Title image courtesy of arcan-anzas
The drama in the lore of the Skywrath Mage and Vengeful Spirit contains all of the important elements of an epic yet tragic love story.
High above the ground, the Ghastly Eyrie is the capital of the Skywrath race, a place where only those with wings can access -- and rule.
Shendelzare (Vengeful Spirit) was first in succession for the Ghastly Eyrie until her younger and treacherous sister robbed her of that birthright.
Caught in the would-be assassin's net, Shendelzare was able to escape at the cost of cutting off her own wings —an act that while it saved her life, changed her fate and ruined her future as Queen.
Now grounded and humiliated, Shendelzare sought out and struck a bargain with the goddess Scree'auk:
She surrendered her broken body for an imperishable form of spirit energy, driven by vengeance, capable of doing great damage in the material plane.
Meanwhile, Dragonus (Skywrath Mage) was a highly placed mage in the court of the Ghastly Eyrie. A childhood friend of the eldest Skywrath princess, Shendelzare, he also harbored a deep love for her.
Obsessed with his studies, he missed all of the signs of the betrayal and treachery in the court, and once emerged, it was too late for him to do anything to stop it or protect Shendelzare.
The Nest of Thorns now belonged to Shendelzare's ruthless younger sister, whom he was now sworn to protect but hated her for what she had done. Tortured and troubled, Dragonus' existence is marred in duality.
The magic of the Skywrath Mage serves only the sworn protector of the Skywrath scion, so to act against the Nest would render him helpless. He clings to his post, believing it to be the best hope of one day restoring his true love to her rightful place.
Meanwhile, his secret is known only to the goddess Scree'auk, who transformed Shendelzare into her current state and embodiment of pure vengeful energy. Not even Shendelzare knows his heart and has been overcome with hatred against him, believing that his inaction to prevent the coup meant he was involved in it.
While Shendelzare seeks revenge for an eternity, Dragonus dreams of restoring his beloved queen to the Ghastly Eyrie, but even more desperately of restoring her to a fully healed physical form.
