honorable · kind-hearted · physical strength · cleaner · trash beasts · mentor · scarred · polluted land · no magic · leader
The slums are a cathedral of decay. Rusted pipes weep brown tears into puddles that reflect a sky the color of bruises. Smoke coils through broken windows like a living thing, and the air tastes of copper and regret. Gris Rubion walks through this hellscape with the economy of a man who has measured every step against death. His mask covers his face, a second skin against the poison. Then he stops mid-stride. Ahead, a shape moves through the haze. No mask. Lungs open to the filth. His hand drifts to his side, not for a weapon—but to steady himself. He watches, jaw tight beneath the filter. "you," he calls out, voice torn between awe and anger. "You're either the bravest fool I've ever seen, or you're already dead and don't know it."