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Transferred from Old Guild Rider Journal

Name: R'an Formally Roan

Age: 27

Gender: Male

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual, leans towards Men

Craft/Rank: Dragonrider
Formally Beast Craft Apprentice

History: Roan grew up just outside of Bitra Hold. His family was one of simple holder's, living under the Lord Holder's rules, his mother was a woman who worked in the kitchen's, feeding the great Hearth and keeping everyone fed and happy. She was really a sweet, if not simple woman who held to her purpose. His father was a Craftsmith builder. Working with other men to create more living room for the always expanding Hold. He had an older brother who had had become a Journeyman Crafter in Rutha and they heard from him only every now and then through messages delievered by runners. He was the second son and his parents hoped to keep him alittle closer to home. While he had the promise to become something, really anything alittle more. He never showed much interest in anything.

Roan lived a small and simple life of doing hard labor and working wherever a hand was needed once he grew big enough to handle the work. He had just started apprenticing to the master of the Beast Craft, studying Wherries and fowls and seeing how to breed them to keep enough to feed an entire hold while also allowing enough to be given to their tithed Benden Weyr. It was alittle borning to Roan and he really didn't like his master much but he learned well and didn't try to back-talk much or slack on his work. He had his family to look after as his father would be getting old in years and he had only 2 sons. Who would look after him after he became an old Uncle? So Roan did his duty and his work, staying true to his purpose. His family chose to keep him out of the affairs of Benden's problems.

1st Metaplot: As everything started at his age of 13 turns, he was thought too young to understand so he was kept under a shadow. Ofcourse he knew of those dragons whose lives were lost to Between or thread but he knew not of the reason's why. Bitra Hold remained as loyal to Benden as possible as they were their protectors in the mountains and without their protection, as well as trade they would suffer as they did the several times Benden sealed itself away. As his father wasn't a political man, he had never become interested, only keeping to his purpose and family to take care of them. Roan only knew that his Pern was going to change very soon.

When he started his apprenticeship only a year ago. He knew his master was worried about Benden's affairs as they worked to trade with them for protection from thread. It was during this time, a rider was working with his master while he was nearby, of course doing what every young man or woman did when a dragon landed close, he was sneaking a peak at the beautiful creature. He happened to be a Search rider, and having seen Roan, though the times were tense, Roan was chosen as a future candidate for the new Queen Dragon. He packed his very few belonging's and was taken to Benden Weyr. It had been an amazing experience! Despite the losses that Benden had from the Thread and of course all the tense atmosphere. Still he was finally at Benden and he would be able to Impress. Though about a week after he arrived during the demonstration that afternoon, Roan was witness to the Wherhandlers revolution start. It didn't take long, atleast that's what he had heard. Once it began, some brave dragonriders ushered the candidates and even some Weyrbrats too young to fight, even if they wished to, onto the backs of their dragons and took them Between. Honestly, Roan hadn't known where they went. They popped in and out a few times, making his head spin. He heard the dragon riders shouting to each other the second time, claiming that Malvern wasn't safe and suddenly they were in that dark cold space again and they landed. Roan only had one experience going Between Before and he had the same reaction as then. He was shivering violently and he joined some of the other candidates in getting sick as soon as they were off the back of the beast which rose up and blinked away. They were shuffled into the infirmary and barred in. There were other people here, hiding or tending injuries and off to the side was the private bed of the Queenrider. They stayed there until they were suddenly let out again as Trine finally managed to push back the forces.

After that, he had no word of his hold or his family, though thankfully Flit's still came and went and he heard some news from other more sneaky candidates.

Once the revolution happened, his hold had sequestered everyone inside. No one was to go out for fear of the Revolution finding them as well. After the battles had raged and new dominance was brought out in Benden.

Bitra Hold finally let it's people out and tried to return to normal life. No one knew how to react to the Benden take over. So some simply didn't. Though because it had been Wherhandlers who had caused it, many of their own had been separated and kept away from their duties. For fear Rebellion and Revolution would happen at home. Roan only wished he could send a message home to his family to tell them he was safe at Trine.

Since his rescue to Trine, R'an had just fallen in, doing what he was told during the turmoil of the storm and the strange queen who created her own hold. He did as he was told and obeyed orders and then suddenly he was on the sands, watching as a very angry blue wandered around, hurting hatchlings and candidates alike, him as well. It was as the little blue was hurtling towards him that he suddenly heard that voce and suddenly he had Impressed. The little angry blue became his best friend, if temperamental and quite annoying sometimes, he was what R'an had hoped for since he was a child seeing dragons fly above Bitra.

After Impressing, his life calmed for about a week or so. He became injured when he foolishly tried to intervene when Benden staged the rescue of their wherhandlers and traitor dragonriders. A few ribs were cracked and he had scars from a Wher's claws, but Syriacuth suffered worse injuries protecting him, his wing bitten by a large Wher and his should and wing bones broken and he was grounded. Thankfully Benden wasn't successful and the pair were sent to heal. Where they met Sh'en, the man that R'an would love in the future.

While learning and growing, they lived within the turmoil of the world. R'an assigned to a wing and then things started to really pick up speed. When Sharath, was poisoned, the entire Weyr was stunned and though she pushed through enough to have her clutch, when she was lost, he mourned with many others. The clutch was a disappointment to most with it's size but he still held hope for them until they hatched. The poison did it's work, he guessed. The Weyr and it's people were in an outrage. R'an wasn't one for violence but for once, he truly felt the need and want for it. He wanted to avenge her death. First it was the raid on Benden and the battle, he gained a few new scars as did Syriacuth, who ever the ladies man playfully tried to show off afterwards, showing how good he was in battle. R'an was still injured at the beginning of the raids on Malvren but joined in close to the end, helping to bleed the Weyr of resources until Trine finally won. When Keller was murdered in his cell, he questioned it, but he counted himself as one of the others who weren't exactly unhappy he was gone. Though he mourned when Sharath's bonded took her own life. With her resolve to revenge, R'an had almost thought that she would continue on with her quest won, it was a sad affair for everyone to lose her.

Now that there was a slight peace, R'an tried to focus on Sh'en who had been spending less and less time with because of Sh'en's activities as a scout/spy as R'an playfully called him. It was during a surprise visit that he found Sh'en with another man. He was angry but didn't say anything, simply walked away. It was a few days later that the true "Big Fight" happened. And then they were over. It was messy and painful and anyone who knew R'an knew he was upset over it. He embodied his dragon's personality for a while and avoided as many people as he could get away with. He attended meetings and met with those he had to, but socializing was not what he wanted. He often could be found with Syriacuth by his side at the lake, a sketchpad in his hands and his fingers nearly black from drawing.

When the Rogue Queen's began their rise, he tried to stay out of the fighting, Syriacuth served queens but also females in general, R'an just wanted there to be peace for once. With the new laws decided for everyone to earn rank with their skills, R'an thought the fighting would end... He was wrong.

With the Rogue Queen's taking to their pirating ways, he backed down from the group meant to hunt them down. He would dedicate himself to the purpose he started with, to fight Thread and keep people safe.

Description: He stands taller than most Holders, about 6 feet or so and his skin usually tans very well when he's outside. He has soft blue eyes, a bit of a rarity and dark brown hair that use to fall to his shoulders but since his break-up with Sh'en, he has taken to cutting it short and more regulation style. He has a strong jaw that he shaves regularly but if he misses a day, stubble does grow in quite quickly. His body is strong from years of working since he was 13 turns or so. His hands have long fingers that would be perfect on a gitar or a pipe but he hasn't held either since he learned the Teaching songs. While his fingers are perfect for playing, his hands really show what he has been working with. Calloused and bearing a few scars from some not-so-happy fowls and wherries, he generally will use an oil much like the women use to keep his hands from stiffening up as he knows quick fingers are needed when working with temperamental beasts and now to hold on to the harness if he's happened to forget his riding gloves. With broad shoulders and a lean build, he is a perfect picture of ruggedly handsome, though he has been a bit to dense to realize that many of the young women of the hold...and a few of the men have started to stare at him when he works or appears at a Gather or two.

Personality: Roan isn't exactly a man who would roll over if pushed. He had only one brother, but many cousins who happened to be males that allowed him to learn how to wrestle and to quell that stubbornness that came from living in a Hold up in the mountains.

He is very smart and knows what his duty is. He doesn't like to slack off because he knows that when you procrastinate, eventually everything will happen at once and you'll be lost. He doesn't look down at the people who don't share his same views, but he does grow annoyed, even angry when he's made to share their workload or even take over because they didn't do what they were supposed to. Despite this He is quite a sweet lad as he's heard his mother call him. He did take time to talk to old Uncles and Aunts when they needed an ear, even if it's just to speak about times long-gone.

If he's free, which he usually is not, he's likely to help someone if they ask for it. While he is gentle with his actions and words, he can be a little dense at times, missing meanings and innuendos, especially if he makes them himself. Some of his only flaws are his dense nature, maybe more naïve about social interactions. He can be smart about things that plain to him; his work, cooking, cleaning up, maintenance things that don't require any social undertones that politics or...certain genders might require. And sometimes his single-mindedness in his work. Wanting to keep on top of things can leave him stubborn and annoyed when he's bothered with something else. He can be anti-social and really only comes out to social gatherings when earnestly asked, or pestered as his brother used to say.

He does have something of a Harper's gift with music. Able to keep a nice beat and a clear note but not enough to be one. Just enough to make the singing in the evenings a little more fun. In short, he's a sweet, kindly young lad who is usually willing to help another person. He's a little dense yes but at the same time smart as a whip, able to pick up things after a few times.

While all of the drama going on outside in the world, Roan as every boy does, had dreamed of being a dragonrider. Or even just being at the Weyr, seeing the great dragons everyday he would consider a blessing. Before the Revolution of Benden Weyr, his hopes were a little higher as he had known about their first Gold Egg in so many years.

He had hoped that he could be apart of that clutch, as a very young lad but of course with the death of the old Queen, he mourned with the world. He had hoped that when the new Queen become of age for her flight that maybe he could be apart of those candidates as well. Now as Benden is overtaken and him at Trine, a Weyr, he hopes to be able to fulfill his dream. Even amongst the chaos, he wants to become a dragonrider as they are so sorely needed.

A long time ago, he had made a joke to his older brother as he watched him pack up to head to Rutha Hold. "So if you weren't allowed to be a dragonrider what would you do?" HIs brother had asked. Roan was about 7 at the time and giggled. "I'd sneak onto the Grounds and take one of those eggs for myself!" He had exclaimed. "And I know that there'd be one little dragon for me! He and I would find each other and we're be together forever!" His brother had laughed and set about to tickling him. Roan remembers that and knows if it comes to a hatching, he might actually do that. Maybe not steal the egg, but come very very close to it...

As with all of the stress and pain in the outside world, Roan was very unaware of the details as his father and mother kept from telling him and with the rumor's so strong, they wouldn't have really known what to tell him. So as he hasn't had much pain in his life, he has never really had anything to distract him with, with the exception of what his mother has always dubbed "Doodles and swirls." He tends to carry a notebook on his person, usually for taking notes while doing work but if he finds himself free for any moment in time, he tends to draw whatever's around. He has an eye for detail and while he isn't super smart, he is quick to catch onto things. He is pretty down to earth with his thoughts and actions.

After experiencing the fighting and hardship of being a dragonrider first hand, R'an's personality has experienced some changes. He still is willing to do his duty and will always take care of Syriacuth and those he cares about. He has started to want to less inner fighting and more taking care of their ancient duty of fighting thread. He has gotten tired of the endless inner fighting with Keller, the Queens and even his break-up with Sh'en.

It was probably more his break-up that really set the changes, he was ma who would give his all to the woman/man he was in love with, but to be betrayed the way he was, he felt as if he couldn't trust anyone for a long time after and even now, he is wary about the idea of love again. He seems to be in a rut and wishes only to have a clear thought or goal for his life. Without complications.

Other:

Events During Wherwars and after

-Sh'en and R'an no longer a thing, Sh'en cheated and resulted in messy breakup
-is now 27
-was at Benden's raid - Broken ribs again, also gained two scars across his back from a wher
-Was at the end of the Malvren raid - Once again injured with a broken arm
-Stayed back from the trouble with the queens
-Syriacuth now has scars on his left shoulder and wing bones
-Scars on his tail from Benden from a Wher bite, Also is the reason that R'an's ribs broken (he swung his tail out of the Wher's mouth and it went wide and hit R'an on accident... he's deeply sorry about it)

(*)

Dragon:

Egg:

Hatchling:

Fully Grown:


Name: Syriacuth
Size: Below average
Build: Above average
Personality: Syriacuth is one of the most social dragons you will ever meet, and one of the most selective dragons you will ever meet. He likes what he likes and if things don't swing his way expect an extremely forceful fuss to be kicked up. Sociable though, yes, Syriacuth loves company but he hates large groups. He's not afraid of them he just doesn't enjoy the noise and confusion of many people talking over one another. As he grows up he will gain as many good friends as any other dragon but he will prefer to associate with them one on one, or in a group of three at the most. It takes Syriacuth a while to warm up to people, possibly partially because he avoids groups of people and so often doesn't make chance encounters. Once he does warm up to you however Syriacuth is a generous friend, not much of a joker himself but appreciating good humour in others.

Syriacuth by and large disapproves of conflict not because he's cowardly but because he is sensible and deeply dedicated to his duty as a dragon. If he gets himself injured in a foolish fight with another dragon how will he fight the Thread and defend his world? As such when flight is an option in flight of fight he will take it, and shards can he fly! A powerful compact thing he is enviably tough and fast, especially in a straight line. If you corner Syriacuth or one of his close friends however be prepared for a world of hurt because when forced into it he will fight and those compact muscles pack quite a wallop. Fighting to him really is a last resort though, and he will only plan to take part in combat in the very most extreme circumstances. This could lead some to say he is not steadfast in supporting a cause, but those people would forget that Syriacuth's primary cause will always be the defence of Pern from its oldest foe.

Something else everyone should be (very) aware of is that Syriacuth is territorial. People entering his space without permission can expect to be driven off with harsh scolding and threat displays that could lead anyone who doesn't know him extremely well to think he's about to rip their throats out. He's not, of course, and if his displays fail he will be reduced to more snapping and growling insults. Only a very few will ever have standing permission to come into his wallow or the area directly around his weyr, even close friends must learn to stop and ask him if he minds them approaching. Tit for tat however Syriacuth respects the boundaries of others and is a very polite guest indeed.

A final point of note is Syriacuth's respect for females. Some dragons look up to golds as the natural dominant colour, Syriacuth looks to greens, crimsons and golds too. He is almost unfailing polite to female dragons and if he's uncertain of something he is more likely to defer to a female's judgement than a males. Syriacuth views all other males as equals, a bronze is no better than a blue in his eyes. He holds no particular aspirations of leadership of his own but if his rider does he will become dissatisfied with the Weyr's systems over time. As he is so very dedicated to Pern's defence it would take a lot to make him consider leaving a certain place in a wing for another faction but if he were sure that a place to fight the good fight was there waiting for him in a place where his rider would be happier.... Well, he might love his friends dearly but a dragon's rider must always come first. Where his rider leads, Syriacuth follows.

Inspired by: The ostrich

Ostriches normally spend the winter months in pairs or alone. Only 16 percent of ostrich sightings were of more than two birds. During breeding season and sometimes during extreme rainless periods ostriches live in nomadic groups of five to 50 birds (led by a top hen) that often travel together with other grazing animals, such as zebras or antelopes. Ostriches are diurnal, but may be active on moonlit nights. They are most active early and late in the day. The male ostrich territory is between 2 and 20 km2 (0.77 and 7.7 sq mi).

With their acute eyesight and hearing, Ostriches can sense predators such as lions from far away. When being pursued by a predator, they have been known to reach speeds in excess of 70 km/h (43 mph), and can maintain a steady speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), which makes the ostrich the world's fastest two-legged animal. When lying down and hiding from predators, the birds lay their heads and necks flat on the ground, making them appear like a mound of earth from a distance, aided by the heat haze in their hot, dry habitat.

When threatened, ostriches run away, but they can cause serious injury and death with kicks from their powerful legs. Their legs can only kick forward. Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in sand. This myth likely began with Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79), who wrote that ostriches "imagine, when they have thrust their head and neck into a bush, that the whole of their body is concealed." This may have been a misunderstanding of their sticking their heads in the sand to swallow sand and pebbles, or, as National Geographic suggests, of the defensive behavior of lying low, so that they may appear from a distance to have their head buried.

Why Me?
In Roan, Syriacuth saw a no nonsense, hardworking individual who’s willing to stand his ground. And for Syriacuth, this is mighty important – he has his personal bubble and he’d like you to understand that, thanks. Even his rider is subject to a bit of a buffer if the blue is feel petulant but mostly Syriacuth welcomes Roan’s presence and touch unconditionally. His sense of duty and dislike of conflict is also echoed in Roan, who understands the value of dedicated attention and a job well done. These two will be a serious pair, reluctant to immerse themselves in social situations, but they’ll develop a reputation for ‘getting it done,’ whatever ‘it’ is. Roan’s softer side and his musical ability will help soothe the grumbling beast that Syriacuth can become and run interference for the unfortunate target of the blue’s tantrum. Of note, also, is Roan’s potential awakening to the world at large – if his sense of duty and appreciation of work carries him to different pastures, Syriacuth would gladly follow.