Age: 29
Sex: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Weyr: High Reaches Weyr
Rider Rank: Assistant Weyrlingmaster
Previous Rank/Craft: Healer apprentice
Physical Description: Ashlyn is not very tall, only standing at about 5'4 and weighs about 125 lbs. She has beautiful chestnut hair that she usually has tied up into a braid that goes to mid back. When it isn't in a braid, her hair cascades down her to stop just above her behind and ends in soft ringlets. She has deep blue eyes the color of sapphires. She wears clothes that are pretty, but also functional, since she has to make sure she can move easily in them.
Personality: Ashlyn is one of those sweethearts, who hates to see anyone in pain or in trouble. That is why she became a healer to begin with, so she could alleviate any pain that people might feel. As the Weyrlingmaster's assistant, she is determined to help teach the Weyrlings the proper techniques and skills, to keep them safe. She is always willing to lend a hand when she is needed, even if it is someone who she doesn't get along with. This bluerider also has a love for all creatures in Pern, from the biggest dragon to the smallest bug. If she encounters someone less fortunate than she is, then she will find some way to assist them. Unfortunately, this leads to her sometimes being a human doormat to others. She has a hard time saying no, which leads to her sometimes spreading herself pretty thin. It also can lead to her neglecting her own needs and wants, to fulfill those of others. Sometimes people will take advantage of her good nature, such as getting her to clean up their mess. Fortunately, since she got Gyafrith, he has been helping her be stronger and learn how to say no.
Ashlyn is also known for her intelligence, knowing how to think outside the box when she needs to. She is used to thinking on her feet, coming up with a plan in a moment's notice. She loves learning new things, whether it is from her own observations or information she had obtained from others. The woman believes that knowledge should be passed down to the next generation as well, hence why she loves her job helping the Weyrlingmaster. She also loves going exploring with Gyafrith, when she has time off to do so. She is known for putting everything she has into whatever she is doing. The young woman prides herself on being punctual and polite when dealing with others. However, the girl can also come off as being a little quiet and shy sometimes. Sometimes this is just because she is deep in thought. Other times it is because she does not know you, so she doesn't know what to talk about with a person. Gyafrith has helped her come out of her shell more, allowing her to feel more confident when speaking to others.
Since being paired with Gyafrith, Ashlyn as gone from a leader in the making to being an actual leader. When faced with a situation, she usually knows what needs to be done and how to do it. She is also known for being empathetic, able to identify what someone needs and finding a way to be of assistance. She is a woman who speaks with wisdom and has a tendency to get people to listen to her. Ashlyn has a tendency to assess the strengths and weaknesses of people, able to encourage them to be the best they can be. She is able to get people to help her and to work together, so that strengths can balance out the weaknesses of others. The young woman still needs to work in believing in herself, something she has struggled with her whole life. She doesn't want anyone getting hurt because of a miscalculation on her part or because she made a mistake. Luckily, she had Gyafrith and those close to her to remind her she can do anything she puts her mind to. Also, they tell her that everyone makes mistakes, she just has to learn from her's.
History: Ashlyn is the eldest daughter of two of the prominent riders of the High Reaches Weyr, having a twin brother just a few minutes younger than she is. Her parents instilled in her and her siblings the good qualities of hard work, kindness, loyalty that they felt were important. Although it was unusual for their weyr, Ashlyn's parents did not put their children in the creche, but raised them instead. They loved their children and felt it would be best for them to all stay together and learn from one another. They even took a boy named Tarel under their wing, raising him as one of their own. So Ashlyn and her siblings got used to one parents being away and the other taking over the care of them. When both of them were called away, then the children were left in the temporary care of another family member or a friend of the family.
Ashlyn had always yearned to become a dragon rider, just like her parents were. It seemed like such a long wait for her, but she tried to fill that time with learning a trade. She decided on healing, since it impressed her how many ways the healers helped everyone. She learned from some some of the best and worked with them in the infirmary. As much as she enjoyed being a healer, her heart was still on being a rider. So as soon as she turned fourteen, she stood for the first time, hoping to get a dragon of her own. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for this first hatching she participated in. For the next five turns, she would stand whenever she could, but nothing happened. She started to worry that maybe she wasn't meant to be a rider, but her parents assured her that in time, she would bond.
Finally, the tide turned when she turned nineteen and that was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. A protective blue who had stood up for one of his siblings had come over to the girls. He didn't seem to care that blues usually went to boys, his bonded was a special girl in his eyes. Ashlyn was surprised when she impressed to the noble blue Gyafrith, but he made her feel complete. Then they put in the hard work of Weyrling training, to become full fledged riders. On the day of their graduation, Ashlyn was approached and offered a job as one of the assistants to the Weyrlingmaster. With some convincing from her dragon, the twenty year old took the job, privately glad to have such an honor bestowed on her.
For the next eight years, she has been strengthening her bond with Gyafrith even more, so they would operate more as one. Also, she has thrown herself into her work as an assistant to the Weyrlingmaster. She wants to make sure that every Weyrling is prepared, even more now that thread has returned. She has also spent the past seven years with T'ye, as he weyrmate. Also, Gyafrith has been working with her on being more outgoing and making friends. She is happy to have some friends that she knows will always have her back. Her and T'ye also have a little two year old, which they decided to keep with them, like her parents did.
Other: Ashlyn has a hidden talent of singing. Some would say she has a voice like an angel, least those who have heard her do so. She tries to keep it to herself, but some have caught her doing so.
DRAGON
Name: Gyafrith
Age: Ten Turns old
Color: Blue
Size: 26'
Physical Description: Gyafrith is a normal sized blue dragon. The main part of his body is a pretty sky blue, but his wings are a darker blue. The darker blue of his wings can also be shown around his eyes and a line done his snout. From midway down his neck to his stomach is a normal blue color. His eyes are usually a stunning green color.
Personality: Ever watchful, nothing gets past this blue. He is always aware, always ready for action. A protective dragon, this blue is always out to fight the good fight, defend the weak and destroy evil. Although he may have the best intentions, this can wear thin at times. In all his attempts to protect and defend, Gyafrith can become overbearing. He means well and is only trying to make sure those he cares for are safe, but sometimes the blue underestimates those he is trying to protect. As he grows he will become increasingly aware of how small and fragile humans are and he will seek to protect them, occasionally from things they do not need to be defended against. This dragon can sometimes be too eager to fight others battles for them and can at times blunder into a situation when they neither need, nor want, a champion to step up for them.
Gyafrith has a pre-set idea of what is right and wrong, seeing everything in black and white. This is bad and that is good. Those that do bad things are bad and those that do not are good. His naivety to all the shades of grey in the world is something that Ashlyn will have to consider when handling her bonded. Gyafrith is dedicated to honour and what is right; to do something he sees as bad or allow it to go unpunished would be very distressing for him, leading to a very distressed dragon. Fortunately dragon memory allows him to soon forget these things and the names of those he once branded as bad.
Solidly in the belief that his chosen is the champion of champions, Gyafrith assumes that she is the best at everything. The concept that it is possible to be better than Ashlyn does not cross this blue’s mind. His rider is the pinnacle of humanity; no other could possibly match them. The pair of them will brave the trials of this world together. Forever united in the defence of Pern. (written by Silver Rain staff)
