<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/wG4lhwj.jpg)   </div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Aesa Wyrmborn (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=123272)</span><br/>Arcanist 6<br/><br/><br/>It was clear from her birth that Aesa was no ordinary elf, with her flame-bright eyes and feverish skin.  As a toddler she began playing with flames, laughing as she held her hand within them as though it merely tickled.  As a child, she began to focus her will into magic.<br/><br/>It was not unexpected.  Years ago a massive dragon had descended from the sky upon the wooded mountain village, great beats of its ruby wings sending waves of ash through the streets.  It demanded sacrifice, and Aesa's Mother Aella was chosen as the most beautiful maiden, chained in the forest and left for dead as the beast instructed.  But she was not devoured; for months she served the creature - both as beast and when it took the form of a man.  Finally, having stolen as many riches as it could find, it departed with barely a word.  Aella was abandoned pregnant on a remote peak; she took weeks returning to her village and never fully recovered, dying during Aesa's childhood.<br/><br/>The clan accepted the child as they had accepted Aella's sacrifice: stoically and honorably.  Not compassionately.  The girl was too different, too full of rage, anger, and destructive magic.  For her part, Aesa wished little to do with the near strangers who had left her mother to her death.  She took their courtesy as her due, devoured the knowledge of their library and minor talents, apprenticed with craftsmen and prepared for the day she would seek revenge.<br/><br/>With little more than her magic, clothes, and a sword she secretly crafted herself, Aesa set out to find her father Ciamar and devour his heart.  She quickly came to realize how kind the elves had been.  In time, she would even come to think fondly of the home she'd exiled herself from, where no one reviled her eyes or grew terrified of a simple cantrip.  Where no one turned to violence against the outsider.  Aesa soon learned to use the fear for protection: to intimidate or manipulate those who would otherwise turn against her, to keep them cowed for their own safety.  It was a surprisingly easy lesson.<br/><br/>She has spent the intervening years pursuing her quest, chasing rumors of a massive, scarred red dragon across the land and beyond the sea, burning anyone - and anything - that dared to stand in her way.  Lord Baryxis, a half dragon demonspawn, had ruled the Bone City for a century before Aesa ended his tyranny.  Asterion the Wise, Oracle of the Lonely Mountain, was a steel dragon always willing to discuss philosophy with visiting humans but who took exception when Aesa sought his insight to hunt down another wyrm.  The Twin Hags likewise refused to expend one of the Four Debts owed them a godling to aid her search and were brought low before they could use it to curse her instead.  Now she deigns to respond to a king's summons in the hope that any foe great enough to trouble the Empire might have some connection to her father.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Magic</div><div class="spoiler_body">Handy Haversack (http://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/saddlebackleather-pouch-6.jpg): A typical example of its kind, worn as a messenger bag.  Crafted during Aesa's less ostentatious youth, the bag is well made of beautiful, gleaming leather, but otherwise appears unexceptional.  <br/><br/>Traveller's Anytool (Pictured): Although rigid as metal, this mutable tool appears to be formed of flame and light, crafted as much for showing off or intimidating rustics with cheap tricks as it is for utility.  <br/><br/>Iron Mask (Pictured): After slaying the demon lord Baryxis, Aesa mixed the ashes of his burnt heart with the steel of his slaves' shackles to forge this steel mask.  It seems to pulse with disturbing malevolence, a blunt deterrent to any that would seek to intefere with the Wyrmborn.  Anyone who comes directly beneath its gaze is struck by Cause Fear.  <br/><br/>Wayfarer's Flask: A weathered antique pewter flask, only a subtle maker's mark and initials on the bottom tie this item to a glorified history at the hips and lips of generals, warlords, heroes, villains and demigods.  It likewise comforted Asterion the Wise atop his mountain.  To each it has brought small but powerful blessings, allowing them to achieve greatness unfettered by petty mortal concerns of thirst, discomfort or weariness.  In addition to a magical source of water (up to 2 gallons daily), the flask grants its owner Keep Watch and Endure Elements.  <br/><br/>Belt of Dexterity (http://www.dancingrahana.com/images/products/detail/bra-belt205.jpg): A storm of wrath and vengeance, Aesa has few pleasures; one of these, however, is the distinctive caress of gold.  Where the Hags obtained a dancer's outfit made of linked coins is a mystery; they wouldn't have worn it, nor seemed like the type to be entertained by it.  Nevertheless it was among their treasures, and Aesa gave in to the pleasure of draconic hoarding, relishing the constant chiming of precious coin.  <br/><br/>Goldenheart Halter (http://www.dancingrahana.com/images/products/detail/bra-belt205.jpg): The second piece of the dancer's outfit received a more powerful enchantment; the need for readily available protection become apparent following attacks by the Green Cult assassins.  To defend against the witch hunting zealots Aesa carefully engraved each golden coin with runes of defense that would instantly manifest once she encountered danger.  When an attack is recognized the top grants Mage Armor and Shield.  <br/><br/>Living Garments:  The ultimate concession both to Aesa's vanity and her changing needs for blending, befriending, or intimidating, these garments were woven from shadow and smoke and traced with golden thread.  <br/><br/>Gloves of the Drake: Sewn from the supple hide of a young black drake, these project a line of heat and flame to incinerate Aesa's enemies.  Scorching Ray (single ray) on command.  </div></div><br/>Note that she's a crafter, and unlike others I actually enjoy my collection of enchanted debris more than a few stats or big items.