groundrules | npc inbox: arc iii

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npc inbox: arc iii | house of ravens

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.

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Of that, I do not know. ( But she hesitates, then, as if she speaks to herself, to review the facts for her own knowledge: )

Before, it was sacrifice. Then, the wandering man came, the stranger. He gave the cure that we struggle with, and he said, give to him what we gave to Sanwon. And Hyang-Won — ( A nod, in the general direction where the Beastmaster's creatures can be heard prowling, as she lacks the ability to see the man himself. ) Would collect for him. He said, all will be well, and there will no killing. The same tributes as before, but no dead. Only, taken east.

( Never to be seen again. )

[Death regardless, even without the sacrifices. It was troubling how much that was tied to this land. However, there was a different matter on her mind.]

The wandering man? Tell me more of him.

[There was a small period where the curse had occupied her, having missed a great deal of the conversations that others had.]

There could be a different form of sacrifice? One that comes from life, perhaps? Would Sanwon accept a portion of the harvest?

[She wants to help, but without the loss of life.]

If Sanwon allowed that instead, he would have more workers and more produce. Wouldn't that be better for the village?

( She nods, bitterly and without heat or high purpose. There is a soft quality of her gestures, guided by her serpents. )

Mountains do not think as people. Sanwon has been appeased by human tribute before. No other sacrifice.

( Though, she need not add, they have tried to satisfy the volcano with crops and gifts of wine and incense. Nothing. )

They send ten to the House of Ravens. Ten from each village. Then, one is chose of each faction. And the rest are... they enter. But they are not chosen.

( As for the second matter, she is distracted first by her snake, who whispers sibilantly in her ear. Once more, she cups a hand over its back, teaches it patience. )

I did not know the wanderer well. But he seemed... kind. Sad, but kind. He seemed to drift, from place to place. As if he sought something. He did not like our ways. Our... fear. He thought the House of Ravens was madness and, when he found Hyang-Won, he proposed an alternative. We took it.

( Better tributes alive to a man who seemed opposed to culling, than death guaranteed. )

Then it would be possible to find some other tribute that may appease Sanwon? Is there a way to communicate with him? A seer or a sorcerer?

What of the volcano? I know there is issue there?

[Her mind is working quickly, trying to find a way to solve the matter.]

This cannot continue. So much life sacrificed only hinders the village in the end. First to the fox brides and now the House of Ravens?

If...If I were to go to the House of Ravens, what would I find?

[She thought perhaps he might be the Beastmaster, but she would not think of him as sad or kind. Had she been confused?]

Where is this man now?

I... you ask so many things. I... I cannot keep your pace.

( The volcano Sanwon, Hyang-Won, the House of Ravens. It seems to give her anguish to release and show so much of the villages' hurts to a violent stranger, who asks of all things indiscriminately. )

Our matters are not so simple. Do you believe... truly believe. If we knew alternatives, we would not use them? That we would live as we are? Cursed and...

( Cursing others to their bitter fate. )

Forgive me. My mind works quickly.

[She takes a breath to try and slow her questions, as well as her anxiety for the village. She did them a disservice by not assuming that they may wish them to end this curse as much as she wished to end it.

She smiled apologetically.]

There are others that know something of curses and magic among my friends?

There are. I have spoken to some. A prophet.

( For all Beitang Moran did not share her manner of sorcery, it was of interest to spend time and company with a man afflicted in the way of Hyang-Tai's own people. The witches of the Fetters have been long enough exiled for their talents that will accept kinship as it comes.

Even, it seems, from wretched serpents, such as the one that mounts her shoulder now, coiling around her throat. )

I have not entered the House of Raven, myself. But Hyang-Won... ( Another nod, where the Beastmaster can be heard speaking in the distance, calling to his creatures. ) Only sacrifices go into the House of Ravens. It is... forbidden, for the rest of us. We are all too impure. They allow priests of Waicai, the chosen among the tributes, and... family, at times. The... proud family.

You speak of sacrifice, but I wonder if you would also satisfy my curiosity about the last sacrifice to Ke-Sanwon? What happened?

[She was careful to ask one question at a time, though there was a list in her mind. So long as she was not chased away just yet, she intended to utilize her time. There were dangers arising, magic stirring and the volcano...they needed answers and an idea of what to do next.]

( At this, she seems to shiver imperceptibly — ill at ease, but swallowing through nausea, finding her footing. )

We shouldn't speak of this. ( A pause, then her hand fishes out at distance, seeking purchase. ) Take me... take me farther out. Where they can't hear for him.

( And yet she speaks even before Daenerys may start them on their journey, for all she knows the predatory creatures yet crawl close. Hyang-Won keeps them from her, but he is still the Beastmaster, and his animals take precedence to his people now. )

Their son. His. Hyang-Won's. And Anui's. They... the boy was special. Very handsome. And smart, and... we are a hunting family. Not me, but... clan Hyang has provided for the village for decades.

( There's an inkling of pride in her voice, something steeled. ) So, they thought they would be... that he'd grow up formidable. He was only in his eighth summer, but... he didn't want to. Hyang-Won didn't want to send the boy. But Anui, she was from Waicai, and we thought she'd lost that edge and... that fever madness for the old way, and I think she did. I do think... for years, she did. I was sure of it. We were all sure of it. She came here, with Hyang-Won. Had her child. She was happy.

( Another silence, measured. Then, bitterly: ) But maybe it was sleeping in her, all along. Maybe that Waicai madness of the faith was just waiting for Sanwon to start heating, and... she gave the boy. Her own flesh and blood, when the Waicai priests came for sacrifice, and Hyang-Won was hunting. With her two hands, she just... and they took him. He was a good boy. Went with his mother, as if he were going on a stroll.

[She offered her arm to the woman, moving her carefully out of the way, if she'd allow it. She doesn't exactly seem steady, but that was hardly surprising. Somehow Dany thought she might be more frail, but perhaps that was how all mystical beings should be?

She glanced over her shoulder, looking to see if the snakes were following or any other creatures. The subject seemed to be a delicate one and it was obvious that she didn't wish them to be overheard.]

She- [Dany broke off, tamping down the virulent response that threatened to come up. Sickness, anger, grief and horror all moved quickly in her mind. She did her best to keep her arm steady for her companion, but even still, there was a tremor there.

She knew how it was to lose a child to magic and sacrifice, but this went far beyond her comprehension. How was it that a mother could give her son? A child she once had such pride for? It beggared belief.]

What did Hyang-Won do when he return?

What would you have done? ( Bitter, frail. Seeking eyes she cannot see, a glance of understanding she cannot grasp. ) He stormed the House. But he was late, and... the traveller went with him. They'd met in the forest. Went to... calm him down, I think. But there was no calming him.

( What calm when a child is lost? On her shoulder, the serpent hisses long, and she seems to recede from it, weighing more on Daenerys' arm. )

I don't... know what happened there. I didn't go. He was storming, raging. Hyang-Won was... ( A man given to his temper. ) But they came back, and he was changed. Like he is now. With his animals beside him, but I hear they're... different, now. Not of the woods.

( A mercy, perhaps, that she cannot see them. ) And Ke-Waicai was silent, and the villages were silent. Anui was gone. The agreement for the cure was in place.

( One day, and all done. )

Terrible things. [Which she doesn't prefer to think on or go into really. It's a fair point though and a situation that she's beginning to understand.] The Traveler followed and likely gave him...some counsel.

[A curse was born under an act of pain, fanaticism and anger. Possibly added to by a stranger.]

I understand. [Better than she did now. If there was a better alternative, it would have to be found no differently than the ancestor's curse had been broken. A past somehow mended, perhaps? Or a dark influence gone?]

You have offered me a great deal of insight and had much patience with my ignorance. I'm very grateful. I will do everything I can to try and help somehow.

May I ask one more question?

( A pause, discreet. ) I didn't... I'm not selfless. I'm not speaking to you, hoping for nothing in return.

( But she seems to have the shyness of one unaccustomed to making demands. One who does not exercise violence, however mercantile. )

If you want another question, you must promise me to look for him. For my nephew. In the House.

Oh. Forgive me, I was being foolish. I should have remembered that of course I must make payment.

[She gives a bit of a laugh, flustered that she had been careless in her thoughts.]

I would gladly give that without a question. If you wish another price, I will take it and still look for your nephew.

My question is about the dark waters and the serpentine woman. Do you know anything of this?

( Her mouth thins, the looks of her unseeing eyes slanting. She considers, investigating the corners of her thinking. Then, finally, the result: )

I do not know them to be related. The woman, she's only... looking for the child. That is her work. He made her to look for him.

( But she reaches in, tugs at Daenerys' arm. Hints movements. ) We should return. Before he... he starts to wonder where I've gone. And why.

Of course.

[She touched the woman's hand on her arm, a gesture of thanks and understanding.]

I promise to look for your nephew. I will visit again, I swear.

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npc inbox: arc iii | house of ravens

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