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The choice of NPC’s and the role they would play was largely based on both the discussions on the Whitewall Yahoo group, and the narrative demands of the story I was trying to tell with the players.
The cast of players
Aren Throatslicer, a Culbrean Hunter. Nominal leader of the Chosen One heroband due to his link with Mykka, the bands guardian. Devotee of Desemborth.
Kurash Ingardsson, a Culbrean Scholar. Devotee of Chernan the Seeker he is an expert in the field of chaos.
Rand Wenchbane, a Culbrean entertainer of Donandar. He spent the whole time around the hearth fires of Whitewall keeping spirits up with his bawdy tales aided by the ample breasted Rolla, his lovely assistant.
Arya Twinblades, a Culbrean Weaponthane. Devotee of Vinga the Avenger.
Olend Yetorsson, a Colymar tribesman and rebel. A member of the Stormwalkers, he attached himself to the Chosen One heroband at Elmalandti’s request during the adventure of the Stardisk. He is Devoted to Heler.
Non Player Characters
There were a number of different characters that interacted with the players. For the Hidden Gale I used the Herowars handout and Orlanth is Dead, selecting characters to suit. Wyrms footprints was invaluable for giving a supporting cast to Leika Ballista.
The main political divisions I settled for were King Broyan, The great and the good of Whitewall, Kallyr and her band, the Colymar and the Hidden Gale.
King Broyan I decided did not rule as a traditional Orlanthi King. Working on assumptions I made from King of Sartar and the proximity of the Esvulari I decided that I would make Whitewall and Heortland quite western. To that end was the almost feudal set up. Basically Broyan is the High King, and the four tribes under his Kingship have kings of their own. However, Broyan leads in an autocratic manner, taking all of the decisions. He has a close coterie of advisers and many of the folk of Whitewall resent the apparent influence Kallyr has over him. The Volsaxi of Whitewall also resent the Hidden Gale due to their conduct within the city, and to a lesser extent the Colymar. This was exploited in the ‘Murder at Whitewall’ scenario.
Kallyr and her warband are quite a discrete group, with few numbers but much influence due to the support of the Hidden Gale and the relationship between Kallyr and Broyan. What the exact nature of the relationship is not clear. Broyan appears to respect Kallyr over all others. Kallyr herself is focused, decisive and heroic. Together they make a potent partnership. Kallyr herself is above petty dislikes, or interpersonal conflict. I have her slightly despaired by the hate of the Colymar, and she does not react to some of the Colymar words and actions. She is instrumental in keeping the Hidden Gale in check (as much as one can). Martin Laurie and Wesley Quedros’ Gwandor Campaign revealed the secret that Kallyr commands the Righteous Wind Banner. This is my rationale for Gyffurs deference to Kallyr, as the Hidden Gale is one of the many warbands tied to the Righteous Wind Banner.
Lieka apparently hates Kallyr. The secret here was the manipulation of Leika off camera by Beneva Chan. The Wyrms Footprints article ‘The High Council of Sartar’ gives insight into the relationship between the former Colymar Queen Beneva and Kallyr. It proved interesting to assume that in general the Colymar hold Kallyr responsible for the disaster that befell the Colymar following Kallyr’s failed rebellion of 1613. Ali, the fellow that played Olend instantly gravitated to Queen Leika, which I hoped for from the outset. The Colymar also had little time for many of the Hidden Gale, for either the simple reason that they clearly support Kallyr or that they are psychotic. The Colymar represent the acceptable face of the rebellion.
The Hidden Gale was great fun for me. Aren took a shine to Gyffur and really liked the Hidden Gale. Aren butchered an innocent Lunar merchant in an earlier game taking the ability ‘Killer’ at 17! So he fitted in quite well. I played Gyffur as a man of true grit, iron resolve and a bit of a nutter in general. The Hidden Gale warband are a desperate bunch of outlaws with questionable motives. Definitely the unacceptable face of the rebellion. As befits my black and white view of their attitudes, they hate the Colymar and hero worship Kallyr. They think that Broyan is great and Whitewall is a good crack, considering many of them spend their lives on the run. However their social skills and attitudes mean that the Volsaxi fear and loathe them to varying degrees.
King Broyan of the Volsaxi
Kallyr Starbrow, who needs no introduction!
Gyffur Ulfsson, rebel, outlaw and leader of the Hidden Gale.
Leika Ballista, Exiled Queen of the Colymar and adventurer.
Scathaca the Iron Shrew, chief Ernaldan of the Volsaxi.
Karath Sweetvoice, Issaries trader and thane of Whiteawall.
Beneva Chan, former Queen of the Colymar, widow of Kallai and bitter foe of Kallyr. Secret leader of the Colymar through Leika.
Gettig Kingsvoice, an Andrin Initiate and Lawthane of the High King.
Darrold Sylangibane, Chief of the Larnsti after the Batblat.
Tarosea Vingasdottir, Disciple of Vinga Mastakos, leader of the Hidden Temple of Tarthcaer. See Jane Williams’ site for more details on Tarthcaer.
Elmalandti the Bluespruce, the leader of the Stormwalkers. Defers to Kallyr. My take on him being the reluctant rebel, in contrast to say, Gyffur.
The High Council of Whitewall
Kallyr convened this council after the Bat Blat. It proved interesting, as all the interested parties proposed the creation of a ring to rule Whitewall until the King recovered, if he recovered at all. The scholar of the Culbrea, Kurash, who had been surprisingly nominated by Kallyr and acclaimed by a furious wapentake, rejected the creation of a ring and galvanised the council to the war effort. Kallyr backed his stance, bringing her own supporters in behind her. Some of the Volsaxi saw Kurash as a non-threatening foreign appointment, as none of the Volsaxi who assailed the Bat survived the encounter.
The appointment of Kurash wrong footed Leika Ballista who wanted the position herself. Secret: Kallyr assumed that she could not take control of Whitewall herself. If the Colymar had taken control, it is likely that the Hidden Gale and Kallyr would have had to leave. The stakes were too high for that too happen (because of the information the Chosen Ones brought to Whitewall), so, using the popularity of the Chosen One heroband, she nominated Kurash who had provided key information for defeating the bat. He had also proved his ability to deal with high-ranking warriors. Added to that is the fact that Minaryth clearly trusts him and she felt she could manipulate him. Thus was Kurash appointed Seneschal (Steward) of Whitewall.
Arranged in order of the places of Honour
Steward: Kurash Ingardsson
For the Volsaxi
Scathaca the Iron Shrew
Gettig Kingsvoice
Karath Sweetvoice
Darrold, Champion of Whitewall
Special advisers to the council
Kallyr
Tarosea, The Vingan Disciple
Beneva Chan
Leika Ballista
Elmalandti The Bluespruce
And Gyffur Ulfsson
It played out that Kurash rejected the creation of a ring. Scathaca pushed for a vote, but canny Kurash asked for a ruling from Gettig, who confirmed that the Steward was not bound to request a vote. Diverting attention, Gyffur demanded to raid the Lunar camp. As an act of stunning diplomacy, Kurash granted the raid but appointed Queen Leika as war leader. Gyffur was most displeased. Kurash spoke with Kallyr who said she was delighted and that she would ‘have a word’ with Gyffur. The raid was a great success, and brought Arya Twinblades face to face with Phineas Nigellus, the Lunar sorcerer to whom she was a slave with her twin sister Nalia. See the saga for more details.