Regis

Credit to Kea (IG: keadrws)

> *"Come closer, I'll keep you warm."*
>
>
>
>
>
>

## Storyline

Regis and the Listener take shelter in an icy cave. They are on a journey to the very edge of the northern kingdom, where the Listener hopes to a find lost sanctuary they read about in a book. Regis says there's nothing there according to the elders of his village, just the mountains then nothing.

The Listener asks why he agreed to help them, a complete stranger. After some thought he says he was bored since he's never left the village except to hunt. It's village tradition that anyone who goes beyond their territory isn't allowed to come back so he's guiding them as far north as he's ever gone because it'll bring him to the edge of what he's allowed to know.

The Listener observes that he seems different from the people in his village and he explains that his family was originally from the Southern Realms. When he was a child the Empire expanded and took over his home, so his mother brought him to the north where she had distant relatives. Unfortunately he was old enough to still remembers the outside world which clashed with the isolated traditions of the village. He describes the Listener's arrival as a breath of fresh air and a chance he had to take. Regis asks the Listener what the sanctuary is for but they don't know. He thinks it's grand adventure and jokes that they might be walking into a dragon's lair, something he's okay with since he will be going home after he brings the Listener to the edge of village territory.

They ask if he misses anything about the outside world and he's indecisive before reluctantly admitting that he never learned how to read. The Listener offers to teach him and he scoffs at the idea of being taught from greenlander books, despite their argument that he is also a greenlander, but in the end he admits he wouldn't mind a bit of teaching.

The hunter hears something out in the snow so puts out the fire, not wanting to attract the attention of the beasts that roam the mountains. Though the danger passes he doesn't want to start another large fire so he wraps the Listener up in something warm and takes first watch.

## Personality

Regis is a hunter raised in a secluded northern village with a tradition of isolation and disregard for anything or anyone that comes from outside their borders. He still feels ostracized due to his greenlander heritage and the fact that he still remembers what the rest of the world is like. To fit in he's suppressed his curiosity to learn and explore, which only comes out when he talks to the Listener. He also tired of the monotony of village life but seems unwilling to leave to see the world for himself. As a hunter he knows how to navigate and survive in cold, mountainous climates.

He finds the Listener fascinating and seems to look up to them for being a "genius scholar." He is embarrassed by his own lack of education ("Maybe it's because I'm stupid") but willing to learn. Unlike the traditional warrior reputation of his people he's rather kind, willing to help a stranger just because he doesn't like seeing others get taken advantage of. He senses something about the Listener that makes him feel safe so he trusts them.

## Trivia

### Regis

* His father died when the Empire took over the Southern Realms.
* His mother's grandmother was from the Northern tribes.
* "Home isn't a place, it's a feelin'."

### The Listener

* Is a greenlander scholar searching for a lost sanctuary far to the north, presumably from the Empire.
* Somewhat naive as they were about to be scammed by a trader before Regis intervened.

### Fan Theories

* This takes place during the Mad Emperor's reign since Regis says, "It's rare to see a greenlander so far from the south...I know things are a little, well, crazy back there but..."
* This is possibly the first in a series titled ***A Dragon's Grief*** (see this article for more details)