Kato the Curious (dead)

In the winter of his life, the dragon emperor’s loyal sorcerer Kato the Curious, charged in vain with securing immortality for his master, decided to try to cheat death himself. To this end he made a deal with the demon Ix, a servant of Sathmog, in exchange for treason on Kato’s part.

Kato, who was close to Eledain’s court, sowed lies and discord that contributed to the empire’s downfall. His contract with Ix was as complex as it was convoluted, written on a long scroll of tanned skin in a demonic language whose grammar and vocabulary relied on ambiguous phrasing to allow for ironic consequences in contracts with mortals.

Instead of making Kato immortal, Ix fulfilled his part of the bargain by trapping his tower and the village of Blackridge in a sphere of disjointed time where the last hour of the sorcerer’s life constantly repeats itself. Coincidentally, this is also the final hour for all the villagers of Blackridge, as Kato’s betrayal had just come to the emperor’s attention and a flight of dragons had been sent to obliterate the wizard’s tower and the village as punishment and as a warning to others.

The dragons approaching in v-formation can be seen from Blackridge throughout the time loop, getting closer and closer, until the dragon riders order the village’s destruction and jets of flame erupt from the dragons’ mouths. The cycle begins anew at the moment of Kato’s death. Anyone who dies a violent death in the time loop wakes up exactly where they were when it began.

Guests at the Road's End Inn

 

Helemi, the innkeeper

Antelia, the missing shepherd

Stig, cursed dwarf

Iliel

If the player characters free her, Iliel explains that she was taken to Fort Malus against her will by what she believes to be dragon knights. They want her to translate the ancient writing on a door in the keep. Another prisoner was held in the adjacent building – she does not know who it was, but judging by the sounds, smells, and agonized screams that reached her a few hours ago, she assumes that the person is dead.

The Dragon Knights (dead)

The young and ambitious knights Isadelia and Niklion are exploring Fort Malus on their own initiative. They want to reestablish Eledain’s empire and hope to find a gold treasure that they can offer to the dragons of the Dragonfang Peaks.

The Adventurers

The dragon knights have hired a band of adventurers to help with the excavation and guard the fortress. Perhaps it would be more accurate to call them raiders, and cold-blooded ones at that. They were promised a fifth of the allegedly plentiful loot and they are not leaving without it!

Ossiar

Ossiar poses as a timid explorer but is a fanatical follower of Sathmog. He has the mark of Sathmog tattooed on his forearm.

Harga

Harga is a very small old troll who reeks of smoke and wears a headscarf and a tunic of multi-layered fabric.

Maladûk

The broad-jawed, broader-shouldered Maladûk is an impressive sight with her large fangs and numerous trophies of vanquished foes covering her body. She paints herself in deep red colors and speaks with a calm that conceals her determination and explosive brutality.

Quasimund's Scum (dead)

Quasimund’s Scum are the dregs of Outskirt, drunken wrecks of settlers and adventurers who lost everything in their pursuit of riches. Like Quasimund they have sold their souls to Sathmog and are always willing to give their lives for the supreme darkness. 

Quasimund (dead)

The mallard Quasimund is a failed fortune hunter ,who regularly frequents the Three Stags. He has a bitter and violent side which tends to come out when he drinks too much mead. He has sold his soul to Sathmog for a few pieces of silver and half a keg of mead.

Dranath (dead)

Dranath is wrinkled as a shriveled prune and does not have a single hair on his body. He wears a sack-like garment and goes barefoot regardless of the weather. Despite his asceticism, Dranath can be tempted with sweets, and a mug of mead is usually enough to loosen his tongue.

Alfilia Shadowleaf

The knight Alfilia Shadowleaf is sent by the Keepers of the Immaculate Flame. She is looking for the keys to Um-Durman, while at the same time trying to prevent the sword from ending up in the hands of Azrahel Koth. As her base she has chosen the Three Stags, where she is often seen in the large common room.

Ursic One-ear and her bandits (dead)

Ursice is a tall, red-haired woman in her forties. She is missing her left ear and has an ugly scar on her neck, as if she has narrowly escaped the gallows.

Ursic’s bandits are a worn-out bunch, scared and nervous after a long stay on the Isle of Sighs. They are getting tired of Ursic’s obsession with the treasure and morale is low.

Twisted Cultists (dead)

The twisted cultists are over two meters tall and unnaturally thin, and their iron armor has fused with their bodies. Their eyes are completely black, and they are surrounded by a purple aura.

Hafarmal (dead)

Herbalist

Dressed in natural-colored clothes, including a robe and cloak. Has a hoarse voice and is constantly smoking a pipe. Unbeknownst to himself, his eyes have been turned completely black by his proximity to the portal.

Master Ulvar

Owner of the General Store in Outskirt

Master Ulvar is a tall, red-faced man in his 50s with an impressive drooping mustache. He has hands the size of hams and speaks with a booming voice that makes his mustache quiver.

Hildi

A blind shepherd living near Dead Eyes Cave.

Demon Cultists (dead)

Servants of Sathmog, the demon lord.

Gunhill (dead)

 

A crazy woman who believed she was the Basilisk's mother.

Hardy

Captain of the guard

Hardy is a battle-hardened war veteran in his 40s, with shoulder-length hair and a broken nose. He is the strong, silent type, but does have a sentimental side that tends to come out after a few mugs of mead at the inn.