Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 19:45:33 GMT -5
Your username: Jaxrond
Character's name: Xander Ravenson
Character's age: 21
Character's attitude:
Xander is a young man who was forced to grow up before his time. His eyes reflect the jaded sort of anger that comes from a hard life. He is always wary of other people, especially humans, and, though willing to interact with them, is not at all pleasant to be around. Those of other races will fare a bit better with him, but he only truly trusts his bondmate.
His unpleasantness lies in his sarcastic, rough demeanor. He’s always ready with a quip or snide remark and is far more likely to say something rude than give a compliment. He does know how to behave around those in authority, but, any smile he may give, especially to them, is laced with disdain. He holds a special dislike for ladies of nobility and, to a lesser extent, lords of rank.
Despite his general rudeness, Xander has a wide noble streak. He values freedom above all else and struggles against anything that he might deem as oppressive. That’s not to say he won’t follow instruction, but, he prefers not to be ordered, and is more likely to get along better with someone who treats with him on equal footing or at least with a modicum of respect. His trust is hard won, but, when it is won, he proves to be an extremely loyal comrade who would risk his life for those he holds dear. Understanding his heart and mind are even more difficult than winning his trust as, even with those he trusts, he does not easily share parts of himself. It’s because of his value of freedom that he has chosen a side at all.
Character's Race: Human
Character's appearance:
Xander is a tall young man with long, blonde hair and tan skin. His angular face and seemingly haughty expression make him look older than he is, as do his height and build. His body is that of a lithe fighter, hard and well-contoured. Standing a bit over six feet tall, he usually towers over other humans. While not large, he is big enough to fill a space rather impressively. His eyes are deep set and piercing blue. His face would be handsome if not for his rudeness.
Character's allegiance: Dragon Riders
Weapons:
Xander wields a simple longsword with a decent amount of skill. He also carries a dagger in his boot, though he has not trained to use it. He is a very nimble and quick fighter, especially for his size. He also shows a natural proficiency in magic
Other Info: Around his neck is a pendant given to him by his late mother. It’s a spot of pride for him.
History:
Xander is the bastard son of a former Imperial Lord and his dancing slave, Raven. Despite the change in laws concerning slavery after the fall of the Empire, this Lord and his wife, as equally cruel and deceitful as her husband, managed to keep their entertainer and her son through a number of illegal but secret methods. Xander grew up as a slave. When it became obvious that he was to inherit his mother’s beauty, the lady of the house took a special interest in him. What occurred between them as he grew older is perhaps best left unsaid. His regular duties included acting in whatever capacity his master saw fit, from stable boy to singer. As such, he grew to be quite strong and proficient in both song and dance, eventually replacing his mother as an entertainer when she died from illness. He also grew to loathe his master and mistress. It was because of his upbringing as their property that he developed the abrasive personality he now possesses.
When he was sixteen, Xander managed to slip a tip-off to some soldiers who were riding through during one of his errand runs in town. The commander of this particular troop issued a search of the nobleman’s estate, one that he would have no reason to refuse if he truly was without slaves in his home. The search ended with the arrest of the nobleman and his wife and the release of the slaves remaining in their home. Xander went free.
Due to his array of skills learned during his time in captivity, he was able to find odd jobs here and there, making enough money to get by. After all, he knew how to curb his true personality enough to be presentable from his years of slavery. During this time, he also accompanied mercenaries, picking up bits of training with a blade where he could. This went on for three years until he came across a Rider, Varda, during her combat with soldiers from the Shade army. He was awed by her power and that of her dragon. With that kind of power, he would never again be oppressed. He could save others from oppression. With that kind of power, he could have saved his mother. Xander assisted the Rider in her battle, asking in recompense that she take him to New Doru Arabea and make him a rider. Varda patiently explained that becoming a Rider was much more difficult than he believed, but, upon sensing his desire and deeming it a noble one, she agreed to take him back with her.
Fortunately for Xander, when he was permitted to approach the eggs available at the time, he was chosen by one, a grey dragon whom he named Astaroth. The two began to train at New Doru Arabea soon after, learning alongside the other newly bonded pairs
Name: Astaroth
Race: Dragon
Age: Around a year old
Attitude:
Astaroth is an exceptionally proud dragon who acts with dignity at all times. He will never forgive a slight against himself or his rider. He considers himself an upholder of justice and a defender of all that is good. That being said, he is not unkind. On the contrary, he is quite civil and enjoys rousing intellectual conversation. Though he and Xander appear, on the surface, to be an ill-fitted pair, Astaroth knows his rider’s heart and understands him in a way no other being can. Though he does reprimand Xander when he goes too far, he more often lets him go, knowing that attempting to stifle his Rider’s natural defense mechanism would do no good.
Astaroth also has a hint of vanity. He is a beautiful specimen and he knows it. He also considers himself to be highly skilled, very intellectually gifted, and exceptionally desirable as a mate. Though, he would never approach a female. They should be the ones to approach him. This vanity has been the source of many a time of being knocked down a peg or two.
Appearance:
Astaroth is an average sized male dragon. His scales are a lovely silvery grey, like moonlight on dark water. He has a broad snout and a powerful build made for speed over short distances and close combat. Though he is average in size for his age, his natural muscle tone makes him very heavy. Long distance flying exhausts him.
Role Play Sample:
Xander sat in the grass, working at honing the edge of his blade with a stone and cleaning kit. While it was possible to use magic to complete the task, years of doing things manually kept him from using magic for such menial tasks. His eyes remained trained on the edge as he carefully dragged the stone down it, pressing the metal into the fine line needed for cutting flesh during battle. Against his back, Astaroth thrummed, his scales warm. The dragon was sunning himself, stretched out in a wide, open expanse, his wings partially extended to catch the desired rays of light as they fell on him. Even when he was relaxing, he did so in a regal manner, nothing about him bespeaking laziness. He was resting, yes, but not lounging.
His Rider finished with the tip of his sword and held it up, examining it in the light. Since becoming a Rider he had traded in the sword he pawned during his travels for a ‘real blade’. One that was truly forged to withstand combat from dragonback. He still was not the best swordsman, but, he was quickly learning and adapting. He slid the blade into his sheath, satisfied.
You’re getting lazy, he said, glancing at the dragon he leaned against.
A plume of smoke erupted from each of Astaroth’s nostrils. One large silver eye opened, swiveling back to look at Xander, slit pupil contracting.
Never. I am merely enjoying the warmth provided by the sun.
The dragon’s retort was laced with the barest undercurrent of reproach. Xander’s lips quirked. Suggesting that Astaroth could ever become something as uncouth as ‘lazy’ was like saying his scales were getting dull. The young human only got away with it because of their bond.
You seem to be doing more and more of that… he shrugged one shoulder, trailing off as he laid his sword across his lap.
Astaroth huffed, raising his head. His serpentine neck twisted until he was able to look at his rider fully.
If you continue with such talk, you will find yourself sitting alone.
The dragon’s tone was grave. Xander smiled, amused, and raised his hands in mock surrender.
Fine, fine. I’ll stop.
Astaroth eyed him for a moment, as though verifying his words. Then, he stretched out once more. Silently, Xander packed up his cleaning kit, still smirking to himself. There was a long moment of companionable quiet. Then-
How many deer did you eat today? Are you sure you’ll be able to fly back?
Without a word, the grey dragon stood, knocking his human over, and pointedly walked to the other side of the meadow.