BROWNRIDER J'YAK

Persona : J'yak
Writing Status : PC/Active
Age : 34
Gender : Male
Rank/Craft : Ex-mercenary, Brownrider, Wingrider (UFRF)
Residence : Thread's End Weyr

Physical Description : Approximately 6 2 , J'yak fills out his size rather nicely. Well-formed muscles strong from use are balanced by a gracefulness achieved during his time as a soldier. Chocolate brown eyes set below a high forehead often sparkle with laughter but there is an underlying darkness that speaks of regrets and guilt. His hair was once an average shade of brown that has started graying prematurely at the temples. A scar on his left eyebrow is one of the few visible marks on his body but underneath his cloths is a myriad of old scars that tell of a past fraught with danger. A healthy tan only accentuates the attractive cast to his face, lined from the trials of life yet so often lit with a grin.

Personality : Never one lacking for words, J'yak is known for his sarcastic wit, overused puns, catchphrases, and to speak his mind in regards to any subject. Well liked by his fellow dragonriders for his ability to make anyone laugh, much sought after by women who appreciate his broad shoulders and weathered but handsome face, and oft lamented by his superiors, who find his glib comments untimely during meetings. A bold streak of stubbornness coupled with a certain disregard for rank has labeled him a troublemaker - though most bronzeriders ignore the man's sly remarks, silently agreeing but unable to do so vocally. But all that is the public face J'yak puts forward. In the privacy of his own weyr he is quiet and somber - morose even. If anyone happens upon him when his public mask has slipped, they would say he suffers from a great sadness, one that even Impression cannot wipe away.

Life Story : Jayak was the first child of three born in High Reaches, his family working in the lower caverns of the Hold in various capacities. His father, Alzarak, was a professional mercenary employed by the Lord Holder who needed his lands cleared of Holdless, shipments guarded from bandits, the tracking down and capture of thieves or murderers, and occasionally the enforcement of unpopular edicts. Alzarak was a hard man who expected his eldest son to mature quickly and take care of the family while he was away, swift to punish if his demands were not met to the standards he set. Jayak did his best but it was never enough to please his father, even when the young man taught himself to hunt, track, wrestle, and fight with such aptitude that he was considered the favorite to bet on at Gather wrestling matches. Upon his sixteenth Turn, Jayak finally snapped under the constant abuse and challenged his father for the right to claim his family. The older man sneered at his son but his expression quickly changed to shock when he found himself lying on the ground with a sword pointed at his throat. Jayak and his family never saw Alzarak again.

Now that the young man was responsible for the welfare of his mother and two siblings, he joined the guard contingent of High Reaches Hold to provide marks and keep their lodgings. The mature teen was often underestimated for his youth but eventually accepted among the ranks of mercenaries he worked with. Learning from his fellow guards to mold himself into a deadly weapon, unarmed or not, he quickly rose within the ranks and his reputation spread among the Lords who needed their problems handled specially . The results were usually unpleasant and enough to give any man nightmares but he fulfilled his duties as he felt an honorable man should. His own Lord loaned him out to others on occasion but the other Holders couldn't entice the young man away from his home. Always sure to spend time with his family whenever possible, he refused to be lured away by promises of wealth.

Eventually Jayak even found time to fall in love with a young girl that worked in the kitchens and found his occupation heroic and alluring. He and Tarlie were soon wed and Jayak began to feel as though he might have a chance of becoming the man his father had insisted he would never be. Though his vocation was one of hardship and violence he was careful to keep that part of his life separate from his family and new wife, fearful that if they found out what he was capable of that they would see him for the monster that he knew himself to be. His fears lessened as the Turns passed and his first child was born, a happy baby boy they decided to name Jaylie.

When returning from whatever unsavory task his Lord had required of him, Jayak found refuge with his family, their innocence and love a balm for his conscience. Inevitably he began to doubt his decision to follow orders without question and eventually came to the conclusion that he should quit while he was ahead. The night the young mercenary returned from removing a band of Holdless to the border, having made up his mind to tell the Lord Holder about his defection, there was an enormous earthshake that shook the Hold to its foundations. Rushing to their quarters to find his loved ones lifeless among the rubble, Jayak became an empty shell, only a burning guilt remained that perhaps he could have saved them if he had been present. He threw himself into his duties with a vengeance, hoping to forget the happiness that had slipped through his fingers. However, the pain and emptiness did not go away and soon he lost any remaining will to live. He climbed up into the cliffs of High Reaches and leapt to his death. His plummet to oblivion was ended abruptly by a bronzerider who was on a sweep ride and managed to catch Jayak mid-fall in a stunning feat of agility.

Despite his hunger to end his suffering, the seasoned guard felt he must show gratitude to the man who saved him and agreed to return to High Reaches Weyr with the dragonrider and see a mindhealer. Keslion, a renowned healer of the mind, worked long and hard with the shattered young man, and eventually Jayak lost the urge to die but the guilt and sorrow remained. While at the Weyr, the mercenary was Searched and though he initially refused, Keslion convinced him that it would be for the best. At 25 Turns Jayak was still young enough to stand on the sands, though the oldest Candidate by far. Having given up on hope after that fateful night, no one was more surprised than he when Onelth stumbled into his legs, creeling with hunger.

J'yak worked with single-minded intensity to become the best rider possible, translating his skills as a guard into those of a dragonrider. Quick reflexes, unequaled mastery of weapons and hand to hand combat and a sharp mind paired with Onelth, who possessed uncanny flying abilities and an intellect that rivaled bronzes, made the pair respected by their peers as well as their superiors.

Seven Turns after Impressing, J'yak was about to be promoted to wingsecond when disaster struck again in the form of a senseless brawl. During a Winter Gather an argument broke out between a group of drunken men and several young women who were trying to spurn the rowdy group's advances. The men began to get physical, grabbing at the women, ignoring their cries of distress. J'yak overheard the commotion and came to the ladies' aid. A fight ensued, and in the process the hardened fighter seriously injured two of the five assailants. The Lord Holder deemed J'yak had rightly defended himself and the honor of the ladies, but the wounded men were the sons of important minor Holders and their fathers insisted that some punishment be meted out. After conferring with the brownrider's wingleader, the weyrleader decided that J'yak would have to transfer to another Weyr, preferably one as far away from the cold North as possible.

The ex-mercenary chose Southern Weyr, once again leaving behind those he had come to care for. Upon transferring, he assumed a mask of sharp wit and brash humor as a defense mechanism to keep others from knowing the real him. Holding people at arm s length with his sly remarks and a careless attitude, J'yak swore to never care deeply for anyone other than his dragon, since they would eventually be ripped away. And though he often spends the night in the arms of a woman it is rarely the same one, their company simply a temporary salve to his battered soul.

When Thread fell out of pattern at the beginning of the 38th Turn of the Ninth Pass, Thread's End Weyr lost many good fighters and J'yak offered to be transferred to the undermanned Weyr. It might have been an offer with altruistic intent but more likely another way to avoid any lasting relationships that might have begun to form at his current Weyr. Whatever the reason, the transfer was granted and J'yak started over again.

Dragon's Name : Onelth
Dragon's Colour : Brown
Dragon's Age : 9
Sire/Dam : Transfer (High Reaches)
Rider's Age at Impression : 25

Physical Dragon : Most often compared to the color of skybroom wood, Onelth is an average to large sized brown, the trailing edges of his wings dappled with a slightly deeper tint. There is a light scar running along his left flank to curve under his thigh, received during an erratic Threadfall two Turns ago.

Dragon's Personality: Onelth is a serious dragon, given to long silences and thoughtful ruminations. Some say it s to counter J'yak's constant barrage of humor, but Onelth is far more like his rider than people realize. An excellent flier, Onelth fights Thread with an almost savage fury, becoming his most animate while searing the silvery strands from the sky. Otherwise he can most often be found next to his rider or, failing that, near the weyrling classes, as though he can glean more fighting tactics from the weyrlingmaster's teachings. Despite his serious demeanor, Onelth has limitless love for his rider and understands J'yak's emotional pitfalls, offering comfort to his lifemate without hesitation.

Last updated on 01-Dec-06.