npc inbox: arc vi

[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

■ Arc IV: Serthica

■ Arc V: Alem

YANCAI | ALLIED NPCs | OTHERS

YANCAI

	QUANZE TSAYMIEN Elected leader of village elders. A practical man, humble but forthright, willing to do whatever it takes to rid Yancai of its curse in time. Quiet, unless he has something to say. Abides no disrespect.
	TEMIU A veteran of the seas and former sailor, now 'retired' as the village's most proficient fisherman. Slow to speak, but patient, willing to hear a story. Carps love this man.
	MIANG-SI Once a paragon of virtue, now an accused lady of the lake. In the custody and chains of village elders — either her capture or time with the witches have rendered her whimsical and feral. Takes letters, seldomly, and answers cryptically.
	ALIA Captain of the New Brigade, a military ship of the Dawn's Reach Trade Company that frequently stops by Yancai to restock. Seems hesitant to both arrive and leave the village.
	KUTHUBA Elder of Yancai's ruling council, who survived several encounters with the ladies of the lake and willingly entered the forest. Man, woman or tortured beast. At once pitiful and slithering.

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.
	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 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

[aprescoup]

hE did no T.

[somebadnews]

[ Probably would have been too convenient. ]

So he's not an idiot. Who is he?

[aprescoup]

Cao Li AnG of THE H oUS e Of Com M eR ce.

a R e The WaTer S TalLeR Tha N You, LittLE Fri E nD?

[somebadnews]

[ He wasn't expecting to get a name, let alone someone alive and easy to find. It's enough that he's able to overlook the shot at his height. ]

...They aren't my biggest concern. The darker waters seem to be more of a problem in the future, if what we're seeing isn't an illusion.

You must know what happened here. Would you give us the same warning?

[aprescoup]

I Am As K ing YoU HoW TAll th E WatER rS Are To HELp.

[somebadnews]

[ ...Oh. He's actually offering to help. ]

They've been rising steadily after the eclipse. The village is sinking again.

[aprescoup]

Ca N yoU sTI Ll SaI L by BoaT ?

[somebadnews]

[ This might have been a bad idea, but it's an interesting question. ]

Yes. That's one of the only options for most. Can you stop the flood?

[aprescoup]

Y eS. If I AM pResEn T. If IT is My DoM A iN.

No T So BAD. If You Can STi L Sai L BY BoaT.

[somebadnews]

What does that mean? You expect the dark water to return?

[aprescoup]

It doeS.

[somebadnews]

[ The message did say he was right, if nothing else. ]

How are you planning to help?

[aprescoup]

I t DoES noT Con CeR N me.

[somebadnews]

[ He'd really like to make the argument that a village constantly fluctuating in time is a real problem, but he holds back. ]

Why is that?

[aprescoup]

Y AnCa I is NOT my DomA In.

tOo Far. No INTereST.

[somebadnews]

I can't say I'm thrilled about it myself. We're stuck somewhere that shouldn't be able to exist, just waiting for history to repeat itself. [ There is something comforting about being out of his range and having nothing he wants, but it puts a damper on his backup plan. ]

How is that going? Your domain.

[aprescoup]

( Here, he sounds as pleased and relishing as a supernatural being can. )

Sa-Ha RE th ThrIVe S. The HUmANS BREED ofTEn.

ManY.. ma Ny... bODIes...

[somebadnews]

[ There it is. ]

…I can imagine. I’m surprised you’re not more interested in conquering, with the competition getting cleared out.

[aprescoup]

W haT ARe Yo U OfFerRing?

[somebadnews]

[ If that doesn't immediately make him think of Moran telling him he has nothing anyone wants... Doesn't hurt to see. ]

I wasn't offering, but we've got quite a track record. My own brother killed one of them. It's inevitable that we'll run into Matthias and his friends again, and then who knows.

I'm curious why you'd let someone else take over.

[aprescoup]

O nE ForCE ca N n OT ConTROL the ENt i RE World. LeT THEM have DISt a NT TErR i tO rY.

No BothER.

[somebadnews]

Good to know. [ Not that he didn't know that he prefers his little corner of the world. Doesn't explain why he once visited Yancai, but he can probably track someone down to find out. ]

...Always nice to catch up.

[aprescoup]

I s it?

[somebadnews]

Why wouldn't it be? It's been a while.

[aprescoup]

Of cOuR Se.

[somebadnews]

[ There's a weird feeling that he's doubting his sincerity. ]

I'll be in touch if the water changes.