Created by Jill Flansberg
The Vaddon Estate:
The family estate is a large one encompassing hundreds of acres of farms and woodland. The formal gardens have been a famous feature of the estate for centuries and the current Lady of the estate is a talented gardener and has spread the fame of her gardens and perfumes even farther.
The Vaddon family is also well known for the horses that they breed and train. Many of the monies from these endeavors are used to support charities and good works. Katla Vaddon, before becoming a dragon rider, was becoming well known as a horse trainer and breeder. The family also has extensive merchant contacts, believing that the best way to help everyone in the region is to support trade.
There is a village on the estate, but the small city of Vaddonais is also under the domain of Lord Vaddon. In general, the Vaddon family has stayed out of the affairs of Vaddonais except to help promote trade and industry and to forbid practices that cause damage to the populace. The family is seen with an uneasy equimanity by the guilds because while it generally does not interfere, its members tend to be advocates for the underprivileged and never allow anything that smacks of exploitation of the poor. Overall, the city does quite well and has a populace that is generally happy with its governance.
Lord Jerlyn
Vaddon
Age: 54
Hair: iron grey
Eyes: Dark Brown
Height: 6'3"
Personality: Rather less formal than many LandBorn. He's very kind
and dotes on Katla. He raises racing horses.
Lady Anis Vaddon
Age: 48
Hair: brown
Eyes: Pale blue
Height: 5'8"
Personality: Outgoing, friendly, warm, and kind. Not in the least
conservative. Warrenborn, but generally keeps quiet about it, knowing
how local nobles would react.
Lord Allin
Vaddon
Age: 28
Hair: brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6'3"
Personality: Quiet, shy. Mildly conservative, being unable to quite
imagine doing the things that Katla and Derric get up to. New heir to
the Vaddon estates.
Derric
Vaddon (Derry) NPC
Position: Former Wingleader, 2nd son of Lord Jerlyn Vaddon
Age: 26
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 155 lbs.
Build: Broad shouldered, but lean
Hair: Mahogany
Eyes: brown/black, gold flecks
Unusual Characteristics:
Attitude Derry generally behaves as though he isn't taking anything
seriously, but in reality, he is quite serious minded. Behind the
charm and gentle humor is a mind that that takes note of just about
everything for use later.
Personality:
Derry has a happy-go-lucky facade that few people recognize as a mask
other than his sister, Chance (Katla.) Though he enjoys playing
games, and dancing lightly through life, Derric has a serious side
that few people see. He takes his responsibilities to his father and
his family very seriously, and has taken it upon himself to smooth
the way for Chance, whose spirit frequently brings her into conflict
with the power structures and social mores of the LandBound
aristocracy. Derric is very smart, dependable and honest to a fault.
He does flirt lightheartedly with many women, but never leads the
ladies to believe he feels something that he does not. His charm is
warm and lighthearted.
History:
Derric Vaddon is the second son of Lord Jerlyn Vaddon. He is the
self-appointed protector and co-conspirator of his sister, Chance. He
rides as well as his sister, though he doesn't share her utter
facination with horses. Unlike Chance, he is not inclined to rush
headlong into danger, unless he is doing it for someone he loves.
Dragon: Levka
Color: Verdigris (the grey-green of weathered copper or bronze)
Personality: Levka is a relaxed, playful dragon, who literally purrs
when content. Levka is facinated by house cats, and the interest is
mutual. On the whole, Levka adores kittens, and can reliably be found
surrounded by cats and kittens.
Katla aka Chance.
Position: Lord Jerlyn's daughter
Age: 24
Appearance:
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 125"
Build: Lithe, willowy
Hair: Mahogany
Eyes: brown/black, gold flecks
Unusual Characteristics:
Disability: Lamed by illness as a child, Katla has a difficult
time getting around. She usually walks with crutches,
though she can walk unaided... with great difficulty
and great pain.
Katla loves horses and is fearless when atop one. Her father, Lord Jerlyn, breeds horses for racing, and his greatest gift to Katla was freedom of movement. Though she can't move around well on foot, she is anyone's equal on horseback. Katla is probably one of the few who would claim that horses are more beautiful than Dragons, much to her dragon's dismay and private amusement.
Personality:
Katla is bright and cheerful, never willing to stand on ceremony, and
generally unwilling to bow to anyone's sense of proprieties. She
delights in shocking people -- whether by racing on moonless nights,
or by insisting on taking her part in a dance not designed for women
on crutches -- particularly her father, who has become well used to
her antics. Katla is quite capable of acting like a lady, but
generally chooses not to. She is endlessly kind to the unfortunate
and has little compassion for those who are unwilling to help
themselves.
Dragon: Satinka
Color: Brown/gold striped (Tigereye)
Personality: Satinka lives for one thing -- flying and aerial
dance. When it comes to stunts and trick flying,
she's got no more sense than her rider. She hates
being told what is possible and impossible and is just
as likely to push the envelope as Katla. When it
comes to combat, Satinka has a bit more sense, but not
much.