Lien, of the Temeraire Series

(Throne of Jade, etc.)

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Titles or Alternative Names: Lung Tien Lien

Sex: Female

Age: ?

Size: Epic

Breed: Chinese Celestial

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Introduction / Personality:

Lien becomes a major antagonist early on in the Temeraire novels, second only to Napoleon in importance. She is Temeraire's personal rival, but his opposite and foil in every manner. She is learned and patient, while he is naive and brash. She is bent on destruction, while Temeraire fights to protect his home and end the war, with a little brawling now and then.

She is manipulative while Temeraire is honest to a fault. The fact that she is an albino couldn't be a more fitting counter to Temeraire's black hide, a clear depiction of Yin and Yang considering they are both Chinese dragons.

They both have positive and negative traits, yet it could be argued that Lien should have been the black dragon for perfect symbolism, Yin standing for feminine and night. But I'd argue that since Lien is pained by sunlight, she is a dragon who prefers night, while Temeraire, who easy blends into the shadows, is blinded by darkness.

Unfortunately, though active in most of the first five books, Lien's influence in the plot diminishes for the final four, and is absent from some of those books entirely. Understandable considering how Temeraire hops from one continent to another. She may be an obsessed stalker, but she has other hobbies. Yet, Temeraire remains convinced that she is behind all of his misfortune.

She's a schemer, yet being incredibly forward at other times. And in personal power, she is likely the most dangerous creature in the world, a living weapon of mass destruction. Adding to her mystery and drama, she says absolutely nothing for her initial book.

She appears like a ghost and brings ruin just before the heroes can grasp victory. It is no surprise that she remains an antagonist until the final book in the series. Ending her reign of terror is of far more importance for Temeraire than the defeat of Napoleon and his army.

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Physical and Mental Capabilities:

Being a Celestial, Lien is not only intelligent by breed, but has become a great scholar despite that she would be honored for her linage alone. She has a talent for tactics and becomes the first dragon commander in Europe. She is also capable of the Divine Wind, a powerful release of sound which she personally uses to disastrous effect. She, however, retains her belief that Celestials are above fighting and so does not reveal herself in battle until she has no choice.

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Appearance and Physical Features:

Lien is an albino Celestial. Because of this, she has red eyes and it is her white appearance that invokes the superstition of her being unlucky in Chinese culture, so she is shunned and avoided. Her head is adorned with fans and tendrils and her body with jewels. Because of her cultured and comfortable life, her body has rarely been exposed to hardship and is nearly unblemished, aside from the occasions where Temeraire has left a scar or two.

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Accomplishments:

To be announced...

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List of relations:

Mother: (Imperial?)

Father: Lung Tien Chu (Celestial)

Cousin: Temeraire

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Memorable Quotes:

"You sound like a dog and your manners are not much different. Will you bark at me next?"

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"Well, I am not afraid of you."

"No," Lien said calmly. "Not yet."

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"No, I will not kill you, or your captain, who binds you to his country." She shook out her ruff and leaning forward said softly, "I will see you bereft of all that you have, of home and happiness and beautiful things. I will see your nation cast down and your allies drawn away. I will see you as alone and friendless and wretched as am I; and then you may live as long as you like, in some dark and lonely corner of the earth, and I will call myself content."

(Art: Forestia)