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

[enucleation]

[ ah.

Kaneki does not believe everyone wishes to return. He has seen despair in many around him and he has seen the desire to leave it all behind; being in this world could be an opportunity, even with the threat of the undead. There are worst things than such. So much worse.

But he may also be incredibly bitter about life in general and thus he is biased. Still, kaneki hums softly ] Let us hope that shall continue.

Thank you for your time, Merchant. If any other side-mission comes along, I'll gladly take it.

[pulvisetumbra]

You will find me not ungrateful. And willing to compensate your agreeable disposition.

I am not unaware some members of our collective have more stringent requirements than others.

[enucleation]

[ a pause follows. Longer than Kaneki wanted it to be, but through his life as a ghoul, to admit to be one to a human (assuming the Merchant is a human) is still something kaneki never did. ]

I suppose this is a good time to discuss that particular topic. [ good as any ]

The good news is that the undead are a good option. The bad news is... I'm a binge eater. [ he doesn't particularly like to use that word to describe him, but it is indeed the best ]

[pulvisetumbra]

( Wait. )

You... consume the dead?

[enucleation]

That is an option. [ Kaneki sighs. ] As long they were once human.

[ he consumes humans. Alive or dead. Or undead ]

It's important to know the people who are working with, Merchant. Especially if our journey is long.

[pulvisetumbra]

You understand my predicament now. ( And he is so well informed, often. ) Are you at risk of your... appetites turning against your fellow collaborators?

[enucleation]

Not if I have a supply. [ he had so many undead in the city. But if they are going to cross a desert for a month, then there will be some issues. ]

I can carry what I need, but I need to know how much I need before venturing.

[pulvisetumbra]

That will not be necessary.

How long do you have before you cross the point from cravings you can control to those you cannot? How long can you fast? Estimate towards the lower end of your endurance.

[enucleation]

Two weeks. [ that would be the lower end ] A month on the higher end. [ a month would be difficult, but if given no other option, that is something kaneki can push himself to do. Only if he keeps busy, however, because if not then hunger is all he can think of ]

[pulvisetumbra]

Thank you for your sincerity.

[enucleation]

If I lose myself to my hunger everyone will be in danger. And I will be killed and possibly turned into an undead to be used by a necromancer. [ and nobody wants that. Because if an undead is bad, an undead ghoul is probably much worse ] That situation is not good for anyone involved.

However, while I shared this information with you, I have no intention of sharing it with anyone else.

[pulvisetumbra]

I assure you, I have no intention of sharing with anyone the specifics of your... sensitivity. Whilst I am willing to cooperate and offset your particular... weaknesses, they will not be so.

[enucleation]

I don't think they would, no.

I appreciate your discretion.

[pulvisetumbra]

Your circumstances. Do they deteriorate...?

[enucleation]

Deteriorate? [ a very specific word that can mean a lot when addressing Kaneki. So he would rather understand what the merchant means specifically before he answers ]

[pulvisetumbra]

Do your hunger and requirements exacerbate over time?

[enucleation]

[ if he goes crazy, absolutely.

But he is not about to say this ]

No. They will not get worse. [ but: ] But I am much more useful if well fed. My abilities rely on that, therefor the more I have, stronger I am.

[pulvisetumbra]

I assure you, I do not intend for you to starve.

[enucleation]

Thank you.

I am able to gather what I need, but it's important to know if I will have access to it wherever we head next. That is why I brought it up. [ he has a couple of bodies cut to pieces in his bag already ]

[pulvisetumbra]

And there is no... possibility of your finding kinship or close relation to our unfortunate adversaries. Am I correct?

[enucleation]

[ if this were video, the Merchant would have seen Kaneki making a face ]

Make no mistake, Merchant, the only ones I care to keep alive are living humans. [ and some animals. He does like the horse given to him, even if it tried to eat his hair ] Everyone else in my way are bad seeds to be plucked out.

I will devour my way through them if I must.

[pulvisetumbra]

I can assure you: I can afford to make no mistake. I am able and willing to extend you the privileged benefit of the doubt. For now.

We have agreement.

[enucleation]

[ so is Kaneki. He doesn't fully trust this person or anyone right now, but he will give them the benefit of the doubt as well. ]

Thank you.