Torn Reality

Torn Reality NPC's

I try to avoid running GM-PC's (significant NPC's that accompany the PC's and participate in their adventures) if I can avoid it, preferring to keep the focus on the players and their characters. However, sometimes "needs must", and I'll run one or more of them while it makes sense to the emerging narrative. The following significant NPC's accompanied the party at various points in their adventures.

Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

In an arc of the campaign, two different groups of the variants in alternate timelines are trying to find the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth in the World of Greyhawk. Primarily, they seek the Crook of Rao.

A trio of significant NPC's initially accompany the group, representing the interests of the churches of Rao, Heironeous, and Cuthbert, Riggby the Patriarch of the church of Boccob the Uncaring, and the nations of Veluna and Furyondy.

The most powerful and stalwart of the trio is Sir Gralston, who has the quirk of being so consistent that all variants of him are exactly the same in every timeline.

Next most potent is an agent dedicated to Rao, who only engages in conflict when it can't be avoided or against true evil. Thus far two variants of this character have been encountered, the archly urbane Markis and the hyperfocused and nearly monosyllabic Sarkis.

The last of the trio is the friendly Lord Bannik Vorl, a youngest son of a border baron of northern Furyondy, and a favored agent of the king. The nominal leader of the expedition due to his royal writ and noble birth, he was killed in an early encounter, but in one timeline he was reincarnated as an Orc while in the other he perished.

Later, when the glitches successfully discovered the entrance to the Lost Caverns, a dimensional shearing event occured. After which, on the reality thread the story focus moved to Gralston had perished in the Underdark in a heroic blaze of glory to buy the party time to escape. Bannik, openly a Proctor for King Belvor rather than merely bearing a writ, is still alive and nominally in charge of the expedition. And the represenative of the Church of Rao is a samurai-like paladin named Marcus, a quiet man who counsels peace and rebukes violence.

Sir Gralston

 Sir Gralston 

This experienced Devotee of Heironeous represents his church in the quest for the Crook of Rao.

Torchbearer of Rao

 Markis 

This mannered and courtly Torchbearer of Rao specializes in missions of the utmost importance in the service of the greater good. Flexible of mind, adaptable of strategy, he is an able ally and an insidious enemy.

 Sarkis 

This deadly focused Torchbearer of Rao specializes in quiet operations in the service of the greater good. Sometimes the greater good requires removal of problematic people.

 Marcus 

This unassuming Torchbearer of Rao specializes in diplomatic missions in hostile conditions. Usually a quiet observer, he can speak with surprising clarity and influential persuasiveness at critical moments.

Bannik

 Lord Bannik Vorl 

This earnest agent of the King of Furyondy has successfully seen to several concerns of the court, and has been entrusted with a far more significant opportunity. He is the nominal leader of a joint expedition to seek the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth to recover the Crook of Rao should it be found therein. But he recognizes that the able veterans of the joint venture are more experienced, and graciously defers to their expertise when relevant.

 Lord Bannik Vorl (Reincarnated) 

This royal agent of the King of Furyondy was born human, but after a fatal encounter with ogres was reincarnated and came back as an orc. Wait until mom finds out...

 Proctor Vorl, Knight Comitatus 

As a youngling Bannik was a squire of the royal court and a boyhood companion of Prince Thrommel. He is regarded fondly by King Belvor both as a reliable loyalist and as a reminder of better days. As an adult, Bannik officially serves as a member of the Knightly Conclave of Furyondy, chosen and knighted by Belvor himself. He is often also appointed as a Proctor, empowered with royal authority to directly see to things Belvor wants personally seen too.

 Sir Vorl, Knight of the Hart 

Bannik was a squire of the royal court and a boyhood companion of Prince Thrommel as a boy. As a young man he pursued becoming a Knight of the Hart, a feat he accomplished in his late twenties. He is also a devotee of Heironeous who has done significant deeds on behalf of the church and earned great favor. And of course, he is regarded fondly by his king both from his days as a cupbearer as a child and from his service to the crown as a man. He pursues the objectives of his order, church, and king with diligence and confidence.