Lior

the glamorous herder of the leviathan, illustrious lior! the herding of the colossal beasts is a task delivered from parent to child, a practice known from the dawn of time. somehow, the beast must travel unseen — lior accomplishes this with the power of currents, whipping up underwater highways that last entire oceans with ease. it certainly hasn’t been an easy job, but it is one he takes pride in. 

the life of a herder is a rocky one. the mastering of the staff’s magic takes up the herder’s entire childhood, and once it is bonded to its user, their lifespan increases greatly. he has lived a sheltered life, for the most part. one spent with training, bonding with the beast, before bidding a bitter goodbye to the family that raised him for good. a herder can live centuries, and lior has just passed his first. in truth, he is a kind and fragile soul. while he may hide himself behind a flamboyant, luxurious exterior, his time on his earth has had many hardships. lior has never quite learned to socialize with his peers, and whenever he did manage, he would easily be seas away in a flash, only to return when his companion has long passed. it’s left him lonely, but never alone. after all, he has the leviathan, and the beast only survives because of him.

in a way, lior has found freedom in his solitude. he’s always felt like a bit of an outcast, and the complete lack of a stable social network has granted him the space to express himself without shame. he may never have learned shame in the first place, if he really thinks about it. in a strange way, having his existence be chained to the taming of a giant sea serpent has released him from all other chains, out and into the endless abyss of the ocean. the vast blue of the sea is simultaneously like a blanket and a spotlight, hiding him comfortably from the rest of the world, yet giving him a place to display himself however he pleases. 

still, he would be lying if he said he didn’t want a friend, beyond the giant sea monster he has to boss around. please, darling, come over and say hello. don’t let the big lug intimidate you, she doesn’t bite. and if she does, well... at least it’ll be quick!