HaZel

Dame Zel was not aware of who she was for a long time, nor why she was subject to such amnesia. She would find out later about “The Dreaming”, and how in some it was a sudden flash and catharsis, leading to either madness or flourishing. Sometimes both.

But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, let’s tell this story chronologically:

ZaEn never knew of a given name. <He> wandered alone in desolate wastes, searching for any glimmer of opportunity or joy. <He> didn’t know anything about himself, other than where <he> was and who <he> was around. <He> was very good at observing like that. <He> would even make funny games of these observations. The name <he> gave himself is one such game <he>’d play.

Down from the northern hills, <he> traveled to southern lands. <He> met goblins and vile scoundrels and all the like in Dur Demarion and various other kith and kin in Sage Hill. <He> would taunt and tease them, and learn their speech and mannerisms. <He> would play among their ranks, but never fit. So, it was always the lot of shenanigans for our intrepid antihero.

Once upon a dreary night, a figure named Malark would tell tale of an ancient figure named “Son Wukong”. ZaEn read as many books as <he> could about this character, because <he> too, had a tail and would have many cantankerous adventures full of hilarity and sometimes indignant rage. <He> would tell stories about being the descendant of the same figure, of being one of the mystically born hair “clones” that Wukong had the ability to create.

Everything seemed to fit. Except that it didn’t:

The story felt fitting enough. The actions and flair seemed comfortable. But, something just wasn’t *right*. Then, it all came back to <them>. The schism, the heartbreak, the betrayal of the past. But, ZaEn couldn’t exactly tell what it all meant, so kept it secret for now.

<He> came upon the house of Morikayun, where <he> was befriended by the likes of Kaimelar, Davina, and others. <They> liked it here. Until this family settled far away.

ZaEn had several issues keeping Sage Hill from falling apart, and ran into many problems with neighboring tribes and the larger kingdom. The north beckoned, so <they> answered the call. ZaEn and <their> partner Cuse settled with the Blood Horde and others for some time. And so, some of the echoes of the past and secrets ZaEn experienced were revealed to Cuse at that time, for which there were many talks.

Shortly before these moves, Kaimelar, of house Morikayun and Sage Hill, had been knighted and took ZaEn under this banner. The journey was long, but very non-traditional, which is how they both preferred it. The lessons were not to be met with fanfare and pomp, but with tangible results (even if small, covert, or unable to effect surface problems). With truth, and honor, and being a genuine person willing to work for a cause and be a service to all, it felt like the first calling she had in a while. And, she was allowed to do it as well as she was able, not as people desired her to.

Not many years later, ZaEn would take the same chain in service to whomever needed it. But, with that, it still felt incomplete.

Then, came the time of reflection. Much thought was put into the memories that came rushing back. Of the ogre Roh Brt and the witch Kah-Ren. Of all the family who either lost their lives or were scattered to the four corners. And, the many lands that were seen/watched and lessons learned. Of the shell that formed around one’s heart, and hardened to buffer against the world. Of the truth within.

But, this was a safe place now. This was the time, after all these years and decades. The dreaming would end. The being would begin.

Hazelyn Snapdragon was not born of mortal fiber. She was fae-kin, a Pookah specifically. She was raised by mortals in very dark times, and as a shapeshifter, learned to compose her form the way that kept her safe. But, upon letting this secret out, she had realized she had a long way to go to melt the shell around her visage. She could openly express as her own kind, but traces of the world and burdens she carried stick with her.

But, the persistence remains.

Even though her new realm in the north started to fade (as they are wont to do, it seems), as did the surrounding tribes, she remained stalwart with her partner. She still maintained contact with her house and lineage, which includes a Kitsune named Nikolai. Thus, making the lineage of Dragon, Wolf, Monkey, and Fox.