While the population of Crucible is not robust, there are plenty of other survivors to be found. All named NPCs can be interacted with, appear in network posts, and can inboxed but engagement may be limited. Threaded interactions may be resolved summary style.
Characters may accrue positive or negative reputation with npcs based on personal interactions, public behavior, and hearsay. Shifts in reputation might open up player characters to unique plotting opportunities and consequences.
In-depth threads, interactions, and plots using named NPCs might require the a favor earned from bonus activity.
Feel free to inbox any named NPC like a normal text thread using this post by denoting the NPC name and the interaction style (network, in person, etc)
eaters of sin
The so-called Sin Eaters are long-term residents of the Lonely Fortress and are so named by their preference to indulge in creature comforts to keep their servitors at bay.
Siegfried
The Kindred Scholar
RoleRecord keeping
TemperamentFriendly/Arrogant
Location(s)Library
A demonologist who has been exiled in the Crucible for a significant period of time compared to the others. He is invested studying the Crucible and their purpose within it. As the elder, he is somewhat the de facto voice of leadership among the fortress residents.
Edvin
The Lamenting Baron
Role:Steward
Temperament:Evasive/Haughty
Location(s):Tower Study
A melancholic noble who has lived within the Lonely Fortress for some time. He somewhat oversees (or mostly complains) over stewardship duties around the keep and organizes dinner parties. Mostly yells at people to clean up after themselves.
Mathilde
The Rottflower Prophet
Role:Herbalist/Healer
Temperament:Direct/Kind
Location(s):Greenhouse
A woods witch that cultivates an exotic herb garden collected from egregore-tainted flora. She serves as the spiritual guide and healer to fortress residents, often spearheading experimental rituals to try and bring equilibrium to the egregore.
Romilly
The Sorrow-eater
Role:Companion
Temperament:Friendly/Nurturing
Location(s):Velvet Parlor
A low-born entertainer who apprentices with Mathilde as a healer. She provides council and physical comfort to residents, believing that only love can beat out the darkness that prevails over all exiles. She treats the egregore like an entity to be worshiped, lovingly referring to it as Gregor.
yorick
The Gatekeeper
Role:Lift Operator
Temperament:Friendly/Snarky
Location(s):Lift station, front gate, ramparts.
A cheeky bard that manages the exit ways of the fortress. He knows the keep, the undercroft, and surrounding areas better than the back of his hand. Collects secrets and trinkets, but don't you dare call him a thief. Sometimes provides the musical entertainment to fortress gatherings.
[ Which is to say, none of you took that kindly. She turns to gaze upon him lazing bisexually on her table, before she returns to a stool on the other side. Resuming the task of grinding dried flowers in a stone mortar.]
We all wanted to avoid this. We had tried to warn you to take care before this could happen, but... [ She does not want to chide him for wanting to help with Agnete. She takes a breath. ] You mean well, Steve, I feel this in my heart. You don't want anyone to suffer and die, none of us do.
[There it is again, that strange hesitation.]
But the truth is, this world was not made to survive in. It was not made for us, and we are not meant to be here. Our survival is a spite against the very nature of this world. We persist, instead of marching towards an end not meant for us.
( what was there to take kindly to, exactly?? Steve is extra against sacrificial murder for personal reasons, but even with that aside, it seems like a super lukewarm take to think killing people is bad. he might still be too normal a guy in that respect, as he can't fathom how these people have gotten to the point where they didn't think it would receive some kind of outcry.
she traces close to something sore. Louis has already pointed out to him that the eclipse kinda had his name all over it. Steve crosses his arms, guilty and defensive all at once. it's not that the castle rules went in one ear and out the other. it's just — well —– the consequences didn't seem real until they slapped him in the face. isn't that the way it always is?
Steve shifts. uncomfortable as she continues. wishes Nancy or Jonathan were here to do the heavy lifting, the pressing, the saying the right thing and knowing what it all means, so he could be doing the smiling and nodding from the back. he's better at that. ) Are you saying it's better if we just give up?
The time to turn around and forge a different path is behind us now. Do you know how many winters have come and gone where those before you have tried to undo what's been done?
[ He's not unique in this sense. She is ever patient, ever understanding. Slowly grinding away with the pestle as she adds more into bowl. ]
The only way out is through. Only after can we try to do better; otherwise, the cycle starts again.
Do you really believe that? That it's the only way?
( it's not that he doesn't hear her. that upstarts show up and try and throw a wrench in things. he definitely heard the discussion at the meeting, that this is the way it has been for longer than most people can remember. Steve is practical enough to understand that it isn't particularly likely that this crowd of upstarts will be more successful than any of the rest. he gets that they're all essentially grasping at straws.
but he's just not ready to accept blood sacrifice as the only option. call him crazy. )
I believe we will end up doing worse to one another long, long before a new way is found. [ She smiles sadly up to him. ] Because I've seen it and I've lived it.
And I've put a stop to it more than once.
[ Whatever that means. Mathilde takes a breath, back to grinding her herbs before she sets the pestle down. Gracefully, she bends across the table for Steve's hand, if he'll allow her to take it in both of hers. ]
( wait, what does that mean. Steve thinks a lot of Mathilde and even he finds that a little ominous. which works out, because he's too distracted to be unsatisfied by that answer.
despite ominous vagueposting on how she's put a stop to shenanigans in the past, Steve doesn't protest Mathilde's touch. it's kinda nice, even. her warm maternal vibes mollify him, whether Steve realizes it or not. he scooches a little closer, so she doesn't have to reach for him. right, that's why. )
I guess? ( it's JUST POLITE to let the pretty plant lady say what she wants to say, right? there is no barely concealed desire for assurance from someone that seems to know what they're talking about going on here at all. )
As life has no place here, I do not think death has much place here either. [ Waxing poetic in her Mathilde ways as she runs her fingertips across Steve's knuckles. ] You've already experienced death here and yet here you stand, don't you?
[ Her hand withdraws as she sits up and unlaces the front of her bodice, explaining: ] Death in the Crucible does not mean the end for all. [ Her fingers unfurl a gnarled scar beneath her bodice, in the center just below the breast. ] Sometimes, it brings us back.
(well yeah. but that's because that's how the Entity works. if you die and just stay dead there's no delicious emotions to feed on. Steve has yet to be convinced that they aren't still in the realm somewhere, because everything is just too familiar. all the stuff about emotions, dead people not staying dead, horrific trials that feel impossible to overcome and people dropping like flies to try and make it happen anyway? that's got Entity all over it. the castle being here years upon years and none of the townies having any concept of a trial doesn't convince Steve that he's wrong because it still feels like it's the same script, just doctored a little. the Entity could get off on the Crucible, no fucking problem.
but Steve has been somewhat shamed into not talking about this take after Quentin seemed so certain things were different here. so he doesn't say it. just thinks it.
he doesn't have time to think about it long, though, as Mathilde's touch dusts across his knuckles, and that's — Steve shifts, uncomfortable, though not an entirely bad uncomfortable, but somehow that makes it MORE uncomfortable. because that's not what is happening here, and he's not 12 years old so he needs to do better than get hot and bothered by a bit of gratuitous hand stroking. she's just NICE. it isn't Mathilde's fault she is a complete babe. and that he's apparently a sucker for intimate hand holding, jesus christ.
and then she starts plucking at the front of her dress and whoa whoa WHOA now. Steve does not know what to say but he straightens from his slutty lean and lifts his hands in the air like he's trying to surrender. to what exactly? no comment. Steve feels like a stupid kid for getting so flustered. is that what's happening here??? no. no way. he'd know if it was. it does not occur to him that she's simply trying to show off her sick murder scars until he fails an attempt to look somewhere else because he's not that great at being a gentleman. okay, well — she definitely could have just told him as much, but, maybe she's used to newcomers not believing it. Steve definitely would have believed her at face value, but it's fine. he believes her at breast value too. )
Okay, ( he says, wishing his voice was a little less strained and that he could seem just a BIT MORE calm cool collected about this. he takes a breath, reminds himself to look with curious eyes and not pervy ones as he takes in the gnarly scar. ) Are you... are you saying you did this tree pact thing before?
[ Mathilde remains collected through Steve's gawking. Her dress, only parted enough to expose the skin between her breasts, is laced up again once the message is clearly understood. ]
Twice.[ Her answer, while she knots the lacing back in place. ]
All of us who have remained have offered ourselves at least once...except for Yorick, of course. [ She does not elaborate further. ] This type of resurrection is special, those who receive it are not the same as they once were. Most have not returned, so we do not try to fill people with the hope of promise to make the choice.
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no subject
[ Which is to say, none of you took that kindly. She turns to gaze upon him lazing bisexually on her table, before she returns to a stool on the other side. Resuming the task of grinding dried flowers in a stone mortar.]
We all wanted to avoid this. We had tried to warn you to take care before this could happen, but... [ She does not want to chide him for wanting to help with Agnete. She takes a breath. ] You mean well, Steve, I feel this in my heart. You don't want anyone to suffer and die, none of us do.
[There it is again, that strange hesitation.]
But the truth is, this world was not made to survive in. It was not made for us, and we are not meant to be here. Our survival is a spite against the very nature of this world. We persist, instead of marching towards an end not meant for us.
no subject
she traces close to something sore. Louis has already pointed out to him that the eclipse kinda had his name all over it. Steve crosses his arms, guilty and defensive all at once. it's not that the castle rules went in one ear and out the other. it's just — well —– the consequences didn't seem real until they slapped him in the face. isn't that the way it always is?
Steve shifts. uncomfortable as she continues. wishes Nancy or Jonathan were here to do the heavy lifting, the pressing, the saying the right thing and knowing what it all means, so he could be doing the smiling and nodding from the back. he's better at that. ) Are you saying it's better if we just give up?
no subject
[ He's not unique in this sense. She is ever patient, ever understanding. Slowly grinding away with the pestle as she adds more into bowl. ]
The only way out is through. Only after can we try to do better; otherwise, the cycle starts again.
no subject
( it's not that he doesn't hear her. that upstarts show up and try and throw a wrench in things. he definitely heard the discussion at the meeting, that this is the way it has been for longer than most people can remember. Steve is practical enough to understand that it isn't particularly likely that this crowd of upstarts will be more successful than any of the rest. he gets that they're all essentially grasping at straws.
but he's just not ready to accept blood sacrifice as the only option. call him crazy. )
no subject
And I've put a stop to it more than once.
[ Whatever that means. Mathilde takes a breath, back to grinding her herbs before she sets the pestle down. Gracefully, she bends across the table for Steve's hand, if he'll allow her to take it in both of hers. ]
May I offer a bit of assurance?
no subject
despite ominous vagueposting on how she's put a stop to shenanigans in the past, Steve doesn't protest Mathilde's touch. it's kinda nice, even. her warm maternal vibes mollify him, whether Steve realizes it or not. he scooches a little closer, so she doesn't have to reach for him. right, that's why. )
I guess? ( it's JUST POLITE to let the pretty plant lady say what she wants to say, right? there is no barely concealed desire for assurance from someone that seems to know what they're talking about going on here at all. )
no subject
[ Her hand withdraws as she sits up and unlaces the front of her bodice, explaining: ] Death in the Crucible does not mean the end for all. [ Her fingers unfurl a gnarled scar beneath her bodice, in the center just below the breast. ] Sometimes, it brings us back.
no subject
but Steve has been somewhat shamed into not talking about this take after Quentin seemed so certain things were different here. so he doesn't say it. just thinks it.
he doesn't have time to think about it long, though, as Mathilde's touch dusts across his knuckles, and that's — Steve shifts, uncomfortable, though not an entirely bad uncomfortable, but somehow that makes it MORE uncomfortable. because that's not what is happening here, and he's not 12 years old so he needs to do better than get hot and bothered by a bit of gratuitous hand stroking. she's just NICE. it isn't Mathilde's fault she is a complete babe. and that he's apparently a sucker for intimate hand holding, jesus christ.
and then she starts plucking at the front of her dress and whoa whoa WHOA now. Steve does not know what to say but he straightens from his slutty lean and lifts his hands in the air like he's trying to surrender. to what exactly? no comment. Steve feels like a stupid kid for getting so flustered. is that what's happening here??? no. no way. he'd know if it was. it does not occur to him that she's simply trying to show off her sick murder scars until he fails an attempt to look somewhere else because he's not that great at being a gentleman. okay, well — she definitely could have just told him as much, but, maybe she's used to newcomers not believing it. Steve definitely would have believed her at face value, but it's fine. he believes her at breast value too. )
Okay, ( he says, wishing his voice was a little less strained and that he could seem just a BIT MORE calm cool collected about this. he takes a breath, reminds himself to look with curious eyes and not pervy ones as he takes in the gnarly scar. ) Are you... are you saying you did this tree pact thing before?
no subject
Twice.[ Her answer, while she knots the lacing back in place. ]
All of us who have remained have offered ourselves at least once...except for Yorick, of course. [ She does not elaborate further. ] This type of resurrection is special, those who receive it are not the same as they once were. Most have not returned, so we do not try to fill people with the hope of promise to make the choice.