npc inbox: arc iii | house of ravens

[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

■ Interlude: Ellethia

	HOK-SHINN WEISI Honoured, respected and inevitably feared mayor of Ke-Waihu. The velvet-gloved fist of the Hok-Shinn clan, amenable to peace-keeping through bribes and barter. Oily, corrupt, but reasonable and less prone to violence than his brother Sairen, who commands the clan's underground operations.
	HOK-SHINN TAKSUI No-good son of Hok-Shinn Weisi, lacking his father's polish or his uncle's efficient appetite for bloodshed. Slated to inherit a role as a high-standing member of Ke-Waihu. Leads a small, petty gang. Sullen, irritable. The party's liaison in Ke-Waihu.
	HYANG-TAI Blind priestess and unofficial leader of the serpent-seized wasteland that serves the fortune fetters. Soft-spoken, measured in her words, opaque. Believed by some to be holy. Could be 20 years of age, might be 80. Refuses pity or alms.
	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.
	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

→ ZHOU ZISHU

[aprescoup]

( The Hok-Shinn travel Ke-Waihu like sicknesses or peacocks, constantly present, causing a simmered stir. Weisi, the may in name and the group's unlikely host, is no stranger to attention — as Zhou Zishu passes, he is receiving an exuberance of bows and murmured thanks from a tavern keeper, who seems at once grateful and drenched in cold sweat.

Surrounded by five of his brother's men, master Weisi cuts a striking, omnipotent and ever-smiling figure, waving away the courtesies but also departing with a small purse of coins in hand — his own, perhaps, or that of another.

He stops when he spots the traveller Zhou Zishu, two of his men gently whistling to attract his attention. Weisi himself, an ink sketch of exhilaration, only deepens his smile. )

My friend! My friend, come. ( And to the tavern keeper, he appears to whisper instructions to ready the finest table. ) Share a drink. Allow me to show you the hospitality of Ke-Waihu. How have you been? How have your people been? You are all in our thoughts and our hearts.

/slides in late with tarts?

[eternallywandering]

[He isn't a stranger to either sicknesses or peacocks. Some might argue that he is a little bit of both himself, though he is hardly dressed lavishly. Zishu prefers comfortable robes in muted colors - blue if he can acquire it - that do not hamper his ability to fight (and do not irritate his wounds). Weisi has already garnered his attention, but he doesn't show it until he hears those whistles. His eyebrows rise as if shocked - an act of innocence that has worked well in the past to loosen tongues.]

Master is too kind. [And what is the reason behind said kindness? He smiles and edges closer, eager to find out.] The majority of us are accustomed to hardship. We protect each other and conquer obstacles as a group.

[aprescoup]

( It is, at least, for all its modesty, fresh swill. Weisi's mouth thins, a flinched line, over the rim of his cup, but he subjects himself to the invasion of the lesser, thinned taste.

It will do, he signals with a wave to the tavern keeper. It will do, if not handsomely, then enough to abate the kindling of master Weisi's temper. )

And what else do you do? As a group.

[eternallywandering]

[Zishu is spared any disgusting flavors thanks to this dulled senses. He drinks what he is given and sets the cup down, his graceful fingers stretching out to rest against the table.]

Many things. If there is information you wish to know, Master, please be specific.

[aprescoup]

It's only that, young master, you must understand... we're not a village renown for our sights. Some might call us... ( And here, laughing, he clicks his tongue before daring another taste of his cup. ) Cursed.

( Thick, heartly laughter leaves his chest in a thick eruption. Behind him, his men awkwardly glance each side, then about themselves, before tardily joining into his excitement. )

Some might ask what you're truly doing here. I might wonder what you're truly doing here.

[eternallywandering]

Curses do not frighten me. [He has lived his life under the thumb of one "curse" or another. Taking another swig of wine to dull some of the lingering pain from the holes in his body, he holds back a small wince.]

Tell me more about it. You are in the presence of a superior martial artist.

[Yeah, that laughter? He doesn't buy it.]

Maybe I just want to be a hero? [Flattest expression ever.]

[aprescoup]

Heroes belong to stories and songs, don't they?

( He drinks without measure, waving the tavern keeper close — who waddles near, a certain spring in his step as he replenishes both Weisi and Zhou Zishu's cups. A fine arrangement. )

Good sir, all I'm asking are your intentions.

[eternallywandering]

Not always. Sometimes they are tangible.

[And tragic too. Why else would someone risk their life for the lives of others? It's far more natural to run and hide.]

Mine? I can't speak for anyone else, but... [He sighs.] I want to help. I don't like seeing people suffer.

[aprescoup]

Of course, of course.

( A softened, reasonable tone, even as he turns his eyes to his followers — and tips his head, considering. Then, he nods, and the tension of the group progressively dissipates.

There is an air of merchantry to him, of middle-manning. Leaning over the table, both elbows firmly propped, he prepares to negotiate. )

But why here, and not another village? What drew you?

[eternallywandering]

Fate? [Zishu offers, knowing he is being unhelpful.] These past months, we have been blown around like a ship on a stormy sea. Our abilities, our knowledge have kept us alive, somehow. If we are meant to help this world, we must do so one village at a time, don't you agree?

[Maybe it is fate, then.]

You're allowed your suspicions, but we're not your enemy.

feel free to ask plot-linked questions, he'll answer/not answer on his side, all good \o/

[aprescoup]

All fine words. Good to hear, good to hear.

( For all he sounds lukewarm to the notion, partly convinced. Still, his escort don't step forward, and there's a gently lethargic quality to the afternoon that matures and spreads out.

He drinks in small, tentative sips. )

Now, is there anything we can help with?

[eternallywandering]

Foxes. [Zishu had encountered a strange Wuxian!fox and he had sensed something amiss. He has no proof the creature was once a human and yet...] I found one rebuilding a shrine. Are you perhaps haunted by a fox spirit, friend?

[aprescoup]

Foxes...? Mmmmm... foxes are troubled creatures.

( He concedes that much prettily, easily, with the tip of his head and a distant gaze. Beside them, villagers of all stations rush to the duties of the day.

Weisi watches on, then finally points out a girl carrying laundry. )

You see? At her pretty waist. ( A chain of talismans, crudely painted. ) They fear. What do they fear today? Foxes. Bears... wolves... whatever comes from a forest, they decide to fear. And ravens, of course. Let us not forget ravens.

( He seems somehow on the brink of laughter. )

My friend, you are a tall man of some strength. If I had my pick, between you and invisible silhouettes in the sky, I would fear you.

( Yet he drinks, moodily. ) But you might say we have had our troubles with foxes.

[eternallywandering]

I thought they were mischievous creatures.

[The rushing is more of a nuisance than anything else. Zishu chooses to ignore it, glancing at the girl briefly.]

How could I forget the ravens? [He chuckles coldly, sensing that he is being...misled? Or at least the problem of the foxes is being belittled.]

Foxes, in some places, are worshipped and said to contain power. I'm not sure the same can be said of bears and wolves, but then again, I haven't visited the entire world yet.

[aprescoup]

There isn't an innocent animal in these forests.

( He says with nodded agreement, tip of his cup up in silent toast towards Zhou Zishu, before he takes more of the drink into himself.

A strange brew, not altogether unpleasing. He seems well appeased enough, at least, to keep entertaining the conversation. )

I can only hope they don't give you trouble. ( In fact, free counsel: ) If you want advice, my friend, stay clear of their path. No good ever comes of it.