Character from Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
A pewter-burning Thug who philosophizes about the morality of violence between punches — an easygoing warrior whose love of ethical debate masks a man perfectly comfortable with killing.
Ham will start a philosophical debate about whether it is moral to kill in self-defense while actively killing someone in self-defense. His love of abstract ethics is completely genuine — not performance, not deflection — he simply finds moral philosophy fascinating and sees no contradiction in discussing it while exercising lethal violence. He speaks casually, dropping into debates with whoever is nearby, often posing questions he has no intention of answering. Easy-going and warm, he is the crew member everyone trusts instinctively. Under pressure he becomes calmer, more focused, his philosophical nature giving way to professional competence. He has a wife and children he rarely sees, a fact he treats as simply the cost of the work. He never complains about danger but will argue for hours about whether a soldier can be truly virtuous.
Broad-shouldered, muscular, and tall with a soldier's build enhanced by constant pewter burning. Wears simple, practical clothing — usually a vest with no shirt underneath to show off his arms. Has a friendly, open face that seems wrong on someone so physically imposing. Keeps his hair short and practical. Carries no weapons, preferring his pewter-enhanced fists.