The NPCs for the Party.

Governor Thadeus Crane:

Thadeus is a fat middle-aged, charismatic, and cunning individual who was fiercely loyal to the former royal family of the Dottenland. His loyalty, however, was more due to the wealth and power they provided him with rather than actual admiration or respect. Despite the change in power, Thadeus managed to maintain his position in Shade Hollow. Thadeus is known for his love of fine food, luxurious clothing, and, of course, power. There are often grumblings that he is a diabolist or criminal mastermind, has sold his soul, or any number of other rumours to maintain power.

Alaric Sunstrike,

Appearance: infirmed and aged beyond his years, with stubbly white hair and a frame that belies his age.

Kael's father, once a miner, is now a commoner rendered infirm by a mysterious illness. Residing in the family's modest home on the outskirts of the tin mine on Shade Hollow's northern side, his small 2-bedroom house is maintained by the archive of echoes, salves are sent by Cato to ease his injuries, and the Archive provides food regularly.

Archivist Seraphina Quill

Role: Keeper of Knowledge in the Archive of Echoes

Appearance: Seraphina is an elegant, middle-aged human woman, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes. Her silver-streaked hair is neatly pulled back, and she's often seen wearing conservative, ink-stained robes.

Personality: Methodical, inquisitive, and dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. She possesses a calm demeanor and speaks with a measured tone. Seraphina sees knowledge as a sacred trust and treats the archives with reverence.

Backstory: A scholar who has spent her life in the pursuit of wisdom, Seraphina is the head archivist of the Archive of Echoes. Her role is to preserve and protect the repository of knowledge. She's an ally to Kael, recognising the potential in him.

Brother Thaldrin Steelmind

Role: Monastic Defender of the Archive of Echoes

Appearance: Thaldrin is a burly dwarf with a bald head and a thick, well-groomed beard. His stern face is marked with scars from battles past. He wears utilitarian monastic garments adorned with symbols of the Archive.

Personality: Disciplined, vigilant, and driven by a sense of duty. Thaldrin sees knowledge as a powerful weapon that must be protected. He's stoic, but not without compassion.

Headmaster Arvid Holloway

Role: Headmaster of the School

Appearance: Arvid is a dignified man with a neatly trimmed beard, speckled with grey. He usually wears well-tailored robes of deep blue, adorned with subtle embroidery. His eyes are sharp, and his hands are steady, often seen with a quill or holding a tome.

Personality: Stern but fair, Arvid is deeply dedicated to the education and welfare of his students. He believes in discipline and structure but also encourages creativity and independent thinking. He's known to have a dry sense of humour and a deep love for scholarly pursuits.

Background: a bachelor for life, his first love is education, he was the teacher of the arts when the boys were younger, before taking the headmasters' role. He has great admiration for Mistress Elysia Moonsong, who repalced him in that role at the request of the Lady Eudora Lockhaven as a condition of her funding the school.

Borak :
Role : Mine foreman

Appearance: Slightly short orc with a wicked smile dark hair often matted to his face , broad of shoulders and sturdy.

A long term friend to Alaric Sunstrike as a former employee.

Cato: Borak's husband, Cato is a gentle and kind-hearted human who runs the local apothecary, a little older, with tinges of grey to his hair, and sunken features, a slightly crooked nose.

Evelina Crane

Role : Daughter of the governor.
Appearance: Sickly and pale, with a pallid complexion for a drow, quite frail and doesn't carry herself strongly. This has become progressively worse, she now rarely leaves the governors' mansion.

Attended school with Kael and Thoren when she was more vibrant and full of like.

Older members of the city say her mother was a stunning and elegant elf that was sent to the capital shortly after her birth and she was raised by a continuing string of nursemaids and nannies

Sergeant Thorne:
The grizzled head of the local guard, a goliath. He is deeply suspicious of Governor Crane but lacks the proof to do anything about it.

Mael and Bael:
Two gnomes who run the local tours of the fate maker's stand. Mischievous and amusing, try to take visitors to the city on a 3 gold piece walking tour of famous sites related to Bragg'um the indomitable. Somewhat knowledgeable of the goings-on in the city, also good rumourmongers.

Gorak:

Boraks brother, jealous of his brothers' success in both love and career. Spiteful but a little slow, so unable to turn it into action. Bigger and slightly more greasy than his brother.

Harlow:
Harlow is a skilled ranger and trapper who lives on the outskirts of Shade Hollow. He's a gruff loner with a heart of gold. He is a slim half orc, who runs "monster hunter" groups out into The Burg for profit, he also runs a basic store for supplies.

Lieutenant Sera Windwalker:

Sera is a high-ranking officer in the town's guard under Sergeant Thorne. She's a human who's well-respected for her dedication and unwavering sense of justice.

Tulla:

A flamboyant tiefling who runs the town's best clothing store. Despite her cheerful demeanour, she's an astute observer and a wellspring of gossip. Her store has several out of date goods, not that the party would know that except for Kael.

Ansgar the Giant:

A goliath bouncer at the Rusted Anchor Tavern. Despite his intimidating appearance, Ansgar has a heart of gold and a soft spot for good humour.

Dowager Lady Eudora Lockhaven:

A whimsical and eccentric elderly elf. Widowed for many years now, she's grown increasingly eccentric, transforming her vast fortune into a collection of oddities and curiosities from all over Eavaros. Many in Shade Hollow consider her an odd duck, but none can deny her wealth, influence, or the surprising sharpness of her intellect when it matters. She's not averse to meddling in city affairs, especially when they pique her curiosity or threaten her beloved city.

Thackery:

Lady Lockhaven's trusted butler and right-hand man, a Stoic and reliable goblin in a man suit. He serves as Lady Lockhaven's go-between with the town also responsible for managing her estate and her collection with remarkable efficiency.

Miss Cordelia Vane:

A stern yet fair woman, Miss Vane teaches History, with a particular emphasis on the events leading up to and following the Skyfire. She is known for her engaging lectures and can often be found in the Archive of echoes during her free time.

Mr. Tomas Bramblefoot:

A jovial halfling who teaches Mathematics and Sciences. Mr. Bramblefoot has a knack for making complex theories understandable through practical applications and real-world examples. His friendly and approachable demeanour makes him popular among students.

Mistress Elysia Moonsong:

A drow woman who is the instructor for the Arts, including music, painting, and poetry. Her calming presence and patient demeanour have made her a beloved figure in the school. It's rumoured that she was once a renowned bard in Potexania or as it was formerly known, The Dottenland

Master Argus Ironbeard:

A gruff dwarf who teaches Physical Education and Survival Skills, important for life on the frontier. He's an ex-soldier from the Ridgeway with countless tales of adventure and life in the wild.

Madame Featherquill:
The magic theory and practical enchantment teacher, a human woman with a flair for the dramatic. Rumoured to have been a former court wizard in the Dottenland, she is now dedicated to training a new generation of magic users, if any show potential. She has no current students