Ryden Kel
| Starbase 118 | ||
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| Ryden Kel | ||
| Position | Medical Officer | |
| Rank | Ensign | |
| Species | Trill/Betazoid | |
| Gender | Male | |
| DOB | 237501.01 | |
| Age | 26 | |
| Birthplace | Trill | |
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Ensign Ryden Tarus Kel is currently serving as a Medical Officer aboard Starbase 118.
Appearance
STATS:
Full name: Ryden Tarus Kel
Date of birth (Age): 2375 (Age: 26)
Species: Trill (unjoined)/Betazoid hybrid
Gender: Male
Hair color: Dirty Blonde
Eye color: Dark Black
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Relationships
Parents:
Mother: Liana Tarus
Liana Tarus is a Betazoid woman in her late 50s with dark, expressive eyes typical of her heritage, which often reveal more than she intends about her feelings. She works as a counselor at a local school on Trill, using her natural Betazoid empathy to help students navigate their emotional challenges. Liana is skilled at her job, often praised for her ability to connect with students and understand their unspoken needs. However, she sometimes finds it emotionally draining, as she absorbs a lot of the emotional turmoil around her.
Her relationship with Ryden is complex. As a Betazoid, she is deeply attuned to Ryden’s emotions and often senses his frustrations and self-doubt, especially when it comes to being compared to his older brother, Jarek. She tries to offer support and understanding, but she isn’t always successful. She has a tendency to overstep, offering unsolicited advice or trying to “fix” things emotionally for Ryden, which can lead to tension between them. While she loves Ryden dearly and wants him to be happy, her efforts to help can sometimes feel intrusive or overwhelming to him. Liana also has her own insecurities. She worries that she hasn't done enough to help Ryden feel confident in himself, and she sometimes second-guesses her approach to parenting. This self-doubt can make her overcompensate by being overly protective or giving too much advice, inadvertently making Ryden feel smothered. Their relationship is filled with love, but it is also marked by the challenge of finding the right balance between emotional support and giving Ryden the space to forge his own path.
Father: Toran Kel (Trill, joined)
Toran Kel is a Trill man in his early 60s, known for his stern yet approachable demeanor. He is joined with the Kel symbiont, a bond that has shaped much of his identity and career. Toran works as a senior engineer in the planetary infrastructure department on Trill, specializing in the maintenance and enhancement of the planet's transportation networks. His experience with the Kel symbiont has granted him a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from past hosts, which he leverages in his work. He takes great pride in his profession, seeing it as a way to contribute meaningfully to Trill society and uphold the legacy of the Kel symbiont.
Toran’s relationship with Ryden is marked by high expectations and a strong sense of duty. As a joined Trill, Toran has always believed in the importance of legacy and achievement, values he tries to instill in both his sons. He places considerable pressure on Ryden to excel, often comparing him to his older brother, Jarek, who has consistently met or exceeded expectations. Toran sees this pressure as a way to prepare Ryden for the responsibilities that come with adulthood, especially given their family's standing and his own experiences as a joined Trill. However, he doesn’t always realize how this affects Ryden’s self-esteem or how it makes him feel overshadowed by his brother and the expectations of the Kel symbiont.
Being joined with the Kel symbiont has its challenges for Toran. He carries the weight of past hosts' experiences, which sometimes makes him inflexible in his thinking. He struggles with the fear of not living up to the symbiont’s legacy, both in his career and as a father. This fear can make him rigid and overly critical, particularly when it comes to Ryden, who he sees as needing to uphold not just the family name but also the Kel legacy. Though he genuinely loves Ryden and wants him to succeed, Toran often equates success with meeting certain standards, which can come across as harsh or unyielding.
Despite his stern exterior, there are moments when Toran’s softer side emerges. He occasionally reflects on Ryden’s empathetic nature, a trait he secretly admires even if he doesn’t fully understand it, given his more practical and disciplined approach to life. He wishes he could connect more deeply with Ryden beyond the expectations and pressures of their shared heritage. Toran's love for Ryden is evident, but it is often filtered through his own lens of what it means to be successful, responsible, and worthy of the Kel symbiont. While he is proud of Ryden's accomplishments, he sometimes struggles to express his pride in ways that aren't tied to achievements or the continuation of the symbiont's legacy.
Siblings: Older Brother - Jarek Tarus Kel
Jarek Tarus Kel is a Betazoid/Trill hybrid who is not joined. Despite his unjoined status, Jarek has achieved remarkable success in his field, earning significant recognition and respect. Known for his exceptional talents and ambitious drive, he often serves as a benchmark for others, including his younger sibling, Ryden Kel. Jarek’s accomplishments and reputation frequently lead to comparisons, which can be a source of pressure for Ryden.
Spouse: None
Children: None
Background/Personality
- 2375: Ryden Tarus Kel is born on Trill to Liana Tarus (Betazoid) and Toran Kel (joined Trill). He grows up on Trill with his family, including his older brother (Jarek Taras Kel), who excels in academics, athletics, and nearly everything he attempts. This sets a high bar for Ryden from an early age.
- 2381-2393: Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Ryden is often compared to his older brother. His father, Toran Kel, places considerable pressure on him to match his brother’s achievements, causing Ryden to feel overshadowed and struggle with self-doubt. Despite this, Ryden demonstrates a strong aptitude for empathy and critical thinking, traits influenced by his Betazoid heritage. He begins to develop an interest in medicine and tactical operations, seeing these fields as ways to distinguish himself from his brother.
Career History
- 2393: At the age of 18, Ryden decides to forge his own path and applies to Starfleet Academy. Motivated by a desire to prove himself and escape the constant comparisons to his brother, he is accepted due to his strong academic performance and his potential in medical and scientific fields.
- 2393-2397: Ryden attends Starfleet Academy, where he focuses on biology and life sciences. He works diligently to build his own reputation, distinct from his family’s expectations. His natural empathy, combined with his critical thinking skills, helps him excel in his studies, earning commendations and respect from his peers and instructors. Unlike many of his peers, mathematics never came easily to Ryden, which turned him off from disciplines such as engineering. This made some of his coursework, often in the physical sciences, at the Academy incredibly challenging to cause Ryden to question himself. Additionally, given his desire to prove himself and his adaptive nature, Ryden struggles with the slow pace and red tape of bureaucratic processes that are prevalent in hierarchical structures like Starfleet and the Academy, preferring more direct and immediate action.
- 2397: Graduates from Starfleet Academy at the age of 22 with a specialization in xenobiology. Impressed by his performance in the sciences, Starfleet offers him the opportunity to continue his education at Starfleet Medical for advanced training, which he eagerly accepts.
- 2397-2401: Ryden undergoes advanced training at Starfleet Medical, where he specializes in trauma surgery and emergency medical response. He gains extensive experience treating injuries from simulated hostile encounters and space-borne pathogens, honing his skills in high-pressure situations. His ability to remain calm under pressure and make quick, effective decisions earns him a reputation as a promising young officer.
- 2401: At the age of 26, Ryden completes his final practical training exercises at Starfleet Medical, preparing for his full commissioning as a Starfleet Medical Officer. Ready to serve on a starship or starbase, he is determined to prove his capabilities and build a distinguished career in Starfleet, independent of his family's expectations.
- 240109.03: Ryden is assigned to StarBase 118 Ops as a Medical Officer
Service History
Starfleet Service Record
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Awards & Service Ribbons
- For award descriptions, see: Awards and Service Ribbons
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SIM Archive
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NPC Listing · StarBase 118 Ops Crew Manifest · Crew History
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