Name: V’ko
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Sexual Orientation: Queer
Former craft: N/A
Origin: High Reaches
Rank: Wingleader

Appearance:

The first thing that would strike you about V'ko are her eyes – they are an unusually bright and striking blue, obviously inherited from her father. Then it’s the fact that she’s usually smiling, or cracking a joke. Her clothing is almost always exceedingly practical, but evidently well made; the tiny stitches and fine fabric attest to that. Her skin is evidently naturally pale, but is tanned where her clothing doesn’t cover it, attesting to a life spent frequently out of doors. V'ko’s wiry hair is a deep chestnut brown, and is fairly long; she usually ties it back with ribbons. She is very obviously physically fit and strong. V'ko has a small winestain birthmark on her upper back that's nothing more then a splodge.

Personality:

She is usually – at least superficially - a fairly pleasant individual to be around, seeing no reason in being unpleasant for the sake of it. She’s a shoulder to cry on, will listen to gossip with appropriate exclamations, and is generally pleasant and attentive to people’s needs. She's nice to be around, and happy to be everybody's 'friend'. She makes allies easily, although real friends are a bit less likely, requiring (as it does) a lot more trust, something she is cautious about giving out; she’s been burnt that way before.

However, V'ko is used to getting her way, and shells is she stubborn; she’ll happily intimidate, exploit people’s weak spots, bully and bribe to get what she wants, if people aren’t amenable to persuasion. The information you were handing over blithely because she’s a lovely girl who was so happy to listen? She’ll cheerfully use that against you if he has to. Woe betide the person who stands between her and something she wants – be it power, a lover, or an extra helping of pudding.

She’s not completely ruthless in reaching her goals, but she might well sacrifice a friend or an ally if she feels that her aim is important enough – not something to be done lightly, but still a consideration. She’s also ambitious; while she might have been denied her chance at inherited glory, she’ll take the second best opportunity, or whatever fate might throw at her. When presented with a chance to advance herself, she will almost inevitably take it – even if it involves throwing a rival or a friend under a passing wher.

V'ko is strongly possessive and protective – her friends and those she considers under her protection are hers, and she doesn’t appreciate attempts to hurt them or take them away from her (even if she himself might be tempted to drop them off a cliff for the sake of power). Anyone who does so is almost certainly going to be the subject of some nasty and creative retaliation (although she is a patient woman; it doesn’t have to be immediate) – even if she herself has put them in the way of the hurt. Similarly, anyone of her friends who betrays her will find themselves the target of the same ‘justice’. She does not like being betrayed.

She is almost incapable of seeing any issue as black and white; she has a tendency to see everything in shades of grey. This makes it difficult for V'ko to take a stand on most things, though she will usually side where he has the most to gain. She has a perfectly fine understanding of law and morality, but feels that such things are more of a tool to attempt to avoid mutual harm then an absolute code. She has a terror of crawlers, and will do her best to avoid them – she’d rather laugh off an encounter and hope those around him do not notice her weakness while quietly getting someone else to deal with the issue.

When she does feel weak, or upset, she’d prefer not to let anyone know of it – she’ll disappear somewhere quietly to work out what to do about it, be it plot revenge or brood. If she were to be confronted in this state, there would be (initial) denial, and then a later effort to demonstrate to them that capitalising on her moment of weakness would be bad. She cannot afford – in her own mind, at least – to be anything less then the jovial friendly person she projects as in public. It would take a very close friendship and a great deal of trust for her ever to show so much as a spot of weakness in front of them. Having Felaroth in her head has made a significant change in her, though - if you think she’s difficult now, you should have seen her at sixteen, and he seems bound to keep her on the side of good (for a given value of good).

History:

- born 147. Youngest (and only) daughter of Holder Varen of Highcliff Hold, who had a _lot_ of sons, both legitimate and illegitimate. Vareko was illegitimate, but hugely favoured by her father and raised as a proper young lady.
- basically threw herself at the first rider who came through to GET HER OUT because she couldn’t stand the idea of being stuck at Highcliff forever OR being married to someone.
- Impressed in 163 at sixteen
- spent between 165-175 enjoying herself, transferring from weyr to weyr both north and south, to the point where she seems to know everyone and have a finger in every pie.
- her adventures during this period are probably a little bit exaggerated, but she definitely seems to have taken advantage of the long leash she was on due to the interval to get into in all sorts of scrapes - hunting pirates, helping to cut new holds out of the jungle, that one day where she was challenged to a duel by three different holders for three different reasons, amateur theatre, making an enemy of a cabal of fancy flit breeders…
- had her only daughter, Varene, in 166, father unknown (currently fostered with her grandfather due to MASSIVE CRISIS + V’ko wanting her to have the best of everything, although there is an ongoing argument about whether Varene will ever stand for a clutch. V’ko says No, You Will Die and I am Not Having It, Varene argues that she’s old enough to make her own decision, it’s not going to be resolved any time soon).
- in short she spent her twenties and early thirties having outrageous fun and making a good number of influential friends, quickly becoming a wingsecond.
- came back to High Reaches in early 175 to take up a wing leader position.
- rose to the crisis as magnificently as could be wished for. V’ko has never been anything but hardline about quarantine (even if she’s secretly terrified about how this is going to end) and has always made it clear that any one of her wing who even dreams about attempting to flee South will face every punishment that she can lay down, not least her personal bitter disappointment. She and Felaroth make a point of helping to care for the sick in whatever ways are possible, even now.

Other:

Dragon/Wher
Name: Felaroth
Age: 18
Colour: Bronze
Size: 42ft long

Appearance:

Medium-large bronze, compact with wide wings, he is built for speed and agility. Deep chest with large lungs, he has exceptional staying power for his build, and produces long blasts of flame. Can be considered quite beautiful, as he proportions work well for him. Will have better luck chasing greens then most bronzes, due to his speed, but he'll need to monitor how he manages his stamina against larger bronzes in queen flights.

Personality:

Why are you just standing there?! There is work to be done, and he is the bronze to do it!

Never one to take injustices sitting down Felaroth is a creature of action and creative zeal. Ideas and innovations come easy to him, and he expects nothing but the very best from himself and those around him. Little in the world surprises him in a negative fashion, as he often strives to learn and develop from even the strongest form of adversity, but he is equally willing to get a little of his own back after the fact. He works hard, after all, and will make sure that he not only receives the appropriate amount of praise for his work, but that the competition knows how much of a competitor he is. Subtly of course, when it comes to the mind, but when it comes to physical prowess, oh yes he will flex and strut!

Vain, perhaps, but the bronze is plenty loyal to- and appreciative of- his admirers and special people. He may feel that he deserves what attention he gets, but he will also make sure to up his game at every available opportunity. Remaining the same old Felaroth is not an option, and if he seems impatient as a youngster, most of that will be due to his desire to step foot on his epic journey of personal growth now. He will expect nothing less from His as well, and it will be readily apparent from the moment of Impression. His arrogance may cost him friends in the long run, along with his hunger for whatever he perceives as the top prize, but those who take the time to stick with him will find an enthusiastic companion who never lacks a new idea. Felaroth adores sharing ideas and planning ahead, and is clearly what one could consider the archetype of a Bronze Dragon. He is the life of the party, though not because he chats the headknobs off of every dragon in the vicinity. No, he is a strategic player of the game, quietly assessing the important or interesting individuals in a group, then inserting himself in with them. He makes himself known quietly at first, appearing to enjoy the company of those around him, and overall working the crowd so they want him to stay. Positive reinforcement is this dragon's calling card 80% of the time, after all, and he'll encourage others to join him... just don't try to upstage him.

He is, however, a dangerous personality when crossed. Unforgiving of ignorance, he does not accept 'I didn't know' as an excuse for anything. The very same mind capable of developing innovative solutions for good, is equally capable of contriving multiple ways to bring down an opponent. He does not stand for brutality, however, and will go to great lengths to not only bring justice to the fore, but to make sure the perpetrator understands the depths of his/her dysfunction. Only his rider can convince him to use that skill, however, but Felaroth does not mind being the sword for his chosen person. He understands that he demands perfection of His, and will in turn be as close to perfection as each day allows.

In his off time, which (frankly) is few and far between, this bronze is decent company. He does have a flair for the dramatic, and those who would spend time with him had better be ready for it, but he's never cruel. He likes being the flashy center of attention among friends, and while he'll have many casual acquaintances, those few (very few) he counts among his trusted circle will be treated to a great deal of attention and thought. Flights will find Felaroth as an exuberant participant, and he does not discriminate between green and gold Flights. Golds certainly have their ladder climbing perks, but greens (and their riders) can be equally important in their own ways! That, and it is a chance to show off all of his gorgeous manly hide, and perhaps swat a few competitors out of the sky!

Other: