Aradel Summergaard

Phoenixborn of Evermist Valley, The Lady of the Mists, in her 50s or 60s.
Aradel has made her home in the Evermist Valley, guarding the denizens of the mists from the outside world. Those creatures answer her call en masse, knowing when she calls that their safety is at risk. Interlopers and despoilers beware, for under Aradel’s guidance the mists themselves take on life, swirling and concealing and lashing Aradel's foes.
Loved her father very much and looked up to him a lot.
Like to conjure creatures based on the stories and legends her father told her when she was young (i.e. Blue Jaguar, Mist Spirit and Butterfly Monk are not real in the real world.)
Was born a little bit before the Great Cleansing. She was in her teens when it was taking place, so she was still kind of getting used to her powers, understanding them, knowing to use them.
During the Great Cleansing, Aradel went through a lot so after it, she went into a solitary, hermit-type, lifestyle, wanting to be in her silence and tranquility, away from others. She felt that her time for war and destruction was done and it was time for her to be alone. This also made her legend status grow since some people had never seen her, thinking she didn’t even exist.
Aradel is conflicted about the current state of things. She does not want to fight other Phoenixborn. That is not who she is. She does not want to leave but she was pushed over the edge when people started to threaten her home. She didn’t want more people to die so she felt that it was best for her to leave.
Quotes
- “Quiet your mind. Listen to my words.”
- “Be gone, interloper! This is where your trespass ends.”
- “The valley itself shall rise against the foe!” + “They can smell the water within your flesh!”
- “The enemy has come. To me, my little friends!” + “Small? Yes. But as infinite as the mists themselves.”
- “Heed our ancient pact and aid me now!”
- “I shall cleanse this valley of your filth.”
- “Within the mists, even Truth can be reborn.”
“Can you imagine seeing one of these little Mist Spirit? Surely no one would think them dangerous. Heck, I might even try to pet it should I come across one. Then another appears, and another. Soon You’re surrounded by little blue Mist Spirits. And then you notice the antlers! And what’s that bit of blue above their heads? Is that blue flame? They have cut off all escape, and suddenly you hear the cry of a jaguar coming from out of the mists. You feel the vibrations and hear the low rumble of something immense coming towards you, but you can’t get away!”

Short story

They have come for you.

Aradel ignored the voice and kept walking. Her mist-kissed skin shimmered in the sunlight, and all around flitted strangely beautiful insects and the occasional fay.

Even now they hunt you. You have laid a doom upon this land.

When she arrived at her father's grave, she shook her head. She should have known this was her destination all along. And she saw him there by the gravestone, his deep blue eyes pleading with her.

I died for this land. For its people. Would you strip all meaning from my sacrifice?

“I will fight for them!” she said too loudly, her voice breaking the serenity. “Like I always have. Like you taught me.”

If you stay here, the people of the Evermist will die. Each honest man who labors for his family. Every good woman who toils with her hands. All the sweet babes whose dreams have yet to take shape.

"But I cannot leave,” she pleaded. “My heart is here. Would you have me tear it from my breast? Let the others come to me. I shall fight them, and I shall win.”

Fight them? Yes. Win? Perhaps. But you will lose trees to flame, and the mists will be trapped by dust and ash. The digging of graves is the only prize you can hope to win by staying in this place.

The mists glowed blue, and from out of them emerged a spirit. It rolled lazily through the air, cooing in the strange tongue of its kind. Aradel smiled as it floated by her, and she held out a finger for it to touch. The mist spirit turned and looked at her, its eyes sad and knowing.

“If I leave this place,” she whispered to it, “how long will it be before I can return?” And when Aradel heard the spirit coo the answer, she wept.