Name: Tatiana
Occupation: Trainer, Combat Wing Leader
Age: 59
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 120lbs (used to weigh more)
Hair: Gray/white
Eyes: Green
History:
Tatiana was once a rider at Geode, having joined to Zenia, a large red
dragon back when she was 15. As a young and strong woman with very quick
wits, Tatiana saw no shortage of action, and in a short time joined Geode
Warren's combat wing. By the age of 21 she was wingsecond, and by 28 was
wingleader. Tatiana was always in the thick of action, but somehow when
riders all around her were hit, Tatiana always returned without a scratch,
almost as though she had some magical aura of protection around her.
Her career was long and generally happy. She had many friends in and around
the warren, and as she got older, spent much of her free time helping out in
the training wing, essentially becoming the assistant trainer, in fact if
not in name.
Seven years ago, at the age of 52, Tatiana had stepped down from her role of
wingleader, was no longer asked to patrol, and in her semi-retired status
was what one might call a reserve in the combat wing. She still enjoyed the
training of young riders, but only joined the combat wing when either
numbers were short or the threat was large. Her last time in combat was the
first time that the strange aura of protection was not present, and in
barely an instant, was run through the left shoulder by a dragon claw and
the impaled through the left hip by the massive front teeth of the same
dragon. Tatiana, unconscious, was left for dead, and only when Zenia,
herself in rather bad shape by that point, flew her back to the warren did
the healer find that though shallow, she still breathed. This was quite a
shock as either injury should have been fatal, even for someone half her
age.
Tatiana was barely conscious for 8 months, and it took another 3 years until
she could sort-of walk. Two more years past before she had anything
approaching the strength she used to, and it was then that she decided to
leave Geode Warren and head to a warmer climate, as the cold winters made
the pain from her ruined hip and shoulder all but unbearable. She chose
Whiteriver because one of the riders in her wing, T'omas, with whom Tatiana
had enjoyed an on-again, off-again romance with for the better part of
twenty years, had moved their twelve years ago.
Personality:
Tatiana is a wise and knowledgeable woman, experienced in most forms of
combat, and with very few living exceptions, one of the most experienced
combat riders alive. Of course, much of the physical abilities that had
made her such a formidable rider have suffered both the effects of age and
of her wounds. As a result of the total impunity with which she used to
ride into battle and the grievous wounds she suffered on her last combat
flight, she is unsure of herself, cautious, and perhaps even timid. She is
also very humble, despite her considerable fame and renown, at least in the
area of Geode. She came to Whiteriver simply to retire in a warmer climate,
and has no thoughts of working again, but, one never knows.
Abilities:
Tatiana is a veteran combat rider, and also has helped in the training wing
for the better part of 15 years. She used to have an almost unnatural
protection, whether it was just luck or something else she never knew, but
for whatever reason, she was simply never hit. She has no idea if this
remains, but based on the battle of Geode, doesn't think so. Even though
she can barely walk (cannot without her metal brace) and her left arm is
weaker than that of a child, with very restricted movement, Tatiana still is
a formidable opponent, with many tricks up her sleeve from her 4 decades of
front-line service. She is ruthless in battle and an excellent judge of an
opponent.
Dragon: Zenia
Gender: female
Age: 43
Size: 89' long
Color: Red with black wingtips
History:
Zenia was the first hatchling of a clutch of the warren queen's eggs, and as
a strong though lithe dragon, she bound to Tatiana immediately. Like her
rider, Zenia is a very experienced fighter, and also like her rider, suffers
from her old wounds suffered at the battle of Geode. Despite her wounds,
she too is a very tough opponent, and like her rider, knows all the tricks.
Zenia shares one more thing with her rider, and that is arthritis, which is
aggravated by Geode's cold winters.
Personality:
Matronly and friendly, just as Tatiana trained the young riders and took
those having trouble under her wing, so too did Zenia. Of course, no other
dragon at Geode had ridden in as many actions, and had as many stories to
keep the hatchlings interest.
Abilities:
Zenia used to be exceptionally strong and fast for a female, though she has
slowed down due to complications from her injuries. Still, she has the
ability to focus her breath very tightly, giving it a much longer than usual
range, and while hitting a small area (perhaps 3 inches diameter), it is far
hotter in that concentrated location, easily melting through metal or even
stone if sustained.
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