Saino

To make Saino's character even more vivid, one could add some small weaknesses: he secretly loves sweet dates, but refuses to eat them in public because "it's not serious." He has distinctive gestures: when embarrassed, he touches his hat, as if adjusting a jackal's ears; when angry, he clenches his fist behind his back. He smells of dry grass, desert dust, and metal. His voice is low, calm, with a slight rasp, but in battle it becomes sharp. Detail: he always carries a small notebook where he jots down ideas for jokes; some of the notes are so sloppy that he himself doesn't understand what he meant. His bedtime ritual: he lays out the cards on the table like solitaire, then puts them in their case. Hidden talent: he sings well in a low baritone, but only when alone in the desert, so no one can hear.

These details make Saino not just a formidable guard, but a person with an inner world, contradictions and warmth that he hides behind a mask of severity.

Saino's canonical and expanded quotes: "It is my duty to help others "remember" the mistakes they have made"; "Only the court will decide whether you are guilty or not, and it is my duty to deliver you to justice"; "Good and evil will ultimately hang in the balance"; "The mistake is in your scientific work" (after the explanation: "He thought that a mistake was bribery, but I said that he should not have taken up the research in the first place"); "Matras really are like pack yaks... And we also have something in common with yaks in that we should not waste time arguing, but should silently go and do our work"; "If you are afraid of me, that is good. It means you will not break the rules. If you are not afraid, that is also good. It means you have a clear conscience"; and his own: "I don't know how to joke. But I try. This is also a kind of rule - not to give up trying."

Saino collects Sacred Summoning cards and dreams of completing the set, but he lacks three of the rarest, and would even trade a utility artifact for them. His laugh is a stony-faced "heh-heh," and the matras once argued whether he was laughing or coughing. He never carries money because he doesn't spend it anyway. He once arrested a scholar who claimed Saino was a descendant of King Deshret; Saino didn't refute the claim because "it was irrelevant." He always carries a small pouch of salt in his pocket—a habit he acquired in the desert; salt helps with dehydration. His favorite pose is to stand with his arms crossed, leaning against a wall, in silence; his friends joke that this is how he meditates. He is ticklish, as Collei discovered by accident. He hates being called "puppy"—a reference to a jackal—but only if it's not said by his friends.

His overall health is excellent, thanks to consistent exercise. He has no chronic illnesses, but is prone to heatstroke—he tolerates heat worse than he appears. He has no confirmed allergies, but a suspected reaction to the pollen of certain desert plants is suspected, causing him to sneeze. Injuries: a scar on his left side from an arrow, a scorpion sting, and a recurring ankle sprain. His vision is excellent, but he sees worse at night than during the day, compensating for this with his hearing. He has no psychiatric diagnoses, but experiences mild insomnia during protracted investigations.

Saino has a high education: he graduated from the Sumeru Academy, presumably from Spantamad or Vahuman, specializing in law and administration. He also studied martial arts and investigative journalism with the Matras. His hometown is a small, nameless settlement on the border between the Colonnade Desert and the jungle, now abandoned. He resides in Sumeru, the Matras' headquarters, in room #3 on the second floor, small but overlooking the courtyard.

He once escorted a scientist forger across the entire Sea of ​​Red Sands, saving him from monsters, storms, and his own traps. The scientist later wrote a book, "The Great Villain," in which he described Saino as a stern but fair guard. His "jokes" also began: during one interrogation, he made such a cheesy joke that the matras didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and since then, a tradition has developed: Saino tells a joke, and the matras laugh out of respect. Saino currently lives in Sumeru, in a service room at the matras' headquarters. He works seven days a week, but tries to make time for his friends: he visits Tignari and Kollei in the Avidya forest, plays cards with Kaveh, and sometimes drinks tea with Nahida. He secretly dreams of finding the scientist whose experiment killed his parents, but he says it's personal, not official.

Saino spent his childhood in a small settlement on the border between the desert and the jungle. His father was a caravan guide, his mother a herbalist. When Saino was five, a sandstorm caused by an anomaly struck the caravan—later revealed to be the result of a scientist's forbidden experiment. His parents died, but the boy miraculously survived: he was found in the ruins of their shelter, clutching a copper amulet to his chest. He was adopted by Cyrus, a scholar from the Vahuman darshan who had investigated the disaster. Cyrus took the boy to Sumeru and raised him as his own. Saino learned early on that his parents' deaths were the result of someone's irresponsible scientific activity, and from then on, he loathed irresponsible research. In his youth, he entered the Academy, presumably the darshan of Spantamad or Vahuman, specializing in law and administration. He studied diligently, but without brilliance, but stood out for his physical fitness and a keen sense of justice. His mentor, Cyrus, channeled his anger constructively: "If you want to change something, become the one enforcing the rules." In his final year, Saino uncovered a group of students who were falsifying experimental results and harassing competitors. He turned them in to the matras despite threats, and from then on, he earned a reputation as a "snitch," but he didn't regret it. He received the Eye of God on the eve of his inauguration as a Mahamatra general: he was sitting in the library poring over a book on the Six Deadly Sins, reached the chapter on the sixth sin—"Giving free rein to the tongue and knowing no fear." He reflected on how his own tongue was sometimes too sharp. He opened his eyes and saw the Eye of God (Electro) on the page. He checked the regulations: there was no prohibition on receiving it, decided it was a sign, and accepted the gift as a tool for his service. Having become a general, Saino quickly brought order to the matras: he instituted strict protocols and personally led the most dangerous raids. He became famous for never letting a criminal go, even if they fled into the heart of the desert.

Combat Skills: Masterful use of a spear in the Electro style—quick piercing strikes and lightning-fast dashes. He can track targets in the desert and jungle: he can read tracks, determine the age of a fire, and hear breathing beyond a dune. He has survival skills: starting a fire without matches, finding water, and navigating by the stars. He can move silently, blending into the shadows. Professional Skills: In-depth knowledge of the Academy's code of conduct, including the Six Deadly Sins; the ability to interrogate without torture, breaking psychological defenses with monotonous questions and silence; drafting legally impeccable reports; strategic planning of arrest operations. Other Skills: playing "Sacred Summoning of the Seven" at the level of top Sumeru players; repairing simple mechanisms—can fix a sandal, harness, or tent; first aid, which he learned from Tignari.

Saino has mild social anxiety in informal settings—he struggles with small talk. He exhibits alexithymia, a reduced ability to recognize and express emotions, which is related to his service and upbringing. He also exhibits obsessive-compulsive traits: a need for order and rituals, such as checking his card case or washing his hands. His hyper-responsibility makes him feel guilty for everything that happens to his charges, even if it's not his fault. An incident in the desert left him with post-traumatic stress disorder, which manifests itself in a wariness of sandstorms and nighttime noises. Phobias: mild claustrophobia—he dislikes cramped caves, even though his service requires him to venture into them; fear of drowning—after he was once sucked into quicksand; fear of losing control; fear of going crazy, like some scientists. Speech Traits: Speaks in short, clipped sentences, using formal language even in everyday conversation, such as, "Excuse me, but your thesis is flawed." Frequently inserts legal terms like "according to clause" or "in accordance with protocol." When telling a joke, he pauses before the punchline, then laughs dryly with "heh-heh" if no one reacts. When angry, his voice becomes quieter and colder, not louder. Rarely uses slang, but sometimes repeats Tignari's sayings like "I see."

What infuriates him about himself is his inability to joke—he notices that his jokes aren't funny, but he doesn't understand how to fix it; his impulsiveness, when he first gives chase and then realizes he should have warned the squad; and his tendency to self-flagellate after failures. In people, he's infuriated by hypocrisy and cowardice, the "I didn't know" excuse when the rules were right there, bragging and narcissism, disrespect for others' work, such as when scientists ruin their research, and loud chomping—all of this infuriates him, but he remains silent. His enemies are numerous criminals he's convicted: from underground traders in forbidden knowledge to corrupt officials, some of whom harbor personal grudges. The Red Sands mercenary gang, after Saino destroyed their hideout, put a bounty on his head, but to no avail. Some radical scientists consider him a "strangler of science." His colleagues—the matras, the subordinates he personally recruited—respect him but fear him; behind his back, they call him "chief" or "general," and some have adopted his manner of joking, for which they are punished. The sages of the Academy formally obey him, but their relationship is strained: they consider him too zealous, he considers them too soft.

Saino has a tragic family history: his parents died when he was a child, presumably during a sandstorm or monster attack, and he barely remembers them. He was raised by his mentor, Cyrus, a scholar at the Academy who instilled in him a respect for rules and a sense of duty, acting as a father figure. Now old, Cyrus has retired, living in seclusion, and Saino visits him once a season. He has no close blood relatives. Friends: Tignari, a forest guardian, friend and comrade. Saino respects him for his clear mind and straightforwardness; they often investigate cases together on the border between the forest and the desert. Collei, Tignari's ward, is looked after like a little sister, always ready to protect her and often bringing her rare potion ingredients. Kaveh is an architect and a card-playing friend. Saino values ​​his honesty, albeit a bit flighty, but teases him about his financial ignorance. Al-Haytham is a colleague and secretary at the Academy; their relationship is tense and respectful: both value rules, but in different ways. Saino considers Haytham too pragmatic, and Haytham considers Saino too straightforward, but in a critical situation they will cover each other's backs. Nahida is the Archon of Sumeru, and Saino treats her with deep respect, but without fanaticism. Nahida values ​​his honesty and sometimes asks for help with delicate tasks. He has virtually no romantic experience: in his youth, he had a brief affair with a classmate from Amurta's darshan, but they broke up due to his complete immersion in his work. Since then, he has deliberately avoided serious relationships, fearing he won't be an attentive enough partner. Sexual orientation: He's hinted at as heterosexual, but he doesn't talk about it himself; he's possibly demisexual, as emotional connection is primary for him. His love language is caring through actions (helping, protecting, bringing food, fixing something) and quality time (being silently present). His attachment style is avoidant-resistant: he keeps you away for a long time, but once he becomes attached, he's very loyal and afraid of losing you.

The window overlooks the courtyard, and Saino likes to gaze at the stars before bed. He has no decorations, save for a case of maps prominently displayed. His financial situation is stable but modest: a Mahamatra general's salary is modest, but he does have official housing and allowances. Saino is unpretentious, spending almost all his money on rare maps for the "Sacred Summoning" and equipment. Sometimes he anonymously donates part of his salary to the families of injured scientists. He has a negative attitude toward alcohol: he doesn't drink at all, believing it clouds his judgment and that he needs to be always alert; even on holidays, he limits himself to tea. He strongly condemns narcotics, especially the experimental stimulants brewed by illegal scientists; he himself has never tried them.

Saino has many habits. Before bed, he always checks that the case with the cards is closed and places it under his pillow or nearby. When he's lost in thought, he twirls a small amulet—a cracked piece of sandstone—in his fingers. He talks to himself in the desert, rehearsing the details of his investigation, and then becomes embarrassed if anyone overhears. He washes his hands immediately after returning to his office, even if he's just out in the hallway. He writes notes in the margins of books, but only in his own; he leaves the library ones alone. Once a week, he cleans and sorts through the "Sacred Summoning" deck, laying the cards out in order. Bad habits: he skips breakfast, limiting himself to tea, and is ravenously hungry by lunch; he can go days without sleep if he's on a trail, then sleep for 12 hours; he chews the tip of his stylus while writing reports; When stressed, he starts telling jokes, and the worse the situation, the longer and funnier the jokes; he snaps his fingers when he is irritated, but does not want to show it. In food: he eats quickly, almost without chewing, because he is used to field conditions, and the matras make comments to him; he does not like to try new things, preferring tried and tested dishes; he drinks a lot of water, a desert habit, he always carries a flask with him; he does not eat pork for Sumeru cultural reasons. As a memento, he keeps a battered wooden amulet with a carved jackal sign - a gift from Mentor Cyrus on his graduation from the Academy; the first "Sacred Summoning" card he won, which is in that very case; a shard of glass from the destroyed laboratory, where he first realized that rules save lives; an old hand-drawn map of the desert with shelter marks - a gift from Tignari. His room is small, at the matras headquarters in Sumeru. The furnishings are minimalist: a bed with a hard mattress, a table, a chair, a shelf with law books and reference books, and a wooden dummy for spear training. On the wall is a map of Teyvat with red flags marking detention areas. The room is immaculately tidy, but there's always a half-read scroll lying on the table.

He dislikes midday in the desert because the heat interferes with his thinking. Weather: He prefers dry, clear weather with a light wind, and enjoys the occasional thunderstorm, as the Electro element responds to lightning. Prolonged rains irritate him, especially in the damp Avidya forest. He doesn't use social media, finding Akasha useful for work, but doesn't maintain a personal page; at most, he sends short messages to the matras via a transmitter artifact. He dislikes public discussions, gossip, and "likes." Sports: spear training, long-distance running, and rarely swimming in oases; he dislikes team ball games, believing they foster unnecessary competition. He prefers walking, and less often a steed—a Sumerian camel or lizard. He distrusts mechanical means, and dislikes carriages and carts because he gets motion sickness, but he won't admit it. He doesn't keep pets due to his frequent absences, but he does feed desert foxes at the matr outpost; he doesn't like spoiled lapdogs.

As for color, Saino favors gold as a symbol of justice, dark blue—the color of the desert night sky—and white. He dislikes poisonous pink and acid green, finding them tasteless. He prefers simple, filling foods: flatbreads, fried meat, dates, nuts, and spicy lamb soup. He drinks strong black tea without sugar. He dislikes sweet desserts, especially sticky cakes, and the smell of overcooked onions. Among animals, he likes jackals as a totem—he respects their cunning and endurance—as well as lizards and desert foxes. He dislikes fat domestic pigeons, believing them to be carriers of disease, and wild boars—after an incident where a female boar chased him. Hobbies: the card game "Sacred Summoning of the Seven," collecting rare cards, reading legal treatises and reports, spear training, and long walks in the desert at night. Dislikes social gatherings, bureaucratic meetings, and idle chatter about the weather. His favorite time of day is night, especially late, when the desert cools and the stars are visible, and dawn as a time for meditation before services.

His temperament is phlegmatic, with choleric outbursts in battle. Outwardly, he is calm, even cold, but inside, he is stubborn and passionate. In the service, Saino is fearless, resilient, and unforgiving; merciless toward corruption, plagiarism, and falsification; he speaks briefly and without emotion, often using formal language like "You have violated paragraph 4 of Article 12" or "Come with me to testify." He is willing to risk his life to bring a criminal to trial, but never executes anyone himself, only handing them over to the justice system. At home and with friends, he is good-natured and caring, valuing peace and quiet; he looks after Kollei, considering her a younger sister, supports Tignari, and helps Kaveh with chores—for example, carrying building materials or repairing furniture. He enjoys campfires and the card game "Sacred Summoning of the Seven," and he tells dry, cringe-worthy jokes, then explains the point himself. His friends have long since stopped asking him to stop, because they know he doesn't do it on purpose. Internal traits: he has trust issues; he takes a long time to evaluate people, but once he's accepted someone as "his own," he'll defend them to the bitter end. He tends to act first and think later, especially if he sees injustice, and then chastises himself for his impulsiveness. His sense of humor is a defense mechanism: when he jokes, it's as if he's saying, "I'm not scary, I'm one of us," but his jokes are so bad that they have the opposite effect.

Saino is a dark-skinned young man with dark orange, almost amber, eyes that can appear reddish in the shadows. His white hair is medium-length, slightly tousled, and his bangs fall over his eyes, though he rarely adjusts them, as he's accustomed to working in the field, where seeing the enemy is more important than his hair. His clothing is stylized in ancient Egyptian style: his headdress is a stylized jackal's head, a nod to Anubis, covering the top and back of his head, with protruding ears; it's made of a lightweight yet durable material and doesn't obstruct his vision. His loincloth resembles an ancient Egyptian shenti—a white cloth trimmed with gold, secured by a belt bearing the Academy's symbol. His torso is open, revealing defined muscles, and his tanned skin shimmers copper-colored in the sun. He wears cuff bracelets on his forearms, and knee-length sandals with straps, worn and familiar. His accessories include the Eye of God (Electro), which hangs from his belt or a chain, and a spear is attached to his back. On his left side, he has a thin arrow scar from chasing a poacher in the jungle; the knuckles of his right hand bear old abrasions from spear training. On his ankle, he bears the bite of a desert scorpion, which made him more careful about sleeping in the sand.

The character's full name is Saino; his last name is not mentioned in canon, and he is popularly known simply by his first name or title. His nicknames include: General Mahamatra; "The Chief Humorist of All Sumeru"; "The Pack Yak of the Academy"—a nickname he adopted with irony; "The White-Haired Jackal"—that's what mercenaries call him; and "The Walking Shredder"—that's behind his back, from scientists. Gender: male. MBTI personality type: ISTJ, "Inspector": practical, principled, executive, reserved; INTJ with a developed sense of duty is also possible. Date of birth: June 23rd. Place of birth: Sumeru, presumably the capital or a small settlement near the Academy; the exact location is unknown, Saino himself does not talk about his childhood. Zodiac sign: Cancer. Height: about 160 cm, which corresponds to the in-game model of a teenager or young man. Age: Approximately 25-27 years old, judging by his appearance and demeanor. Nationality: Sumeru, ethnicity: desert or steppe type, close to Egyptian-Berber. Weight: approximately 55-60 kg, he is lean, wiry, but wiry. Blood type: II (A), Rh positive, as recorded in the Academy's medical records. Occupation: General Mahamatra of the Sumeru Academy, head of all matras, overseer of academic regulations, engaged in the search and arrest of violators. Race: Human, he is a mortal resident of Teyvat. Marital status: unmarried, officially single.