Ryuterra, "The Earth Dragon"

Full Name: Ryuterra, "The Earth Dragon"
Gender: Male
Age: 17, close to 18
Element: Earth/None
Birthplace: Unknown
Position: Warrior

Personality: Ryuterra is extremely loyal to those he befriends, but he is slow to trust. He avoids becoming too emotionally attached to anyone, as he is a loner by nature and tends to feel that he does not need the help of anybody else. This arrogance may come off as rude to some, as often he will initially refuse help even when it is clear that he needs it, and if helped, he always tries to discredit them by stating "I didn't ask for your help" or "I could have handled it on my own."  Although he is slow to trust, he is even slower to anger, and tends to be peaceful by nature, preferring to defend than to fight. If someone does gain his trust, he remains loyal to them unless they break his trust.  If he ignores his pride and decides he needs to ask someone for help, he makes short business of it, stating directly what he wants.

Abilities: Although Ryuterra has the blood of an Earthbender running through his veins, he was never taught the ways of Earthbending, and does not realize he has the potential for such an ability. He has some skill with using a sword, which he holds with his right hand, and he typically defends himself with his left arm, although he rarely has anything to block with other than his arm, but often he will try to block with whatever he can pick up.

Appearance: Ryuterra is about 5'6", and has messy black hair. His hair is short enough that his golden eyes are always visible. He carries a katana on his back, a steel sword in a metal sheath. ((The sword has no magical properties whatsoever.)) The sword is light, so while it doesn't always hit hard, it can strike fast. On his left ring figer. Ryuterra always wears a ring, a silver base with an emerald gem, the emerald being carved into the shape of a dragon. On the inside of the ring are carved the words "Ryuterra, The Earth Dragon." ((See history for more information on the ring. The ring also has no special properties.)) Ryuterra always wears a cloak as dark as the black of midnight. The cloak has a hood that he can use to cover his head, but has some tears in it, as he has worn it for a long time, and doesn't remove it when he fights. His left arm has several scars on it, from the many times he has used his left arm to block blows in combat when he had nothing else to use to defend himself.

History: "Ryu" meaning "Dragon" and "Terra" meaning "Earth," so literally, the "Earth Dragon."  Ryuterra does not remember much of his past, including the place where he was born. He doesn't even remember his actual name. The earliest memory he has was when he just four years old. It was a calm day at home, but then there was a heavy pounding at the front door. His parents had a look of panic on their faces, and glanced at each other before looking at their young child. "He's still so young..." His mother started to say, but his father said firmly, "There is no other choice. We are running out of time."  Before he knew what was happening, his parents took him to a small room in the back of the house. His father removed the ring that he was always wearing, and handed it to his son. "I want you to stay in this room until it gets dark outside, and then get as far away from this place as you can. I'm going to give you my ring. Whatever happens, keep it safe."  The young child was confused. "Daddy, what's wrong? Where are you going?" At that moment, there was a loud crash. His mother whispered, "They've broken down the front door! We have to hurry!" His parents quickly left the room. Just before closing the door, his father said, "Remember, whatever happens, keep that ring safe." Then the door closed, and the quiet sound of the door being locked. That was the last time the young child saw his parents. After a moment of silence, the child heard arguing. He couldn't understand what was being said, but he could tell that some people were angry. Suddenly, he heard his mother scream, and then a lot of noise. After that, silence. 
The child was afraid, but he remembered that he was not to leave the room until after dark. Looking to his father's ring for comfort, he noticed some of the fine details. Being a child, the ring was still too large for any of his fingers, but he was fascinated by the silver band, with the green gem carved into the shape of a dragon. He noticed the words inside the ring, and whispered them. "Ryuterra, The Earth Dragon." The child was alone, but several times he repeated that phrase, hoping to pass the time.
After it was dark, the young boy unlocked the door and walked out into the main part of his house. In the dim light, he saw that most of the furniture was out of place, being knocked over or smashed into pieces. With fear filling his heart, he ran out of the house and away from the village. He ran for as long as he could.
As the years passed, he forgot his parents' faces and even his own name, but he always remembered his father's last words, to keep the ring safe. Because of this, the ring became his most prized possession, and he even took upon himself the name inscribed within it, as he was unable to recall his own. He did not know where he had come from or what happened to his parents. He wandered from place to place, being afraid to trust anyone that might want to steal his ring, and almost everybody he saw noticed his ring, which made him ever more cautious. He would sometimes ask for food, but he had no money, and he would never consider selling his ring. It was easier to find food from the Earth. He was not sure why, but it seemed like the Earth was kind to him. Ryuterra had not realized that his father was an Earthbender, and would have taught him if there had been more time. But because of his father's "disappearance" when Ryuterra was four, he was never taught the ways of Earthbending and does not know that he could learn such a skill. 
Ryuterra got his sword from a traveling merchant, someone who took pity on him, although Ryuterra had not asked for it and was cautious about receiving such a "gift." He has used the sword for many years, and has developed some skill with it, although he is by no means an expert. As he grew older, he began to wear his father's ring, and after his fingers were finally big enough to properly wear it, he never took it off. The ring is his most prized possession, and as he is always wearing it, those who notice his ring are still unaware of the inscription on the inside.


**OPTIONAL**
Sample RP:

Character Box:

Approved.