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Character Name: Gauden
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft/Rank: Candidate
History: Gauden's father was a Master in the beastcraft, so when Gauden was old enough to begin learning how to handle animals he was brought on as his father's special helper. When he was twelve and had learned mroe from his father than any apprentice could hope to, Gauden went to the southern Beastcraft Hall, where he apprenticed for five Turns before being selected during a Search by Trine Weyr a few sevendays before he would have been named a Journeyman. He has been brought to Trine to stand for Impression in the latest Clutch, but has mixed feelings because of his dedication to his Craft and the knowledge that his father-- though proud his son was chosen-- would much rather his son remain in the Beastcraft than far away at Trine Weyr. This constantly wars with the usual fascination with being a dragonrider and the knowledge that dragons are, in a way, beasts and are one type of beast he isn't at all familiar with. Wouldn't that mean it's just an extension of his trade?

Description: For a 17 year old, Gauden is stockily built and of middling height, maybe pushing 5' 5" with room left to grow another three or four inches, though he'll never be "tall" for a man. With skin tanned from working in the sun, brown hair and brown eyes, Gauden is a strong-featured lad with nondescript coloring. He's built up muscle from working with the beasts of his craft, but he's still just a lad and has work to do before he'll be a man.

Personality: Gauden aspires to be like his father, since he's grown up essentially as his father's heir to the Craft since he was big enough to lug a harness, and as such has devoted himself to the Beastcraft with determination, loyalty, and a hardworking attitude. Although he can come across as a bit boring at first glance or meeting, Gauden likes people almost as much as beasts and, being used to working closely with other Beastcrafters, is an amiable conversationalist. Sure, sometimes he plows headlong through matters better handled with a little subtlety, but he means well.

Gauden also has a very blunt manner of speaking that often puts-off potential allies. If you did something stupid, you're going to know about it. He isn't mean about it, he won't chastise you, he'll just point out in no uncertain terms that it is your own stupid fault for not knowing better and you should just be happy you didn't get into more trouble. His father taught him that 'hedging the truth' to spare someone's feelings over their own stupidity or incorrect opinions never helped anyone. This can work to his benefit, since it means he speaks plainly when he's certain of his opinion and the support behind it, but it will always manifest itself in situations where he needs to put someone into perspective on their actions.

Although he can be quite assured of his opinions and tries to imitate his father as closely as possible, Gauden is not his stick of a father. He can be flexible with his views, as a dragonrider must be, and accept when he's in the wrong. However, if you want to prove your viewpoint has merit, you're going to have to have more than just the strength of your convictions. Gauden is quick to accept proof or a good argument without much pushing, but the proof still needs to be there for him to accept the validity of the other point of view.

If people had to name a vice of Gauden's, they couldn't, simply because he's been so rigorously applied to his Craft for so long that he hasn't had the chance to discover any. When he gets older, however, he'll most certainly take a liking to a good wine-- too much of a liking, if you take my meaning, with no idea of when to stop. Gathers would be key times to look out for Gauden and make sure he isn't sleeping in his cup or causing uninhibited amounts of trouble.

Right now, Gauden is trying desperately to equate his chance at becoming a dragonrider with his love for and dedication to his Craft and his father. He keeps insisting-- privately to himself-- that dragons are beasts and therefore part of his trade, so being a dragonrider is just taking a different and highly specialized path within the Beastcraft. In his mind, there must be a way to make this all right with his father in case he Impresses-- as part of him really does want to do-- at the Hatching.
Other: If Impressed, he would become G'den.