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Esmeralda is the witch who gave Legend his powers and helped the Fallen Star create the Fates.
Appearance[]
Esmerelda is statuesque with straight, fiery-red hair that falls all the way down to her waist. She has black roses tattooed on her arms, matching the rose inked on the back of Legend’s hand. Donatella Dragna describes her voice as "slightly raspy and laced with a seductive accent." Legend says she is ancient.
Plot[]
Esmeralda helped the Fallen Star create the Fates, and she was his consort before she trapped him and the Fates in the Deck of Destiny. Besides trapping the Fates, she also took half their powers. She gave some of their stolen magic to Legend. Esmeralda helps Legend master his powers.
Caraval[]
She is mentioned when Annalise Dragna tells Scarlett Dragna and Tella the story of how Legend gained his powers. A young Legend sought her out because he knew she had studied enchantments. Esmeralda asked him what he wanted most. Legend replied that he "wished to lead the greatest troupe of players the world had ever seen, so that he could win his true love."[1] Esmeralda warned him that he couldn't have both things, and must pick only one. Because of his pride, Legend didn't believe her. He believed that if he were famous it would allow him to marry his love, Annalise. He told Esmeralda that he wanted his performances to be legendary and magical.
Esmeralda immediately began to use magic to transform Legend. His transformation was fueled by his true desires. She told him his performances would be transcendent, mixing fantasy with reality in a way never seen before. But she also warned him that wishes come with costs, and the more he performed, the more he would transform into whatever roles he played. If he acted the part of the villain, he'd become one in truth.
Finale[]
Legend goes to Esmeralda to ask for her powers to destroy the Fates. He takes her powers and then betrays her by handing her over to the temple of the stars.
The fallen Star then brings Esmeralda to the Menagerie for Scarlet to practice her powers on.