Dark Quest Character Info

Races:
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Durher:
Fuzzy and free, yep, that's me! Don't let our size fool ya... some of the most powerful people in Zoral's history were Durhers: Explorers, Inventors, and Spinners, of course! Oh, and the late Guild Chairman, of course. We tend to have pretty big families, for better or worse, and some folks say our tails help us keep our balance, but I just like to use it like a blanket!

Chytree: Some folks say Chytree can be a bit... bland. Bland food, bland art, bland emotions... I say you haven't really gotten to know 'em yet! It's easy to get lost in those big, glowing eyes of theirs, but where Chytree really excel is in magic... word is they can taste the stuff from a mile away! And before you ask, yep! Apparently there are different 'flavors'. Not so bland now, are they? They mostly reside across the sea in their homeland--Chuutra-Ley's the capitol--but folks don't swiftly forget how a whole bunch of them tried to take where Umberal is today for themselves... they lost THAT war, but ended up sticking around when the Skogs poured in afterwards.

Mox: They say the Mox used to live in sprawling cities beneath the seas... and who could blame 'em? Beach property! They might look kinda funny with their bulging eyes and scaly skin, but when it comes to engineering, Mox are second to none... well, aside from Durhers, that is! Anyways, Mox rule the water--always have--and even now they're one of the few races that still go on diving expeditions in the sea! No small feat these days!

Skog: Taller than a mountain and twice as tough... add a few tusks and you've got a Skog! Brash and crude, these heavy-tailed hellraisers know their way around a smithy like nobody's business... AND the kitchen! It's easy to assume they're all bloodthirsty barbarians, but some of them can be really sweet... maybe even one of your best friends! They tend to regenerate, too, meaning they don't stay down long if they get hurt. Just um... don't make them mad, trust me! They mostly reside in the Western Wastes nowadays, and they can keep 'em! The region's known for frigid temperatures year-round, hard soil, and brutal 'Spikings': storms of jagged ice falling from the sky!

Mzz'goe'virr: Legends say the Six-Eyes used to rule all of Zoral... for a time, anyways! Mapped it all out, to boot! Nowadays you'll find 'em just about everywhere. They're wise and talented in most trades, sure, but watch out if you ever start a brawl with one--they've got some reach with their arms AND a venomous bite that you'll feel for weeks!

Molegg: The first time I met a Molegg, I thought he was a statue! Sorry, Ullar! You'd think they'd be scary with how much bigger they are than Skogs, but Molegg tend to be pretty even-tempered even on the worst of days! Not much for conversation, though--if ya' ask me I'd say they never really got used to the world outside of their tunnels... that or they found stuff down there that rattled 'em. Couldn't pay me to live underground, no sir!

Zetsi: Zetsi always make me sad... they're sweet to a fault, make the BEST perfumes, and they always have the a great story to share--some of them can live for hundreds of years! And yet when they get old enough, well... they change into a Zetsut. Folks say it's a spiritual rot of some sort--maybe even magical, but one thing's for certain: once you go Zetsut, you can't go back... and some people say it isn't limited to Zetsi either! Why do the nicest people always get the worst luck?

Veeti: The tricksters of the forest... Durhers and Veeti used to clash quite a bit in the past, but while we moved into villages, the Veeti stayed wild! Small and sneaky, the woods are their domain... they aren't too fond of city-slickers nowadays, but if you leave some treats on the edge of your campsite they might just leave you be! Don't let their size fool ya', either... there's a whole lotta' magic stored in those tiny bodies of theirs!

Gnok: There's nothing a Gnok can't do... that's what THEY say, at least! Their feathers are supposed to collect magic from the air around 'em, but I'll see it when I believe it! If I had to use a word to describe 'em, it'd be 'practical'--if it wasn't for the Gnoks, Crossroads would never have been founded! Apparently they know their way around an invention or two as well... I guess they deserve a little credit. When the light disappeared from Zoral, they worked with Durhers and Mox to create Bumot: our new form of writing! They're an agreeable bunch, but I'd be lying if I said those sharp teeth and horns didn't unnerve me...

Nuugal: You don't see these guys around much anymore. Historians say they ruled Zoral way back when Durhers were still sleeping in trees. Masters of magic, they harnessed their abilities to create massive floating citadels and shaped reality at a whim! Some say they managed to conquer death itself, but history knows better! Their Empire crumbled long ago--if you're lucky you can still stumble upon some of the ruins, but their longest-living legacy seems to be the Chytree, who they supposedly created as a slave race. Yep, I'll stick to the trees any day!

Shyppa: Say what you will about Makaar and Fuuxi--they won't beat around the bush when they're trying to kill ya! To the uninitiated, Shyppas sound like something outta' a fairy tale: water-dwelling women with silky singing voices and luscious locks of hair... some even say their scales keep sailors from drowning. In reality, however, they're stone-cold butchers! Sure, they lure you in with honeyed words and those friendly smiles, but once you're snared you might as well give up--beneath that dainty demeanor lie taut muscles, sharp claws, and a thick, scaly tail perfect for squeezing the life outta' someone! Scholars that somehow manage to avoid getting chewed up say they worship some unknown deity--The Deep Mother. Won't catch ME asking them what she's all about! No sir! I'll stick to sunbathing, thank you very much!

Fuuxi: Sysska's many-legged young. They say the Molegg woke 'em up way back when during a deep dig--makes you wonder what other freaks dwell within Zoral's depths! The Skogs describe them the best--they're the ones that always end up tangling with 'em, after all--claws that carve through armor like paper, keen senses that can pick up blood a mile away, oh, and an appetite that'd give an army of Volkas a run for their bells! They could scarf down a Durher like me in one bite! EEK! What really makes 'em mean, though, is magic: they ABSORB it! It's a two-way street, too: mages have trouble detecting 'em AND blowing them up in the off-chance they do! The good news is that they stick to their burrows in the East for the most part, but every hundred years or so they make a push for the surface again... and one of these days they just might win it!

Humans:
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Anton Peas: Anton, Anton, ANTON! How does one describe a ballad to one who hast not heard music? A muusp steak to one who hasn't eaten... erm, I mean... Anton is a human! That means he comes from a plane called 'Earth'! He didn't come here by choice, however--apparently he was inadvertently brought along for the ride during a demonic ritual! If you knew him like I do, you'd know it'd take much more than that to shake him! Daring to a fault! Wise as a king! Kind, funny, resourceful, sensitive, good with his han... err, y-you get the picture! He's trying to find a way home, but he's helping a lot of folks along the way! Most important of all, he's currently the subject of my next epic ballad... watch the space~

Liz: Another human... and she's here too, apparently? Anton talks about her as if she was some kind of soldier... or a monster: gruff, cold, and skilled at hunting! That's all well and good, but how smart could she be if she dumped a guy like Anton, right? What a doofus! Word is she's in the same boat as Anton is now with RED... I just hope she can show as much restraint as Ant does with the sneaky SOB... Apparently she's somewhere by the coast to the South--I'm biased, sure, but I'd be lying if I said I wanted Anton to hurry up and see her again... She's probably tall as heck...

Lars: Anton's 'boss' on Earth, which is some kind of slave master from how Anton describes him! He owns a restaurant called 'Grease Monkey', whatever that is! I've asked Anton to take me when we get back, but he doesn't seem too excited about it... in fact, the first thing he wants to do when he gets home is quit! Must not be very good food, huh?

Travis: In Anton's world, sometimes humans share houses even if they aren't mates! Wacky, right? Anton's 'room mate' as I've learned they are called is named Travis... and would you believe it? He's an engineer! I can only imagine what amazing contraptions and gizmos Travis can make... in a world of flying machines and 'world wide webbing', not even the sky's the limit! I hope I can meet him some day!

Dylan: He doesn't talk about her much, but Anton has a sister! Apparently she's some kind of alchemist? The big lug gets all quiet when I ask about her, though... a sore subject, maybe? Or does he not remember? Can't wait to meet her... I'll bet she has all kinds of embarrassing Anton stories to tell! Nyah-hah-hah!

Anton's Pals:
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Volka: The sweetest Skog you'll ever see and one of my best pals! Stronger than Sysska and taller than a tree, Volkie's a gentle giant through and through! Sure, she could crush me in her claw like a Ruuppaa fruit, but she'll probably bury you under a hill of apologies first! No clue where she learned to be so kind, though... Volkie was adopted by two Crossroads folks: a Skog called 'Ma' and a grumpy old coot named 'Volkir'! She and her adopted brother Morook found Anton when he first arrived, and ever since then they've been thick as thieves! Fond of swimming, eating, and a good drink, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pal than her!

Morook: He can be a bit awkward, but if you need to know what herbs can cure stomach aches or what a Maakar sounds like, Morook's your Chytree! Hanging around Volka all the time must've made him quiet--he keeps his past close to his chitin and spends most of his time outside city walls, which I can respect! He went missing after meeting Anton, but we found him in a cult lair and now he's part of the gang! Still waters run deep... and now he knows a place where people can get a clean slate and a new life!? Volkie says they found him one day outside of her pop's potion shop all beaten up... who IS this guy? Oti calls him a 'Dreg' too--a not-very-nice term for Chytree born with the inability to use magic. Must be rough...

Tzah-Tzie: What's there to say about lil' ole' me? Sure, there are rumors I tend to get my patrons killed, and of course there's the scurrilous slander that I'm not named Tzah-Tzie at all, but malarky, I say! My name is NOT and has NEVER BEEN RUUSDI! I have ZERO ties to any wealthy Durher families in Umberal, especially ones historically tied into some of Umberal's oldest Ruuppaa vineyards, I have never been betrothed to any crime lords or criminals, and I most certainly didn't flee in the night to live out my dream as a free Spinner! Oh, and I definitely don't struggle under the sheer weight of my immense talent and beauty either! When I'm not working on my art, I enjoy listening to music, meeting new people, and dancing! Doesn't matter what kind, just sign me up!

Oti: There's an old Durher saying: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't let the person you're talking about hear it! And Oti, well... sometimes he makes it hard to say nice things. What's there to say, really? We met him attempting to smuggle slaves with Salty Suutz (but it was TOTALLY to pay off a debt, or so he says), and ever since he's just been... appearing. He's clearly a talented wizard--so much so that he had to skip out of Trimbault Academy after sending a whole class to another dimension--and yet he just spends his time grumbling in his nifty Mage Tower and fiddling with potions? Nuh-uh. THIS gal thinks there's more to this grump than he's leading on. Detective TT is on the case!

Toppel: The jury's still out on whether this kooky sorceress is part of 'The Team' or not, but I'm guessing she's going where Oti's going. Joy. This Gnok was a big name at Trimbault from the sound of things--she and Oti were a bit of a Dynamic Duo. When she isn't following Oti around like a tamed Makaar, she seems to occupy her time conducting weird experiments on people, including her own brother. I had siblings so I totally get it, but could she be a little LESS strange, please? I always catch her sneaking glances at Rezzie--glances that she usually sends to Oti... Moving on, she seems to know her way around magic, and aside from her 'eccentricities', she's pretty formidable in a fight too. Oh, and she's a DURHER now!? Back off! We're full!

Obber: I'm still trying to figure this one out. Supposedly he was Toppel's Brother--A Gnok--but then she turned him into some kind of Bloodsucker? Sounds like something out of a horror story! He's a lot less intimidating now that Oti transmogrified him into a Makaar--I'd almost think he was kinda cute if his sister didn't tell me how much of a hellion he was when he was still a Gnok! You couldn't pay me to write down the stuff he pulled back in Trimbault! Eeeuch! You think you hear about it all working in a Swoos Lounge, but this guy is DEPRAVED! For better or worse he's pretty much lobotomized now, and what he lacks in charms and intelligence he makes up in stealth and strength--he went toe-to-toe with Rezzie, after all! Not too shabby!

Rezalith: Anyone in Zoral will tell you that demons are bad news! They cheat, they kill, heck, the most advanced civilization in Zoral started messing with 'em and boom: no more Nuugal! I have to give her credit, though: Rezzie's, well... she's trying! I don't know the specifics, but supposedly Rezzie was summoned when Anton was. Turns out she was too busy slaughtering all of her summoners to realize her power was split between her and Ant, and ever since she's been a little sore about it! In true Anton fashion, though, that hunk of a human managed to win her over to our side, and this ole' fuzzball would be lying if she didn't say it was a good deal! Stronger than a squad of Skogs, faster than a hastened Durher, and meaner than... well, a lot of things, Rezzie's a welcome addition to our team... but I can't help but wonder what's hidden under all of that prickliness! She seems to enjoy cooking and wants to make friends, but what's her endgame here? Is she really a 'free' demon? Or is she just biding her time?

RED: Remember when I said demons are bad news? Archdemons are the BADDEST. There are thousands of ballads written about demons, and while the hero usually gets the better of them, the reality doesn't always end on a happy note... Beings of pure magical energy, they're said to be able to shape worlds, create life, and snuff it all out with the flick of a wrist! And the worst part? They can look you in the eye and smile while they disembowel ya. Take Anton, for instance: Ever since he was summoned, the power he gained from Rezzie put him under RED's 'contract'--when Anton dies, he's going back to CHAA'TAI: The Red Plane. Doesn't sound like a vacation spot to me. Sure, Ant's gotten some nifty powers out of it, but now RED wants him to slay Zoral's Four Lords!? Apparently the Archdemon's got some ace in the hole for dealing with them, but I'll believe it when I see it... and one thing's for certain: you never... NEVER trust a demon!

Lamplighters:
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Lila: A Veeti... and a cityslicker to boot! And here I thought I'd seen everything! Volka's Right Hand Gal in the Lamplighters, I think... or is it the Left? Like most Veeti, Lila's got some magic under her belt and doesn't seem afraid to use it, but beneath that perpetually-weary exterior seems to be a heart of gold... how could there not be if she's best pals with Volka? She's nowhere near as wordy as I would like, but apparently Veeti comes from the Eastern Wilds like most Veeti do... and like most of her kin they get really irritated when staying in a city setting for a prolonged period: migraines, trouble sleeping, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! By day she works as a courier all over Crossroads--we learned that much when she got us into the Belltower and the Guild Building. Apparently Morook has a thing for her too? Ooh-la-la~

Pesli: To anyone else he'd seem like a kindly old Zetsi: cares about his community, friendly as a grandpappy... but as Vuuse so eloquently put it, he wasn't always that way... He USED to be known as 'The Pruner'--one of Crossroads' most notorious killers. Now? Maybe his eventual Zetsun-ization is finally coming home to roost. I didn't get to see him in action, but you know what they say about Older Folks in Dangerous Professions, right?

Vuuse: Proof that Anton and Volka have far, FAR more patience for people than I do. Crude and violent, Vuuse was the Mzz'goe'virr leader of The Icers: a Crossroads-bred gang of hooligans known for turning innocent folks into ice sculptures. Adept with blades and ice magic, she got off easy when Anton decided to have Volka recruit her... I'm still wondering if that was the right call. She's never not seen with her old lackies Tiro and Sino, and it sounds like she idolizes Pesli... but the ole' Makaar managed to keep her on a tight leash on their first patrol. My take? Keep your enemies close... but not THAT close.

Tiro & Sino: Vuuse's henchmen back in her Icer days. Pretty tight-lipped, these two, but what little I've heard of their story isn't too uncommon: A pair of Chytree who got bored with magic and used to to terrorize innocents. I'll admit I'm not too keen on them joining up--they only seem to care if Vuuse's there, and anyone with a brain can tell when push comes to shove they'll already have a side picked. I've been surprised before, though...

Vilah & Dilah: Ugh. Kits. Don't get me started. It's hard not to love the little urchins, though--they helped us through the Rags District when helping out a Molegg Ma in need, now they're shacked up in Ma's Tavern as helpers! Sneaky, speedy, and super-observant, they'll make a good addition to the Lamplighters as long as the others can watch their backs. I don't envy Lila being the one keeping an eye on 'em though. It can't be helped, I guess--Durher kits are balls of pure energy... gods help ya if you don't give them something productive and enriching to do. At least there's only two of them to watch out for--in most litters you're lucky if you only have ten kits! But... now that I think about it, maybe a few more than that wouldn't be so bad...

Alton Kies: Another street urchin given new purpose by Volka's Lamplighters. He tried to rob us by the docks, and in true Anton fashion he was recruited to serve the public good! What a story! I didn't get to know him too well yet, but he seems like an okay sort--a younger Mox, likes to help around the kitchen, mentioned something about his Grandma? The best part about Crossroads is that there's more than one paying, above-board job for a kid who knows his way around a knife... I just hope this new volunteer gig works out for the guy.

Crossroads Residents:
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Volkir: They say evil is old as Zoral... and meeting this old fart tells me they might be onto something! Running a potion shop in the heart of Crossroads, it's hard to imagine 'Meister' Volkir is a 'meister' of... harassing women, I'll bet. Everyone acts like he used to be some kind of big shot, though, so my second guess is wizardry. He's certainly decrepit enough to look the part. Morook and Volka's adoptive father, he spends most of his time yelling at perfectly-innocent Durher girls and acting cranky. He DOES seem to have something resembling a heart, though: he claims to be able to help Anton get back home... but for a price. 20,000 Bells. I don't know what kind of mage he was back in the day, but he'd better be a good one... I'll shred his dusty old butt to ribbons if he tries to fleece Anton! That's a Tzah-Tzie guarantee!

Ma: It takes a tough gal to run a Tavern in Crossroads, let along The Drunken Mile, but Ma's a tough old Skog! She's not as liberal with her past as she is drinks and chow, but from what I gleaned her story isn't that uncommon: lived in the Skoglands for most of her life, had her share of battles, stopped regenerating as fast... and decided to leave. I don't blame her--in a world where Skogs live fast and die painfully, she got a pretty decent deal! Her moniker fits her like a glove, too--after raising Volka into the beautiful ray of sunshine she is, Ma seems fine with taking Vilah and Dilah under her wing... and her establishment serves as a great meeting place for the Lamplighters and anyone else looking to post a job for the right adventurer! There's one thing I can't wrap my tail around, though: what the HELLS does she see in Volkir!? She managed to get him to take Volka, but isn't that a bit of a downgrade? I'm just writing the facts here, people!

Inngo: I've known my share of Moleggs in my time, and I can only count a few that didn't treat casual conversation like someone dumping a plate of boiling Kraakt Soup on their face! Inngo, however, had the outrageous idea to open an Inn... and what an idea it was! The Far Throw Inn was where I met Anton, my muse, and Volkie... and it's also where we nearly got our throats slit by assassins! Not bad for a first date! Inngo keeps his past closer to his chest than that dish rag he's always fondling, but he seems like a trustworthy sort--he even made Anton a co-owner after we did him a favor!

Lightbringer Jhairo: It's weird: every time I hear this name I get all weak in the knees and fuzzy in the brain... Magic, maybe? Apparently he's some Mitaaran Templar that we've come across a few times--practically bleeds the stuff too. I'm not one to judge, of course--you rarely see a Skog holy man, least of all one that actually worships someone from the Pantheon over the Skog Paragons like Ourak... which means he's got some beef with traditional Skog upbringing or something else eating at him. Anton seems to bristle up whenever I ask about the guy, but he told me this much: he's strong, he knows his way around divine magic, and he's a 'DAMNED HUNK', whatever THAT means! Oh, and last I checked he was heading back to Crossroads with Morook... and then off to the South. Volka's no use either... every time I ask she makes some flimsy excuse to leave! Friends like these, am I right?

High Bellcounter Irya: Crossroads was founded on trade. Ruled by it. Still is! And when you've got that much capital rolling through the gates, it pays to keep an eye on it, right? Enter The Bellcounters: Crossroads' long arm of the law! The amount of subdivisions are staggering, to say the least, but that's what you get when your City-State's run on pure, unfiltered bureaucracy! I couldn't begin to wrap my pretty, pretty tail around it all, but we ran into the High Bellcounter during our investigation into the Guild Chairman's suspicious death... and she's a lot nicer and less-intimidating when she thinks you're a super-high-ranked investigator! We got lucky, I suppose... word on the street is that this Gnok didn't get her job batting any eyelashes--she's tougher than Molegg Chitin and about as merciful as a Fuuxi. Hope she's not too mad about us deceiving her!

Lutza: It's a good think Anton's scratching my ears right now, otherwise I'd be CHEWING THIS TABLET APART! I'll be blunt: Lutza might be the most evil entity in Zoral... maybe in all the planes! ... Yes, yes, definitely all the planes. Her insults to me and my art could blot out all of the sky, but in short: I challenged her to a Spinner Duel back when I first started off--just for fun, of course--and she used the opportunity to make a BET! The prize? The Striilii my sister gave me! The NERVE! I don't want to be dramatic, but she definitely cheated... now my goal is to crush her and her stupid, pretty face and fat ches-err, I mean HEAD, into the dust! Thankfully my dearest, SWEETEST Anton who knows I'm far more sweet, talented, and beautiful is setting up a Duel Concert for us! Granted it'll also allow us to slip past some of the Spice Cartel and collect some important documents, but it's the thought that counts, right? I'm coming for you, you fat Muusp...

Joplin: Lutza's manager. It just goes to show how pathetic she is, needing someone to do so much work for her like that, but what do you expect? It must be so hard for her to waddle around--sad, really! If I WAS going to choose a manager, though, Joplin wouldn't be a bad choice: professional to a fault and skilled in magic, he contracted Anton to thwart a kidnapping scheme about the Umberal Skyrail... and he didn't go back on his word! He's also the one who's gonna get this concert of ours going... and hey, maybe he'll be offering ME a deal once I crush his current client into the muck! Not that I need him, of course, but what's a girl without the finer things in life?

The Tiito Triplets: Imagine being so weak and cowardly that you need not one, not two, but THREE SKOG BODYGUARDS to protect your fat hide! Lutza's nothing if not revolutionary--it would certainly explain why she's so round! See, me? I only need one bodyguard... and what a bodyguard he is! Lutza's, well, I can't figure out what their deal is. They don't seem like conversationalists, and when they DO speak they tend to repeat each other... I guess Lutza likes them that way: DUMB AND SUBSERVIENT! I gotta stop writing about this girl--Anton's ear-scritches can only do so much...

Professor Lis'tat: A Professor up in Trimbault Academy and one of Volkir's, erm... 'acquaintances'. Poor girl. The Chytree only met Anton for a short while, but her intel was worth the effort--she managed to point our hero in the direction of notes that, if what is said is true, is a compilation of research done on Archmage Trier! I didn't get to meet her myself, but she strikes me as someone who seems too good for some Magical Death Colosseum like Trimbault...

Ne'er-do-wells:
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Salty Suutz: This guy is like a tail itch--he just keeps coming back! We met this mischievous Mzz'goe'virr at the Far Throw Inn... little did we know the scum was gearing up to load his cart full of sleeping patrons and ship 'em off to the Skoglands for a few bells! It's only after we found him again doing inventory in a Spicy casino that we realized how deep he was with Rolo. I know how it is to be in debt to the Cartel, but this guy just doesn't know when to quit! We last saw him fleeing the kitchen in Gold Town--shame, really, Rezzie seemed to genuinely like the old Six-eye. If he has a brain, and I'm beginning to assume he doesn't, he'll skip town and start doing something honest for a living, but I know that old habits die hard...

The Spice Cartel: Zoral has its share of hoodlums, gangsters, and thugs--hells, they're almost part of the charm--but one gang lords over the rest: The Spice Cartel. What started as a few favors between merchants eventually grew into a vast smuggling Empire--one that reaches across Zoral like a vine choking out everything it ensnares! I have a bit of a history with the group, but so does everyone else, really. It's hard not to when they supply anything a scruple-deficient chump could want! You can smell their foot soldiers a mile away thanks to their characteristic Spice scent they like to wear... that and their cocky attitudes and penchant for blasting people with wands! While they deal in slaves, narcotics, and assassinations, the Cartel operates at street level as an association of Spice, Herb, and Condiment Guilds... after all, who's gonna raise a fuss about spices? Though they're based in Umberal, they're known for having a chokehold on the Gold Town pleasure district in Crossroads... but that might've changed ever since we burned down their biggest casino! A girl can dream...

Rolo: The de-facto leader of the Cartel's Crossroads operations. There's a lot I can say about Rolo--most of it bad--but the guy's a smart cookie for a Molegg... almost too smart for his own good. Likes to sing, too, and Lutza, so that should tell you everything you need to know about the guy. He's rarely seen without Biita and Viitzi, a pair of Mzz'goe'virr femme fatales, but the big boy can hold his own in a fight even without them. The last time we ran into him was when we burned his Casino to the ground--that definitely left an impression. He supposedly was called up North because of that, but if we're careful I'm certain he won't see us coming! Gosh, I'm so excited!

Sixface: With Vhale running things in Umberal, it sounds pretty redundant to have another Lieutenant in charge of Northern operations, right? Sixface is a name I heard a lot during my... dealings... with The Cartel, but I never got to meet them in person. Rumor is they handle a lot of the 'behind the scenes' work for the Spicys, and whatever it is they do, they do it well. Makes sense to me: you don't last long in a criminal organization if you make mistakes. Sixface's identity is spotty at best--but rumor has it they can emerge from the crowd and disappear without a trace! Not a bad skill to have, right?

Lido: Some smarmy Gnok we ran into on our second visit to Inngo's Far Throw Inn. He's not what you call high up on the pole in The Cartel, but he has the respect of his men and knows his way around a blade... sometimes that's more than enough! Last we saw of him and his crew, they were heading South to check on some fishing hamlet called 'Rytzo'... good thing, too--they were ready to start a brawl with Jhairo of all people! I just hope Liz doesn't run into the bastard--Anton speaks highly of her, but a gang of Spicys might be way above her head...

Vhale Nessurmos: Husband. Fiancé. Monster. I've never hated someone as much as Vhale, and simply thinking about his name makes my claw tremble. It takes a horrible, horrible creature to run a crime empire like the Cartel, and Vhale does it extremely well. I can't write anymore.

One-Hand: It started as a cute nickname, but then it kinda stuck! Their namesake comes from when Ant and I snuck into the crime scene of Guild Chairman Fellick's death: somehow a mage slipped into his sealed office, and while Ant and Jhairo warded them off, they managed to get away... but not before Anton sliced off their hand! Apparently Ant can't stop running into them either--every time Anton comes across a cult meeting, One-Hand's right there too! Besides being a skilled summoner, there's a good chance unmasking this mage could point us in the direction of the Cult... but doing so and keeping our heads on our shoulders? Easier said than done!

Lord Larius: The more I hear about this guy the more he gives me the CREEPS! Some weird cult working to summon a freaky god? And they could be any one of us!? Maybe my performances COULD use some more security! The guy running the show, Larius, is as cautious as he is powerful from the sound of things--Anton keeps managing to crash his Cult Meetings and from what he tells me the guy blows heads up more than Volka smiles! Our details on Larius are distressingly-slim--I wouldn't even believe Anton had we not run into one of the Cult Members during our snoop-sesh in Chairman Fellick's office! If Anton's right, though, and this Cult of the Burrower has wormed its way into every facet of our society... we might just be biting off way more than we can chew!

Gods:
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Viisla (The Hunt): Viisla's on Team Durher, if ya' can believe it! All the little Durhers know the tales like the back of their claws: mess with The Huntress and she'll turn you into her quarry! Legend has it every tree and fungal bloom in Zoral rose from one of her kills, meaning she isn't a lady you wanna mess with! Her temples used to be mainly found in the East, but as any hunter knows, you go where the game is--chances are if there's some random backcountry, you'll find a shrine to Viisla there. Hunters pray and offer to her for plentiful prey and accurate slinger shots, but Viisla found her way into the modern world too: if I had a bell for every Guild worker who prayed to Viisla for good trade in the morning, well, I certainly wouldn't be wearing THESE old rags!

Mitaar (Light): How does one go about describing Mitaar? They're LIGHT--why wouldn't they get the biggest seat at the Pantheon's table? As all religious folk know, Mitaar rules everything the light touches, which is probably why their followers tend to get so... possessive. Originally a Gnok God, Mitaar came to power just like the Gnoks did--by spreading their words and beliefs across the land, whether it liked it or not! Zealous though their followers may be, Mitaar's worthy of all the praise they get--they can be warm like the morning sun shining upon your cheek, or they can be FIERCE like a white-hot fire poker! There are some that say Mitaar even had power over Death, once upon a time, but whether that's true or not, well, who can say? Like the rest of the gods, however, Mitaar's been remarkably quiet for ages now, even to their most faithful. Guess that's what happens when the world becomes shrouded in darkness...

Oad (Sea): Sea travel was risky even in the best of days, and any would-be mariner knows better than to set sail without praying to Oad first! The patron of the Mox, Oad was known for having a fierce temper--so much so that Mox Priests would appease him with mass-drownings! Luckily it's no small feat to drown a Mox, and even in Oad's prime the priests would pull out and revive their 'sacrifices', but in these dark times some wonder if this half-death is enough... Welp, you won't get an answer outta' THIS girl! I'll stick to the shores, thanks!

Helaa (Sky): Legends say Helaa and Oad waged war through the Mzz'goe'virr and the Mox... the two hated each other so much that they wouldn't mind sacrificing every last mortal that worshipped them if it meant the other god would snuff it! Well that went about as well as you might expect--so much so that Biisii supposedly stepped in and gave each god a memento of the other's death. It worked for a time, but when Helaa and Oad found out? Whoof! The fight was postponed indefinitely to deal with the new threat: Biisii! Helaa's what you'd call a fickle god--that's probably what put Oad and them at odds in the first place--but the Mzz'goe'virr who worshipped them were, and still are, surprisingly devoted! Tying offerings to balloons and windchimes, some Mzz'goe'virr communities will sacrifice family heirlooms to stave off storms and floods...

Knodd (Earth): According to the Molegg, Zoral is Knodd's--the Earthmother's--body. Standoffish though they may be, the Molegg worship a god known for being warm and inviting--so much so that when a famine or poor harvest occurs, it's said that Knodd herself is starving herself to keep her many, many children alive. Her worshippers sing beautifully in her temples--I never went much as a kit, but every now and then I'd hear their humming as I passed by. It's said that Knodd's been starving for ages now--here's hoping she gets something tasty soon...

Raelo (Flame): Raelo's an interesting one! While most of the Pantheon is made up of preexisting gods, Raelo, the enticing flame, was only unearthed after Chytree and Coalition archaeologists unearthed Nuugal tablets detailing their worship. It's hard to imagine a Nuugal god, especially now that they're gone and all, but Raelo fits right in with the rest! A lot of their literature was lost in translation, but those who worship Raelo are known to put on gaudy festivals where trinkets and offerings are burned WHILE being worn by their followers! Priests and followers don a many-looped frock... the longer you stay alit, the more faithful you are! You can probably see why I don't partake--this fuzz ain't easy to cultivate, y'know--but I can't help but appreciate what Raelo stands for: passion! Innovation! Hard work! It's rare to find a Smithy or Factory in Umberal without a shrine to the god... and if ya' ask me I'd say Mitaar's got some competition on the rise!

Biisii (Fortune): Like most Durhers, Biisii's my FAVORITE! They say they gained their godhood in a bet with another old god... and by the time their opponent realized they were cheating, Biisii was already getting comfy in their godly seat! Countless ballads have been spun about Biisii--some even say a few were made by Biisii themself! They're always about them outfoxing someone else, too--sometimes a god, sometimes a demon... whoever the mark is, somehow the tale always makes it sound like they deserved it! Fun as Biisii sounds, though, I can't help but imagine how lonely they are... you can't really find Temples to the God of Fortune anymore--most of them were knocked down by angry followers of other gods. Still, if you wait until it's really quiet at night and press your mouth against your pillow... sometimes... just sometimes... they might hear your prayer! Whuh? Have I ever prayed to them for anything? N-no way! If you say what you prayed for, it'll never happen!

The Four Lords:
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Mikk of the Southern Seas: There's a reason sailors don't stray far from the shore, and it's not just because of the darkness... Few survive an encounter with Mikk, and even fewer have an idea what they look like... some say a great leviathan, others speak of a mighty maelstrom that spans half the sea, and some say whatever Mikk is is enough to rend a mind asunder, leaving their victims wretched, babbling messes... but whatever Mikk is, it definitely EXISTS...

Archmage Vikalous Trier: Umberal's ruler since... well, a while. Details are sparse on Umberal's protector, even in Trimbault, but what we do know is harrowing, to say the least! A master of magic, and undying despot... one wonders what goes on in the mage's mind, especially when he's been around for so long. Many call him harmless, especially those who call Umberal their home, but the sudden appearance of Teksouls and rumors of him working with The Spice Cartel paint some nasty pictures... It's hard to imagine that he could be killed, but we're on the cusp of a breakthrough with those notes! As for the deed itself, well... everything sounds impossible until it's done... right?

Breakerlord Khodra: The ruler of the Skoglands and a brilliant tactician, or so the stories say! I guess you'd have to be to rule over a pack of Skogs for so long, but if rumors or true, that would make Khodra really, REALLY old! Not as old as the others, but still! You won't find me wandering into the Skoglands, but even if you did I'd give this Warlord a wide berth--the rules are simple to the West: everything in the Skoglands belongs to him... My fuzz goes on-end just thinking about what kind of guy he is!

Sysska: Mother of a Thousand Young: Fuuxi are bad even in the best circumstances, but they have to come from somewhere, right? Nests are established by Princesses, as are egg clutches, but where do the princesses come from? A-and what about the princes!? Folks say they all come from Sysska--a Fuuxi queen older than sin and mean to match! Historical accounts agree: Sysska sleeps for a few hundred years, shedding a few broodlings in her sleep, but when she wakes up, and she ALWAYS wakes up... she gets HUNGRY. Swaddled deep beneath Zoral's surface and more or less immune to magic, Generals and Tacticians alike all agree that a frontal assault would be suicide. The solution? Hold off her young until she goes to bed again! But if Anton has to do what RED says, that tactic might not be viable this time around...

Dead:
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Guild Chairman Mogi Fellick: The chairman of the Merchant's Guild in Crossroads... the guy had his enemies, of course, but this mysterious death of his? It almost seems impossible! I'm no detective, mind, but managing to kill one of the most powerful people in Crossroads without setting off the spells warding his door... and doing so with next to no evidence? I wouldn't want to be the person in charge of figuring all that out!