The Coming of the Zioth

Guildmaster Gerrit Argol

Description

Argol is a spindly, pot-bellied man in his sixties, with dark brown hair that is rapidly fading into a dingy grey. A horse riding accident in his youth broke several of his front teeth, giving him a crooked and odd-looking smile. Because of this oddity, and his profession, he has been nicknamed “the Leech” behind his back.

Biography

Gerrit Argol is guildmaster of the money-lenders' guild. Both his legs were broken by Ferrin119plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Townsman Silnquost

Tilluri and Gelefer brought Ziedon across town to a far wealthier neighborhood. They arrived in front of a small building that Ziedon's map described as the Guild Tradehouse. Guilds used the building to arrange major trade agreements with each other and with neighboring towns, and some of the more important guild masters had private offices inside. The place was built like a fortress, with thick stone walls, heavy iron-bound doors and windows built small enough and high enough that even a practi…
, one of Silnquostplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGuildmaster Gal Silnquost

Description

A man in his forties, tall, at least while seated, who had a full head of graying hair. He was of unspectacular appearance, but his voice made up for it. Townsman Silnquost was as tall as Ziedon, an unusual thing in Huerten. Like most townsmen, he was equipped with an ornate dagger that bore the insignia of his guild on its hilt. He also wore a sword, and, though it was difficult to tell through the elaborate clothing, there might have been a little extra …
's men, in retaliation for Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir

Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…
's attack on Batarelplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTownsman Batarel

Description

Ol' butterball was a slightly chubby man in his sixties whose fleshy face made him look much fatter than he was. It didn't help that his overworked horse seemed to sink in its middle, or that his drooping eyes made every word and movement look slow and tired.
. Despite his injury, Galgeweplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGalgewe

Last updated 2012-10-26

This could afford to be a little longer, for such an important NPC...

Description

A short, stocky man with a balding head of curly, fiery red hair entered the room. His dull blue robes matched his eyes, and the sheath of a short sword hung from his waist.
considered him one of his most valuable allies, due to his monetary ties to almost all the townsmen116plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The State of Maelbourg

An hour or so after the tailor left, a messenger arrived with an unsigned letter from Galgewe: I will not be able to visit you myself tonight due to prior engagements, so I will answer some of your questions here. Please destroy this message when you have comitted it to memory. If you forget, its ink is designed to fade within a day or two.

You asked for descriptions of the major players in town, so here they are. The number following each name is an indication of power and influence. There a…
. Almost anyone with power in Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg

[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]

Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index
owes him money, giving him a great deal of influence143plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Song of Destruction

Kreemon woke up hurting all over. He lifted himself slowly, only realizing he was lying on a table top when his motion unbalanced the makeshift stretcher, twisting it out of Ziedon's sore and tired hands, and sending it crashing to the ground. Kreemon rolled a couple times on the ground before colliding with the filthy wall of the alley. Weak from his many wounds, he lifted himself carefully on the palms of his hands, and saw
.

Though he is careful to act attentive at services, Argol is not a particularly religious man, and is somewhat casual about his observances. Because he was more inclined than his peers to the prospect of earning profits from the Andrithansplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism

Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).

Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of
, he proved open to Galgeweplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGalgewe

Last updated 2012-10-26

This could afford to be a little longer, for such an important NPC...

Description

A short, stocky man with a balding head of curly, fiery red hair entered the room. His dull blue robes matched his eyes, and the sheath of a short sword hung from his waist.
's entreaties. The attack by Ferrin only solidified his decision, as he dreads a future where Maelborg is under Silnquostplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGuildmaster Gal Silnquost

Description

A man in his forties, tall, at least while seated, who had a full head of graying hair. He was of unspectacular appearance, but his voice made up for it. Townsman Silnquost was as tall as Ziedon, an unusual thing in Huerten. Like most townsmen, he was equipped with an ornate dagger that bore the insignia of his guild on its hilt. He also wore a sword, and, though it was difficult to tell through the elaborate clothing, there might have been a little extra …
's sole control. He finds himself in a tenuous position now, and uncharacteristically afraid to call in certain debts.

Since he was attacked, Argol has become completely paranoid, spending inordinate amounts of money on locks for his doors and bars for his windows, and is constantly checking around corners on the rare occasion that he leaves his house at all. Even the journeymen money-lenders and the loan sharks he also controlls are kept at a distance, just in case. He has recently donated not inconsiderate sums to the House of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth

As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under the House, to which access is severely restricted. Expensive glass windows d…
in order to assure the constant presence of healers. He is quite afraid his injuries might lead to a fatal infection.

Argol is currently married to his second wife after spending several years as a widower. He has three children, two sons by his first wife, and a daughter by his second. None of his children live with him. His home-life is a content one, if not particularly passionate.

Argol is one of the ten most powerful townsmen116plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The State of Maelbourg

An hour or so after the tailor left, a messenger arrived with an unsigned letter from Galgewe: I will not be able to visit you myself tonight due to prior engagements, so I will answer some of your questions here. Please destroy this message when you have comitted it to memory. If you forget, its ink is designed to fade within a day or two.

You asked for descriptions of the major players in town, so here they are. The number following each name is an indication of power and influence. There a…
.

Argol was mentioned but did not appear in these turns: 114plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: Townsman Galgewe

“So Ziedon, I see you caused Townsman Ulfendol quite a bit of trouble.” When Ziedon opened his eyes, he saw Galgewe, standing tall, hands clasped behind his back. It was a bit hard to make out his features. When Ziedon opened his eyes wider and shook out the blur of sleep, he saw the reason. He was in a jail cell, securely locked, with metal bars reaching to the ceiling, and attached at their base to a half-wall of stone.
,116plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: The State of Maelbourg

An hour or so after the tailor left, a messenger arrived with an unsigned letter from Galgewe: I will not be able to visit you myself tonight due to prior engagements, so I will answer some of your questions here. Please destroy this message when you have comitted it to memory. If you forget, its ink is designed to fade within a day or two.

You asked for descriptions of the major players in town, so here they are. The number following each name is an indication of power and influence. There a…
,119plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: Townsman Silnquost

Tilluri and Gelefer brought Ziedon across town to a far wealthier neighborhood. They arrived in front of a small building that Ziedon's map described as the Guild Tradehouse. Guilds used the building to arrange major trade agreements with each other and with neighboring towns, and some of the more important guild masters had private offices inside. The place was built like a fortress, with thick stone walls, heavy iron-bound doors and windows built small enough and high enough that even a practi…
,120plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: Velirra Dufowl, a Bad Omen

As they walked to the tavern, Ziedon felt an inexplicable tinge of nervousness, as if he was being followed. He looked back frequently, but could see nothing out of the ordinary. Then, just outside the tavern, a wave of fear washed over him. He stopped, unsure whether to hide or run, and then it passed.
,121plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: A Rap on the Shutters

Late in the night, Ziedon was woken by a rap on his shutters. Thinking it was the wind, he dozed off, but the fourth time it happened, he got up and separated them. The bird stumbled a bit and landed on the outside window sill, peering in. A moment later, there was a knock on his door.
,143plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: The Song of Destruction

Kreemon woke up hurting all over. He lifted himself slowly, only realizing he was lying on a table top when his motion unbalanced the makeshift stretcher, twisting it out of Ziedon's sore and tired hands, and sending it crashing to the ground. Kreemon rolled a couple times on the ground before colliding with the filthy wall of the alley. Weak from his many wounds, he lifted himself carefully on the palms of his hands, and saw
,144plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReferenced in:

: Gathering Support

The day got worse and worse for Ziedon. The volume of the chant became louder, until at times it was almost impossible to concentrate. It would then soften, but never as much as the last time. Ziedon felt he was running out of time to deal with this problem, and given how the last fight with the priests went, he would probably need help, and a good plan. He had just decided that, when the chanting reached a crescendo more powerful than any before it.

Forgolonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigForgolon

Description

The minstrel was tall and well-built. He had a developed moustache, although not so developed as Sahlman's, and the beginnings of a beard. The man wore baggy pants, and a loose vest. There were numerous places where he could have been hiding a small dagger or knife, and
asked Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh…
to meet with Argol, but he never got the chance.

The Money-Lenders Guild

Argol is guildmaster of the money-lenders' guild.

Argol's House

The master of the money-lenders guild lived in a house surprisingly more moderate than that of some of the other townsmen, but large enough. The house was west of the graveyard, like many of the townsmen's homes, but a bit apart from the rest. It was a wealthy area of town, and thus not well-trafficked except by the locally-employed guards. Several homes had one or two guards standing at the front door at all hours. Argol's house had four, and two at the back. Both the front and back door were secured with multiple locks, and every window was barred – recently, from the looks of it, so there was a chance the workmanship was poor. The tiny cellar door set into the ground was locked as well. Even the narrow chimney-pipe, which no one could possibly have fit through, had some sort of metal mesh around it.171plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Playing Politics

After some minor preparations, Corbyn left for Grabble's, and Voss soon after. It was near the west gate, Weret had said, and it turned out that was all the direction they needed. Grabble's was the first inn one would come across, walking into town from the west.

Vossplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJahred Voss

Voss has an intensely pale complexion, even for a very light-skinned caucasian, which has earned him the nickname 'The Ghoul.' Lately though, this creamy skin has given away to being pocked with red blotches, the end result of a stubborn epidermis that refuses to tan. The Vhoosch are rarely exposed to the beating sun and it's heat and warmth. Like his ancestors before him, he has a hard time adjusting to more mild and warm climates. He is extremely sensitive to humidity… it is not o…
knew quite a lot abouit the acivities in the home of his former employer. The door guards rotated on a schedule, though there was never less than one guard per door. There were ten guards total. At any given time, a couple would be sleeping, and at least one, usually two, would be in the same room as Argol. Argol daily received a regular stream of visitors from his guild. He spent most of each day in his sitting room, ending a little after sunset, when his head journeyman gave a brief report. After that, Argol usually vacated the room. His three regular servants, a cook, a doorman and a maid, moved around the house on a schedule. The maid generally cleaned the sitting room after Argol left, for about half an hour. The only unpredictable element was Argol's wife, who roamed the house throughout the day and into the night.171plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Playing Politics

After some minor preparations, Corbyn left for Grabble's, and Voss soon after. It was near the west gate, Weret had said, and it turned out that was all the direction they needed. Grabble's was the first inn one would come across, walking into town from the west.