Name: Gr'del
Age: 52
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Homosexual
Weyr: High Reaches Weyr
Rider Rank: Candidatemaster
Previous Rank/Craft: Wingrider / Crecheworker
Physical Description: Gr'del stands about 5'10", with an average build. He has broad shoulders, but is more of an average build. There's strength in his arms and legs, but he's so busy with the Candidates and writing reports, he's lost a little bit of shape. He has what could be considered more of a Dad-Bod--a little bit soft, but with definition and muscle beneath. His skin is a bit pale, with thick brown hair that falls dodwn to the middle of his back when loose. Silver and grey have formed at his temples, with thicker chunks found throughout; stress, more than likely, especially since the past Turn. He has thick eyebrows, usually sports a bit of stubble or a five-o-clock shadow, and deep sunken eyes. He has an expressive face, but experience has taught him to have a decent poker face when need be.

Personality: Gr'del is the epitome of a High Reaches brownrider--loyal to his dragon and his Weyr, reliable in tasks given to him, and a burning desire for High Reaches Weyr to be the best it can be. He's a dragonman, and while his first duty will always be Siriath, a close second is his love for the Weyr. There is no more loyal a man than Gr'del within the stony walls, and his dedication is well known. What wouldn't he do to please the Weyrleaders, to ensure that the next generation of riders and weyrfolk are prepared? He looks, sometimes perhaps blindly, at leadership and trusts D'mon and Zheria's judgment without question.

Gr'del is a hard-working man, perhaps to his detriment. There is no duty or assignment too long. If given a task, he will work all night to see it through to completion, or by a deadline; and he will stress and angst if he believes himself to have failed, or perhaps, turned in subquality work. His heart means well, but anxiety and stress are things Gr'del feels keenly. He is a bit of an over-achiever, and a worrier on top of it; average or adequate isn't what he strives for, ad if he misses his mark, you can bet he takes it home. In fact, Gr'del doesn't carry his own woes, but Siriath's concerns, and the concerns of his contemporaries and Candidates. While he is happy to be a shoulder to lean upon for anyone in need, the man does't often have anyone but Siriath with whom to lean upon for support. While he can handle pressure, confrontation, and strife--he tends to absorb it like a sponge. Another's worries and fears can wind up causing him to worry and fret on their behalf. He's terribly empathetic, which is great when it comes to dealing with Candidates from all different walks of life... but there is no doubt that the job of Candidatemaster has taken a bit of a toll on the man.

When things go wrong, he takes it a bit personally. He strives to learn from any error or mistake, but will relive it over and over, or think about it longer than he should. When things get rough, he tends to lose sleep, his muscles tense, and his imagination of Worst Possible Outcome starts to play. Not because he thinks that will happen, but because he wants to be prepared in case it does. Preparation is key, after all.

At his heart, though, past the stress and worries, past his dedication and devotion, Gr'del is a good man. He loves his Candidates as if they were each his own, and strives to be a good model rider for them. His understanding nature is what initially drew him to the role of Candidatemaster. Having grown up without, he knows well what it's like to come from nothing, and how overwhelming the Weyr can be.

Positive Trait List Loving, Hard-Working, Dedicated, Empathetic
Negative Trait List Anxious, Worrier, Workaholic, Holds onto Negativity
History: Gruandel grew up in a small cothold near the cold beaches of Tillek, the eldest of seven. His mother had died during labor of what would have been his eighth when he was nine, but both the baby and she perished. His father was an older man who had married the young woman late in his prime; he lived mostly on the sea, and while he'd seemed happy enough, after his wife's loss he spent much of his time on the water and less time at home.

Gruandel, and some of his siblings, kept an eye on the younger. His father, while he loved his children, also had a fondness for drink when he remained landbound too long. That in itself often meant many a rough thrashing for Gruandel and his siblings.

Though the cothold wasn't cruel, it was small, and the winters harsh, and each family worried about seeing themselves through to spring. While everyone came together to help raise and teach the young ones of the hold, there wasn't always a lot to go around. Still, Gruandel got enough of an education, and found little ways to earn the odd mark. At age ten, he was given the option to learn the family trade underneath his father, and the cotholds guidance. While Gruandel had more of an interest in helping in the creche, he wasn't given a choice. Boating, sailing, and most importantly, fishing, would bring in food for the hold and help bring in marks. Crechework was, as far as his father believed, women's work and his so was large enough to learn the family craft. Any objection or begging only resulted in tears and bruises, so he learned quickly to hush.

Life on the small vessels weren't pleasant for Gruandel, though he did learn how to take orders, and hold his tongue. He never had a fondness for the water, but knew that his family relied on him to learn. Gruandel had hoped he might be sent to Tillek for official training, but as the Turns passed, he realized the promise of being sent to the Hall was nothing but a pipe dream. They needed him and his brothers to work--and sending any one of them to the Hall would just mean less income to feed his siblings and pay for his father's drink.

So, life carried on. It wasn't necessarily a happy time, but they endured and Gruandel knew to be grateful for the little they had.

At turn 18 a surprise happened--this time some good news. A blue dragon stopped by the Hold. It was, much to his surprise, a Search dragon. Though there were few who were of age, surprisingly enough, the rider approached him and let him know that he wished to bring him back to High Reaches Weyr. Though his father objected, Gruandel couldn't believe his luck--such an honor! He almost turned them down, knowing that his family relied on the marks he brought in for support... but his younger siblings were now well of age and encouraged him to escape while he could. He'd be one less mouth to feed, and as the dragonrider explained, would make a few marks even as a Candidate.

So, with the promise to return and send his marks to his family as he could, Gruandel agreed. He was whisked to the Weyr, and there he stood for his first clutch. Much to his surprise, it was there that he locked eyes with Siriath--and the brown became his closest and most beloved ally and friend.

Though Impression, Gr'del had the unending support and love of a being who adored his heart. The Weyr gave him the tools with which to better educate himself, and helped him brush up on his reading and writing; they gave him marks, kept him fed, kept him clothed, and trained him. It was so different than his impoverished lifestyle--and while he knew there were some who were far worse off, the Weyr was still much more supportive than his home had been. It had been culture shock, and almost overwhelming--but he was forever in their debt.

Though he sent marks and letters back to his siblings, he also spent a decent amount of time in the creche and helped care for those who had none. The Turns passed on--eventually, his father passed away, and his siblings all went into various trades and crafts. Gr'del was a dedicated wingrider, and at Turn 25 became an assistant Candidatemaster. He found he enjoyed keeping an eye on the new Candidates brought to the Weyr--it reminded him of his home and caring for his younger siblings.

At Turn 33 he was actually offered the role of Candidatemaster--quite an honor. Still, he was young enough to have the energy for it, and experienced enough to know the Weyrs expectations. He's been working as Candidatemaster since, and while perhaps the stress of the job has made him a bit more grey, and a bit more anxious--he loves every minute of it. It is a labor of love.

Other: Gr'del dabbled in a few relationships here and there but has primarily been married to his work. He's fostered a few Candidates during his time, but they either went on to Impress or left the Weyr. He's currently keeping a very close eye on the young Fehral.

While Gr'del isn't prone to drinking due to his father's alcoholism, he does periodically partake, especially during times of great stress. He hasn't shown any inclination to become an alcoholic thus far.

DRAGON
Name: Siriath
Age: 34
Color: Brown
Size: 37'
Physical Description: Siriath is a solid brown dragon. He is a bit on the stockier side, but is capable within the air. He has solid stamina, and surprisingly soft skin, even when he hasn't been recently oiled. His wings are more broad than sleek, but they help carry him far while in flight.

Personality: Like rider like dragon, Siriath is a loving dragon. He is responsible, capable, and caring. He's as hardworking as his rider, but with a romantic heart. He loves hatchlings, loves Candidates, but also loves just about anyone he meets--except those that harm his rider. Siriath tries to be a balm for his rider's anxieties, but he sometimes needs to rally a bit of help when His is at his worst.

Sometimes, Siriath knows, His needs validation from others that aren't just his dragon.

Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment: https://postimg.org/image/en4gv4tvt/