npc inbox: taravast

[groundrules]

NPC INBOX: TARAVAST

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!

PREVIOUS NPC INBOX FOR ARC I: SA-HARETH & STAIRS OF SIGHS

	MACALUSO Earnest and moderate nephew of Bonaccorso, seeking to succeed his grandfather. A pursuer of astronomy, accountancy, diplomacy and elemental magic, with a long history of supporting the witches of Bessis. Champions firmer ties with foreign citadels to improve Taravast's access to armies and resources. Looking to choose a bride.
	VANNOZZA Beautiful and fierce niece of Bonaccorso, contending to become the next Ilia Doxe. Mind of a scientist and a lady of the hunt. A practitioner and frequent visitor of the necromantic and healing sectors. Has entertained and turned away more lovers than the heroine of a particularly sappy romance novel. Often indisposed.
	RIGARDA Lively, charismatic and gossip-prone lady of the highest echelons, received at every gathering. Can slaughter half a dozen reputations with the right twitch of her brows before breakfast. An associate of the Merchant's and old friend of the current Ilia Doxe of Taravast, Bonaccorso. Indifferent in the game of succession. Loathes crumpets and witches.
	THE LAVISH LOCALS From the witches of Bessis or Attaryl to academicians, politicians, nobles, servant folk, artists or protestors — if you’ve got a question, someone can surely supply an answer.
	THE MERCHANT 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 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. Only available until 28/12.
	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.

SA-HARETH

"HALTHAM" | ANURR 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.

Comments

[aprescoup]

( She had expected a number of things: to observe her poise, she anticipates the unexpected, often. It ricochets off her, more often than not.

But not this, her mouth soft and gaping, her eyes widened. )

I... we were children. Only children. I do not know the specifics of Macaluso's affliction, I did not see him. We were kept apart, on the chance that... we have often been kept apart, at times of sickness. An heir and a spare, it does not matter which. But grandfather always insisted we should be kept in isolation, if there is ever a risk of contagion. He was... inconsolable when our parents passed. His own children.

( A pause. ) He never believed their deaths were innocent. Perhaps he was right. He cared for Macaluso with his two hands, until they both returned to me. I was told later, he did not even trust the healers. When Macaluso was ill, grandfather watched over all the servants like a hawk. He shared Macaluso's bed quarters, tasted each of his meals, even brought in his hunting daggers, should anyone think to come in the night.

[inferus]

( wrath sees her genuine surprise, and yet she is aware of the time he speaks of without hesitation, without having to search her mind to know what he references. the affliction was as serious as emilia had learned, and healing so quickly from such a serious affliction is strange indeed. he is already aware of the lengths bonaccorso (or someone near to him) is willing to use to keep him alive. the dark rituals, the blood spilt, the deaths and magic were clear. there is always a cost far deeper than blood spilled for defying nature in this way. at the moment, these are all simple assumptions, guesses, theories without enough evidence to act on or speak about so he does not.

his dark-gold gaze flicks over her face briefly before he sits as well. his expression is quiet, unreadable. if her grandfather believed someone was responsible for their parents deaths, the most likely reason is a grab for powers. but they could not do so with two heirs in line and their grandfather still ruling. who could gain power in taravast if that was not the case? he will have to find out later, but it does not seem worthy of his time with vannozza to ask a simple question of politics. )

It seems your grandfather was deeply afraid of losing anyone else. I am certain he did all he could to protect and heal your cousin while fearing the loss of him in a similar way.

Do you remember feeling any differently at all while he was sick or shortly after? Did your affliction occur around the same time?

[aprescoup]

( She pauses, eyes slanted, serpentine and strange. Glazed with the strange confusion and frustration of being forced to contemplate truths so long ago forgotten. )

Months after. But is it so strange? They speak of it in every book and verse of romance, the bodies of girls change, come womanhood. I shall not lie to you. My grandfather loved Macaluso best as a boy, it is to be expected. A son. An heir. But then, Macaluso took to his sickness, and grandfather understood how fickle and flimsy children can be, and how quickly lost. And after, he doted on me as if I were the sun.

[inferus]

( Wrath makes note of these words as well. There are spells and rituals which can connect two people together, but again, it seems to early to make assumptions, despite the worth of the information she provides. )

This is not like how a woman's body changes, my lady.

This change is unnatural. It is not about life but death. It is as if you are carrying a deep cost, but I do not know for who or why. Learning the source is how it may be solved, how you may find the cure you seek.

( It is the reason for his questions though he can tell it is difficult for her to recall. Perhaps another reason he so intently seeks her cure. He cannot solve his own curse but if he could solve hers, it might help him regain some sense of power. )

[aprescoup]

( There is a sudden, vast and endless stillness to her. As if she stands at the edge of a cliff and, gazing down, surrenders her breath before her body. )

A cost. And my handsome doctor, he asks of Macaluso. If we were... sick, one after the other. You suspect... what, precisely? That grandfather and Macaluso contrived to... pass me his sickness? So he might survive, and I might take ill, is that what you think? What you imply?

[inferus]

I imply nothing, my lady, beyond stating the unnatural nature of what has its hold on you.

There is not enough information to make any implication- certainly not an accusation, and I have more sources to look into and answers to find. ( And Wrath has never been one to jump to conclusions. It is a theory- the timing of her affliction is strangely close to her cousins recovery. She was treated differently following that. It is not enough to be certain of anything, but it is enough to question. )

[aprescoup]

We are not a family of murderers. ( And if her voice heats now, she does little to hide the escalation. ) We have our faults. Certainly. Who does not? I ask you, are all your family relations blameless and pure?

( Here, she rises fully, walks. )

But my grandfather raised me in his image. He afforded me every privilege. He even entertains the notion that I should become his successor, where others might give Macaluso, the male heir, favour without thought. My grandfather loves me the same as he does his nephew.

[inferus]

( Wrath understands anger better than most people know their family, better than most people know themselves. Vannozza is a woman who is often poised- not easily shaken. It is something he appreciates about her character. However, she reacts now in anger. It is within her voice, within her body language despite the fact he conceded to not implying anything at all. A person like her would only be angry about the implication if she had worried about it herself, if she carried such an insecurity.

His 'family' is not comparable to a mortal one so it seems unnecessary to respond. His brothers are worse. No 'love' is held between any of them. They do not know the meaning of it. Any one of his brothers would stab the other or use their weaknesses against them if it meant more power or revenge.

Within the quiet that follows her anger, he stands without speaking further of her family. He does not think he needs to. Instead he draws her attention back to what matters to her, what has her willing to take risks. He is sin and temptation incarnate, and he has always known how to focus on what a person really wants. His voice and expression are calm. )

Do you wish to find a cure for what ails you?

[aprescoup]

( She is not a creature of hesitations, not one to meander. She recovers herself, from the fractures, the pieces, the shapeless debris. Sitting on one of the generous sofas, she pats the cushion beside her once, then again, in invitation. )

Whatever the cost, whatever the compromise. I can recover from poverty, indignity or ruin. Not from death.

[inferus]

( Wrath joins her after a moment, appreciating the way she is able to gather herself again and focus on the matter at hand. Not many can, but the resolve is one few mortals can muster. It is why he believes her to be the better choice in leadership than her cousin. )

I will come to you with my experience and knowledge, with what I learn even if what I uncover is ugly, and with a cure if there is one. ( Wrath wants there to be, but he will not assume nor will he lie to her. ) It will be your choice what you decide to do with what I bring you.

[aprescoup]

You mean, what I decide to do with the people who have inflicted this upon me. Because you think there is a culprit, past my body's weakness.

( An easy translation, ruthless. She cuts short their tenuous navigation of unpleasant truths. )

Very well. Do your work, and I shall see you repaid.

[inferus]

I would be surprised if I am incorrect. They may not have done so intentionally knowing the consequences, but someone's actions have led to this.

( Or so he believes. Nothing about her affliction appears to be natural to him, and it generally means a cost of some kind. His gaze meets her own before he nods. )

Tell me if there are any changes or if you remember anything further, my lady. ( He bows his head to her and then offers a hand as if to shake it. He can tell more from touch. It doesn't have to be the affliction itself that he touches, but a person- an individual. Perhaps he can sense more of what she suffers from by that alone, perhaps not, but he has to try. )

[aprescoup]

( She yields her hand with a flourish, landing it soft in Wrath's grasp: beneath thin, pale skin, her pulse languishes, but carries. Past that, her body and her being, the essence of her spirit, appear as if they are unpeeling from each other in a slow, incremental sequence.

She bides her time: )

I would not even know what to tell you. Before the latest spell of... inconvenience, I... experienced the same discomfort as all of you in the tower of Bessis. I have been taking wine and, fair, some of grandfather's opiates, but they are an old introduction to my diet. ( Unlikely, she seems to suggest, to have triggered a relapse. ) I have been receiving visits, but neither my lovers, my petitioners or my necromancers undertook rites. I accepted... a gift of flowers, one of furs, and... jewellery, I am ever sent gold.

( She waves towards the idle spread of her coffers, distantly available. )

Then, grandfather took ill, and, of course, I followed every healers' precaution before being deemed suitable to visit. And now, days after, my city burns, and my back with it. Perhaps the two are linked.

[inferus]

( Wrath is used to dealing with souls- not spirits, leading them to the afterlife, bargaining for them as only the devil might. But still he attempts to call her spirit back to him, to this. She has made no such deal, and so her spirit should be her own. Her spirit would be better protected by the denizens of Hell itself than it apparently is here.

His gaze drifts to the coffers. )

I find it unlikely any of the objects may be related, but I would like to look them over just in case.

( If he can sense or see anything magical within them, it might be something. He is not certain of where to go from here, from this moment. His dark gaze lifts to her own with her hand still in his. )

It may be linked. ( He does not have the evidence to say. ) Did any similar thing happen before your affliction returned? Every time that it did? If you can fine a pattern, there may be an answer within that.

Does your cousin know of your affliction?

[aprescoup]

( Another wave of the hand, and she allows the search of her possessions: they lack in all signs of magical tampering or presence. On her smallest service table, wine and opiates, as she had indicated — strong powders, but they too lack any magical intervention. The wine, while rich, is common. )

Of course. We were friends and children together. Macaluso has... ( Here, the roll of her eyes. ) A romanticised vision of what cousins can achieve together in union. He has trailed after my skirts as long as I remember.

( And her memory runs long. ) He knows. If I could identify a pattern, there would be no need for you, any of you. Sometimes, I laugh with grandfather when I take sick over my wine, and so does he, and we agree: perhaps I was born with my spirit aged, and my body now and then remembers it.

[inferus]

( Wrath thought there was little chance to find answers within the objects around her, but he wants to leave no stone unturned as he stands beside the objects. He takes in her words, filing away this information too, turning back to look at her. )

Your cousin must be just as concerned with finding a cure then.

( He is used to dealing with souls, not spirits, and it has become clear to him how different a spirit is to a soul. Can spirits be 'aged' in that way? It does not explain the feeling of death itself he gets from her. )

On that note, I won't take any more of your time. I will let you know when I find anything of note, my lady. ( He bows his head slightly and then exits the way he came in. )