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

[song_of_fire]

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?

[aprescoup]

( 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.

[song_of_fire]

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?

[aprescoup]

( 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.

[song_of_fire]

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.