Legend

Legend by Niru

**Legend** is the master of Caraval. He is first introduced when Scarlett Dragna begins to write him to come to their Island to perform for her sister Donatella's birthday. He is played by different performers in each game, but never the same one.

## Appearance

Legend is incredibly handsome. He has black hair and dark brown eyes flecked with gold. He has a sharp jaw. His back is tattooed with a pair of shimmering dark blue wings that look like the Fallen Star's symbol. He has another tattoo of a black rose on the backside of his hand, and a black heart-shaped tattoo on one of his forearms. It is elegant, lovely, and a little sorrowful. There are many tattoos of carnal and intricate arcanists symbols on his hands and arms. He takes care of his appearance in a way that makes Scarlett think he knows how attractive he is. He always dresses in black clothing, except for his signature blue velvet top hat. Legend "has the sort of profile meant for sculptors and painters." He has full lips, a strong jaw, and coal-dark eyes sheltered by thick, dark brows.

## Personality

Legend is incredibly charming and mysterious. He is quite proud and self-centered.

## Plot

Legend comes from the Santos family of performers. They were playwrights and actors, but they all suffered from a lack of talent. The only reason they were successful at all was because they were as "beautiful as angels." Legend was rumored to be the most handsome of all. But his childhood was not a happy one. His father was an alcoholic and his mother was a lowly criminal that “spent a night with his father just to steal one of his possessions." His father, ashamed, tried to sell Legend to a noble family on the other side of the world. Either luck was firmly on or against his side, because he was kept captive on a ship that held no survivors, but let him live after he amused them by saying he was a runaway prince. He then joined a talentless group that he turned into Caraval.

Legend's story, "like all great and terrible stories, started with love." He loved a girl named Annalise Dragna. She bewitched him as he had done to so many girls before her. She gave him "compliments, kisses, and promises he should have known better than to believe." Legend wasn't wealthy though. He lived on his charm and stolen hearts. Annalise claimed it was enough for her, but her father, a wealthy merchant, would never allow her to wed someone poor. So, Legend came up with a plan. Elantine was about to be crowned empress of the Meridian Empire, and he thought if he could perform at her coronation, it would bring him the fame and fortune he needed to marry Annalise. But Legend was turned away because of his lack of talent. While Legend didn't have magic then, he believed in the stories his father had told him. His father told him that everyone gets one impossible wish if they want something more than anything and can find a bit of magic to help them along. So, Legend went in search of a witch named Esmeralda.

Esmeralda told Legend that she could grant him one wish, to be able to marry Annalise or to have fame and fortune. But Legend was very prideful. He told himself if he were famous, it would allow him to marry Annalise despite Esmeralda's warning. After being transformed into Legend, he was no longer the same boy Annalise fell in love with, so she married another and broke Legend's heart. He became as famous as he'd wished, but he claimed Annalise betrayed him and swore to never love again.

### Caraval

Legend is playing the role of Dante, another player in the game. Scarlett meets him when she is found asleep on the floor in the hallway of the hotel La Serpiente de Cristal by Dante and Valentina. He offers his room to her and says that he can sleep in sister Valentina's room. He also invites her out on a date, which Scarlett turns down in order to continue her ruse as Julian's fiancé.

Later, Legend, played by another Caraval actor, confesses he's the one who killed Julian. At the end of the game, it is revealed julian is alive, because no Caraval player can die while the game is in progress.

### Legendary

It is revealed that the witch that Legend visited to gain his magical powers also sealed the Fates in the Deck of Destiny. She took half their magic as well so that even if the Fates returned, they would be weakened. The magic she took from the Fates is the same she used to grant Legend's wish. She warned Legend that if the Fates ever managed to break the seal, they would search for and kill Legend to retrieve their magic. Knowing that Legend would want to keep his powers, she used him to ensure that the Fates would not be able to gain their powers back should they ever return. Her plan was that in order to keep his magic, Legend would eventually destroy the Fates or be destroyed by them, taking his magic with him.

The Temple of the Stars had branded Legend in exchange for allowing Tella to enter the vault where her mother had hidden the Deck of Destiny. Legend vowed to the temple that he would bring them the witch who helped create the Fates. He swore it on his immortality.

It is revealed that Legend is Dante.

### Finale

Legend visits Tella in her dreams every night to ask Tella if she wants her prize for the Caraval that she had won. However, every time, Tella always says no. Meanwhile, Legend has been working to defeat the Fates,

Later on, Legend meets up with Tella in the Midnight Maze, and there, Legend tells Tella that he wants to make her immortal. Soon after Tella refuses, the Murdered King and the Undead Queen show up, and kill Legend. Legend wants to turn Tella immortal because he is afraid that he might fall in love with Tella, and hence turn into a mortal. When Tella finally agrees, she accidentally says that she loves him. At that, he turned her down because he thinks Tella deserves better. However, once they had defeated the Fallen Star, Legend found Tella, whose feelings were under the control of Jacks. Legend confessed to Tella that the reason why he left her on those steps after she had won Caraval was because he realized he was falling in love with her. Soon after, they kissed and the spell that was put upon Tella was broken. Legend gave up his immortality for Tella.

After Scarlett is crowned empress of the Meridian Empire, Tella writes Legend a letter asking him to kidnap her again and take her on an adventure.

## Powers

Legend's magic is ancient, as it was stolen from the Fates by Esmeralda. Legend's magic prevents his true name from being spoken or revealed, but it can be won. His magic also has a price. The more he uses it, the more he transforms into whatever role he plays. Thus, if he acts the part of the villain, he becomes one in truth.

## Relationships

### Donatella Dragna

At first, Tella and Legend, disguised as a performer named Dante, try to avoid falling for each other. Dante pretends not to care about Tella, but she can tell that he does. For example, he easily lets her leave the forest the morning after the after-party, but then finds her again shortly after. During the opening night ball at Idyllwild Castle, Tella tells him, "If I didn't hate you, I might actually enjoy your company." She wants to prove to him that she doesn't need him taking care of her. However, they are undeniably attracted to each other. They share multiple kisses and close moments, but Legend decides to abandon Tella when she wins the second game of Caraval.

Later, Legend tries to make Tella immortal so he can have her without giving up his own immortality. She refuses to do so because immortals cannot love. After Gavriel is defeated, Legend finds Tella, who is still under Jacks's emotional control, and gives up his immortality for Tella and admits that he has fallen in love with her. Based on the bargain Tella makes in the Vanished Market, it can be assumed that in the future they will have a daughter together.

### Julian Santos

Legend and his brother have a strained relationship. Growing up, Julian looked up to his brother. He idolized him and wanted to be him when he grew up. All he cared about was impressing Legend. After the events that led to Rosa's suicide, Julian realized Caraval was no longer the game it used to be and that Legend had changed for the worse over the years. Just as Julian was about to leave Caraval, Legend convinced him to give him another chance to redeem himself and stay.

## Trivia

* Legend's true name, Dante, means *enduring*.
* Legend's symbol is his blue velvet top hat.
* Dante smells like ink and heartbreak.

## Gallery

By Gina, Dark and Beautiful ArtBy Gina, Dark and Beautiful ArtBy @morgana0anagromLegend's tattoo by Micheline RyckmanDante and DonatellaBy Gina, Dark and Beautiful ArtBy Micheline RyckmanLegend Bobbleheadlegend (artbreeder)Tella and Dante kiss by Micheline RyckmanBy @NiruskyartBy @morgana0anagromLegend, Donatella, and Jacks by Micheline Ryckman
## References

1. ↑ *Caraval*: page 114
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 *Caraval*: page 40
3. ↑ https://nameberry.com/babyname/Dante
4. ↑ *Legendary*: page 277