Lieutenant Garren Riley is a Wyn of the Dragon Class of 87 ADT. Born in 67 ADT in Isod's Tip, he gratefully left his fishing family for the Academy when he was 15. His parents and younger sister had been as surprised as he when his mage-talent had manifested. One night they'd been sitting around the dinner table, droning on and on about fishing, and Garren had shouted mentally "SHUT UP." His family had turned to him, astonished at hearing the words in their heads. He'd left for the Academy a week later with a wagon train heading to Pallahade.

He hasn't regretted his decision since then. A man initially more comfortable following rules than making them, Garren fit in well with the Academy's strict schooling. He did well in his classes, built up his mage-talent with startling ease, and stood out as one of the easy-going Wyn at school. He'd never faced any real difficulties in life, beyond the minor heartaches that all teenagers go through. He graduated from the Academy when he was 20, and spent his first two years out on circuit. Even his Circuit Routes went well, and he was brought back to the Academy to further train his burgeoning Wyn talents. For the next seven years he worked all around Uen in various capacities. He fell deeply in love once, but the woman couldn't stand being married to a Roug, worrying about him all the time, and they gently parted ways. Then in 98 ADT, his easy life came to an end.

When Rowan Nilthorn was brought back, unconscious but alive, from what has become known as the "Teacher's Tragedy," Commander Jeremal put Garren in charge of her care. His particular mind talents were to be useful in figuring out what had happened and keeping Rowan alive until she could tell them what had happened to her 'Cha-group and bondmate. He waited for a year until she woke up in 99 ADT, and then spent the next year and a half at her side nearly every day, helping her through the pain and trying to get to the memories that were locked inside. She lashed out at him constantly, and when he attempted to unlock her memories, all he got was a backlash of the pain that Rowan had been feeling. Still he spent the time with her, and they formed an unusual relationship. But the experience drained Garren completely; emotionally, mentally, and physically. When it was deemed an impossible task to get at the memories, Garren was sent to Aedalfar to recover. He worried for a long time about Rowan, wondered if she would kill herself now that there was no one to watch over her, but he didn't hear any word either way and so hoped for the best. He spent the rest of the year in Aedalfar, watching over the now-quiet fishing town, feeling oddly at home. It was more vacation than duty, as the Roug of the area never asked him to do anything. They could see the emptiness of his spirit.

In late 104, Garren fell in love again with a lively woman filled with spirit, but his experiences had toughened him, and matured him, and he found he couldn't be around her often silly idealism and had to end the relationship. He left Aedalfar shortly thereafter and spent the next six years traveling around Uen, using his Wyn talents in hundreds of different opportunities, earning a promotion to Lieutenant. In 108 he got word that his father had died, and then his mother died the next year while he was visiting. In late 111, during the graduation of the last Class of the year, Garren returned to the Academy on sabbatical and he and Rowan talked to each other for the first time in 10 years.  Garren is close to his sister and they send letters to each other often.

Though still very much a follower of rules, Garren has also learned how to lead more. He is not as easy-going as he once was, but neither is he totally cynical and hardened. Enjoys strategy games like chess although he almost always loses. Has a slow sense of humor and a sharp mind. In his travels he's learned how to play the flute and can be found practicing it when alone in the Waystations at night. Wants to be more of a dreamer, but his time with Rowan has made it seem impossible. Has a restless spirit, but he doesn't know why. Doesn't like to sit still, even when playing chess he'll tap his fingers or his feet.

Garren is about 6'2", with short, neat black hair; dark brown eyes; a short black beard with a few gray hairs beginning to show. Fit, but not terribly so.

Garren's Wyn talents are of the mind. He is able to mindspeak, and he also has the ability to read other's memories. He cannot tell what someone is thinking or feeling in the moment, but he can connect to their remembrances. A subtly powerful skill. He's attempting to develop it now to actually manipulate their memories, or erase them altogether, but needs much more practice. He also has the ability to send someone to sleep by touching them, but they must be touched and if they fight hard enough the power will fail.  Wyn Level 5.