4) Factions & NPCs (10 deep‑cut)#

Each has: Wants, Methods, Leverage, Secret, If Persuaded, Stat Hooks.

1. Duke Rost Norakar (House Narakar, Forge March)

• Wants: Relic coronation.

• Methods: Siege engines, bribes.

• Leverage: Foundry arms.

• Secret: Keeps a blood‑kiln under the Cathedral bell tower.

• If Persuaded: Switches to Church if shown a mass‑casualty vision of relic backlash.

• Stat: Elite (Knight‑General): DEF 16, HP 42, Soak 2, Greatblade +8 (d10+4), Command (1/scene give ally Edge).

2. Lady Eda Lanwen (Marcher Courier‑General)

• Wants: A throne that keeps roads open.

• Methods: Hard choices fast.

• Leverage: Eagle riders; fastest messengers.

• Secret: Ordered a village burned to stop a plague caravan.

• If Persuaded: Will carry a risky peace letter past a siege.

• Stat: Skirmisher Elite: DEF 15, HP 30, Bow +7 (d8+3), Ride‑by (free Disengage on mount).

3. Prince Vek of the Mire (Juroa‑legalized poison guilds)

• Wants: Sovereignty and fear.

• Methods: Dueling hospitality with venom.

• Leverage: Supply of antivenin—at a price.

• Secret: Immunity is failing; he needs a cure from D’haro.

• If Persuaded: Sells you antidotes and names a Follower cell.

• Stat: Controller: DEF 13, HP 28, Blowpipe +8 (Sleep/Poison DC 14), Smoke Veil.

4. Prior Beneth (D’haro Green Friars)

• Wants: Peace now, always.

• Methods: Mediation sanctuaries.

• Leverage: Hospitals & food stores.

• Secret: Prophecy tattoo says “Two lights burn the same house.”

• If Persuaded: Hosts a neutral moot; will lie to nobles to stop a rite.

• Stat: Support: DEF 12, HP 24, Heal 1d8+3 (3/day), Sanctify (Followers suffer Hindrance inside).

5. Commodore Ket Aran (Ketran toll‑lord)

• Wants: Stable seas, fat ledgers.

• Methods: Embargo, convoy escorts.

• Leverage: Chain booms & charts.

• Secret: Took a bribe to delay a refugee fleet.

• If Persuaded: Will open sea lane to Nabour free once.

• Stat: Shooter: DEF 14, HP 28, Pistol +7 (d8+3), Command Broadside (ship scene).

6. Archanon Maris (Relic Conclave, smiling necromachinist)

• Wants: Crown under relic light.

• Methods: “Demonstrations,” inventions.

• Leverage: Patent locks, donor nobles.

• Secret: A child died in a test—he sees her when relics hum.

• If Persuaded: Will throttle apparatus to 60% and prevent mass deaths.

• Stat: Controller: DEF 13, HP 26, Relic Bolt +7 (2d6, DC 14 half), Backlash on nat 1.

7. Bishop Selme (Atriadic Church)

• Wants: Oil and oath, no idols.

• Methods: Censure, sanctuary.

• Leverage: Tithes, law of fasts/feasts.

• Secret: Keeps one relic shard hidden in his crozier.

• If Persuaded: Will forgive a riot and shelter the guilty.

• Stat: Support/Controller: DEF 13, HP 30, Consecrate (Followers at ‑2), Exhort (morale rally).

8. Eldrin the Bard (Keeper of Lorian’s Lament)

• Wants: Free Lorian’s soul if possible.

• Methods: Songs & secrets.

• Leverage: The four Notes locations.

• Secret: Sold a verse once to the Conclave to eat.

• If Persuaded: Gives the final verse early at personal risk.

• Stat: Social: DEF 12, HP 18, Inspire (+1 to ally next roll), Distract (Charm Save 13).

9. Mother Reka (D’haro Oracle, Blue Change)

• Wants: Hold the Spire’s sanity.

• Methods: Tattoos, quiet truth.

• Leverage: Prophetic skin.

• Secret: Sees Ezible in every mirror; sometimes it’s true.

• If Persuaded: Grants Wispglass charm (Insight Save +1).

• Stat: Support: DEF 12, HP 22, Calm (ends Fear/Charm), Wisp Sight (see rifts).

10. Ezible (The Immortal Unifier)

• Use sparingly for turning points.

• Offers mercy that always costs someone something—but plants hope that survives acts and eras.

• Stat: Do not stat to kill. If forced: DEF 18, HP 1 (cannot die), Stop (1/scene: one creature ends violence, Insight Save 16 negates).