condemned. Guardians were meant to be the strongest and most vital members of the Hold and while Ohen fit the bill perfectly Rhosa less so. Still they had chosen him and couldn’t take away his choice, therefore they were stuck with the pair as Guardians.
Rhosalth has since settled into her role as a Guardian, taking the responsibility seriously despite the lack of confidence from her species in her abilities. Still, if her mate thought she was up to the task than she was determined to do the best that she could to lead her people and to make her mate proud.
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