AKA Lady Elina
Who is Lady Elina? Simply put, she is a character who developed from her creator’s need to express herself, connect with others, and share a little hope and joy with the world.
Shay DeBosco is a disabled veteran who has continued to push forward through the physical challenges she experienced during her years of military service. She is currently furthering her education and nearing completion of her first master’s degree. Shay is also a transgender woman, a wife, and a proud pet parent to three cats and a dog with her amazing husband.
Her journey as a puppeteer began long before dragons entered the picture. As a child, Shay had a yellow bird marionette that she loved using to entertain others. She was always fascinated by the possibilities of bringing a character to life and finding new ways to make people smile.
In 2017, Shay saw a video featuring a dragon puppeteer. That moment sparked an idea: she wanted a dragon of her own. She began designing her first dragon and eventually made three attempts to commission one. Between COVID-19 and personal health setbacks, however, the dream took longer than expected.
In August 2023, that dream finally became reality when Glykera, the Hope and Pride Dragon, was born.
Glykera’s colors were inspired by the transgender pride flag. Shay intentionally chose those colors as a representation of an important part of herself and as a symbol of hope, pride, and perseverance. Bringing Glykera to life also set Shay on the path toward creating something bigger: her own business and a way to share her passion with others.
Shay’s first public performance with Glykera took place in October 2024 at the St. Louis Renaissance Festival, where she appeared as a guest performer. Over the following year, she worked alongside another puppeteer, learning new techniques, honing her craft, and developing her stage presence.
Late in 2024, Glykera was joined by Hoskiko, whose colors were inspired by the asexual and demisexual pride flags. Together, Glykera and Hoskiko became the first dragons of Shay’s growing collection.
In early 2025, Shay introduced Ye Olde Dragons Den to the renaissance and fantasy festival community. By then, she had grown into an established performer and was ready to expand her skills, her characters, and what she could offer to the people around her.
For Shay, Ye Olde Dragons Den is more than a business. It is a passion and a way to bring hope, joy, acceptance, and a sense of belonging to others. Through her dragons and performances, she hopes to remind people that no matter what challenges they face, there can always be hope, there can always be love, and there is always a place where they can belong.
As Shay continues to grow as a performer and creator, she hopes to expand Ye Olde Dragons Den into an even greater source of hope, joy, and acceptance—especially for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
Lady Elina is more than a character. She is a reflection of Shay’s journey, her resilience, her imagination, and her belief that sometimes a little bit of magic can help someone remember that they are not alone.