Minor NPCs

Rules questions, useful links, and the like.
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ShadowOfPreservation
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by ShadowOfPreservation »

Jiga: Jiga is only recently arrived to Amber, having been seen in Lyra's company only since the morning of the Rebma ball. She is a Tengu of the D&D variety, meaning she appears as a humanoid crow with clawed appendages and black feathery wings. Her clothing is best described as "fashionable rogue", consisting of expertly tailored leathers that speak of both prosperity and functionality. They are also clearly feminine in design, giving perhaps the only visual clue of her gender to anyone that isn't familiar with avian anatomy. Her dark eyes give away little of her emotions, though somehow manage to convey her intelligence and wit.
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by Rasanam »

Anniah: The daughter of a pair of eccentric mages from Rasanam & Lyra's home shadow. She's trained as a druid, but led a very cloistered life - her parents intended to use her as a sacrifice to gain control of certain local artifacts of power. Human, no particularly notable stats or abilities. Will probably pick up sorcery & empowerment (for personal shapeshifting spells) once she's had enough time to adapt to Amber's magic.

Victor Magesoul: Apprentice of Rasanam. A young and reckless elf, utterly in love with Anniah... at least for now. Though, well, elf; even if Anniah represents a passing fancy, that's likely to last for years or decades. His actions precipitated her rescue, and he's been taken to Amber at least in part for his own protection from her parents. ((Edit & OOC note: Not an elf - just looks like one. Victor is actually some sort of kitsune or fox-shifter.))
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Joshua
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by Joshua »

Anriki, Go Master of the "Elements of Tea" House
At 3' 8", this racoon-dog is relatively unimposing. Few, however, would cross him as, in the gambling sector, he is considered a very valuable pet* of his tea house. Perhaps the most skilled player of Go in the city, those who have not studied the game often fall prey to the subtle nuances of his strategy. That, and his mostly secret** ability to read minds. Likewise, the few attempts to kidnap him have been thwarted by this ability. (Which makes him devastating in one-on-one combat.)

Psyche: Low-Ranked
Strength: Chaos. (And has penalties for size.)
Endurance: Chaos. While not physically taxing, he has played go for 4 days straight. (Against 2 - 4 opponents at a time.)
Warfare: Clearly Mid-ranked.

Powers: Telepathy(?), Avatar Form (shapeshift into a statue)

Talents: Go Master (d9 if you care), Ridiculously Well-Off, I don't want to get dirty, But I will if I must.
Quirks: I REALLY don't want to get dirty, Short and cute, Well-Trained Monkey
_____________________
*: Very well-compensated indentured servant. He makes more than some of the servers, and lives a little like a rock-star.
**: Anyone who challenges him to a game of Go is allowed to choose if Anriki is blindfolded or not. Clearly the ability requires line of sight. To date no one in the city has bested him in an "eyes-open" game.
?: Unless you think your character would have already investigated, it is unknown if this is a shadow ability or spell or what-not.
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Joshua
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by Joshua »

Cameron's Apprentice and Family:
Zunkar (Sorcerers don’t have last names in his home shadow, it would have been Ironskull)
A rare albino minotaur. In his home shadow, albinoism is linked to sorcerer status and ability. In original stats, his Charisma is at least 22. (Pathfinder.)
Knows theory from Sorcery and two interchangeable power words. (Probably 3 - 4 ones that will work in Amber so far. Only 2 at a time though.)

Kirkun Ironskull
Zunkar's older and larger brother. The family name comes from their father's ability to break concrete with his head. This is one of Kirk's more distinguished features as well.

Father Minrus Stormroar
An ex-barbarian who decided to embrace the life of a priest for a small village.
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by misfit »

Rolaldael Brokenblade - Moon Elf majordomo of the Court of Tir-Na Ng'oth

Rolaldael was one of the earlier arrivals to Amber, so few remember the event. Stories say that he wore no armor, but carried a scabbard containing a broken sword. He never claimed a surname and in the early days he was stuck with the name Brokenblade. Over the years it's usage has faded, but some still remember...and speculate. He has never explained the details of his arrival, or his life before that, so speculation is all there is. Some say he was a great warrior who was shamed in some unknown and broke his own sword to leave that life behind. Others think it is a family heirloom of some sort. Some even say there never was a sword and it's all just a myth. Rolaldael will neither confirm nor deny any rumors, and the sword has not been seen since.

Whatever his past, Rolaldael quick set to work on making a place for himself in the budding Court of Tir-Na Ng'oth. His generally helpful nature and flair for organization quickly put him in the center of things. He has never been a social climber, but contented himself with helping those in power (which of course still grants him social status). He is a being that radiates quiet competence, which seems somehow contagious. (The truth of that is that he subtly uses glamour to quiet emotions when conflicts arise. It is much easier to reach a compromise when emotions aren't running high.)

Rolaldael's appearance is fairly typical by Moon Elf standards: pale skin, silvery hair, light colored eyes, and fine features that walk the line between "handsome" and "beautiful". He moves with an easy grace and has a soft pleasant voice.

Psyche: Amber
Strength: Chaos? Amber? (He doesn't seem to be as strong as Amber might imply, but seems faster and more agile than Chaos)
Endurance: Chaos
Warfare: Amber?

Powers: The only power demonstrated so far is the aforementioned glamour abilities, and he is subtle enough with that that few are even aware of it.

Talents: Organizational genius, anticipating needs, using the talents of others to achieve his goals
Quirks: "My past is unimportant"

(Note: I have left some mystery about the character intentionally, and honestly I haven't defined even to myself what his past is. If it ever becomes relevant, whoever is writing the thread is invited to run with it...including changing his attributes, new powers, etc.)
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Re: Minor NPCs

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Breaca Keigwin - Brownie, Mistress of the Kitchens of Tir-Na Ng'oth

Breaca appearance is typical for a brownie, short, brown skin, golden eyes. She is not pretty by human standards (but she is by brownie standards).

She is most definitely a woman with layers. Her outward behavior is often at odds with her true feelings. She can come across as brusque and a harsh taskmistress, but really she is fair to her people and never asks more than they can give. (Often she is a better judge of that than they are themselves). She is not impressed by rank, and will not hesitate to speak her mind freely to anyone from a scullery maid to Dworkin himself. A favorite pass time when dealing with those in power is to threaten to leave her post. The truth is she loves her job and would not be as happy anywhere else...and she knows it in her heart. She just likes to keep people on their toes. Of course everyone puts up with it because of her skills, and it's no exaggeration to say there is magic in the products of her kitchen.

Psyche: Chaos
Strength: Human
Endurance: Chaos
Warfare: Human

Powers: Breaca has some small magical abilities, restricted to the "cantrip" range.

Talents: Flair for cooking, judging the skills of others, knowing how far she can push others
Quirks: Rarely shows her true feelings, loves to hear gossip (though rarely repeats it), queen of her own domain
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Re: Minor NPCs

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Celeste Ammarith Victoria

Vikky typically appears as a short (about 5') elven woman, with light skin, faded green-white hair, and pale blue eyes. She moves with the careful economy of someone who is old and tired, though her features show no signs of age. For clothing, she favors pale colors in an oriental style... or whatever she thinks will not stand out too much (for example, a simple brown shawl for visiting the market.)
If sufficiently desperate, she can shapeshift to an oriental dragon, about 5' high at the shoulder, with white jade scales and a green mane. But she regards her natural form as being for emergency use only, and has not yet had cause to reveal it to anyone in Amber.

Vikky arrived in Amber during December of year 6, and has set herself up as a wealthy alchemist of limited but useful skills; the most impressive trick she's admitted to is an ability to treat paper, rendering it weatherproof and strong enough to use as a construction material (typically in combination with a wooden frame).

Psyche: Amber
Strength: Amber
Endurance: Chaos
Warfare: Human

Powers: Sorcery, Conjuration, Power Words, Shapeshifting (avatar form only)

Talents: Subtle Alchemy, the talent to Fade into the Background, the talent to Keep Secrets
Quirks: Always Expecting the Inquisition*, Old and Tired, Avid Doll Collector

____
* The Inquisition, in her home shadow, is a group that hunts down and kills supernatural creatures, including sorcerers of any race. Alchemy was... tolerated. Vikky knows the Inquisition doesn't have any overt agents in Amber, but still expects both covert agents and an eventual declaration of holy war. Of course, her home shadow is probably far enough out that both of these concerns are unreasonable... but then again, it may not be; that's up to the GM.
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Joshua
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Re: Minor NPCs

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While the three of these do have trump cards, they are not Amberites and unlike, say Quin, they do not play at that level. Perhaps the cards were intended to be used as pagers.

Rolf is the Head Drill Sargent of Castle Amber, holding the rank of Master-at-Arms. While not in charge of the guard, he is in charge of all training that goes on and all new recruits. While no match for an Amberite, he does spar regularly with Oberon and Darnell. If one wants to arrange for an escort detail or other use of new guards that is beyond their regular duties, one talks to him.

If one goes to Rolf for people, one goes to Richard for things. As the Siege-Master of Amber, Richard is in charge of making sure every catapult, ballista, and war-machine is ready for use. In his spare time, he often works as a master weapon-smith. He is among the best smiths in Amber, and his steel is highly prized. When working with Will or with rare materials, he is capable of forging minor artifacts.

In the matters intangible, Will (not short for anything) is the Master-at-Rites of castle Amber. He helps keep the wards, magic defenses and magic equipment functioning. He also works with Rolf to keep magic-savvy recruits trained and integrated into the normal guards. He sometimes makes small, temporary artifacts for the guards, especially if trouble is expected. Definitely not the most potent mage in Amber, but certainly one with a wide breadth of ability. He works hard to keep the castle on an even playing field with the rest of Amber.

Trumps:
  • 8 Justice: Rolf sits behind an administrative desk. Through a nearby window new recruits train to defend Castle Amber. Will stands behind him, checking over notes and Richard is in the field, distributing swords to the trainees. Rolf seems to be fielding petitioners from the guards, although only a few heads and arms can be seen.
  • 11 Strength: Richard stands before his forge, hammering a glowing-red sword into pristine shape. Flame and smoke from the forge, combined with a strange perspective combine to make it look like in hammering the sword, he is prying open the mouth of a large flame-lizard. Will is watching from the background and is preparing the cooling water, while Rolf is examining a sword-rack in the background.
  • 14 Temperance: Will stands in his laboratory, pouring a gravity-defying liquid almost sideways from a glass beaker into a wooden goblet over a pool of similar silver liquid. In the background, Richard is replacing a complicated metal device with a broken part and Rolf stands ready to defend against any possible backlash from this ritual.
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Joshua
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by Joshua »

Lady Ninear

A bean sídhe, she has jet-black hair, done up in a tight bun to keep it out of her face. She often wears the green constable uniform of her station as chief of police for Faetown.

She has the ability to predict when deaths will occur. (Fairly minor and unable to predict the intervention of real power... which is a pain in Amber.) Since it's not reliable, she puts together long lists of possibilities and connection to these predicted murders. On the plus side, she doesn't preincarcerate anyone if the crime is prevented. That being said, it's still likely 'attempted murder' which she does prosecute.

Psyche: Chaos (Amber for predictions of death)
Strength: Chaos+ (-5)
Endurance: Chaos
Warfare: Amber

Powers: None. (Prediction is shadow magic.)

Talents: Trained Investigator, Beat-Cop, Never gives up, Saves who she can, Sees Death.
Quirks: Can't save everyone, Wails at Death*, OMG it's a Banshee!
________________
*: Her death-wail is more of a lament, really. Even in her home shadow it has no power.
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Joshua
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Re: Minor NPCs

Post by Joshua »

Legna, Seneschal of Rebma

Legna is a young-ish, female bullywug. More specifically, an advanced bullywug, larger and more intelligent than the rest of her feral race. As such she's approximately 4' tall, with very froglike features. Her fingers are long, thin and webbed as are her feet. She has been made to wear gowns or more formal wear, but never footwear.

While not particularly clever or even smart, she excels in organization, which serves her well in her station. No meeting is too small, no group too insignificant to get her attention. Most receive a personal visit at some point from her to make sure the accommodations are to their liking.

She is very unwilling to fight in any circumstance, terrified she'll regress to a typical member of her race if she gives in to her lower impulses. Likewise, she does not consume alcohol and has refrained from any romantic encounter. Perhaps whatever granted her heightened awareness can be taken away, but few have entertained that notion. One does not fight with an effective head janitor. Besides, most factions believe she's on their side.

While she is not poisonous, she is nearly immune to poison and is at home in fouled water. A fact she has downplayed.
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