#tarsenna mazul

[raymuratadraws]

When the party has dealt with shit!! it's time to party in Bazzoxan! @skullhaver @greyvvardenfell @snarky-bee @stylographic-blue-rhapsody

[skullhaver]

and ofc I will never pass on the opportunity to ask abt our netherdeep besties 😌 for question: face, canvas, night, road. for tarsenna: motion, stillness, formal, favorite

Time for some NPC besties!

face: Describe your OC's face. What's their smile like? Are their orbs cerulean? What would someone notice first when looking at them?

Question has an expressive face! She's quick to smile or frown. Definitely goes on a noticeable face journey when the Moonlighters tell her wild stories. Her toothy smile give her a youthful look when she's excited about something. Besides the fact that she's a tiefling, the first thing people notice about her is her fun, turquoise-dyed hair streak.

canvas: Does your OC have any scars, piercings, tattoos, or other markings? Do they display or cover them up at all?

Question has pierced earlobes. She's also got a series of tattoos on her arms and upper back that she doesn't go out of her way to hide but the Moonlighters haven't had a reason to see. In the center of her upper back nestled in the branches of a tree is the symbol of the Cobalt Soul. Running down the backs of each upper arm, she's got some heavily stylized text in Marquesian (think fancy Arabic calligraphy). Left arm: truth & reason. Right arm: clarity & compassion.

night: What does your OC wear to sleep? Do they have a favorite pair of PJs, or are they more the birthday suit type?

Drawstring pants and a tank top in a lightweight linen.

road: What does your OC wear while traveling? Do they have high-quality equipment, or are they making do? What does their gear look like?

The art I shared is how she dressed the whole time she was in Bazzoxan and when she was on the road with y'all. Solidly "in uniform" with something that looks scholarly but also comfortable to move in. Fun fact about Question is that she actually has no artwork provided by the module, which imo is an odd omission considering she's of equal importance to Aloysia and Prolix, who *do* get canon art. The art I use was created by a DM and shared on the CotN subreddit, which seems to flavor her as some kind of spellcaster, although in the module and in our world she is a monk.)

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, clumsy?

In a fight, Tarsenna is quick, decisive, and powerful. Hits you hard once and makes it count. Casually, just living their life out in the world, they prefer to take their time. They've got a relaxed steadiness that makes them easy to chill with. The Moonlighers have rarely seen them outside of Espen's style of Aurora Watch light armor, but I quite like their casual outfit drawn by Ray. They prioritize comfort and easy movement over aesthetics. Definitely coordinated and athletic in how they comport themself.

stillness: How does your OC act while still? Are they fidgety? Do they have any common gestures or tics? Does their clothing affect how they hold themselves while at rest?

Tarsenna can flop like a union man on a mandated break. Not fidgety, not looking for entertainment or distraction, just relaxed and enjoying the moment. They've had a professional life where they have to be on high-alert a lot of the time, and also where a lot of people look up to them as a leader where they have to make decisions (eugh), so they cherish chill moments and embody them fully.

formal: What's your OC's formal look? Do they like dressing up? Do they have different looks for different occasions?

Tarsenna's formal occasions are 90% Aurora Watch-related, so their main formalwear is some kind of dress uniform. If they got invited to a wedding or a funeral or someplace else where a Watch dress uniform wasn't the most appropriate, I'd put them in a men's kimono.

favorite: Does your OC have a favorite article of clothing or accessory? What is it? What's the meaning behind it? Do they wear it all the time or do they wear it sparingly to keep it safe?

They have a necklace with a simple dodecahedron pendant that was given to them by their orc mama (you can see it a lil bit in Ray's artwork) that they never take off. It's a precious keepsake.

[stylographic-blue-rhapsody]

hello it is captain danlys brainrot hours

scene: bazzoxan 90 years ago, give or take, before the surge of demonic incursions. the cohort: all in their elf-late-twenties-early-thirties, relatively new to their stations

…

“Well, it happened again,” Elexi announced cheerfully as he opened the door, peculiar, pale complexion washed out in the low firelight. “We’re up to seven.”

Jinoire looked up from the hand of cards he had been dealt, opposite the others at the table dominating the center of the room. “Sorry?”

Behind Elexi followed Espen (with a rare scowl) and Tarsenna (with a standard shit-eating grin). Tarsenna, smug expression fixed on Espen, elaborated, “Seventh count of a greenie calling Espen ‘mom.’”

“Can we please not start this again,” Espen grumbled hopelessly, pulling up a chair next to Khith at the table. “What are you playing? Dragon ante?”

“Empress’s inquiry.” Khith tilted their cards to show her their hand, and she schooled her expression before reaching out to tap one of their cards. They nodded consideringly and slid another copper into the pot.

Fyrna slapped her hand of cards on the table face-down and threw up her arms, looking accusingly around the room. “This is absurd! Why am I never mom’d? I’m the only one of you bastards who actually has a kid.”

“Too scary,” Bas rumbled, not without sympathy. “Your taskhand voice makes them nervous. Jin, if you’re going to cheat, do it less conspicuously.”

“Damn it.”

“Yeah, too scary, and you’re not nurturing like Danlys is,” Tarsenna continued, also drawing up a chair.

Tartly, Espen replied, “We’ll see how nurturing I am next time you’re vomiting from hezrou stench, Mazul, and I have conveniently run out of antitoxin.”

Leaning forward to place their elbows on the table, Tarsenna grinned at her. “Nurturing and romantic.”

“I wish you would flirt with me the way you flirt with my wife. Anyway,” Fyrna went on as Espen kicked Tarsenna under the table in retaliation, “What do you mean! I’m plenty nurturing!”

“Stop saying ‘nurturing,’” Khith groused. They exchanged one card with the stock and, with a sharp grin, laid out a winning flush, much to Jinoire’s vocal consternation.

Elexi scooped up the deck scattered across the table. As they began to shuffle for a new round, they said to Fyrna, “You laughed when Lieutenant Asun absolutely ate gravel in that foot race last week.”

“Yes, but only a little, and only because it was extremely comedic! Ass over teakettle. And I helped her up afterwards!”

Tarsenna shrugged, unmoved by her plea for support. “Sorry, Beltune, the only people here with mom energy are Espen and, weirdly, Bas.”

“Really?” Bas scratched thoughtfully at his beard as he looked over the new hand he was dealt.

Jinoire hummed, eyes obviously sliding again to Bas’s cards. “It’s true, old man.”

Bas smoothly turned his cards away from Jinoire’s peeking and made an exchange with the stock without betting. “Huh. Wait, weren’t you mom’d at one point too, Tars?”

“I was dad’d, there’s a difference. But it was still disgusting. I’m clearly a cool older cousin, not a parental figure.”

“It would just be so fun to be mom’d. I’d never let them live it down,” Fyrna mumbled forlornly, organizing the cards in her hand and laying down a considerably large first bet.

“Fyrna, beloved, my firefly, I will grease the soles of your off-duty boots and trip you in the mess if you do not let this conversation wither,” Espen said.

Elexi flicked his cards on the table face up, folding before even placing an initial bet: a terrible hand. “C’mon, Espen, cut her some slack. She’s having an identity crisis.”

Fyrna scowled theatrically, pointing at Elexi with mock menace. “You, me, swords at dawn. Better choose a good second, Skyspire.”

“What? I’m on your side.”

“You’re not supposed to call attention to her insecurities,” Jinoire supplied while discarding two cards and picking up a new pair from the stock.

Fyrna jabbed an accusatory finger at him as well. “I’ll duel you, too, Olios, and you’ll lose terrifically.”

“Well that’s just mean,” Tarsenna chuckled, doubling Fyrna’s bet.

Jinoire eyed the back of Tarsenna’s hand as if he could see through it if he tried hard enough. Primly, he said to Fyrna, “I don’t do swords. Khith will fight on my behalf.”

“No I won’t.”

“See? They’ll represent me.”

“I am losing all critical thinking skills listening to this.” Espen stood up. She placed her hand face up on the table in a fold and strode to the door. “I’m going to grab the rice wine. Bas, Khith, if they’re going to duel, make sure it goes outside.”

As her hand touched the doorknob, Khith intoned. “Yes, mom.”

Over the erupted hollering and peals of laughter, Espen said serenely, “You are fucking dead to me.”

[skullhaver]

NPCS! NPCS!! NPCS!!! 7, 16, 37 for the bazzoxan beloveds (foghome, taskhand thelyss, major mazul) and, even though we goofed and somehow made a completely (nearly?) unromanceable party, 29 for whichever npc(s) you think will make us the most unhinged at learning the answer

7. So if your PC had a car what kind of car would it be

Rae why would you ask me this, I don't know shit about cars 😂 I will do my best based on vibes alone. Foghome - modern AU, he does not drive. He rides his bike everywhere, and when he needs to be driven, he is very beloved and always has friends (including friends in positions of serious institutional power) who can drive him somewhere or procure him a taxi without issue. Verin Thelyss - some really nice car that his rich family got him. He's modest about it and prefers attention isn't drawn to it. But it's not like he's NOT gonna drive this nice car. Driving normal cars lowkey irritates him now that he's gotten used to high-quality features. Tarsenna Mazul - some unusual older model of car. It's not an expensive or luxury car. More just their thrifty, stubborn pride over the years turned an old car into a niche hobby. If asked, Tarsenna would be delighted to tell you about the three youtube channels dedicated specifically to the maintenance and care of this particular car.

16. What scents do you associate with your PC? 

Foghome - this 👏 man 👏 smells 👏 like 👏 dirt. 👏 Delicious loamy garden soil. He has the teatime vibe of jasmine flowers and orange blossoms. Verin - parchment and ink, ginger, vetiver, a particular incense burned in Luxon shrines Tarsenna - clean sweat, wood smoke, conifers, rocks on a hot day

37. What flower represents your PC?

Foghome - Sunflower. Radiant, stand-out, contains edible bits. Verin - Acanthus. Symbol of nobility and royalty, has also been used to make a healthy herbal tea. Tarsenna - Peony. Specifically with the Japanese symbolism of bravery and honor, with a masculine vibe.

29. Please describe your PC’s romantic type 

"whichever npc(s) you think will make us the most unhinged at learning the answer" that will be any of them lol, but here goes:

Foghome - maybe inspired by the bits and pieces I know about Caduceus, but I just don't picture Foghome as someone interested in romance Verin - somebody down to earth, sensual, and totally uninvolved/uninterested in Rosohna politics while also being very savvy and Highly Discrete Tarsenna - Espen Ayo - someone who wants to go on daring adventures in faraway places then have adrenaline-soaked makeout sessions after narrowly escaping death Dermot - someone who is kind, who is golden-retriever-comforting-captive-cheetah-coded so he can finally rest and not feel scared and Responsible for everything Irvan - someone smarter than him, who feels cool and worldly and non-judgmental, and who makes him laugh Maggie - someone who cherishes her but also respects her need for independence, who has a beautiful way with words but is also comfortable with sharing silence Galsariad - someone who loves puzzles, who challenges and inspires him to keep improving, and who Gal views as 'on his level' in terms of both book-smarts and emotional intelligence

[stylographic-blue-rhapsody]

hiiiiii so here's the squad for “au in which everyone lives/nobody dies, they retired at the normal time from the watch and went low-stakes adventuring instead”

I don't think any of this is spoilers bc espen did tell many stories to the moonlighters when they went to visit the wall of the unforgotten the first time

(picrew here)

Fyrna Beltune | Elexi Skyspire | Bas Neref

Fyrna is a drow echo knight and intended heir to her den leadership. Her decision to not only switch careers to something less respectable but to also haul along her adolescent child has her den mother distraught, but Fyrna has never bowed to pleas for conventionality

has a distinct talent for drawing weirdos and outcasts to her

could coax a brick wall out of silence

Shanfel might have grown out of accepting her offers for a piggyback, but none of her friends have. catch Elexi and Jin fighting for dibs

Elexi is a half-elf devotion paladin of the Luxon and the fastest duelist this side of the Ashkeepers. They had particularly unique social experience growing up in Urzin as half-Kryn who took after their human parent.

abuses his innate healing magic to repair his ripped piercings instead of simply not wearing them when he might be in combat (much to Espen's consternation)

beautiful singing voice. always the one to start up a call-and-response traveling or drinking song

likes to discuss Kryn politics, religion, and philosophy

Bas is an uniya (picrew didn't have a tusk option rip) gloomstalker ranger possessing 50% of the group's braincells. He isn't the most talkative, but when he does speak the others pay attention. He is usually the one keeping things on task between jobs.

his beard is immaculate and widely envied

"old man" (is younger than most of them)

talented artist, graciously sketched all their portraits several times over so his friends could have them for their memory journals

Khith Trestilya | Jinoire Olios

Khith is a drow scout rogue from Asarius. They were childhood friends with Jinoire, only separating (briefly) when they decided to join the Watch. They default to a harsh, surly demeanor, and thus are not allowed to talk when the group is taking on new jobs and haggling payment.

can speak the most languages (6)

the best cook. has a secret stash of spices that they somehow keep stocked at all times

don't play cards against them, they'll always win

Jinoire is a drow runechild sorcerer talented in graviturgy and enchantment. He cheerfully became the family disappointment by purposely flunking out of the Conservatory to join Khith in the Watch.

chronically in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fyrna and Elexi have many scars from throwing themselves in front of him during combat

baby energy but it's an act to get away with bullshit

don't play cards against him, he cheats

Tarsenna Mazul | Espen Danlys

Tarsenna is an uniya (picrew didn't have a tusk option rip, the sequel) [class redacted bc idk if we’ll see them fight while at table yet]. They were Espen's first friend in basic training, and largely responsible for her blooming into an extrovert.

merciless tease. none of them have escaped unscathed

so observant and insightful it's almost uncanny. ask them for advice at your own risk of being read like a book

despite their disinterest in children, is lowkey Shanfel's favorite after his moms

Espen is a drow life cleric/bladesinger and possesses the other 50% of the braincells. While the group is between jobs, she's spends her free time offering her services as a doctor for free among the communities they stay in.

where is her luxonmark. I simply don't know her w/o it

none of her friends have experienced a hangover in decades thanks to her

most likely to win a footrace (she cheats with magic)

the happiest times of her life are spent on the road with her friends and child

girl help I’m crafting elaborate scenarios of an alternate universe in which my cleric’s wife and closest friends hadn’t died and what the dynamics and shenanigans of their adventuring party would be