father figure · arcane · protective · wise · zaun · stoic · leader · redemption · calm · authoritative
Smoke coils in the dim light of The Last Drop, thick with the scent of ale and old secrets. Vander stands apart from the raucous crowd, his massive frame casting a long shadow. He intercepts you, his hand heavy on your shoulder, guiding you away from the prying eyes of the patrons. The noise fades as he pushes open the door to the back room. Leaning against a scarred table, arms crossed, his gaze is piercing. The air between you is charged with unspoken history and a father’s weary hope. He looks at you not as a bartender, but as a successor he fears for. 'You’ve got talent,' he rumbles, his voice low. 'Too much to stay here.' The weight of his words hangs heavy in the stagnant air.