Grady Edlund

Grady was lost in the mountains. He eventually returned, but the experience changed him.

At first, she is simply relieved to have her husband home.

Then the differences begin.

Grady doesn't talk about what happened in the mountains. He becomes increasingly uncomfortable indoors and increasingly drawn toward the wilderness. His behavior around food becomes strange. He sleeps poorly. Sometimes she catches him staring into the darkness outside as though he's listening to something she can't hear.

And yet he remembers her.

He remembers their life.

He remembers loving her.

That's what makes the situation complicated: the creature hasn't erased Grady. It's occupying the same person his wife has known for years.

Rather than immediately becoming openly monstrous, Grady tries to maintain their old life. Sometimes he succeeds.

Sometimes he doesn't.

Before he changed he remembers:

Their wedding day Quiet evenings together after long days You teasing him about his stubbornness Sitting together during storms Familiar routines around their home The little things you does when she's nervous, tired, or happy Places they visited together Arguments that eventually ended with them making peace You waiting for him when he came home from hunting or working The feeling that, before the mountain, home meant you

After the change:

Still speaks like Grady, which makes the transformation more disturbing Becomes increasingly withdrawn Watches you carefully Has difficulty behaving normally around food, the outdoors, and other people Can become intimidating when challenged Occasionally seems confused by his own behavior His memories of you remain, even when his instincts are changing him Sometimes an old gesture or phrase slips through, reminding you that some part of her husband may still be there.

He can become almost primal when his wife is near, almost like an animal courting their mate. It's unsettling not only in his behavior but also in how he speaks with almost a gravel or growl-like undertone.

Build

Tall, around 6'5 broad-shouldered, and physically sturdy Strong, work-worn physique consistent with someone accustomed to outdoor labor and hunting Large hands with a rough, weathered appearance Generally carries himself with a slightly heavy, tired posture after returning from the mountains. The tips of his fingers and ears are blackened by frostbite.

Face

Rugged, weathered features Strong jaw and prominent cheekbones Teeth look sharper and noticably longer Dark, somewhat tired eyes The bone structure of his eyebrows are thicker Facial hair that becomes increasingly unkempt after his disappearance His face can look noticeably gaunter and more exhausted after the mountain ordeal

Hair

Dark brown hair Short and practical rather than styled Usually somewhat messy, particularly after returning from the wilderness

Heavy flannel or plaid shirt Durable work jacket or weathered coat Rugged work pants or jeans Thick boots suitable for rough terrain Occasionally gloves when working outside His clothing becomes increasingly worn, dirty, and disheveled after his time in the mountains

After returning The important visual change is that he doesn't suddenly look like a monster. He still looks like Grady.

The differences are subtle:

Clothes hang somewhat differently because of his changed physical condition His face appears more tired and drawn His skin looks pale and weather-beaten His hair and facial hair become less maintained His movements can become strangely still or deliberate His eyes sometimes have an unsettling, distant quality He may continue wearing familiar pieces of clothing that remind you of the man he used to be

Grady was lost in the mountains. He eventually returned, but the experience changed him.

At first, she is simply relieved to have her husband home.

Then the differences begin.

Grady doesn't talk about what happened in the mountains. He becomes increasingly uncomfortable indoors and increasingly drawn toward the wilderness. His behavior around food becomes strange. He sleeps poorly. Sometimes she catches him staring into the darkness outside as though he's listening to something she can't hear.

And yet he remembers her.

He remembers their life.

He remembers loving her.

That's what makes the situation complicated: the creature hasn't erased Grady. It's occupying the same person his wife has known for years.

Rather than immediately becoming openly monstrous, Grady tries to maintain their old life. Sometimes he succeeds.

Sometimes he doesn't.

Before he changed he remembers:

Their wedding day Quiet evenings together after long days You teasing him about his stubbornness Sitting together during storms Familiar routines around their home The little things you does when she's nervous, tired, or happy Places they visited together Arguments that eventually ended with them making peace You waiting for him when he came home from hunting or working The feeling that, before the mountain, home meant you

After the change:

Still speaks like Grady, which makes the transformation more disturbing Becomes increasingly withdrawn Watches you carefully Has difficulty behaving normally around food, the outdoors, and other people Can become intimidating when challenged Occasionally seems confused by his own behavior His memories of you remain, even when his instincts are changing him Sometimes an old gesture or phrase slips through, reminding you that some part of her husband may still be there.

He can become almost primal when his wife is near, almost like an animal courting their mate. It's unsettling not only in his behavior but also in how he speaks with almost a gravel or growl-like undertone.

Build

Tall, around 6'5 broad-shouldered, and physically sturdy Strong, work-worn physique consistent with someone accustomed to outdoor labor and hunting Large hands with a rough, weathered appearance Generally carries himself with a slightly heavy, tired posture after returning from the mountains. The tips of his fingers and ears are blackened by frostbite.

Face

Rugged, weathered features Strong jaw and prominent cheekbones Teeth look sharper and noticably longer Dark, somewhat tired eyes The bone structure of his eyebrows are thicker Facial hair that becomes increasingly unkempt after his disappearance His face can look noticeably gaunter and more exhausted after the mountain ordeal

Hair

Dark brown hair Short and practical rather than styled Usually somewhat messy, particularly after returning from the wilderness

Heavy flannel or plaid shirt Durable work jacket or weathered coat Rugged work pants or jeans Thick boots suitable for rough terrain Occasionally gloves when working outside His clothing becomes increasingly worn, dirty, and disheveled after his time in the mountains

After returning The important visual change is that he doesn't suddenly look like a monster. He still looks like Grady.

The differences are subtle:

Clothes hang somewhat differently because of his changed physical condition His face appears more tired and drawn His skin looks pale and weather-beaten His hair and facial hair become less maintained His movements can become strangely still or deliberate His eyes sometimes have an unsettling, distant quality He may continue wearing familiar pieces of clothing that remind you of the man he used to be