Age: 60 (nameday 3513.11.12)
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Mostly straight, but really doesn't care
Weyr: High Reaches Weyr
Rider Rank: Wingrider
Previous Rank/Craft: N/A
Physical Description: R'nar is a big man. A big, intimidating-looking man. He stands around 6'5" and is lean, solid muscle, with broad shoulders and thick arms and thighs that could crack a skull. His hands are large and calloused from decades of riding and working around the Weyr. Very fair-skinned, he has a faintly tan, leathery complexion that protects him from getting burned by the biting winter sun at High Reaches. Creases and lines cover his oval face, mostly around his brilliantly blue eyes and his mouth (most of which are hidden by a short, messily groomed blond beard). His hair is a straight pale blond shot through with strands of silver and white, worn to the middle of his back in small braids bound together into a single mass and shaved on the sides of his head.
And then he smiles, and he becomes a big, warm teddy bear who's always ready with a hug.
R'nar's clothing befits a High Reaches native, for all it's a bit archaic in design. He prefers long-sleeved tunics with decorative trim at the wrists, collar and hem, worn over loose trousers which are tucked into furry boots. For winter wear he adds a fur-lined leather coat and a cloak with a dense fur collar. His fighting leathers are worn and Threadscored, matching their owner in weathered character.
Personality: R'nar may look intimidating, and to some, he is. Insult High Reaches and you'll find yourself on the receiving end of a bloody, brutal beatdown. But just below the grizzled, sometimes scary surface is a giant sweetheart of a man. Despite appearances, R'nar is the most gentle, kind man you could ever hope to meet. He is surprisingly patient with children and teens, even as he's firm with them as he guides them on the path to being High Reaches dragonriders with persistent warmth and humor.
He is extremely proud of his Weyr and extremely loyal to his Weyrwoman and the principles which guide the way things are done at High Reaches. Tradition is strong in him; his basic philosophy is the Pernese equivalent of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" And there's nothing broken about High Reaches as far as he's concerned. He knows where he fits in the Weyr hierarchy (near the top) and he is quite comfortable with that tradition. In truth, he can be just a bit too traditional, to the point of being hidebound and set in the old ways. In this regard at least, he is almost a stereotypical bronzerider. Stubborn and bull-headed, he's not that accepting of change (he wonders how Western Weyr had managed to continue to exist with the way they do things). Things are working just fine the way they are -- witness the other Weyrs flocking to High Reaches to learn how to fight Thread!
He's fully aware he's older than most of his contemporaries that are active dragonriders; in fact, he probably has played big brother/father figure to many of them as they were growing up (probably sired a few of them too). Still, he's not about to hang up the riding leathers just yet. Thread will likely take R'nar out before he ever retires. He'll go down like a true dragonman!
Positive traits Paternal, loyal, warm
Negative traits A bit hidebound, a bit violent, a bit stubborn
History: Born a weyrbrat, R'nar has lived nowhere else other than High Reaches Weyr. He grew up in the structured, traditional environment of the Weyr, learning his place and purpose early on in life. He was expected to stand for clutches as soon as he was of age, and he did, Impressing bronze Aveth at age 17.
R'nar and Aveth excelled in Weyrling training, mastering the techniques of fighting Thread with ease. The bronzerider also mastered the strategies for attacking Thread, the formations and flaming different sized clumps in different environments. When they graduated, R'nar was almost sad that Thread would never return, so he could use the time-honored skills he had learned.
He spent the next 40-some years of his life extolling the virtues of the High Reaches way to the Weyr's youth, especially those who had not grown up at High Reaches. A large, gruff but warm fixture at the creche, he became a combination father figure and big brother to many of the young aspiring dragonriders, and he saw many of them Impress and grow into fine dragonmen and women. He also continued to train and practice with Aveth; after all, one never knew for sure if Thread was really gone forever, despite what they said.
Then the Red Star returned, and he quietly rejoiced. Finally he could fulfill his true purpose! The reality of fighting Thread, the horror of what it could do, only made R'nar more determined than ever to defend Pern from its ancient enemy. He found himself guiding some of the younger riders, reminding them of their training and encouraging them to keep on flying and fighting. He still sees this as an important task.
Other:
DRAGON
Name: Aveth
Age: 44, shelled 3530.08.25 from Zamiath x Baloth's clutch at High Reaches
Color: Bronze
Size: 45'
Physical Description: Aveth is on the large side for a bronze, built strong and brawny. He has a thick neck and broad, powerful wings that can carry R'nar through the most daunting Threadfall. His hide is a golden tawny bronze with darker hands and feet and delicate petal-shaped markings on his lower legs, neck and tail.
Personality: A big bronze for a big man, Aveth is as gentle and loyal to High Reaches as his rider. He respects that bronzes are held in high esteem -- and rightly so! -- but he doesn't actively lord it over other colors. Instead, he chooses to set an example of behavior that others can look up to. He's proud of his rider, and often helps him in guiding other, younger riders and their dragons toward the same levels of perfection he feels he and R'nar have achieved. Aveth also helps calm his rider when his temper flares -- after all, how would it look for him to beat someone to a broken pulp over a disparaging remark? Not very mature, not a good example at all, R'nar.
Aveth loves the ladies and insists on chasing in every gold or green flight that happens. He's caught more than his fair share over the years, too. A proud creature, he insists that R'nar give him regular baths and oil his hide to glistening -- all the better to show off how big and handsome and powerful he is!
Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment:
