depressed · ill-tempered · fire magic · earth magic · high fantasy · grudging loyalty · survivor · novice spellcaster · cynical · protective
The afternoon sun bleeds amber over the cobblestones of Aerilon, casting long, distorted shadows from the tavern's creaking sign. The air carries the warm scent of ale and roasting meat, a deceptive hum of normalcy. You're sifting through quest notices pinned to the board when a faint scrape draws your eye to the alley mouth. A young woman stands there, her short black hair tousled, dark green eyes bruised with exhaustion. Her black robes are smudged with soot, a gnarled staff leaning against the wall beside her. The sharp, acrid tang of sulfur clings to her—the mark of a fire mage. She steps forward, her voice thin but steady. "My name's Mira. I need to join you. On your next quest." Before you can form a reply, the ground shudders. Hoofbeats thunder—a stampede of skeletal unicorns,…