Andusk NPC List
I am in the process of whittling this list down as I confirm the individual articles for the characters contain all the information here.
Alt!D2 NPCs! I am lazy, so I'm just throwing these up here instead of carefully sorting out who knows whom and mailing you all individually hand-crafted NPC sheets. If you're uncertain if you would know a given NPC, just ask. They are roughly divided into three categories - upper-class (and associated slaves) and lower-class, as well as NPCs who would be known to everyone, regardless of their social background. I think there are some for everyone in each category, though, so feel free to read them all even if they don't apply to you directly. I trust you to use your common sense about what information your character is likely to know and not know - some of the stuff in these descriptions (sexual preferences, deep dark secrets, things buried in their background) would of course only be known to someone who knows the given NPC well, and if you don't, then you probably don't know whatever it is either ;)
If you're upper-class, you probably know these people:
Butler Belden: Human gladiator, age ~50. Son of the martyred human leader Passeth Belden, enslaved after her arrest and execution when he was a teenager. He had a wife, Kora, another gladiator, but she was killed in a double-bill match, fighting alongside Halden - Butler consequently blames Halden for her death, even though in reality there was probably little he could have done about it. He is impatient, easily irritated, surly, drinks too much, and basically seems to hate everyone apart from his daughter Marrith.
Marrith Belden: Human gladiator, age 24, short-cropped black hair and blue eyes. She's quite cold-blooded and cunning, known for her tricks in the arena like darting behind a foe to hamstring them before toying with them awhile for the entertainment of the crowd. She was trained more by Tristane than by Halden, and the two women are well-known in the pits as lovers.
Loth: Human gladiator, age 32. Brown hair and eyes. He would have saved enough to buy his contract out by now if he didn't have a gambling problem and awful luck. He has a deep-seated hatred of SK, since his family were killed by them in the raid that captured him. He is rather melancholy and grim, but not unkind to his fellow fighters.
Leonien Kizer: Human nobleman, age 75, short white hair and faded grey-green eyes. Ysstvelt's current owner. He is the head of the Kizer family, by virtue of having killed off most of the other contenders for that position. Somber, dignified, and strong-willed, but verging a bit on paranoid in his old age.
Marel Kizer: Elder grandson of Leonien Kizer. Human, age 30, dark brown hair, green eyes. As his grandfather's heir-presumptive, Marel is at the center of a lively social circle of people trying to ingratiate themselves to him. He is outgoing and generous, known for his parties, which even members of the SK nobility attend (quite impressive for a human noble…) He trained as a wizard, and is known to be quite clever. He is a sexual sadist, and enjoys exerting his power over others. Among the women he is currently bedding are Pheria, Zivia, and Yanina, all of whom accomodate his preferences to varying degrees.
Menard Kizer: Younger grandson of Leonien Kizer. Human, age 19, brown hair, green eyes. Menard is not his brother's intellectual equal - he has a tendency to be a bit of a dreamer, indecisive and easily manipulated. Nevertheless, he is quite well-mannered and charming, and so is popular, especially among those who would like to do the manipulating. He and Marel also had a sister, Eglantine, who died at a young age.
Livianne Kizer: Granddaughter of Leonien Kizer, cousin to Marel and Menard. Human, age 29, brown hair, green eyes. Although Marel is Leonien's actual heir, Livianne is much more involved in the family's business dealings, less with the constant partying and fucking. She is well-spoken and swift-witted, but tends to come off as haughty in dealing with her inferiors. Although their grandfather sometimes (jokingly?) suggests they should marry, she and Marel cordially despise one another, but she gets along fairly well with Menard.
Yanina Trueblood: Human noblewoman, age 30. Pale skin, curly red hair, green eyes, very short and slender. Long-time friend (with benefits) of Marel Kizer. She is opinionated, vivacious, and rather flighty, but shares his penchant for cruelty. She and Pheria have come to a tentative truce after a few years of fighting for his attention - in fact, they have a great deal in common, and will work together if necessary.
Zivia Ohmbrmanach: Half-SK, app. age 18, straight black hair, dark skin and eyes. Sexually involved with Marel, and has a sometimes-playful, sometimes-vicious rivalry with Pheria, which Marel encourages because it amuses him; she is also Dominik's half-sister, although she would never admit such a thing if she even knows about it. She has pierced nipples and generally dresses to show them off, being quite shameless and flirtacious.
Theron Ohmbrmanach: Half-SK, app. age 20, curly dark-copper hair, dark skin and eyes. Brother of Zivia, half-brother and thorn in Dominik’s side. He knows that Dom is his half-brother, and is happy to rub his face in it whenever he gets the chance.
Kex Argo: Human, age 48. An architect for the Kizers, father of Seth, Cyrenne and Euberthe. His wife died some years ago, and he has since remarried. He is contented in his position in the Kizer household, secure, even complacent with his work and family - apart from some recent difficulties with his son...
Vereth Argo: Human, age 38. Kex's second wife, and assistant in his business dealings. She is more practical-minded than her husband, dealing with more of the financial aspects of the trade. She has sometimes had difficulties dealing with his children from his first marriage.
Triana Finel: Human, age 20, curly light brown hair, hazel eyes. A young woman who assists Pheria in her research activities and in other realms of investigation as well. She is completely amoral, willing to do anything Pheria asks of her, though she has little real initiative of her own.
Fineas Stra'uch: SK high priest of Vrag, app. age ~60. The highest ranking priest of the city, and thus nominally married to Fedra, although it is largely a ceremonial relationship, and he does nothing to interfere with her other hobbies. He's had other high priestesses before, he seems used to it. He is very straight-laced and has a cold demeanour, but he is well-respected among the SK for his wisdom and insight.
Fedra ar Seni: SK, high priestess of Vrag, app. age ~25. The highest ranking priestess of the city, and thus nominally married to Fineas, whom she mostly ignores except when it suits her purposes. She conducts sacrifices to Vrag with enthusiasm, nearly as much enthusiasm as she devotes to sleeping around. She is utterly depraved, but can be quite charming when it suits her. She has three half-SK children, Ramon, Felize, and Vivian, probably all by different fathers.
Airrik: Fedra's pet succubus, app. age ~25. Fedra's story is that he followed her home and she kept him for the amusement value, but who knows the truth of their relationship? She keeps him on a short leash. Literally. It has a pretty collar and everything. His form is that of a tall, handsome young man with red glowing eyes and bat wings. He hasn't drained anyone's levels, or at least not that anyone knows of…
Ydeline: Cozovodë ambasssador/spy; Sendhel's mistress; app. age 27. She acquired Sendhel ostensibly as a companion for her daughter, but also makes use of his… other abilities. She dislikes living in Andusk, viewing it as something of a punishment from her superiors, but has more or less gotten used to it now, having been there for several decades. She is quite attractive by SK standards, with black hair and dark brown eyes, though her skin is more light brown in tone. Although she is willing to use her looks and charm to get what she wants, she almost never sleeps with people for favour or information, instead delegating that task to other members of her staff. In the bedroom, she is definitely the dominant partner.
Matyevica: Ydeline's half-SK daughter, app. age 24. Father unknown. Pretty, with largely SK features apart from her hazel eyes. She is Sendhel's lover, often accompanying him to parties and social events, where she partakes of every pleasure with enthusiasm. She is saucy, easily bored, and can get quite jealous, mainly of her mother, whose apparent age she is rapidly approaching. She knows that she is something of an embarassment to her mother, who has tried to send her away on more than one occasion, and resents this.
Roene: Sen's personal slave, human, age 27. Roene was born into slavery, and has never known any other life. She has had far worse masters, however, and appreciates Sen's comparative kindness to her. She is not the type to get emotionally attached, however. For a slave, she has a certain pride and courage that is unusual.
Tatiane Corriveau: Human, age 68. Grey hair, blue eyes. Head of the Corriveau family, a prominent and wealthy family of at least nominal collaborators (and criminals). She is a tough old woman, though still quite striking for her age. In practice, the Corriveaus are less inclined to collaborate directly these days, and more inclined to watch carefully and see what happens next. What matters most to her is her family's safety and prosperity, rather than allegiance to one faction or another. She has seen two of her children die before her - her son Nikolas (father of Ninon and Vescan) in a botched robbery attempt, and her daughter Genevive in childbirth with Altheo. Only her youngest daughter, Julinne, Avery's mother, is still alive, though she has serious drug addiction problems, to the point where Tatiane has basically written off that generation and concentrates instead on her four grandchildren and their aspirations for the future.
Ninon Corriveau: Human, age 24. Red hair, grey eyes. A clever, street-smart young woman who is more at home with the network of pickpockets and street urchin spies she has built up over the past few years than she is in high society, though of course she can get by there if she has to. She tends more toward the human side of the struggle, though like her grandmother her highest concern is with those she cares about rather than any particular faction. She was engaged to be married to a young man named Michel Kercy a couple of years ago, but he fell from his horse, hit his head and died, leaving her bereft. It is only in the past six months or so that she has even begun to consider new potential partners, but so far she has not found anyone who meets her rather high standards.
Vescan Corriveau: Human, age 23. Red hair, blue eyes. Eminently practical and calculating, Vescan believes that the human resistance movement is ultimately doomed to failure, and as such he has thrown his lot in irrevocably with the SK and their human cohorts, letting himself be taken as a paramour by a high-ranking SK noblewoman, Coramance Silv'era, whose father is on the Irrdin'errin. His family still speak to him, though there is certainly some tension from time to time.
Avery Corriveau: Human, age 20. Red hair, blue eyes. The youngest of Tatiane's grandchildren is a carefree dilettante, moving from one amusement to the next as it strikes his fancy. He is witty and pleasant to converse with, but he has a very short attention span. So far he shows no signs of his mother's penchant for mind-dulling drugs, but he does enjoy a good time.
Mijanou: Human, age 19, blonde hair and green eyes. A girl from Norumbeg, captured in a raid as a small child, who went through belldance training with Ysstvelt. She is now a belldancer owned by the Corriveau family, and involved with Altheo. She tends to be nervous and anxious to please, and a bit of a scatter-brain, but sweet and well-meaning.
Theodis: Half-SK, app. age ~22. Frizzy white hair, grey-green eyes. Theo is a spy and possible double-agent, involved with both the human resistance and the elites of the city to the point where even Sen is not sure where her true loyalties (if any) lie. She tends to be skeptical, sarcastic, and suspicious at all times. (But she likes a good fuck as much as anyone…)
If you're in the undercity, you probably know these people:
Ailden: Human, age 21. Brown hair, green eyes. Ailden is a member of the human resistance, though he tends to the more moderate side of the movement. He is amiable, quick to forgive, and some would say he is too soft-hearted for what needs to be done. He was friends with Willem before the good Father became more extreme, and is concerned about his friend's descent into what he views as mindless vengeance.
Cornelia Nash: Human?, app. age ~65. Steel grey hair, faintly glowing blue eyes. Cornelia is obsessed with a single cause - destroying the Arch. She is something of a scholar, and believes that her research will help her find a way to achieve her goal, which would in turn weaken the power of Vrag and (perhaps) lift the darkness from the city. She can be very intense when it comes to this matter, but she is sometimes willing to take part in other tasks that she believes will help her on the way to her larger ambition.
Martan: Human, age 25. Brown hair, green eyes. Martan is a relative newcomer to the undercity, but he has quickly become an important resource for the resistance movement, as he apparently possesses a great deal of inside information about the upper classes of the city, particularly the doings of the Kizer family. Although some mistrust him, his information has proved reliable so far. His own background is something of a mystery, as all he will say is that he's here to atone for his past.
Maze and Jess: Human, age early 60s. These siblings (Jess is the elder of the two, though only slightly) are the unofficial leaders of the human resistance. They seem to know everyone and every corner of the undercity, and most of the upper city as well, and their network extends even to the borders of Andusk. Together they plan raids to free human slaves, arrange for those who are willing and able to travel secretly to neighbouring human-dominated nations, and orchestrate other schemes of rebellion. They seem to have a weirdly co-dependent relationship (neither has ever married).
Dessa Underdown: Human, age 15. Brown hair, blue eyes. A young thief and pickpocket who is also sometimes employed by the resistance to pass messages or seek out information. Friends with Silvia. She is generally cheerfully irreverent, and can sometimes be mischievous, though not when she's on serious business.
Garlan Hyde: Human, age 22. Curly light brown hair, brown eyes. Hettie's only son, he is nominally involved in the resistance, but is in fact rather lazy and would rather be screwing around than working, especially when the work involves the chance of danger. As his father was executed for his involvement with the movement, perhaps Garlan's reluctance is understandable.
Hettie Hyde: Human, age 46. Red hair, green eyes. A long-time member of the human resistance, Hettie is down-to-earth and can be brutally honest when necessary, strong-willed and driven to help those who need it. She has one son, Garlan, whose father was caught and executed by the SK when the boy was still small. Since Julian's wife died, she has set up housekeeping with him.
Julian Izaguirre: Human, age 68. Grey hair, brown eyes. Julian is involved in the human resistance, mainly helping smuggle humans out of Andusk into human-controlled territory. He is quite polite and diplomatic, and prefers to operate subtly, for instance by covertly buying slaves rather than engaging in raids to free them, but he can be ruthless when the need arises. He has a particular dislike of the undead. His wife died about five years ago, and shortly after he took up with Hettie, whose personality complements his well.
Father Marlov: Human, age 30. Long brown hair, blue eyes. Marlov is a priest of the Cat god, which he seems mainly to use as an excuse to host orgies and call it religion. Perhaps not surprisingly, this makes his faith among the more popular of the undercity's various cults (although perhaps not with the other priests…). He is devout, though, in his way, and at least he brings a bit of enjoyment into people's lives.
Mother Nais: Human, age 21. Brown hair, hazel eyes. A priestess of the Lizard god, she is warm, generous, and quite resourceful in finding ways to help needy newcomers and escaped slaves, having lived in the undercity her whole life. Although she is young, she seems somehow older than her years. She worries about Altheo, and is suffering a crisis of faith, doubting whether the gods are powerful enough to stand against Vrag.
Thia: Human, age 24. Auburn hair, brown eyes. Thia is a very angry young woman. She was formerly a slave-musician in an SK household, where she was evidently badly mistreated. She escaped in the confusion after setting the place on fire, and fled to the undercity. She can be reckless and dangerous, especially when she feels threatened, and she does not trust people easily, even those who have helped her. However, she is a skilled bard, and quite cunning and knowledgeable, so she is useful to the resistance.
Taralyn: Freed slave, human, age 21. Dark brown hair, brown eyes. Formerly a slave in the Cozovodë embassy, freed in a raid less than a year ago. She is still unaccustomed to freedom, and fearful of being recaptured and/or punished, but her knowledge of various matters means she is too useful to ship out of the city to greater safety. She has a slave brand on the back of her left hand which she keeps hidden by wearing gloves.
Ny'kaz: half-SK wizard, app. age ~45. Pale grey hair, green eyes. Although trained in the upper city, Ny'kaz has more or less defected to the undercity, and now devotes herself to illegally training any who wish to learn and show an aptitude for magic. She has been in the undercity long enough that most of those who were disinclined to trust her because of her SK blood have since decided she's at least useful enough to tolerate. Some even grudgingly respect her.
Danyel: Guardian/companion of Alma, human, age 27. Blond hair, blue eyes. Danyel has known Alma since they were young - being a fellow worshipper of Owl in the undercity, they were bound to know one another. Since her undeath, he views her practically as a saint for her dedication to the faith. Although he may secretly harbour feelings of love for her, he channels it into devotion instead. He is pious, fiercely loyal to Alma, and obedient to her will. While she gave up her life for her faith, he has in effect given up his life for her.
Mother Biatrix: An undead priestess of Owl. Formerly human, app. age 18. A friend of Alma's who underwent the undeath ritual some forty years ago, when she was in her late teens. Though profoundly spiritual, she is also practical and businesslike, a valuable counterbalance to Alma's zeal.
Marielle: Human, age 29. Brown hair, blue eyes. One of Alma's most devoted followers (apart from Danyel, of course). Alma sometimes possesses her in order to pass unnoticed in the above-ground city, and she willingly agrees to this, believing that it brings her closer to her god. She harbours a certain affection for Danyel, but of course he is completely devoted to Alma, so she knows nothing would ever come of it.
Mother Raina: Human, age 22. Long, tangled black hair, green/white eyes. A priestess of Rat and seer, and close associate of Father Willem. She is more than a little touched in the head, often calling people by the wrong names and speaking of herself in the third person, but she has visions that are sometimes quite usefully accurate, so she is a handy ally to have around. She is in love with him, in her way, and very devoted to helping him however she can.
Silvia: Human, age 12. Red-brown hair, green/white eyes. Father Willem's younger sister, who followed him to the undercity and fell into a life of crime. She works mainly as a pickpocket, along with Dessa and some other girls, and although Willem may suspect that sometimes they earn their money in less savoury ways, she always denies it. She has the same mixed eye colour that Raina has, so the mad priestess has a fondness for the girl, saying she's blessed. So far, at least, Silvia has shown no signs of Raina's particular variety of 'blessedness'.
Everyone knows (of) these people:
Imraen no Qu'rret: SK, app. age ~22. Queen of Andusk, succeeding her late mother. She is young, but nevertheless reputed as a clever and savvy ruler, if rather aloof. Most of her subjects would rarely see her, or only at a distance, for of course she does not mingle among the common folk. Even the parties of the human elite are mostly beneath her notice.
Kavreshar: dragon, app. age ??? A high-ranking dragon (as they account such things - all dragons are high-ranking compared to humans, of course…) and servitor of Vrag who lives near the city. Kavreshar's goals and motives are not always clear, but he is certainly a powerful motivator for people to keep in line. It is rumoured that he can take the form of other creatures in order to pass unnoticed in the city. Naturally this makes people paranoid and suspicious.
Vianca Paquin: Human wizard on the Irrdin'errin, age 65, mentor to Pheria. She fully expects that when a vacancy opens on the Irrdin'errin (most likely due to the death of Duchampe, although of course anything could happen…), Pheria could be chosen to fill the empty seat, if she plays her cards right, and she does not scruple to scheme on Pheria's behalf in that department. She encourages Pheria's more ...esoteric research and experiments in the name of scientific discovery.
Loch Duchampe: Human wizard on the Irrdin'errin, age 76. A now-elderly man who rose from humble beginnings and has served on the council for some forty years. He is wise and studious, still quick-witted despite his advancing age, and has never acted as though his human background put him at a disadvantage in the council. He obviously sees himself as fully equal to the SK members, and superior to some of them.
Teionea Dev'era: SK, on the Irrdin'errin, app. age ~23. The youngest member of the Irrdin'errin, and most recently chosen, thus still finding her feet in the new environment. She is bookish and somewhat detached from reality, but then, on the oracular council, these are typically considered plusses. Already she has a reputation for powerful visions and prophecies.
Aleksior the Blessed: SK, on the Irrdin'errin, app. age ~80. The most senior member of the Irrdin'errin, and its (mostly) undisputed leader. He is domineering, authoritative, constantly talks over people, and always has to have the last word, but he is growing somewhat absent-minded in his old age. He is called 'the Blessed' because of his frequent communion with Vrag, so close that it is said he speaks with the Serpent's own voice.
Mortemir Silv'era: SK, on the Irrdin'errin, app age ~60. Second-most senior member of the Irrdin'errin, and growing impatient to become its leader when Aleksior finally dies. He is inclined to scheme and plot for his eventual takeover, but is not willing to do too much for fear of alienating his fellow council members, few of whom bear much affection for him.
Antjri Dinh: SK, on the Irrdin'errin, app. age ~30. One of the younger members of the Irrdin'errin, although she has still served longer than Vianca has. She has long been allied with Duchampe, and there are whispered rumours that they are lovers, although this is not confirmed, as sleeping with another member of the council is strongly looked down upon, and would certainly be cause for censure from the other members, if not worse. All that can be said is that if they are, or were, then they have been very careful about it. The fact that Dinh is a powerful abjurer may be helpful in matters requiring discretion.
Thumire Vak'andres: SK, on the Irrdin'errin, app. age ~40. A middle-ranking member of the Irrdin'errin, and most generally the neutral party and mediator in intra-council disputes. She is calm, soft-spoken, and yet her voice carries authority when she does speak, and she is well-respected both within and outside the council. Although she has not made any such suggestions, there is the possibility that she might become the head of the council rather than Silv'era when Aleksior finally dies, as she is much better-liked.
There may be a few more coming if I find the time, but these were the ones I felt were most important to get done before Sunday. If you have any questions/concerns, please let me know.
Kalman Vak'andres: SK nobleman and, secretly, a human sympathizer, app. age ~27, black hair. Although his background and heritage would make it next to impossible for him to participate in human resistance efforts, he has played his part in other ways, by funnelling funds to the underground, buying slaves whom he then surreptitiously frees, and, via his aunt Thumire, doing some subtle lobbying for human rights. He is a widower with several children.
Boden of Gouge (deceased): Human, died about age 60. Once a famous gladiator, Boden was captured in the savage lands to the north at a young age and trained to fight in the arena. His size and skill won him many admirers in his day, but at the height of his fame, when he was around twenty-five, his contract was bought out by Kalman Vak'andres and he was brought into the Vak'andres household, ostensibly to serve as breeding stock. Whatever the reason, he was evidently a valued member of the family until his death some ten years ago.
Passeth Belden (deceased): Human revolutionary and priestess, sacrificed to Vrag some 40 years ago after leading a semi-successful uprising against the SK, which resulted in many deaths and a fire that consumed a substantial part of the city. Her son Butler, then a teenager, was also captured but was 'mercifully' put into the arena instead of being killed outright. If she has any other surviving family members, they are keeping a low profile.
Falek Sath'in (deceased?): Half-SK relative of the Kizer family, the son of the late Lord Martan Kizer's bastard daughter and an SK nobleman, raised alongside the other Kizers of his generation (including Leonien). He disappeared mysteriously some 40 years ago, and is presumed deceased by his family and the world at large. Darker rumours insinuate that if the Kizers wanted an inconvenient individual to disappear, then that person might never be found...
Pavo ar Seni: SK nobleman, app. age ~28, father of Fedra (among others). Pavo was instrumental in engineering his eldest daughter's rise to prominence in the church, but has since retired to his wife's estates in the countryside, rarely visiting Saraknyel, which is unusual for an SK noble.
Coramance Silv'era: SK noblewoman, app. age ~30. Coramance is extremely striking, being an albino SK with pure white hair and skin. Her father sits on the Irrdin'errin, and so, by association with him, she wields considerable influence in Andusk politics. She is unmarried, but has had a lengthy string of human lovers, most recently Vescan Corriveau.
Loik Talav'era: SK nobleman, app. age ~30, black hair. Loik is a notable playboy in SK high society, well-known for his affairs, mainly with men. He is a very wealthy man, and seems perfectly willing to drop vast amounts of money on entertainment and ostentation. For example, as a small part of the celebrations for his birthday a few years ago, he had ten children sacrificed to the Arch, including Ysstvelt's sister.
Davilas Dy'ess: SK nobleman, app. age ~27, pale grey hair. Davilas is among the more notorious members of the SK noble class for his cruelty and debauchery. He is openly involved with his younger sister Katya, though of course not to the exclusion of others. This is pretty extreme even by SK standards.
Katya Dy'ess: SK noblewoman, app. age ~25, dark grey hair. Sister and lover of Davilas. They seem quite happy together...
Rayze El'ziior: SK nobleman, app. age ~30, dark copper hair. Due to his unusual hair colour, it is rumoured that there's some human blood in his family line somewhere, though presumably a small enough amount that he still "counts" as SK. (The less-scandalous explanation would be that he dyes it.) He is very loyal to his close friend Loik. He was once married to the sister of Kalman, but she died in childbirth some years ago, along with the infant.
