[Information] Background Planning

[Jat]

Just wanted players a chance to discuss background as it is vital to us succeeding.

[InsaneFox]

Alright so I guess I'll get the ball rolling.

As for my character, she likely met Gothog in the Illeous criminal underworld (while she was in a gang), and then... after infiltrating the Harkon house and working her way up the staff... or perhaps after marrying Bejen Harkon, she re-established contact with Gothog and invited him on as her own personal bodyguard. As far as how Bejen died, there are a myriad of reasons that a Harkon man would find his way to his own death... so even if Marie wanted to kill him, she really wouldn't have to do it herself.

Marie keeps on excellent terms with the servant staff, and has opted for the time being, to see how things play out with the older siblings of the Harkon house. Trying to keep a respectful distance.

[GoremGB]

Linath was hired on to the main House Harkon from House Grimhold as a entertainer, and information agent. A set of eyes and ears that's generally unobtrusive and inconsequential as a entity to worry about, and he makes sure to uphold this persona. He makes friends easily among the staff,commoners and "low end" nobility(Thus he might have association with Marie), while keeping his association (atleast openly) with the upper level nobility limited to keep up the image of being "approachable".

[kaylara]

Liera is extremely beautiful and has been a slave (courtesan) to the house for over 100 years, but since she is also Drow people see her as better then other slaves and due to her services, she is also viewed as the Head Slave.

Liera runs the house slaves and staff, commanding them and organizing them. Example: Cooks, Maids, Errands Boys, ETC... As well as if commoners wish to speak to the lord. Liera makes the proper connections and deny the stupid requests.

Liera has spent quite some time with Linath and has occasionally aided him in by Liera using her beauty (among other things) for gathering information.

[Jat]

As for my two goblin players- I think you guys will be the hardest to integrate.

[Eviltedzies]

Prior to joining the house, Gerard was a skilled merchant and knew his way around penning contracts and legal works.

Gerard was hired in part due to his skills with managing coin, but has shown a surprising amount of charisma and social eloquence. He is also far more perceptive than he lets on. His mannerisms probably would have him on good terms with Liera since her job entails keeping the wait staff organized and working properly. Since Gerard has a habit of encouraging useful skills or talents it would only be a benefit to the house if it's servants became more competent at their jobs and or obtained new skills that made them more versatile.

If anyone is interested in more significant back story tie ins let me know and we might be able to work something out.

[davide15]

It is fairly traditional for a house to have a *Cough* Firefly *cough*Shepherd, as they can act as an envoy to the Shepherds of Death and also add some legitimacy to the power grabs and questionable activities. Typically the Shepherd comes from the Order of Mourners, and for a waning house it is extremely unusual to have an initiate of the Second Circle of any Order. However, when the request for a new Shepherd was put out by House Harkon, Arik Crow personally requested to have Ba'al Ove placed there as the House Shepherd.

Many questions remain about Ba'al Ove, everything from his childhood to his face is shrouded in mystery. However, he certainly does seem to have an affinity for the undead. Anyone with knowledge of the Shepherds of Death Orders would recognize his garb and manner as being from the Order of Undeath. Anyone without might think he comes from the Order of Secrets or Order of Shadow.

Anyone is welcome to tie in to Ba'al Ove's Background from when he arrived at House Harkon. However, if you want to know Ba'al Ove from before that then it would have to be in someway related to the Shepherds.

[Kshnik]

Here is what we know about Pluck Flowers:
He was a Plugger for the Moon Reaper Family within the Night Walkers Clan. A Plugger is the law; think lawman, marshal, in the old west without any written laws. He could execute anyone, was hired to kill folks, and during war time would be one of the officers; even the commander.

[InsaneFox]

Also, for a time, Mary Crow worked under Liera before marrying Bejen Harkon. And, in turn, is willing to lend aid or services within her limited power when requested (as she tries to stay on good terms with the staff)

[unglued128]

Here is what i am thinking for good with hands after leaving his tribe and arriving he sought the Harkon family and after showing off his ability with firearms including being able to construct them he was hired on as quartermaster so that he could produce these arms for the house.

[davide15]

There is a note pinned to the house bulletin, in plain sight for the staff to see. The note is written in a fine hand, like spiderwebs crawling across the page. It is shamelessly tacked over the daily schedule, forcing all who wish to know what their orders for the day are to look into it.

Note Dear Servants, Slaves and Staff of the Noble House Harkon, Who here is amongst the faithful of Hades? Who's coming to Hadesmas and makes weekly rounds at the Sabbath? Who would like to come to our nightly study group where we go over the text of the Necronomicon, Halls of the Dead, Grand Hierophant's commentaries, The Second Falling, Eyes in the Damned, and other holy scripture and their commentaries? I suppose the real question is which of you does not want to be put under suspicion as a possible heretic? Look forward to seeing all of you in the chapel soon. Yours in service to the dark lord Hades, Ba'al Ove

[Jat]

[GeoAvanti]

Daishi is... kind of hard to throw in with everyone else, since his past has been rather linear.

He's been a manual labor slave, a gladiator, and he spent some time in the Harkon Military Academy before being brought in as a bodyguard. Anyone of note in the House has probably been escorted by him at one point or another, and he's probably trusted due to his unwavering loyalty to Craigor. If you don't particularly like Craigor... well, you definitely don't like Daishi much.

I'm not sure what other slaves think of him, but Staff probably find him problematic, as he will *only* listen to commands given by Craigor or someone who speaks with Craigor's authority.

Still, anyone with a past in either participating or spectating gladiatorial games would be familiar with him from the past, and anyone who spends much time in the training halls or libraries would run across him often. He has ranks in Craft (Calligraphy) and Profession (Soldier) to represent his free time, so anyone who wants some kind of connection from those is more than welcome to devise something.

If anyone thinks they are particularly deserving of a watchful eye, he'd be a good choice for that.

[Kshnik]

Pluck Flowers will seek out Daishi, Marro, and Liera; whenever roleplaying permits. Pluck has learned that slaves can provide knowledge so he will see what they have to offer. Craft (Calligraphy) will interest him greatly.

[Dpete]

Marro isn't particularly social, though I imagine he's created some relationships with people who have been around the house for an 50+ yearsextended time. If you're interested in building a backstory with him, he has a love of adventure; perhaps he and your character went on some merry hunt in days past.

His relationship with Liera is probably noteworthy: I imagine it would be strained, seeing as he is a lowly gnome slave that is under her, yet is her equal in many ways given his rank and abilities.

He works the Library, so if your character would be the type to frequent there they would have much interaction.