Pringlepuffs' Clan

"Welcome Traveller.
My name is Sirana, and I am the Great Elder for this clan. My role is that of a royal, to look after the clan as a whole, making choices for the good of everydragon. But enough about me. You must have journeyed far to find us here, in the depths of the Shrieking Wilds. Well, in that case, you must stay. Flower will get you a drink, something to ease your tired legs. In the meantime though, I shall tell you a story. But not just any old story. I shall tell you our story."

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The Everglade Outclaws is a dragon clan nearly as old as the Great Pillar, so it is no wonder their history is long, dark and brutal. Now. Sit back with your drink, relax in the sun, and I shall begin.

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When Dragonkind first came into being, the Gladekeeper gathered together the first seven of her kin; Pike, Kaleo, Otso, Morgaine, Winslow, Merope and Tigris. These dragons formed what soon became the Council of Elders. Each was given a rank and duty by the Gladekeeper. The first was a Great Elder, Pike, the right hand of the Gladekeeper, whose duty it was to care for the good of all the clans as a whole, making decisions that would benefit all dragons. Next, came the Elder of Heart, Kaleo who looked after and cared for the clans and the dragons within them, protecting the young, elderly or weak and helping clans in times of short supply. Then, Otso, the Elder of Strength, who would fight with honour and valour to defend the clans from any opposing threat, and up-hold the peace within the Labyrinth. The Elder of Sight was chosen after, and this was Morgaine, whose duty it was to foresee the future of the clans, deliver prophecies and give guidance to the clans receiving them. Next, Winslow, the Elder of Mind was chosen. Their job was to record and document all the happenings within region. They became the mediators for the clans, helping to settle disputes with brain and logic rather than brawn. The final two elders were that of Chaos and Order. Sisters, Merope and Tigris, one of Chaos, one of Order, were given this duty. Contrary to the name, it was both their job to enforce the Law of the Wilds that the Gladekeeper made and keep peace within regions. Unfortunately, this was not to be.

Soon after the council was appointed, Merope became jealous. She was at the bottom of the rankings and was scorned by the other dragons. Even her sister, whose duty was much the same, looked down on her. She had always been of chaos. Even when she first came into being, Merope had been intrigued with the story of the Shade. She had found herself drawn towards destruction and darkness, finding the sort of serenity it brought her, nicer than doing good ever had. But in a land of peace, this could do her no good. And, so, her mind turned to darker thoughts, with darker meaning and a much darker purpose.
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Late one night, the Elders were attacked. They woke during the night to screams, fear and Fae-Fire. The blue flames licked at their camp, threatening to spread to the rest of the forest. It was soon put out, but no-one could figure out who started it. Even Morgaine could not See who it was. This left them dumbfounded. Never once, in the many years that they had been together, had anything like this ever happened. They were sure of one thing though. It had to have been one of them that did it.

This conclusion was drawn from the fact that only they had the power to make, let alone wield Fae-Fire. It is a highly dangerous, highly corrosive substance created from the shed skin of a Fae Frill and a diluted drop of Coatl blood. This first fiery attack drew the wedge of suspicion between all the dragons. All, that is, except one.

A few evenings later, the attacker struck again. A second bout of Fae-Fire, this one larger and more vicious than the last. Again, no-one could track or discern which dragon or dragons were responsible. Again, no-one knew why the dragon responsible did it. And, again, the wedge of uncertainty was driven deeper between the companions. All, except one.