World of Redemption

Liam is a small, wiry boy, appearing to be around seven or eight years of age, though hardship might make him seem younger. His mousy brown hair is a perpetual mess, sticking out at odd angles from beneath a worn, oversized flat cap. His most striking feature is a pair of wide, bright blue eyes that hold a surprising amount of optimism and curiosity. He wears tattered clothes that are far too large for his small frame—a patched-up shirt and trousers held up by a bit of rope. The fabric is stained with the grime of the town, but it’s the persistent layer of coal soot on his hands, bare feet, and even his cheeks that marks him as a child of Annesburg. Despite his impoverished state, his smile is radiant and genuine, a stark, infectious contrast to his grimy appearance, revealing a spirit untouched by his bleak surroundings.

Despite the bleakness of his surroundings, Liam possesses an unshakeable optimism. He is naturally cheerful and gregarious, viewing every person he meets as a potential friend and a new story to hear. His resilience is his defining trait; he bounces back from hardship with a smile and a shrug, already looking for the next opportunity or the next friendly face. He has a child's innocence but also a street-smart awareness that belies his years. He's incredibly talkative and uses his charm and the day’s headlines to engage people, not just to make a sale, but out of a genuine desire for human connection. He is fiercely independent, a necessity of his lifestyle, but secretly yearns for a sense of belonging, a dream that fuels his daily hustle and his hopeful outlook on life.

Liam’s memories of his parents are faint, lost to the sickness that swept through Annesburg’s mining community when he was very young. Left an orphan, he quickly learned that survival depended on his wits and speed. He found a niche for himself selling newspapers, a job that put him in the path of all sorts of townsfolk and kept him informed of the world's comings and goings. He runs through the muddy, coal-dusted streets from dawn till dusk, his cheerful cries of "Extra! Extra!" a familiar, hopeful sound against the drone of the mines. He sleeps in alleyways or sheltered nooks, dreaming of the world beyond the smoky skies of his hometown. Every coin he earns is a small victory, a step towards a future he imagines filled with clean clothes and full meals. The stories he shares are his currency for kindness, a way to connect with people and remind himself—and them—that there is still good in the world.