The Rider
Rider Name: Ma'k (Maldryk)
Rider Age: 23 25
Rider Gender: Male
Rider Sexuality: Heterosexual
Rider History:
As normal as it gets. Just like his personality, Ma'k's history is largely unexciting. Born a Weyrbrat, he knows who his parents are but doesn't really have a relationship with them. He Stood from the time he was old enough, and Impressed at 17. He received a minor mauling from a blue during the same Hatching, to then be found by Kassieth.
Rider Personality:
Ma'k is, in a word, steady. He is reliable, consistent, and usually level-headed. He can always be relied on to do what's asked of him to the very best of his ability - exactly what's asked of him. You're not likely to get less or more from this man, who lacks both ambition and creativity. It's not that he's lazy, he just doesn't have motivation beyond wanting to do his job; he works hard to do what needs to be done, but is completely unconcerned with any rank-climbing.
He is traditional Telgar to the core, intolerant of same-gender relationships and disapproving of women on fighting dragons (although he does accept female greenriders to some extent, if only because it makes things somewhat more appealing when Kassieth chases). In addition, he's also a bit of a sexist; not full-on 'shut up, stay at home, and have babies,' but men are men and women are women, and there are certain things each is better suited to. The ladies really ought to just stand back, let the big, strong men take care of things, and enjoy the view. Not that they can't have an opinion or do things, they just need to stay on their side of the gender line and do things they're good at, whether that's supervising or just cooking. Let the boys do the heavy lifting!
Ma'k has a hard time when he's confronted by things he doesn't like (like same-gender relationships or women on fighting dragons), because he doesn't quite know what to do with them. He usually falls back on the 'ignore it and it will go away' strategy. He'll be short with individuals he disapproves of, playing the I'm-too-busy-for-you card, and make it clear without being aggressive that he doesn't want their company. He's more likely to become confrontational with men whose preferences he disapproves of than women; even if they're freaks, you're not supposed to hit girls.
If he's called on his views by someone progressive, however, he will defend them, and if the situation escalates into the physical, then so be it. Once a fight starts, he's got no problem brawling, and he definitely doesn't like to lose. It's more acceptable if it's a more playful-type fight with a friend when everyone's had a little to drink, but if it's a real fight, you're going to have to drag him off or otherwise render him incapable of continuing. If he does lose, he holds an indefinite grudge, but is relatively tolerable if he wins; he'll do the requisite proud posturing, then go back to business as usual without much fuss.
Overall, Ma'k is a pretty boring individual to be around, with only a basic sense of humor. He'll have a good chuckle if someone falls victim to their own stupidity or clumsiness (not watching where they're going, etc.), as long as it's nothing dangerous - that will only merit a disapproving frown. He has no patience for those who take needless risks, or those who don't take their job seriously. Dragonriding is srs bzns, guys. :<
Rider Appearance:
Ma'k is a very stocky 5'6", attractive if muscular men are your thing. He keeps his black hair cropped short, and sports a heavy tan and hazel eyes. Overall, he looks like the hard-working, serious person he is. He has scars on his left thigh from a confused blue on the Sands.
