Name: Zon’derek
Age: Early twenties
Gender: Male
Skills:
Imperial Assassin -Like other assassins of the Empire, Zon’derek was trained in the arts of stealth assassinations, hand to hand and weapons combat, blade throwing, climbing, urban acrobatics, eavesdropping, interrogation, pick pocketing, anything that would help complete a mission. Besides physical prowess, an Imperial Assassin also had extensive knowledge of the land's politics and religions, which helped the assassins better understand their opponents.
Tonfa Mastery- Before receiving what was to become his signature weapon, Zon’derek had to practice extensively with both wooden and metal tonfas, learning how to properly use the weapons. The tonfa is both an effective weapon for both defense or offense , all the while being quite intimidating with the wielder spinning the weapon to chain together attacks and blocks.
Illusion Magic- While in theory Zon’derek is capable of powerful spells because of his vast knowledge of the Ancient Language and his extensive study of it‘s finer workings, it is rare if he is ever to use such spells. Instead, he prefers simple spells that require a minimal amount of energy. The most complex spells he often makes use of are those of illusion when orthodox methods will not trick the senses. These can range from creating simple sounds, to bending light to render himself invisible to all but the most keen of eyes.
Anatomy- Because knowing where to place your blade for the killing blow is as important; if not more so, as any other aspect of using it. Having been trained to kill as efficiently as possible, Zon’derek had to learn the inner structure of the body and it’s workings. Over time he has been able to reverse engineer his training from how to kill to how to heal; a skill he as learnt to be invaluable when magic was of little use. After his dragon had hatched for him, Zon’derek took the time to study dragon anatomy so if the need were to arise, he could treat her.
Race: Human
Hair: Black, normally cut short.
Eyes: Brown
Home Village: Uru’baen
Parents: Adriana (Mother, deceased) Umar (Father, deceased)
Siblings: None
Character Personality: Zon’derek rarely ever shows kindness, let alone any human emotion. By habit, he is untrusting of those around him, often showing a mix of neutrality and hostility. A thing to note about Zon’derek’s personality (or lack of) is that he can be very straight forward and to the point or he can be vague, his words having multiple meanings. Over time, he has weaved himself a veil of deception and lies to mask himself with.
Dispte this snake's mask, Zon'derek in truth is a very loyal and caring man, one that is willing to make the sacrifices needed of himself.The only being having seen this side of him on a common basis is his dragon, Sondra.
Zon’derek as well shows a slight interest in history, finding it valuable to know of and learn from events in the past. And in regards to lands foreign, Zon’derek always offers an ear, claiming to be interested in lands different than the one he has been isolated to. While this is true, in reality he is searching for a place to escape the clutches of the Empire and his reputation to new lands for a new start.
Character History: Zon’derek was born into a family of notable military history in Uru’baen. Because of this, he was expected to serve in the Imperial Army as his father had done and ancestors before had done. The moment he was of age, he was conscripted into the King’s army to fight the rebel threat known as the Varden. Zon’derek, despite his physical weakness, proved to be a deadly fighter, having an affinity for tactical observation. This quickly earned the notice of the King, who ordered him into his group of personal spies, the Black Hand.
After even further training, shaping and refining him into a deadly tool of the Empire, Zon’derek quickly earned a reputation among his prey. The “Shadow Blade” as he was called by his enemies and those that feared him; was ordered by the King himself to hunt for any supporters of the Varden. Without prejudice, he eliminated any he found.
Months later, after receiving a tip-off from an imformant, Zon'derek hunted for a merchant that had been supplying the Varden out of Teirm. Upon his arrvial, Zond'erek learnt that the traitor had fled the city. After tracking the his prey into the Spine, Zon’derek found something of shocking value. The merchant had foolishly lead him to a diamond white dragon egg that had been kept hidden in a remote cave.
As the merchant begged for his life, Zon'derek pondered his next course of action. With the egg in his possession and the groveling merchant dead, Zon'derek left the cave. However he did not return to the capital. Instead he remained in the Spine for a time, unsure of his own reasons in doing so. That was, until the egg hatched while Zon’derek was still asleep.
The next morning, Zon’derek found a white dragon hatchling cuddled against his chest, and his palm branded with the Gedwey Ignasia, the mark of the dragon rider. Zon’derek was expectedly shocked by this development, but before he could begin to ponder his reaction, the soft whine of the hatchling in his arms called his attention. His dragon had awoken, and forever more would she hold his heart, and despite his oaths to the Empire, his loyalty. His true name had changed.
Zon’derek had named the diamond dragoness Sondra, a name that was meant for his sister if he were to ever have one. He thought it fitting, since he had read of how a dragon and rider would form a close bond between one another. He continued to remain in the spine, raising his dragoness and teaching her what he could of survival. He though it best to show her his memories of when he himself had been in such situations in the wilderness, expecting it would help the young dragon pick up on the skills sooner. What he hadn’t expect was for her to learn not only what her instincts would teach her, but most, if not all of his skills as well.
After almost a year in the spine, Zon’derek began to question if he should return to the Empire and continue to serve the King, or if he should find solace else where for Sondra’s sake. He knew of Galbatorix’s plans for the dragon race and what it would mean for her if they returned, and the more he thought of it, the more and more it sickened him. He refused to allow such a fate upon his dragon.
Sadly, he had no where else to turn. And so, he reluctantly returned to the King with Sondra, vowing to do what ever he could to find a better life for her.
Weapons: Twin bladed tonfa swords serves as his primary weapons. The tonfa (the ancestor of the modern nightstick) is a simple stick with a handle, and is about 15-20 inches long. While not made of Brightsteel, a metal made famous for its use in the weapons of riders, these blades have been finely crafted by the Empire’s most renowned smith and enchanted by it’s most powerful magicians.
To supplement his tonfas, Zon’derek also carries a simple a hunting knife and a number of throwing knives. He is known to also carry bow, but only does so if he is to travel long distances and would need to hunt for himself. He has rejected the idea of carrying a regular sword used so often by riders, saying he would rather avoid carrying around too many weapons.
(An exapmle of a bladed tonfa)
Likes: His
art and his dragon. He also has a distinct fascination with swords and different fighting styles; especially if they are foreign.
Dislikes: Almost anything that does not fall into the above. Especially anyone that has harmed his beloved dragon.
Weakness / Fear: While physically strong, Zon’derek simply lacks brute strength, meaning his efficiency with heavy weapons is limited. To put
salt in the wound Zon’derek suffers from a condition that cripples him if he is to over exert himself physically. It is because of this he rarely uses magic. Also Zon’derek is quite fearful of his dragon’s well being, more often than not putting himself in harm’s way for her sake.
Animal Companions: None
Character's Physical Description: Zon’derek is a man of a rather average build, if only taller than most. His hair is kept clean and short, his face shaven when he is able to, but otherwise has allowed to grow out for a lightly rugged appearance. The only truly outstanding feature is how aged he looks compared to his actual age.
For clothing, Zon’derek wears a white tunic under a black sleeved, hooded robe that fastens at the front, black pants and leather boots. On his fore arms are crimson gauntlets to protect his arms from the blades of his enemy, and in rare occasions, his own tonfa. Across his waist is a belt that holds his pouches and a red sash. On his left leg is the sheath of a knife that he always has on his person regardless of where he is.
Dreams for the Future: To leave Alagaesia to a lands unknown and most of all, ensure a brighter future for his dragon.
Reason for Dreams: He wishes to leave the Empire and the reputation he has made for himself behind. To leave for a new life and a new beginning. This is because he deeply cares for Sondra and resents the life she was forced into because she chosen to hatch for him.
Alignment/side: While forced to serve under the Empire, Zon’derek has sworn loyalty to Sondra.
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Dragon Name: Sondra
(credited to wyndbain)
Age: Approximately three years
Gender: Female
Parents: Who her parents were has been long forgotten, most likely having perished during The Fall.
History: Sondra's egg was an unknown survivor of the Fall for many years until founded by a supporter of the Varden who was making arrangements to have the egg brought to them. However, before this could have been done, the merchant was found by Zon'derek, who chased him into the Spine where he had kept the egg hidden. After hatching for Zon’derek, Sondra spent the first year of her life in the Spine with her Rider, learning how to survive, and accidentally, how to be an assassin. Granted, she did not have use for such knowledge, she was never the less interested to learn more, which Zon’derek had been happy to oblige. Zon’derek easily saw that she had a knack for speed, and surprisingly given her color, stealth.
As she grew older, she began to notice distress within her rider. She questioned him about it, and for a time he would say nothing of the matter, telling her not to worry. During night of a full moon she asked again. Zon’derek reluctantly told her of his fears, what would happen if they returned to the Empire, if they tried to run, or seek the help of the Varden. It had been the first time Sondra had seen her rider cry. To comfort him, she told him that she would follow him, regardless of the path he chose. And thus, began her service to the Empire….
Personality: Sondra in some ways is like her rider, quiet, unspoken, and will rarely interact with another. But unlike Zon’derek, she rarely has the chance to interact with anyone, since most that know of her view her as an exotic steed, or are outright fearful of her. Despite this, Sondra is a kind and caring being, offering an ear to those who wish to speak and open minded to the world around her.
Another thing to be noted, Zon’derek can use various items as make shift weapons when need be. Sondra, has picked upon this trait. “If a battle is not in your favor, find a way to make it so,” Zon’derek once told her when Sondra was young. While he had meant it in a tactical sense, young Sondra interpreted it as the idiom, “Find an equalizer.”
Scale Color: White, often compared to diamond. Her under belly and underside of her wings are a metallic silver.
Appearance: Sondra’s build is aimed toward speed and maneuverability verses strength. Given this, her fighting style is much like her rider’s; instead of overpowering an enemy, she attempts to out maneuver and strike with the utmost precision. And add that she is a fantastic runner; something uncommon among most dragons, with the ability to maneuver nimbly around obstacles Sondra is more than capable to either fly or run circles around others of her species. Other than her slender build for a dragon, Sondra in terms of general appearance is comparable to other dragons commonly seen in Alagaesia.
Interestingly, Sondra’s eyes never stay a single color of blue, darker further way from her pupil while lighter closer to it. Zon’derek as also noticed her eyes easily portray her emotion; the brighter the more intense the emotion , more often than not indicating a positive emotion. The duller the less excited she is, or a negative emotion.. For example, when depressed, her eyes are dark, but when cheerful, her eyes are their usual bright selves. It is noted the one exception to the mentioned is anger. When angered, Sondra’s eyes shift constantly from varying degrees of blue.
Armor: While she is skilled in how to, she simply cannot be as adept in stealth as her rider given her size and scale color. To combat this, she was given black armored plates, similar to what was common for dragons to wear when going into battle along side their riders. The armor for the most part conceals her body, leaving as little of her white coloration visible as possible. The armor was made lighter so not to hamper Sondra‘s greatest strength; her speed. To do this however, defensive power had to be sacrificed. Leather was also added to both the interior for further protection and padding and to where the plates were joined together. Both additions also proved to lessen the amount of sound the armor made when Sondra moved about. Archaic runes have been engraved into each individual plate, magical wards and enchantments added to the armor, much like her rider’s blades. To fuel spells placed upon it, there is a diamond located where the rider is saddled to hold energy in reserve.
Dreams for future: Like her rider, she hopes to leave the Empire for new lands.
Reasons for dreams: Sondra always was fond of exploration, and given that she desires to leave the Empire's oppression as he rider does, it only serves as more reason for her to leave the land.
Weakness / Fear: Sondra doesn’t have much weight to throw around in a fight, making it much more difficult to pin an enemy. And as any bonded dragon would, she fears for her rider’s well being above all else. Seeing him put himself in danger because of her often leaves her torn with a sense guilt.