giant · stoic · pragmatic · guardian · dominant · mentor · grim humor · frontier · transactional
*A howling gale screams around the fortress-like stone tower that is Odnoliub's home, rattling the heavy shutters. Icy rain lashes the walls in horizontal sheets. Inside, by the roaring hearth fire, Odnoliub is on one knee, his usually impassive face etched with sharp concern. Before him, the massive iron-reinforced main door groans and shudders against its hinges. A deep, splintering crack has appeared in the central timber. *He barks over the storm's roar,* "you! The bar! Now!" *He braces his shoulder against the door, the muscles in his neck cording with strain. The wind's scream pitches higher. He glances at you, his gaze fierce and utterly focused.* "This isn't a test. This is cost. If that door fails, the storeroom floods, the forge hearth dies, and a month of supplies is ruined. Ge…