Mawtlaylun

Magic 

Laylun gives Rune the classical Fae characteristics/enhancements after the bonding: 

1. elongated nails made of iridescent dragon claws filled with the poison that the dragonnettes contain 
2. Fae canines will also contain the poison 
3. heightened senses, strength, and ability to sense vibrations in the ground and air 

• These are great, but she is destined for much more.
• The other Samarhians are shifters, so they assume (as well as she had assumed) that her coming into her Fae attributes fully was just how the dragonette magic works for her.

Background 

Mawtlaylun hatched during a brutal storm that swept through the Spirelands, a night so dark that even the moon and stars refused to reveal themselves. From the moment of his birth, with his blindness, he was set apart from the other dragonnettes, who chirped and called eagerly for attention. His clutchmates thrived in the warmth of their bondmates, but Mawtlaylun was left alone for weeks, unclaimed and overlooked. 

He grew up on the outskirts of Samarhian society, tolerated but never truly welcomed. His unseeing eyes earned him mockery and dismissal from the other dragonnettes. However, he compensated for his lack of sight with an uncanny sensitivity to vibrations in the ground and air, allowing him to navigate and hunt with precision that baffled those who observed him. 

The deep gash over his right eye was a result of a devastating skirmish years ago, long before he bonded with Rune. 12-year-old Mawtlaylun had stumbled across an elder dragon’s nesting ground while fleeing a wildfire that his peers had started in his own little cave, inadvertently challenging the territorial creature. The elder dragon slashed at him with claws imbued with potent magic, leaving the wound that would never fully heal and costing Mawtlaylun his last shreds of vision. 

Most believed the attack should have killed him, but Mawtlaylun survived, limping away to recover in isolation. Unknown to the clanspeople, the elder dragon’s attack left more than physical scars. The ancient magic infused Mawtlaylun’s blood, granting him an unusual resilience and a latent power that he keeps hidden, even from Rune. This magic, while not flashy, manifests in ways others don’t expect: his silent but impenetrable defenses, an unyielding will, and an ability to sense threats and emotions that makes him a surprisingly adept ally in battles and political schemes. 

Mawtlaylun serves as both a decoy and a foil to Rune’s true bond with Fajir, the Khosher dragon. While the clanspeople dismiss him as weak and unremarkable, his hidden strength and insights often tip the balance in Rune’s favor, whether through his ability to detect unseen dangers or his steadfast courage in moments of crisis. Over time, his underestimated nature becomes a mirror for Rune’s own journey, as both learn to wield the very traits others see as flaws to their advantage. 

As the story progresses, Mawtlaylun’s past and latent powers come into sharper focus, revealing that his bond with Rune is not merely a distraction but a crucial element in her survival and success. 

**The elder dragon’s magic allows Mawtlaylun to take on some of the burden of Rune’s fainting spells, making their bond even more profound. This is done to really start continually enhancing Rune’s body and soul to be able to withstand Najmara, and Laylun is the necessary conduit. When Rune is on the verge of collapse, Mawtlaylun visibly suffers—his eyes glowing and scar bleeding slightly as he absorbs part of the strain. This shared suffering deepens their bond and gives Rune an early hint that Mawtlaylun is more than just an ordinary dragonnette. Over time, this connection teaches Rune to trust Mawtlaylun’s instincts and his ability to guide her through the overwhelming transitions Echidna is forcing upon her.