The Return: List of NPCs

The following is a list of NPCs in The Return. This contains a description of who they are, as well as the party's relationship with them.

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Party members:

VIOLET MOON
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An experienced treasure hunter well-versed in the ins and outs of the Echoes. She has a sordid past that has led her to clash with prominent figures in the Echoes, including the sorcerer Black Pudding and the ambitious Skylord Lysander.

She encountered the party after they first awoke, escorting them to the settlement of Ironbrook and offering them a partnership on an expedition to the Shifting Sands. She has quickly become a close ally to the party, acting as their de facto leader, despite her unwillingness to be considered as such. Recently, Violet has formed a bond with Norvegicus Black, the two having fallen in love over the course of their travels.

AURORA D'ARBANVILLE
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A former acolyte of Luna on a pilgrimage to atone for her transgressions.

The party met Aurora as one of the healers working at the Moonlight Monastery, tending to Dawn. After Grapeshot was found dead, the party eventually deduced that she was the culprit, which she confessed to, revealing that Grapeshot was her mother's murderer. As punishment, the monastery banished her, never to return until she had atoned for her sins. She later followed the party in secret as they left the monastery, and when discovered, was eventually accepted into the group.

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Important characters:

BLACK PUDDING
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A reclusive sorcerer who claims dominion over the swamps of Durenwol, renowned in the Echoes for his eldritch work.

He met the party when they came to him with offerings and seeking boons. Pudding agreed to help them in exchange for a favor from them, in the form of harvesting materials from the monster known as the Berrengaith. After doing what he asked, he rewarded them with a variety of items that will be of use to them on their journey. Zunden also encountered him after their hunt for the Beasts of Braildorn, selling him their eggs. In return, she was paid in money, as well as a strange tarot card.

THE BELDAM
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The twisted spirit of Durenwol Fen, trapped within the body of the monstrous Berrengaith.

The party met with the beldam while seeking to hunt the Berrengaith for Black Pudding. Instead of attacking them, she told them of Black Pudding's betrayal, having stolen her land, killed her body and imprisoned her to live as the Berrengaith. On hearing her story, the party decided not to kill her, instead promising to free her by bringing her three things: her skull, somewhere in Black Pudding's hut, a black lily from the Dreaming Spring, and the eyes of a deer. In return, the Beldam allowed them to take the Berrengaith's tusk and blood, as Black Pudding had ordained.

THE CUCKOO
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The Black King. A dormant cosmic entity with the power to undo the Echoes.

The party discovered the Cuckoo's egg, unknowing of its true nature, in the vault deep in the heart of the Shifting Sands. Discord tried to cajole them into breaking it, but they refused and left it where it sat. It was not until later, after meeting Dawn and Carabas, that they learned of the Cuckoo's existence, and the sway it was beginning to have over Lysander. Their goal is to stop Lysander from breaking the Cuckoo's egg.

CARABAS
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The White Knight. The traveling companion and lover of Dawn, seeking to protect the Cuckoo's egg.

The party first met Carabas when he and Dawn sought them out in Braildorn. Through them, they learned of Lysander's intentions to take the Cuckoo's egg. Dawn and Carabas also learned of Discord being in the vault, a fact which they had no idea of. The duo are currently seeking their lost friend Etrigan.

DAWN
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The White Bishop. A blind drifter with powerful teleportation magic, seeking to protect the Cuckoo's egg.

The party first heard of Dawn when they arrived at the Echoes, finding her journal in a dilapidated boat. They weren't able to get much meaning out of it, however, and put it aside. Zunden first met her in person when they arrived at the Monastery, finding her comatose and in the monks' care. She was able to heal Dawn's wounds and even restore some of her damaged vision, but she passed out again before she could divulge any information.

Much later, the party encountered Dawn after she and her partner Carabas tracked them down in Braildorn. She explained that she, Carabas and Etrigan were enemies of Lysander, having clashed with him several times in the past. It was Lysander that took Dawn's sight when they tried to stop him from calling on the Oneiromancer. They are also aware of the Cuckoo's existence, and suspect that Lysander does not truly know of its nature.

ROSEN AND GILDER
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A shifty pair of merchants who wander the Echoes in search of deals to strike.

The party first encountered them in the Shifting Sands, helping them fix their broken-down caravan. In exchange, the duo offered them transport via their Sanctuary on their journey to the center of the desert, as well as selling them all protective desert clothing and a variety of curiosities. Norvegicus later encountered them in Braildorn, in the gambling hall known as the Den, and on a handful of other occasions during their stay in the city.

PERSOLUS
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Also known as Discord. Chaos incarnate.

While everyone has heard the legend of the Draconequus that once wreaked havoc on Equestria, the party only met him in person by chance on their expedition into the Shifting Sands, where they found him still petrified and unceremoniously added to a treasure collection. He proved to be every bit as mischievous as the stories suggested, trying to manipulate the party into breaking a mysterious egg that he claimed contained a magical artifact called the Porpentine. However, the party (wisely) refused to heed his words, and left him where he still lies in Lucan's vault.

LYSANDER
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The Black Bishop. A former companion of Violet's, having since become a prominent and ambitious figure in the Echoes, having many connections in Braildorn.

Upon their arrival in Braildorn, the party were separated from Violet for a time, and when she returned, she was not herself. After thorough investigation, they discovered that "Violet" was a Changeling spy working for Lysander, and that he had had her kidnapped as revenge for a perceived slight some time ago involving shared treasure. After an altercation, the party managed to wound him and seize control of his ship, the Lady Luck; however, Lysander escaped, and swore revenge on the party. Although he has an affable demeanor, he is quite unstable, and dangerous. He is motivated by his desire to become a true dragon, coveting the Cuckoo's egg as the greatest treasure of all.

As retaliation for being crippled and robbed, Lysander has placed a bounty on the party's heads, making them unwelcome in Braildorn.

THE ONEIROMANCER
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The Black Knight. A shadowy arcane entity with unknown motives.

The first the party heard of the Oneiromancer was as a wanted poster. The mysterious figure had enslaved a small fishing village across the shore from Braildorn. Later still, the party began to uncover hints of conspiracy; a local farmer having trouble with his crops was being poisoned by one of the Oneiromancer's agents, and Lysander had a coffin on his ship linked to it. They later discovered that Lysander was the one who summoned the shadowy figure in the first place. Upon recovering possession of Lysander's ship, they found that the Oneiromancer's coffin was gone. What this entails is unknown.

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Recurring characters:

FINN, NAK AND MILNE
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Three unsavory brigands working for the gang known as the Bloody Mummers, who extort the settlers of the Echoes for their own benefit.

The party met them at the inn at Ironbrook, where they saw them exerting their influence by abusing the local barmaid. Refusing to stand for it, Hermodur confronted them, and the situation escalated into a full blown barfight, wherein the party emerged victorious and the minotaurs were driven out of Ironbrook. They swore to get revenge on the party.

SIR GAWAIN
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A gallant knight searching for greater purpose in the Echoes.

The party met Gawain as one of the guests in the Moonlight Monastery when he was traveling alongside Grapeshot. When the latter was found dead the following morning, Gawain was one of the prime suspects, but was found to be innocent. He assisted the party in their investigation, divulging some information about Grapeshot.

ETRIGAN
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A friend of Dawn and Carabas, who went missing on an expedition.

The party have not met Etrigan.

CHARDONNAY
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A simple barmaid trying to earn an honest living.

The party have met her several times when employing the services of the Old Familiar, an illustrious inn in Braildorn. She is meek and unassuming, caring little for the outside world, concerning herself mainly with the integrity of her inn and the safety of its patrons.

HADRIAN
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A renowned, semi-retired craftsman living a quiet life in Braildorn. One of a rare race endemic to the Echoes called Myconids.

Norvegicus commissioned Hadrian to make him a new insect spraying device. He accepted, and made him a worthy tool for a hefty sum.

FUMBLEMORE
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A slightly deaf but well-intentioned mage of some note, residing in his floating Sanctuary over Braildorn.

The party have met Fumblemore on several occasions, employing his services many times for tasks requiring an expert in magic. Most notably, he conducted the ritual that allowed the party to seize control over Lysander's Sanctuary.

CECILE GROSVENOR
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The de facto mayor of Braildorn. A reclusive noblewoman spending much of her time in her manor on a secluded island.

The party have not met Lady Grosvenor yet.

GODRIC SWAIN
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The foul, decrepit old patriarch of the Swan family, who control an infamous crime ring in Braildorn known as the Tiger Clan.

The party met Godric when they came for him asking for a favor, turning in one of the tokens they'd received as a reward for ousting Lysander. He helped them escape by having his men create a diversion for them.

GOGOL SWAIN
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The proprietor of the Sultry Scullion bordello, and a high ranking member of the Tiger Clan.

Gogol acts as the party's point of contact with the Clan; they met her while tracking down Violet when she was kidnapped, and Gogol pointed them towards Lysander as the culprit. After they dealt with him, Gogol rewarded them and put them in the Clan's good books.

FATHER MERRIN
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A hateful old priest running the Church of Starry Wisdom in the Downs, having rallied a group of commoners to his cause.

Norvegicus attended one of his sermons while exploring the Downs, soon finding him to be no ordinary cleric, spouting execrations against all the prominent figures of Braildorn and condemning outsiders such as Norv. His congregation seem enthralled by his virulent sermons.

RAFFORD 'RAFF' SWEETLING
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An old pauper with a troubled past residing in the Downs.

Norvegicus met Raff while exploring the underbelly of Braildorn. The two soon established a rapport, leading to Raff guiding him around the Downs, directing him to several points of interest. The party turned to Raff when searching for a guide during their preparation for the Braildorn Beast hunt; however, the situation proved difficult, as it turned out Raff had killed Hermodur's family many years ago. Seeing that the old Dog had truly atoned for his mistake, Hermodur brought himself to forgive him.

Later still, after the successful hunt, Raff tried to warn the party of the ambush the guards had set for them upon leaving, but was himself arrested for trying to help. He remains imprisoned.


ZULF
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An arrogant loudmouth of a zebra with unnatural luck at poker.

Norv played a few rounds of poker against him, along with a few others. While Norv lost one round, he only managed to win another by a hair, and quit while he was ahead. The second time, Norv began to suspect him of cheating, and duped the braggart by talking him into betting on a coin toss. Unknown to Zulf, the coin was enchanted to always land heads.

CARNIFEX
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A highly skilled potionsmith and apprentice of Black Pudding residing in the Downs.

Norvegicus met her to answer her call for help transporting a sensitive package from her contact to her, and also employed her services to heal someone who was injured in an attempt to mug him. Carnifex's task was undertaken by Norv and Zunden, who as a reward gained access to her potion distillery. She also aided Zunden after she came seeking help from her during their escape from Braildorn.

FERGAL
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The captain of the guard in Braildorn.

Hermodur met him while researching the Beast of Braildorn, learning more about its nature. The party later came to him seeking aid in their plans for the beast hunt, which he provided; however, this turned out to be a double cross, as the guard had been bought out by Lysander to arrest them. Fergaldid not see this as justice, and allowed the party to escape their prison.

THE MAD ORACLE
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A powerful seer with a split personality: the jester Mercutio, and the aristocrat Purdue.

Norvegicus bought the Oracle's skull from Rosen and Gilder. While most of the time they are unhelpful, they do on occasion shed insight or dispense useful advice.

KAIRON IRSE
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Erstwhile queen of Equestria, trapped in a bottle and expunged from history.

Norvegicus found the bottle in the inventory of a Braildorn merchant. Curiosity led him to uncork it, freeing the spirit of the alicorn queen. She had no idea where she was, but vowed to find a way to return to her home, entrusting Norv to unlock the path back to the Dominion.

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Minor characters:

ERSKINE CARROW
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A disgraced noble trying to rebuild his reputation while in exile.

The party responded to his call for someone to steal back his family crest from a den of thieves. When they were successful, he rewarded them with a large sum.

HUMBOLDT
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A former adventurer enjoying his retirement in the Echoes.

He was approached by the party in response to his requests for someone to deal with his cockroach infestation. When they successfully routed it, he expressed his gratitude by gifting them a map as well as a sizable sum of money.

KING LUCAN
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A long-dead King of Abyssinia, renowned for his insatiable greed.

The party first heard of this historical figure when Violet divulged her plan to visit the Shifting Sands. Once nicknamed the Old Dragon, Lucan was said to have a vault brimming with treasure and trinkets, which Violet believed to have located. The party eventually found her hypothesis to be correct, as they were able to penetrate old Lucan's vault, where they found a great many curiosities - including a black egg and a petrified deity.

DELTA
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A high ranking acolyte of Luna serving in the Moonlight Monastery.

The party were greeted by Delta upon their arrival at the Monastery. During the investigation of Grapeshot's murder, she was one of the key assistants.

SIRIUS AND PROCYON
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Acolytes of Luna who have dedicated themselves to the healing arts.

The party encountered them during their stay, presenting themselves as mentors to Aurora. They were in charge of taking care of the ailing Dawn.

THE HIGH PRIEST AND SHERATAN
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The ancient, telepathic leader of the Moonlight Monastery and his faithful assistant who speaks for him.

They presided over the investigation into the murder of Grapeshot, assisting the party with it.

BREEZEBLOCK/GRAPESHOT
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A nefarious murderer trying to hide from his crimes.

The party met Grapeshot at dinner during their stay at the Moonlight Monastery. The next day, he was dead. An investigation led them to discover his real name to be Breezeblock, the murderer of a famous noble in the Dominion called Bellatrix d'Arbanville. Having escaped execution by banishing himself to the Echoes, he met his fate 15 years later at the hands of Bellatrix's daughter Aurora.

BELLATRIX D'ARBANVILLE
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A beloved noblewoman whose murder became a notorious incident in the Dominion.

Her death came full circle when her murderer was killed at the Moonlight Monastery. The party investigated it, finding clues which led them to Bellatrix's daughter Aurora, the last surviving member of the d'Arbanville family. Seeking revenge for her mother's murder, Aurora murdered Breezeblock.

CHANTAL AND ZELDA
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Two noble Felid siblings trying to get by in an unforgiving world.

They were present at the Monastery during Grapeshot's murder, assisting by providing information on the identity of Bellatrix.

FEVER RAY
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A wandering Fire Witch spreading the word of her sect.

Hermodur met Fever Ray while she resided in the Moonlight Monastery. Though he fundamentally disagreed with her, she did give him advice relating to their investigation into Grapeshot's murder, as well as suggesting he try dragonfire to communicate with the outside world.

URQUHART
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A foreign adventurer with a nearly incomprehensible accent.

The party met him at the Moonlight Monastery, where he was residing temporarily. He was one of the suspects in the murder of Grapeshot, but was quickly found to be innocent.

RIGANE
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An ex-soldier guarding an entrance to the Shifting Sands, gone mad in her solitary confinement.

The party encountered her while trying to gain entrance to the desert, where she presented them with a combat challenge. When they broke her seemingly arbitrary rules, she grew enraged and tried to kill them all, to no avail. They defeated her conjured skeletons and spared her life, although she remained resentful towards them.

MARTEL
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A half-crazed hermit living in isolation out in the Shifting Sands.

The party met him on their adventures in the Sands, having been pointed towards him by Rosen and Gilder. While he was hostile towards them and proved little help, he allowed them passage down the cliff face atop which he dwells, giving them a few words of advice.

MEERA
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The leader of a group of flesh-eating reavers in the Shifting Sands.

The party were ambushed by Meera and her gang while trying to help her as she posed as a damsel in distress. However, they managed to fend off the attackers, and later that day launched a successful attack against Meera's camp for supplies, during which she was slain.

GOTTHARD SWAIN
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A Braildorn pawnbroker and member of the Tiger Clan.

The party have met him on two occasions: once when Zunden did some light shopping, and another when they were investigating the disappearance of their friend Violet.

OSSIFER
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A crow griffon with clipped wings who was hired to transport some cargo onto Lysander's ship.

He was one of the enemies the party fought while rescuing Violet from the Lady Luck. He proved to be rather craven, however, and easily gave up, being present during the confrontation with Lysander but not daring to fight the party. He was spared, having little to do with Lysander's machinations.

LAMORAC
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A Changeling spy and agent of Lysander, posing as a lackey to the Tiger Clan.

Lamorac was sent to pose as Violet while she was kidnapped by Lysander, spying on the party. Norvegicus soon found him out and interrogated him, but Lamorac tried to pin the blame on the Tiger Clan and sent the party on a wild goose chase. Eventually, after the party allied with Tiger Clan, he was found out and killed gruesomely, his remains sent to the party.

LINDE
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A tamer and breeder of the creatures called balaur, currently in custody under suspicion of being involved with the Beast of Braildorn.

Hermodur asked her a few questions while investigating the Beast.

RICARD
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A farmer living on the outskirts of western Braildorn.

Silver and Rabi met him when he put out a notice asking for help dealing with an undead problem. They saw to it, discovering a darker truth behind the events, and he rewarded them.

ALGOL
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A farmer living on the outskirts of western Braildorn.

Silver and Rabi soon discovered he was behind the undead attacks on Ricard's farm; however, he was acting out of obligation to do the bidding of the warlock known as the Oneiromancer. He surrendered easily.

LEONHARD
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A reticent hippogriff with a gambling penchant.

Norv beat him at Liar's Dice. He didn't take it well.

LURID
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A large, amicable earth pony who breeds fighting spiders.

Norv beat him at Liar's Dice, and he took it graciously. After the game, when prompted, Lurid offered him some tips about fighting spiders.

LUCIEN, DISMAS AND WIDDERSHINS
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Patrons of the Den, with a taste for poker.

Norv beat them all in his match with Zulf.

GAUTHIER SWAIN
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A member of the Tiger Clan with an appetite for chaos.

He caused the diversion that allowed the party to retake their ship.