npc inbox: ephes

[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

Arc VI: Yancai | Interlude: Unkharil

EPHES | ALLIED NPCs | OTHERS

EPHES

	CAIUS Leader of the great Senate, revered for enlightenment, wisdom and fairness. A cunning politician whom the Senate has, exceptionally and unanimously, voted to retain into a fourth mandate, after the expiry of his lawful three. Nominal commander and head priest, currently retired in a temple of the Chained God to consider Messalina's proposal.
	MARTELLIUS Second speaker of the Senate and cat wrangler of senators representing both patrician and plebeian interests. A veteran of political warfare who gives starting orators and politicians a hand. Immune to bribery but vulnerable to reason.
	LAETIO Keeper of the main gladiatorial arena and administrator of the games. Offers instruction and care to new gladiators, as well as arranging their matches. Strict, abiding no disobedience or attempts to sabotage fellow gladiators.
	VALERIA Formerly the mistress of Caius, now sworn off earthly pleasures to serve as the great priestess of the Chained God and holiest of women. Where she walks, they say a thousand blessings follow.
	NARULA Genera of the Hand armies of Ephes. Disgruntled, easily irritable, demanding. Never thanks, never congratulates, never disobeys an order or fails to generate a result. Under his leadership, the Hand rose from meager hope to glory. Some yet question... how.
	MESSALINA Newly risen mistress of the dead, who promises Ephes any territories she conquers when defeating the established Undead Lieges, in exchange for the citadel's army. Soft and honeyed spoken, hypnotic. Advocates for freedom and equality and an end to the conflict between the living and the dead.

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

TO MARTELLIUS / audio/ un: of corpse not

[nothinglikefather]

Sir, my apologies for disturbing you, but during todays meeting of the lords and ladies of the senate, a point was made that I do not fully understand.

Lord Silvanus said we could not be sure of Justus' meditation at the Temples. But surely this is something that can be checked? For lord Justus' own safety and health?

perma-audio

[aprescoup]

Ehhhh...? Citizen. Welcome, welcome. It is good of you to remember... the business. Of the city. And of our father! Caius. Caius Justus, elected... elected... how many times now? Always unanimously. Always with good faith. He is loved. Greatly loved. Our father Caius, who leads us well.

And if he must withdraw his person to his... refuge of faith, to speak to the gods and deliberate... we must! We must. Understand. We cannot. Cannot! Intrude upon his peace. He does not like it so.

[nothinglikefather]

[ This man is the speaker of the senate? No wonder the debate is a shambles. ]

But while he deliberates with the gods, where may the rest of us do the same, sir? This is a holy time, and there are observances to be made. Is no one, no one at all, able to enter the Temple?

[Sounds fishy.]

[aprescoup]

My... my good. Good man. My very good man. My curious man. Caius Justus is not one whose tastes can be questioned.

[nothinglikefather]

Why? My only concern is for his safety, and that of Ephes. Silvanus brings up a good point: how do we know he is still there? Not killed, not taken, not betrayed?

Seeking Messalina

[recklessenough]

[ooc: I'm not sure if a face to face would be possible. That would be Lockwood's first route, but if that proved impossible, video message is the fallback!]

[ After the chaos of the Senate floor had adjourned, and after Lockwood had spent more than a bit of time wrestling with himself, he determined his next course of action was to speak with Messalina directly.

Or at least make the attempt.

His initial route would be to seek an audience with her in person, but thwarted, he would give it his best attempt over the communication device. Either way, his opening message would be relatively the same: ]

Messalina. My name is Anthony Lockwood, I am a member of the Ephes Senate [ a little stretch of the truth, but hey ... he's got the robes and the bracelets! ] I would be grateful if you were willing to grant me an audience, and promise not to take up too much of your time.

in-person

[aprescoup]

( They — bards she pays, men to whom she should extend no notice — say she is beautiful, ethereal. A picture of dignity. Composed.

Standing between cohorts of demonic creatures, many of which corrupted lions, wolves and hell hounds, she is at ease against the opulent beauty of the summer villa — visiting royalty in polite exile, gracing Ephes with her petition, if not her physical presence. No, this she is not permitted, while her plea is considered.

So be it. She may yet receive. This young man, directed by lent human servants to her guest halls, is offered a fine long chair, a platter of fruit. )

Of course. I am Messalina. This, you know. I listen. This, you learn now. How do I serve Anthony, son of Lockwood?

[recklessenough]

[ Every instinct he's developed over seventeen years of life is screaming at the wrongness of this moment. This sort of thing was Lucy's purview, but Lucy was gone and Lockwood was trying to ignore how deep within the weeds he felt.

Deep, very deep, and unfortunately not unfamiliar territory.

Still, he sat as if at his leisure, and though he gave the servants a polite nod of acknowledgement, wild horses couldn't make him eat any of the fruit on offer. His attention turned back to his host, his focus absolutely and perhaps enough to offset the otherwise forced smile. ]

Thank you for your time, Messalina I will attempt not to take too much. I am here with some questions, if you would be willing to indulge me? I was wondering if we could talk about the offer you have extended to Caius Justus, in exchange for Ephes' support.

[aprescoup]

Of course, Anthony, son of Lockwood. ( A wave of her hand dismisses her servants, the vinegared depth of her smile suggesting she suspects all too readily the source of his hesitation. Watch and learn the extent of undead courtesy. )

You are with the Senate. A Senator's representative. We shall be friends, great friends. You have questions. I have answers. Come, then. ( Her smile is thin, gently brokered. ) I hear you, I host you. I am pleased.

[recklessenough]

[ Lockwood smiled. She had just given a very pretty answer, lots of nice words, and no substance. The dead never did seem to like to be direct. ]

This world seems to be in great need of good friendships. [ He'll observe, doing his utmost to keep things cordial, even as he is going to try to get to some truths. ]

It is my understanding you came to Ephes in search of an army. Why not raise one of your own?

[Voice, un: howl in one]

[mustact]

[ Considering his interest in Messalina's plight and the fact that he's worked to gain her favour and votes, perhaps he should have tried to speak to her sooner. Or, perhaps, the fact that he has shown his support to her both in the senate and elsewhere means she might be more inclined to be truthful and that will work in his favour. At least, he hopes so. After all, he cannot travel back in time, even if his arrival here has made him wonder about the potential of human invention.

If that's what it is.

Anyway. ]

Messalina.

My name is Connor. I wonder if you might be willing to speak with me. It seems there are many who oppose your wishes and the situation is beginning to turn violent. I would call the response disproportionate to what you ask for. Do you have any theories as to who is behind it, and why they are so desperate to stop you?

[ And he really wants to know what's going on with Alir, but that's not something you just ask right off the bat. He's smart enough to know that, at least. ]

[aprescoup]

Greetings, Connor. Of the Senate. ( There is a warmth to her voice that nearly hints laughter. ) I'm afraid I misunderstand you. Truly, I came before your conclave, an assembly of your people. Should you not be the one who knows them better than I?

I assume only fear, stoked by those with personal ambitions. In the name of peace, I choose to think no more of it. I choose to disregard. I choose to believe... Ephes can still be a friend.

[mustact]

[ Her calling them his people gives him pause because, of course, he's never thought of them as such. And, of course, she would not think them to be anything but. While he's worked with subterfuge, some, it has not been like this. He's never been able to hide the fact that he is not one of the colonists back home. ]

Just because they are my people does not mean I am guaranteed the answer. I believe an outside perspective is sometimes beneficial.

[ Although, he was also looking for another idea that he wanted to suggest, but something about the response makes him hesitate for a moment. Would she be open to it? Once again, he hopes his clear support of her wish to free the undead will ensure she doesn't take this the wrong way. ]

It is likely that it is someone from Ephes, but I cannot help but wonder ... Those of your people who you brought with you, do they all support your cause?

[ There's no denying the implication, though he's careful not to say it out loud: Could it be an inside job? ]

[aprescoup]

It... ( But she falters. ) It is so. It must be so. We are not as humans. We do not have...need for deceit. If they do not like the wishes of the tribe, they leave the tribe. If they are with me, they are not against me.

[mustact]

All right. I trust you know your people.

[ Truthfully, he's not so certain about that idea, himself. But he's not prepared to discount it completely either.

If they truly have no need for deceit - and she sounds sincere enough - that speaks to her being truthful too. ]

Have you spoken to Maximus Faustus since his banquet? That attack seemed personal.

Messalina | action

[somebadnews]

[ After speaking to Alir, and listening to him vent, Five has a fairly good sense that Messalina's strategy is falling apart. He can't really blame her. Being patient isn't working, and the longer she waits, the more reasons the living seem to give her to try other options.

It just happens that neither of her alternatives are particularly helpful to their situation, so he'd like to see how much she's thought them through. He leaves the hellhound at the door and comes into the hall first, followed by Natasha, who insisted on tagging along. Part of him knows it's because she doesn't trust him, but since the feeling is mutual, he decides to give her the opportunity to show off her interrogation techniques while he's there to see them.

Five's arrival is to be expected, so he doesn't anticipate resistance when he asks to speak to Messalina. He casts one more frown in Natasha's direction, then straightens his jacket and addresses everyone in their path with a little more formality than usual. ]

A quick word, if you don't mind. There's been a few rumors floating around, and I can't make my recommendations until I know we're on the same page.

[aprescoup]

( Of course, her people. She does not shun them, she does not send them away. They are intended to assist her. And so, she allows them in her presence, in the banquet halls of this wretched, borrowed summer villa, while she enjoys the petty delights of plump, ripe dates. )

Of course. ( A wave, so that the two might be seated. ) We must speak. We must always speak. Our minds should be one. Now. What do you speak of?

( ooc: just to confirm: Messalina does not know Five has been informed about her private plans by Alir! )

[somebadnews]

[ There’s no hesitation as Five moves forward to take a seat, without any further explanation to why he’s brought company. There are implications to inviting an assassin to discuss strategy, but that isn’t why Natasha is here. She just lucked out and ran into him when it would have been more cumbersome to chase her away.

If she does add value to this discussion will yet to be seen, and he hasn’t told her everything he’s preparing to discuss. At least he assumes she’s smart enough not to openly contradict him, which he couldn’t say for all of their group. ]

I know that negotiations haven’t been as productive as we would have liked. With the moves against your supporters, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking we’ve reached an impasse.

[ He does actually believe that it can get worse, so he doesn’t need to put on too much of an act to make a point. ]

The odds that they’ll come to a peaceful agreement may seem to be dwindling. I also don’t know that your prospects will be better elsewhere if we give up on Ephes. They aren’t able to see that there’s a bigger threat, unless it’s shown to be different from what they’re already facing.

So my question is, can you really succeed without them?

[aprescoup]

Yes. They are taking their time to... think. It is not time my people have. While we sit. And we chatter. And we — ( Popping half of a date in her mouth - ) ...eat.

( While they do all these things, yet little more. )

I do not know if I can succeed. But I know my enemies are only getting stronger as we wait. We are at disadvantage of numbers. It grows with each day.

[somebadnews]

[ Five is familiar with frustration that comes from a lack of urgency. It's too easy for him to see her point of view, and he's been here too long to tell them this is their problem to solve. He's fairly sure Natasha would need more convincing if he tells them they should do anything but leave. It'd be worse for the others, but their other prospects are grim.

Taking an army by force will only bring them more enemies. Better if they could sacrifice the few if it means bridging the gap in negotiations. ]

If we can't reason with them, what's stopping you from replacing the rest of the senate? Alir has been passing as one of them for this long, even with his eccentricities. He can't be the only one of his kind.

narula | action

[clavesregni]

[Wen Kexing's discovery of the scrap of purple fabric clutched in an undead hand has led Caitlyn here. She's only aware of one person among the Hand who wears the colour: Narula. So while Wen Kexing plans to find out which - if any - senators the cloth might belong to, Caitlyn has decided to use her limited access to Narula to question him.]

Sir, I have some questions regarding an item that was discovered during the recent incident at the Colosseum.

[aprescoup]

( He is stern-faced, jaw locked. A man of middling manners and a cutting gaze — impatient enough that he regards the woman who disturbs him as he works through the next exercise regimen of the new recruits with something like exasperation.

All the same: )

Louder. Speak, soldier.

[clavesregni]

[Speak she does, a little more eagerly than might be expected of someone who intends to interrogate their commanding officer. She doesn't raise her voice much, though, not wanting to draw anyone else's attention.]

A hand was found in one of the rifts. The undead around it seemed to avoid it, and when it was picked up the black water abated. [As much as she wishes she could speak from first-hand knowledge, all she can do is relay Wen Kexing's account of events and trust that they're accurate.] It was clutching a scrap of purple fabric. A colour you wear. What do you know of this hand?

[aprescoup]

( She's a barking dog, and his bite is meaner. Time to show so. )

That isn't. How we speak. To a commander, soldier. ( And more cutting, evenly: ) There were hundreds of disgusting and vermin at the arena. A sign of the atrocities that devilwoman Messalina brings. Dozens tried to pursue me. I succeeded to withdraw, applying the tactics and formations taught to you. How should I know which of them clutched my uniform, as I walked along?

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn is so eager to find answers that she barely even processes the fact that she's probably meant to be intimidated by his tone.]

How close did you come to the rifts? Did you cross directly over any of them? [Perhaps it's clutching at straws, but Wen Kexing had said he'd found the hand in the middle of one of the rifts...]