Age: 26
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft/Rank: 'Journeyman' Wherhandler
History: Valan was born in a Hold just outside Arcon Hold, to a family of farmers and beastcrafters. It was a relatively simple life but she craved more - the bustle of the Hold seemed, at first, to be where she was destined and she entertained fantasies of catching the eye of the Lord Holder's son. Of course, such a fantasy did not come true for the young and naive farmer's girl.
Instead a variation on said fantasy came true. It was during the annual Gathering for the all the neighboring Holds that she ran into one of the Wherhandlers that guarded Arcon Hold. There were three but she very rarely saw the large beasts out and about, and their handlers seemed just as scarce. However, this handler was a pleasant fellow and fell to talking with her, describing the sorts of things the handlers did and, rather arrogantly she thought, professing how a Wher was better then a dragon.
It was an interesting night to be sure but it faded as time passed and she matured into a healthy, capable adult. At the age of eighteen Turns, she was searched. They were delivering tithes to the Hold that would be sent along to the Weyr and she was picked out from among those gathered. Three others were selected besides her and it was with much trepidation and excitement that she accepted the invitation - what girl wouldn't?
She spent the next three turns Standing at hatchings and aged out. It was a disappointment, to be, sure but a greater problem faced her now: she was without rank in a craft and the life of farming just didn't call to her. This had been an escape for Valan, a chance at something more and it had failed.
That was when she remembered the casual words of the Wherhandler. At twenty-one, Valan joined the Wherhandlers in a last-ditch attempt to be something more then a drudge or a farmer. It was rough, she was often one of the oldest apprentices and had difficulty identifying with her peers. However, because of her age and training, she excelled in the studies and quickly caught up.
By the time she was 24 Turns she'd graduated from apprenticeship and had managed to earn one of the first picks from a Gold Wher's clutch. That egg was the pride and joy of her life, moreso when it hatched and a bold brown wher greeted her. From that point forward she's never regretted becoming a Wherhandler and while she may be wistful about dragons, Valan would never trade Valansk.
Description: Short and solid, she barely hits 5'2" but she's strong and capable. As a result, she's not the most attractive woman around but as far as she's concerned, you like it or leave it. Her physique is something she's rather proud of since most women, especially those who are hold-born, tend to dote on the petite, damsel-in-distress appearance and rely on men to do the work. She thinks that's a bunch of wherry dung and prefers to be able to do things herself, making sure to run and exercise as much as she when she's not working.
Beyond being short, she's dark. Chestnut hair and hazel eyes against the dark farmer's tan of her skin give her an exotic appearance, especially among the paler weyrfolk. Her hair's a mess and has long since been 'groomed' into a pile of dreadlocks that the only way to get rid of the permanent tangle would be to shave her bald.
Her clothing is simple and straightforward: leather gloves, bracers, and shin-guards, fitted trousers (she has a nice butt that she's not afraid to show off, after all), and a loose, comfortable blouse in some muted neutral colour. She wears mostly creams, browns, and blacks - some might even say she has a colour phobia but she just thinks it hides the dirt better (and matches Valansk, thanks.)
Personality:
Other: Brown Valansk
They work in the Weyr, helping to herd the wherries and other herdbeasts on the plains above the Weyr.
