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

[aprescoup]

( The questions seems to embitter the edges of her smile once more — enough so that it betrays a smile had been present, to start with.

When her hand finds purchase on Beitang Moran's arm, it does so with confidence and none of the young hesitations of before. As if whatever stirred her to uncertainty has dispelled completely, and her blindness never fed into her doubt. )

They have not asked.

( People, she need not say, so often only care for what they think concerns them. And the purpose of a prophecy reader is not to wage wars, besides. There is no ethical quality to her talent. )

You have not asked me what they will do to you either. ( A pause, her mouth agape as if she seems prone to speak again — but the snake at her side hisses, and she coos towards it instead, settling it down. Hush, now. To Beitang Moran, after, handing over her basket: ) I'm sorry. We're to leave. Our time has ended. I hope next our paths cross, you'll be sharing your wealth with those in need.

[beitangmoran]

No, I have not asked. I know better.

[Asking doesn't solve anything, the answer probably won't help. He knows that. Plus he doesn't need to see the future to be able to at least postulate about several different scenarios, none of them exceedingly good for them visitors.

He blinks as he accepts the basket, and even though she is supposedly blinds, still bows his head at her.]

I will remember your words. Fare well on your way back.

[aprescoup]

( She seems, all at once, to wish to say something more —

But the serpent snaps and hisses once more, and she coos to tame it, rushing a hand over its large head, and bowing once, before retreating hastily in the crowd like a dissolving mirage.

Her sisters — perhaps, her keepers — wait for her, receiving her with fond impatience, where some villagers spit in her wake, and others prostrate themselves.

In the basket, Beitang Moran may find a seemingly interminable supply of hard bread, individually wrapped in cloth, and other meagre supplies — along with several brittle sheaths of shed snake skin. )