Auron La Vallette-Ryder

"One day, I will leave Camelot. You may not understand why, nor do I ask you too. The sole purpose of my life is to atone for the sins of my father and my family.  Should I die, remember me as 'Auron Ryder', so that my name may live on with honor."

- Auron to Taylor Olivriar

Auron La Vallette-Ryder is a human noble character on World 42 played by X Ryder. He currently resides in Camelot, where he serves King Sennis Grey faithfully as a Knight of the Round Table.

Auron Ryder's theme

Origins
Music for added Immersion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m2oeWteFw

An Abandoned Child
Auron La Vallette-Ryder was born to an unknown Priestess of Icthlarin and Perseus Sypor in the year 146 of the Fifth Age in Pollivneach. Feeling incapable of raising a child, Perseus (later known as Noctis Ryder) chose to leave the child in the care of the local Priests and Priestesses of Icthlarin after his mother died. Auron, unaware of the existance of his father, began to study and learn the ways of Icthlarin and the old Menaphite Pantheon.

Auron proved to be quite head strong, and much like his father, he was unwilling to be controlled and restricted by the rules placed by the Temple. He would often be caught in the lauders of the Temple with women or would find himself accused of assaulting the guards during one of his many 'borrowing' trips to the local market.

Pollivneach knew this young renegade well as angry fathers of many 'soiled' daughters came to the Temple, demanding he be turned over to them. Unafraid, Auron would challenge these fathers in a duel of swords, where his natural abilities helped him prevail, winning the affections of many more daughters. He lived a life of a rogue knowing no bounds, often breaking the laws that stood in the way of his general 'fun'.

The priests knew that the boy was not meant for the life in the Temple, for his spirit was wild and free. He was brought before a Tribunal of the highest ranking members of the Icthlarin Temple, which chose to cast him away into the Kharidian desert.

The Forgotten Years
Not much is known about Auron's latter adolescence. Noctis Ryder, after discovering his son was still alive, began to obsessively cover his son's tracks from the others of his family, especially Oliver and Joan Ryder. Studying the work of Christopher Soter and the history of the Dragon Riders provided by the Ryder Tower's extensive library, Noctis began his work on breeding the perfect dragon guardian for his son. Naming him ' Xeronyyth ', the baby black dragon began to show remarkable attachment to Noctis. Though too young to be of any use at the time, Noctis began to litter it's cave with articles of Auron's clothing, so that the beast would be accustomed to his scent.

Any that discovered Auron's true identity were promptly found and executed by Noctis' Praetorians. It would remain this way until Noctis Ryder fell into madness and sought to destroy all those that he once held dear, including his son.

Appearances and Attributes

 * Black, well-kept hair
 * crystal-like blue eyes
 * olive tanned skin, with notable scars running all over his back. Another large scar in the form of an 'X' on his right pectoral.  A large scar on his left cheek.  Neatly trimmed stubble on his face with very light hair growth on the rest of his body.
 * tribal tattoo of Kharidian design running from his right shoulder, down to his wrist.
 * silver, Kharidian cultural loops pierced on each ear. (very small loops though,)
 * Extremely cut in terms of muscle, weighs about 175 pounds at 5'10.
 * Carries some of the absorbed power of Oliver Ryder, whom his father slayed.
 * Xeronyyth, his dragon companion.
 * Adamant blade forged in his dragon's fire. It was dubbed the ' Spectre's Blade ' after his knightly title.  The sword can only be wielded by a blood relative of Auron Ryder that is pure of heart and proven worthy as Heir to the Ryder House.
 * He is currently 23 years old.

The Heir of a Legacy
Music for added Immersion:. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RIHXYQtz6Q

After the fall of Oliver Ryder at the hands of Noctis and Joan Ryder, the House fell into chaos, rife with traitorous actions and mass disappearances. Knowing that he could no longer protect his son, Noctis sent for Auron in the form of an telepathic link. At first, Auron had no idea who the voice was, opting to take various elixirs to try to block out what he felt was his mind losing itself. No elixir brewed in the Kharidian could block out the persistence of Noctis' messages.

"Auron..... Auron..."

The voice drove Auron into near insanity as he wrestled to block the messages. Eventually, it drove him to the point where he fell physically ill, and he found that he had little choice but to swallow his pride and find a medium. Searching far and wide, he found a ruined Temple in the deep Kharidian during his travels. Taking shelter from a sandstorm that began to build, Auron entered the darkened entrance with nary but his travel bag and a lit torch.

'"Auron Ryder...." 'The voice would call out in a hushed whisper.

'"Who the hell are you?!" 'Auron would cry out as he drew his scimitar and swung it wildly in the darkness. In that moment, a vision of Noctis stepped forth into the torchlight. Auron's eyes widened as he dropped the torch onto the ground, realizing that the man that stood before him bore a striking resemblance to himself.

'"You know who I am, Auron. I am Noctis Ryder, heir to the Ryder Family... and your father." 'Noctis would respond with a calm tone, a smile curling at his lips.

'"No... I have NO father!" 'Auron would scream as he took his scimitar in both hands and attempted to attack him, each blow passing through as if he was made of thin air. Auron, eventually exhausted, would drop his blade onto the ground as well, falling to his knees and beginning to weep.

'"You will stand to your feet, RYDER!" 'Noctis would command with a roar. "You will NOT dishonor my family's name with your weakness. To be a Ryder, is to know power. And I can see much power flowing within you, son."

Auron looked up to Noctis' violet gaze as he slowly stood to his feet, collecting himself. "You have no right to call me that. You LEFT my mother.  I didn't even know my father's name!  You share my face, but not my respect, nor love."

Noctis would pause a moment before speaking once more, folding his hands neatly in front of himself. "I tried to destroy everything I have ever loved. My family, my lover, and you.  I fell into madness, and now, it is too late to atone for my mistakes.  YOU must honor me.  YOU must redeem House Ryder."

"How can I redeem a Family I do not even know?! What crimes has my bloodline committed?!  Why are you speaking in such riddles?!"

'"You will take a ship to the great Southern Seas. You will not know where to go, but your blood and the wind will carry you to a great Tower.  You will stand before the entrance, without really knowing why.  You will find the answers you seek, and our Family's salvation." 'Noctis slowly began to fade away as he spoke, the light breeze within the temple sweeping his existence into nothingness.

'"No! You can not leave!  Please!  I do not understand!" 'Auron would exclaim as he ran after the fading spectre, which eventually disappeared and left him alone in the dark Temple. He fell to his knees and dropped his head down low. "What is it you have done.... father?"

The Last of the Ryders
Music for added Immersion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co8tenPDP8Y

The Suicide of Noctis Ryder
Word reached all Ryder outposts that Noctis committed suicide by drinking a potent poison in a small hut in Taverly, fleeing from the now crumbling Ryder House. Auron journeyed to the great Tower, as instructed, and found Joan Ryder, who was mourning over her loss. Appalled at the revelation that Noctis had a son he hid from her, she immediately dismissed him away from her sight. Discouraged, Auron began to leave the Tower before Octavius Ryder intervened and offered him a place amongst them as a Praetorian. Feeling that he did not have a choice, he chose to remain and served within the Tower as a guardsman.

Slowly but surely, the numbers of the Ryders dwindled. First, Octavius Ryder disappeared after he renounced his name and title. Then, Joan ventured North to find her sister, never to be found again, leaving the Throne open once again. Joshua Ryder remained the only blooded member of the Family, and assumed the Throne in Joan's absence. Tried as he might, he could not prevent the decay, and one by one, outposts fell abandoned as Praetorians were ordered to return home. He snapped under the pressure, eventually renouncing his claim and fleeing the Tower.

Auron was eventually alone with a few Praetorians on the Tower's island, leaderless and scrapping by to survive. Although he was not blooded, he dubbed himself 'Auron Ryder' and commanded that a ship be repaired so that he and the remaining soldiers could return to the mainland and leave the House to rest.

"The Council has abandoned us on this gods forsaken island. We are low on food, drinkable water, and lack any direction as to where we must go from here.  House Ryder ceases to exist unless I take up my rightful place by blood and right.  The burden of the survival of this House, however, is not yours to carry.  You will return home to your wives, your children.  The Redemption of House Ryder will come to pass, but it will be built upon my sweat and blood, not yours."

Sir Auron, the Spectre. Knight of Camelot.
Music for added Immersion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dluQMPNLC8

The Mercenary
Jacob Calderon, a prior Vekon, had heard whispers that a member of the Ryder Family had survived after years of decay. Better yet, he was Noctis' kin, a well known battlemage amongst all the families of Gielinor. Eager to recruit him to His Royal Majesty's Kingsguard, he sent ravens to all corners of the world, beckoning Auron to meet him in Camelot Castle for an interview and possible initiation. Auron eventually received the message and chose to accept the invitation, for he felt that this was his chance to redeem his fallen House.

'"I was once a Vekon, like you were once a Ryder." 'Jacob told Auron. '"For King Sennis' sake, you must trust me, as I must trust in you." 'Jacob began to charge his magical energies, extending a accurate three-fingered point toward Auron. "If you survive, you will be initiated. If not, you will be forgotten."

Auron nodded and opened himself up for the attack. Vekonic lightning extended from Jacob's fingertips and truck Auron's heart, both stopping and restarting his heart. He was knocked clean onto his back but arose mostly unscathed. Auron was then welcomed as a brother of the Kingsguard.

The Kingsguard
Auron served King Sennis faithfully. Protecting the Olivriars against a mahjarrat's cruel machinations on multiple occasions, aided Ardougne against the traitorous Pravens, and even gathering valuable information about any magical threats made Auron a hero in many people's eyes, even the King. The Kingsguard greatly respected his efficiency in battle and his unwavering loyalty to the people of Camelot and his fellow soldiers. Jacob and Auron became steadfast friends, a Ryder/Vekon relationship that was previously unheard of. The two created a secure Camelot, and the Kingsguard's name became a symbol of Camelot's strength.

Auron eventually met a woman of the Olivriar family, (Taylor Olivriar, the second born of Arthfael Olivriar), on one of his missions to protect the family. The two fell in love at an alarming rate, developing an unbreakable bond with one another that saw Auron become practically a member of the family. Anthony Olivriar quickly became Auron's most trusted friend and ally.

Knight of the Round Table
The deeds of Auron Ryder did not go unnoticed, and King Sennis knighted him  'Sir Auron Ryder the Spectre' . Sir Auron immediately found himself swamped with the duties of both a Kingsguard and a Knight. On the same day of his knighting, Auron and Taylor became engaged. However, the knighting of Auron Ryder was followed closely by dark omens.

Xeronyyth, Auron's black dragon, began to show signs of making it's habitat in Camelot. He tracked the beast down, leading it into a cave where he locked it away for a time when Camelot needed him. Oddly enough, a scroll was found tied to Xeronyyth's saddle, which was written by Noctis Ryder. "If you are reading this, Xeronyyth has found you, which means you are in grave danger. Stay vigilent.  -N"

Auron already began to make strange arcane discoveries throughout Camelot. A woman on the King's Council had peeked his interest when she casted a form of blood magic on a whip he used to punish a rebellious guard. The Arens also began to make a more gradual appearance as news of the activities of the Sorcerer's Tower increased activity was observed. Even stranger, a recent deception to find a man's lost 'son' led him to discover a menace inside North Catherby's caverns and also came into possession of what appeared to be a Galethornian amulet, which represented a powerful Aren sorcerer with a notable 7-sided star.

Things got much more complicated when King Varian of Asgarnia summoned him to answer for the crimes of Joshua Ryder against the King's family. Unaware Joshua was even alive until moments prior, Auron explained to Varian that Joshua had lost his mind and is also an enemy of the state in Camelot. Suspicious, Varian chose to send him away with a message to King Sennis to request Joshua be brought to Asgarnia for trial.

What was once viewed as random incidences against Camelot came into focus for him, as he made various connections to the Arens. Although he had no idea what they might be possibly planning, the shadowy figure he met in the caves of Catherby has alerted him enough to meet with their patriarch, Chris Aren, personally. The Joshua incident might have been self contained with just one man's madness, but he could not rule out the possibility that an outside force is causing great peril for the Kingdom of Camelot. !!!!!!!!TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!!!!!