DORT NPCs

[Guest]

Dort NPCS: Political

ERWIN, DUKE VON ZU DORT-BILLIGH, MALE PATRON-HEIR TO THE HOUSE OF DEVIR IN GULANADUR, FURST OF THE WEST
looks dark blond hair, goattee that tends to grow to a wild beard during adventures. Not a big stature, but chubby (think Henry VIII)
personality bubbly, incredibly fast mouth, charming, isn't one to fight in the forefront (party members tend to find him behind bushes "guarding the rear"). He publically "lives the good life", always a beerdrinker, mecenas of the arts, enjoying good food. He is by no means a miser.
Erwin has a good eye for profit and has in later life promoted himself to highpriest of the Pecunia temple, using it as a front for his other operations with the full knowledge and approval of his goddess. He has an unreasonable hatred of the Rose and Panlings. All that free love is bad for the economy. The worship of Pan is outlawed in Dort!
Erwin got rich by evaluating gems, something he learned from his years in Nazareen. He hides his enormous wealth by taking out loans and moaning in the Inner Circle about the burden of taxes.
He is possesed with a considerable wanderlust and is know to disappear on occassion on business. On some of his travels he has learned quite a few useful tricks that not everybody considers legal, including forgery.
background Erwin is the bastard son of his mother the duchess and her dark adhiel lover Rizla DeVir. Her husband happily ignored the fact he suddenly had an achadhiel as a son, and thus Erwin ended up on the duchal throne.
Note that his connection with Gulanadur's patron of the house DeVir did two things:
1. In later life Erwin during his travels was able to creat a very profitable trade agreement with Gulanadur on the basis of his family relation with the house of Gulanadur, and is now the official patron-heir of that house. It has allowed the Empire to communicate with Gulanadur without establishing official diplomatic relations.
2. It makes him an uncle of Eilish Pan's daughter, and ironically in a roundabout way a relation of Pan, a relation he will deny. Note that many more half sisters and brothers of Erwin are likely around for Rizla DeVir had a tendency to rape princessess. Many noble houses have dark adhiel blood and some are not even aware of it.
Currently the Duke is Furst of the West and leave the day to day running of the isle to his vassels. He is part of the Inner Circle and this in charge of running the Empire itself.
current location the citadel

Note: Erwin has two sisters by the same father, their names lost in the mists of time. They are married to two Kislovan generals, a deal with Anochrim after their first adventures.
On the name of the duchal family there is a story in the Tazlure Herald.

JOHAN, COUNT VON BLEIB-HIER
looks
a lean, darkhaired man that looked somehow like a rat
personality
sharp wit, eye on the money, good at stewarding things, but perhaps not always in leading people
background
Johan was the steward of the duke before the Great Battle. Afterwards he was appointed Count of Islay as a reward for his loyality.
current location

K'MITH, DUCHESS VON ZU DORT-BILLIGH
looks Typical large half giant woman, considered very homely
personality great wit, very possessive with her husband
background K'mith is one of seven daughters of the sjeik. By marrying her the duke gained access to important resources of her family. He is however also impressed by her intelligence and uses her knowledge of magick. K'mith is nearly alwyas pregnant (she carries her seventh child right now) and resides often in the UoM as one of the Battlemages.
current location: citadel

[Guest]

Dort NPCs General

WHISPER (DORT, ROGUE)
looks- A small elfess, ebony hair, "glowing" violet eyes, face is covered in swirled black tatoos
- wears her black silk cloak with the hood up even indoors, wears black silk gloves, carries a bone dagger
- small tattoo visible on the bottom of her wrist:"An upturned hand with a coin in it, embedded with black and gold ink into her fair skin"(Pecunia link?)
- shares her room with a talking black cat, Isiris
personality
background
current location

[Guest]

Dort NPCS: Drunken Duck

MR AND MRS ARMISTICE (OWNERS DRUNKEN DUCK TAVERN)
looks
personality
background
current location


BARTENDER (DORT, DRUNKEN DUCK TAVERN)
looks - dour old and portly looking bartender
personality
background
current location

SAPPHIRE (DRUNKEN DUCK TAVERN)
looks - A petite brunette with a gray cloak and black snug attire.
- bright blue eyes framed by a cloud of black hair. There were two swirled tatooes next to her eyes.
-knowledge of ships and sailors and dock schedules (smugglers?)
personality
background
current location

[Guest]

Vaga Hex

(I've shamelessly stolen a name from an old list and created my own NPC to go with it.)

Vaga Hex is a Hex (Midlands designation for a witch-woman/healer). She lives in a small hut just outside the walls of Dort. The folk of Dort know of her and are superstitious about such things - a prejudice gladly encouraged by the Pecunia temple - so, while they appreciate the proximity of her hut when they need a potion or a reliable fortune telling, her presence within the Golden City is generally discouraged. (Much looking the other way or making warding signs or covering the eyes of children. etc.)

In her youth, Vaga (whose real name is long forgotten) had dreams that came true and waking visions about all manner of things. Her family thought her mad. Many a frightful night was, she agreed with them. Until she went to live with the old Vaga Hex just outside of town... Secrets were passed down and she younger woman excelled as a Hex. Eventually her visions became weaker or maybe she just got used to seeing dream overlap reality. In any event, her portents are always accurate but rarely understood.

Physical Description:
She was tall, almost eye-to-eye height with Gavin. Or she would be if she wasn't quite so... hunched. Dark hair flew in an uncontrolled storm about her head and her eyes peered out from beneath. They were of different colors: one brown and one a startlingly bright green.
She wore several layers of cloth and scarves under a loose-fitting apron that was adorned with a number of bags and bottles hanging from leather strings. She might have been quite bulky or merely big-boned and overly burdened: it was difficult to tell. She carried a large cloth satchel and a charcoal-black walking stick tipped with the skull of some small animal.


Her hut:
A small wooden cabin stood before him. Strange decorations crafted of leather and pieces of bone hung from the edges of the roof. A basket of corn was placed next to a comfortable looking rocking chair out front.

It was only barely outside the city walls, but the noise and odors of the city did not seem to reach this small patch of land. Almost as if the path had carried one much farther from the familiar streets than was possible.

The door to the residence was a thin panel of gray wood that was carved and scratched with hundreds of overlapping patterns. It currently stood ajar.

[Maeve]

ubal: Jubal is a gangster and a thug and survived long enough to become a powerful player in the Dort underworld. Before the synch, he partnered with Rory (see below) to gain enough resources to take down his chief rival, Able Eventree (also see below). Jubal now runs half of Watertown's shipping and is recruiting individuals to help protect his ever expanding wealth and power.

Jubal was a short man, stocky and thick. He had a large scar on the side of his neck that ran down under his rough spun tunic. His nose had been broken many times, and when he smiled, he was missing a few teeth. He chewed aimlessly on a bit of straw.

The surviving members of his infamous Water Street gang are;

Dirty Bill: A former pit fighter that doesn't believe in hygiene of any sort. Great with knives, lousy with the ladies for obvious reasons.

"The man looked as if he hadn't bathed in yahren, and his smile was a horror of blackening teeth. He sat askew on a low bench eating an orange. The sweet smell of the citrus mingling with the unwashed stench."

Claudio: A trained swordsman from WK. Claudio disappeared before the synch and has not been seen since. Claudio is handsome, charming, persuasive, and utterly ruthless.

Jakob Frost: A seasoned killer and assassin. The Frost brothers (Jakob and Jonathan) were once thought of as the 2 most feared men in the streets of Dort. Jonathan was always the personable sort, Jakob was the silent one. As members of Jubal's Water Street gang, they reigned over the streets for many yahren and made the gang's reputation skyrocket in terms of fear and respect. Jakob now runs the daily activities of the gang, and is Jubal's right hand.

Rory: A once beautiful, once famous prostitute, Rory saved her coin and amassed a huge fortune as a Madame for the elite and wealthy of Dort. Now, her ladies serve as her eyes and ears in the streets, making Rory the mistress of information of the city, and enables her to know more than she ever could or should. She sits in the Knot, like a great spider, as her spies report to her. Characters seeking information should be directed to her. If it happened in the city, she'll know about it.

Rory was once one of the finest, most expensive prostitutes in the Knot. Man came from the shipyards, the docks, Watertown and the city itself to spend the night with her. She was older now, long retired and out of business, or at least that business. She was deep in the game of the underworld now, dealing with the likes of Jubal, Lord Eventree, and the street gangs that ruled the Knot. They all came to her for advice, money and other things in emergencies. Rory was like a great and terrible spider. A beautiful, deadly thing that sat in the midst of her webs, waiting for the wayward to wander in. She was disheveled and unkempt now, but she was once one of the most beautiful women anywhere.

Captain Kragen: What are good are the gangsters and fiends without a good cop to serve as a foil. Kragen leads the Sunfire Brigade, and has taken the entire gang war between the Water Street gang and the Eventrees personally. He's very smart, very savvy, and is hot on the heels of bringing them all in and locking them all up.

He was tall and thin, much like Jakob, but this man's shoulder's were a bit broader, and he was a bit heavier than the gangster. He had dark hair, closely cut, like a soldier's and wore leggings of black with high boots, and a close fitting coat of dark green with epaulets on the shoulders. Turelie quickly realised it was a uniform, the very uniform worn by the city watch of Dort. The man wore a knife at his belt, but was otherwise unarmed.

[Maeve]

Amos Eventree - This is a rather easy one. Amos is the son of Abel Eventree that Jubal killed. Amos is using the family heirloom, an unhatched dragon egg, to lure in allies in his fight with Jubal, on whom he wishes much pain and vengeance upon. Revenge is clouding his mind, and he's ready to go to great lengths to get it, including less than ideal business dealings and poor management that might land the family in hotter water.

A young man lounged in one end, a silver or steel cup perched on the marble near him. He was lean and well toned, and of roughly twenty yahren old with jet hair. He dozed sleepily in the bath, but cocked a grey eye open as Eivlys began to sing.

Alderton - The manservant of the Eventree family. Alderton is a good place to build some intrigue from. He can be looking for revenge for poor treatment, looking to recruit PCs to the Eventree family, or he can be some other engine for intrigue and adventure.

Lord Sundrey - Sundrey is an older gentleman trader that is looking to cash in on the feud. He's been given a rather inside tip (from Silvermasque, see below) and is looking to increase the guild's wealth and power by negotiating with the Eventree's and the Water Street Gang. The guild has been in a steady decline over the past few yahren with the rise of local, privately owned companies, and is looking to broker a few deals that will bring them back to prominence. Sundrey is just the guy. Shrewd and ambitious, and totally loyal to the guild.

Mister Silvermasque - This is a fun one, for me at least. This creepy and enigmatic individual can be anyone. A high ranking member of the Dort trading Guild, Count Johann, Dein is Mein, Captain Kragen, Perhaps all of them at different times, or perhaps someone completely new. It can be anyone really. In my mind, and the direction I was going in, is his identity is none other than Duke Erwin himself, in disguise and looking to do reconnaissance in the city and its primary trading companies to see what's been happening while he was away in the Citadel. What better way to get himself up to speed than get himself a first hand look at the back room deals and shady negotiations? I imagined him using several different masks and popping up in unexpected places so he can be fun to use for shock value.

Dahve Bower - I saw Turelie's thread, and as it stood for me, Bower is nothing more than a fun bard to use at large events. He's a rock star, and that's all I was ever going to use him for. However, given his travel habits and elite status, he could indeed be a source of unique information. Like the name implies, his physical appearance is identical to David Bowie. Craggy, lanky, thin.

Vaga Hex - After being used a decoy by the demon, the old witch is back up to her old tricks. Lots of voodoo style hedge magics, curses and potions. Always a good source for all things mystical, although she is a rather difficult, unwieldy person to talk to for very long.

Golmarin - The uber-assassin from WM. He has a thousand faces and a thousand names. I set him up to use in the feud, which Turelie can tell all about. Killer of Jonathan Frost, who had the nerve to pose as him and use his name. Escaped in the melee aboard the Venture. Now ready to be used whenever he is needed. Golmarin's power doesn't lie in the mystical or magical, although he is rumored to have such abilities. His greatest strength is his power of observation. A tilt of the head, a hand going to a sword, a slurred word in drunken speech, gives him tons of information on how to outwit, outmaneuver and outlive anyone that crosses his path.

Dein is Mein. - This poor guy served as the vessel for the demon and now he is somehow seen as a willing participant in those dark days. Whatever he was before, I was viewing Dein as a more gentle, tortured soul now in the aftermath. He's a cunning man, intelligent and capable, but has lost nearly all of the respect he had earned in yahren past. His last benefactor, Erwin, still believes strongly in him and thus others are trying as well. maybe being possessed was too much, maybe it gave him the strength to endure more hardship, but he's close to either a complete meltdown, or bouncing back completely.


Captain Hargrove & the Sea Tiger - Pirates! Yar! Have fun with this. Ilaria mentioned something about a ghost ship in a previous dev thread. I remember it being some rather good stuff, so I was just going to use the ship and the newbies to explore that. No plans from me. I was just killing time getting them aboard the ship before doing any real sort of plot.

When at last they found a sign with three witches huddled around a boiling cauldron, the ship at the end was a low slung, fast looking vessel with a roaring tiger as the masthead. Sailors could been on the deck preparing the ship for departure as they folded sails, mopped, and tying down various groups of cargo.

A wide gangplank was open, and lead into the maw of the open doors. Strong looking dockworkers were carrying sacks and crates off the ship out of the hold and down to waiting wagons. They streamed back and forth from the hold of the Sea Tiger like an anthill. In fact all of Watertown was a busy place this fine spring day.

A rough looking gentleman stood overseeing the unloading of the hold. He was bare chested, burnt brown and leathery from the sun, and had long salt and pepper hair that was pulled back with a headscarf. A twirl of smoke surrounded his head and was carried away by the ocean breeze, but the scent of his pipe could be smelled from a hundred paces.

[Maeve]

Harbormaster of Dort

The Harbor Master himself, much like the building around him was a short, rotund man with a bushy white beard and narrow, beady eyes. He was a friendly enough sort once approached, and he greeted the young men warmly.

Not a very refined man:

He belched loudly and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

Edit by Turelie: And I dub him... Seamus! Seamus Costigan.

[Turi]

Re-write of the Drunken Duck

NPC Workers:

Gregor Armistice (Owner & Day Barkeep)–
Appearance: Though somewhat dense and wide of frame, the tavern-keeper manages to look stocky rather than portly. His features betray his age somewhat with several deeply traced lines, though they give his pleasant smile a more fatherly look. Though once handsome, his features have begun to sag - and his slightly impaired sight means he has to squint to make out distant details with any accuracy. A mop of silvering blond hair droops below his ears.
Personality/Quirks: Somewhat brash in his opinions, his bark is worse than his bite - and the regulars know that the only real way to rile him up is to interfere with his business by being overly disruptive. Despite an obvious affection for his wife, he seems to think such public demonstrations are not 'manly' and will bluster and hem and haw about such things - after all the years, it has become a long-standing joke with many of the locals. Mid 50s
Story (PC) Connections:
Notes: Bartends, Fixes things (that then occassionally need more fixing), and responsible for general upkeep.

Karin Armistice (Owner & Cook)
Appearance: It is plain to see how Karin caught Gregor's heart more than thirty years ago, for Karin's beauty has not withered with age by any means. A slightly weathered, heartshaped face is made somehow more complete by the few lines and wrinkles that assemble at the corners of eyes and around the edges of her lips. Brilliant blue-green eyes gleam intelligently from a well-proportioned face that has grown motherly with age. Her hair is a shimmering silver/gray that is knotted simply and firmly at the back of her head. Shorter than average. Early 50s
Personality/Quirks: Though innocent and simply pleasant she may seem, an impish impulsiveness seethes beneath her motherly exterior. For the last several years she has been responsible (and undiscovered) for many minor pranks and jokes on her husband - enjoying his reactions and the speculations of the regulars. Though not sharp, her wry manner takes great pleasure in teasing those she knows as friends.
Story (PC) Connections:
Notes: Waits on tables as needed when business is busy, enjoys gossiping about light-hearted things, but doesn't tolerate bad-mouthing of others. Cooks and is also responsible for the status of the rooms.


Sydni (Barmaid #1) –
Appearance: Sydni is a modest but buxom young woman that works the evening/early morning shift at the Drunken Duck. Tight, auburn curls dangle coquettishly to her shoulders, and her plain features sparkle with life and vitality more than beauty. This young human is in her early twenties, and her work garb consists of a practical but flattering gray dress, with a dark blue apron tied about her waist. She often tucks a rag or two in the waistband, to easily wipe down empty tables in preparation for new customers. Average height.
Personality/Quirks: Though friendly and pleasant, Sydni learned early on that no-nonsense and firm boundaries were needed to help maintain a reputable bar-room. To this end she is known to sass back as good as she gets, and often employs her cleaning rags to whip and snap at any hands that move in inappropriate directions. Though a mild flirt on occasion to the many handsome men which pass through, she rarely takes such things seriously - and makes sure no one else does. In essence, she's so well-liked by the patrons that any trouble-maker's are given an equally hard time by the regulars. She is occassionally absent-minded, which sometimes wreaks havoc on her co-workers.
Story (PC) Connections:
Notes: [Need suggestions from other mod(s)] A recent hire, Sydni is the daughter of a Captain who often berths in Dort. Her mother lives on a small farm with her elder brother and his family.

Sapphire (Barmaid #2) –
Appearance: Sapphire is easily picked out from among the crowds, as her brilliant blue eyes, framed by long dark lashes, are distinctive and memorable. A pert triangular face is framed by chin-length brunette locks, though unlike Sydni her time as a barmaid has left her slightly pessimistic about life - an outlook that has allowed a few extra lines to accumulate at eyes and mouth. A blue tattoo swirls at the outer corner of each eye, a remnant from her brief stint at sea. Late 20's, petite frame. Achadhiel.
Personality/Quirks: Pessimistic and occasionally at odds with the outgoing Sydni, she is still civil and friendly to those in her vicinity - though her reputation for a sharp tongue keeps people distant. Never one to pass up a few discreet coins for information, with the right inducement she is a valuable contact for at least one smuggling operation.
Story (PC) Connections:
Notes: -knowledge of ships and sailors and dock schedules (smugglers?);
-Used to sail (briefly);

Bertram (Bartender)–
A portly fellow with a persistantly dour expression, well-versed in listening to the sob-stories of those around him. A black fringe of hair encircles his head, though a longer swatch is combed over the bald section. Single, and has a problem with gambling.
(Might eventually be replaced by nephew?)

Owain (Bouncer #1) –
Appearance: Owain's burly, trim figure and short cropped hair betray his military past to any with the wit to note it.Though he can often be found at ease, he has never quite lost the slightly stiff posture ingrained in those of the Duke's elite: the Sunfire Brigade. ~6 ft tall, mid 40s. His pleasant features are slightly weathered, and a neatly trimmed beard frames his otherwise weak chin
Personality/Quirks: This bouncer enjoys his job, as it gives him discounted access to his favorite ales and a chance to gossip with his older cronies, some of whom had moved on to start their own businesses or families. Once his shift is over, he might still be found wandering around, regaling the younger evening crowd with spectacularly exaggerated stories of the Brigade's exploits. With Islay's frequent spurts of uprisings, he has a healthy disdain for all things Clansmen - as well as a healthy respect for the damage they are able to cause.
Story (PC) Connections:
Notes: - Connected to Duke's elite Sunfire Brigade
- Military background, skilled in weaponscraft

Aedan (Bouncer #2) –
For future story/plot use: create a nephew to groom as heir. Could he have mixed blood with the 'Highlander' group?

NPC patrons (Regulars)

Nyk (deceased?
Appearance: This old regular seems as much a fixture of the Drunken Duck as the furniture, a very aged figure with a tall, spare frame that stretches midway between 6 and 7 feet in height. His thinning gray hair is pulled into a once fashionable ponytail that falls a few inches past his shoulders. Though once a man in his prime, both muscle and fat seem to have leeched free from his limbs, leaving him with a narrow frame and long thing limbs that seem to stick out every which way. His papery skin is splotched with age and traced with veins, giving no doubt that he is very old indeed. Rarely does he move from his chosen place on the porch or by the fireside, for his right pant leg is neatly trimmed to where someone's calf should be - revealing instead a sturdily carved wooden peg. A thin goatee grows about his pensive mouth, which is often drawn in concentration as his hands work steadily with a knife and piece of wood, letting wooden curls fall to the ground as he carves carefully away at a new creation. Nyk has been around and old for as long as nearly anyone can remember, though he has grown more careworn and weary since his wife's passing 8 yahren earlier.
Personality/Quirks: Nyk can be both mild or crotchety depending on the weather, and swears he can foretell a change by the ache in his leg. While many dismiss him as old and senile, he has a tale or two of his own to spin, and is quite familiar with local lore and history - though he seems to have a bit of trouble keeping more recent events in line. Recently he has clashed with Sydni, who (as the most recent hire) has been responsible for the majority of the tidying for the taproom and dislikes finding bits of "sawdust" all over her floors. The old man enjoys people watching, and happily relates his observations to those willing to listen.
Story (PC) Connections:
Notes: - Familiar with local lore/history
- Enjoys a bit of gossip, and accumulating rumors

Fishermen:
Jaffrey & Jarod - Single, indentical twin brothers about 26 years old, average height, sturdy complections and callused hands. Constantly arguing and insulting each other (everything is a competition) but they are just as quick to defend each other against insults or demeaning actions from others. Both flirt incessantly with Sydni (though each are only interested because they think the 'other' one is), who often uses their competitive natures to get them to buy more food or beer. Ready to challenge any new young men that might also apply for Sydni's affection with arm-wrestling or other 'manly' tests of skill. It's all in fun, however, and these lighthearted chaps are more than loyal to their friends.

Graf - One of Owain's younger buddies from the Duke's Sunfire Brigade, he has now turned to fishing, specializing in the huge Deep Sea fish that often grace the ocean farther out. He supplies the Drunken Duck with a portion of his slightly exotic catch, and is always looking for new workers as it can be an exhausting task. A little known fact: he was forced out of the Brigade due to a run-in with a superior in a gambling game amid a flurry of cheating accusations. He and Bertram enjoy a game or two of dice on occassion. They have a running tab between the two of them - though it never ends up getting paid off, and they are constantly in a friendly discussion about how much each of them currently owe the other. Sapphire helps him connect with smugglers to siphon off certain amounts of his catch 'tax-free'.

Merchants:

BLACKSMITH
- Manry Callaghan
Human, Late 30s. Stocky, thick muscles. Shock of black hair that is tamed to a plain, leather tied braid. Somewhat greedier than the average merchant, he is known for pushing up his prices at the least provocation. Pleasant enough fellow.

TAILOR
-Alex Cartwright
A slender beanpole, this Achadhiel is in his early 50s and far more tempermental than most of his kind. Reddish hair curls slightly around a slender and attractive face. Though his younger human wife keeps him in line, he has an eye for attractive folks. Gives himself slight airs, but is loyal to supporting his neighbors and friends when necessary. Good at wearing people down through arguments.

WEALTHY (TBD as necessary for stories)

DUKE’S MEN (Theater Folk)

"A boisterous group of figures, shapely and youthful, often commandeer the area near the stage - their brightly colored garb and occasional flamboyant recitations mark them as the Duke's Men (though there are several women among their company now). A few of the better dressed patrons seem to hang about in their company."