Female Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Tidal Wraithe
Birthday: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Owner: sceries
Element: Water 
Hatchling wraithes are considered difficult companions to keep. One moment they may be as calm as the sea on a windless day, then suddenly erupt in a tantrum that sends pounding waves on the shore of Lake Lakira. Even at a young age, these creatures have limited mastery over the water and wind, though they only seem to use it when upset or angered. Their moods are notoriously difficult to judge, but those who spend time around them deem tidal wraithe young no more difficult to care for than any other tempermental hatchlings. They are born small, barely the size of a human hand, and grow slowly. No one is quite sure of how they feed, or even how they choose to spend their time, as they are apt to disappear for days on end, even within a secluded pool of water. While tidal wraithes may live for centuries and grow longer than a ship, youngsters are only considered truly dangerous when they can tower over a grown man. Until then, the hatchlings' conjured storms last minutes at best and rarely reach further than the sandy banks of the lake.
Little is known about the lives of enigmatic tidal wraithes, but one would be hard-pressed to find a sailor who does not know to be wary of moonless nights close to shore. Although relatively peaceful most days, tidal wraithes have unpredictable tempers and even members of the Order of the Trident must be vigilant when working with these creatures. They can seem quite affectionate at times, favoring some people in particular to hear their haunting songs and gift with sea shells or pearls. Most believe this to be a false affection, though, as a wraithe is just as likely to drown the person of its liking as offer them trinkets. Tidal wraithes may live in any sort of water, but they prefer to take up residence in large tide pools or shallow bays, especially those where lives have been lost. Sailors tell stories of how the first wraithe was a shipwrecked woman cursed forever after to drown people and feed on the ghosts of the dead to extend her own life. If they are unable to do so, she and her wraithe descendants would conjure up massive, unnatural storms that would destroy whole seaside cities. These stories are not to be taken lightly, for tidal wraithes are long-lived and powerful creatures that can deal such damage to ports and villages. Water magi often seek out creatures that take up residence near a populated area to prevent just such an occurrence, for the sake of both the local people and the tidal wraithes themselves.
Sprite art: Lazuli (hatchling) | Description: PKGriffin