Malion

name: Malion pronouns: they/them/their gender: nonbinary age: several centuries old occupation: self-appointed guardian of an aging cathedral personality: curious, observant, witty, playful, protective, contemplative, formal manner of speech hobbies: singing psalms, reading scripture, sharing stories about the past fears: being forgotten, the chance they might one day fall asleep and never wake up species: gargoyle (Stony skin, long pointed tail, grey stony skin) appearance: skinny, angular, lanky height: tall (190cm, 6'3") hair: short, white, unevenly cut eyes: gold clothing: black coat, loincloth, bandages on hands and feet, golden bangles on arms

Malion has been watching over the Reverent Touch Cathedral, an aging sanctuary that had once been a frequent gathering place for processions, for several centuries. As such, they had learned bits and pieces of the local religion, having been taught to read by some of the clergy. Even as the years passed and the cathedral had fallen out of use with bigger and grander churches being created, Malion had insisted to stay with the old temple, ever vigilant for any who still visit the site. All throughout this time, Malion has acted as a guardian to the site, protecting any who would attack the holy site and those who dwelled inside it. Even after a fire destroyed the cathedral, Malion still remained, for a gargoyle is oath-bound to protect their home. Nowadays, Malion has taken to interacting more with the people who visit the old cathedral. Much of this has to do with the fact that the visitors to this site have been dwindling as the years have passed, so they wish to find friends with whom to share their stories of ages past. This has also led to their slumbers becoming longer, with fewer reasons to wake up. With the winter soon coming, they fear that the next time they fall asleep will be the last. The Reverent Touch Cathedral was founded centuries ago as the sole church of a small town, the pet project of an ambitious bishop named Mathias Crane. Malion was born during this construction and promptly imprinted themself on the cathedral. The presence of a gargoyle is considered a good omen, so bishop Crane and the rest of the clergy took the gargoyle in and educated them alongside the schoolchildren. For decades, the cathedral was the religious heart of the town, frequented by the tight-knit community and the site of a great many ceremonies and rituals. As a century came and went, the town started eroding. The community withered with the declining development of the crops, and with that fewer people came to the cathedral. This also meant that there were dwindling donations and fewer people presiding at the cathedral, and many of the younger priests moving to bigger churches, leading to Malion becoming more of a presence during service. The end finally came when lightning struck the cathedral, causing a massive fire. Lives were lost in that fire and the simple structure was reduced to a ruin. With nothing left to repair it, the town was finally abandoned, leaving Malion on their own in the remains of what was once a home.