The Beggar's Bodega (Campaign)/NPCs

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Majd Al-Din

A mercanti who kept a warehouse of goods in the city's Sticks district, Majd Al-Din was the target of an even larger investigation by The Seven Cities that roped in the local investigators of the Bodega.

Residing just south of the mosque, the khan stands as a significant structure within the marketplace, featuring two stories and an interior courtyard. Within the last year, Majd al-Din has secured a two-roomed storage space on the ground floor of this khan, which serves dual purposes as his living quarters and office. The space is strategically located in a hive of commercial activity, surrounded by other merchants' storages, ensuring a constant flow of people at all hours. This bustling environment might provide the perfect cover for illicit operations.

Majd al-Din himself is a man of average height and a slender build, his visage marked by pock scars and adorned with a short-cut beard, blending into the crowd yet distinct upon closer inspection. His operation is supported by two assistants, Tammo and Ponzio, who reside in a rented room on the second floor of the khan. Tammo, a clumsy teenager with long black hair, contrasts sharply with Ponzio, a lanky man in his twenties, known for his tall stature and long arms.

The Seven Cities, represented by the Bodega's client Marwan, is closely monitoring Majd al-Din's activities. A city gate guard, bribed by Majd al-Din, is under surveillance but remains unarrested to avoid alarming Majd al-Din prematurely. The plan is to gather undeniable proof of Majd al-Din's smuggling operations before taking decisive action, which will then prompt Marwan to dispatch guards to address the situation effectively.

For those navigating the intricate socio-economic web of the Tangle Bazaar, discretion is paramount. With limited funds and no authorization for extravagant expenditures, they must tread carefully, piecing together evidence of Majd al-Din's illicit activities without drawing undue attention to their investigation. The unfolding narrative is a testament to the complex interplay of commerce, crime, and surveillance in a market teeming with secrets and hidden agendas.

Katharine Altone

Katharine Altone was the vice president of AgraWealth, a research group that operates out of The Seven Cities, and also next in line for that company's CFO position. Katharine was a shred and manipulative person whose husband was Owen Altone, possibly the only person even more manipualtive. Her husband Owen staged his own kidnapping to get force his wife to steal money from her company, which he then planned to unveil and use to out her from her position. Despite being a pain and a backstabber, Katharine wasn't a monster. She was happy to money launder when she believed she was working for an international consortium of bankers and criminals operating under the name "AgraWealth", but not once did she really believe she was moving around black money that was secretly funded by the 7 Cities themselves. She didn't know about the experiments or even that they stole from The Lich Omoi.

Belto

A crimelord who ran one of the city's thieves guild, smuggling poisons in and out of the city. He was killed by the Marano family (see below) because of his corrupt activity in Harbor Approach. However, his ghost wasn't absolved through the power of Funerary Statues, and even from the afterlife, he was able to describe the penanggalan that killed him, helping the bodega employees track down the perpetrator. He was a known accomplice of Commander Antonio Teldi who was the corrupt cop that helped operations smoothly continue out of the warehouse Belto worked in.

Bruno Carmena

Gruff hitman for hire in Nymphsview who did the dirty job of taking out Brigadier Gaba at the instruction of the Dark Sons.

Dr. Raymond Coombes

Dr. Raymond B. Coombes, a face of the DarkSon Scion, was originally a distinguished research scientist specializing in blood diseases. In a dramatic shift, he diverted the remainder of his legitimate research funds, liquidated his laboratory equipment through illicit sales to Eastern nations, and secured passage to the New World aboard a cruise ship. Once on board, his expertise in medicine made him a valuable asset, leading to his high-priority absorption by the Scion.

Further investigation into Dr. Coombes may uncover that he is the subject of an active arrest warrant in Galik, indicating legal troubles and questionable ethics that extend beyond his professional misdeeds.

Despite his importance, Dr. Coombes finds that serving the Scion is a challenging and uncomfortable experience. The Scion's influence over him is not merely authoritative but also demeaning, often leading to public humiliation. This treatment is not borne out of malice but rather seems to be a deeply ingrained behavior of the Scion.

Harvey Cooper

Harvey Cooper was a retired business magnate onboard the Darkson Princess, with his past shrouded in ambiguity regarding the specific industry he was involved in. He is slightly aware of a notable presence on the ship but finds himself ensnared by his addiction to Kraken Blood, a substance he was introduced to a few days prior. Harvey is responsible for overseeing financial transactions and has spent many years living on various cruise ships.

He attempts to embody the persona of a friendly and wealthy socialite, despite being in his 50s. This facade, however, is short-lived, as his true nature—a man given to bouts of drinking and deep contemplation—soon emerges.

Harvey's inherent frailty, compounded by years of substance dependence, renders him virtually incapable of envisioning a life of autonomy, much less one where he could challenge or outmaneuver influential figures. His inability to support or even conceive of opposing such figures means that, when possible, he inadvertently undermines their efforts without risking his own exposure.

Further inquiries into Harvey's background disclosed that "Harvey Cooper" is an identity meticulously crafted and maintained for approximately 20 years, primarily while traveling by sea. A search of Harvey's accommodations could uncover that his wardrobe consists of exceptionally high-quality garments, with some items dating back to before the war. These pieces often feature consistent initials for simplicity. Moreover, Harvey seems to be under the influence of a mix of medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, which theoretically should significantly impair his cognitive functions. Yet, he appears to counteract these effects with a potent stimulant. In a secure location, one might find title deeds and bearer bonds that substantiate Harvey's existence under various aliases since his birth in 699 PR, suggesting a long history of assumed identities.

Mr. Darvall

A powerful and mysterious elan representing The Seven Cities, Mr. Darvall was the orchestrator of the heist of the Hydra Hydrangea, using a secretary spy to seduce the husband of the vice president, leaving a very obfuscated trail that wouldn't lead back to him if it weren't for the fact that two members of the Bodega at the time had literal powers of prophecy. Ultimately his goal was to unlock the power of the Hydrangea, absorb AgraWealth (the research company) into the 7 Cities government, and then use the new discovery to bring prosperity to the realm in the form of unlimited food and greenery....if the price is right.

His own private yacht, known as The Countess, can often be seen on the horizon around the dunes of Al'Adeaf...always watching, always ready to snatch up the next great opportunity the sinking city offers. Despite his power and money, Mr. Darvall looks like a vulture, bald with prominent chin and clawlike hands, often wearing just a bathrobe made of real Yuan-Ti.

The Demon of the Wastes

The Demon of the Wastes was a key antagonist and interactive entity in the scenario, ensnared by Kyriakos (see below) through a spell on The Tablet of Enslavement. This creature, resembling a Efreeti, appears in a long black robe and headwrap, with eyes the only visible feature. Bound by strictures that compel obedience to Kyriakos and prevent him from harming the master's allies or discussing his imprisonment, the Demon nonetheless seeks liberation. He communicates in an archaic language perceived differently by each listener, a feature that might lead to a realization of the diverse perceptions among the group. Although invulnerable and capable of destroying the investigators if commanded, he desires freedom and subtly aids them within his constraints. Ultimately, his fate is tied to the destruction of the enslavement tablet, and he sees the investigators as a potential means to achieve his emancipation.

Amabel Denford

The original teacher and owner of the Denford School now located in a pile of quicksand just outside the city's harbor, a long time ago Ms. Denford ran the school for a small class of only 12 students, including Joseph Watts (see below), but paid the ultimate price when Joe began to experiment with immortality magics. He converted his fellow students and Ms. Denford into life size mannequin puppets with painted face. The investigators found old newspaper articles with portraits of Amabel Denford on them, and later recognized her face when they encountered her manniquinn form at the school's ruins. They released her from her hell when they slayed Joseph Watts, finally ending the curse for good.

Eel

Eel was a professional fisherman in the city who would typically live out of a room in the Fisherman Guild Hall when he wasn't fishing. A big burly man with fish tattoos all over his body, he wasn't very well educated, but was dependable and deliberate. Eel was a witness to the murder of Shawm by the Fisherman's guild, and provided key information to the heroes to help them track down the sorcerous cabal that was pulling all the strings. Unfortunately some of that key information involved that Eel was part of the team that tracked down and killed Shawm in the first place, leading to Eel getting pushed into the quicksands of the city...yet to be seen again.

Nick Ehrmann

A politician running for mayor of Nymphsview, Ehrmann began to rise supsiciously through the political ranks. From a nobody to nearly the mayor in only 6 short months. It was suspected that someone was helping Ehrmann over at the Franklin Stein Law Firm, which turned out to be the Agent of Hell. The devil did indeed give Nick all the dirty laundry he could dig up on any opposition, which let him rise so quickly. Unfortunately when Ehrmann discovered Brigadier Gaba was collecting intel to take Ehrmann down, he helped put out a hit that took down his enemy.

Mr. Ellison

An owner of a motel in Ironcross that accosted the investigators when they broke into one of his rooms. He was intimidated by Elara and pushed away, but vowed vengeance on the team.

Ferdinand Fazzo

A fellow student and friend to both the late Arthur Schenbrink, and Clara Winkler (see below), Ferdinand was known as "Ferdi" by his friends. Unfortunately for him, he got roped up in Arthur and Clara's occult ritualism for the simple reason that Ferdinand owned a carriage that could take them out of the city and to a lodge his family owned near the Fiddlehead Mountains. Ferdi returned to Al'Adeaf after the incident seemingly as the only survivor of the massacre Arhtur and Clara caused when they summoned a serpentine demon. He became hopelessly insane and staggers and stammered about mumbling "Tsathoggua" and "blood".

Julianna Fishhall

The high priestess of the small sorcerous cabal that worked underneath the Fish Hall, Julliana was the guildmistress for over 40 years and spent the whole time performing dark rituals and making human sacrifices to ensure the guild had an amazing bounty of fish to feed the city. Her secret was discovered by the heroes of the The Beggar's Bodega, but ultimately it was decided not to rat her out to the cops.

Brigadier Variya Gaba

A soldier in the realm's armies against Tiamat as part of The War of Many Names, Gaba was stationed in Nymphsview along other soldiers when he was killed after stumbling upon a conspiracy in the city that related to the upcoming elections which would keep the Dark Sons in power in Nymphsview.

Kim Gridley

The Handler Kim Gridley served as the initial liaison between the guests and the administrative functions aboard the Darkson Princess, tasked primarily with ensuring that each passenger's experience is seamless and enjoyable. The essence of the Handler's role is not to be universally liked but to be perceived as competent and reliable, capable of managing any situation that arises and effectively representing the interests of the passengers.

It is crucial that the Handler maintains a neutral stance, remaining detached from any direct involvement with the Scion's inner circle. This independence allows them to foster trust and build rapport with the passengers, focusing on enhancing their onboard experience without the complications of hidden agendas.

The Handler, identified as Kim, is dedicated to forming personal connections with the ship's patrons, striving to guarantee their satisfaction during the voyage. Kim's visible dedication and the considerable effort she invests in her duties, however, have positioned her as an unlikely candidate for the Scion's influence. Recognizing this, the Scion deliberately distances its operations from Kim, allowing her to shoulder any criticism independently. This strategy ensures that Kim remains an effective intermediary, unimpeded by the complexities of the Scion's machinations.

Jenkins

Servant to the Winkler family, Jenkins drove the carriage and escorted the players around Al'Adeaf when they investigated the missing Winkler daughter.

However, as they approached the lodge where the daughter laid unconcious and hidden, a result of a near deadly encounter with a serpentine shapeshifting monster....Jenkins sat alone, watching the cart, defenseless against a shadow in the night that launched on him.

When the players left the lodge and headed home with Clara in tow, they were happy to see Jenkins ready to drive them back to Al'Adeaf...if only they'd seen the REAL body of Jenkins sitting 10 feet away at the shore of a quicksand pit. Everyone pour one out for our homie Jenkins.

Amelia Kelvin

Snippet from Al'Adeaf Yearbook of Amelia

Amelia Kevlin was an accomplished student and freshman at Al'Adeaf University who disappeared after one proprietor of the Pussycat club in Alderhall saw her on the gambling floor and attempted to make her a vampire thrall. Her disappearance sparked off the Case of the Missing Landlord, in which Amelia was found half-way in the conversion process, but rescued by the investigators and taken to get medical care.

She was the daughter of Bart Kelvin (see below), who had asked her to go on some social calls with Peter Lankila (see below) in return for forgiving his gambling debt.

It was noticed by the investigators that she started her career at Al'Adeaf University with straight A's, but after being asked to meet with Lankila, began to drop through the ranks, eventually getting Cs and Ds in all of her classes.

As it turned out, Amelia was being turned into a Vampire Thrall as part of a way to pay off her father's (Bart Kelvin) debts. Several portraits of Amelia were commissioned by Lankila and kept in several secret rooms around the Pussycat Club as she was his favorite thrall.

Amelia was saved from nearly being smuggled out of town by Bart in his attempt to rescue him from Lankila, but the resulting skirmish led to Bart's death, and the recovery of Amelia, who was brought to the hospital to see if any clerical help could be applied to fix the turned thrall. While they considered killing Amelia, and resurrect her ghost, which should have the effect of removing the undead curse on her...they rescued her when her lovelorn bestie Adrian joined the Church of Waukeen and learned the rites of turning the undead himself.

Bart Kelvin

The brother of Mr. Kelvin the bodega's landlord, Bart got himself way in over his head when he gambled too much and became indebted to Peter Lankila, owner of the PussyCat Club, causing him to hand his own daughter Amelia over the vampire Lankila to be turned into a vampire thrall. Bart lived in the poor district known as The Tangle.

When his brother (Mr. Kelvin, see below) attempted to save Amelia and confront Bart about his unethical actions, a small scuffle ended up in Bart accidentally shooting his brother to death. However, the message didn't go unheard, hoping to maybe make things right, Bart kidnapped the now-enthralled Amelia and the two of them skipped town. However, Bart and Amelia were hunted down by the investigators thanks to Mallen's tracking skills. Ultimately when push came to shove, the stressors of the debt, the guilt of what he did to his daughter, and the oncoming enforcers of both the city (for kidnapping) and Lankila (for stealing from HIM) caused Bart to take his own life when cornered at the train station leading out of Al'Adeaf.

Mr. Kelvin

"He's a WALLET vampire!" - Ardemas

Mr. Kelvin was the landlord of The Beggar's Bodega, but he didn't actually live in Al'Adeaf, whenever needing to collect rent, Kelvin would come back into town, visit some family, and usually stay at a hotel in Ironcross. He was shot in the back of the head, but his ghost wasn't found, so it was determined to be an arranged hit.

Kyriakos

Kyriakos's life trajectory spiraled from an opium addict in Al'Adeaf to a mysterious leader of the Cult of the Serpentine, following a life-changing dream about a dark, sunken-in-sand city. This dream, a direct influence from the Yuan-Ti Anathema imprisoned under the city, initiated him into a world of vivid nightmares more potent than his addiction. As the dreams intensified, Kyriakos's actions grew increasingly desperate, involving theft, burglary, and murder to sustain his opium dependency and the pursuit of these otherworldly visions. Guided by a stranger to the ancient worship site of Serket, he encountered a cult led by the enigmatic al-Snobbit. Kyriakos not only joined this cult but also became a key figure in recruiting others and leading violent rituals.

Ultimately he was stopped by the Bodega when they unleashed Kyriakos' own Demon of the Wastes djinn (see above) who was able to intercept the ritual and stop the Anathema from being released.

Peter Lankila

Peter Lankila owned the PussyCat Club in Alderhall, and was a local racketeer. More importantly, he was also a vampire. Lankila kept a massive commissioned portrait of Amelia Kelvin on the wall in his casino penthouse. He slept in a secret chamber in the basement of the Pussycat club where a number of coffins were kept for himself and his vampire thralls.

Lanklia nearly killed the Bodega's client Adrian Moore, but Adrian's slippery dancing (and cheerleading training) made him hard to get a hold of. Despite having been the reason Amelia was drained of essence and lifeforce, Lankila became an unlikely ally to the bodega team when they discovered that Mr. Kelvin had taken Amelia out of the city and into hiding, to try to protect her from completing the vampire transformation. He and Adrian both decided they both wanted to find Amelia and make sure she's safe, he gave 10 wealth to the team to find Bart and Amelia.

Lara and Sialia Marano

The married couple that ran "Marano's Pickles" on the harbor, Lara ran the store during the day, and Sialia would only watch the store at night so they didn't need to pay for guards. They were also the secret criminals and killers of numerous in Harbor Approach as it turned out that Sialia was actually a creature known as a penanggalan, a cursed monstrosity whose head detaches every night and rises out into the city to devour and absorb the cruel and corrupt, whether that meant devouring a city guard or a pickpocket. Together, they planned an act of vengeance on the corrupt copy Commander Antonio Teldi, first by destroying all of his associates, but Teldi was able to recruit the help of The Beggar's Bodega to stop them before they claimed the Commander.

Security Chief Georgia May

The security chief Georgia May's journey began in the Oppidan Navy, where she faced significant challenges advancing in a field dominated by men, especially within security roles. From the outset of her career, her intelligence and determination were acknowledged, but her physical capability to handle confrontational situations was questioned. To address these doubts and prove her competence, she immersed herself in various martial arts disciplines that were open to women and dedicated herself to a rigorous daily fitness regimen to enhance her strength and combat skills.

Her struggle with feeling inadequate made her an ideal candidate for manipulation. The Darkson Scion, recognizing her vulnerability, offered her an opportunity to overcome her perceived limitations by augmenting her already impressive physical abilities with its blood. This transformation made Georgia exceptionally formidable, enabling her to surpass the expectations of those who once questioned her physical abilities and to confront any challenge with unmatched prowess.

Captain Mimir Paulsen

The captain of the Darkson Princess is a seasoned professional within the cruise line sector, embarking on her inaugural command at the age of 51. Outside of her demanding career, she has a passion for collecting rare coins, a hobby that offers her a respite from her responsibilities. Despite her experience and dedication, the captain, Paulsen, has become increasingly wary, particularly in light of the mysterious deaths among her crew on the last three voyages. This heightened vigilance has made her a challenging target for the Scion, who seeks to direct the ship towards the Kraken.

Understanding the captain's cautious nature, the Scion is hesitant to exert its influence over her prematurely. It recognizes that securing control over the captain and, consequently, the ship's course, necessitates a carefully orchestrated approach. The Scion is determined to eliminate any potential threats or investigative efforts aboard the ship before attempting to sway Paulsen. This strategy underscores the Scion's methodical planning and its readiness to ensure that all obstacles are removed before making its move on the ship's highest authority.

Yousef Prakseesin

A Snobbite prince visiting the city, Yousef was in Al'Adeaf for a meeting with AgraWealth, a company that promised it could bring infinite food and greenery to Pteris, a proposition that needed great funding, especially from someone as rich as a prince.

Based on the name alone, likely a descendant of Drake, famous hero of Realm War I and backstabber who orchestrated Drake's Deal.

Else Romano

Else Romano, the landlady who ran the house where the missing Clara Winkler lived, turned out to be a resolute war widow of 50 years, who enforced a dictatorial regime in her rental. She immediately complains to everyone who will listen that Clara is unbecoming, that she's so casually dressed, and that she's always accompanied home by some gentleman...sometime even by several at once! (Even if it's only to the front door). She ran a very small dorm-like room out of her second story, and overall was no help to anyone.

Skiirl, Agent of Hell

A devil living in Nymphsview operating the Franklin Stein Law Firm, Skiirl was able to give investigators any sort of information or leads that they want...but it cost them a soul every time they wanted to draw upon his dark prophetic powers. In the era of The Hermes Seal, it was pretty easy to find ghosts and then turn them over to Skiirl as currency.

Antoni Valori

A funerary statue carver, Antoni was the suspect of the Bodega's first case, when a rumor at the docks led them to his artist studio, where they would encounter a shocking number of bodies collecting in the under-basement. These bodies were used to create a flesh golem that Valori was going to use to extract revenge on his own grandmother. Besides being talented, he was technically a noble as he and his mother were members of the Ancient Snobbite Regality, but were disowned because his father was a commoner. After his mother's own tragic death, he wanted to have her interred in the family crypt, using dark magic from a book of Uxorioth, a connected spirit of the Old Ones. Valori was caught and stopped when his lackey Donastra was caught in the middle of the witchcraft ceremony, and was eventually turned over to authorities.

Joseph Watts

Joseph Watts was an 18 year old boy who used his occult powers to gain immortality at the cost of his friends' lives. He used a spell to turn his classmates and teacher into mannequin puppets which he locked in an abandoned house out in the Tangle. In order to keep his immortality, he continued to trick students into visiting the shack every 19 years, and it was the disappearance of one student, Bill Wessler, that led to the Bodega investigators taking on The Case of the Double Dare. Every 19 years Joe would return into the city under the psuedonym "Joe Canning" (and NOT Joe Mama like Dash might think) to trick more people into taking on double-dares and going to the haunted shack.

A side effect of his ritual caused anyone who knew the sacrificed persons to slowly forget their existence, so even after 114 years of sacrifices, the authorities were never alerted.

Inside the old shack which was formally Denford School, Watts kept arcane eyes and scrying devices watching any and all intruders so that he could ambush them and take their life force. However, the night the Bodega employees went in, he was up against more than he could handle, and eventually was killed by yo mama jokes (and magic). He claimed a total of 39 victims before his ultimate defeat at the hands of the Bodega.

Bill Wessler

The biggest bully at Al'Adeaf high, Bill dared the team's client into sneaking into the abandoned Denford school out in the quicksands outside the city, but when they instead challenged Bill himself to do it, leading to Bill's mysterious disappearance.

Adelheid Winkler

Wife of client Heimeric Winkler, and mother of the missing Clara Winkler (see below), Adelheid was a successful business tycoon in the chemical industry, and a partner in the corporation "Julius Sawback LP". Her husband was a bit of a homebody who enjoyed their wealthy lifestyle and smoked many of the weeds. In her late 40s, she wore highnecked clothes and oldfashioned braided hair. Altogether their family gave quite the conservative impression.

Clara Winkler

A university student at Al'Adeaf U, Clara Winkler's disappearance led her rich merchant parents to invite The Beggar's Bodega to locate their missing daughter. She had gotten caught up with a cute little man named Arthur Schenbrink at uni, who then convinced her to participate in an occult ritual just outside of the city. Clara went to the university against her parents wishes, who wanted her to just inherit the family business, and her disappearance caused immediate outrage and fuss in the Winkler villa.

Unfortuantely Arthur's schemes to academically seduce Clara into being his friend (and hope that her family pays for his now-missing scholarship) were ruined when Clara turned out to be much better at the occult than he thought. Together the two of them accidentally summoned a serpentine monster that killed Arthur and left Clara in hiding under a bed in the private lodge they had secured for the summoning ceremony. She was found, only barely alive, and rescued by the Bodega team in conjunction with her father and family servant Jenkins.