Taran grew up in a small village named Brookhollow, which nestled against the north-west edge of the Groley Woods. His father was a trapper, and father and son ventured daily into the woods to check their snares. Taran knew at a young age that he'd be an Uen Roug, even as he led his friends (many older than him) through mock battles and tactical planning sessions. At age 10 Taran's hopes were dashed. As he reached to place a trap under an ancient fallen trunk, the trunk shifted at his touch and his hand became trapped. He was later found by his father when he didn't return, Taran was unconcious from the pain and blood loss. Using his staff as a lever, Taran was freed but eventually ended up losing his left hand.

Taran struggled but the determination that had been hinted at as he grew up forced itself to the forefront. Taran was determined to do anything and everything better than any other boy, his age or older could do it. He adjusted to the loss of his hand by dedicating tireless hours of practice until each task was mastered. Taran's parents were saddened, their son had lost the joy with which he did things, now everything was a personal challenge.

Slowly Taran's friends began to withdraw from him, where before he had been the take charge type naturally, he was still doing things because he enjoyed it, now it was to show he was superior, missing hand or not. Only his best friend Jaedel stood unwavering, as each day Taran had another contest, which he nearly always won. Each time, he'd congratulate Taran and tell him how much fun he was having, and maybe Taran could show him how to do better next time? Slowly, Taran's attention turned from beating Jaedel to teaching him. Taran began enjoying their matches, for the more even they were, the more of a statement it was to how he had helped his friend.

One day after a lengthy wrestling match, Taran admitted to Jaedel that he could come to terms with his missing hand if it didn't mean that he'd never be an Uen-Roug. Jaedel just looked at him quietly for a moment. "Taran, I never knew of you giving up on anything before, especially before you've even begun the battle." "Oh right, the crippled Uen-Roug, that's funny," Taran sighed. "You'll never know, and never rest unless you try Taran, I know you." All that day and night Taran thought on his friend's words, and realized it was true. He was on the path towards finding peace, but if his handicap kept him from even trying for his dream, he couldn't even complete that thought, best the tree trunk had just crushed him then.

He told his parents that he was leaving the next morning, and they seemed to have already expected this coming. Taran is now 17. He's wiry and strong without being heavily muscled, though he appears to have the size to be quite well developed when older. His hair is chestnut brown and shoulder length, he normally wears a thin leather band to keep his hair out of his eyes. His eyes are normally an attractive blue-grey in color, and make him appear thoughtful. They seem to change color with his mood though. When he's angry they appear a piercing blue. Taran arrives in forester's garb, which he favors, simple earth colors and fabrics, nothing too fragile and yet nothing too coarse. Around his right wrist Taran wears a leather friendship bracelet that Jaedel gave him before he left. It has an infinity symbol etched into it, to show their undying friendship. Taran isn't aware of it, but is in need of acceptance. If he feels belittled, lacking or unaccepted he's prone to withdrawing emotionally. This may result in either throwing himself even more fully into his endeavors or pulling away from them to prevent more frustrating or hurtful situations. Taran has agility, strength, intelligence, but lacks the balance to properly channel them right now, and is lacking in social situations.

(Ice's Portrait by Debbie Sutherlin)
 

Ice

A gruff, unpersonable stallion who prefers to be left alone, Ice is considered by most at thAcademy to have a heart of ice - morally sound, but sometimes so snappish and ill-tempered that he scares some of the younger students. Ice's only solace is music, and the only crowd with any fondness for him might be those students and teachers in the music department where he often comes to hear the students sing and play their instruments. Ice is not a cruel stallion, rather he is probably just bitter over the loss of his dam to grass fever as a foal, as well as the loss of several human friends who left the Academy when they Bonded. He is simply afraid that if he lets himself get too close to anyone, then they will only abandon him and therefore feels he must put up an ill-tempered front. The idea of Bonding terrifies him. Ice's talent is that of "freezing" things in place - that is, stopping their movement from anywhere between five and forty-five minutes. His radius is fifty feet. An aggressive and savage fighter.

STATS: 16h, male, spruce green/white, born @ Academy in 106 ADT, 3 FW.

Rainbow's End is the creation of Amber McNett
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