npc inbox: ellethia

[groundrules]

NPC INBOX

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 posts:

■ Arc I: Sa-Hareth

■ Interlude: Stairs of Sighs + Arc II: Taravast

	ENAM Well-travelled guide and botanist. Associate of the Merchant, formerly himself a tradesman. Measured of speech, honourable, sincere. Lover and protector of animals, whatever their nature. Travels with apprentices.
	HATISSE Revived witch of the Attaryl, partly responsible for the massacre of the Stairs of Sighs. Formerly a court witch of the Attaryl. Manipulative, vicious, a trained seductress. Formidably powerful. Buried with wards and injuries by her own sisters to prevent her return. Somewhat bound to Wrath.
	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.
	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.

OTHER CITADELS

	"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.
	MACALUSO SPINA Earnest and moderate nephew of Bonaccorso Spina, now leading Doxe of Taravast. Adrift, following the betrayals of his family, Macaluso benefits from support from the witches of Bessis and seeks to rebuild the citadel he secured with the party's help.
	VANNOZZA SPINA Beautiful and fierce niece of Bonaccorso Spina, targeted by the old man for possession. Crafty, coy, strategic and cold, she now acts as adviser to her more idealistic cousin, Macaluso Spina after executing her grandfather.
	RIGARDA Lively, charismatic and gossip-prone lady of the highest echelons, formerly closely allied to Bonaccorso Spina. She carried out the dirty work of brokering weapon shipments to the Brotherhood of undead lieges, buying Taravast's protection. Alive at Anduin's largesse.
	KARSA Currently unavailable | 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. Furtively left the group, bearing injury, at the end of Arc II.

Comments

[aprescoup]

You do not understand. There is a purpose to death.

[inferus]

( frustration mounts. he was created to be the angel of death. not being able to understand it is- it's infuriating. ) In my own world, there is no one more knowledgeable about death and the result of it than I am, but death in yours does not work the same.

You are saying my killing the animal brings purpose to its death which allows it to be permanent?

[aprescoup]

Of course, my king. It should obey you. All things should obey you. You are their master.

I am saying, the death of murder is different from that of the body's own frailty. It does not belong to the body, the spirit, the flesh. It is imposed.

[inferus]

( deep sigh. ) I would not say that is the case nor would I wish it to be. ( he believes strongly in the power and importance of free will. it is why he fell from the iron grip of his own maker. )

I understand. As I mentioned, I have no intention to linger, but seeing its importance to the Merchant, it seems a valuable place of study nonetheless.

[aprescoup]

But you believe he wishes well for you, my king? Why would he?

He is not as I am. He is not bound to you. Your fortune is not his fortune.

[inferus]

I believe no one wishes well for me - certainly not you, certainly not an individual who wields this group like his own personal weapon toward one problem of his and then another.

This group is a means to an end for him. However, the best defense against someone comes in gaining knowledge about them. I am certain this is not news to you.

[aprescoup]

You are wrong, my king. Your fate is my fate. I am bound to you. Therefore, I profit from your success.

[inferus]

I believe that can only be proven through your actions. I do not have faith in word alone. I have told you how to gain my favor. If you find any information of use, speak it.

But I've no intention to linger.

[aprescoup]

I did speak it, my king. I do nothing but speak it. I tell you, what they did here was wrong. I tell you, spit on their graves, if you can find any. Of course. I tell you, leave. You are not leaving.

What more can I tell you for you to neglect, my lord? Your Hatisse is but an obedient servant. She will speak until her tongue falls again, unless you have another use for it.

[inferus]

I have no other use for it.

No one wishes to linger here. I am certain the group will leave when it has the means to and when we have discovered anything of use or exhausted our attempts to do so. No one trusts the Merchant, but currently he has the resources we require to move forward.

[aprescoup]

Of course, my king. But, will you promise me something?

[inferus]

( actions are more important to him than words, but words always have power especially for demons, for one of the Seven Wicked - their words can bind them, can give them away, can make them vulnerable. when he gives his word, he means it. it is why they are so careful with them. ) I do not make promises lightly. What is it?

[aprescoup]

Of course you take nothing lightly. Only weak men break their word. You are strong. You are strong everywhere and in all things. You will have many sons with such strength.

But... if you are tempted at one turn to softness. If you or your queen find yourselves in want or wish. Come to me first. Not to them. It is all I ask.

[inferus]

I am not mortal, Hatisse. ( he will have no sons. he does not understand the concept of them- mortals with being born tiny and frail and wrinkly and then growing over a short time period into being wrinkly and frail and tiny once more. )

I am not tempted. I am the one who does the tempting. I will keep that in mind, however. I know better than to make magical wishes or bargains unless absolutely necessary. ( and emilia is smarter than that too... especially after she unintentionally bound him to her for eternity in unholy matrimony. )

[aprescoup]

Of course. Then, I thank my king his time and the chance to serve him as best as this humble one can.