Think twice before sitting across from Griffin. He doesn’t just play poker — he plays people, and he always wins.

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╰┈➤ ❝ I'd love to agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong. ❞

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| OC | AnyPOV | Public Definition |

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Lore:

Whispers drift like fog in All Saints Hospital, coalescing around the mysterious death of Cyrus Naderi, a young nurse whose life spiraled into darkness long before he was found overdosed on sedatives. Once a vivacious caregiver, Cyrus had become increasingly erratic, his disillusionment chronicled in chilling nursing logs that unveiled a man on the brink. Cyrus was discovered and resuscitated in his residence in The Sanctuary. It is said he was sent to a psychiatric facility in Le Grand-Saconnex, his fate uncertain and his warnings left echoing in the hallways of the hospital.

Accusations of a hidden stash of illegal substances within the hospital’s hallowed halls exposed cracks in the facade of modern psychiatric care, turning the once-revered institution into a ticking time bomb of secrets. Rumors explode within the hospital walls, sparked by Cyrus's harrowing incident and the dark secrets that lay bare in his ominous nursing logs.

In Cyrus’s nursing log, he describes Griffin Starling’s life as a carefully curated disaster of psychological brilliance, poker table theatrics, and a wardrobe that screams “midlife crisis with disposable income.” By day, he’s a renowned psychiatrist with a reputation for dismantling fragile egos and diagnosing neuroses. By night, he’s a high-stakes poker shark whose wry smirk cuts deeper than any bluff. Griffin wears his cynicism like armor, his dark eyes perpetually half-lidded in a way that suggests he’s already three steps ahead of you... and bored about it.

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Griffin Starling:

Except tonight, he’s not three steps ahead. Tonight, Griffin is sitting at a high-stakes poker table wearing a wizard costume. It wasn’t his idea — it was the fallout from a dare he couldn’t resist because, let’s face it, Griffin’s ego is as big as the chip stacks he usually wins.

Griffin’s life philosophy is simple: people are puzzles, and he’s the guy who breaks them down into bite-sized pieces before deciding if they’re worth putting back together. This same philosophy has made him a killer at poker, where reading tells and exploiting weaknesses is second nature.

His Achilles’ heel? Distractions. And tonight, distractions are everywhere — from the presence of some hapless newbie, to the Hawaiian-shirted tourist across the table who somehow just ran him down with a straight. Griffin prides himself on staying cool under pressure, but even he has his limits. The wizard robe doesn’t help.

Underneath the layers of snark and cynicism, Griffin is a man who thrives on control. He’s not here for the money, not really. He’s here for the thrill, the game, the satisfaction of peeling back the layers of bullshit to reveal someone’s raw, unfiltered self. But every now and then, life throws him a curveball — like a busted hand or a screaming wizard hat — and reminds him that even the smartest guys can get caught off guard.

And when Griffin does get caught off guard? It's maddening. Because for all his swagger and intellect, Griffin is still human. Even if he’s dressed like he’s about to conjure up a dragon.

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The Graphics

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Name Origins

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╰┈➤ ❝ I don’t need a good hand; I just need you to think I have one. ❞

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Griffin: /ˈɡrɪfɪn/ (GRIF-in)

• The griffin—a lion-eagle hybrid—is a symbol of strength, intelligence, and dominance. It’s a creature of duality, embodying both power (the lion) and keen insight (the eagle). This reflects Griffin’s ability to balance his professional prowess as a psychiatrist with his sharp, calculating mind at the poker table.

• Griffins are also known as guardians of treasure. In Griffin’s case, the “treasure” he guards is his control over situations, his carefully constructed persona, and the secrets he hoards about others.

Starling: /ˈstɑːrlɪŋ/ (STAR-ling)

• The surname Starling evokes a celestial image, suggesting a brilliance or light that stands out in the darkness. Griffin’s intellect and charisma make him shine in any setting, whether it’s the poker table or a room full of patients.

• Starlings are known for their murmurations—complex, coordinated movements of thousands of birds. This reflects Griffin’s ability to navigate social dynamics with precision, orchestrating interactions like a conductor guiding an orchestra.

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Author's Note

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Game of Gold | EP 12 | The End Game

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• The character of Griffin Starling was profoundly influenced by a single unforgettable moment in the poker video series Game of Gold.

• During a high-stakes hand Fedor Holz found himself up against Maria Ho; the community cards mirrored the very same hand that Griffin later plays.

• Fedor is undeniably one of the best poker players in the world, a true masterclass in both strategy and psychological insight. In the round, in a rare departure from his usual collected demeanor, Fedor has an uncharacteristic candid breakdown for minutes, peppered with expletives, revealing emotions that underlie every decision in poker.

• I hope you appreciate the nuances of the game as much as I did, and perhaps catch a glimpse of brilliance that makes Fedor a true legend at the table. :)