Name: Nuova Shan Lao
Species: Eastern Dragon (Slight western mix from her mother’s side)
Age: 26
Sparra type: Magma
Embodiment: Passion
Title: The Crimson Lotus
Favorite Meal: Spicy Char siu with fried rice, shark fin soup, and Ember root tea. Lotus seed cookies are a preferred dessert.

“Let my passion be the flame that guides you”- Nuova

*Personality: From an early age, Nuova has always been a kind-hearted and well-mannered individual, mindful to the wisdom of her elders and respectful to their wishes. Due to the death of her parents, Nuova was left in the care of her grandfather, whom she cherished and loved dearly. Witnessing her elder’s feats and talents caused Nuova to both honor and emulate him. Even following his death, Nuova only wished to honor his memory by joining Alsara’s army and proving that his legacy would live on through her.

Like her grandfather, Nuova is a firm believer in the Shan Lao “Flames of Passion” philosophy: an ideal that strength cannot come from fighting with hatred or anger, but instead can be achieved when love is used, whether it is to honor or protect another. Due to this ideal, Nuova is not one to seek vengeance or retribution for the deaths or misfortune of others close to her, such as the death of her parents or the destruction of her comrades and the Wyveria Sanctuary, the place she once called home. This is proven by her attitude towards the shadows, as she is not overly hostile or aggressive towards them, instead she fights to protect the people closest to her, such as Alsara, Orion, Soliana, and other the Apostles.

Maintaining the same kind-hearted nature she had in her youth, Nuova has proven to be a selfless individual, placing the well-being of others over her own. A prime example of this is when the Wyveria Sanctuary was under siege by the forces of the shadows, where Nuova fought valiantly to protect the others who were there, even fighting to protect Alsara, who insisted that Nuova leave her to her fate at the hands of the dark assailants; and despite her queen’s protests, Nuova had made her choice to either protect Alsara or die trying. It was only under the severe disapproval that Nuova left Alsara to fend for herself. Nuova’s mannerisms also hint at her kindness, such as her traditional habit of bowing to new faces or before beginning a sparring match as well as addressing those around her with their appropriate titles or honorifics.

Nuova possesses one fatal flaw due to her desire to protect those precious to her; her inability to fully accept failure. This flaw causes Nuova to resent not the causes of her misfortune, but the fact she could not prevent them. This is evident due to her dark corruption after she fled from the falling Wyveria Sanctuary, as she could not save Alsara nor could she prevent her home from being destroyed by the shadows. Part of this fault was due to Nuova not truly trusting in other’s strengths and abilities, instead relying on her own to complete tasks and defend those around her. It was only after seeing the determination of her comrades did she admit to her wrongful thinking and final trust in the abilities of others. Nuova cares deeply for her friends and comrades and as a result she puts a lot of strain on herself to defend them; the reason for this is due to not wanting to lose those closest to her and not wanting to experience more loss.

Nuova is known to be very passionate, as she tries her best to accomplish certain tasks, such as training or her cooking, this in turn makes her somewhat of a perfectionist as she won’t settle for anything less than her best effort. Nuova’s passionate nature displays itself prominently in her fighting as she states that she enjoys a good fight and even more so when it’s together with her friends, proclaiming that she can “feel” the fighting spirit of those she fights alongside. Nuova’s passion makes itself known in her displays of affectionate as well, as she has a habit of coiling her tail around the waist of the person she admires or has a sincere trust in, after which she will pull them into a tender embrace to show her softer side. She is not above sharing her feelings with others and will often confide into those she trusts such as well as comfort others in their time of need. Nuova’s passion is so great that she says her flames of passion will burn brightly for those around her and that her death is the only thing that can extinguish them.

*Abilities: Possessing natural talents that blossomed at an early age, Nuova was able to learn many of her clan’s unique fighting styles and was even able to perform the rite of passage Fire Flower technique far sooner than anyone else of her clan. As she grew, her skill rose substantially, so much that her grandfather began to teach her more advanced techniques that most of the Shan Lao clan were not able to perform. After joining Alsara’s militia, Nuova’s skill flourished, making her the most prized member of Alsara’s army. Nuova is easily recognized as the most gifted member in the history of Alsara’s forces, even surpassing her grandfather who was revered as a legend by many of the citizens of the Wyveria Sanctuary. Her power and expertise in battle is so great that she was able to single-handedly wipe out surprise attacks by invading armies and was even able to fight on par with the Hildr village champion, Soliana. Even Nuova’s grandfather recognized her potential and even admitted that she could be the strongest member of the Shan Lao lineage.

*Sparra control/Type: Nuova possesses the Magma sparra type, an advanced variant of the basic Fire sparra. This sparra type allows Nuova to freely utilize magma, enabling her to use it as a weapon or transfer it into her physical attacks. Due to the power the Magma sparra type exudes on Nuova, her normal dragon fire has turned from a burning orange hue into a bright crimson. Nuova uses her power to spit molten fireballs in a myriad of different fashions as well as form expansive techniques such as walls of intense flames or spires of scorching magma. Due to the composition of Nuova’s projectiles, they can melt almost anything with ease, essentially making guarding a difficult task to manage. Nuova has phenomenal control of the sparra type, so much that she has been able to augment her hand-to-hand combat skills with the element to strengthen her blows and destroy an opponent’s defense. Nuova’s main form of using the magma sparra type is spewing it in complex patterns, all of which are executed with startling speed. While her natural flames are strong on their own, her sparra type has enhanced them exponentially, giving them the potential to reduce entire forests to ash in moments. While Nuova prefers using both her magma and crimson dragon fire, she is able to use the predecessor element of sheer fire, which retains a normal orange hue.

*Hand-to-hand combat: Nuova is one of the most adept fighters when it comes to fighting hand-to-hand and as a result she prefers close combat. She practices the “Dragon’s Pride” fighting style, a form of fighting that was invited by the Shan Lao ancestors long ago. Nuova has a pronounced knowledge of all five forms of this martial art and as a result she has multiple ways to fight various opponents. Nuova demonstrates considerable coordination and grace when performing her martial arts; being able to move fluidly through enemy attacks and spot various openings and blind spots, she can quickly dispatch her foes with minimal effort. Alsara noted that Nuova’s speed and reflexes were impressive, as she was able to incapacitate several of her generals before they had time to react accordingly. Nuova’s raw strength is enough to send opponents twice her size several feet away with a single blow, even without the use of her sparra. Her physical power alone is enough to cause sufficient damage and even cause small craters on the ground with a few well placed strikes.

*Weapon Skills: Nuova possesses a distinct mastery with certain weapons, which makes itself known through her advanced understanding and use of her weaponry. While she mainly uses them in the conventional fashions she sometimes uses them for utility, such as using her quandao as a javelin to pole vault over enemies or using her fans as boomerangs to catch enemies of guard. Though Nuova has mastered all her weapons she still prefers to fight hand-to-hand, but she has proven to be just as versatile with her weaponry as she is in her normal style of combat.

*Weapon Contracts: While Nuova is more versed in hand-to-hand combat, she is also skilled with a variety of different weapons, most of which she displays great efficiency with.

*Imperial Flame: A quandao that can extend its reach to twice its original length and can channel the same properties of Nuova’s magma into its blade, increasing its lethal potential.

*Crimson Strife: A pair of tonfa with red blades on their outer edge. The blades are made of crystallized magma and have sharpness similar to steel; when broken they coat whatever broke them in magma, wearing away at the objects resistance. The blades can be nullified for sparring and have the ability to repair themselves when given portions of Nuova’s sparra.*

*Emperor’s Wing: A pair of large red fans that house a series of short red daggers that Nuova can either throw or conceal within her sleeves for surprise attacks. When the fan is out of daggers, the blade will return to the fan, using Nuova’s sparra signature as a beacon. The fans use sparra to create strong gusts in order to spread Nuova’s flames and are durable enough to act as shields.*

*Notable abilities/Signature techniques: A skilled user of flame and a superb hand-to-hand combatant, Nuova is versed in a myriad of techniques and styles, all of which are centered around her use of dragon fire and magma. Due to her constant training and development, Nuova’s techniques are on the similar size and magnitude of her queen, Alsara. She alone was able to decimate several invading armies as well as make the rank of commander at a startling rate, and she had not awakened her true sparra type yet.

*Dragon’s Pride Martial Arts: Being a member of the Shan Lao lineage, Nuova is a skilled practitioner of her clan’s trademark “Dragon’s Pride” martial arts. Nuova has not only studied this fighting style most of her life, but her talent and efficiency has allowed her to successful master all five forms of this martial art. Even before she joined Alsara’s army, Nuova displayed enough skill that she was able to defeat fighters that were of both greater rank and age than she was. These martial arts make up the base of her style; and combined with her sparra she has solidified her status as one of the most skilled combatants of both her time and her lineage.

Dragon’s Pride “Soaring Flame”: This is the first style of the Dragon’s Pride martial arts and is unique among the others as it varied in several variations. The basic nature of this style is based around normal combat, as a result this form of fighting is taught first before all others. This style is used for taking out multiple opponents and in addition to using standard kicks and punches, the user must learn to also use their claws and flexibility to their advantage. The variations of this style are as followed: Beginner, Advanced, and Master. Nuova conventionally uses this style more often than not, but has taken to using her tail in addition to standard attacks in an attempt to catch unwary opponents off guard.

Dragon’s Pride “Burning Force”: This is the second style of the Dragon’s pride martial arts, and is the second easiest to learn. This style of fighting deals mainly with delivering heavy blows to the opponent in an attempt to either disarm them or cause major damage. While this style of fighting is the easiest to learn it comes at a major drawback. Due to the amount of force the user puts into their attacks, they will drain their stamina quickly, that is why this style of fighting is best used when fighting one-on-one as opposed to taking on multiple opponents at a single time and shouldn’t be used for prolonged periods. Nuova’s use of this style is dependent solely on her opponent, as she only uses it in times of desperation as she understands the strain it will put on her.

Dragon’s Pride “Scarlet Fang”: This style of fighting revolves solely on the use of pressure points to disable opponents through internal damage or paralytic nerve damage. By using the tips of his or her fingers, the user is able to incapacitate opponents temporarily in order to deliver heavier blows or regroup. This style is somewhat difficult as it requires precise strikes and considerable reflexes to deliver the necessary amount of blows. While individual jabs don’t affect the opponent as much, collectively the strikes can do serious damage. Nuova uses this only when her opponent proves to be troublesome or if she needs to stall for time. Nuova can make the appropriate strikes, but this can be a gamble especially if the opponent is very resilient as being at such a close range can put her in danger.

Dragon’s Pride “Floating Scale”: This style of combat is a more evasive and defensive style as opposed to offensive. This style is unique as it relies on the attacks of the opponent as opposed to delivering strikes. The user must weave and dodge various strikes from the opponent, catching the opponent during or after their strike to either perform a form of throw or grab, such as sending the opponent flying or getting them in restraint like grip. Nuova uses this to test the attack style of opponents before deciding what style would be best used against them.

Dragon’s Pride “Scorching Claw”: This is the final form of the Dragon’s Pride martial arts, but it is the most difficult as it involves intense sparra control and focus. The basic nature of this style is increasing the temperature of the person’s sparra to the point of combustion, controlling it in specific areas of their body such as their hands and feet. Sparra induced flames will engulf the part of the body with the highest temperature increase, allowing the user to fight with burning kicks and punches. Due to the flames being both sparra induced and fed, they can set whatever they touch ablaze regardless of the flammability of the object. An experienced user can set their opponent on fire with a few strikes and can easily melt steel with this style, however this style is a double-edged sword. The flames the user utilizes are ignited internally before they make themselves known, meaning they can cause permanent damage if they are used too often or if the user doesn’t have high heat resistance. This style has been known to cause trouble for even the most experienced of users, as the flames can be detrimental to even fire sparra users. Thanks to Nuova’s magma sparra she can not only use this style for extended periods of time without suffering damage, but she can start the flames at a faster rate. Nuova uses this style on larger enemies, and this style allows her to perform her “Flare Dance” style of fighting.

*Fire Flower Arts: Nuova practices her clan’s trademark Fire flower Arts. These techniques involve using one’s own ability to spit fire and infusing it with sparra to spew a myriad of different patterns as well as spread the flames to greater areas. Nuova not only uses her dragon fire, but has successfully managed to incorporate her magma into the various techniques, therefore increasing their destructive potential. Due to her knowledge of her clan’s abilities, Nuova has been able to create unique variants that range from small fireballs to great infernos.

Fire Flower: Majestic Petal Bath: Nuova inhales deeply and breathes a massive wall of dragon fire that spans an extremely wide area. Due to the expansiveness of this technique, it is very hard to contain or evade. Nuova conventionally uses this technique against large swarms of enemies or opponents who prove to be bothersome. The power of this technique was great enough to wipe out half of an invading army in a single shot.

Fire Flower: Blaze Blossom: Nuova spits a large fireball that splits into to several smaller fireballs almost as soon as it’s released. The smaller fireballs home in on an intended target, causing small explosions with whatever they ultimately collide with. Each fireball houses a small core of magma, meaning the impact will effectively melt whatever it touches. The smaller fireballs can home in on multiple targets at a time, making this technique useful for striking multiple enemies.

Fire Flower: Searing Lotus: Nuova engulfs her hand in crimson fire and slams her palm on the ground; the resulting action causes magma to erupt from the ground, quickly solidifying in a spire like fashion. Nuova can use this move in both a defensive or offensive manner. The defensive variant causes multiple eruptions around an object forming a cage-like barrier and burning anything that comes into contact with the exterior. The offensive version of this technique erupts underneath Nuova’s foe, impaling them or severely burning them if close enough.

Fire Flower: Floral Inferno: Nuova snaps her fingers which causes a flame to ignite on her finger. She then strikes the ground with the lit finger which causes the flame to quickly run along the ground leaving a glowing “scar” in its path. After a moment the scar will explode into a large veil-like wave of magma that acts as a temporary deterrent from enemy attacks and can cover a large area. Nuova conventionally uses this move as a way of stalling an enemies’ movements or to prepare a surprise attack.

Fire Flower: Great Bloom: Nuova breaths a ring of fire on the ground. The ground inside the ring of flames will become molten and volcanic before erupting violently sending out magma in all directions, giving the eruption the appearance of a large blooming flower. Nuova can control the size of both the ring and eruption, making this one of her most versatile moves.

Fire Flower: Crimson Emperor: Nuova spews a stream of crimson fire that resembles a large serpentine dragon. The fire dragon will dart around the area before flying in a circle, quickly increasing its speed until the flame dragon is now a great twister of fire that will wildly travel around the area before smoldering out. Nuova can spit multiple streams at a time to increase the range of this attack and due to the erratic fashion in which the dragon and twister travel this move can be extremely difficult to predict.


*Sparra induced capabilities:

Heat Resistance: Being a dragon, Nuova is already gifted with the ability to withstand extremely high temperatures; however with her sparra she is able to withstand even higher temperatures. This has been proven as she was able to withstand Soliana’s sun aura ability without being fazed by it. Nuova is able to extend this ability to others so long as she is able to maintain some form of physical contact with them; in addition this also transfers to objects that Nuova is touching as well, such as her clothing and weaponry.

Emotional Enhancement: Nuova’s powers seem to change when in tune with her emotions; in this case her passion strengthens her flames and makes them brighter, causing them to do more damage if she is a passionate or blissful state.


*This is the first of many “Character spotlight pics”, featuring the fiery beauty Nuova.  Eltonpot did this little pic for me awhile back, I hope you all enjoy.*