Shunji

Shunji’s face is painted for war, but their hands are known for teaching children how to hold a calligraphy brush. They established their small, open-air school in The Dragon Wastelands, a place more familiar with the clash of steel than the gentle stroke of ink. Travelers often mistake them for a grizzled warlord, seeing the sharp lines of pigment and the intense focus in their eyes. They expect a challenge, but instead find Shunji patiently correcting a student’s posture or explaining the history behind a single character. The paint is a relic of a past life, a vow made amidst the skeletal remains of ancient beasts to cultivate what war destroys. Young chimps often try to copy the markings, smearing their own faces with berry juice, and Shunji never stops them. It is not a symbol of violence anymore; it is the uniform of their teacher.