1. Telleara 2. Antolith 3. Clay, Quartz, and Cerulean 4. Family, Friends, and Associates 5. History 6. Current Location and Role 7. RP Logs 8 Onward. Solos
Name: Telleara D.O.B: 10/11/163 Gender: Female Sexual Orientation: Bisexual Role/rank: Weyrling Former Role/rank: A Lady of Fort Hold Origin: Fort Hold
Appearance: 5'7'' and slender in build. Telleara is not especially well endowed, but she doesn't seem to mind. When you have a tailor to accentuate ever good physical feature, it seems pointless to fret. Even at the Weyr the girl is impeccably dressed. Her parents may have banished her to a working life, but they guarantee that she still looks like a Lady. Albeit a Lady in trousers. Her hair is a long, sandy coloured, mass. Unbound it reaches her thighs, but it is rarely down. These days the most common style for Telleara is a long braid, which she will occasionally twist up and around itself. Her face is rather severe and the pulled back hair doesn't help. Almond shaped, ice-blue, eyes are set in a thin, triangular face, with a straight, pointed, nose. Her mouth is thin lipped and a thin layer of freckles spatter her pale cheeks.
Other: Trained in horseback riding, duelling, formal dancing, harp, pipe, singing, embroidery and a myriad of other Ladylike skills that one can learn when they don't have to work.
Personality: “Welcome, you are in the presence of greatness.”
Proud and poised Antolith fancies himself a natural born leader, considers power his birthright as the clutch’s largest bronze (he picked up on that tradition pretty quickly), and shells but it shows. There is something undeniably regal about him, everything in his manner and bearing projects absolute confidence in himself and his right to do whatever it is he wishes to do. This self-assurance, often wavering into arrogance, will no doubt polarise opinion; some will be drawn to him, finding his certainty reassuring and magnetic, but others will not doubt find his presumption unbearable.
Antolith likes to consider himself a protector of his siblings, of all of Pern in fact, and it is sincerely meant. Nobody else can lead as he can, as his Telleara can, and so it is their duty to step up and make sure others are taken care of. Challenges to this authority however are not looked kindly upon, for all that he has true nobility he is a jealous and envious creature too; without the intervention of his more subtle rider he is likely to outright challenge authority far before he has the standing or connections to back that it up.
As can probably be deduced from, well, everything Antolith is a dragon of great passion and this extends to his social circle too. He is a dragon who loves with all of his hearts and loathes with all of his hearts, a friend is a friend for life and a foe the same. A friend who betrays him… Perhaps it would be best if that never comes to pass. That put aside however the strength of his feeling for those close to him bears mentioning again, there is nothing Antolith wouldn’t do for one he loves - even if it meant giving his life to save theirs.
Mind Voice: #C77826 Antolith is the beat of drums, the brassy call of trumpets, the surge of blood in your veins at the start of a battle. In calmer moments however these brash noises fade to background notes and his mind takes on the feeling of crisp mornings and wide open spaces full of promise.
Why me? Telleara, could there really have been another? Her fixation on a gold was a difficult barrier to break through but Antolith does not fear a challenge! And speaking of a challenge, which should they take on first? Only a rider with as much ambition, pride, and certainty as he held within himself could do for Antolith, and now together they shall do great things.
Inspiration: Antolith is inspired by a red deer stag. His name is derived from the old French word antoillier meaning antler or horn.
Size: 7 months - 26'5'' long, 8'9'' at the shoulder
Former Sizes
Hatchling Length: 8’3” Hatchling Height: 2’9” 1 month - 11'0'' long, 3'8'' at the shoulder 2 months - 14'5'' long, 4'9'' at the shoulder 3 months - 17'0'' long, 5'8'' at the shoulder 4 months - 19'0'' long, 6'4'' at the shoulder 5 months - 22'0'' long, 7'4'' at the shoulder 6 months - 23'11'' long, 7'9'' at the shoulder
Family, Friends, and Associates List of NPCs relevant to Telleara's history.
Father Name: Leharran D.O.B: 01/06/129 Rank: Lord of Fort Hold
Mother Name: Sotella D.O.B: 16/05/132 Rank: Lady of Fort Hold
Sister Name: Lehella D.O.B: 09/10/158 Rank: A Lady of Fort Hold, Heir
Brother Name: Sotarran D.O.B: 30/02/160 Rank: A Lord of Fort Hold
Friend Name: Alosai D.O.B: 23/08/163 Rank: A noblewoman of Fort Hold
Associate Name: Hepra D.O.B: 28/11/123 Rank: Head of Kitchens at Fort Hold
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 5:28 pm
History
10/11/163 - Telleara is born as the third child of the Lord and Lady of Fort Hold. Her elder sister is set to inherit and her brother is in training as her second in command. With the bloodline secure Telleara's role in life seems certain. From a young age she is trained in skills that will make her of use to her Hold. Telleara grows up understanding that just as her siblings role is to run the hold, hers is to secure an advantageous marriage and ensure the prosperity of her hold from afar. The girl is trained in the skills that will allow her to attain this. Not just the traits that would make her a desirable wife, such as music and dance; but the skills that will ensure her ability to influence the situation in Fort's favour once she is away from her family. Telleara is taught the majority of the same subjects as her elder siblings. She won't be running Fort, but if they play their cards right she could end up pulling the strings of a second hold. 8/4/176 - Telleara is searched by a dragonrider from Fort. She declines as politely as is possible. 1/1/177 - Telleara is presented with a firelizard egg as a Turn's End gift. She is assured that the large egg will hatch a metallic, like the firelizards owned by her siblings. 7/1/177 - The egg hatches out a brown. A drab brown at that. Naturally Telleara smiles sweetly, but inside she is displeased with the development. Despite her own displeasure though she does come to love the creature. The brown is named Clay. Telleara sets out to train the firelizard impeccably. He may not be as shiny as her siblings' firelizards, but she will ensure that he is far more charming, well behaved and impressive than theirs. 1/10/177 - Telleara first learns of the dragonplague. At first the family is not overly concerned. This is unfortunate, that much is certain, but the dragons will recover. Besides Fort is the closest Hold to Fort Weyr, they will surely be the last to be abandoned by the Weyr. 15/6/179 - Telleara rejects her suitor from High Reaches. She will not be wed to the second child! A loud disagreement ensues between the family. Telleara insisting that she is better than that. Why train her for all this time for her to not end up the Lady of a Hold? 1/1/180 - With the situation being as dire as it is, Fort Hold begins to divert more resources towards the Weyr. They had expected for the demand of the Weyr to rise as threadfall approached, but they must now start earlier. With the population crashing it is imperative that they ensure they stay in the Weyr's favour. 16/3/181 - News reaches Fort Hold that the Senior Weyrwoman of Fort has gone between with her dragon. With the Junior gold's health the way it is the family see an opportunity. It's clear that they expect their remaining gold to produce a gold egg and the mother won't be staying around long. Eyes turn to Telleara who was searched all those turns ago. The girl is packed off to Fort Weyr, with their deepest commiserations. Fort Hold is deeply sorry for the loss to the Weyr and they offer up their own daughter for the service of Pern. Telleara knows the real plan though. She is to impress a gold and take control as the only Weyrwoman in the North. That was better than being the shadow ruler of the Hold. 5/5/181 - Malsalth fails to lay a gold egg. Telleara swiftly writes to inform her family. A response arrives within a candlemark telling the girl to calm herself. Gold dragons had hatched from non-gold shells before. So Telleara waited and continued to play her part. 17/6/181 - The clutch hatched. Malsalth betweened. Fort was left without a gold. Telleara's family were naturally in attendance to the event and they quickly gathered to discuss. At first Telleara demanded to be taken home. There was no gold. She would not stay here in a dying Weyr! The disagreement was long and Telleara was outnumbered. Finally the decision was made. She would stay at the Weyr. They couldn't been seen to be taking back their support in these most dire of times. With the greens hatching too, it benefited the family to have someone on the inside who could alert them to situations immediately. Telleara is not even a little pleased with the current situation, but is not in a position to prevent them. She would wait. Wait until she aged out of candidacy. Then Fort has not disrespected their Weyr. There's nothing to keep her here. Once she ages out she can return to her old life. With an even more interesting story. The turns she gave up for the greater good of Pern. The Holds would be grovelling to offer their sons to her. 6/8/181 - An egg Telleara found while assisting in clearing out the hatching sands hatches into a gold. Telleara is elated at this result. She names the dark firelizard Quartz. 13/6/183 - While standing for Lithustoth's clutch, Telleara impresses a bloody Antolith. The bronze means that she's going to have to adjust her plans, but she still thinks he's perfect.
First Search - 8/4/176 Runner Riding - 10/12/176 Late Night Arrival – 7/1/177 The Presentation – 7/1/177 Learning – 21/1/177
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 5:34 pm
Solo - First Search - 08/04/176 (Aged 12)
“I beg your pardon?” Telleara took a step back as everyone’s gaze turned to her. The rider chuckled, indicating to the bronze dragon behind him.
“That’s what he said. That you’d make a fine rider.” This was not the purpose of this visit. The rider was here for some diplomatic reason. Her parents hadn’t decided to bore her with the ins and outs of what exactly it was. Probably something to do with tithing, that seemed to be the usual reason that riders turned up. That and to deliver so called important messages. As was usual the Lord and Lady had marched out their three children to politely greet their guest. Mother said that it was important for them to make good names for themselves among the riders of Fort Weyr, and that it was never too early to start.
Looking at her mother and father, Telleara could feel the eyes of her siblings on her as they looked sideways at her. Even if she couldn’t see it, she was sure that Lehella would be smirking, or wanting to even if she didn’t in front of company. Sotarran would be looking at the dragon, even if he’d tease her about it later. It wasn’t unusual for Lord children to get picked out for candidacy. Some liked to make out it was a matter of noble birth, but Telleara had long come to the conclusion it was merely a matter of numbers. Lord children were more likely to get presented to dragons, or attend events with dragons, than working children. It was no more special than the large number of Weyrborn candidates. No mystical reasoning, just right place, right time.
Her silence and shocked expression clearly lasted too long, as her mother swiftly stepped forward. “I think Telleara needs some time to think it over. Leharran, I trust you can entertain our guest?” Her father nodded, his wife sweeping over to their youngest daughter in a swirl of fine fabric. “It is an awfully big decision for one so young. Come with me, Darling, we’ll talk it over.” Sotella smiled down at her daughter, one hand coming to gently rest on her lower back, steering the pre-teen away from a scene and back into the Hold.
The Lady of Fort’s face remained with a pleasant smile all the way back to the family’s quarters. Only once she had dismissed the help and the door had closed behind them did her cheerful demeanour fade. The dark-haired woman looked at her pale daughter, one eyebrow rising slowly. “Well, that was certainly unexpected.”
Telleara looked down at the ground to avoid what she was sure was her mother’s disapproval. She hadn’t asked for this. Her parents had plans for her. They had been very clear about that. All their children had a part to play, and Telleara’s certainly was not at the Weyr.
“Don’t fidget. It is unbecoming of a lady,” Sotella said as she swept past, her hands knocking Telleara’s where they twisted behind her back. Walking to an ornate and comfortable armchair, Sotella carefully arranged her skirts as she sat. Turning her appraising gaze once again to the twelve-turn old that was still determinedly looking at the floor. Lifting one hand she pushed two fingers to her temple, slowly massaging the spot. Several moments passed in silence, before the woman finally sighed.
“Do you want to go?”
“No!” Telleara’s head shot up, before the girl shrank back at her mother’s surprised expression. “I- I apologise, Mother.” She waited until her mother nodded at her to continue. “I don’t want to go.” Telleara knew what the Weyr was like. Her siblings had been very persistent in telling her. Sotarran had told her how vicious hatchings were. That’s why they took so many candidates. Why so many never came back from the Weyr. They couldn’t all have impressed dragons. Father had even let him attend one of the Fort hatchings. He had seen two candidates die right there on the sand. Anyone that didn’t impress was likely to be ripped apart. Lehella’s stories were even worse. Young women being carted off under the guise of candidacy, only to end up working in the kitchens. Moving from weyr to weyr, rider to rider. So many good, noble bred, young women had been lost to riders who did the picking rather than their dragons. Then there was thread to consider! It wasn’t expected for another twenty or so turns, but Telleara still planned to be alive then. She certainly didn’t fancy getting eaten alive by thread.
“That settles that then,” Sotella said plainly. Reaching forward she rang a small bell on the table. A handmaiden swiftly appeared and was just as swiftly sent on her way to fetch tea. Telleara remained standing, looking at her mother in disbelief. That was it? All she had to do was say no? Blue eyes looked across the room at a much younger pair of the same eyes. Sighing once again, the woman indicated at the chair across from her. Telleara silently made her way over, hopping slightly into the larger chair.
“Your father and I are not going to send you off to the Weyr if you did not want to go.” Just then the handmaiden returned, placing a tray on the table between them. She made a cup for the Lady with practiced swiftness, handing it over before preparing another cup for the youngest lady of the house. Telleara liked her, she always added a little extra sweetener to her tea. Taking the cup, she smiled at the handmaiden. The smile fading as the woman quickly departed once again.
“I would rather you not go to the Weyr, and I imagine your father feels the same. Some might see it as an honour. I do not. Your father and I have spent considerable time and resources on our children. You would be wasted as some grunt dragonrider.” Her mother sipped her tea, Telleara taking a sip in synchrony without even conscious thought. So, she wouldn’t be made to go? That was a relief. A slight frown appeared on her face. Then why were they here and not letting the dragonrider know?
Looking over the rim of her cup Sotella smiled. “Obviously we must make it appear that you gave such an offer the due consideration.” Oh, that made sense. Telleara managed a small smile. Her mother always knew what to do. It seemed too that nobody would be upset about her decision. Well, at least nobody that she knew personally. Maybe the dragonrider would be disappointed, but he would just have to go find someone else to carry off to the Weyr. Telleara had no interest in any of what went on there, no matter how important they were as allies. Not if her mother said she didn’t have to go.
The two quietly finished their tea, before long Sotella declared that enough time had passed. The pair returned and found her father pleasantly chatting to their guest, Lehella and Sotarran listening politely, but not involved in the conversation unless directly addressed. When faced with the dragonrider and his smiling face, Telleara felt herself once again shrinking back. Sotella’s hand halted her escape, the woman placing her hands across the young girl’s shoulders and holding her close. The picture of motherly affection as she smiled at the rider.
“It seems our darling Telleara doesn’t think herself the dragonrider type. I am afraid we will have to decline Fort’s offer of candidacy for her.” The dragonrider did look disappointed after all. “Perhaps when she is older, she will reconsider.”
Telleara stepped closer to her mother. No. Not now. Not ever. No matter how old she got, she would not go to the Weyr.
Rolling her eyes, Telleara slowed her runner to a trot. The black gelding slowed without any complaint. Soot was her favourite runner from the stables. Soot wasn’t his actual name, but that was what Telleara called him. The runner’s real name was some long-winded official name. Soot was a pleasant ride and had a lovely temperament. Telleara regularly snuck her favourite runner treats from the kitchen. Now if only she were allowed to ride him properly. Without some beastcrafter apprentice hovering around telling her what to do.
“Do you think you will be getting a firelizard egg this Turn’s End?” her companion asked. Telleara looked across at Alosai, straightening up and smiling proudly.
“Oh definitely. Lehella and Sotarran both were given theirs the Turn’s End after they turned thirteen.” Finally, her siblings wouldn’t be able to rub their firelizards in her face. Lehella would probably still have something to say, she had two after all. That was the benefit of being the heir, Telleara had to concede that.
“Do you think you’ll get a gold too?” Alosai continued.
“I had better,” Telleara answered with a slight scowl as she looked out across the hills. Both her siblings had gold firelizards. Their parents had made a point to search out eggs as large as possible to ensure the chances of their children having gold firelizards. Lehella was even presented two eggs, just to be sure. Ending up with a gold and bronze for her to parade about with. Their parents said it was an investment. Firelizards weren’t just a sign of status. A gold could be relied upon to reproduce. To create more status symbols, that could then be distributed to worthy allies as a way to curry favour.
“I wish I could have a firelizard. Even if it wasn’t a gold.” The other teen huffed to herself. They’d had the conversation before. Alosai’s father thought that the creatures were more hassle than they were worth, finding them annoying. Still that didn’t do anything to dissuade Alosai from wanting one for herself.
“Well, when my gold clutches, I’ll make sure you get to have first pick of the eggs. He won’t be able to say anything then.” Returning a gift from the Lord’s family would be horrendously rude. “I could even give you the whole clutch if you wanted.” Telleara grinned at her friend, even as Alosai smiled and ducked her head away.
“Your parents would never allow that, and you know it.”
“I will hide the eggs from them. Nobody will know until you have bonded to every single one. Once the bond is made, they won’t be able to take them away, and you’ll have an entire fair to yourself.” She was joking, and they both knew it. Still it had Alosai giggling and that was all Telleara really wanted.
“I’ll hold you to that. Although maybe just one or two eggs will do.” With a toss of her hair Alosai straightened up, settling back into the sophisticated ladies they were supposed to be. Looking across at her companion the other teen flashed a grin, before spurring her mare into a gallop.
“Alosai! How dare you!” Telleara laughed as she and Soot quickly followed suit.
“Ladies! I said not too far!”
Word count: 547
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:40 am
Late Night Arrival – 7/1/177 (Aged 13)
It was probably because of enthusiasm that she was such a light sleeper that night. All it had taken was the gentle scrape of the pot shifting near the hearth for her to bolt awake. Throwing back her thick winter blanket and furs, Telleara quickly donned her slippers and padded to the side of the fire. It was burning gently away still, so it couldn’t be too late into the night. Telleara was sure she would have heard had someone come in to stoke the flames.
Creeping closer she stared at the pot. Apparently, you couldn’t go digging up the egg every five minutes because you thought it was going to hatch. Meaning that the young teen had to sit on the rug, staring at the pot until she was certain that it shifted again. A happy gasp escaped her throat when it did indeed shift again. Carefully she scooped up the pot, quickly placing it back down when it was too warm to hold. Telleara gently lifted the lid and begun to probe through the soft sand. Her fingers brushed against the warm, smooth, shell of her egg. Pulling the egg from the pot she shifted closer to the fire, just to be sure that the egg remained warm.
There was already a large crack across the turquoise shell. Telleara found herself holding her breath, cupping her hands around the enthusiastically shaking egg. It was unclear to her how long she sat in front of the fire, entranced by her egg’s movements. It felt like it took forever for small cracks to lace across the delicate shell. Part of her wanted to rush the process along, but even in her excitement she knew better than that. No matter how eager she was for the egg to hatch, firelizards had to do that in their own time. No matter what, she needed to be gentle and welcoming.
Finally, a wing tip burst out of the shell, making Telleara jump. It proceeded quickly after that, the little hatchling tearing through the shell with ease. He wasn’t gold. The plain coloured firelizard looked up at her, tilting his head to the side. He began to snuffle around, reminding Telleara of her next step. Reaching out she quickly picked a piece of meat and offered it to the firelizard. He delicately took the piece from her, holding it in his forepaws and chewing. The meat was strips of cooked wherry. It was something that would keep overnight should this exact situation occur. It wouldn’t be very proper for Telleara to wake up everyone to get some meat for her firelizard.
Handing the youngster another piece of meat, Telleara examined the youngster sat in her palm. Definitely not gold, there wasn’t a speck of gold on him. She had thought maybe a bronze, but as the dampness dried from his hide, the truth became clear. He was brown. Not only was he a plain brown, but a rather drab one too. An ashy shade of brown from nose to tail. Yet she couldn’t find it in her to dislike the little creature. Sitting in her hand, politely nibbling away at his food, she could feel the firelizard probing at her mind. He was sweet, politely reaching out her as he ate the food she provided.
“Well, aren’t you lovely?” she crooned to the little brown. Telleara gently stroked one finger over the firelizard’s head, earning a delighted hum in response. Pausing his eating the brown nuzzled her finger with his tiny snout. There wasn’t anything Telleara could do except grin as she felt the brown firmly take route in her mind. He loved her. There was no doubt about it, the feeling was as clear as though it was her own. The teen hadn’t expected it, but she loved him too. Plain as he might be, he was so sweet. How could anyone not love him.
They sat on the floor together, Telleara handing pieces of meat for the brown to delicately take and carefully eat. He ate until his stomach was visibly full. A mighty yawn and his eyes were already starting to slide closed.
“Back to bed then, is it?” Climbing to her feet, Telleara carried the brown to her bed. She carefully laid him on the pillow, smiling as he turned in a circle before curling up tightly. Lying down she pulled the blanket and furs up around them, making sure that her new friend would be warm. Wanting to stay awake and watch the adorable little thing on her pillow, Telleara found it hard to keep her eyes open once she was settled. What would she name him? All this time thinking of appropriate names for a gold, even entertaining a few for a bronze. None really suited this brown.
Sleep hadn’t yet taken over when she felt the little brown stand up. Opening one eye she watched as the firelizard clambered across the bed towards her. It didn’t look far, but for one with such tiny legs it seemed to be. He carefully pulled at the blanket, wriggling underneath. Telleara light out a contented sigh as she felt the brown against her neck, cuddling up to her and curling up into a ball in the crook of her neck. He wasn’t what she expected, but the thirteen turn old fell asleep with a smile on her face nonetheless.
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