npc inbox: sa-hareth + stairs of sighs

[groundrules]

NPC INBOX: SA-HARETH

Reach out to your (not-so-)favourite NPC here, putting their name in the comment header. Try to keep it to just quick text/audio/written exchanges or inquiries that can accept summarised answers, please!

CURRENTLY WITH THE PARTY

	THE MERCHANT username: raven master The patron saint of etiquette and the eastbound getaway expedition. Seems to largely trade information alongside wares. Appreciates spices, strategy and collaboration. Has an eerie and overly cautious manner. Committed. Defends the benefit of the many, to the detriment of the few.
	KARSA username: lady of the willow tree Sorceress, young (?). Employed by the Merchant and deferential to him. Talented but fiery and frequently impatient, intolerant of fools. She will get today's job done yesterday. Struggles to sympathise with men, objections and those who cannot absorb information quickly. Enchanted the group's translation devices.
	ASGEIRR The ghost of a scholar monk. Haunts the tattered execution cloak that the party stole from the La Rea bank in Sa-Hareth. Once a champion of equality and freedom, he faced ire for converting his followers against the regionally profitable trade of slavery. Soft-spoken but wise and just, slow to regain his strength. Will speak to those who visit his cloak in brief interludes. Favours necromancers.
	MAZYAR Charlatan, crook or wise man, Mazyar has worn all the names. Once an exceptionally skilled smuggler, now an equally apt tradesman and caravan master, allied with the Merchant. Less cryptic than his 'associate,' if more prone to riddles and keen on items with value.
	GHOST ARMY OF ARHA A maudlin, marauding and eerily fixated army led by the young lord Arha through the Stairs of Sighs. They seek to rescue Arha's oracle lover Hatisse from Taravast.
	OUHRSSON Guys, it's a bear.

SA-HARETH

	"HALTHAM" | ANURR username: Haltham | illiterate The undead warlord Anurr, previously posing as gentle-mannered giant Haltham. An embodiment of Sa-Hareth's cold storms and wind, who regained his territory from contender Unhalad with the inadvertent help of the party in Arc I. Frostily rational and amenable to some negotiation.
	THE (NOT-SO) GOOD PEOPLE From distressed locals to busy-bee merchants, guards, enchanters, tradesmen, politicians and looser-tongued courtesans — never underestimate the value of indiscretion in a citadel built on commerce, rumour and stubbornly choosing to ignore the expanding rule of the undead. Not every piece of gossip or legend's worth your time, but beggars can't be choosers.

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Comments

[soulsrob]

[Winnie tilts her head, curious] Of course, I always take good care of my things. I won't allow any harm to befall it so long as I can help it.

I suppose just outright asking you to tell me everything that you know would go nowhere? [Since he hasn't seemed too keen to tell her anything upfront so far. Keeping the mystery alive.

She can see tow ways to go about this and hums thoughtfully]

Do you know the language associated with it?

[pulvisetumbra]

It is not a single language.

Madam, it is imperative that you care well for it.

[soulsrob]

It makes it a bit difficult to know what it's trying to say... [Of course it wouldn't be simple. She resists the urge to sigh.]

I will take good care of it, I promise. [Though the way he's repeating himself makes her curious too] Is there a particular way to care for it? Aside from making sure it doesn't get broken or something?

[pulvisetumbra]

Shroud it tightly. It will forget to speak.

( As it happens, he has just the lecture: )

I do not know why it has not impacted you. ( Nevertheless, he suspects. ) But the risk onto your comrades is too severe. Guard it well, out of their hands. It has chosen you. Very well. It may not extend them the same courtesy.

( And gentler: )

When the storms strike, hide it beneath cushions or blankets. Do not let it hear the wind.

[soulsrob]

[She's not sure she'd go that far as to say it's chosen her, but she's not going to point out that she thought it was pretty and just wanted it very badly as a result. Perhaps it'll call to wanting someone else instead, some true 'chosen one.' But, regardless, she's not about to shirk her duties about it simply because she doubts.

Even if she's not chosen, it's clearly something potentially dangerous. Perhaps soulessness is beneficial here--maybe it has nothing to 'feed' on form her or something. Either way, staying on its good side is probably the smarter move. Bad things tend to happen when people don't follow instructions-- she's read enough fairy tales and legends to know that.

So, no feeding it after midnight. Got it.]

I understand, I'll follow your instructions well.

What could it do to the others? [Or her, she supposes, if she doesn't follow things through.]

[pulvisetumbra]

Shall we agree not to tempt fate with that conversation?

[soulsrob]

The best way to smother dangerous curiosity is with knowledge.

That said, I did give you my word, and I shan't go back on it, regardless.

[pulvisetumbra]

Thank you, madam.

[soulsrob]

Of course, my lord. [a pause and she adds] Will I ever be able to understand it?

[Perhaps if she talks to it enough it'll learn English??]

[pulvisetumbra]

( Allow him his silence. )

My dear girl. The moment you know it is the moment it knows you.

And in that heartbeat, you fare worse than death.

1/2

[soulsrob]

[soulsrob]

[Cheerfully:] Fair enough!

Is there anything else I could help you with, my lord?

[pulvisetumbra]

That will be all, thank you.

tamaiu | audio

[weifinder]

( In the hours following talking to Karsa: )

Dear, wonderful madam Tamaiu, might this humble one trouble you for less than an incense stick's worth of your time?

[groundrules]

As it happens, despite the multitude of duties that command her attention, such as picking between distinct shades of pastel blue and azure for the pre-pre-storm and pre-storm robes her beautiful courtesans should honour by wearing — Tamaiu has the time.

She does not measure time in incense sticks, but you should never deny a handsome man.

[weifinder]

He's a briefly polite smile before he offers apologies for troubling her to assist him in this--as an intermediary to get funds from the collective pool of "get out of the citadel" to Karsa's hands, related to the incoming ship and it's breathing, perhaps barely, burden.

[groundrules]

Tamaiu, a lady allegedly of her word, takes the gold and directs it to the given purpose. On her way out, she can't help but hiss, "No good comes of that woman."

But these are not her people, and they may choose as they please.

[weifinder]

If he catches that, as her probably does, he smiles and says in conversational return, "You're probably right, but sadly, I don't think we're considered much better."

Then again he's going to be staring at everything that follows, as it is, and throwing himself into the rolling deep.

Merchant; written

[bearshermark]

Karsa tells of a ship with more captives approaching that will hold more like us. Would they also share your hospitality if freed?

[aprescoup]

Sorry... I can't, uh... can't... with the writing.



( ooc: all messages to the Merchant must pass through Haltham unless the Merchant himself initiates, at this time c: )

audio

[bearshermark]

..Haltham? [A sigh] I was trying to reach B- the merchant.


(ooc: no worries, I just didn't see El with patience enough not to try direct contact with something important)

[aprescoup]

Right... right you are. What shall I be tellin'him?

[bearshermark]

Sorry. I didn't mean- I actually-

[A breath. First things first]

It's just that we need to know if he plans to extend his courtesy and shelter the new captives from other worlds.

[aprescoup]

...sorry. What new... captives? You'll be wanting to give me more.

[bearshermark]

..Karsa told us there is a ship coming in with another wave of captives in a few days- some of them like us. I need to know they'll have a safe place to go to.