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

[weifinder]

Please. Educate me.

[pulvisetumbra]

You may have heard it before. There was once a scorpion that intended to traverse a river, though it could not swim. It asked a turtle to bear it, threatening to sting it dead, if it did not accept. Though fearing for its life, the turtle reassured itself that the scorpion would not kill it in their travels — for, to do so, the scorpion itself would perish drowned. So, the turtle took on its passenger.

They swam halfway to the river. The scorpion stung the turtle in the soft fat of its neck, condemning them both. As they sank, the turtle asked the scorpion why it would do such a thing, knowing the cost. The scorpion said, 'I could not help it. It is my nature.'

[weifinder]

( ........oh for heaven's sake )

You don't have anything left to lose.

[pulvisetumbra]

We have not imperilled or delayed your journey to a beacon.

I name this enterprise a success.

[weifinder]

Yes, well, I'm sure you and Hatisse would have titillating conversations I'd love to listen in on over tea.

[pulvisetumbra]

And what is a dead witch to do with it?

[weifinder]

Plenty, should she take to traveling with us.

[pulvisetumbra]

She is dea -

( But he pauses. )

Of course.

[weifinder]

This is your world.

( His world, where dead does not mean gone. Of course, indeed. )

[pulvisetumbra]

I do not advise it. But if you intend to be the architects of your agony, so be it.

[weifinder]

We already are, left as we have been. Perhaps a time to invest in better than inherent natures. Perhaps not.

[pulvisetumbra]

I am not your enemy.

[weifinder]

Allies are not safe, either, Merchant. Nor have I treated you as an enemy. You'd know.

[pulvisetumbra]

As your associate, I encourage you to direct your attention back to the matter at hand.

[weifinder]

Which one, we've several. Hatisse offers assistance with the beacon, under the auspices of her own pride, amusing as it is that our faults weigh heavy with us before and after death. Vannozza will be told of her impending doom, left unchecked; Macaluso makes his plays, but suffers at the lack of popularity and time. We, as whatever we are, have want of a beacon, and you, yes, can point us toward what specifically to activate such through these gateways?

[pulvisetumbra]

You forget something.

Bonaccorso breathes.

[weifinder]

Do we want that changed?

[pulvisetumbra]

I only name the fault in your plan.

What you do with it does not concern me.

[weifinder]

( he just laughs, not so much sharp as low, hearing that. )

Yes, and he's been pervasive, hasn't he. In unexpected ways to those not yourself.

[pulvisetumbra]

I leave you to ponder him.

[weifinder]

Thank you for the enlightening conversation. Goodday.