A Goal: To Become A Dog Trainer/Handler

[Rhargn Etn]

First Cycle of Immanis
Eleventh Candlemark in the Brightening of Solaria
The Winter of Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Reign of Arabella
Paradigm: The Eclipse of the Sun

Rain pitter-pattered all around Rhargn, as the walking mountain tread through Secluria, his thick beard being sodden through, taking the appearance of a drowned sewer rat. Each of his huge footsteps left it's own tiny lake in his wake, as rain and snow from the darkening before ransacked each other, creating a dull grey slush like carpet. Althought the weather would be seen as miserable to most citizens, things were looking up for the fat man. Rhargn knew exactly what he wanted this brightening to bring, and that was his reason for being in Secluria.

'Right, anyone with a dog 'll do. Someone must know of somewhere, or of someone I can go to.'

This in mind, Rhargn pulled his tearing wolf skin coat round him tightly, the tear growing at the enthusiastic tug, before pushing on. With the populace that Nexus Prime had, even on a brightening like this, someone would surely have some infomation that could help him, surely. All there was to do now was continue his pallet eyed scour of the city and hope that he could find a dog owner, or any type of animal owner for that matter who might have some infomation of where he could find someone who could teach him to be a dog trainer.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Pala in peer mod mode.

A grey bearded older man sits on the corner of market square on an old blanket and plays a tin whistle for silver pieces. The tunes are not well played with wrong notes slipping in occasionally but it is music, usually soft and sad but occasionally he plays a jig and that is when Dexter comes into his own. Dexter is a dog a hairy shaggy tongue lolling piece of the flotsam and jetson of doggie life Not big, not small, middlety sized, he might be brown or black or grey all of his coat is a mixture of the noble coats of dog, no breed that any of the aficionado’s of canine purity would recognise but nevertheless bright as the silver pieces in Bangers woollen cap.

Dexter’s ears spring up at the sound of the jolly jig and he is up on his back legs dancing around the circumference of the old blanket, paws outstretched tongue lolling and every time a passer by threw a coin a deep woof , woof as if to say thank you. Dexter and his master were favourites of the passing crowds , a fixture and fitment of the market everyone knew his name but that was all Banger and Dexter the dancing dog , what did they need to know other than that?

This very brightening they were in their usual spot and as the weather was inclement the blanket was wrapped around Banger’s head and the dog sat miserably on the cold wet stone. The big stranger struggling with the fur coat walked past and Dexter catching a wild doggie whiff on the air leapt up and sank his teeth into the hem of the coat . The flute player hardly drew breath but blew a sharp note and the dog let go immediately and with ears down and nose to the floor , he obiedently walked backwards to his master .

Banger looked up at the big fella and said

Sorry about that guess old Dexter smelt wolf , ‘ope he ain’t done too much damage to yer coat

[Rhargn Etn]

The gentle tinker that rode its way through the streets seemed to bring a fair old smile to the faces of those stradling the life in Nexus. However, Rhargn was too 'on task' to notice a begger and his dog dancing.

"What?!?! A dancing dog?!?!"

As he realized what he'd just passed, the ruffian look-a-like slammed his lead foot into the ground in excitement. A tweak tearing at the side of his lips, but hidden by his mattered beard. Just as the great lumox was about to spin himself to greet what he thought to be his current savior, he felt a great yank at his back. However, being the size and weight Rhargn was, it was but a mere niggle. Then a high pitched sound, and no tension at all. What was that?

Hearing the beggars words, Rhargn added up the equation and realized it was the dog who had grabbed him, and that the whistle was to call him off. 'Incredible'.

"Aaah don't worry about the coat mate." With this the mammoth man removed his coat and passed it down to the beggar, along with seven gold coins. " 'Ere mate, you take it. It'll do you more good then me. However, I do have something to ask you, how did you teach your dog to dance like that, and to be so obdient?!"

Rhargn hunkered down next to the mutt, and with a giant like hand, stroke along its back, and behind its ear while awaiting the beggars reply. "I'm Rhargn by the way, nice to meet you."

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The old bearded man caught the ragged but warm coat with one hand and in the same movement got to his feet with a grace that belied his homely appearance. He stood taller than one might think because he was so often seen sitting down. The crowns were pocketed in a swift deft hand and a slight smile crossed his lined face

I am obliged to ye mister Rhargn, tis a foine coat and you are generous with your gold so I thanks yer twice.he watched as the big fella stroked old Dexter who was evidently enjoying the attention , his tail was a wagging furiously and a pink tongue was getting ready to lick the strangers hand.

The old man stroked the side of his nose at the question and there was a glint in his eye , Well Rhargn, there’s a bit of a knack to the dog training, I have been around dogs all me life and I guess you could say I picked a bit up along the way and Dexter here well he is a smart a dog as you would like to find but a bit of patience a kind word of encouragement and ….. he chuckled and felt in the pocket of his own coat one of these he pulled out a sausage and tore a bit off , hid it in his hand and nodded to the dog who was quivering with alertness.

He held out his hand and with his fist extended, the dog began leaping banging his nose on the outstretched fist rolling over onto his back and then jumping again. .Two children laughed at the little dogs antics and a silver coin flew into the cap.


They call me Banger ‘ere in Nexus on account of the sausages in me pocket, but you been reet friendly to me mate so you can call me Claude, Claude Du ‘Vail dog master to royalty. Well I was but that’s another story.

[Rhargn Etn]

It was a welcomed feel, the coat of a canine companion. Since leaving his filth ridden village to find greater gains, he'd missed this hounds, infact, he wished he'd have brought them with him, but surely, they'd have caused too much trouble while Rhargn tried getting a new life together.

"Aaah don't worry about it mate." The ruffian replied as he was thanked for his gold. As 'Bangers' went on, Rhargn swept his great paw through his greasy, tangled hair, yanking at a few knots, listening with great interest and a huge grin plastered on an obscured face.

With the next onslaught of tricks, Rhargn chuckled out loud, his dannies coming together to applaud, the sound sounding more like hammer on stone, than flesh on flesh, if that is what you could call the material that covered Rhargn's hands. Nodding in understanding to 'Bangers'next fact, a friendly response followed. "Aaah, well met then Claude, and is this story one that is allowed to be told now, or one better kept for drunken nights." A hearty burst of laughter. "Oh, and how about you show me a few of your tricks aye? I've had dogs all my life, but never had time to dilly dally and shilly shally with 'em, if you get my drift."

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Banger grinned and nodded, Fair does mate, I got a new coat and some gold and you get to learn a bit about dogs and their training, look why don’t you come back home with me and Dexter and we can show you a few things?

They walked the rainy streets until they reached an area that had seen better times in the past. The houses had been the sort that an artisan or tradesman might have owned but now they were run down with age and the change of fashion. Bangers house was unremarkable on the frontage but once they got inside there was evidence to suggest that despite his run down appearance banger was a neat and tidy man .The house shone with polish and everything was neat and tidy .They sat in the kitchen and Banger made cups of tea dark, rich and red.

Dexter settled down with some enthusiastic scratching as a precursor to sleep in a wicker basket by the kitchen fire range. Once the tea was brewed Banger smiled and said

Come outside in the yard Rhargn and have a look at my dogs if yer wants to learn about training then we needs to find ye a pup to work with.

Cup in hand he unbolted a heavy back door and as soon as they stepped into the long cobbled yard they were greeted by a cacophony of barking.

There were dogs in cages each side of the yard big ones small ones some with pups and some sitting or standing alone in their comfortable clean cages. banger walked the length of the yard calming the dogs down and pointing out the breeds , Carmelyn Dashers, Imperian Warhounds , Allerian Hunters , the Silrosian tracker, Arium-Highland Shepherds and the Medonian dragon hounds.

Banger stopped at each cage and gave a description of each dog in his collection.

Right, first things first you can stay here and sleep in the spare bedroom no money involved just clean out the dogs each morning fresh straw and water and of course feed them, I will show you everything but if you are going to train a dog you had better get to know the beastie . So friend choose one of the pups and we shall train dog and master at the same time.

ooc , so find a pup from one of the breeds and describe the little fella , it helps if you give it a name as well.

[Rhargn Etn]

OOC:I wouldn't know its name off hand socan it be called Sampson,and you just tell me IC.

The offer to retreat back to this once thought beggars home was a welcomed one indeed, as the ocean breeze seemed to start whipping itself about the stinging rain. "Aye, let's get out of this flamin' weather." As the duo and their companion arrived at said destination, Rhargn's bottom lip lept out, as he nodded in satisfaction. It wasn't exactly the most noble of areas, but it was a place the ruffian could come to get used to. The interior however, well that was a different matter altogether. The precise placings of each item and the speckless surfaces just added to Rhargn's approval.

As hazel pallets followed the shuffling Claude, exciteable words rung in the mountain man cauliflower like ears. "Aaaah, that's excellent. Bloody fine brightning this is turning out to be, aye." The mammoth bellowed heartily. Following the ageing man through the back door, the chorus of inviting barks rang forth, stitching an obscured grin beneath the titan. While orbs scanned over each dog in place Rhargn listened in even more delight as of what was to be said. "You mean I can stay?! Thanks a lot mate!" As he replied, a cheeky thought sprang to mind. "Say Claude, this might sound a bit cheeky but how about, if I walk the dogs, feed the dogs, clean out the dogs and pay you a few crowns a cycle, and then stay here permantly? I mean, I know we've only just met, but with your offer to let me stay for a while and if I sell my home and such, and make some more money, we could open our own kennel or dog training school. What do ya' say?" It was a long shot, but one that effectively would help both out.

As Rhargn looked through about each pup, he came to the Medonian Dragonhound a dog he'd never seen before, his hazels eye glistened with a sort of love. Even as a pup the hound seemed larger then the rest, and from what Claude had said, it'd be perfect as a guard dog for any property Rhargn was to own in the future. However, on the downside, the ruffian had a Dracon for a boss, but then again, she wouldn't have to come in contact with it, till it was fully trained anyway.

The pups thick, wired fur was a heavily darkened fawn colour, solid from head to tail, except for a splattering of black which danced on its thick muzzle. With a long elegant tail waving from its back end, and thick folded ears at its front, it was simple definition of the word adorable. This wasn't going to last for long however. Nothing different from any other Dragonhound then.

"How about this little critter, Claude?" Was the elder going to say it a bad idea, whatever, he'd hopefully give some advice on the specific breed.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Claude scratched his chin as his new house guest chattered and inspected the dogs at the same time. He grinned as the scruffy one tried to embroil him in a business proposition the lad would have to prove himself before the dog handler was going to invest a single silver piece of his capital but there was no harm in asking .

He drawled Easy big fella we have hardly met and you want to get into a business bed with me, well friend I will let you know that I don’t do that sort of thing well not on a first anyway …. he chuckled and went on lets see how we get on together first before we decide

The dragon hounds seemed to stop the man in his tracks and Rhargn seemed to settle on the breed inspecting the pups one by one until a decision was reached. He chuckled again and in an easy drawl.

Well friend, that little chap ain’t going to be small for long I reckons he is the biggest of the litter so I called him Sampson. …lets get him out and see what he does.

He unlocked the cage and picked up the dog who growled a baby growl and struggled as he carried him out of the cage. plenty of spirit for a young un I reckon that’s a good sign in a dog He put the pup down onto the cobbles and stepped back behind Rhargn so that the pup and the big man were face to face. The dog looked up and wagged its tail a little uncertainly and then looked back at its mum lying on the straw a little whimper ushered from its throat but curiosity kept it rooted to the spot

[Dog] so this is what the big wide world looks like …and smells like , a plethora of aromas were wafting over that most sensitive of organs and the dominate one was that of the big fella in front of him. He got up and slowly walked to Rhargn his nose going ninety to the dozen so that he could reach up with his head and sniff the hand that was approaching him.

Rhargn would feel a cold greasy object being slipped into his free hand and a whisper in his ear bend down slowly and give him the bit of banger its called bonding

[Rhargn Etn]

A slight curtain of embarrasment opened to show the titans face as his skin began to fade into a rosey red. It was a spur of the moment thought, and had just jumped out his mouth with no indepth thought into it, and so Rhargn decided just to let it fade away until the tie between the two had grown much tighter. Meanwhile, as Claude began to speak, the ruffian began to grin excitedly. "Good combination then, don't ya think? Me being a big lad, and this little bugger growing to a big lad himself. Match made by the Gods aye?" Rhargn chuckled, his hazel eyes widening as the cage was unopened.

As Claude took the pup in his hands, it squirmed and tried showing its bravery and strength, a laughable sight at the present moment. So, it was called Sampson: a good name, a strong name, a real name that wasn't like all those fancyful names that seemed all the rage at the moment. Once Claude had laid Sam down, the ruffian glared down at him as it whimpered in a short lived fear, one which was quickly over run by curiosity. The size of the pup was a great indication to just how tall, and broad Rhargn really was.

As Sam began to prowl forward, the mammoth felt a thick textured item placed into his gloved hand, at which came words of instruction. Nodding in understanding, Rhargn opened his palm and held it out infront of him as he hunkered down, hoping that Sam would, after a few hesitant moments, bound up and steal the meat.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

the whisper in the ear was insistent , give him the banger, its a gift, a reward do not let the pup think he has to steal it. otherwise the bonding will not work.You are his pack leader and you give him food , its a status thingy.

[Rhargn Etn]

As the hushed words gentle caressed Rhargn's thick ears, he understood his mistake, and moved closer to Sam, the sausage still in his hand. Now, the ruffian was much closer to the pup and his hand was slowly pushed forward towards the dog, showing the animals that he was being offered the food by the great beast before him.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Sam sniffed the treat and then looking up at the giant figure before him as if to say “is ok” he snaffled the banger and wolfed it down with evident satisfaction. he bounded away down the cobbles to the back of the yard spun slipped over recovered his balance and woofed loudly several times , his tail wagging he regarded Rhargn with interest

Claude whispered Ok call him back for the first time and this time use his name say “Sampson come” don’t shout and don’t use anymore words just “Sampson come” lets see if he will recognise your voice and the sound of his name.

The dog looked bemused as the voice rang out down the yard and sat down its tail still wagging

Very well try “Sampson come” and slap the side of your knee once with the flat of your hand

[Rhargn Etn]

Rhargn grinned in pure enjoyment as 'Sambo' began sniffing at his huge hands before taking the meat, and gobbling it down happily. He watched as the little ball of fur hurtled itself away in excitement, a child like essence erupting within the ruffian. As Sam slipped at the end of the path, a chuckle slipped past hidden lips while he listened to Claude.

"Sampson, come." Rhargn called, his tone friendly and inviting. However, the hearty pup sat, not moving bar its tail, disappointment soaked the mountain man. It wasn't going to be as easy as he thought. Hearing the next set of instructions, Rhargn nodded. "Samspon, come." As he did this, his wide palm slapped loudly against his knee/thigh area, creating a coaxing sound, this time hoping for success.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The pups ears flicked at the name and the gesture and with a shake of his head he barked once and then as the idea came to him he woofed and shot like a bolt of lightening down the cobbled alley and with a leap leaped into Rhargn’s arms licking his face with pure pleasure.

Claude laughed deep and long as man and dog became one, a hairy bushy melding of beard and fur. The first step was complete both of them were bonded and ready to set out on life’s path together.

Ok put him down and then we can put on his collar and choke chain he produced a choke collar and a 6 ft leash and spoke quietly again Now Rhargn, you only use the choke collar for training, never for regular use. Always make sure there are 2 fingers of space between the dog's neck and the collar when it is on him. Drop the chain into one of the rings on the end, forming a circle. Put it over the dog's head so that the circle where you attach the leash comes over. This will allow the collar to relax when it is not being pulled. If it comes out under, the collar will tighten and not release. So make sure you have the collar on correctly so as not to cause Sampson any harm. Attach the leash to the free open ring and you are now ready to go. Just walk him up and down the yard a few times just to get him used to wearing a collar.

The dog was a bit puzzled by the collar and shook his head several times but as it was not tight it was not causing him any harm or hurt. As Rhargn took his first step , Sampson shot away ahead only to come to a shuddering halt as the leash pulled him to a stop. The pup skidded to a stop landed on his bottom spun to his feet and dashed back to Rhargn walking towards him and spun around his handler entangling the leash around his masters legs , woofing all the time at the game .

[Rhargn Etn]

ooc: How it's been written, there would be no bit of the choke chain for Rhargn to hold. I'll continue in what I think you meant as choke chains aren't connected to collars. Say if you want me to edit.

Rhargn delighted in seeing the pups ears flick and bark sound, though he wasn't ready for the bundle of fluff's charge, which on impact knocked him onto his rear. Showing an almost toothless grin, his thick paws began to enthusiastically scratch behing high ears and on stomach; the little guy seemed to have a fondess for the mammoth. Prehaps it was his animal like look. A warm feeling trickled over the ruffian as he felt as though the dog was his child in a peculiar sort of way.

Taking the collar from Claude, Rhargn wrapped it about the pups neck, before adjusting it accordingly so that there were two fingers worth of give. Next, he took the choke chain, a name which didn't sound too friendly, and followed his instructers instructions. As he pushed the chain through the loop, he checked back to get the go ahead from Claude before continuing and finally producing a loop at which he slipped over the pups head. Taking the handle which was clipped to the free loop, Rhargn popped Sam on the ground and stood towering above his new found friend.

Taking his first stride he felt the dog charged forward in what seemed to be hope of a game, however as the chain began to lose distance the loop tightened bringing Sam to a heavy halt. "Silly bugger." Rhargn chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. With the pup seemingly unconfused by the sudden stop, Rhargn waited for it to gentle totter back, though this was not the case. As he slowly began to become entangled within the coil of metal, the ruffian had to perform his own feats of athletisism, spinning with each round the pup made. "Now what Claude?"