npc inbox

[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

■ Arc III: House of Ravens

SERTHICA | ALLIED NPCs | OTHERS

SERTHICA

	ARABELLA Mistress of discipline and Minaras' Watch ships, and member of the ruling governance. Her manner at once innocent, ruthless and cold-blooded. Mother to clockwork children.
	CAIN D'UBIQ Foremost dragon rider and gentleman of Eidris, accepted by the great fire-breathing Ashtart. War hero of the conflict with Minaras. Too young for his rank and achievements. Patron of several dragon schools. Appears perpetually absent-minded, thoughts astray.
	MA'AM MARIOL Motherly figure to the orphans of Serthica's impoverished underworld of exiles, the Mouse House. After years of rearing, prone to treating everyone as children. Her temper runs hotter than a first glance might indicate. Knows just about everyone.
	(KING) THIVAR II Formerly king of Serthica, holding a diminished court in Eidris — the single citadel contingent that still recognises his authority. Headstrong, firm, dignified. Claims Minaras and Serthica's dragons as his birthright.
	CHRICHTER Only available to those who join Remembrance. Leader of the radical Remembrance resistance movement that calls for a different solution to Serthica's post-plague political landscape. Unaffiliated with Eidris or Minaras.

ALLIED NPCs

	KARSA 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.
	'QUICKSILVER SAM'(UEL VANE) Pirate king of great renown, master of haunted waters. Recovering from a journey through the Crossing Seas, where he summoned the drowned dead for a foolish act of vengeance with an elusive artefact he himself misunderstands. Agile, quick-witted, charming and possessed of more street smarts than many. Intent to repay his debt to the party.
	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. Not travelling with the party.

OTHERS

"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.

Comments

Quick Sam

[bravelyrunsaway]

Erstwhile captain, what berth have you found in the aftermath of our very unfortunately exciting introduction here in Serthica?

[sansdoute]

( He's taken his time to find his footing after the group's shown him the mercy of their acceptance, but he's wearily content now, accruing strength. The madness exorcised from him. )

All ports welcome when storm's at sea, lad.

[bravelyrunsaway]

A logic Mr. Briggs was less than enthused about, regretfully.

( said with a low laugh, and no particular rancour. the chance he was talking about literal ports was exceedingly low. )

Though he did delight in introducing me to his namesake for the difference in opinion. Quite chatty in the brig, with all the lovely ladies for company.

( a cluck of his tongue, waving it off both mentally and otherwise. )

To be direct, I wasn't in favour of keeping you alive. The larger number of us felt otherwise, and I'm equally unfavourable to revisiting their decision to act against it.

( just a pause to follow, since it's a statement, nothing that needs replying to, and nothing he expects is terribly endearing. his ultimate point being: )

I've an open port should you care to exchange either information or beds, or both at once. For whatever it's worth, we're now weathering the same storms, for as long as your gratitude lasts. Make of it what you will.

( he sounds so cheery at that last. )

[sansdoute]

( A pause, inevitable. There is a certain awkwardness lent to any polite conversation wherein one man confesses he had conspired to the death of another. )

I'm making, me... you can't make up your mind. Want me dead, want me in a bed, ey? Sort yerself.

[bravelyrunsaway]

( he does laugh at this: )

Hardly. As I said, I don't care for you dead.

( past tense, he wouldn't have put himself out there to keep you alive. he's not on contract for it. even the merchant hasn't contracted him for shit. very weird! )

[sansdoute]

Good for the learning, between mates.

[bravelyrunsaway]

Does tend to leave footing a bit more solid, love, I'll admit. Reasons to always be certain of who you sign on with or for, and under what terms, with what loopholes.

[sansdoute]

There a... there a point to this, mate? An 'or else'?

[bravelyrunsaway]

Hm? Oh, no. Only an invitation. Or else's are for people with the motivation to think threats are helpful.

( a short, middling to soft snort follows with an ironic twist to his voice: )

Unless you're into that sort of thing, in which case I'll do what I can for you at your request.

[sansdoute]

...ooooh. ( Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. ) Friend, no trouble, but... you're pourin' salt in the sea. Wasting it. I've an eye for the finer... feminine senses.

[bravelyrunsaway]

( again, a laugh, not in the least bothered. )

They're deeply impressive, can't fault a person for appreciating them, I do myself. The other invitation stands, as it is.

[sansdoute]

Ye're numbering some handsome skirts.

[bravelyrunsaway]

I'm a very open man, love, with those equally willing and enthused.

[sansdoute]

I'm no man to question yer appetites.

[bravelyrunsaway]

( another short laugh, genuinely amused. )

Wonderful to know, needless as it is. Clear skies to you, Captain, and if you take to a turn of wanting a drinking companion, my time is yours.