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Gender: Male, straight

Age: 21ish, hard to say, was around 19ish at bonding

Origin: Tris'Hath originally, moved to Dragondeep

Species: Aarakocra, hinted on Dragondeep as a Kin-Griffin hybrid; Snowy Owl type bird features

Racial Oddities: if he's a griffin he sure is weird...

Family: unknown, currently involved with Lari

Height: 5'3"

Weight: 90, though he looks bigger than he really is, thanks to plentiful feathers on his torso

Hair: white feathers with silvery tips

Eyes: brilliantly orange

Appearance: as shown, a bipedal humanoid with added wings capable of flight, wears little clothing but enough to prove he's civilized, has a sharp voice that can become extremely loud

Level: 7

Movement: swift in the air, not so fast on the ground

Dragondeep Specs

Skills and Profession:

History: While Zyak began his life as a monk living on a high mountain among other Aarakocra, he discovered himself on another world, one which had dragons who bonded to people, rather than attacked them! While he was taken to a tower filled with dragons and their riders he learned that he himself was going to stand before the eggs. Some parts below written for How to raise your dragon challenge

year one

It was rough because of course... I have wings. I could fly quickly enough to the sands, but instead I have chosen to assemble myself, and even say a little prayer. My memory serves well, I have my beads, my shawl, and little else. Should I bring my staff? I think I should, so I will. Everyone is hurrying, but I am ... slower on my feet than most. Who will be joining me on this journey? I haven't had much time to learn who my fellow candidates are. My eyes are large, my hearing keen, I know they talk about me but I'm hardly the most unusual person at this hatching, am I?

We have been given instructions, information that allows us to learn about the dragons. Will there be a test? Beyond... well, just having one dragon ... maybe more, befriend us? After all, they're still hatchlings as well - new to the world. Will one of them find me more useful than someone who cannot fly or keep pace with them in the sky?

I don't have anything much to leave behind in the dormitory, everything I own was with me when I arrived and everything will be on me if and when this dragon comes to me. I know how to watch for navigation clues, and won't get lost on my way to the hatching sands. It might be easier if I would just fly around the area once or twice, but no, I think I will walk with the others. I'm not that good at running, though... others are faster and will make it to the sands before me. That's fine. I am patient.

**

(( You have been preparing for this moment for years. You've had your hatching outfit laid out on the end of your bed ever since you first got to the barracks. You even had the sense to pack a light snack, which you quickly shove into your face as you bolt for the sands.))

*

Though others seem to have an eagerness to jump into the sands, I have never been one to leap at things unprepared. Those eggs are not yet hatched. They need time to break free and shake off their cramped limbs! Having come from an egg I know this! It's not rude of them to go, but I prefer not to.

**

You stare up at the silver queen. You're so close that if you reached out, you might be able to touch her tail. You think this would be a really bad idea as she is big and she does not look happy to be crowded. You don't have long to think on your proximity to those teeth and claws. One of the eggs lets out a resounding crack and the crowd gasps as the first hatchling spills to the sandy ground. Glistening black scales cover the hatchling's body and tiny wings flap ineffectually at the air. It lets out a miniscule growl, and one of the candidates moves forward to scoop it up. You watch as other eggs begin to hatch, releasing dragons of red, gold, green, vibrant purple, darkest blue, and so many other colours. Candidates become riders as they make their bond. Your heart is thundering in your ears, thudding against your throat. Then the egg in front of you starts to crack…

**

The eggs reward the others, one by one, I'm not the last but I was definitely not the first! These magnificent dragons start out quite small and weak, but their colors are still clear as ever. The first was a black, what will the egg that calls to me hatch into I wonder.

Will it match my feathers? White with gold? We would make a spectacular team in the skies brilliantly. Or black? As the night - owls are fond of night time after all, I see just as well in the darkness as in the day. Or perhaps brown, blending in with the nature around us, the rocks and trees. Hm - or green? The treetops where we might glide for hours unnoticed from above?

I'm not sure that a more brightly shaded dragon would want to choose me, but who knows? I am but a monk, and not a great one at that. After all most of my peers would never have petitioned so hard to become a dragon rider. Will my own fellows find this offensive?

Whatever dragon might choose me, should be prepared to have a patient, stalwart friend. I know the skies, though, and I can help them fly! I know my way around the woods as well as towns and churches. I hunt with ease, from the sky - and I can spot prey from there, just like a dragon might. But perhaps when we fly, it will be enemies, and not lunch, that we'll be monitoring for.

I don't know any dragons personally. I don't know how they each respond. A little fear grips me - what if this isn't my time? What if no dragon at all... no no there are eyes looking at me, and I can feel its presence somehow. I am hungry, hungry even though I had that snack earlier.

This egg bulges and breaks, a claw, a wing, is that a tail? Nose? Who can say, it's still covered in mucus and sand, and if it were one of my kind, it would be bereft of markings or even feathers to judge what shade it is.

How exciting this is, I can tell that others have found their bonds, but mine is taking its time, perhaps that's for the best! Perhaps it knows patience as well? I look briefly up at the queen and her mate, lovely dragons they are, proud, I will make them proud to stand here too.

When all is said and done, I think any dragon will be the right one, after all there are so many choices. A gold, a blue, white, who knows. My training has told me to be patient and kind no matter what, ... until it's time to fight, and that won't be for quite some time!

**

brown!

This brown dragonet is so hungry, but I was in charge of feeding many of our young in the nests! They liked live food but this dragon has prepared food in the form of diced meats from large animals. I suppose it's better for everyone, since there are feasts ready for us too.

**

year 2!

training! riding!

You have been training with your bond for a full year. You know how to cinch a saddle, shoot a bow, and hold on to a flying dragon without losing your lunch. Your bond is not quite full grown yet, but they are big enough to ride, and together you have touched the clouds.

But today is a day of remaining grounded, so to speak. Today is the day of fledgling exams. Can you and your bond soar into the ranks of fully trained riders? Or will you be held back a year? You line up with the rest of your classmates and their eager young bonds. The fledgling master, Hishou, approaches your group, the towering shadow of his bronze dragon stalking after him.

“Alright, class. Today is the big day,” he barks out. “All of you will line up and take your tests one at a time. We'll start with combat skills, then move on to tacking, followed by flight. Remember that these tests are timed. The faster you are, the better your grade. But don't forget! Speed is nothing without quality. One bad strap can be a death sentence in the air. First up!"

You are at the front of the line. When did it form behind you? No help for it now. You step forward and pick up the bow lying on the ground. A quiver of arrows sits by your foot. At the far end of the field, a target awaits. You notch the first arrow and take aim.

--

I glare at the arrows and bow, they are not my forte. I like having my talons on my prey, it seems somewhat presumptive to have a bow in my hands. But I do so anyway, putting an arrow into the ground too short of the target. I know it's a failure in the eyes of the training master, so I take another and breathe in deeply. This time I will hit the target. To me it's less important to hit it dead on, than to hit it at all, but... he does want perfection. I am not a hunter like this, but I can steady my arms well enough, take the right stance, and fire. The arrow flings through the air in an arc and strikes the target surprisingly close to the center! I am quite happy with that result, and I know now, I can do this! I can remember each of those steps. I know I had plenty of practice before this, it's maybe the testing itself that has me shaken.

I hope that my first error will be overlooked. I'm not used to being the first in line, I wasn't the first to bond. I like to take my time and assess things, not rush in. Also I'm... not really sure my place will be among fighters, but if it is, so be it. I can aid them as best I can, as long as I don't hit friends with arrows flung from my bow.

Oh! That's why. This is actually an exercise in making sure you don't hit them, instead of the enemy. It can be dangerous in the air, or on the ground, with dragons and riders all mixed in with the hydra or other dangers. Make sure of your target, that's what he would always say. This target just sits on the ground waiting to be hit though. Up in the air, or running through the woods, how different it will be.

**

well I guess I got a bulls eye... >_> kay.

tack and saddles

“one bad strap” might be a death sentence for some, but for me? it's not really. I almost feel confined to the saddle, but it's required so we will do this. I check each piece, the craftsmanship is good, will I upgrade it as we grow older and the dragon still larger? it's not full sized yet after all. The metal buckles are what give me trouble, because of my talons. I like simple cloth, leather ties, not buckles and loops and whatever else.

But they are required. I remember when we had to make our necklaces, at the monastery, that was harder than this. But a necklace isn't designed to keep a rider firmly on their dragon's back in hard flight!

What would I do if someone had to ride me? I'd want them firm and snug I suppose. The loop that goes around the neck, checked. The saddle itself, I see there is some wear on it, it will need to be replaced first if anything does. Its fittings to the main leather? It's good - nice stitch work, and though well worn and used, those leather stitches aren't coming loose any time soon. The double loops around the body, also checked. Not too snug, the muscles need to be able to move. Each part looks good to me, but I double check under the padding, around each buckle, every eyelet for damage or weakness.

I find nothing that would mean I would be grounded, or in danger.

**

You've got this. You and your bond have been practicing for weeks. You slide the saddle into place, connect the straps from neck to chest, then double back to check your work. The saddle sits comfortably on your dragon's back and everything is snugly in place before the timer dings.

Hishou walks down the line of saddled dragons and eager riders. He does a cursory inspection of each set up, checking to make sure there are no glaring failures. A proper tack up is part of the test, but there is no reason to risk pointless injury if it can be avoided.

Satisfied with his inspection, he takes several steps back and raises his voice to be heard at a distance.

“We won't know who passed the second test until we complete the third. Everyone, mount up. When I call your name, you're to take off, fly the outlined course, then land without issue. The faster you complete the run, the higher your score. Style will also count, as will ingenuity. There's more than one way to complete this race. Ready?”

::We're ready,:: your dragon says in your mind. You can feel their eagerness and excitement. This is as much a test of their abilities as yours.

You quickly put a foot in the stirrup and sling yourself up into the saddle. Your dragon stands up, and you can feel their movements beneath you as they take a few steps forward. You pull down your goggles, loop your hands through the flight straps and lean forward into the ready position.

Hishou calls your name.

Your dragon lunges forward, a sudden bullet of speed and strength. You feel the muscles coiling and stretching beneath you as your bond unfurls their wings and begins to flap. One… two… three long strides, and there's no landing after the last jump. Wind howls around your head, numbing your cheeks within seconds. You're off!

**

We take to the sky eagerly, and the feel of the wind thrills me once more. This was what I was born to do, and my dragon shares my excitement. As one, we move, I have to remember to keep my wings either close to myself, or in time with their own, so as not to bump them or interfere with the wind keeping us aloft.

Around a tree and under a large branch, we soar and then move into a steep climb, because the next item is a narrow but short tunnel under a rock. We have actually practiced here, there's no trouble for us! It's speed that counts for getting to the end, but it's style that gives us the edge.

While my peers in the monk-hood might scoff, I love this flight. It's easy to get back into the rhythm of moving and dodging, and my dragon is all but an extension of my own flight. Their tail is longer than mine, but that's fine, it serves the same purpose as a counterbalance, and we zip up around the tall tree that signifies the halfway point.

There's the feeling of having brushed against the leaves, a branch does fall, but that means that we haven't fallen ourselves. clipping a wing for me might be much more dangerous than for my bond. their wings are so much larger!

I spot the water hazard and we don't even pause, a spray of water behind us as my bond's tail slaps the surface, and we finally end up crossing the finish line above the stands. I almost wish that I could fly separately on this course, maybe later we will race each other! I have no illusions, the dragon would still beat me, I'm sturdy, not speedy! I'm finally done with this part of the course!

**

You got this. Your dragon's got this. No one is as skilled as you two, and together you are an unstoppable force. You flatten yourself to your bond's back as they swoop through a ring and into a loop de loop. You twirl and spin, soar high and swoop low. On the last turn, your dragon pulls a move you've been practicing for weeks; spinning in a tight circle as they spew fire, engulfing both of you in waves of flickering flames. You think your time might not be as good as your fastest run, but everyone cheers your return.

That's it! The final test is done! You know it will take a while to get your score back, but you're confident of your performance. You hug your dragon's neck as the rest of the class begins to celebrate the end of the exams. You are now a fully fledged dragon and rider duo.

***

year 3

A year has passed since your graduation. You've been assigned to a Wing and worked your way up from seventh position to third. You've faced monsters and bandits aplenty and earned the admiration of your peers. You know that with your dragon at your side, you can take on anything. This morning's dangerous task? Acquire breakfast without being late for practice.

If I don't eat that rat it'll never get eaten, I realized that just as the call went up for practice. The whole ‘can you please catch that vermin' thing in the wing barracks is actually working out just fine for me. I like wild caught food! And at least I know that it's reasonably clean and free from diseases, no one would let a diseased animal through this place.

The bell rings again, it's really time to go, but I know if I start eating it'll be gross for others. Eh, I've long since realized they know I'm a bit different than most. With a single swipe I grab the rat, killed late last night, and start hustling to the practice field. I stuff it into my beak and have to pause only a little, just long enough to see where I'm going. It was a big ‘un.

The tail is still dangling out of my beak when I get to the practice field, and my dragon is chuckling at me for this. Hey, I shoot back mentally, it's like that goat you tried to eat last month, dropped half of it on the wing leader. At least I'm not going to do THAT!

**

You grab it off the table and bite down as you run out of your den into the bright morning light. The muffin is hard. You think you chipped a tooth.

**

You arrive at the training grounds; a wide open field that butts up against the mountain range on one side. This side of the mountain is peppered with old scorch marks and scars from dragons who weren't paying close enough attention to their Wingleader. You greet your fellow riders, exchanging a few jokes as you wait for the Wingleader to arrive. It only takes them a few minutes to appear from the sky astride their shining black dragon. The dragon's wings glitter and refract light as it glides to a gentle landing nearby.

The jokes cease and all talk quiets down as the Wingleader greets you and explains today's practice schedule. You're all to focus on coordinating with your fellow riders. That means focus, communication, and absolute synchronicity with your dragon. You listen to the instructions, then mount up with the rest of your Wing.

It doesn't take long for all thirteen dragons to fall into their proper positions. You see one of the Wingseconds ahead of you, signalling from the back of his massive brown dragon. At his gesture, you cut away with the rest of your side of the Wing to begin the training maneuver.

**

We are one. We have never been anything other than at one with each other. But this is still a little challenging. Other dragon minds aren't residing within mine, I only feel the filtered instructions. Our communication is made more easy at least coming from me, I can screech louder than most humans could ever yell in case there's an emergency.

It's no joke now, when we're in the air and I must concentrate. My own sight allows me to see so much of the landscape as well as the other dragons and riders, a field of view like mine aids me very well. I see the wing second instruct, go left and down, below him. I obey, even as the others fall in line where they're required. I know this formation, but I will still wait to see if there are any variations on it that I need to be aware of.

What happens when someone bumps into another? What happens if the leader gets hit and cannot command us? We all know there are contingencies in play. But we've all practiced and drilled, had these lessons in our minds and bodies for three years now. It's good to get out and use the theories, it's better to not have to use them in practice.

In practicing them, we gain strength and confidence. There are some in the wing without that confidence, and as we start firing on targets I can see several who haven't been in the right direction long enough burning those poor trees on the mountain instead.

But we are good, and I keep my eyes on the wing second and leader. There's a last moment swap, I must go up high, while others low. I perform this with ease, my dragon an extension of me. We are one.

**

A distant horn interrupts practice. Your Wingleader calls the Wing together again and you direct your dragon to land with the rest of the formation. On the ground, a message runner waits for your Wingleader. They talk in hushed voices for a short time before your Wingleader turns back to address you and the other riders.

“There's been an attack,” he calls out, his tone firm but excited. “Hydras are rampaging through Grenich. We need to get in the air now.”

Hydras! A thrill runs between you and your bond. You haven't faced hydras yet. All those heads spitting fire and acid, and the size of them is enough to give even the most courageous person pause.

You also know the town of Grenich . It's a small farming community a few days travel from the Warren . They host a yearly festival to celebrate the dragon riders. You can't let those good people suffer.

You mount up. No time to prepare the heavier gear. Your Wing takes off and soon you're soaring in the direction of Grenich.

**

The last minute change was worthwhile, and practice means... perfection. We must hurry, but I remind myself that our pace on the way will mean exhaustion when we get there. I don't lag back, but I do urge my dragon to tell the wing leaders that it won't do to be tired on the wing, when facing hydra.

Not that I would know, we've never met them in battle just yet... Only minor annoyances and threats, but now it's real. Now it is absolutely time to put everything we know on the line. My human and non-human companions are able to ride in a coherent group, and when we reach our destination it will hardly be every rider for themselves. Hydra know no such concerted effort, do they? We can concentrate our fire on one, then another, assess the threats. I can see from a greater distance and offer my support on choosing which to attack and which to leave aside until the bigger ones have fallen.

Will we defeat all of them in time to save lives? I hope so, I do see people running, fires having been set by those monsters. They are bigger than I expected...

**

You've arrived in the skies over Grenich. Thick, black smoke chokes the air. The hydras have already smashed through the outer edges of the town. An orchestra of screams and screeches provide background noise as your dragon rockets toward the nearest hydra. The gleam of red flames shine across its heavy black body as it turns ten heads toward you.

You start to dive, but a familiar bellow sounds overhead. The Wingleader is calling the Wing back into formation. You waver in the smoke hazed sky, looking at how far the devastation spreads below. So many houses on fire. So many lives at risk. Writhing masses of crowned heads swim in and out of sight amidst the chaos. You need to get this situation under control!

**

It is so much worse than I thought it would be. The town isn't even visible for all the pall of smoke and the scents are terrible. Smoke is burning my eyes, but I press on and our wing leader trumpets to leave? Well not leave, but gather our bearings. We must be able to put our efforts into one big dive, that hydra with the crowns, do they control others? They must - we have to take it down. It's leading the others, without it, the rest will be in chaos!

I hope that he allows us to get a little closer. It's dangerous, it's terrifying, but we must. Even facing the acid spew and the fire from those mouths, the screaming and helpless shouts of the people in that town urge us on. Blood pounds in my heart and head, I can feel my dragon gearing up to tear talon into flesh, even as its flames start roiling in his gut.

We must wait for the signal, but it is so hard, there's so much lost already... we must be able to save this place! And make a statement against the hydra, they are not welcome here nor anywhere!

The Wingleader makes a few quick hand gestures. You wave to get his attention, then point toward a new group of hydras approaching from the South. The Wingleader nods and the Wing turns to engage them.

There are so many of them! Glowing red eyes are all around you, mocking you. Acid and fire scorches the ground and the air. Your dragon takes a hit and you can feel the agony rippling across your own limbs as if the hydra's teeth raked you instead. Though your bond tries to stay high, the smoke steals the breath from your lungs. You are forced close to the ground. Close to the hydras.

**

I never thought that I would feel such blood lust, with my monastery training it was all but beyond me. But now, these creatures are clawing into homes and businesses, shops and people alike? The smoke burns, and my dragon's leg throbs, but we will have to press on. The hydra will know that smell, blood even beyond that which has already been spilled. But we have fire and claws on our side.

It's almost all I can do to not join with the dragon's slashing and biting - but these hydra are much bigger prey than the rat I ate earlier. I am not afraid, it's just pain and it can be healed later. We will make it through this battle, and we must do so to preserve the lives of those around us!

Heading to the main hydra, all hope will be lost if we cannot kill it. Picking off head by head, my bow training now seems to be paying off. But can I help kill this monster with ten heads? If so, I will aim true. For the eye, for the eyes...

A clear, brassy bugle cuts through the din of battle. Then another. And another. The other Wings have arrived. Sleek, reptilian shapes fill the sky, moving like wraiths through the smokey ceiling. Your Wingleader blasts out a response on his horn, and soon, dozens of leathery wings churn the air overhead. Help has arrived!

** The sounds of trumpets makes my heart soar! We are joined by other wings, at last. This can only result in the defeat of the hydra.

While our wing was young and inexperienced, our leaders chose wisely. But now that I'm on the ground, or weaving around the buildings in a wobbly stride, we can reassess the situation. The big hydra is taken care of by those with much more experience. I can now concentrate on the smaller ones, the outliers, those making smaller fires and menacing families on the outskirts. We didn't come down near the center of the town, but not quite at its rim either.

A cart is upturned, a family cowering behind it, as fruit and bread fly with the wind produced by our wings. But better that than burning with the hydra's fire! I draw that fire away from the family, striking one head on a three headed beast and making it watch me instead. I screech, that attracted a little more attention than I intended but that's fine too - a lure? I am good at that, they don't expect me to be able to fly separately.

I don't dare do that, though - not in this mad battle. If needed, maybe. But for now I have drawn the attention of three smaller lesser hydra, and though my own arrows will pierce the one's necks and arms, there are three riders above who have seen what my tactic is, and are now raining their own fire down on the hydra following me!

Huzzah this is living, this is hope! I urge my dragon to weave harder, bringing another into the fray as the first falls to my arrow. We will succeed, this is all that's needed! Trumpets herald it for the ones on the ground as well as in the air.

Name: Zyzak'Mybl

Colour: brown

Size: 11' at the shoulder

Species: Geperna

Sire: Blakoreth

Dam: Myrah'Care

Personality: Browns are powerful, but often serve as ground-based protection in the event of war. While Bronzes and Golds take to the skies, these mighty dragons willingly remain on the ground, using their Brown Fyre breath weapon to it's fullest. They also enjoy living in the mountains, preferring homes that are in caves over anything.

Abilities: Telepathy, verbal speech, teleportation, Brown Fyre - a fan of brown, flaming acid that burns the flesh down to the bone. If anything survives, they are horribly disfigured by the acid, while the rest of them is thoroughly torched.

Mutations: magical polycerate development (spikes)