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groundrules) wrote2022-01-23 05:44 pm
groundrules) wrote2022-01-23 05:44 pm
Entry tags:
npc inbox: arc v
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
■ Arc IV: Serthica
ALEM
| DEIMAR Young king of Alem, six months into rule. Ascended after his father perished during Alem’s siege. Bright, sharp, sly. A golden prince with formidable charisma. Men would follow him to their doom. | |
| HAIVA Elder brother to Deimar, whom he resembles greatly. No appetite for the throne. Organises the evacuation convoys and healing efforts. Personally visits the wounded often. Scholarly, sedate and sickly. Has offered a bounty for the Reaper. | |
| CLE-FLORENS Twelve-year-old sister to Deimar and Haiva, in line for the throne. Shy, hesitant, weary of bloodshed. The people name her a symbol of righteousness and think they’ll win the war if they are led by her innocence and sacrifice. | |
| VATAZ DECEASED | Cousin to the heirs, son to Thyvault. Paladin of renown, serious, earnest, ready to sacrifice his life for Alem. Devout believer in the citadel’s sacred mission to rein in hell. | |
| THYVAULT Uncle to the throne heirs, father to Vataz. Pragmatic, weathered, strong. Consummate soldier and sorcerer. Briefly acted as Regent while Alem determined his brother’s succession — many say he hesitated to surrender the crown to Deimar. | |
| GALATEA Distant relation and noted paladin. Patient, fair and compassionate. A rare embodiment of military prowess and diplomatic sensibilities. Negotiated the trade route truce with Rathakku and has been single-handedly striking supply deals with traders. | |
| KERASSTONE Leader of Mount Attevar’s ancient dwarf tribes, which preceded the settlement of Alem. Allied with the citadel for its efforts to keep hell bound. Battle-hardened and quick-tempered, but a man you want minding your back in battle. The one who’ll make sure everyone survives. | |
| MERCHANTS OF ALEM Passing scavengers intent on stripping the flesh off Alem's financial bones. From boastful Batthour of the grain route to stern Eles of silks and steel, they'll supply most provisions... for a steep price. | |
| RATHAKKU / RAKKATHU / 'THE LORD WHO WAITS' Undead liege. The Lord of War. Cruel, cunning, decisive, strong. Apt torturer and tactician. Sufficiently patient to wait out a year of siege against Alem. Leads the armies of the brotherhood — so far, to perennial victory. Can only be reached by missive (a single letter/answer interaction) or through envoy. |
| 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. Currently unavailable. | |
| ZENOBIUS Former caretaker and scientist of Ellethia, site and cauldron of the first undead attacks. Fell victim to local enchantment and looked after the comatose bodies of his former colleagues for years. Fell and awoke from a long sleep, partly amnesiac. Practical, grumpy, unafraid to challenge the Merchant. | |
| '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 |
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. |
no subject
I think I'm missing some cultural clues here.
( In fact, he's fairly sure the flower? Is some sort of offer? Likening it to his pale cheek is telling him a few things about shared concepts of beauty he can at least acknowledge, but this is... so off topic to what he was actually asking after.
He hands her the letter, reaching for the tea instead with a small shake of his head. )
Am I reading this wrong, or does she think I have, or she has, proposed?
no subject
She shouldn't, she really shouldn't, but she lets out a laugh.]
I think she thinks you did, and is accepting. The patriarchal values and misoginy aside, why would she have reason to think this? What did you write? Did you write?
no subject
But he's trying to remember the particulars of what he worded, and he hums after he swallows. )
I said we were small in numbers, but willing and already offering help to her people. And that we didn't wish to see any extra death, and would help evacuate those looking for the assistance, as we've been doing. If it's what a person wanted. Then I asked what she wanted.
( A pause, thinking to the letter in Hermione's hands: )
I mentioned where I'd been working, since I assumed she or someone else would turn an eye my way, so making it painfully easy would also make it painfully obvious this isn't attempting to be close to difficult to track me down for. The last thing we need is more shadow puppetry, ah? Not sure how that translates into a marriage proposal.
no subject
The longest sigh.]
I imagine that if this is how she's been raised, it wouldn't matter if you intended to translate it to a marriage proposal or not. It's the full extend of chivalry - clearly she thinks you're amazing for knowing who she is and addressing her directly.
[Twelve year old Hermione would've swooned at the slightest bit of attention from Professor Lockhart, for example. She's been there, she gets it, Cle-Florens.
But on that note.
She waves her wand very subtly, casting a privacy spell, so that what she asks Wei Wuxian next is for nobody's ears but his.]
Were you trying to offer her a way out of the city? Do you think her family will sacrifice her, truly?
no subject
Is saying a young woman's public name too private here?
( the direct address, to some extent, he guesses, but how in the world hasn't someone who actually wants to manipulate her had fun coming along with this? it breaks part of his heart, to think of any young woman so isolated and informed of her own powerlessness except as a sacrifice for her people's prosperity, for her brother's sakes. for parents who must be honoured, after death.
or was he projecting his angers, decades old, that his shijie had faced? she who was brilliant in so many ways, and not appreciated for that brilliance as she should have been all along. as she was, eventually, by the one she'd loved since her youngest years, however poor that boy's regard had been for her. )
I don't know if either brother will decide that call is most politic, or if either have the heart to sacrifice her over themselves. I don't know these people the way I know my own. I was trying to offer her a choice, if she wanted to make one, and to a degree, she has.
( he doesn't look pleased by this. thoughtful, yes. )
Sacrifice as she imagines is often less useful than she imagines. Unless there's a blood link between the ruling clan—family, whatever word is appropriate, and the sealing of the gateway into Hell. Even so, we have one brother flirting with death, the other struggling as a young king, an uncle proclaiming devastation over his son's death to an inhuman murderer, and the surviving Paladins more and more concerned that only a 'sacrifice' can help. Desperate people make poor decisions. Myself, I don't believe in sacrificing children.
no subject
There is a young girl in this city who thinks she was raised up to be either bride or sacrifice. ]
We've seen our fair share of human sacrifices on this journey, and they've never been something I could justify, regardless of the sacrifices' age.
[ She gives a little nod, determined now; if Wei Wuxian won't say it, she will: ] We should get her out. She's too young to be doing this, and not informed. She can hate us later, and her brothers might do the same, but I think she should be going with the rest of the refugees.
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What will I write back to her with? Do you think I can tell her I have a son her age? Imply without actually saying it that he might be a better match?
( Help how does one handle a child's crush, he brushed these off by not seeing them before, this one's just. There. With a lily. )
Tell her there's greater honour in living to lead by the example of bravery in a life chosen, and that women, far more than men, are the ones brave enough to live where men quake and quail, fearing ends?
no subject
[ If she were a cat, her tail would be all furrowed, and 'grandmaster' would've been hissed. The dry sarcasm is undeserved, probably - and Hermione feels embarassed by it immediately.
The frown goes away, her arms uncross. She actually considers the letter. ]
I am assuming that you couldn't teach a girl like this about feminism in one letter, and it should not come from you. Maybe I can act as your secretary? Write back to her in your name and relay that living makes more of a statement, and does more honour to her people, than dying.
no subject
He can find it bothersome and still understand the games. )
My, my, Miss Hermione, such strong feelings for my a'Yuan! A father does wonder.
( :) )
I have no idea what a secretary is, but if they write letters that help this young girl then by all means, you're the one and only secretary I could ever wish for. Please! Do me the honours, and see what you can help with instilling in this young woman's mind.
( Solemnly said, as he hands over the pressed... lily... )
Hold this as a secretarial duty of safekeeping. Please.
1/2
[ Might actually grumble a shut up as she picks the pressed lilly up and stores it carefully inside her magical bag. With a sigh, she turns over a leaf in this conversation, and picks up parchment and a pencil to write a new note. ]
You should still handle the delivery - I suspect I'll be needed up on the tower soon. And if the intent is to indeed help this child get out of the city, then...you can reach out to me for help.
[ AND ANYWAY, TO TASK ]
no subject
Master Wei Wuxian sends his gratitude for the flower, which he shall preserve for safe keeping to the best of his ability as a gift from a friend. He extends apologies, for his duties in Alem have limited his ability to send forth a reply, and he has entrusted me with the task as his trusted protegee.
[He's not into you, kiddo.]
I know we have not met before, and don't wish to alarm you - my name is Hermione Granger. I fought with your brother's men on the Eastern Tower, where I remain still fighting to give the citizens of Alem a chance to run from this danger. There is no blame in running away - there are so many young people among the refugees, and I would not wish them the burden of having to pick up arms against your enemies. Children should be allowed to be children, Your Grace. To grow up, to play, to live freely and in safety. Children should not be expected or brought up to consider themselves honourable sacrifices.
We are close in age, princess, so I will do you the favour of directness: your death would benefit no-one. It would not save the city, it would not stave off the undead army, it would not fill the hearts of your people with hope. Live, instead - and live well - and you may honour them more.
If you should want to walk among your people, to know what is in their hearts, reach out to us.
Sincerely,
H.G.
no subject
Mistress Granger,
I thank your note and your kind and gods-fearing care for Master Wei Wuxian. And to know that he is so open of mind and gentle of spirit to entrust and permit the reading of letters, and the greater hardship of penmanship, to a member of the womanly disposition. Indeed, I note that your calligraphy is sound, although my master of letters remarks the excess of sentimental eloquence that is only accepted because of the limitations of our natures. Such as we are, imperfect.
But your writing comforts me, and so Master Wei Wuxian's tutelage must be fair and fine, and what a man he must be. I am well pleased.
But I must correct you. I am not a child, for I am already twelve and soon of marrying facility, and my brothers tell me I must be prepared to honour Hell and kingdom, as they are. And so I shall wed respectably and doing great service to my people, and I have a fine dowry, with which regard my master of letters attaches the items of possessions involved, as he did not wish me to be troubled by counting. For which I thank him.
As for Alem, I am its first and most loving servant, as were my grandfathers and grandfathers before me. And know, that as they died to seal Hell, so too shall I die with bravery and honesty, as is called upon me, to defend it. I shall embody the bravery of warriors, and as my physician counsels, take salts to comfort me from any fainting sickness born of contrary nerves. And I have many salts, please let Master Wei Wuxian know, for my dowry is very vast, and so his purse will not be inconvenienced.
With care.
no subject
And so the woman set out to find Wei Wuxian again, and shove the letter at him, impatiently.]
I'd like a word with her master of letters - I bet he's a git. To call me excessively sentimental?!
[Absolutely assume this rant is happening while she expects him to read the letter.]
Now what?
no subject
... If she were older, I'd accept her decision and her family's, because it's... not done for us to say which family is making what decision for the members of their families. When they're not sacrificing them.
( that's beyond anything he can imagine. family is meant to matter more, and if you kill all your younger generation, what do you expect? )
We might ask if her brothers have said they also wish to stay and fall the fortress, defending Hell. And what she wishes for her people, when the fortress falls, since she has to have an opinion even if it's one her brothers gave her.
( he looks so deeply puzzled and concerned over all this. )
We won't be convincing her of much of anything, so we may as well... keep her engaged with something else to think on than the slow fall of everything her family's stood for.
no subject
What if she doesn't have another opinion aside from this? What if she's been brought up so...brainwashed that she's fully of the belief that a woman's duty is whatever her brothers say it is?
[It makes her a little sick with frustration to think about it. A shame she's discovering this now, in the middle of a siege. She would've loved to have time to speak to Cle-Florens about how much of a bellend her master of letters sounds to be.]
Do I send her a letter in reply, or do we just put that endeavour to rest and evacuate her with the rest of her people?
no subject
( he rubs his forehead, just... puzzled. sad? angry? everything, in an exhausted way. )
I'll see what little random stories I can send her in the meantime, maybe get Lan Zhan to help. At her age... she shouldn't be eager to die.