David and Aviand

[Lily]

Name: David [last name unknown]
Race: Elf
Age: 146
Dragon: Aviand

Appearance:

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David appears quite handsome and manly at first, wisdom sparkling in his deep, stormy gray eyes. His hair is the blackest black and falls just above his shoulders. He has a somewhat more elven look than most elves, who prefer to keep their identity secret for safety reasons. Unlike most of his kind, he cares little on who sees his ears since it is expected for him to be somewhat elven after becoming a Rider even if he was not. However, he is pure elf, inside and out and so claims the appearance of one. He has a slim, fit build from years of training to be a soldier and the way he holds himself suggests that he has sharp reflexes and can react at any time to various situations. He dislikes to wear armor since it is a heavy burden and makes it harder to evade attacks in battle. However, since he is light being an elf, armor is not his biggest worry, especially when riding. Yet when he rides Aviand, he usually wears thick pants to protect himself from the roughness of the saddle and gloves to keep his hands warm and to hide the mark of the Riders on his hand from unwelcome eyes.

Apart from the obvious features that tell instantly that he is a Rider, he appears just like a normal person. His eyes are a soft gray and his skin is pale in comparison to most in Alagaësia since he has spent a lot of time in Ellesméra under the cover of the trees. His expression is more often than not serious and thoughtful, his brows curved down to emphasize this. However, since becoming a Rider, he has begun to mask his outward feelings, trying to maintain a calm and serene air. When his dragon is not with him, he prefers to keep to himself, letting none know who he really is. For this purpose, he has also begun to cover his ears more frequently even though he still finds no shame in who he is.

As for weapons, David usually travels light and takes what he needs for the road. His most used weapon is a simple sword and although it holds no magic properties nor is legendary, it's blade is sharp and in David's hand it is quite a lethal weapon in battle. Since David has much more magic energy from Aviand, he sometimes uses that to his advantage to stun enemies before dispatching them. He also carries several daggers on certain occasions and a few knives. None of these weapons frequent his inventory though as he picks up weapons here and there that he finds suitable for the task he wishes to carry out. In the army, he would rarely use a bow, and though he did not specialize specifically in that category, he will still use it if necessary. His aim with a bow, however, is not as accurate as his aim by itself. On the battlefield, he often improvises if he can by picking up fallen arrows or edged weapons and hurling them at enemies. So even though David does not carry any specially made weapons, he is still a skilled opponent.

Personality:

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Being a Rider and bearing the fate of Alagaësia practically on his shoulders, David undergoes much stress in everyday life that he did not face when he was a common soldier. This one major change has modified his personality in many ways as well as heightening his awareness to his surroundings both natural and artificial and also the way he deals with situations. Still, despite all the pressure he carries, he has a kind heart and usually reaches out to those weaker and lower ranking than himself. He tries not to brandish the name of the Riders by casting out a shadow of fear and doubt but instead tries to broadcast it as being a hopeful and protecting force. He tries to be patient as well since he has had to endure a long wait many a time wether it is waiting for the future or waiting for an impending war.

David has learned many hard lessons through his life that has changed it in many ways. Through Aviand, he has learned that strength comes from within and not from number or power or riches. Also, he has learned that teamwork is often the key to success. Together with Aviand, he is a fearsome enemy unlocking the hidden power of the race of dragons as well as a strength within him that he never knew he had before. He has also showed grand performances of teamwork together with a fellow Rider called Kyemen Streathir. Although shy and awkward around him at first, he has begun to count on the elf as a true and dependable friend and ally.

The love David has for Aviand is deep, but not forced. Their bond is completely natural, like clay and has hardened over time to create an unbreakable link. By this link, he tries to follow Aviand's help at being wise and grows in knowledge each day. During battle, he has come to depend on his partner more and more as if the two were one mind. He remains unafraid of death or even pain yet he knows that the Varden's hope rely on his strength and Aviand's wisdom. He knows that Riders are not only valiant and war-hungry but also compassionate and searchers of knowledge. He tries to live by these standards like Riders of old, and in his own way, he tries to rebuild the once extinct race and to create his own legacy for eons to come.

History:

David has a rather sad past. His parents separated when he was still young and he was forced to take refuge in the elven lands of Du Weldenvarden and then later on to Ellesméra. His father, in his rage, set off for the distant land of Surda and remained there as a soldier until he faced his death at the hands of some of the Forsworn. His mother was so overcome by grief that she fled to the darkest corners of Du Weldenvarden until old age took her and she shriveled up into nothing. By this time, David looked at himself as an orphan and took to wandering the streets alone, getting food whenever he had the chance and taking refuge in the comforting wilderness of the elf city. However, his own kind were like aliens to him and he did not know how to properly cooperate with them and so he set off to make his living elsewhere.

His travels took him across the Hadaroc Desert and into what had simply been a legend before. It was Surda, the land of men. Although he had seen few men pass through Ellesméra, he was not accustomed to being constantly surrounded by them and it was strange. Many recognized him for who he was and many others were not willing to accept an elf into their ranks. However, David did manage to find a place among the military forces of Surda although he was constantly envied by others since he had much more stamina than the normal human for the exercises they did and had a talent for the sword. He was arguably their finest swordsman at the time. Perhaps even their best fighter what with his fluid motions and graceful actions. Many times, the others would try and get rid of him but David hardly cared. He had what he determined to be a family and he was happy.

However, David was never happy with the war. Every time he cut someone down was another dark spot on his consciousness. Every time he marched against the Empire or got involved in a skirmish he would hate it. Although he was good at it, he hated fighting to its very nature. However, as word came to Surda that a dragon had hatched, a legendary creature of old and for a mere boy at that, something clicked in David's heart. Perhaps it had been there all along, nagging and yelling at him to give it attention. But David suddenly realized that the war wasn't just some silly old fight. It was more than that. Much more.

As Eragon started his long journey with Saphira, David started one of his own. He began to look into the Varden's history with the Empire and Galbatorix's as well. He found out truths he had never known were there before and he also had awoken something deep within himself. Perhaps it was only then that somewhere far out across the Hadaroc, the unborn Aviand also felt something click deep within and draw his mind out as if telling him that his Rider had arisen. Perhaps then he had woken from his slumber just as David began to discover what his place really was.
David spent a year working with the Varden and training hard to improve his skill. He still didn't like to kill someone even if it was absolutely necessary but he knew that they were all simply blind souls whom had been corrupted by Galbatorix and had nothing but darkness in their hearts. This thought alone drove him onwards. When at last the Varden were forced to fall back to Surda, he found that he was completely ready for anything life thrust upon him. When Eragon came as well to continue to aid in the war, he knew that he could assist any way he could. Now all that was left to do was wait for his enemies all of whom were massing in Uru'Baen far to the north.

That was when destiny exploded right in David's face.
He had not particularly been headed in the direction of the egg chamber, but when he reached the guards and they demanded he pledge his loyalty, he did so. Then, just after when he asked where he was and they told him he thought that it could be some kind of joke. He'd never imagined himself a Rider. Yet all of that was turned around as he stepped inside and decided to just touch one egg just to have the memory. When, a few days later, the guards called him down with reverent looks was his world suddenly turned upside-down. When he saw the little hatchling sitting in front him, looking up at him with trusting eyes, he was so surprised that he didn't know what to do at first. Luckily, he had little need to for the young dragon padded right up to him and cooed softly encouraging a touch from his forever friend.

Nowadays, David usually goes on reconnaissance missions to investigate the enemy's movement after or before war. Also, his battle skills are known to the Varden who sometimes send him out to deal with outlaws here and there or even to dispatch a target Imperial. Without even knowing it, David is fulfilling his own wish for himself bit by bit...

***

Name: Aviand
Race: Dragon
Age: Newly hatched
Other: He is a very talented flyer. Like Saphira and a few other dragons, he is built more for the skies than for the ground.
Rider: David

Appearance:

As a hatchling, Aviand would appear about the length of a teen's arm from head to tail; in other words, very small. He has tiny, misty gray scales that shine as if they have been newly polished. He distinctively resembles the egg that has encased him for hundreds of years. His wings are small, and temporarily flightless, but are shaped in a way that destines him for the air. His eyes are very intent, and a stormy gray colour like his Rider's. Tiny, gray spikes run along his back, although one row more distinctive than the other.

When Aviand grows up, he will be much more fearsome than cute, but there is a more serene nature about him that some dragons lack. He has a somewhat wise look to his eyes; like he knows something you don't. He doesn't have his teeth showing under his bottom lip. Instead, his teeth are much shorter, so they don't show. In make-up to this, Aviand has two sets of parallel spikes running from the top of his head to the tip of his tail, leaving a dip in near his neck for David to sit while riding him. Two horn-like spikes protrude from the back of his head, giving him a somewhat more fearsome look. He is the average dragon size; his head and tail make up most of his length.

As a matured adult, Aviand's scales are much bigger and tougher and quite hard-edged. They each shine like an individual star or jewel, and on some cloudy days, they resemble dewdrops. Each are impenetrable by both weapon and magic of most variety, and are roughly diamond shaped, forming a handy armor. His light gray colour makes it hard to spot him on such cloudy days, and sometimes the way he holds himself while flying, he can pass for a thin looking cloud which can come in very useful when flying simple missions for the Varden.

As for Aviand's width, his wings make up most of it which points out that he is graceful in flight. Each stretches to be around twice that of his body, though not quite - they are modeled more to be for both travel and agility. Each wing is not particularly built for magnificence or for length, but more to capture the wind, and help to keep him aloft while in flight. They are made up of many, long, thin veins, and are a slightly lighter shade of gray than the rest of his body. Each thin wing arm is long, and muscled, and the membrane has a rough, leathery feel like old parchment.

Overall, Aviand is a large, light gray male dragon with a strong build like that of a flyer with a magnificent air of him passed down by generations and has a slightly more gentler look than most dragons.

Personality:

Aviand soon revealed that he had been one of the oldest eggs found, making him much more wise than some of the eggs laid later than he. Aviand always gives you a feeling of calm, and is an expert at reassuring. He is very tranquil, preferring not to get wrapped up in arguments, yet he is fierce if he must be, and extremely protective of David. Having a personality like this fits in well with David, whom can sometimes be troubled by the past or the present. Aviand always encourages his Rider to do the right thing, always making decisions that are beneficial to the Varden. Carrying the wisdom passed down to him from generations of dragons - even those Riderless - he tries to advise David as best he can, and share his knowledge to a positive conclusion. He cannot resist helping those in need, even if they do not share his alliance. Pity is one of his weak points as he sometimes sympathizes Imperials. He also seems sometimes to be quite restless, harboring the power inside of him that can only be unleashed at David's command. Like other dragons though, he can be sarcastic or joke around at appropriate intervals.

Aviand also has a very honest and modest nature. If he is kind, it is because he wants to be and not because he has to be. He tries never to boast about his status or about the race of dragons- although he knows they are quite a powerful and ancient race. He is also quite loyal, feeling as if he must always be at David's side. The two are rarely seen apart; Aviand followed his new companion around from the moment David received the gedwëy ignasia.
Despite this, Aviand can't help but channel the pride that has been passed to him through his ancestors. But, he shows it in a different way than other dragons. Instead of boasting or doing things on impulse alone, he sometimes shows off to other dragons in a more discreet way; sometimes it is not very obvious. Sometimes he does it without meaning to, and other times he does it simply to try and prove himself as being as good as other dragons. This occurs mainly when he is practicing fighting on the ground.

He harbours special feelings for a certain female Varden dragon and has been building these emotions up within for quite awhile, pretending he isn't aware of the situation even when he shows off profoundly when he's around her. This is the only time when his wisdom does not overcome his being, instead giving way to admiration and smiting. David, having no good experience with strong affection can't help him to figure out how to master it except not to nurture the feeling more than he must. Only recently, he has found out that she returns the feelings perhaps as strongly but promptly after discovered that, as much as he felt for her, the war in Alagaësia was far more important than any relationship. Despite this, his feelings are hard to sway, even by David's perspective. He has learned to master them, though, and to channel them into a deep respect for her rather than wild affections.

History:

Like all the dragons in history, Aviand- still in the egg- was produced fully mature, and ready to be hatched. But he had to wait. Wait until the person destined to be his lifelong partner came along, and rubbed his fingers over the shell or else he hatched because there was much food nearby. Either way, he had to make the timing right, and choose wisely.

Aviand waited hundreds of years for David to come along with his fellow brethren - as it was believed that he was clutched perhaps even in the dragon war against the elves with the few queen dragons that had escaped the elves' wrath. Things definitely took a dramatic turn when the eggs were discovered, and he and some of his sisters and brothers went their separate ways; some to the Varden and others to the Empire. At first, Aviand wasn't sure about where he was, and if he could trust the people there. Day after day, he felt presences and mixed emotions as people sidled up to his cushion to run their fingers over the shell of his egg. Each one was different; some seemed like they could be suitable, while others did not qualify in his eyes at all. He even considered hatching for a few, but none truly met his standards until one fateful day...

David was one being all to himself and the moment his emotions mingled with Aviand, the young dragon knew that he had found his match and struggled to free himself of the encasing that had held him for hundreds of years. At last, he managed to break the shell and sat on the floor of the egg chamber, not sure what to do next. For all his passed down wisdom, he was only a hatchling and his chosen Rider was nowhere in sight. He did feel the presence of another dragon though - or what was left of it - and knew that he was constantly being watched anyways. It wasn't long before his Rider suddenly appeared and he felt a surge of joy and longing in him to know the elf better. Trying out his unused legs, he hobbled towards the elf and felt as the bond was forged right there. He understood instantly that it was something few in Alagaësia shared and something that would help him to understand the race of elves and men better as well as conquer the terrible evil that spread through the land like famine.

Only a few weeks after his hatching, the Varden arranged for him to start training and that he do it alongside the dragon, Sierthra. The day he met her, he instantly felt a bond between himself and the older dragon in front of him. Not the same as the one he shared with David which was much deeper, but a strange connection. He also felt happiness at being so close to one of his kin, and in the days that followed he strived to know her better and do everything he could to show his already found skills to her even as she taught him some of hers. Their training time together was memorable and when they finally parted ways - with a little more feeling for each other - he felt rather pleased at growing alongside a member of his own race and accomplishment at all he had learned and ready for the battle ahead.

Since Aviand is still young and learning, the Varden don't send him diving headfirst into a fight but instead prefer him to scout enemy land and to carry messages throughout the land. Now and then he flies more important missions alongside his partner, David, but he mostly keeps the Varden's side of the country.[/size][/blockquote]