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Dolphineer
Name: Ulir
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: Homosexual.
Basically, he is so far in the closet, he can see Narnia. He has convinced himself that he is definitely attracted to women but he's just 'picky', and that the feelings he feels for other men are completely platonic and manly.
Rank: Journeyman Dolphineer
History:

Ulir has led an uneventful life, all told. No super-tragedies and drama for him. His life hasn't been without it's twists and turns, but he's faced it all with his usual stoic-ness.

He was born in Malvren Dolphincrafthall and learned dolphincraft there. His mother was a seacrafter, and very free spirited. She had some issues with her husband and her family and so, on one voyage, she simply took Ulir and relocated to Trine. They had family in both places, and Ulir managed to keep in touch with them by mail and via the seacrafters that went between the two sea holds, many of whom were kin.
Young Ulir ( 7 ) was ready to accept this situation, and proceeded to explore the beaches and areas around Trine dolphincrafthall and continue his lessons. ( 8 ) When a trading caravan came through briefly with a scouting party to check on the routes there, nobody thought much of it.
Soon after, however, his mother became very obviously pregnant. Rumors started flying among their kin and his father's kin in Trine, and tensions began to rise between his mother and the rest of their shared family.
His mother did not care at all, throwing caution and social status to the wind. Ulir, however, felt the shame strongly. Nobody knew who the father was (though there was much speculation and most fingers pointed to the Caravan and it's scouts), and so young Ulir blamed the unborn baby for the social troubles he felt.
( 9 ) Menndan was born and was absolutely coddled and adored by his mother. While for a while others in the hall gave the child a few sideways dirty looks, his charm and honest sweetness won many over. Ulir... well it took some time to win over Ulir.
For a while Ulir resented his younger brother, muttering things under his breath and distancing himself from both the young child and their mother. Menndan, then still a toddler, noticed this ( 14 ) and tried to reach out to his big brother, who he adored and respected despite the distance between them. Menndan was persistent, and, though it took a while, Ulir grew a bit warmer towards his little brother, and even a little bit protective. It was a slow boil though, but by the time he was trained enough as a dolphineer to seek out a dolphin partner ( 16 ) the two half-siblings were fairly close, Ulir taking a protective stance about Menndan, as he felt an older brother should. He met and partnered with the Dolphin, Vikkik, at around the same time, and Vikkik took a liking to Menndan, who was pretty fun.
He was still distant from his mother, and barely spoke to her except out of extreme necessity.

Threadfall might not have been a major change in his life, but revolution shook things up considerably, cutting off contact with kin and friends back in Malvren- Kin that, despite the distance, Ulir felt especially emotionally close to. On top of that, they chose to remain, and Ulir felt betrayed that his own flesh and blood would turn their backs on the traditions he held so dear.

It only got worse when a trader caravan came through (16), bearing a somewhat familiar face who his mother immediately went to and greeted a bit too warmly. That was when Menndan met his father, and Ulir met Shenja and Diedre. Shenja was immediately disliked by Ulir for his apparent disregard of any decorum and tradition. Diedre, though a trader, was much more relatable, with her desire for order and control, very much like his own though they did not share blood.

Over the next three years, the caravan has come through several times, bearing goods and news. Ulir was forced by Menndan's absolute love for his two sibling to interact with this extended family. Diedre, at least, grew into Ulir friend and confidant, second in closeness only to Vikkik, his partner.

Recently, Ulir was involved in rescue efforts during a massive storm of the season, where he did well, protecting a seahold with other members of his pod. He showed an appreciation for teamwork, but also initiative. He is very proud of this.


Description:
Ulir is a powerfully built man who, clearly, has been swimming just about every day of his life. His skin is tanned and leathery, and he has a good deal of muscle on him.
His hair is sun-bleached to a dirty blonde-white and kept shaved down in a military-style cut. His eyes are a washed-out steely blue-grey set in a large-boned square-ish face.
He wears reddish shorts and a leather bandoleer of sorts containing what tools he needs for his job as a dolphineer, as well as his beltknife. It has the journeymans knot in a pocket, as well as a stylized Journeyman Dolphineer knot embroidered into the leather with waterproof thread.
He also wears close-toed sandals with a boot knife and sheathe strapped to them. Just in case.

Personality:


Ulir is a man born to work outdoors. No stuffy desk for him. No Forge either. Walls are so confining and limited.
He is a man of nature, born for the sea. Thats what he will tell you anyway.
Whatever the truth is, he is happy he is a dolphineer as it means he can be outside. Pern is beautiful. The water, the trees, the wherries, the way the clouds grace the sky on a late sunset...
Beautiful.

The works of man are so ugly compared to the works of nature. If it were up to him, he would just explore the oceans and beaches with his partner, turning over rocks and leaves and marvelling in the naturalistic wonders of discovery.

But no, he has a job to do as a dolphineer, and he will do it with great precision. He puts a great deal of emphasis on how disciplined he is, and how well he falls into line. He is very proud of this fact, feeling that it makes him better than everybody else. He, after all, is part of a Pernese tradition of dolphin partnership that dates back- with, yes, a large jump- all the way back to the Colonists. He's following in the footsteps of hundreds of people (and the fluke trails of hundreds of dolphins). Look at him. Look at how traditional he is. Isn't it awesome.
Yep. He's a self-righteous stubborn a**, and unfortunately for others he's also a bit of a growly guy to boot. He doesnt exactly get angry easily, but he's not exactly the friendliest guy, tending to be a bit ascerbic.

His focus on traditionalism also means he often exhibits some sexism, classism, and colorism, and he will make remarks. He won't shout it out at the top of his lungs and accuse women of NOT KNOWING THEIR SHAFFING PLACE, but he will mutter it darkly and be extra growly.

Bolstered by his confidence in tradition, his own self confidence, and his dubious gift of being slightly mulish, he won't back down when a situation turns dangerous. He hates backing down. Vikik can convince him that he should retreat, but it is always a tactical retreat. He'll be back.

In summary,Ulir likes to think of himself as a stoic ranger of the woods oceans, as well as an upholder of traditional Pernese values. He can be a stick in the mud, but when the going gets tough, its good to have him at your side.

Other:

He is interested in dragons, but honestly the whole political mess and such... Is not for him. He knows his place in the world, and he is proud of it.
As of current dragony events, he is just going to keep doing his job.
Mother: Unnden



Dolphin
Name: Vikkik
Gender: Male
Age: 8
Personality:


Vikkik is a dolphin who believes deeply in the dolphin pact. Tradition is important, otherwise why would we bother? If Ulir says it's traditional, Vikkik believes it should be upheld.
Being a dolphin, he doesn't share his partner's love of nature- he's always in nature. But he does share Ulir's deep wonder and love of new things, as well as a tendency to not back down when the going gets rough. Unlike Ulir, however, Vikkik understands the concept of running to fight another day. He thinks that Tactical Retreats were a wonderful invention made to offer a traditional way out of a conflict that prevents a loss of face. He often urges Ulir to back down and recollect himself instead of fighting and losing. To mixed success.

Losing face means a lot to Vikkik. He wants to make sure that the other male dolphins in the pod see him as a worthy rival, as well as other human partners. He's good, he knows he good, and he wants to make sure everybody else knows hes good. So he brags. He exaggerates. He makes delphinic postures of bravado. He encourages Ulir to rub him down so that HE looks the smoothest, HE looks the sleekest, HE looks the least injured... so that HE looks the most desirable and handsome.

With this kind of attitude, it shouldn't be surprising that he sometimes shares his partner's growliness- though he has moments of friendliness and chattiness.
However, where Ulir keeps his opinions to himself and grumbles, Vikkik is more forward and speaks his mind.

In short, Vikkik is a posturing dolphin who, while aggressive and stubborn, has some sort of tactical mind.

Other:
Vikkik likes all of Ulir's family, including extensions such as Diedre and Shenja. He particularly likes Menndan and Shenja because they tend not to be too serious, which appeals to the delphinic love of play.
However, Diedre and Ulir are on such similar wavelengths that Vik can't help but appreciate her too.
In fact, he doesn't mind Ulir's mother either, but he has tactfully neglected to mention this to Ulir.

Took me forever, but I finally updated them.


Menndan is still in the works, by the way. Should have him out soon if I'm diligent enough.