RIDER INFORMATION
A'tarl
Age: 36
Sex: Male
Orientation: Heterosexual
Rank: First Class b*****d
Muse Song: I Stand Alone - Godsmack
Alignment: Chaotic- Neutral (Small faction later absorbed into Sandstorm)
Weyr:Igen!
Physical Description:A big man, A'tarl is every bit as intimidating externally as he is internally. Built heavily across his broad shoulders, he has thick cords of muscle where sleek lines should be, and barring his angular face and narrow waist, his larger muscle groups are all well toned and bulky. There is not a single bit of 'softness' about him, even his clothing is cut at sharp angles so they add to the precise image he cultivates. His beard kept trimmed short, and is a course black. He would have had thick locks of glossy black hair if he didn't shave his head every morning, but between the heat and desire to look intimidating, the head hair is sacrificed daily. The only thing spoiling his aggressive Attila the Hun appearance is a single, small, oblong mole beneath the corner of his right eye. On anyone else the mark would have been described as a 'beauty mark,' but on A'tarl it only serves as a part of his physical identity. Oh, and don't you dare stare at it.
Personality:A'tarl will judge you faster then a hot Thread burrows, leaving behind just as foul a first impression. A large and coldly aloof man, A'tarl surveys the world around him with sharp, calculating, eyes that weigh and measure the worth of people and situations in much the same way weyrbrats observe dirty latrines. There is little in the world that can bring a smile to his face, and he likes it that way just fine, thank you. Being pissed off all of the time is so much easier then riding the emotional roller-coaster of trying to be nice. He's happy enough with the relationship with his dragon, the limited relations he has with his old faction, and bullying (physically or intellectually) his way to get whatever else he needs.
Obviously, since nothing and no one is worth his time, (or so his outward demeanor hints) he is usually found in the company of few, preferring solitude or small groups over large scale social interaction. His longtime friends are those that knew him from his days as a bullyboy weyrbrat, but they are few and far between, while his most recent acquaintances are men whom he has struck a rapport with within his Wing and Impressed later then he, but were of his old faction. It must be said, however, that just because you were in his old faction, that alignment does not grant you instant acceptance in his world. He grants his allegiance and his respect where it is due, and the men who earn it are usually on bronze or brown dragons... or are one hell of a bluerider. Male greenriders are viewed with thinly veiled contempt, and female riders (even queenriders) are viewed with even less. That personal preference is part of his current disillusion with the faction his old one was absorbed into, since the current Sandstorm leader advocates more female riders... and is a female herself.
Trying to physically boss him around is a another messy way to earn an beat-down, since A'tarl is usually more then happy to take it outside for a good fist fight. He's a dirty brawler with little regard for the stature of whomever he is tussling with, and being one hell of a wrestler when it comes down to the nitty gritty, he's made numerous enemies among the chromatic riders. As a wingman, he is quite capable (since his dragon wouldn't have it any other way!) and he can usually spot potential disaster long before it has the chance to affect his person. However, his lack of patience and lightning temper when dealing with his peers keeps him out of favor with the old Weyrwoman and of relative low rank, for a brownrider. When it comes to the top male dogs, however, he'll follow orders well enough... so long as whoever is behind the orders is fully aware of who they are speaking too. No one tells A'tarl to do anything, they ask and he complies with their wishes, thank you. He may be a rank b*****d socially, and he may strike the viewer as a rogue on a lot of issues, but when it comes down to it, the Top Brass (or should I say Bronze) can count on A'tarl to get his s**t done.
Not that A'tarl gives one iota one way or the other about differences in rank anymore, but Aquiloth does get on his case about 'rolling over like a canine' when it comes to social standing. That particular comparison is Aquiloth's trump card when it comes to getting his rider to do something. A'tarl's major motivation in life is upholding his personal freedom, and given enough pressure from his dragon, he just might take a stab at climbing the proverbial ladder with the arrival of the new Weyrwoman, if only too see that motivation reach new heights. Fulfilling his duty as a dragonrider has never been more then a means to an end, but come hell or high water, A'tarl will make sure that no one has the kind of power to make a servant out of him. And it is that quality, the ferocious protectiveness of his independence, that drew Aquiloth to him on Hatching day. A'tarl will be his own man, shardit, even if he has too hammer submission out of everyone else. Like his dragon, A'tarl wears an aura of arrogant dominance like a shroud, and he is not afraid to make sure that his point is heard loud and clear when the time is ripe.
History:It is sometimes difficult to remember that someone like A'tarl was once a kid. He certainly goes out of his way to foster the impression that he is without weakness, and for a lot of people, knowing someone has a simple past kind of.. 'softens' them. A'tarl is no exception to this rule, since he grew up without fanfare in Igen Weyr where his family worked as lowly servants and workers in the Lower Caverns. It certainly didn't take long for the growing lad to take note of the factions swirling among the weyrbrats, but he never managed to rise higher then a flunkie in the organization he was initiated into. (Which was later absorbed into the current Sandstorm faction.) Viewed mostly as a dumb meathead when he was young, A'tarl was given most of the 'thug' type duties, despite his several attempts to break free of the stereotype.
As a result, he did not start standing for clutches until he was almost 17, and that injustice rankles even now. For years he was told 'not now' or 'wait your turn' until he was almost too old to Impress. Sure the size of the clutches were small, but he knew (even if no one said it too his face) that even members of his own faction were putting those 'higher born' weyrbrats first. Even among the low, there was that damming structure, and A'tarl began to hate that his parents were barely more then drudges. He stopped socializing with them, and turned completely to his faction, hoping to gain some acceptance, though he only ended up losing friend after friend as they Impressed or moved on. He never bothered to replace them, though, especially not when his 'friends' stopped having time for him.
Eventually he did get his day the sun (quite literally) when he finally Stood, and Impressed Aquiloth. The miracle of that event is one of the few moments he has been known to smile, and in his dragon that he found a degree of the acceptance he had been craving from his faction. With Aquiloth backing him, A'tarl matured into a man who needs no other man. Yet A'tarl never forgets who he owes his true allegiance too. No matter what mess his dragon lands himself in, A'tarl will fight tooth and nail to get him out, or just demolish the opposition.
Surprisingly, he has kept up relations with the leaders of his old faction, and has worked his way into one of the Wings of a former leader. He also doesn't mind as much that people judge him based on the knots he wears or the size of his muscles. The stereotype works in his favor now, so he is content to let others draw their own conclusions before he has to get physically involved. He's a brownrider now, dammit, and whoever speaks to him had better remember it! That, or suffer having a face full of Igen sand for impertinence!
Pets: None
Other/Talents:
"He who will not be a hammer must be an anvil,
...and I will be a Hammer."
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