Profile
Dainsleif 
(Cat/goat hybrid)
“Scum and decay as far as the eye can see!”
Dain is the current head of the vicious self-appointed royal clan known as the Morning Star family. Short tempered and pompous, but thoroughly dutiful in swordplay and housekeeping, he has always been second-best to Misteltein, the family's original chosen one. Since she left to see the world, her accolades and future responsibilities have fallen to him, making him heir apparent. Loathing the fact that powers 'defaulted' to him from a prodigal daughter, rather than him earning them, he seems eternally pissed. Mean, arrogant and violent, but eager to do anything to better the family, he's now out on his own travels, but on a mission, and finding that his family being sequestered so long has left him unprepared for modern civilization.
Since childhood he has been obsessed with cleanliness, bleaching his clothes and room and self to get rid of the family's signature black hair (and grimy 'style'). The MS family's dulled pain reception means he can get excessive. While he is seen as a decent strategist and fighter, his stubborn habits have been the subject of mockery (and more) from his siblings for a long time - messy executions and meat feasts/foodfights are their trademark, what’s this supposed prince doing running around with mops and buckets? He clawed back a lot of respect on the battlegrounds, but it's not the MS way to let up a fight - pranks and sneers continued, and Dain naturally responded with sneers - and occasional screeching - of his own, and believes without hesitation that his values put him over his disgusting siblings.
As time would have it, after catching a some sick, lost travellers on the outskirt and splattering the place with the subsequent bad meat, a terrible disease begins to spread throughout their courts - one that manages to spare Dain due to his cleaner habits. With his elders falling, he's well and truly in charge now, but it's hard to be happy about being 'right all along' when it just means more weight collapsing onto his shoulders. Especially when his first royal task is to go search for his hated, traitorous cousin and bring her home.
Latest regent of the Morning Star shapeshifter family, designated the 'prince' but taking on duties early as a matter of urgency. The Morningstar shifters are a family that long ago assimilated with the human royalty of a small country which they now rule in entirety, feeding off the people while insulating them from outside influences with severe violence toward any intruder. Most of their subjects are deeply religious and old-fashioned, and after centuries of isolation the population lives exactly they did when they were first conquered, unaware of worldly events. Outsiders avoid entering the area, those that wander near are often attacked.
The family are bloodthirsty and barbaric despite their quaint royal environments and costumes. They glorify the pain and total bodily destruction of their victims, encouraging the children to play casually and violently with the remains of their prey, and maul each other to clarify strength and worth. Physiologically they are average shifters with some sort of pheromone that dulls pain reception, and whenever they change form their hair and eyes always slowly revert back to black, and their skin to unnatural white, making them unable to convincingly keep different forms on long-term. The uniformity of appearance further encourages members to fight to stand out to elders.
- Undeterred (even motivated) by the mindset of 'me against the world', a hundred disapproving looks or murmurs has zero effect on him. It takes physical, overwhelming force to make him lay off. Or you could just agree with him and avoid argument - not always a good idea if he's roving to dismember random people.
- In comparison to Mist, he is less fixated on the family mindest of 'might makes right' - he adheres to family hierarchy out of duty, but inwardly loathes elders and anyone who threatens his ranking. I guess his devotion isn't strong because he feels shafted by the system; Mist really rubbed it in his face. Also he's kind of conceited.
- Dain studied 'city life' quite a bit before leaving home, he's the kind who likes to believe he's prepared. Of course, he has no clue on practical matters, like how to take a bus or use a touchscreen phone. And the only resources around were 100 year old books and cursory looks at the nearby rural townships...
- Sole exception: he knows chemical cleaners - some of the only modern implements in the castle, due to Dain travelling out to order them. So he knows about bargains and modern currency... but only in context of cleaning supplies.
- Will compare anything to the price of tissues. He is a hard, angry haggler and constantly suspicious he’s getting scammed. Dain does not believe in police or government (the MS family were judges of their own country) so he'll take 'justice' into his own hands at slightest provocation.
- Out on his travels he's still an asshole but is exceptionally appreciative of cleaning staff, they are like agents of the lord. Conversely he will attempt to literally behead people for spitting. He gets a bit of money and lodging for cleaning alongside his new favorite people.
- These are his first 'normal person' jobs and makes him very proud (who cares if anyone laughs). Incidentally, it also means he ended up spending less money than he might have considering he gets lost in small villages for over a year.
- He likes sheep, doves, rabbits, and 'gentle' white animals. Collects toy/plush/porcelain mementoes that he has to hide from the hellions at home.
- More willing to wear short sleeves/modern clothing than most of the family (including Mist). He has minimal scarring because he actually took care of cuts and bruises.
- Really bad table manners because you had to slug it out to get food in the MS castle. He is humbled by people who can use utensils and sit still with a napkin on their lap for a whole meal.
Weapon
Dain carries a strange sword that was found among the castle’s treasures, centuries ago when the Morningstar family first seized power. The blade has a cross shaped tip, almost mace-like in form, and the handle is decorated with small carved skulls. Like Misteltein’s inherited sword, it is an ancient blessed weapon known to summon chains, although not quite as efficient (some say that’s just because of Dain’s inferior handling.) It might have been created as a ceremonial version of Mist’s, but that makes Dain more determined to prove it’s still equal in a fight.
Travelling companion
One of the first people Dain meets after leaving his family's territory, and definitely the first friendly one. A doughy, cheerful ex-schoolteacher, Al was automatically at odds with Dain's personality, but not the sort to find that a deterrent. At her offer to play tour guide, they head towards the city together, stopping at every GROSS dive and motel and food truck they see - also at her request. He is often frustrated with her, but she is acceptable in most occasions and patiently helps him through times where he doesn't know any better. She also knows quite a bit about magic weapons, and can fend for herself and never worries about her own safety for a second, which earns her the most respect his in eyes. Sure, a giant sewing needle isn't a broadsword, but perhaps it's just what city folk use?
Maybe because he's so out of touch, Dain sees her (rightfully) as an old lady rather than a mushy young adult that most would infer from her current face and form. So he doesn't hold back on the childish fisticuffs. Dain's constant tantrums don't seem to phase her and Al is eager to teach him about the 'modern world'. Unfortunately (and unbeknownst to Dain) Al might be a little out of touch herself.
Despised Cousin
In the Morningstar family's generational brawls, Mist ruled the arena. While Dain was no slouch, he was ever stuck in second place to his barbaric cousin. His grudge is pretty strong, but by all accounts Mist never paid much attention to him.
But of course, he has her to thank for his position. Mist used her favor within the family to request to leave the country, which pushed Dain to the top spot of their generation, and into greater favor with their elders, though he is ever bitter that he didn't really win it on his own. After leaving the castle himself, Dain is sure that Mist couldn't possibly be doing well on the outside, and half hopes to return with news that she's dead or disgraced. On the other hand, he can't imagine anything bringing her down. Another eternal souce of frustration.
A bad guy
The guy everyone says to watch out for
A bad guy
What an asshole
Probably a bad guy
A friend of Mist and all the powerful shifters in town but marginally less of a dick
