Rider
Name: Anali
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Rank: Wingrider
History:
Born to a Metalsmith and his Dyer wife, Anali was the firstborn of two children, with seven long years between her and her brother. Her parents hadn't wanted a girl, and were disappointed with her arrival, but it would be an unfair stretch to say that they treated her poorly. They didn't neglect or openly resent her, but neither did they expect much from her. She was raised to take up her mother's Craft, at which she proved surprisingly talented, but garnered little praise for her efforts, and quickly grew out of wanting any. She was good at what she did, and that would have to be enough for her.
It was a shock to everyone when she was Searched to Telgar Weyr at 15, but she accepted the opportunity to become a Candidate not with open delight, but cool smugness. She had always known that she was better, even if everyone underestimated her as nothing more than average. It was a trend that continued once she arrived at the Weyr, and she made no effort to dissuade anyone of that notion. And so when she Impressed Banshidheth, it came as a surprise to many, but she went to the gold with the same cool sense of vindication, as though she had known all along that this would be her fate.
The pair went on to prove themselves time and again, not by pushing and shoving, but with singular focus, subtle maneuvering, and when necessary, sharp words from Anali. When word reached them of the Revolution that took place at Benden and Malvren, it drew their interest immediately. This was a step towards the ideal Pern that Banshidheth would like not only to see, but help to shape: one where all Weyrfolk, from dragons and whers to crafters and drudges, work as one whole for the betterment of all. It is a pity that violence was necessary, but it was inevitable, and sometimes the ends justify the means. So they reached out to Keller, to offer themselves and their aid. Someone needed to produce this new generation of dragons, after all, and who better than Banshidheth?
But the Wherholds did not live up to their initial promise. The violence persisted, the equality was not so equal as it should have been, and doubt of Keller took hold and grew in the pair. But Anali was no fool, and kept her doubts to herself, all the while playing the game and showing nothing but loyalty and dedication the cause, waiting to see how events would play out, waiting for opportunities to arise. Aware of their precarious position, knowing that because of Banshidheth's color they would be under more scrutiny than most, they fought every bit as hard as the true Revolutionaries and espoused all the proper ideals at the right times. Anali learned quickly that she was not cut out for close-quarters fighting, and after noticing and purchasing archery supplies at a Gather, she worked diligently to learn the skills to go with them. She also began to dabble in Dyecraft again, doing everything she could to appear to be a productive, hardworking member of the Wherhold.
Chance favored them when Banshidheth rose, was flown by a brown, and produced a large, healthy clutch that included a gold, further reinforcing their value to the cause; the more valuable they were, the safer they would be, they reasoned. They took an interest in all of Banshidheth's offspring, following their progress and engaging with them when possible. But then Keller, never able to let well enough alone, poisoned and killed Sharath and sparked the Wherwars. If it had just been Trine, the Wherholds might have stood a chance, but with the other Weyrs involved, it was obvious that defeat was inevitable Anali was an early, but very cautious, member of the coup. Her lifetime of managing her appearances so carefully served her well, and she was able to survive even as Keller's paranoia grew. She did her part to undermine him and aid the growing movement by planting evidence and sowing suspicion, possibly causing the wrongful punishment of a few true Wherholders at the hands of the tyrant.
It wasn't all selfless, of course; with the inevitability of defeat, turning against Keller was more than just the right thing to do, it was a way of saving their own skin. When Malvren fell and the war was over, Anali and Banshidheth rejoined the Weyrs and ultimately relocated to Trine. They became outspoken advocates for equality, and made it a point to openly disapprove of the golds who abused their power, careful not to let themselves be lumped in with the budding tyrants. And when teams were formed to deal with the Rogue Queens, they were more than happy to join.
Description:
Anali is a plain woman, to put it politely, with a snub nose and a too-round face. Her narrow eyes are brown and bright, and her straight brown hair has begun to gray; it will likely be white within a few turns. Her figure is stocky, but not in the sense of carrying excess weight - she really is just big-boned and strongly-built. She keeps in good physical shape, but she will always be strong rather than agile. 5'1".
Personality:
With an unexceptional appearance, Anali spent her life until Impression underestimated, and only gained acknowledgement when she became the upset 'winner' the day Banshidheth called to her. In the Hold where she grew up, no one had bothered to look past her unremarkable appearance, and had dismissed her as an unremarkable girl, but all along she had known something they did not: that she was smarter than them all. Smart enough that, rather than fight the assumptions, she had let them think what they wanted, knowing that one day her unrecognized intelligence might prove to be an advantage.
She is cold, calculating, and ambitious. She wants more than anything to reach the top, but not by throwing everyone else down to the bottom. No, she is much more subtle than that, willing to wait patiently and plan. She collects information obsessively, digging up anything and everything she can find and use, expertly wielding rumor and blackmail to get what she wants. She is a manipulator to the bone, always with an eye on the bigger picture, the ultimate goal. Initially, her goal was broad, a quest for power and influence in whatever form she could find it, but Banshidheth has shaped that compliment her own goals. Anali will have power and influence, yes, but because of her, and they will wield it together for the good of the Weyr...and perhaps for themselves, if it does not detract too much from their greater duty.
Anali's upbringing, combined with her ambition and intelligence, have made her into a very distant individual, with no want or need for close relationships. She has her dragon and their grand plans, and there is no room for anyone else. Though she will smile and pretend to allow others familiarity with her, they will always be held at arm's length from her true self. She will form mutually beneficial alliances if she thinks it will get her what she wants, but she keeps no friends and no lovers. While she is not incapable of empathy - she did Impress a dragon, after all - she recognizes that caring for others can compromise her agenda, and has hidden that part of herself deep down where none can find it. There are things to be done, and sacrifices must be made if greatness is to be achieved.
As Pern enters a new age of equality, drawing closer to the ideal that Banshidheth so desired, it seems their goals are close at hand. Perhaps Anali will be able to begin to let others in, now that she has the freedom to not be so preoccuppied with politics.
Other:
Dragon/Wher
Name: Banshidheth
Age: 24
Colour: Gold
Description: x
Size: Very Large
Build: Slim
Personality:
Banshidheth is slender for her size, and moves with sinuous grace whether on the ground or in the air. With her lean build and long limbs, she would be considered beautiful no matter the color of her hide. Her beauty, however, is a secondary feature at best. What truly sets her apart is her unmistakable, unsettling presence, a quiet intensity that never leaves her. She is an exceptionally quiet dragon, not only vocally, but in how surprisingly little noise she makes when she moves for a creature of her size. Her movements are deliberate and poised, and down to every turn of her head and flick of her tail, there is the weight of a predator to her bearing.
This gold rarely vocalizes, be it growl or croon, roar or bugle, feeling no need to express herself in such a way. She prefers to let her body language and actions do the 'talking,' and is far more likely to give someone a look that conveys her feelings than issue any sound. She is somewhat freer with her mental speech, but even that is sparse compared to the average dragon's. She does not appreciate idle chatter, and while she will respond when addressed, her words will be short unless she feels there is something important to be said.
There is no shyness at all behind this preference of hers, however; it is simply her nature to hoard her words so that she can use them to their fullest impact when she needs them. She has all the confidence of the mightiest dragon, but sees no need to throw her weight around for show or over trivial matters. What she wants is not be worshipped, but to be taken seriously. There is no lighter side to Banshidheth - she is gravely serious at all times, with no use for humor or play. There is only duty, and she will always do what she feels must be done with surest conviction and without hesitation.
The Weyr, and all of its Weyrfolk, are her highest priority. Banshidheth is not merely concerned with the dragons, but with everyone in the Weyr, right down to the drudges. For as serious as she is, she is also very free-thinking, and very aware that the dragons need the Weyrfolk as much as the Weyrfolk need dragons, and they should be acknowledged and represented. She still wants to have authority, yes, but doesn't find it necessary to be a dictator, and can share power well with others. She accepts all colors of dragon, as well, and believes in equality for them in all areas - truly, if there were such a thing as a blue capable of keeping up with a gold in Flight, she would give him no less consideration than the bronzes and browns.
Whenever she Rises, she makes absolutely certain to choose the very best male - she weeds out the unfit not only by flying hard and long, but with violence. She will lash out at any who come near her before she has chosen, and she will sometimes attack even those who do not. She inflicts no deliberately serious harm when she does so, but she intends to ensure that only the fittest and bravest will Fly her. Bronze or brown, color makes no difference, as long as they can keep up with her and earn her.
It is only during the high passion of Flights, or in extreme anger, that she will raise her voice, and raise her voice she does - Banshidheth's scream is piercing and unmistakable. Once angered, her wrath is swift and cold, and she has a long memory for those who have offended her. She may not always remember how, but she remembers that they did.
Other:
Banshidheth saw in Anali a girl who not only wanted to go places, but had the intelligence to get to those places. She saw not just ambition that she could shape and focus, but a truly worthy partner. Together, they can make things happen and shape events to their advantage. Banshidheth could give her the means to power, which Anali will in turn use to its fullest. She is a leader who has the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve victory, even to make the hard decisions, and her dragon sees this as a strength that will ultimately benefit the Weyr.
Dragonflight - An Alternative Pern (New Guild)
A B/C Pern roleplay with new colours & warring factions
