Very rough ideas for Deryn and Cali

• He helps her overcome the grief and trauma she has faced, let's her feel free again whilst giving her a home

Basics

Name: Deryn Vael
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Race: Human (Mountain Tribesman)
Demeanour: Quiet, observant, patient, and grounded. Deryn rarely speaks unless he has something meaningful to say. He gives others space rather than forcing conversation and carries himself with a calm confidence that comes from surviving the wilderness.
Theme (song link): Mountain Sound – Of Monsters and Men (or Way Down We Go – Kaleo for a more melancholic feel)
Nickname: Sky-Walker (among his people), Hawk-Brother (given by travelers)
Magic: Nature-based Ranger Magic; minor spirit-guided abilities, beast communication, enhanced tracking, and falcon companionship.
Origin: The Sky-Clans of the Northern Peaks
Role: Ranger / Wanderer / Guide
Alignment: Neutral Good

About

Four words to describe character:

Steadfast. Patient. Humble. Haunted.

Description

Deryn spends most of his days moving between settlements, mountain passes, and untamed wilderness. He acts as a guide for merchants crossing dangerous roads, a tracker for villages plagued by beasts, and occasionally a hunter when food grows scarce. Though he rarely stays in one place for long, his name has become known among remote communities that appreciate quiet competence over grand heroics.

Those who meet him often mistake his silence for coldness. In truth, Deryn simply prefers listening. He notices details others overlook—the nervous twitch of a hand, storm clouds gathering over distant ridges, or the way a person avoids speaking about a painful memory. Years spent surviving in harsh wilderness taught him that observation is often more valuable than words.

His closest companion is a falcon named Kael, a powerful bird with grey-and-white feathers and sharp amber eyes. The two share an almost supernatural bond. Travelers often joke that Kael is the friendlier of the pair, though Deryn secretly enjoys the bird receiving attention he would rather avoid himself.

Likes (3)

• Watching sunrise from mountain peaks.
• Wood carving during quiet evenings.
• Listening to stories from travelers and elders.

Dislikes (3)

• Wastefulness and greed.
• Crowded cities.
• People who seek power at the expense of others.

Design

Deryn stands around 6'2" with a lean but powerful build earned from years of climbing cliffs and surviving harsh winters. His skin is weathered by wind and cold, while his dark brown hair falls just past his shoulders, often braided with leather cords and feathers gifted by his clan.

His clothing resembles that of northern tribal peoples—heavy furs, embroidered tunics, leather wrappings, and layered garments designed for mountain weather. Decorative patterns stitched into his clothes tell stories of his clan's history and lineage. Around his neck hangs a carved stone pendant representing the spirit-heart of his homeland.

His eyes are a striking grey-blue, reminiscent of storm clouds over snow-covered peaks. Kael the falcon is almost always nearby, perched on his arm, shoulder, or circling high overhead.

Story

The Sky-Clans lived among the northern mountains where every peak was believed to possess a spirit-heart, a sacred essence connecting the people to the land. Deryn was born into a respected family of hunters and trackers and showed exceptional talent from a young age. Unlike many warriors who sought glory, he was happiest wandering alone through forests and mountain passes, learning the language of weather, wildlife, and stone.

When he reached adulthood, he undertook the Trial of the Sky, a sacred rite requiring young hunters to survive alone in the mountains. During a fierce blizzard, Deryn discovered an injured falcon trapped beneath fallen ice. Rather than continue seeking shelter for himself, he spent precious hours rescuing the bird. Together they survived the storm. Upon returning home, the falcon refused to leave his side. The elders declared the bird a blessing from the mountain spirits and named it Kael.

Years later, tragedy struck.

A brutal winter left the clan struggling to find food. Confident in his skills, Deryn led a hunting party beyond territory traditionally avoided by his people. An elder warned him against it, citing signs from the mountain spirits, but Deryn believed desperation required risk. While crossing a frozen ridge, an avalanche thundered down the mountainside.

Several hunters died.

Though no one blamed him entirely, Deryn blamed himself.

Unable to bear the weight of their deaths, he left the Sky-Clans. He wandered the world believing he had lost the right to lead others. Since then, he has devoted his life to protecting strangers and guiding those in need, hoping that each life saved might somehow balance those he lost.

Deep down, however, he still fears making the wrong choice and hurting those he cares about.

Favourites

• Food – Smoked venison with wild herbs.
• Drink – Juniper berry tea.
• Season – Early winter, before the heavy snows.
• Time – Dawn.
• Weather – Light snowfall beneath clear skies.
• Book – A weathered collection of Sky-Clan oral histories written down by an elder.
• Trinket – A carved wooden feather made by his late father.

Trivia

• Sleeps lightly and wakes at the smallest unusual sound.
• Can identify dozens of birds by their calls alone.
• Prefers sleeping outdoors even when offered a comfortable bed.
• Has a habit of absent-mindedly whittling small wooden animals.
• Talks to Kael as though the bird fully understands every word.
• Is surprisingly good with children despite claiming otherwise.
• Cannot comfortably navigate large cities and often gets lost.
• Keeps every feather Kael sheds.
• Knows numerous mountain folk songs but only sings when alone.
• Has never considered himself a hero.
• Often leaves small offerings to nature spirits before hunting.
• Has a scar across his shoulder from the avalanche that changed his life.
• Finds silence comforting rather than awkward.
• Secretly enjoys listening to Calithea speak about her culture and traditions.

Relationships

Name:

Kael

Relationship: Falcon Companion

Description:
Kael has been Deryn's constant companion since the Trial of the Sky. More than a pet, Kael is his closest friend and confidant. The bird often senses Deryn's emotions before anyone else and frequently acts as a bridge between Deryn and other people.

Name:

Calithea

Relationship: Love Interest

Description:
When Deryn first met Calithea, he saw a woman who carried grief like armor. He recognized the same loneliness and self-imposed isolation that had haunted him since leaving his homeland. Unlike others, he never pressured her to speak of her past. Over time, mutual understanding grew into trust.

Calithea reminds Deryn that one mistake does not define a person's entire life. Deryn reminds Calithea that trust is a choice worth making despite the risk of betrayal. Together, they slowly help one another heal wounds neither believed would ever fade.

Though neither is particularly expressive, those who know them well can see the depth of affection between them in the quiet ways they care for each other—shared watches at night, comfortable silences, and the certainty that neither faces the darkness alone anymore.