Name: Rasthell Age: 25
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Homosexual
Craft: Runnercraft
Rank: Apprentice
Location: Western Weyr
Physical Description: Rasthell stands about a solid 5'10 though he likes to say he's about 6'0", and few call him out on the couple inch difference. He's trim but strong; working out on the plains of Keroon with runners his whole life has left him fairly fit. He likes to keep himself active and in shape, and its paid off. He has a thick mop of vibrant red hair that's often falling into his face or pushed back with his fingers. It's getting long enough he could tie it into a short tail, but for now, let's it fall however it may. His eyes are a dark blue, and his skin a naturally light brown color; when he's put too long in the sun, he darkens, but rarely burns.
His arms are some of his nicer features; they're well muscled thanks to Turns of mucking stables and throwing bails of hay for his family's runners. He sports a growing collection of tattoos on his arms and back, and since coming to the Weyr, he's found himself sporting more and more piercings. Perhaps that's the influence of Dharzol... or maybe he's just finally getting to rebel.
His smile is warm and often present; his eyebrow scarred from where he got thrown from a runner; and he goes between clean shaven and a bit scruffy practically every other sevenday.
Personality: You'll never meet a nicer guy than Rasthell... or one so easily duped. He's the sort of man who can find the silver lining in any situation, and sees life through rose colored glasses. No matter how rough life gets, he can find a way to make it better, or to at least believe that happier tidings will come again soon. Rasthell honesty believes that good will prevail in the face of evil, heartache will make way for true happiness, and twisted men will come to justice. He's practically a walking cliche of the good man, and more than a few have given him a hard time about his innocent, and unrealistic, world views. Rasthell knows that bad things happen, and bad things happen to good people... but he genuinely feels that things will turn around for the better in due time. All they need to do is be patient.
Adding to his optimism, Rasthell has been known to be a bit gullible. Perhaps it's because he has a naturally trusting soul. Unlike some out there who are jaded, this man can't help but give everyone a chance... and a second chance... and a third, and fourth. He believes others will do the right thing...eventually. People make mistakes... HE makes mistakes... shouldn't the world be more forgiving? A little forgiveness can go a long way, and while most of Pern might be deficient Rasthell was granted it in heaps. It doesn't help that he avoid confrontation like the plague. He doesn't like fights, and certainly doesn't like getting pulled into the middle of them. In fact, he's lived so much of his life trying to avoid conflict with others that he'll naturally shut down, or come up with some way to avoid a fight, if possible. It's not the healthiest of traits, and has caused him personal trouble over the Turns, but he'd rather be a little unhappy or upset rather than upset someone else.
Indeed, Rasthell is a self-sacrificing individual. If something needs to get done, he'll do whatever he must to see it through. If someone is cold, he'll give them the clothes off his back; if someone his hungry, the food off his plate; if someone without, all the marks from his pocket. He would rather give his time and energy to someone else, and inconvenience himself, than ask someone else do it, or see something go unresolved. Besides, everything will work out in the end; so what if he's poor, starving, and frozen? There's that damn optimism and naivety sprouting up again.
Rasthell is a passionate and good man. While he's not naturally flirtatious, when in a relationship he will pour his heart and soul into it. He's not the sort of man to do something part way, and that includes his relationships. When he's with someone, he's with them completely. Their problems become his problems; their wants and desires and needs will be thought of; if he can provide for them, he will. Like everything in his life, Rasthell gives more than he takes, and is quite all right with that. So long as he has love in his life, what else does he need?
Positive Trait List Optimistic, Genuine, Passionate, Trusting
Negative Trait List Gullible, Avoids Confrontation, Self-Sacrificing
History: Rasthell grew up much of his life in a small but growing cothold on the plains of Keroon. It was more of a ranch than a traditional cothold, but the families that lived on the lands were happy, and they all had a great love of runners. Rasthell's family, in particular, came from a long line of Runnercrafters. The family was best known, no from its racing stock, but for producing reliable, good tempered working animals. They were particiularly proud of some of their draft lines, but any runners from Rasthell's family tended to sell for a high price.
Runners were just part of the family. He learned to ride before he learned to walk, or so the family liked to joke; like all of his siblings, he was raised to take over the family craft. He would live and die in that cothold on Keroon, or so his family expected. Those who weren't good with runners would find themselves useful to the craft and the family in other ways. Rasthell's family were good people, but they were very driven, very focused, and weren't going to let their children stop them from living out their dreams.
The downside of the up-and-coming cothold was that it was a very small community. They were situation far enough from the main Hold to be lucky to visit it maybe once or twice a Turn. Dragons were a rarity though now and then they'd see them flying high in the sky, catching some of the good thermals over the plains. They were an isolated bunch, for the most part, and the few families that lived there all worked to continue the legacy of previous generations.
Crafters who came through, or Faranth forbid, were actually stationed at the hold, rarely seemed to last. There were a few older individuals who stayed to help because of love of the land, or love of some of the people at the Hold. Children were plentiful, and the families were happy to set up arranged marriages with one another, or neighboring cotholds and minor holds. They did what they had to do to survive, and keep the hold going.
Rasthell was the middle of five, with two older siblings, and two younger. While he lived a bit of a wild and free life, learning the craft with his siblings almost from day one, it wasn't necessarily a good fit. The hold, and his family in particular, were strict. They had conservative, more traditional views of the world, and shoved all their children in the boxes they believed them to fit. It was expected of Rasthell to grow up and become a runner breeder, just like his parents; unfortunately, while Rasthell liked to ride -- in fact he loved it -- he didn't want to just breed runners and sell them. He wanted to race them! He wanted to perform with them! Honestly? He wanted freedom. He dreamed of studying at the actual Runner Crafthall instead of just under his family of journeymen and one retired Master. He wanted to meet new faces, make new friends, and (hopefully) not wind up engaged to some neighbor.
But his family wouldn't hear of it.
But anytime he started to deviate from his parents plan, anytime he took off, or tried to spread his wings, he found them plucked and broken. His parents were quite stern, and they kept their children in line partially through fear. Rasthell's ambition was quieted, and he did his best to try to play the mediator between his siblings and parents. The small Hold might have had space, but for Rasthell, it had little freedom.
His parents were good people, but quite conservative, and expected their children to fit in their lifestyle. It wasn't uncommon for Rasthell or his siblings to believe they loved their runners more than their own children. It wasn't true, but they used a heavy hand against their runners to break them, and used similar tactics on their children. Fights weren't uncommon, especially as the children grew and began to rebel. To make matters worse, Rasthell had the audacity to ask to be sent to Keroon to go to the Runnerhall. He couldn't imagine staying cooped up on the plains. His family was both offended and distressed; they couldn't risk losing Rasthell as help. And what did he think the Hall could teach him -- both of his parents had proper training -- and journeymen periodically came through. Rasthell didn't need to go anywhere -- this was his home, and he'd better not forget it.
Turns passed, and Rasthell watched as his older siblings were placed in arranged marriages. His brother was given to the daughter of one of their ranchers, and his sister to the head of one of the neighboring cotholds after his wife had died. Rasthell, at 17, was more than ready to be paired. Unfortunately, the red-head wasn't keen on this. He didn't want to be married, and he certainly didn't find any interest in the local daughters. This caused even more fights, and unfortunately, he wound up in a physical altercation when he confessed he thought he was more interested in men.
This was... a mistake.
His parents thought it outrageous, and word spread like wildfire among the small community. Rasthell found himself isolated, though he was still expected to work; his mother thought it a phase, and his father treated him like a stranger. Only the runners seemed not to judge him, and Rasthell took to spending more time with them. Though life was uncomfortable, coming out did open up some new opportunities. His parents had no choice but to stop trying to pair him up with the local neighbors. Furthermore, this allowed Rasthell some freedom with his own runners.
As he was out riding over the plains just before is 19th Turn, a landing dragon spooked his runner. While the animal eventually was calmed, Rasthell couldn't believe that a blue was staring at them. While he had seen some dragons flying high overhead earlier that day, he hadn't expected one to land. The rider was quick to tell him of his good fortune -- his blue thought him an excellent Candidate for Western Weyr, and it was his choice on whether he wished to come back with him.
Honestly, it didn't take more than that. Though he would miss his runners, and his siblings, this was the opportunity for freedom he'd craved. He agreed, and within an hour, had packed his belongings and left. Part of Rasthell thought that maybe, by leaving, they wouldn't have to hang onto the shame of having a gay son.
Western Weyr was overwhelming for Rasthell. It was unlike any place he'd ever seen! Going from the plains to an entirely new continent was strange enough, but to be around dragons, people of all types, and activity all hours of the night... It was almost too much for the country boy. Sometimes he missed the quiet and silence of the plains; but he loved being so close to dragons, and the Weyr even had runners! They were of hardier stock, and not nearly as well bred as his home, but they were familiar to him.
Thankfully, with time, he found his place, and ignored any teasing that came his way for being so naive. It was all in good fun, yeah?
What Western Weyr did offer Rasthell was support, and a place to belong. He'd never felt like he belonged much on the plains; he wanted to be somewhere where he could really be himself. The Weyr was that place! As the Turns passed, he began to relax, and open up; he started to rebel against the restrictions of his family; instead of keeping his hair short, he could grow it out. Piercings and tattoos followed when he saved up the odd mark; and gold flights . . . oh, Rasthell secretly loved it when a queen glowed. He found he didn't have to be ashamed of those he was interested in, or worried of some sort of judgment.
At Turn 21 he began a relationship with a fellow Candidate named Dharzol. To say he fell hard for him was an understatement. Rasthell had been struck by the weyrbrat -- Dharzol had an outward appearance of confidence, good looks, flirtyness, and allure that Rasthell found irresistible. The fact that this was his first real relationship only compounded his fondness and desire; the red-head was nothing if not loyal, and as soon as their relationship became more or less serious, he treated it as such. Sure, he knew that some weyrfolk were fickle, but not Dharzol; sure, he knew he had a shoddy reputation, but he also knew about Roaz. Surely, his moods and touchiness could be forgiven; maybe Rasthel wasn't his first love, but he would be content to be his second.
For the past few Turns, Rasthell has been faithful and loyal. He is unaware of his lover's transgressions, and any rumors are dismissed; he trusts Dharzol implicitly. Surely, if there were problems, he'd know; surely, if Dharzol didn't love him, or didn't desire him, he'd let him know. Rasthell has no reason not to trust the other -- the times they're together are good, and both being Candidates, they do get an awful a lot of time together. He gives Dharzol his space when he needs it, but is always happy and eager when they do get time together. Love suits him well.
A little over a turn prior, Thread devastated the land. His family was wiped out, decimated having lived in such isolation. Word came back late for Rasthell after the initial fall. Part of him hasn't really processed the knowledge that his family is gone. He's been so far from home for so long it almost doesn't feel real; he's also avoided thinking bout is grief. He stays away from the main continent, if only so he doesn't have to face the fact he's well and truly alone.
At least he has Dharzol in his life. If nothing else, love can lift them up. Together, they can conquer anything.
Other: Anything else you want to add?
Candidate Specific Questions
Do you want them to have an official Search RP? No
Do you understand they will age every passing year regardless if you're there to RP the or not? Yes
Do you want them to have a possible Stands Impression? No
