Name: Caelan Erista

Age: 25

Gender: Male

Skills: Caelan is a highly empathetic individual. He isn’t strong physically; his skills lie in the mind.

For one, Caelan is particularly skilled at penetrating one’s mental barriers. With all the gentleness of a lover he brushes the defenses aside, allowing himself to see one’s true thoughts, feelings, and intentions. He uses this whenever he feels threatened or unsure about the safety in a situation. Since his union with Kaeda these abilities have intensified, particularly when she aids him. When they are working in mental unison it becomes all the more difficult to hold the barriers in place. Still, they are in training, so it's far easier than he would like to pin his thoughts and overcome his mind. This is something Caelan is working on diligently. Every day he engages in mental combat with Kaeda. Of course she usually wins, but every now and then he manages to subdue her instead. Since he'd begun this practice the frequency of his victories is increasing, to his pleasure.

If nothing else physically, Caelan is fast. His short stature, lithe muscles, and long limbs allow him to move quickly and gracefully, like a dancer. He isn’t as fast as the elves, naturally, though he very much would like to be. If he were ever able to push his body to that extent he would be positively thrilled. He prides himself on his speed and dexterity, and only wishes he had strength to go with it.

Caelan does not like having to depend on a saddle when he intends to ride. After all, what if something horrible were to happen and he could not get to one before he and Kaeda had to flee? As a result he has toughened himself to riding bareback. Though her scales still rip his flesh and have left nasty scars, he is capable of separating the pain from his body, of pushing it to the back of his mind so that he can still focus clearly on the task at hand.

Race: Human

Hair: Light blonde

Eyes: Blue

Home Village: Dauth

Parents: Lylin [mother] and Jokkan [father] Erista

Siblings: Ashaya Erista [sister], Pyrono Erista [brother]

Character Personality: Hardly a more mild young man was ever born. He is highly affectionate, perhaps more so than a Dragon Rider ought to be. Often his brother, whom he very much respects, voices his disapproval at how sweet, gentle, and kind he is, stating that he is leaving himself vulnerable in doing so. In reality the opposite is true. Regardless of how kind he is, he never lets anyone too close emotionally. It is his responsibility as a Rider to stay safe. Though he was too late to aid in the war he wants to be ready and strong enough to aid in whatever he ever may need to help with.

On that note, Caelan takes his responsibility quite seriously. He never anticipated that he would find a dragon egg, and even if he had, he wouldn’t have thought it would hatch for him. That was the single most life changing event he will ever experience, he believes. Going from being a simple villager to a Dragon Rider has left him a bit naïve, and he isn’t yet completely sure of what is expected of him. This leaves him a bit unprepared in battle. But he tries his absolute hardest, which isn’t always an asset. He has a tendency to charge in unprepared and cause more trouble than there was to begin with. Luckily, Kaeda keeps him in line. She doesn’t let him charge into anything unprepared if she can help it.

Character History: Caelan was born in Dauth to Lylin and Jokkan Erista in a small hut near the riverbank. He is the youngest of his siblings, with Pyrono being the eldest. Their father treasured Pyrono the most, he being the firstborn son. As a result Caelan was closest to Ashaya, though he did very much respect his older brother. The side effects of his sister being his best friend as a child were that he gained an appreciation of nature, his boyish tendencies were diluted, and he ended up with somewhat more care about his appearance than was deemed normal for a young boy. No matter what anyone said or how they told him he ought to participate in more masculine activities, he didn’t listen. After all, the only thing that mattered was that he was happy with his life, his sister was happy to play with him, his brother was proud to be related to him, and his parents thought he was doing things right.

He never did like hunting, but as he adored nature, he didn’t much mind going on hunting trips. After the first several trips resulted in him returning empty handed, his parents no longer expect him to bring dinner home. Instead he goes out just to go. On one of these trips, when Caelan was fourteen years old he came across the biggest creature he’d ever seen. A medium sized teal dragon near the coast dragged herself out of the water, bleeding from many wounds all over her body. In her jaws, she gently gripped a soft purple egg. Paralyzed by wonder, fear, and horror at the state of the dragon, Caelan stared at her in silence for several minutes. During this time the dragon assessed his mind, sensed his intentions, learned who he, in essence, was. Finally, as the last of her strength dissipated, she lowered her head and looked him directly in the eye.

‘I leave my only offspring with you now, nuanen hjarta. Please, care for her. I have seen into your heart, and I know that it is pure. Tell her that her mother was Nyana, a wild dragon. She died ascertaining that the Empire would not take her into their custody. Her father was Roshton. I do not know his fate, but mine is certain. Take her now; I must go. My time is short.’

Nyana laid the egg in his arms and with one last mournful glance back at him disappeared back into the water. Caelan stood in shock for another second, then hurriedly shoved the egg into his clothing and rushed home before anyone could find out what had happened. If the Empire knew of the egg’s existence surely they were still looking for it.

When Caelan returned home he went straight to his room, which was not at all like him. He paused only momentarily to say hello to Ashaya, then committed himself to solitude to examine the egg. Smooth surfaced, a light shining purple, and stunningly beautiful, he couldn’t believe that he had been chosen to care for it. He removed his gloves in order to feel the surface. As soon as his fingertips came into contact with it, a crack starting at the top spread over the entire egg. After some effort and frustrated grunting a small reptilian head poked its way out of the shell. She sniffed the air and climbed out and straight into Caelan’s lap. As soon as her scales touched his skin, the gedwey ignasia was inscribed on his right palm.

After a few days Ashaya found out about the dragon he had named Kaeda. The rest of his family found out slowly. His father was thrilled; one of his sons, a Dragon Rider? Pyrono, on the other hand, took several weeks to come to terms with it. He had always been the favorite, being the eldest male. Now that it was no longer that way he had to reexamine his outlook on life.

Discussion with his family lead to the decision that Caelan ought to seek out the Varden, but first he needed to train. Caelan went to stay with his uncle near the Beor mountains, where he could go to fly with Kaeda and practice the magic his uncle knew very little about. One thing his uncle was skilled in, however, was the workings of the mind. He is the one who taught Caelan how to manipulate one’s mental capacities and defenses.

When Caelan was eighteen and Kaeda was four they decided they were ready. Traveling mostly under the cover of night they flew out toward Uru'baen. They were very close to the actual date of the epic battle, close enough to witness Shruikan's intimidating flight across the night sky. Caelan and Kaeda stood huddled next to one another in fear, trembling. Kaeda may have known that a dragon could grow to be that big, but Caelan hadn't, and his resolve wavered. He hesitated for a day while he reassessed what he wanted and whether he was ready to help the Varden. Would he truly be anything but a hindrance?

After very much gentle nudging and logic from Kaeda Caelan relented, mounted once more, and they continued their flight toward Uru'baen. Their hesitation was just long enough for them to miss the battle entirely. Seeing that they had wasted their chance to be of use, Kaeda and Caelan halted outside of the city once more to decide what they should be doing. Was their place truly with the Varden? If not, where?

Dragon and Rider discussed their cause. When they decided they didn't have a cause anymore they took flight once more, circling aimlessly around the general area of what was now Ilirea. They finally decided to go back to the Beor mountains to see Caelan's uncle. On the way they saw from a distance the blue dragon Saphira some ways away on the ground, near a small ship drifting comfortably down a river they couldn't name. Though they didn't know what she and the Rider they had heard so much about were up to, they figured it would be more profitable to stay near enough to figure it out than to just fly off.

Eragon and Saphira weren't stupid, and they were far stronger than Caelan and Kaeda. They realized they were present and flew out to confront them shortly after they were officially out of Alagaesia. Caelan explained quickly that he posed no threat, nor did Kaeda, and they were only trying to find a place for themselves in the world. Eragon examined their minds with their permission and found what they said to be true. He told them that he intended to form a Rider stronghold outside of Alagaesia, and though he didn't know where they were welcome to join him. Now that they knew the option was open Caelan and Kaeda thanked him and informed him that they may join him, but they wanted to stay in Alagaesia for a while longer. They wanted to get to know the sprawling nation they had grown up in and become familiar with its people, and with its fauna. Caelan in particular dreamed to learn of all the creatures he could. Respecting their decision, Eragon and Saphira bade them farewell with promises to notify them of their location when they finally settled. That left Caelan and Kaeda free to take to the skies once more in search of knowledge and above all else a sense of purpose.

Weapons: Caelan is not well equipped, but he does carry three weapons.

The one he uses the most is his bow. It is not particularly intricate, but it is flexible and strong enough that it has lasted him since he started training. He always keeps at least fifty arrows in his quiver if he can help it, as he does not like being caught helpless, and he isn’t very good at hand to hand combat.

The next most useful is the sword that his father gave him when he was fourteen. It is long, thin, and elegant, matching him. At the blade near the hilt inscribed in curving letters is the name ‘Erista.’ The hilt has some silver in it, but not much, as the blacksmith was not in possession of such wealth. He keeps it in its white sheath at his hip.

The one he uses the least is his dagger. Also sheathed at his hip, it was given to him by Pyrono as a sign of goodwill. He is to use it if he is ever caught in a compromising position. There is nothing unique about it, besides the incredible sentimentality Caelan attaches to it.

Likes: Nature, springs, forests, the color blue, birds.

Dislikes: Big cities, harsh words, arguments, things that smell unsavory, situations that make him nervous, feeling helpless.

Weakness / Fear: Being out of his element, having to fight physically, purposelessness.

Animal Companions: None

Character's Physical Description: Caelan is an elegantly built young man. His limbs and fingers are long and thin. His body is lithe and flexible, almost like a dancer. Skin paler than that of his family suggests that he has not spent quite as much time working outside as he should have. It might lead people to think that he is pathetic and untrained. Though that is in part true, he chooses not to be pathetic if he can help it.

Big blue eyes peer out from under shoulder length blonde hair so bright, it’s almost white. They are almost always alight with a silent laugh, and his full lips are almost always curved into a smile. It takes a dire occurrence to dampen his perpetual happiness.

Generally Caelan likes to wear leather clothing in white and light shades of blue. Across the strap of his quiver, also of white leather, are several light purple gems in which he stores energy for the meager magic he is able to perform. He does not have a genuine Rider’s sword, but he does own a blade that has been in the Erista family for eons which he almost always has in a scabbard on his belt.

Dreams for the Future: To find a reason for being.

Reason for Dreams: Caelan once knew his purpose but it was a very shallow one, and he no longer knows where he belongs in the world. He aches to feel needed in some way, any way.

Alignment/side: Varden

For dragon riders only:
Dragon Name: Kaeda

Age: 11

Gender: Female

Parents: Nyana [mother; deceased] and Roshton [father; fate unknown]

History: It is unknown when she was born or where her father is, but Kaeda’s mother gave her life to keep her out of Galbatorix’s hands. In a way, then, her Rider was chosen by her mother, since Nyana gave her egg to Caelan, and she hatched for him. She has never regretted this decision, and once Caelan told her that Nyana had referred to him as ‘nuanen hjarta,’ she agreed completely. His beautiful heart is what made her hatch for him.

She knows little of her family history, so all Kaeda really has is her life with Caelan. Still, she does not truly regret this. After she hatched for him they were inseparable. There have been very few moments in the past where they have been truly apart, and they do not like those moments in the least bit. They need each other, and they both know it. They truly are one in the same, and would not have it any other way.

Training began for Kaeda the moment she was born. She had to learn everything she could about her place in life, since she had no one who actually knew about dragons to tell her so. As a result she is always searching for the knowledge of her species, and she strongly desires to learn who she is and what her true capabilities are.

Personality: Kaeda is much like Caelan, in that she is mild, calm, and gentle. Even when she hunts she apologizes to her prey before taking its life and blessing it for giving her its energy. Her outlook on life is that it has endless possibilities, even when it seems its darkest, and one must never give up or allow themselves to fall to the darkness.

When faced with something that irritates her, usually she will fall silent and refuse to speak for fear that she may say something that will offend. She dislikes arguing just as strongly as Caelan. Instead, she prefers to wait until everyone calms down and have a reasonable discussion.

Colour: Light lilac

Appearance: Kaeda is neither large nor small in stature. Her body is long and thin, much like her Rider. Long, strong legs, and a long whip-like tail give her a willowy appearance. As with everything else on her body, her teeth and claws are long, thin, and curved. They are her best weapons. Her wings are long and thin, and don’t look as powerful as they are. Kaeda’s scales are a soft, light lilac. Her eyes are nearly the same shade, if a bit darker.

Starting at the sides of her face she is adorned with long white horns. They climb from her jaw line to the top of her head. Down the back of her neck are similar horns, shorter but similar. At her elbow joints are more of these. Though she has her fair share of horns, she has fewer than most members of her species.

Armour: All Kaeda has in the way of armor is a saddle fashioned from thick leather. It is not properly made, nor is it all that strong. But it was made for her by Caelan's uncle, it fits her perfectly, and she greatly appreciates the effort he put into it. Though she and her Rider do not need a saddle it saves him bloodloss and her guilt over causing him pain, whether it be intentional or otherwise.

Dreams for future: Understand herself

Reasons for dreams: Kaeda knows so little about dragons. She has never been around them really, and she hasn't had anyone to teach her the ways of her species.

Weakness / Fear: Other dragons, big storms, separation from Caelan

NOTE: I have been here previously under another name. I registered again and want to start over. I've submitted Calix and Kaida before under the same names, and if that's a problem I'll fix it however you see fit, but I have made some changes to them and they're quite different than they were when I first submitted them.

I completely understand. I wrote them some time ago, so the Mary Sue type thing hadn't been shaken out of my style yet and I forgot to go back and check through abilities to make sure it's all clear. Calix's name I would be willing to change, but Kaida is absolutely her name and she just wouldn't be herself without it. Kaida even means "little dragon," which is why I picked it for her. If I changed the spelling to Kaeda but kept the pronunciation, would that be adequate? Calix can be changed to Caelan without a fuss.

I just went through and added a weakness, and changed the names throughout. Let me know if there's anything else that needs tweaking.