groundrules | npc inbox: ephes

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npc inbox: ephes

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:

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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. ]

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.

[ 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? ]

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.

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.

Maximus Faustus is... ( In hand, instructed daily. ) A generous friend. So stalwart. Of course, we extended our assistance. What a tragedy, and in his home.

[ And in bringing him up, he reminds himself-- Does Alir's existence not mean that Messalina is capable of deceit? In which case, what does that make her? Different from the others? ]

It is very lucky for him to have allies, since it seems he has garnered enemies. How did you make his acquaintance?

Upon entering Ephes, he showed me kindness. Patience. He understood the plight of those enslaved. There is mercy even among humans.

[ And then you repayed it by showing him little mercy in return. If any of that is true at all.

Of course, Ratonhnhaké:ton won't say that. ]

Was he the first to listen to you?

Here, yes. And we were so very grateful. We still support him in all things.

[ Okay, this is going nowhere, and he's getting more and more frustrated. He takes a breath to avoid outright accusations because there's no proof, really, and instead ... ]

I hear he has changed since then.

[ Lies. He hasn't really heard any such thing.

He pauses for the briefest moment, looking for the right words. ]

Some are concerned. Your meeting must have made an impact.

So it did. It is not common to be greeted well. I understand the differences between our people. But I disagree that they cannot be surmounted. Tell me: do we wish for something so incompatible? Is peace and prosperity not in the interest of Ephes? Do not all men want... stability?

[ Ugh, she just won't falter at all. Sure, he has nothing but her voice, and maybe that was his first mistake, but there's not the slightest waver. Most likely, this will go nowhere.

He scoffs, very quietly. ]

I am not so certain.

Though they may think they do.

Then, I encourage you to consider asking those people... what is it they gain by delaying? Why does your Senate not support righteousness? If I am not their ally, who is?

[ There's no point in lying about it, he thinks. If only because he's certain she suspects it already. ]

I believe they are concerned about the truthfulness of your claim. That you will give them the land and that will be the end of it.

But is that not what they wish for? Land? Empire. Do they request gold? Let them have gold. Resources? They are yours. All the spoils of war belong to your Senate. I only ask liberation.

And to them that sounds too good to be true. Why would you not wish to keep the land for yourself? After all, that is what they desire.

I cannot answer. I have no such instincts. Then, what is the point of further talk? We will never come to understanding.

[ It's easy to say those things, obviously. Doesn't mean it's true. ]

I do not think understanding requires sharing the same experiences or ideas. But perhaps you are right. I thank you for your time.

I for yours. We are not so unlike, you and I. I am grateful.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

npc inbox: ephes

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