- “So much has happened since then, you look nice, Callum.”
- ―Rayla to Callum
Rayla is the girlfriend of Prince Callum and one of the three main protagonists of the 2018 animated Netflix show The Dragon Prince. She is a 17 year old moonshadow elf who was trained as an assassin, sent with a group to assassinate King Harrow of Katolis and his son Ezran. She then decides to join Callum and Ezran to return the Dragon Prince back to his mother. During the Battle of the Storm Spire, she earned the title of the "Last Dragon Guard", which she still carries.
Official Description
- “With wit as sharp and dangerous as her blades, Rayla is a young Moonshadow elf assassin… or, at least she calls herself one. While she may be the fastest and strongest of all of her comrades, Rayla is untested — she has never taken a life before. But now the Moonshadow assassins have a mission, and Rayla has her chance: to take vengeance for the death of the Dragon King, she must kill the human king of Katolis.”
- ―Official Website
Biography
Book 1 - Moon
Book 2 - Sky
Finally parting ways with Villads and resting in a nearby cave, Rayla finds Callum playing with the primal cube and hears him say that he is getting close to learning how to do magic. When asked how it works for her, Rayla explains has been filled with the moon's energy and also mentions that one does not simply walk into Xadia as there is a special way to get through.
Team Zym sees Claudia bring down a dragon, Rayla and Callum aid Pyrrah when she is hurt but they re forced to flee when Claudia and Soren approach. However, Rayla stays behind to defend the dragon as her responsibility to be the daughter of two Dragon guards. However, Soren mocks the girl for her unnecessary heroics. Fortunately, Callum uses dark magic by literally taking a page out of Claudia's spell book and freeing Pyrrah from her chains. When Soren sees Rayla trying to get the dragon to move, he holds her at sword point and starts mocking her for saving a dead dragon. However, Pyrrah awakens and seeks revenge on Soren for bringing her down. She throws him up against boulders, causing him to suffer from spinal damage, temporarily paralyzing him.
After Ezran and Zym show up, Pyrrah presumably recognizes the infant Dragon as the Dragon Prince and she subsequently leaves. Claudia started to cast a dark magic spell that would capture Ezran and Zym but Soren called to her for help. With Claudia distracted, Rayla, Ezran, and Callum eventually escape.
As the group moves Callum back to the cave, she voices her disdain that Callum used dark magic to save her. However, Ezran scolds her for her aloofness. Suddenly, Corvus approaches them and Rayla stands in front of them. However, Corvus assures her that he is not there to fight and was sent by the boys' aunt, Amaya, to find them. There, Ezran discovers that his father was killed by Moonshadow Elves the night they ran away from home. Upset that his brother and Rayla kept this from him, he ran away. Rayla and Corvus agree that the latter should go after Corvus as Rayla watches over a fevered Callum. upon his return Rayla was inform that Ezran was eaten by a banther but her horror is turned into laughter. She tells Corvus of his special ability to talk to animals quickly piecing together that he caught a ride on a banter not in one. She continues watching over Callum and swears he will get through this.
Seeing Callum's condition grow worse, Rayla breaks down in tears begging him to stay with her. Before she admits how much she cares about him, Callum suddenly awakens and tells her that he understands the sky arcanum. Despite remaining confused, Rayla is surprised to see him perform the "Aspiro" spell without a primal stone. She was also happy to see that Ezran was okay and introduces Callum to Corvus who informs him of what happened, but before they could continue. Rayla hears of Ezran's decision to return home respecting it and knows she'll see him again because she knows where he lives. Upon reaching the kingdom's dividing line, a lava bridge, she prevents Callum from crossing recklessly and patiently waits for the moon to guide them along the correct route. With Zym's telepathic connection to Ezran, the duo successfully navigates across the bridge and enters Xadia.
Meanwhile, Rayla observes with concern as she spots a dragon named Sol Regem.
Book 3 - Sun
Rayla updates Callum about Sol Regem. Realizing fighting him is not an option, she decides to sneak past him and teaches her friend about stealth and how to avoid the elderly dragon's heightened senses. However, when Zym becomes terrified and alerts Sol Regem, the duo is forced to hide. Rayla attempts to reason with the former dragon king to allow them to pass back into Xadia, ultimately showing Zym to him. Although he allows her and the dragonling to pass, he refuses to let Callum go. Despite this, Rayla refuses to leave without him and tries to convince the elder dragon of Callum's innocence. However, Sol Regem's opinion changes when he senses dark magic within the prince, causing the group to hide again. After hearing Callum wanting to accept his fate, she calms him down and comes up with the idea of using Callum's scarf as a lure, which works until Rayla gets caught in a pile of rocks. Thanks to an Aspiro spell from Callum, they manage to trap the dragon and continue through Xadia.
The elf explains that the Dragon Queen is not dead, but has not opened her eyes in ten days. The group follows as he leads them to her, introducing himself as Ibis. When Ibis shows the group the sleeping form of Zubeia, she can only look on sadly. Upset, Rayla leaves the cave and Callum goes to comfort her as she sits down on the steps. Callum asks if she is okay. She tells him that this where it happened, that she cannot stop thinking of the moment when her parents ran away and how it led to all of this. She tells him that it hurts to be there and they hold hands. Later, Ezran arrives at the top of the Storm Spire, bringing with him the dragon Pyrrah and Soren, who collapsed on the mountain.Callum casts the "Ventus Spiralis" spell to restore him. She asks what he is doing there and he tells them that they are all doomed. Back in the cave, he explains that his father Viren is coming with an army of enchanted soldiers.
After Callum has visited with Ibis, he tells Rayla that Ibis gave him some advice: that they should leave to keep Zym safe. She agree but tells Callum that she isn't leaving the Queen defenseless and reasons she has to make up for her parents' mistake. Despite this, Callum is unwilling to let Rayla throw her life away because she was being reckless. The two get into an argument, which leads to Rayla storming away from her boyfriend. Callum uses magic and through it discovers the truth of Rayla's parents - that they actually stayed and fought Viren to the last and that Tiadrin used cunning words to convince Viren to spare Zym's egg. He then finds Rayla at the summit watching the sunset, and Callum shows her an accurate drawing of her parents. Overjoyed, she learns the entire story from Callum and was glad to hear that they were the only ones who stayed behind while the others ran. They decide to make the Dragang's decision together after Ezran calls for another war meeting, where Soren rallies everyone in Team Zym that they all need to stand up to Lord Viren, who will continue to gather followers and chase after them no matter where they go.
The group meets and Soren pleads the case that his father is a villain and he will just get stronger and have more followers, that they can only be safe for a little while if they run, but they must face him. Upon hearing his speech, Rayla tells him that she was wrong about him, thus causing the rift between Soren and Rayla to dwindle. - the group is reunited with Aunt Amaya, who Callum appears with the truth that Rayla is actually their friend. Janai, meanwhile, offers her services and his army. She and Callum then watch as Ibis and Ezran, riding on Pyrrah, depart to find more help. Callum comments that "This is it, huh?" and Rayla agrees "This is it," holding his hand.
Time Jump
Book 4 - Earth
Book 5 - Ocean
Book 6 - Stars
Personality
Rayla displays a generally kind and compassionate nature, along with being a loyal friend and ally. She possesses a good sense of humor, yet can also exhibit a hint of judgment, suspicion, or skepticism towards individuals she is not fully acquainted with. Despite lacking the inclination to kill, Rayla exhibits the unwavering dedication of an assassin, showcasing a prideful stubbornness in her willingness to sacrifice herself while protecting Zubeia and Azymondias from Viren, seeking to atone for her parents' past actions. Rayla's sharp wit and cleverness are evident in her ability to discern enemy intentions, as demonstrated when she pricked herself with a rose to counteract a sleeping spell cast by Soren and Claudia. Additionally, her sarcastic humor often leads her to make witty or snarky comments, much to the annoyance of those around her.
Rayla holds a deep disdain for dark magic, fully aware of its malevolent nature and the dire consequences associated with its use. Like the boys mother Sarai, Rayla is against the cost of dark magic and human lives. She used to be a little self-righteous when accusing Callum of using dark magic, even though it was the only way to save her life and the life of the Fire Dragon Pyrrah.
After the battle at the Storm Spire, Rayla seems to have developed a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, and has become less impulsive, more responsible. According to Amaya, Rayla reminds her as a younger version of herself.
Physical Appearance
- Species: Elf
- Ethnic Background: Moonshadow Elf
- Hair: White
- Eyes: Violet
- Skin Complexion: Pale
- Features: Two black horns
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Moonshadow Elf Physiology
- Superhuman Speed, Agility, and Strength
- Moon Primal Connection: As a Moonshadow Elf, Rayla was naturally born with a connection to the moon, especially on the night of a full moon when the spirit and energy of the moon enhance her natural strength, agility, endurance, stealth, and speed.
- Moonshadow Form: Rayla only uses this power when necessary because it can be exhausting.
- Invisibility: Rayla can turn herself almost invisible in this form.
- Invisibility Extension: The form also allows her to extend her invisibility to her weapons or any possessions.
- Moon Magic: Rayla uses Moon Magic and associated artifacts to cast spells or illusion despite being a non-mage.
- Mystica Canis: The spell allowed her to turn Zym into a dog so they could disguise him from Red Igneous. However, Rex was able to see through Rayla's illusion, and instantly recognized him as the son of his late former best friend and rival, Avizandum.
- Moonshadow Form: Rayla only uses this power when necessary because it can be exhausting.
Abilities
- True Love
- Master Combatant:
- Swordsmanship
- Archery
- Multilingualism: Rayla has limited knowledge in the draconic language and Elven, translating the runes on the archway that allows users entrance to the Storm Spire.
- Riding
- Tracking: Despite her limited knowledge, Rayla learned a few tricks from Corvus, allowing her to track Nyx's Ambler.
Quotes
Relationships
Family
- Tiadrin - Mother
- Lain - Father
- Runaan - Foster Father
- Ethari - Foster Father
Friends
- Team Zym - Teammates and Allies
- Callum - Boyfriend
- Ezran - Close Friend and Younger Brother Figure
- Azymondias - Close Friend
- Soren - Former Attempted Killer and Friend
- Stella - Pet Monkey
- Zubeia - Queen, Savior and Friend
- Nyx - Situational Ally
- Katolis
- Dreadwood - Former Enemy
- Akiyu - Temporary Enemy
- Ava
- Ellis
- Moon Nexus
- Lujanne
- Phoe-Phoe
- Moonshadow Elves
- Ethari
- Zubeia
- Villads
- Pyrrah
- Ibis †
- Janai
- Suroh
- Allen
- N'than
- Stella
- Redfeather
- Kazi
- Akiyu
- Elmer - Former Enemy
Enemies
- Followers of Aaravos
- Claudia - Arch-Rival
- Viren - Arch-Enemy
- Aaravos
- Sol Regem
- Warlon
- Rex Igneous
- Terry
- Kim'dael
- Finnegrin †
Gallery
Trivia
- Rayla was named after a close friend of the Wonderstorm staff.
- It was Giancarlo Volpe's idea to put in Rayla's "Naruto-run" with encouragement from Lulu Younes.
- Rayla suffers from aquaphobia and seasickness.
- Rayla's favorite dessert is Moonberry Surprise.
- Rayla's parents used to send her letters about their life in the Dragonguard on the morning of her birthday.
- Rayla likes sarcasm, making fun of how humans talk, Adoraburrs, and Moonberry Surprise. She dislikes Lujanne's kooky wisdom, and water, as she is scared of it and often made her seasick.
- In early concepts, Rayla had an additional marking on her forehead.
- Rayla's early designs pictured her as too confident and had to be adjusted. Her early expression sheets also served as a practice for Wonderstorm's artists to figure out the four fingers of elven hands.
- When disguising herself as a human, the drooping pinkies on Rayla's gloves were fun additions added by the storyboard team.
- Despite being labeled as enemies, Rayla still cared for Runaan.
- Rayla had never killed anyone, with the exception of Viren until he was revived by Claudia
- Rayla has the second most number of appearances, having appeared in 53 episodes, having only been absent for one episode.
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