Persona Profile: M'rhas

Writer: Iluva

Name: M'rhas
Pronunciation: Mer-raz
Age: 16
Birthday: m9 d14
Rank: Wingrider, Alpine Wing
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Craft: Smith
Craft Rank: Junior Apprentice

Physical Description of Persona:
Tall for his age, tall for someone a turn or two older than him for that matter, M'rhas is still fairly lean and trying to grow into legs that are too long and hands and feet that are way too big for him. Standing beside his father his parentage is glaringly obvious - the same smooth planes of the face, the broad set shoulders, even the confident bearing rings frighteningly familiar. His mother only hints at his appearance - his eyes are more grey-green than blue, his curly dark brown hair shines slightly red especially in the morning and evening light, and his face freckles under the briefest glimpse of sun.

Emotional Description of Persona:
M'rhas was never a good kid.

No mother would ever think much less say such a thing, and certainly not his. He’s just trying to find his place in the world.

His father, however, would and frequently still does proclaim that Rhas was never a good kid - and while there is plenty of affection in that statement it might not be entirely false either. Perhaps it’s because he’s a lot like his dad when he was his age - hard-headed, longing for independence, and looking for reasons to feel good about himself. Maybe even just feel good, if that’s all that is available. He's not picky.

Passionate, blunt, a bit moody, though for the most part a good friend. Some of the kinder vernacular thrown his way has been spirited, ambitious. Like many teenagers he hasn’t quite learned how to control his emotions, and more often they control him. Part of the problem is that he doesn’t always see a reason to, or it’s just not worth it compared to whatever giving in to a feeling would bring. Unsurprisingly M'rhas is the undisputed poster child for someone who could benefit from more thought before action.

This kid has always loved roughhousing and more recently he’s developed a penchant for thrill seeking and picking fights. The fact that he usually wins most physical altercations surely has nothing to do with it. That kind of reputation paints him as rebellious, a force to be reckoned with - at least that’s what he’d like others to believe. Truthfully Rhas is not as confident in himself as he appears. In fact he suffers boredom easily and angsts about the future more than he’d ever admit to anyone. He’s nervous about the world at the same time he is shouting how much he wants to get out there and conquer it.

In essence, Rhas has got big feelings, big opinions, and a big heart. All that wrapped up in the force of his big temper, and the kid’s got more than he knows what to do with.

History of Persona:
His parents were in Weyrlinghood together and that was the extent of any contact they wished to share.

When Ghraisath had to the gaul to fly Osrynth a few Turns after graduation and Malaka ended up _pregnant_ of all things, the birth of their massive child nearly put her in her grave. Even on the day he was born his parents couldn’t agree and his mother spared no punches when, without even consulting T’mhas, she went on to name him Merhaskel. Rhas can count on one hand how many times his father has used that name in his life.

With a well-insulated circle of loving adults and older siblings around him, this kid grew up happy and content. Apart from the absolute calamity erupting between his biological parents, their presence has always been felt deeply, has always been deliberate and with the best of intentions. Both Hold- and Craftbred Candidates, Malaka and T’mhas’ love for him was apparent in any chance they had with him. Whether that was fighting over whose turn it was to spend the rest day with him, or who had dressed him inappropriately, or had taught him naughty words, or encouraged reckless behaviour that would later be almost impossible to break, Merhaskel never doubted for an instant that his parents adored him. They just couldn’t ever stand being in the same room as each other, let alone share a child.

That adoration - and tension - may have transmuted into other areas as he grew. Despite more time spent in the creche than anywhere else, he got away with more trouble and was given more leeway and special attention than he rightly knew what to do with. Always headstrong with a volatile temper, always needing to do things his way and only when he was ready (lest there be yet another tantrum), Merhaskel's sense of invincibility and entitlement wasn't done any favours by the lopsided parenting. He quickly developed a penchant for fighting and rebellion, danger and low-level subversion. Thankfully there hasn't been much beyond the typical Weyrbrat misbehaviour and misdemeanours (yet). Whether or not he ends up the victor in a given scenario, it's all been leading to a particular brand of self-assurance that isn't necessarily in others’ best interests, or even his own.

And of course there was never, ever a doubt about Merhaskel being a Candidate. He stood from the moment he was able. The problem that keeps surfacing is that he has to _wait_ and he’s never been skilled at that, even on a good-ish day. He always had a nose for trouble and even now the Weyrlingmasters are likely unaware of what and how much he’s getting away with in the barracks. The most important thing in his life, other than trying to have as much fun in whatever form that takes from day to day, is to keep his record (mostly) clean a little longer. He's hoping it’ll have the biggest pay off of his life in the next Hatching or two.

And, if that does happen, look out.

He’s never once thought that he won’t Impress. Ever. And, if that doesn’t happen, then really look out.

Merhaskel wasn't the least bit worried when Chioneth and Aluneth's clutch graced the Hatching Sands in early Turn 12. He walked onto the Sands with his head high, chest puffed, only to walk off the Sands with a blue dragon his exact opposite, little head low, tail-tucked, and their entire future together opening up all at once. M'rhas is chuffed, charmed and churning with so much emotion from his Impression of Alzaryth that the Weyrlingmasters have certainly got their hands full in an already wildly chaotic class.

Family and Friends
T'mhas, 41, Wingthird, Summit Wing, Dragonsfall Weyr (father)
M'thos, 42, Weyrlingmaster Second, Dragonsfall Weyr (father)
Varethos, 20, Junior Journeyman Harper, Dragonsfall Weyr (brother)
H'lem, 15, Senior Weyrling, Dragonsfall Weyr (brother)
Malaka, 40, Wingrider (mother)
Tamerel, 6, Weyrbrat (brother)

Dragon's Name: Alzaryth
Dragon's Age: 1
Dragon's Hatching Date: m3 d22
Dragon's Colour: Blue
Description of Dragon:
A lustrous royal blue that seems to flutter out into darkness at every edge and corner, everything about Alzaryth is simply beautiful. There’s no other word for it. Despite his palpable hesitancy since his hatching, there is nothing questionable about his natural grace, his incredible soundness of build. He was made to flow, and his sure-footedness shows that when he lets loose, as it will someday in the air. He’s clearly a more streamlined, agile dragonet built on a large, aerodynamic frame of perfect proportions. Extra long hours will need to be spent if he's to ever have a chance of be called massive or bulky next to his peers. Uh, not that he really wants to be. In fact it is immediately clear from Alzaryth’s posture, his gait, every syllable of his body language that he lacks confidence and precision. The bones of it are all there, should he grow into them, but constantly trying to shrink himself or shy away isn’t doing him many favours.

Where his rider is loud and brash and confident (or at least can put up a good enough front when required), Alzaryth is quite obviously not. He is devoid of bravado, incapable of faking competency, and the absolute last one who wants to speak up or hear his name called.

M'rhas and Alzaryth are total opposites, and that is going to put the two at odds no matter how much this blue will hate it. Where his rider was immediately branded a terror at the moment of birth, Alzaryth is a sweet, guileless, sensitive dragon that is figuratively still very much in his shell, never rocking the boat, never demanding attention, really just wanting to get along. So if M’rhas is a loud, calamitous burst into a room, Alzaryth is a timid, apologetic siddle in directly behind someone else, quietly, respectfully, and hopefully unnoticed.

The boisterous personalities and boasting ambitions of other louder dragons are practically a foreign tongue to him - he’s a thinker, he needs evidence, he needs time to understand before he can form statement, assumption, or choice.

Though most of his fears are rooted in sound logic, and he actually knows more than he lets on, he is an unbelievably easy target for domineering behaviour and bullying. Though some would say he’s a nervous soul, a bit twitchy or unsteady, Alzaryth is like a delicate blue flower just trying to bloom - and he _will_ get crushed under too many feet. He relies on his rider more than most dragonets, and he does best in smaller settings where he can hopefully learn to relax. When he does, he'll reveal himself to be a kind, empathetic soul highly cognizant of others and their feelings, wanting to help in whatever way he can - and, maybe one day, even stand up for them.

Approved: May 21st 2024
Last updated: July 20th 2025

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Persona Profile: M'rhas