The pen can be mightier than the sword, and this Gryphon knows that just as many battles are won in the courts of kings (or in this case, Weyrwomen) as are won on the field. Let the Swords and Shields do their thing. He'll bide his time, then shine when words become the weapons of choice. Well-spoken and eloquent, he knows just the right way to pitch his voice to invoke whatever response he wants from his listener, be it respect for his cause, sympathy for his troubles, or anger at his foes. He can convince others that he is right (whether he actually is or not), and get them to open up their deepest secrets into his confidence, whether they realize they are doing it or not. It is in these ways that he serves the cause of the overall good, finding out through stories and conversation what others may want to keep hidden. But he isn't utterly useless on the battlefield: his rallying cries and inspirational battle-songs hearten his allies and discourage his foes, and when things get thick he'll be dancing on the edge of the melee, talons and beak lashing. And when the battle is over, and everyone is resting, he will regale them with calming songs and enjoyably stories of which he seems to have an endless supply.
Perhaps some might think it odd that he would find himself paired with Belial, an Archduke of the Seventh Layer of Hell and to most outside perspective a being very capable of aggression and intimidation. But there is another side to Belial that should not be forgotten, one that syncs up well with the Rose: Belial is a member of a hellish court, after all, and maneuvering politics is something that they both share a skill at. Belial has sometimes been called the 'Lord of all Wordiness' for his verbosity, so perhaps this Gryphon should be considered the Viceroy? At the very least he will be telling the tale of how Belial fought off a Nightwraith, despite terrible injury to himself, and set him free (and he'll exaggerate only a little bit).
As first impressions are critical in nearly all aspects of life, this Rose always keeps himself in the best appearance possible. He can sometimes come across as vain with all the grooming he does, but that's not the case at all. More like he simply enjoys looking good, and knows other around him feel the same. Unless he absolutely must, he is never without a purple sash worn across his chest, contrasting nicely with his soft blue coloration, lavender-banded wings, and slightly deeper blue forelimbs as if he wears kid gloves. His eyes are a rather striking hunter green, like the heart of a pine forest. Ability: When he so desires, this Gryphon can use his voice to great effect. Against enemies, he can cause them to become demoralized and shaken, hindering their battle ability, and for allies his encouragements can make them bold causing their attacks to hit with greater accuracy and force. In general, he is also very good at reading people, able to focus on their words and catch when they lie, or convince them to say more than they mean.
Shadowed Perceptions / Observations And Riddles / The Truth Is A Verse Enigma
Speech:Italic #96b4d6
Quiet, one may think that this Enigma has lost her capability of speech. Though once she does decide to speak, many may wish she had from the frustrations she would cause. Sphinxes to begin with speak in riddles and are rarely plain in their wording. A simple no quickly turns into 'nine is nine except with me, so don't even think about it when I say it to thee' instead of just simply saying no. While they are perfectly capable of saying no, it isn't as...Fun for them or as entertaining. Then again, when you enjoy riddles, why not make them up all the time? Haiku is no exception in this regard. She loves a good riddle as much as the next, but she adds her own little twist to it. For not only does she riddle at you, she will recite poetry too! Taking the structure of haiku, which is s how he also got her name, the riddles take on a whole new depth. If you thought they were tough before, try figuring them out when they are broken up into this type of poetry structure. Thankfully for everyone, she mostly stays quiet, never missing anything that goes around her. She does enjoy talking to Belial though and attempting to stump him from time to time. That is her guilty pleasure. That and of course reading over Raferties's or Belial's shoulder for new content to place into her riddles. She knows that just cause you know a lot of things does not mean you know everything. She considers herself more practical than wise, but will not deny any compliments given to her. To do so would be pointless and obviously the person believes it or why else would they have said it? There are better things to do with one's time then denying things that are nearly impossible to deny. Such as devising more stanzas for riddles. That is much more worthwhile.
Her wings, like all Enigmas', are a pure white and the rest of her is a light brown. Stripes that go across her back appear in a pale cream color, giving her a sort of tasmanian tiger look with them. Thin gold bands, gifts from people who have visited her, go up her hind legs and hold a variety of gems from garnets to rubies to gems only found on Teragaia. Some also go down her tail, though a lot fewer than what is on her hind legs. And as always, there is room for more should it be given to her. She isn't one to turn down a gift (especially a thoughtful one). Her glow is a soft kind of glow. Not quite as bright as some of her follow companions who share the ethereal mutation, hers is very low and soft. Like the glow you see at twilight. It has the odd effect of making her seem more welcoming (at least in sphinx terms) due to the fact that it makes her colors seem a bit warmer. Almost like chocolate you could say. Please don't try and eat her though. Those teeth and claws aren't for show.
A Beautiful and Umbral Power Female Solar Eclipse Red Mottle Firelizard
Eclipses are beautiful events, especially when totality is reached and doubly so during umbral eclipses, when the moon appears to be equal to or larger than the sun and completely darkens it. But there is a dark power to an eclipse as well. They inspire fear, can knock out power, and other phenomena to wreck havoc on the viewing world. This red mottle female is much akin to this: beautiful but darkly powerful. She carries herself as the (junior) queen she views herself to be, always well-groomed and stately. But shroud an easily-offended lady with a cunning, retributive streak to rival an archdevil. Much as Belial himself masks his true form and restrains his power within a false shell only to unleash it upon those deserving of his ire, so she will 'play nice' until the time comes to act. Then she will release her wrath tenfold for the hurt done to her with plans that strike her victim where they are weakest and leave them rueing the day they crossed her.
It is only the typical 'wild red' horns that stand proudly upon her head and the tiny horns that trace her jaw that give any indication that she is in fact a red mottle firelizard. Her Solar Eclipse mutation has taken her otherwise crimson scales and dyed them with an overlay of sapphire, in effect turning her as violet as an amethyst with a shining light on her chest. Thankfully for what could be a bruised pride otherwise this shade is only visible for about an hour every six to twelve when the yellow-white-blue aura around her is extinguished and no longer fuzzing her proper coloration and features.
