DRAMATIS PERSONAE
“Old Ori” – Human Local Color. He’s colorful! What color exactly? Depends on the day…
“He likes liquor, is what he means.” -Michael J. Nelson.
HEROES AND ALLIES
Torgo – Construct Sorcerer. Hero of Telhain, Breaf Weapon Twin, Brave Companion.
Summary
Torgo was the first soul to suffer from Sylvio Imbrex’s decision to undertake his ill-fated attempt at summoning magic – other than Imbrex himself, who is probably not much enjoying his Infernal Reward. His master/creator’s almost-immediate death left Torgo without purpose and all alone, hiding in a barrel. The party surprised him on their first day in the Tower, and what could have ended tragically instead became an important friendship – perhaps the most important friendship they have made so far.
He was thought to be Imbrex’s Homunculus – a magical assistant bonded irrevocably to the life of their creator – and indeed has some of the same talents and inclinations, like a bite that can put enemies to sleep instantly. But he has not only survived the death of his master, rare among homunculi, but thrived in the party’s company. It was later revealed that he is actually a Construct and has many other secrets still to be discovered. His magic powers are formidable and continue to grow as he matures.
Torgo is closely bonded with all the party members, especially Mart (whose music he loves) and Bonnie (his “breaf weapon twin.”) Dory was instantly charmed by him, and has made it her purpose to treat him as an equal party member. She quickly enlisted him as Bonnie’s co-protector, and styles him her “Brave Companion.” Medio is also fascinated by him as a very special, possibly unique Construct, and always calls him “Torgo the Extraordinary;” Medio’s repair abilities have already been put to good use in helping keep Torgo fit and well.
Alegwynne Jenyre – Half-Elven Druid. Hero of Telhain, and protector of its wild environs.
Summary
The townsfolk of Telhain used to call Alegwynne a wicked witch, and their distrust pushed her away to a solitary life with only infrequent and sometimes unpleasant contact with the settlement. She serves the Green Mother and this sometimes puts her at odds with the desires of the farming community, as she advocates fiercely for the wild creatures she protects. Bonnie and the party chose to take her part and become her friend, and she battled and defeated the devils alongside them, saving the community that had rejected her. This seems to have reawakened a desire to connect in the shy - but quite beautiful - druid, and Dory supports this project with enthusiasm, on both a community level and a (very) personal one.
Third Sword Nevil “Devil” Paullus – Human Champion. Hero of Telhain, Sword Knight of Iomedae.
Summary
Nevil was placed in the party’s way – literally – by what at the time looked like proper orders from his direct superior, Inquisitor Petreia. A local boy from nearby Dunholme, he and his partner Zeclas (q.v.) were attached to Petreia’s detail after a personal request, arriving in Telhain and promptly being given mostly scutwork to do. Charged with preventing the party from getting back into the Tower, after some conversations with Bonnie and the encouragement of Zec, who was already suspicious they were being lied to, Nevil found enough wiggle room in his orders to let them walk out of the Tower after they “snuck” in using a magic portal and learned a bit more about what was happening.
Eventually both Nevil and the party became convinced Petreia was not who she seemed, and after sending Zec away for reinforcements that they could trust, Nevil forced a confrontation with her in the town square as she prepared to hang Brother Lito (q.v.) “Petreia” then revealed herself as the Cabal Devil Unilla in disguise, and a HUGE battle took place between the Heroes of Telhain and the devils and their lackeys. Zec returned with a dozen Silver Knights to find the Heroes victorious, thanks in large part to Nevil’s personal courage and the timely aid of Alegwynne (q.v.)
The party also knows some of the pair’s previous history together, which was sketched out here.
Third Sword Zeclas “Zec” Savid – Human Champion. Sword Knight of Iomedae, Nevil’s partner.
Summary
Zeclas, or “Zec” as he is affectionately known, is a trusted partner to Nevil Paullus – possibly in several senses of the word, though he is not eager to highlight any more intimate connection among people he doesn’t know. Sent to find help, Zec missed the battle with the devils, but arrived in time to find his partner battered but alive. He then showed a level of tender care that might’ve led to gossip among any watchers who weren’t equally glad to still be alive.
In any case, he and “Devil” are generally inseparable, and make a striking pair that you would not want to face down in a fight. They work very well together, and it took both of them reinforcing each other’s feelings and doubts to get them to exceed their orders and side with the party against what appeared to be their lawful commander. Two heads are better than one, and their partnership has stood the test of time, as detailed in their larger history, sketched out here.
Warden Garris Naefaren – Elven Fighter. Silver Warden of Verduran, Devil Hunter
Summary
Warden Garris introduced himself to the party in a manner that did not undermine the stereotype of the Elves as slightly smug know-it-alls whose pants are excessively fancy in any way, waiting for them at the entrance to the Tower (where they had just escaped a very trying encounter) and implying they were out of their depth. His pants are silver and his cloak is white and silver and Coleman in particular found him a little insufferable. Luckily, Bonnie played nice, Coleman sobered up, and Garris’s specialty is hunting devils, so they came to an accord.
Garris and some other Wardens took care of a secondary problem while the Heroes of Telhain were winning their battle in the square, busting up an altar dedicated to the Cult of Rozaceal that had attracted new recruits from the area and was proving a hot spot for animal sacrifice, with worse in the offing if it was not stopped. The party did not actually see this happen, but Alegwynne (q.v.) later confirmed that the altar had been destroyed and the cultists who did not fall in the battle at Telhain were scattered. Garris and the other Silver Wardens are sure to be seen again as the hunt for the devils who are still running around loose heats up.
Laele Mizzryn – Drow Slayer. Former Velvet Blade, now seeking a new path in the light
Summary
The party encountered Laele at her most desperate – imprisoned by the Conclave and being worked to death in a mine. Her Dark Elf brethren had decreed this to be her fate as the consequence of a botched murder plot she was to perpetrate against the Drow Magus Decena X’ryc – already dispatched by the party – which she undertook for love of the Magus’ husband Drav.
She gladly seized the opportunity offered by the party’s incursion into Conclave territory and won her freedom – though not their unconditional trust – by aiding the party in defeating the Clockworks running her prison and the attached mine. Her stealth and speed were critical in turning the tide of battle, allowing the party to win the victory without a single casualty.
With no future left among her people, Laele decided to pursue a future in the light on her own, despite offers from Dory and Bonnie to aid and guide her. Dory did secure a promise (styling it a “contract” to protect the Drow’s prickly pride) that Laele will contact her when she has found her path; she feels a kinship with the Dark Elf despite their very different attitudes, and calls her “sister.”
MERCHANTS AND TOWNSFOLK
Branim Bloodforge – Dwarven Innkeeper. Owner/Operator of the Devil’s Rest Inn in Telhain
Summary
Branim is a cheerful sort, full of hospitality and enthusiastic about his ale – deservedly so, as it is excellent. The unofficial mayor of Telhain, he has contacts all over town and is happy to guide young adventurers looking for advice about the locals, and the local gossip. He’s also Bonnie and Dory’s boss of sorts, as both of them help out at the Inn (for tips and for free, respectively) when not out battling evil.
Raegar Bloodforge – Dwarven Blacksmith. Owner and Master Craftsman, Bloodforge Armory.
Summary
Raegar is Branim’s cousin and the two of them are quite friendly. Raegar is newly arrived in Telhain and is currently operating out of a temporary, wagon-based forge on the Rest’s lot. Temporary or not, he’s well-stocked and prepared to buy or sell at a fair price. Branim gave him one month to find a permanent site; two weeks in, he’s still looking. Something underground would be his preference.
Snorri – Dwarven Blacksmith. Apprentice at the Bloodforge Armory.
Summary
Snorri is also kin to the Bloodforges, or possibly one of their family friends. His father sent him to Raegar to learn smithing, but Snorri likes to read. Romances, mostly. He’s a good kid and a hard worker, if a bit prone to sneak away to get a few more pages turned on the sly. Dory likes him.
Razahl Envesior – Kitsune Wizard. Proprietor, Razahl’s Shop of Mystical Wonders
Summary
Until very recently, nobody in Telhain knew that the jocular, story-telling owner of the town’s magic shop wasn’t an elderly Human at all, but a shape-shifting Kitsune. It is still a secret to everybody but the party, and they have promised to keep it that way. Razahl and Bonnie share another secret – a secret enemy that has caused each of them to search Golarion looking for their missing loved ones. He believes the Aether Tower they are exploring is connected to his problem, and has promised and provided much material aid to the party. He has even thrown them a discount or two!
Tadeo Envesior – Kitsune Wizard. Apprentice, assistant, and grandson to Razahl.
Summary
Handsome Tadeo is an equally handsome humanoid fox, and made an early connection with Bonnie. He is dedicated to the search for his cousin Hana, taken by the same fiends who stole away with Bonnie’s best friend Wanderlea, and he convinced his grandfather to bring the party into their circle of trust in the hopes she might be found. Like his grandfather, he finds pretty ladies distracting and is often kept busy to keep his eyes from wandering. Sometimes it works.
Brother Lito – Human Priest. Leader of Telhain’s faith community, an Arodenite.
Summary
Brother Lito is of stout heart and stout physique both, but as the power of his position derives solely from the trust of his congregation, rather than the magic and other gifts of Clerics and Warpriests, he quickly found himself overmatched when caught in the middle of a plot hatched by devils. He very nearly got his neck stretched before the Heroes of Telhain saved the day. But there are many kinds of heroes, and he serves his community ably with the gifts he does have, compassion foremost among them. He has recently asked LA to serve as the party’s liaison to the religious and civil authorities of Telhain, and is a reliable and trustworthy view into their thinking.
Sheriff Drogo Thornburrow – Halfling Constable. Local LEO for the Telhain area. Cop eyes.
Summary
Sheriff Thornburrow has a big beat and a lot to handle with very few resources. Accordingly, he sometimes saves time by coming to quick judgements, and his introduction to the party was mixed at best. On the one hand, the Heroes of Telhain had just saved the town from devils, thugs, and cultists. On the other hand, he didn’t know them and thought they looked kinda raggedy, and didn’t care if they knew it. On the gripping hand, he paid the party a 500 gp bounty for delivering a criminal without them even having to ask. It’s a complicated relationship.
He has also clashed with Alegwynne (q .v.), who seems to find him inflexible and unwilling to see all sides of a question. As an ally he is unproven, but he seems to be on the up-and-up.
For example, Laele’s surname ended with an “n” a few times, but “m” was how it read in her intro post, so that’s canon as far as I’m concerned. 