LorathasEstate Staff

Below are NPCs for each of the roles in Lady Elenora Lorathas’ household. I’ve included their backgrounds, personalities, and any hidden intrigue or relationships they may have.

Estate Steward: Rufus Gant

Rufus Gant is a shrewd and calculating man in his early 60s, with sharp grey eyes and a precise manner. Having served as the Lorathas family steward for over thirty years, Rufus is well-versed in the intricate financial workings of the estate. His meticulous nature has kept the estate afloat despite the family’s slow decline. Rufus prides himself on his loyalty to Lady Elenora, having been fiercely loyal to her father before her. Though he appears cold and distant, Rufus views the Lorathas family as his own and harbours a deep, unspoken affection for Lady Elenora. He has remained unmarried, devoting his life to his duties.

Unknown to Lady Elenora, Rufus has quietly been siphoning small amounts of the estate’s funds over the years. While it started out as a desperate act to shore up his modest personal savings, it has grown into a significant hidden fortune. Rufus is deeply paranoid about being discovered, and his anxiety is heightened due to his secret dealings with smugglers in Barrenford. If pressed, Rufus would do anything to protect his reputation and standing within the estate. He has recently grown wary of Captain Darric, suspecting the guard captain may be onto his secret activities.

Bailiff: Jedrick Marlowe

Jedrick Marlowe is a tall, burly man in his late 40s with a weathered face and a heavy brow, showing the years of hard labour before his appointment as bailiff. As a local to Barrenford, he understands the town’s undercurrent of unrest and the townfolk’s growing dissatisfaction with Lady Elenora’s governance. His role as bailiff involves managing estate disputes, overseeing labourers, and maintaining order amongst the tenants. Although Jedrick is loyal to the estate, his heart still lies with the townspeople, especially those in the poorer districts who face increasing hardships. He often clashes with Lady Elenora’s stern refusal to aid the town.

Jedrick’s loyalty is conflicted, as he has secretly begun aiding a group of disgruntled townsfolk in minor acts of sabotage against the estate’s interests. His rebellious side is growing, fuelled by his guilt over enforcing harsh measures on people he grew up with. The local tavern maid, Marla, whom he has known since childhood, is his closest confidante, though she warns him that his dual loyalties could lead to ruin. His secret activities put him at risk of exposure by the estate’s guards or Rufus Gant, whose keen eye for inconsistencies might eventually turn toward Jedrick.

Clerk: Illara Delmorne

Illara Delmorne is a sharp-minded, efficient woman in her mid-30s, responsible for maintaining the estate’s records, accounting, and correspondence. With her raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes, Illara is as intimidating as she is intelligent. She hails from Pacedon, where she once worked as an archivist, before being hired by Lady Elenora’s husband to streamline the estate’s affairs. Illara is fiercely ambitious, and although her position as clerk is stable, she resents her current stagnation, yearning for a way to rise in influence. She often observes the power dynamics within the household, carefully storing away useful pieces of information that may help her in the future.

While Illara presents a face of professionalism and calm competence, she is secretly corresponding with a wealthy rival merchant family from Pacedon, feeding them valuable information about the Lorathas estate’s declining fortunes. She hopes this information will earn her favour and a better position in their service. Lady Elenora trusts Illara, seeing her as one of the few competent staff members, though Rufus Gant is increasingly suspicious of her eagerness for more responsibility. Illara’s endgame is carefully planned, but a misstep could expose her as a traitor within the estate.

Sergeant: Darric Vael

Darric Vael is the head of the estate’s private guards, a stern man of 38 with a strong military background. He was a sergeant in the Pacedonian army before retiring after sustaining a severe leg injury in a border skirmish. Though his limp is noticeable, Darric remains a highly capable leader of the estate’s guard, enforcing strict discipline. He holds Lady Elenora in high regard, seeing her as a symbol of order amidst the growing chaos of Barrenford. He is fiercely loyal to the estate, believing that without it, the town would descend into anarchy.

Darric has a tense relationship with Rufus Gant, as the two frequently disagree over estate security and Rufus’ tendency to keep information from the guards. Darric also suspects that Rufus might be hiding something and has been quietly investigating him, though he hasn’t yet gathered enough evidence to act. Recently, Darric has developed feelings for Illara Delmorne, though he is unsure if she reciprocates or is merely using him for her own ends. His devotion to duty may conflict with his growing emotions, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation.

Game Keeper: Tobin Holt

Tobin Holt, a rugged man in his early 50s, is the estate’s gamekeeper, overseeing the vast hunting grounds surrounding Lorathas Manor. With his weather-beaten face and quiet demeanour, Tobin is well-suited to the solitary life of a gamekeeper, spending most of his time in the forests, maintaining the estate’s animal population. He has a strong sense of duty to the land and sees himself as its protector, ensuring that no poachers or miscreants disturb the estate’s resources. Tobin is fiercely independent, with little patience for town life or politics.

Despite his aloof nature, Tobin harbours a dark secret. During Lady Elenora’s husband’s fateful hunting trip, Tobin was the only witness to his mysterious death. Though officially it was ruled an accident, Tobin knows the truth—that Lady Elenora’s husband was intentionally killed, though by whose hand, he has never been sure. The incident has left him in a constant state of anxiety, and he remains watchful of Lady Elenora, fearful that the truth might come out. He has remained silent out of loyalty and fear but often contemplates fleeing the estate before his knowledge brings about his downfall.

Farm Overseer: Beatrice Sturgis

Beatrice Sturgis, a no-nonsense woman in her late 40s, oversees the agricultural operations on the estate’s lands. With sun-tanned skin and a powerful build, Beatrice is more comfortable in the fields than in the estate’s main house. She has worked the Lorathas lands since her youth, rising from farmhand to overseer thanks to her competence and work ethic. Beatrice is deeply respected by the workers under her, though she is known for being tough but fair. She has a strong bond with Jedrick Marlowe, having grown up together, and the two frequently exchange stories of their youth, lamenting the decline of the town.

Beatrice is secretly in love with Jedrick, though she has never confessed her feelings, knowing that his attention lies elsewhere. She is also suspicious of Rufus Gant’s recent financial dealings, having noticed discrepancies in the estate’s funds allocated to farm management. Beatrice has quietly begun keeping her own records, intending to confront Rufus when she has enough evidence. Though loyal to the estate, Beatrice’s protective nature over her workers may drive her to take drastic action if she believes Rufus is embezzling funds that should go to the estate’s upkeep.

Guard: Willem Barrow

Willem Barrow is one of the younger guards at the estate, a man in his mid-20s, known for his easy-going nature and charm. Despite his laid-back attitude, Willem is a competent swordsman, having trained under Captain Darric. He comes from a long line of guards who have served the Lorathas family for generations, though Willem himself is not as dedicated to the estate as his ancestors. He enjoys the relative peace of the estate guard job compared to the dangers of mercenary work, but he often dreams of leaving Barrenford behind for adventure.

Willem has been having a secret affair with Marla, the tavern maid at The Rusted Crown, though he is unaware of her connection to Jedrick and the brewing unrest. His involvement with Marla has begun to pull him into the orbit of the town’s more rebellious factions, though he remains largely oblivious to the growing danger. Willem’s carefree nature may lead him into situations far beyond his control, especially as tensions between the estate and the town continue to rise.