Age: 45
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Homosexual.
Weyr: Western Weyr
Rider Rank: Wingrider
Previous Rank/Craft: Journeyman Healer
Physical Description: Z'ral is the epitome of average. He stands about 6'1, neither tall or short for a young man his age, and has a solid frame. He's thin but strong, due to working the fields and helping with the animals back during his youth. He's a decent runner, but not particularly athletic in the traditional sense. Unknowingly, he has a hyperactive metabolism, which keeps him forever hungry but unable to really gain much weight.
As for looks, he seems to be just another average face at the Weyr. His skin is a rich tan due to the southern climate, as well as working outside. His hair is a very dark brown, giving him a somewhat washed out appearance. He doesn't pay much heed to his hair, and as such, it is often shaggy and almost disheveled in appearance. There is a touch of curl in his locks, which makes it difficult to manage in the summer humidity and most unruly when wet.
His eyes are a rich emerald green, and are perhaps one of his most attractive features. They're large and full of expression. One can easily tell what sort of mood he is in just by his expression. Typically though, his eyes are full of good humor and mirth.
Zadrial also has a warm and easy smile, an expression that is most frequently found upon his lips. His smile has been known to be infectious, as well as his laugh, and he does his best to exploit both daily! Even when there is nothing much to smile about, it is unusual for him to wear any sort of sullen or sour expression.
His hands are large and calloused from his physical work and activity on the farms and with the animals. He's never been interested much in his own appearance, much less the appearance of others, so his clothing tends to be a bit mis-match. He knows how to dress up (sort of) but due to his frugal upbringing, he tends to wear clothes practically. Material doesn't matter so long as he can get some use out of it. Most often he wears neutral tones- browns, golds, blacks, and the occasional earthy green.
He's not the best looking man at Western Weyr, but he isn't bad looking either. He really is just another face, with nothing particularly exceptional standing out against the crowd.
Personality: While he may lack some of the dazzling physical charm and good looks of others, what Z'ral is best known for his is personalty. Everything about him is warm and welcoming. He'll greet a stranger with a smile and good conversation, and never has much trouble making friends. He isn't terribly outgoing, but he has never struggled making companions due to his ability to draw others over. He's just one of those guys who can get along with any sort of social group and enjoys socializing with others.
He genuinely cares about other people and their well being. While some might peg him as a natural extrovert, they would be mistaken. Z'ral has no problem getting along or conversing with others, but for the most part he prefers to take his place as a listener and encourager of the group. He tends to encourage others to talk about themselves while he can sit back and listen. He's a good shoulder to lean on, very supportive, and isn't afraid to offer advice (whether its welcome or not!).
Z'ral is the sort who is secretly addicted to details. Part of the reason he tends to stay out of the limelight and encourage others to step up to it is because if someone else is talking (and usually about themselves) he can learn all sorts of fascinating facts about them. He likes knowing things, and enjoys using such tactics to his advantage - surprising a friend with a gift of their favorite food or drink, finding a solution to a problem, or just having random and useless facets of information.
Lastly, Z'ral has a seemingly endless sense of humor. He loves making sure others have a good time, regardless of the situation, and won't hesitate to do something for a smile. This means he'll crack jokes at his own expense, or go along with some scheme or idea just for a laugh.
Despite his accepting and personable nature, Z'ral does have his flaws and faults. He has a strong work ethic, and absolutely hates making mistakes. He is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to his own work, and can get down on himself when he finds himself struggling. Of course, he doesn't easily admit to his struggles, which only causes him further stress and aggravation as he doesn't easily seek out the help or aid he might need.
Furthermore, while he can do fine with crafting or working with animals and the earth, he is terrible at hidework. Tests, quizzes, and general book and hide studies cause him endless amounts of grief and is in part why he took up his fathers craft.
Z'ral also tends to be fairly passive-aggressive. If he can't make a situation better on his own, or do something to immediately mend a problem or issue with another, he'll often do what he can to avoid a fight or confrontation.
Also, while he has no problem conversing with anybody, he really is uncomfortable in the limelight. This may come as a surprise to some, as he has no trouble conversing with others, but the reality is, he doesn't often talk about himself. He prefers to encourage the other person to dominate the conversation and encourage them to open up instead. He came from a big family, and the needs of his younger siblings often came first out of necessity. Z'ral has grown up as a background and support sort of character, and prefers to keep it that way. Getting him to talk about himself or really open up for long isn't exactly easy.
Lastly, and I suppose this isn't much of a flaw as just a note, this young man honestly can be ridiculously naive about certain subjects. He can be dense as a rock and miss important clues. Considering he's so interested in learning the details of how people work, sometimes it's as if he stands too close to a situation and can't properly see the full image. He has moments of being completely and utterly clueless, and it's no more apparent than when dealing with his best-friend and lover, Leks.
Positive Trait List Supportive, Warm, Considerate
Negative Trait List Clueless, Self-Sacrificing, Perfectionist
History: Zadrial was originally born in a minor cothold outside of Cardiff Hold. His mother was a paid worker, having never been formally trained in a craft, and his father was a journeyman beastcrafter. Zadrial was the third eldest in a family that would eventually total seven children, but was the last to be born near Cardiff. At age two, with his mother pregnant yet again, the family moved closer to Landing in hopes of beginning a new and better life near the historical Hold.
Landing is the only home Zadrial truly remembers.
His mother found work easily enough, despite being in almost a constant state of pregnancy as well as having no official craft training. As for Zadrial's father, he found work assisting some of the local beastherders, but he always missed the more livestock-friendly Hold of Cardiff. Money was always tight, but the family made due with what they had and tried to think little of what they were doing without.
Growing up in such a large family meant that Zadrial was often over looked. They never lacked love, as there was no doubt his parents cared for all of their children, but at the same time they had to juggle their own work and the needs of the more needy in their family. Naturally, he grew up as a bit of a protector and care taker to his four younger siblings. He never seemed to grow 'too big' for them, and while there were always childhood spats and sibling rivalry, he truly adored all of his siblings.
Despite growing up with hand-me-downs from his older brothers, and having many sibling to compete and contend with and grow up with, the brown haired boy had a fairly happy and non-descript childhood. He had always been a fairly caring boy, considerate and sociable, and quickly made friends with those in his classes.
When he wasn't taking classes from local harpers or memorizing his teaching songs, or keeping an eye on his siblings, as he aged he began to help his father out in the fields with the herd-beasts, and occasionally the runners. His older brothers never had much interest in the animals, but Zadrial was always fond of the creatures, and his father was glad to see someone following in his footsteps. Unfortunately though, while the young lad had always enjoyed clambering around he barns and pens with the animals, he still preferred working with people.
He wanted to be a healer. In fact, as he grew and slowly matured, around turn 13 he knew for sure he wanted nothing more than to become a healer. He was so interested in people and helping others, it was a craft he was certain he'd excel at. Unfortunately though, there were two minor setbacks. For starters, his father continued to encourage him to follow in his stead as a beastcrafter. Secondly, Zadrial struggled with bookwork and schooling in general. He was a very bright individual, but he seemed to struggle with memorization and blanked with formal tests and quizzes. When it came to hands-on activities, he was a fairly swift learner, but unfortunately reading was never his strong suit and memorization of bookwork and hides and archives seemed to elude him. He struggled in such things and was reminded daily that if he went to the healercraft, he'd be studying bookwork and hidework for years before taking up actual healing.
Despite the fears and worries, Zadrial did wind up choosing to take the path of a healer. It wasn't easy, but with encouragement from his friend Aleksan, he chose the path of a healer. He poured his heart into the Craft, and eventually was sent to Fort Hold to continue his studies. He struggled, but his love and drive and desire to succeed won the day. Eventually was granted Journeyman knots.
During this time, his best-friend, Aleksan, had been sent up to the Harper Hall near Fort. The two's rekindled friendship quickly turned into something more. While they were both busy in their respective Crafts, when able, they were together.
Eventually, Leks took a long-term assignment at Whitecliff Weyrhold. During one of the hold's hatchings, Zadrial was invited to be Aleksan's guest. Eager for an excuse to see him, Zadrial joined him for the event--a first for the young healer. What neither expected to happen was for both of them to Impress. Sure enough, during hatching, not only was Zadrial sought out by a brown, Seiphoth, but Aleksan found himself nose to nose with a blue!
Life changed immediately.
Not only did they have one another, but two baby hatchlings. Still, Whitecliff at least knew how to care and tend young weyrlings. While their training wasn't at a Weyr, it was the next best thing. A dragon certainly put a pause on Z'ral's Journeying, but he was able to keep up his healing on the side. Seiphoth wound up being beneficial for the Journeyman Healer -- not only could he travel swiftly from Hold to Hold, or back to the Hall and home again, but if ever patients needed immediate care, he could get Healers or patients around swiftly.
The Turns passed, and Leks and he wound up having a large family. Some were adopted children, while others were through surrogacy. Life was close to perfect...until Thread fell.
Once the enemy returned, and though Z'ral found his days filled helping and aiding the injured--Seiphoth found his own duty renewed. The Enemy had returned, and the brown had to fight. As much as he loved Whitecliff, Z'ral and Leks moved to Western Weyr. Like many seeking refuge or being brought in to fill in numbers, Western Weyr was desperate for those who could fight--and healers in particular were needed.
Z'ral has been fighting Thread, and healing in his spare-time in the Infirmary, ever since. Leks and he have fostered and adopted many weyrbrats since, and some of their children have even gone on to Impress.
Other: Z'ral has a tendency to adopt those in need. Leks and he have an extensive family. Some might be at Whitecliff, while others might be at Western Weyr. Z'ri is one of their sons.
DRAGON
Name: Seiphoth
Age: 12
Color: Brown
Size: 33'
Physical Description: Seiphoth is on the small side for a brown dragon, but do not let that fool you. He may have traded in a bit of strength and prowress for speed and agility, but he is still large enough to hurt when he hits. As a hatchling, his overly large hands and feet will cause him trouble; unfortunately, this brown will never quite grow in to them, which will cause him to be a bit clumsy while on the ground. Get him in the air, and it's another story all together. He can fly circles around his larger kin, and tends to happily do so... Seiphoth will more than eagerly take lessons and guidance from his green and blue clutchmates.
Personality: A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."
Have no fear, Seiphoth is here! At least, that's what this brown dragon would like to have you believe. Rest assured, all ye who doubt, this dragon will make sure you know his greatness from his every word and deed. He will prove himself to each and every one of his clutch mates, if not every man, woman, child, and dragon on Pern, that he will take care of things.
What things you ask?
All the things.
At least, that's what he likes to believe.
There is something inherently good about Seiphoth and it is shown in his benevolent and valiant nature. He is constantly on the look out for those who might need a steadying hand or a shoulder to fall upon. Are you having self-doubts or insecurity? He will offer every reassurance. Do you need to get out of the rain? Here is an proffered wing to keep you dry. Forever at the beck and call of his clutch mates, or strangers alike, Seiphoth is the sort who will not hesitate to get involved if he believes he might be of aid.
Does the weyrlingmaster need a volunteer? Seiphoth will be the first! Is someone in need of a spar partner? Sign Seiphoth up for that too! Is there some dangerous mission which must be undertaken? Me. Me. Ohpleasepickme.
This dragon is stout-hearted and not afraid of challenges presented to him or his rider. There is nothing they cannot accomplish together, and he is only too eager to show the world his greatness. Match such a feeling with his over-eagerness to succeed, and this is where things can get tricky. While there is no doubt that Seiphoth wants to be the best and will be ever diligent with any task assigned to him, he sometimes can be far too over-eager to please, to do right, to do good. Mixed with his self-pride, a pride that can be more troublesome than not, this can lead to him taking chances and risks that are unwise. While there is no doubt his heart (and ego) are usually in the right place, his blind impatience to do the very best at that very moment will need be tempered and controlled.
For all the good Seiphoth intends to do, his biggest demons stem from the same root: a desire to protect. To those he gives himself selflessly to, there is no better friend. Unfortunately, this brown is known to be incredibly protective of those under his care. While it is only natural to want to fight and defend for those weaker than him, or those whom he loves, the brown can be stifling. He might absolutely smother the other with too much attention and consideration, and may attempt to shield those closest to him from experiences they need to grow. To those he loves (and there will be a great many), they are very much so his and it can be dangerous out there, and surely they need him around to take care of things. Who else well defend them from the evils of this world?
His over-protectiveness can also lead to confrontation between himself and others. If he feels he has been slighted, or worse, those under his watch, he will not hesitate to defend them posthaste. Any and all charm is chucked to the wayside, and all bets are off. If a clutchmate has been bullied, he will seek their honor by confronting their tormentor. If his rider has been spurned, this dragon will have no hesitation running to his aid in a fury of fangs and threats. Rest assured, he will not sit idly by as damage is done, and he will fight the good fight. . . even if, perhaps, he is making a mountain out of a molehill.
When it comes to flights, Seiphoth will not be the sort to frequently give chase. He is a romantic at heart and could not possibly insult a female by chasing simply for some momentary thrill. No, he will only chase when he is thoroughly smitten by another. Then, and only then, will he spread his wings and fly to offer her all his passions, hopes, and dreams.
Why Me:Why Me? Seiphoth saw an equal in Zadrial, and one whose passions were close to his own. Here was a man who had the heart of a healer, and endless amounts of patience. They compliment one another well: where Zadrial suffers self-doubt or insecurity, this brown will be able to give him support and encouragement in droves; alternatively, Zadrial should have the patience that Seiphoth sometimes lacks, and should be able to temper his browns over-bearing (and over-eager) personality. Where Zadrial is busy encouraging others to go after their dreams, Seiphoth will be there to encourage and support him. Should the going get tough, Seiphoth knows that Zadrial will only too happily rush in with the brown to do the right thing. Together, there is nothing they cannot achieve -- they WILL save the world, save the sick, save those in trouble, and defeat all of Pern's adversaries. They will become the change they wish to see, together, and unafraid.
Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment:
