Westward

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How did a dragon from the Nature Flight, the sworn enemy of the Plague Flight, become head and founder of the Clan's religious council?

Westward joined the Clan shortly after Beelzebub's birth at the beginning of the Second Epoch. He had made a massive pilgrimage across Sornieth looking for a clan with large amounts of promise where he could insert himself in a leadership position, in the process accumulating power and wealth. The moment he met Alyosha, he saw a kindred spirit and decided that Alyosha's Clan was his opportunity.

The second he arrived he started dressing himself in plague regalia and calling for increased worship of the Plaguebringer. Since his request was reasonable, Lisbeth granted him permission to start the Religious Council to advise on such matters, and granted him Beelzebub to raise as High Priestess. What no one but Alyosha and Lisbeth suspect is that Westward is far from devout: instead he's an opportunist allying himself with whatever seems convenient. Although he has genuine respect for the Plaguebringer and genuinely carries out religious rites, he is far less dedicated than any other member of the Religious Council.

Shortly after his inauguration as head of the Religious Council, Westward decided to accept Galiana as his mate. The two are the very definition of power couple, representing a massively influential faction within the Clan and having many surviving children to consolidate their position. Two of Westward's daughters died during the Great Migration, but he himself managed to get out of active duty by claiming he was of spiritual importance.

Westward's cynicism and lack of devotion was suspected by Beelzebub and was one of the main reasons she ended up disillusioned with him. Beelzebub's faction is now the biggest challenge Westward faces, although Lisbeth has helped him counter her by raising Plagia.

Although Westward may have long-term plans of overthrowing the Clan's leadership, and short term plans of trying to get Beelzebub exiled, his presence is by no means a bad thing for the Clan. He oversees religious rites with great expertise and helps undermine Beelzebub's agenda. He is a stalwart and respected member of the community. Westward's biggest secret is the icon of the Gladekeeper he keeps in the satchel tied to his body at all times. If revealed, it could ruin him.

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