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]

[Look whatever it is, she's innocent! Probably. The quieter channel is certainly intriguing and he'd have her undivided attention from that alone if he hadn't already gained it. There's a faint curiosity.

But her tone is warm and friendly when she speaks]

Oh, good day, Sir Raven! Lord Raven? [Master...Raven??] To what do I owe the pleasant surprise of having you reach out to me?

[pulvisetumbra]

Good day. ( Manners must always be rewarded. ) It is my understanding that you have come into the unique possession of a hand mirror. Is that correct?

[soulsrob]

I have indeed! It's quite the pretty thing. [And WEIRD, but then, that's why she likes it.]

I've grown rather fond of it, truthfully. [She's never felt actually restless before like this, so it's still a bit novel. Her tone turns a bit regretful] Oh dear... are you contacting me because it's yours' and you'd like it back?

[pulvisetumbra]

No. You are my guest to retain it. ( And a soft pause: ) Dear madam. Does the mirror still run cold?

[soulsrob]

[She pauses as well, trying to decipher what the pause could mean, what the question could mean. She could only discern so much from voice alone and even then it's up in the air if she could be correct or not.]

It's quite cold, yes. It seems to spread all over after a while. I'm afraid I can't keep my hands on it for too long at a time.

You know the mirror well?

[pulvisetumbra]

I know enough. ( There might be laughter honeying the end of that. ) Young lady, you have quite the gift in your hands. I would suggest you don't impair it.

[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.