Ries Coluaninvar, Dedicated of the Black Tower

Character's Full Name: Ries Coluaninvar
Status Desired: Dedicated
Home Country: Shienar
Age: 25
Appearance: Ries is slightly above average height and though not exceptionally big, he is well-muscled and fit. He has dark hair and grey eyes and his height makes him look far more slender than he is. He usually prefers dark clothing, nothing flashy, and when he travels he wears a grey cloak. His normal outfit is a combination of dark leathers and black silk. Ries doesn't pay much attention to his appearance and though he keeps himself clean and presentable it is not uncommon to see him a little frayed around the edges at times.


Character Details
Personality: Ries had a strange life growing up and though it has left its mark on him, it hasn't turned him into a bitter or harsh person. Yes, he is far more survival oriented in that he always tries to make sure he has a quick exit out of any situation (personal or professional) and he primarily looks out for himself and himself only.
Since joining the Black Tower as a student, he has mellowed quite a bit, but he still struggles with teamwork and trust. He doesn't come across as a nice or gentle person and he is often stubborn to a fault. Despite this, he seems to have a core morality - a sense of what he feels is right and what is wrong - and he sticks to it more often than not. Ries views this side of himself with more than a little irritation, but he also realises that if he loses such a grounding trait he will become a person he wouldn't like very much.
He gets along well with others socially, but doesn't often let people into what he would consider to be a very limited circle of friends. When he does, he is as loyal a friend as anyone could hope for.
Likes:
Good food - Ries has a particular weakness for good food. He will often go out of his way to get a well-cooked meal.
Blades - Ries is rather obsessed with swords and it is the one part of his training that he particularly enjoys.
Horses - Ever since he was a child, Ries has enjoyed riding horses.
Travelling - Seeing new things and places has always been a highlight.
Games of chance and skill - Ries has a liking for games of chance and skill. He can often be seen roping in a few of his fellows for some invented game or another.
Dislikes:
Staying in one place too long - Ries is plagued by a desire to wander and staying in one place to long often puts him in a foul mood.
Liars - Ries dislikes people who lie intensely
Cheats - Being a lover of games, Ries cannot abide a cheat and will often be moved to violence by them.
Strong drink - unfortunately, drinking has a bad effect on him. Though most who know him knows he doesn't drink, few know exactly why.
The Great Blight - having grown up in a Borderland, Ries has no liking for the Great Blight and just the mention of it stirs his emotions at times.

Character History
Family:
Viel and Rierina Coluaninvar (Father and Mother)
Cvianin (sister)
Personal History:
Ries was born in Shienar in the city of Fal Moran to a minor noble family. As was customary, Ries was groomed at an early age for service in his nation's military. The Coluaninvar family had a proud heritage of service to their nation and have fought to hold back the Blight for generations. Ries, as the only remaining son, was expected to carry on that tradition. He was indoctrinated and taught to seek any advantage and look out for himself (and his family) first.

Strange things happened around him, however. Though it was ignored and even glossed over at first, it didn't take long for his mentors to realise that he possessed the ability to channel. At his own request, and over his parent's protests, he asked to be sent to the Black Tower for training. After much debate and argument, and the support of his sister, he eventually gained his parent's blessing.

He became a Soldier for the Black Tower and the course of his life was irrevocably altered. At first, he found it hard to adapt to the regimented and sometimes harsh training of the Black Tower, but Ries was nothing if not adaptable. He was a Borderlander and struggle, danger and harshness was something he was born to.

Even as a Soldier, he was required to serve the Black Tower in the field. This suited him just fine as he preferred to travel rather than remain in one place. Though he started with menial tasks, like delivery of messages, in between his training, he was soon assigned to accompany senior Asha'man on more important missions. As his confidence grew, so did his skill and ability.

Ries grew into his role with the Black Tower and, as his view of the world changed, he started to excel in his training. He was soon deemed ready to graduate and be tested for the rank of Dedicated. His experience, training and talent paid off and he was successful. Now, as a newly promoted Dedicated, he is ready to serve the cause of the Black Tower.

Personal Goals and Philosophies: Ries had always been taught to look out for himself, his family, his nation and then everything else, in that order. Since joining the Black Tower, he has come to realise that such a narrow view of the world is dangerous and unwise. He has several internal struggles with both his own morality, desire to survive as well as his desire to advance.