FE Quest: Silver Scales of the Past - Part 9 Summary

Chapter 9 Link: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/46598212/

Chapter 9 Summary (Dyrus - Port Orla)

 -Dyrus overheard some of his various party members discussing various things, most notably leading to the reminder that Winona's nameless wyvern-riding subordinates still exist, before cutting ahead to a conversation with Winona. The gist of what was learned is that Winona suffers from some middle child syndrome, with Nia or Marduk usually impressing people far more. But she's so happy that she and Dyrus can trust one another so well... And he, in turn, is glad they're such good friends!
 -Shortly afterwards, the gang arrived in the small port town of Orla. Once lively and bustling, its people's livelihoods and lives have been put at stake by its becoming one of the favorite stopping spots of the Marlo Pirates, a group of two ships' worth of pirates who abduct people, harass the locals for free shit, and in the case of one of the two captains, Sasha, sing awfully (the other, the eponymous captain Marlo, is much more elusive). There was a brief argument between Gerard and Belle. Should they advertise their presence and intents as resistance fighters to the pirate-plagued people (Gerard's side)? Should they maintain a low profile, cut the pirates down when they stop by town to bother its people again, and move onto their next step before the Empire or other local criminal elements catch wise (Belle's side)? Darren, wanting to better prepare Dyrus for future leadership, left the decision to him, and he chose glory.
 -Belle saw fit to protect him during this time, certain that his decision could easily lead to enemies of the resistance biting the group in the rear, which led to some surprisingly nice bonding between the boy and his bodyguard, her explaining herself. The entire segment even scored Belle a Silver Sword from an Armory they checked up on to find out how well-equipped the pirates would be. The armorer told about how he's forced to jack his prices up to make end's meet thanks to the pirates pressuring him and many others in the town into selling them things at outright unfair discounts, before offering them a quarter off of the sword as thanks for their promise to get rid of them. Shortly afterwards, one of Winona's subordinates came to tell them that the pirates were arriving!
 -The very theatrical captain Sasha of the Marlo Pirates made her appearance known with a musical number, much to her crew's chagrin, which Dyrus berated before countering with a number of his own improvisation. From there, a quick and bloody battle began and ended, the pirates slaughtered. Also on their ship, the Muirgel, was a civilian crew that had been captured and made to work for them, most notably a navigator named Doran, handy with a bow, who invited himself along for the whole shebang so long as his hometown benefits from the treasure stolen back from the next captain to be faced. Without hesitation, the gang set off to the hidden island fortress of the Marlo.

BRIEF UPDATE ON EACH OF OUR HEROES' STORYLINES/CURRENT STATUS

Samson: Now that they're safely out of Holmstead, his mother has decided that, like it or not, he's going back in to reclaim it.

Dyrus: In their efforts to rally support along the coastline for the resistance, his crew travels to the hideout of an elusive but dangerous pirate.

Rene: Her and her merry gang of Empire enforcers must now lend aid to Director Cato in the vast deserts of the aptly-named desert region.

WITH SAMSON
 Samson: Bard (songs+tomes), level 2, +Luck/-Def. A singer, poet, and all-around rich boy who spent his life educating himself in the arts to mild-moderate success. Thinking not of continental politics, he is content to know that he'll probably be able to write a great song about the victors. Much more awkward than his regal demeanor implies. Has a beloved cat by the name of Tiltyu who makes a habit out of bothering people for food or affection.
 Millicent/Millie: Thief (wants to learn dancer skills), level 3, +Spd/-HP. A dancer in the sense that she does so as her foremost hobby, Millicent was born among a less privileged crowd than her other artsy friends. Between dancing and associating with unsavory seafarers when boatwatching, she's amassed quite a set of odd talents, several of which she's a bit embarrassed to admit to, preferring to project the image of the pretty young rising star of the stage. While she can be vexed easily and hates being kept waiting, she has a good heart and is, by default, quite sweet.
 Norman: Archer, level 5, +Skl/-Mag. The tall, bulky younger brother of Millicent and an aspiring hunter.
 Lazare: Mage, level 5, +Mag/-Skl. An absentminded scholar and aristocrat of Holmstead who wishes to facilitate the end of poverty. In his absentmindedness, however, he harbors some unintentional condescension towards lower classes. Ultimately, he means well, however. The husband of Marion and father of Samson. Often ends up in loud arguments with Marion.
 Marion: Mage Fighter, level 1(+20), +Mag/-Str. A woman born and raised in Holmstead. Just over a decade ago, she was a mercenary of some skill and repute, often traveling the continent and considered unrivaled, but severe injuries to tendons in her dominant arm when traveling with a young man named August, limiting her ability to properly wield a sword, prompted her retirement, and shortly after a combination of depression at being stuck in her home and painkilling turned her towards alcohol, and she fell out of practice. An encounter with bandits has restored the fire in her heart as she opted to train her son, Samson, in proper spell-slinging.
 -Fabrice: Dark Mage, level 10, +Mag/-HP. An immaculate practitioner of the dark arts. Disliking untidiness, he is nearly always attending to his appearance with a personal mirror or re-binding his books. Despite his cleanliness habits and willingness to fight for his home, actually quite laid-back.
 -Dinah: Sword Armor, level 10, +HP/-Res. A recent recruit to the forces of Noba, that's hardly to say Dinah is inexperienced with fighting. Prior to its becoming part of Noba, she was a member of the town of Alder's local guard, protecting it from bandits and rival city-states, before quitting for personal reasons.
 -Adam: Pirate, level 10, +Skl/-Spd. A smuggler who formerly worked under Alfred. His company killed and leader captured at Holmstead, he was left with no choice but to retreat to save his own skin. Realizing the futility of a pirate's life, he wishes to make up for his perceived cowardice by driving the Gerxel back out of Holmstead and settling down there. Has a greedy streak, which is what got him into the business in the first place.

WITH DYRUS
 Dyrus: Lord (axes), level 10, +Spd/-HP. The son of noblewoman and revolutionary Hauteclere. Quick-thinking and quick-reacting, one would be hard-pressed to get the drop on him, but he can sometimes make bold or brash statements. Despite this, however, he is said to be typically courteous towards common folk, and is an enthusiastic hard worker. Twin brother to Laurise, older by seconds. Wields the Royal Axe, a gift from King Augustus, which is especially powerful against armored or mounted opponents. Took the story about his father's demise VERY personally after accepting it as fact.
 Darren: Warrior, level 2(+20), +base/-grow. Paternal grandfather of Dyrus and Laurise, Sir Darren has many facets. He's a stern combat instructor, a doting grandfather, and a reflective old man. As a retired Gerxel army guy and long-lived rich man, he has fostered many connections to pockets of dissent in the Gerxel Empire for his daughter-in-law to appeal to. When his son, also named Dyrus, was presumed devoured in Garou Valley, he grew to find the Empire's expansion pointlessly imperialistic.
 Via: Maid, level 6, +Mag/-Str. A caretaker in the employ of Darren, around his grandchildren's age if not a year or two older. Dutiful and kindhearted, but immensely dislikes rudeness. Hides several knives and staves on her person. Though she can express discomfort or discontent perfectly fine, at her most fearful she puts on a quiet smile, indistinguishable from her normal content one.
 Gerard: Soldier, level 8, +Str/-Spd. A guard in the employ of Sir Darren who accompanied him to Noba. An excitable young man with a lot of excitement about new experiences.
 Belle: Pegasus Knight, level 9, +Spd/-Def. A guard in the employ of Sir Darren who accompanied him to Noba. A somber young woman who prefers to be prepared for any situation and take pragmatic choices, such as fleeing from a powerful enemy at the cost of a civilian's life if it means her allies are safe.
 Winona: Wyvern Rider, level 10, +HP/-Res. The middle sister of three Gerxel wyvern riders and a childhood friend of Dyrus and Laurice's, Winona is a headstrong, charge-first-ask-later type who will unhesitatingly fight for the sake of her siblings. When Nia was captured, she didn't hesitate to abandon her post to rush to her aid... And was promptly captured, though not before being convinced to lend her strength to her previous enemies by Dyrus. Insecurity about standing out compared to her decorated, responsible older brother and "prodigious" younger sister partially fuels her thoughts of heroism. Commands four more wyvern riders who aren't important enough to ever receive names.
 Nia: Wyvern Rider, level 6, +Str/-Def. The youngest sister of three Gerxel wyvern riders and a childhood friend of Dyrus and Laurice's, Nia was deemed a prodigy in wyvern-riding, hence why she was able to secure a position as a scout under Director Belinda at such a young age. However, her inexperience led to her prompt capture, a situation which she remained stuck in until the actions of her sister Winona led to them both joining Hauteclere's rebellion. Though her inexperience and youth often inconvenience her (and led to a VERY easy interrogation), she does her best to be optimistic for her loved ones.
 Biff: Cavalier, level 11, +Spd/-Luck. Quick-tongued, red-clad, and boisterous, Biff is one half of a duo of traveling horsemen who came to be associated with King Augustus. Specializing in swords, Biff evokes very strong first impressions.
 Byron: Cavalier, level 11, +Str/-Res. Thoughtful, green-garbed, and collected, Byron and his best friend are wanderers who chose to lend their ability to King Augustus. A master of lances and spears, Byron is considered exceptionally dependable.
 -Doran: Archer, level 7, +Skl/-Res. The foul-mouthed, nasally-voiced former navigator of the Muirgel, initially captured by the Marlo Pirates under Captain Sasha along with the surviving members of its non-pirate crew, he joined up with the resistance after agreeing to direct Sir Dyrus' group towards Marlo's island hideout. The son of an armorer in Port Orla who he doesn't appear to be all too terribly fond of.

WITH RENE
 Rene: Huntress (Bows+Lances), level 2(+20), +Skl/-Res. Abandoned by her birth family at infancy, inheriting nothing from them but her name and her blue hair, Rene grew up in a Gerxel Orphanage, which was often underfunded despite the best efforts of those who ran the place. In time, however, she was adopted by Waldrick, a Director of the Gerxel Empire, and grew up to be a very promising young official-to-be. Capable of putting her emotions aside for the sake of a mission, but not without a sense of humor, willingness to tease, or moral compass.
 Veiz: Archer, level 14, +Mag/-Spd. The biological daughter of Director Waldrick, she feels as though she just sort of inherently deserves greatness. That's not to say that she would even consider not working hard at it, but she does have a hell of a competitive and jealous streak to her. She does, at the end of the day, have a caring heart for her friends and family, though some would be hard-pressed to get her to admit it. Her romantic tastes lean heavily towards roguish, edgy sorts.
 Cicero: Butler (+Locktouch), level 5, +Spd/-Def. Childhood orphanage-buddy to Rene, he was sponsored to undergo a very wide variety of types of training after saving the life of Waldrick and several other Coastal Gerxel officials by uncovering a mass assassination attempt. He now loyally serves as his old friend's bodyguard, to the extent that she even needs one. He has a talent for snooping out secrets and sniffing out criminals.
 Omar: Curate, level 2, +Res/-HP. A healer with the Empire who studied in the famously magically-inclined desert regions. A kind, mild-mannered young man who just wants to save lives.
 Alfred: Myrmidon, level 10, +Spd/-Res. A nimble swordsman with a reserved and impatient demeanor, open in speaking his mind when he does speak. Notable for always carrying around a parasol and wearing a set of dark glasses due to a distaste for sunlight (between that and the platinum-blond hair, he might have a bit of albinism). Operating a small ship and commanding its crew, he prides it for being several times faster and more maneuverable than any Gerxel naval ship... Which is convenient, since he was able to successfully fulfill a Wyrmite-smuggling operation for King Augustus, directly under the nose of Coastal Director Waldrick. Captured by Veiz, he came to reconsider his life and serve directly under her.
 Marduk: Wyvern Lord, level 2(+20), +Def/Res. The eldest brother out of himself, Winona, and Nia, he took to raising his sisters when their parents passed away. His exceptional work ethic led to him quickly becoming an impressive enough warrior to earn Director Belinda's attention, especially since she has quite the weakness to those willing to suck up to her. Now a sad, self-critical man, he blames the younger riders' disappearances squarely on himself and, when led to assume the worst about their fates, seeks a hopeless battle to throw himself into. This doesn't mean he'll go out of his way to do anything stupid, however.
 Saye: Wolfskin, level 18, +Str/-Def. A young woman and retainer of Director Chiffon. Oddly laid-back for her position, she gets motion-sick very easily and appears to be in some sort of relationship with a wyvern rider named Baker. Despite her airheadedness, she answers to Chiffon for a REASON, that reason that she is a ferocious prodigy of blood-spilling.

FACTION: INDEPENDENT CITY-STATE OF HOLMSTEAD
 (A port city-state famous for its fishermen, under the boundaries of which also fall bountiful forests full of very delicious game. While the land has maintained its neutrality and independence even in the face of expansion from two neighboring forces, only time will tell how long this will last.)
 Lord Gaspen: Civilian Class. The most recent in a long line of familial leaders of the bountiful city-state. Has no intent of simply giving up his land to just anyone.
 Raleigh: Bard (tomes only, FE4-style), level 10, +Def/-Luck. A playwright and humanitarian in his own time, Raleigh is something of a local celebrity, the kind of guy who'll call anyone his friend, but probably isn't too close to any of them. Has had the privilege of meeting with King Augustus up North in Noba, and even taken enough of an interest in him to write a play about his life, but his heart beats and bleeds for his homeland, Holmstead. Has very high expectations for others and their growth, and though it comes from a good-natured place, it makes him hard to get truly close to. After nearly killing Rene right at the start of the invasion with his Elfire tome, he was captured by Waldrick, whose intent was openly stated to be making him suffer. He is presumed dead by his friends and acquaintances.
 Jack: Soldier, level 9, +Spd/-Mag. A Holmstead soldier who was wounded in the eponymous battle, then fell in with Noba's border guard in the hopes of helping fend off the Gerxel from extending into the last territory they have yet to claim. Easily irritated and a self-professed nonintellectual, but not incapable of friendliness. Engaged to Riley.
 Riley: Myrmidon, level 9, +Res/-Skl. A Holmstead soldier who was wounded in the eponymous battle, then fell in with Noba's border guard so she could avenge her humiliating loss and retreat. A fan of the finer things in life, such as song, dance, and remotely edible food, she has not been taking the border job's awful kitchens well. Engaged to Jack.
 Aligned Party Members: Samson (halfheartedly), Millicent (Could take it or leave it), Arthur (they have good game), Lazare (a moral society...), Marion (you're all too half-baked about this!)

FACTION: GERXEL EMPIRE
 (A ruthlessly-powerful empire run by, well, an Emperor, directly beneath which is a set of regional "Directors," who have control over a full region of the ever-expanding empire. Infamous for their shows of brute strength in combat, their oftentimes-draconian justice system, and their pleasantly thorough social services and infrastructure. Very, VERY large leaps in the progress of their conquests were made through the power of an exceptionally bloodthirsty monster of magical origin, whom the current emperor has had sealed away in an attempt to take steps towards reform. Their capital city lies in the mountains, just North of Garou Valley.)
 Emperor Ximeno Gerxel: Silver Knight class, level unknown(+20). The Emperor. An avid hunter who misses his days as a prince, when he could properly lead a battle from the front, but recognizes the importance of the head of state not ending up beheaded in some random skirmish after his elder brother, Xerxes, died in a similarly random manner when both were young men.
 Aligned Deceased: Dyrus, Sr.

SUB-FACTION: COASTAL GERXEL
 (Led by Director Waldrick, this encompasses the Southern coastline of Teege, as well as the archipelago to its South. Naturally, this place is a vital hub for trade and naval-related actions among the Gerxel Empire, as well as its comparatively large amount of Berserkers)
 Waldrick: Lance General, level 9(+20), +Def/-Spd. A philanthropist holding the second-highest rank in the Gerxel Empire: Director, specifically in control of Coastal Gerxel, the name of the sections of the Empire along the Southern Coast+the archipelago below. A proud, doting father of two who nonetheless pushes his children to do great things. To his enemies and subordinates (besides Hera), he deliberately projects the image of a stern, terrifying, no-nonsense general. Friends and family, however, see him as a big softie, albeit one who is not easily pushed around. Currently watching over his region, it's only a matter of time before he faces Dyrus in his path...
 Hera: Berserker, level 5(+20), +Str/-Res. Native to the Southern Archipelago, Hera grew up forced to fight and kill for amusement in combat arenas that Director Waldrick immediately abolished upon the islands' introduction to the Gerxel Empire. Regardless, he figured, it was a poor decision to let their best fighter go to waste, so he offered Hera a genuinely paying position as his personal right-hand/bodyguard, which she initially accepted purely due to the gold and being out of her old livelihood. In time, however, she grew to view herself as part of Waldrick's own family. Always up for a good scrap, either fond of showing off her impressive arm muscles or just REALLY not fond of sleeves (perhaps both), and tending to lug an axe around, she's a fearsome enemy to have. Currently supervising Holmstead during its annexation into Coastal Gerxel.
 Aligned Deceased: Sabas
 Aligned Party Members: Rene, Veiz, Omar

SUB-FACTION: CENTRAL GERXEL
 (Led by Director Belinda, this encompasses, as the name implies, the central section of the continent, from the borders of Tordo and Noba to the massive desert just East of it, and the coastline to the South.
 Belinda: Wyvern Lord, level 5(+20), +Str/-Skl. The fearsome, ill-tempered Director of Central Gerxel, she controls its population-and more strategically, its wyvern population-with an iron fist. Unsympathetic towards failure and easily-angered, she is nonetheless respected by some for rewarding successful operatives quite generously and her extremely strict criminal policies, even by the standards of the empire. Not above lying or fearmongering to push her own agendas or those of her Emperor. Very passionate about the bonds between a wyvern and their rider. Styles her hair in a purple bob.
 Baker: Wyvern Rider, level 16, +Skl/-Lck. A man with neatly-combed brown hair and friend of Marduk's, filling in for him as Belinda's second-in-command while his duties must be taken elsewhere.
 Aligned Party Members: Marduk

SUB-FACTION: DESERT REGION
 (This is easily the oddball of the various Gerxel-controlled regions. Controlling a vast network of oases across the desert, the land is entirely recognized as Gerxel Territory, but entire swaths of it lie under the control of winged desert dwellers referred to as Vultures. Territories are near-constantly trading hands as Vautou raids Gerxel, or Gerxel raids Vautou territory, with neither group willing to cooperate with the other, the Vautou too accustomed to the deserts to be completely conquered. Conquest isn't exactly in Director Cato's cards either, with the mages under Cato's command being primarily interested in... well, magical studies. The short version of this situation's effect on things is that many prefer to just avoid the hassle of desert travel outright by circumventing the region, unless one specifically requires magical supply.)
 Cato: Sorceress, level 8(+20), +Mag/-Str. Easily the most distant Director of the Gerxel, Cato strongly prefers her books to her obligations as an agent of the empire. Thus, she is easily the least aggressive of the Gerxel's Directors, concerned only with the territories she already controls and attempting to devise a means to better protect them from Vautou, or reclaim territories that they "stole" (AN: The Gerxel most likely stole them first, though there were a few human civilizations in the desert before the Gerxel). However, orders are still orders, so if told she must aggress certain somebodies, hey, what can you do? The creator and owner of an artifact that allows its user and others to warp long distances, the Witch Pendant.
 Denim: Dark Flier (self-propelled!), level 1(+20), +Mag/-Res. The second-in-command to Director Cato, a Vautou who considers himself more enlightened than the society which birthed him. Ostracized for his insistence that the birdmen ought to make peace with humanity instead of continue this war with them, he found himself rising through the ranks of Cato's court after spending a few years touring the continent to learn of life beyond his home. Even LESS popular among his fellow fliers now that he's come to view his culture as savage, he maintains a stoic and responsible persona.

FACTION: VAUTOU TRIBES
 (A type of winged humanoid species native to the deserts of Teege, their relations with humans and Wolfskin alike have been marked by aggression. Though once upon a time calling themselves simply Vultures, borrowing the term for the Wolfskin society's favored species, the Garou, gave them the official term of Vautou. Their motives are quite clear in nature: recapture all of the territory in the desert in the name of themselves, and knock down any who would stand against their efforts. To go into their history of war with humanity would be a  complex, repetitive tale predating the progenitors of the Gerxel Empire, though their aggression was certainly exacerbated when the neighbors started stepping on toes much harder.)
 Paisley: Vautou Chief, level 20, +Str/-Mag. Public enemy number one for desert-dwelling Gerxel, the modern-day hero to the Vautou who also call the place home. Having instilled a policy of aggression towards any human or Wolfskin not accompanied by a Vulture, he holds hopes of recapturing the entire region in the name of the birds and hopefully driving out quite literally all humans.

SUB-FACTION: WOLFSKIN SOCIETY
 (A massive valley, due South of the capital of the Gerxel Empire, is known as Garou Valley due to the dominant species there, a type of wolf-shapeshifter known as a Garou, who also exercise authority over valleys just East and South of it, though less strongly due to the mountain ranges between them. Willingly acting as enforcers of the Gerxel Empire, Wolfskin Society, as the Garou culture is called, is infamous for its systemic mistreatment of the humans equally-native to the land, the Tarvosian Nomads, though rumors about the sheer EXTENT of their abuse of humans are oft exaggerated. Regardless, there is a disturbing sub-sub-faction of unknown size among them that revels in the outright consumption of human flesh, which even the Wolfskin Director is attempting to flush out as immediately as possible.)
 Chiffon: Wolfssegner, level 5(+20), +Str/-Res. The Director of the Wolfskin regions of the Gerxel Empire, and thus the leader-by-default of the feared wolfskin enforcers. Preferring to lead this "pack" personally, he is far more competent as a fighter than a leader, even further contributing to his people's brutish reputations. Does not approve of those among his kind who would partake in human flesh, and would in fact like to find whoever is responsible.
 Cashmere: Wolfssegner, level 1(+20), +Skl/-Mag. The somewhat inattentive, voluptuous, voracious personal secretary to Director Chiffon, who often ends up falling asleep at inopportune moments. Due to her airheaded demeanor, her continued holding of such an important position brings about much gossip about her personal ties to the Director, though he would insist that she makes up for all he lacks as a leader, having a knack for organization.
 Aligned Party Members: Saye

FACTION: HAUTECLERE'S REBELLION
 (While the Gerxel Empire isn't a complete cardboard cutout of the word "EVIL," their history of human rights violations, harsh treatment of those who fail to submit, and countless loopholes in Gerxel law that, by design, give each Regional Director the ability to basically do whatever they damn well please-and there've been some real bastards in some parts of the empire-have only created a very short list of things that have created dissent in the empire. A noblewoman of said empire, a woman by the name of Hauteclere, has thus taken to rallying and unifying these dissenters, as well as seeking outside help from the Kingdom of Noba and Ice Authority, to cut this empire down to size.)
 Hauteclere: Wyvern Monarch (Axes+Staves), level 5(+20), +Res/-Spd. A woman of noble upbringing, mother to Dyrus and Laurise, a woman with quite a lot on her plate for her early 30s. Currently the leader of a soon-to-strike rebellion, she begins the story traveling North to negotiate the aid of the Ice Authority.
 Laurise: Tactician class, level 4, +Mag/-Skl. Younger twin daughter of Lady Hauteclere, she can at times be slightly petty, but much more easily puts on a well-behaved face by distinguished guests than her brother, and is better at assessing situations from afar. Due to this, she fancies herself a tactician in the making, perhaps not unfairly, but she still has quite a ways more to go than she realizes.
 Aligned Party Members: Dyrus, Darren, Winona.

FACTION: KINGDOM OF NOBA
 (The Southwesternmost chunk of Teege was, for many years, the only place not united under any one banner. There was a large number of independent city-states, certainly, but the Gerxel had yet to envelop it. Then, one day a few years ago, a man by the name of Augustus Noba appeared seemingly out of nowhere, earning the title "the Matchmaker" for his talent in uniting these places under powerful political marriages, rapidly climbing the ranks to become an exceptionally charismatic king of the second-largest civiliazation in Teege. Still, though, he has plenty of reason to fear the Gerxel Empire's reaction to this sudden unification and expansion, especially when it's hard enough keeping his own country's shit together.)
 -Jovan: Paladin, level 5(+20), +Spd/-Luck. About as experienced as a knight of Noba can get, having served the country since its birth a few years ago when his home territory was among the first to be united into Noba, and the man who led the "elite force" of knights that used Wyrmite to repel Director Belinda. Current de facto military leader of Noba at large. His youthful, freckled appearance and valor have earned him a lot of affection.
 Aligned Deceased: Augustus
 Aligned Party Members: Biff, Byron, Dinah, Fabrice, Adam

STATUS UNKNOWN

DECEASED CHARACTERS
 -Dyrus, Sr. (pre-quest) Father of Dyrus and Laurise, husband to Hauteclere, son to Sir Darren. He was an internal affairs investigator for the Gerxel Empire, looking into the pretty-well-founded rumors of unidentified Wolfskin-region officials outright perpetuating the consumption of human flesh. He soon vanished, and the bones of a person of his general build and stature were anonymously dropped off at the Tarvosian Nomads' metaphorical front door. The assumed conclusion seems obvious.
 -Tyarm Bandits (eradicated thread 4) A gang of axe-swingers who saw fit to wreak havoc on a forest near Alder in Noba, striking down any people of Holmstead who passed through and claiming their valuables. The families of Samson and Millicent were unlucky enough to be such targets, but also lucky enough to have run afoul of them right as King Augustus was passing through. The few who weren't picked off on the way to get his attention thus met a swift and well-deserved end.
 Augustus: Great Knight, level 1(+20), +Skl/-Res (killed thread 5). The Matchmaker-king of modern legend. Unable to seize control of Holmstead with charisma and guile alone, he very strongly considered conquering it outright, a decision which both meeting with Raleigh and learning of the Empire's own invasion plans for the city-state caused him to modify into a more benevolent, aid-granting one. A very tired man who micromanages his young kingdom, he nonetheless encourages his rule to be questioned, making time for commoners lesser nobles might deem "unworthy" of their time to discourse with. Harboring an adversarial respect for Director Waldrick, he also has some personal reason to like the guy, calling him "perhaps one of two people I respect more than anyone else in that damned Empire combined." He opted to lead the forces of Noba to Holmstead to face off against the old director. Turns out that he is, in fact, August, Rene's "big brother" from when she was in the orphanage. This wasn't enough to save him when they met in the battle of Holmstead, however, being fatally struck by her and Veiz before being finished off by Hera.
 -Sabas: Cavalier, level 12 (killed thread 5). A subordinate of Lady Hera and proud cavalier of the Empire. Killed when he and his squad proved to be hideously unprepared to chase down and capture Dyrus' group.
 -Sasha: Berserker, level 1 (killed thread 9). The singing second-in-command and self-styled "leader" of the Marlo Pirates, who forces her crew to participate in musical numbers as they pirate about. Being in charge of keeping the coast in check for the group, her and her crew led the town of Port Orla to dire economic straits in their coercion and "protection." Killed by Biff and Byron when she and the last of her crew made one last mad dash to the town when stopped at its pier.