Cletus

**Anacletus, also known as Cletus,** is a Swamp Dweller hailing from a distant land. He arrived in Altuis around the same time that Essix and Diabolos had their fateful clash in the canyons, though he made it a deliberate point to not observe the battle. Instead he made his way to the Poisonous Lake where he would carve out a small area to call his own.

## Description

*Cletus appears as a European dragon who stands at a height of about 30 meters. He has a thick, hefty body with stocky, muscular legs, all covered in tough armored scales, as well as a long, muscular tail that flattens to a paddle towards the end. The majority of his body is colored dark green with some paler patches; along his neck and shoulders are bright flashes of orange, a warning for those that try to attack him. On top of his head is a pair of horns that rise and taper forward, curved ridges trailing down each horn. They appear as a dark green at the base, lightening as they reach the tips. Along portions of his body and on his horns, one will spy patches of moss that seem to grow into his scales as well. From the top of his head, trailing to the tip of his tail, Cletus is covered with pointed barbs that contain a deadly venom when exposed to the blood. He also has some smaller barbs that rest along his jaws and shoulders. His eyes are a bloody, ruby red with slitted pupils--despite the imposing appearance, Cletus's countenance is generally relaxed.*

### Scales

*Cletus's scales are thick and tough like an alligator's armored hide. He also has moss that grows along portions of his body from his time spent in swampy environments.*

### Abilities

***Venomous Barbs and Nibbles:** Each of the barb tips on Cletus contains a point where venom is excreted. Upon breaking the skin, this poison will seep in, causing excruciating pain, muscle spasms, and paralysis if enough venom has been consumed. The effects start quite rapidly, progressing with intensity over time. Once stung, the victim will find themselves starting to get sore and tense, within a few minutes progressing to the point where most have a hard time moving at all because of the muscle spasms and the pain that accompanies them. His bite works in similar fashion, though it can be more dangerous because he can excrete venom more precisely through his fangs. Most antidotes forged from healing herbs and plants will cure the effects of his venom, as well as waiting out the worst of the effects for a couple of hours, but you better hope he doesn't track you down before that...*

***Poisonous Gentleman:** Because he has poisonous plants and animals in his diet, Cletus has developed a healthy resistance to most toxins that would normally harm a dragon. He's like a giant poison dart frog with wings. Conversely, his blood contains similar harmful compounds. Be careful trying to bite him--consuming this poisonous blood will cause nausea, swelling, and slight paralysis. If it touches an open sore or wound on an victim, it reacts similarly like being stung from his barbs.*

***Moisture Absorption:** This ability is more so used for Cletus to heal after a fight. Moss grows along his scales, which is very efficient in absorbing large amounts of water. He can use this ability by laying directly in a body of water.*

***Amphibious:** He can breathe underwater.*

### Wings

*His wings are broad but of an average wingspan for his size. They are a mottled green like the rest of his body, with the underside of the membranes being a bright, fiery orange.*

## Personality

*Cletus is very laid back and blasé--one would be hard-pressed to ever see him picking a fight with anyone. While he does not start conflicts, he is more than happy to finish them so that he may return to more peaceful times. He is a flirty southern gentleman with a clever streak: he's got a knack for cutting through nonsense, as well as enough charm to make others trust him with valuable information. Cletus is not the malevolent type, though--his friendly nature makes him quite approachable, and he is very good at keeping secrets. His word is his honor, and as a gentleman he can always be counted on to keep his promises. Cletus is also a very welcoming and generous host, going out of his way to make sure others are comfortable within his space. This Swamp Dweller is also a skilled musician--one can sometimes catch him singing a tune or strumming one of his homemade instruments, tapping a foot to the beat.*

## Kin

*Cletus's family structure is not like most. He has parents, but the only one he had contact with was his mother. Even then he did not develop much of a relationship with her nor his siblings.*

## Relationships

*Cletus has not been in Altuis long enough to develop many relationships with others just yet, but he has had an introduction to Essix, the leader of the Trench Dwellers. Currently he is enamored with the Matriarch, mainly because the vibe of a strong, independent woman is just too irresistible to him. Most that meet Cletus will find a good, solid friend in him.*

## History

*Cletus's childhood consisted of a few years of protection by his mother, and then eventually he was left to fend for himself. He learned how to fish and hunt from Mama, but that was about as far as he got for a parental bond. As a Swamp Dweller Cletus began his life as a loner, using his clever brain to ensure his survival and avoid being eaten by larger dragons, or other unsavory monsters from the swamps. His species has a knack for violence when more than one gets together for purposes other than mating season, and Cletus had his fair share of scuffles with others of his species just for hunting in the wrong place. While most fought fiercely to guard their territory, Cletus never established his own in the swamps and found himself wandering, hoping one day he would find a place that inspired him to plant his roots. Instead, for too many years, he struggled to find his place and simply fought to survive, periodically allowing himself to find enjoyment in more refined activities like music when threats were not nearby.*

*He never found that place in his homeland, so Cletus set off for Altuis, sick of dealing with people that acted like mindless animals. He arrived at the same time as Essix and Diabolos's battle to the death, though he would not discover the victor until he made the mistake of exploring the Poisonous Lake that Essix normally resides in. Upon their fateful meeting and introduction, Cletus accepted the Matriarch's invitation to join the Trench Dwellers, reassuring her that he would be on his best behavior.*

## Trivia

* Given unlimited space to move about, as well as plenty of food to eat, Swamp Dwellers can continue to grow for their entire lives, and Cletus is no exception! By the end of his life, if he lives long enough, he will be a *very big boy.*