Francois

image made with Portrait Workshop

STATS
Name: Francois
Age: Acts and looks older than he is.
Gender: Male
Race: Halfling
Class: Mage (Fire)

Description: A slight, diminiutive man with long dark grey hair and soft brown eyes. He has tanned skin, floppy ears and a bulbous nose. He usually wears clothes with some meaning: his uniform, traditional halfling garb etc. His face and ears are very expressive and usually make his emotions clear for all to see.
Personality: Francois is cautious, easily frightened and a general worrywart. He never acted rash, not even as a child and always makes the mature (and safe) choice. Because of his expressive face, it's impossible for Francois to lie, that is unless he convinces himself that what he's saying is the truth.
Skills:
     *Fire magic
     *Animal affinity
     *Common Sense

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STORY
Francois could not help but despair. He was lost, alone and far from anything that looked like it might lead to civilisation. There was no road, not even a river to follow. There were just trees and grass and bushes. The foliage was so thick he could not look at the sky to try and navigate by either the sun or the stars.
The cautious halfling had always had an affinity for animals but none ventured close enough to try and befriend them. And even then, there was little possibility he could get one to take him out of the jungle. He'd been a fool to even agree to travel here but he hadn't been able to say no to his mother. She'd hoped he would find a wife on this trip. She'd even consulted some quack seeer who'd told her his destiny lay here. The hope in her eyes had been so bright he hadn't been able to refuse.
Of course Francois was not equipped to handle the jungle. He hardly had any muscle, his endurance was limited to easy travel on paved roads and his fire magic could barely light a candle. Knowing enough to realise it was dangerous, but not enough to see any other option, Francois started to walk in -what he hoped was- a straight line. Maybe he'd find a place to take shelter until the rescue party came look for him.

Francois suddenly got pulled upside down. It took him a few moments but then he realised he'd stepped on a trap. Dare he hope that this meant someone was nearby? Although with his luck, the trap might have been forgotten or it had been set by some wild monkey with greater than average intelligence but with a taste for halflings. Shuddering Francois decided not to shout out for help.
There was hardly any forewarning, no rustling of leaves, no triumphant shouts. But all of a sudden, an Elf stood before him. While stammering an apology the elf, Xelt, cut Francois down:
"There shouldn't have been people near here, at least not those with good intentions." the look Xelt gave Francois was one of suspicion. "The travel agency assured me the group trip that sometimes camps out would not be anywhere near here."
"I got lost." Francois confessed.
Xelt had to agree that the Halfling did not look like he was savvy enough to eke out an existence by living a life of crime. But looks could be deceiving.
"Well, it was my fault you got tangled up. I'll guide you to the nearest settlement as an apology."
The two men made introductions and went on their way.

"How far did I stray from the route?" Francois asked.
"You must have wandered in the wrong direction as the travel group stays near the edge of the jungle. How long did you say you'd been walking?" Xelt asked.
"It's hard to tell honestly. I think half a day."
"Which shouldn't have brought you all the way out here." Xelt mused, "Stranger things have happened though."
Francois glanced around, wondering what strange things could cause a person to travel leagues in an instant. Was this jungle haunted? Were there other forces at play? Maybe that seeer hadn't been a quack...
"What prompted you to take a trip to the jungle when you obviously don't really like the outdoors?"
Xelt noticed his travel companion drooping again and wanted to change the topic, only, the Elf just happened to ask the one question that caused Francois to deflate even more.
"My mother had consulted a seeer who told her my destiny lay here." Francois answered truthfully.
"As in your death?" Xelt asked, blunt as ever.
"As in my fated partner."
"Destiny is a broad concept though. Maybe you'll fall in love with this place and decide to stay?"
Francois laughed when the seeer's words were so cleanly analysed.
"I guess that could also be it. Although I doubt I'd ever come to like the jungle."
"I'd stake money on that." Xelt grinned, "But the communities around here are close-knit and some have spectacular boons. Like the one we're heading for right now. It's suppoed to have dragon companions."
Francois froze on the spot.
"And you say it's safe?"
"They're the kind of dragons that bond with others. They supposedly form a life-long bond.... Hey do you suppose?"
"I can't imagine myself bonding with a dragon. Look at me!" Francois complained, "I'm short and feeble!"
"That's not what all dragons look for. I can tell you're dutiful and honest. Those are good qualities in a partner."
"What about you?" Francois asked, "Why haven't you gone and bonded a dragon?"
"I never thought about it? I've been getting along well on my own. I love to take trips like this, get in a little thrill every now and then before I have to get back to work."
"So, wouldn't bonding with a dragon be thrilling?"
"Maybe."
The two dropped the topic but it lingered in the back of their minds while they continued walking. Both figured that as long as they were there, they could maybe see if the locals would allow them a chance. 

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HATCHING
Francois nervously fidgeted with the ceremonial robes he'd acquired. It was a thing of the past but he'd always felt that wearing a uniform brought him peace of mind. Belonging maybe. Even if he looked quite of place compared to all the other candidates walking around in casual clothing.
Still, Francois' serious nature and ceremonial garb caught the attentionof one hatchling in particular. The fluffy grey wyvern stretched his colourful wings and let out a dainty squawk. He observed the candidates for a while, weighing their behaviours and judging their worth. Notoro Filidesong finally decided that his intial feeling had been right.
"I'll be joining you." he introduced himself to Francois.
The Halfling nearly double over, but to his credit he recited the ancient words of acceptance.
Notoro nodded. He'd picked the right bond.

Notoro hatched at the Fur & Feather Frenzy Chaos Redux

STATS
Name: Notoro Filidesong
Gender: Male
Colour: Metal-Fire
Breed: 25% Asandus (Piralan), 25% Ryslen Flurry Featherwing, 25% Fedra, 25% Shadow (True Chaotic)
Parents: Getosa Filidethersalyin x Fonotaro Filidesong
Personality: Cautious and Slow to act, but when a decision is made he'll pursue the actions necessary for it to be fulfilled with a Relentless Determination. Notoro is also quite Judgemental.
Abilities:
     *Telepathy
     *Teleportation
     *Telekinesis
     *Pyrokinesis: The ability to create, control, and dispel fire with the mind.
     *Jet of Lava: The ability to spit a spray of molten rock at short range.

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ADULT
"Yes mother. Of course I'll come visit as soon as our training is complete." Francois promised and then closed the communication.
"That won't be long." Notoro notified.
"I know. Do you mind?"
"Of course not. She probably wants to see firsthand whether or not I'm right for you."
"I didn't know you'd feel that way."
"Did you not feel my mother's gaze upon you as we bonded? I know she was satisifed with my choice."
"Would she have intervened?"
"Maybe." Notoro shrugged, "I've not heard of it happening."
"So a trip in the near future." Francois said.
"Maybe we can make it a journey, to find a place where we can both feel at home."
"So you noticed." Francois said hesitantly.
"It's hard not to. I don't mind leaving here. There are many places to visit. One will be ours."

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Lantessama Isle
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