gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Korrigan's contacts
Korrigan's player was, usual, much more sober - but very thorough - when generating his contacts.
He took his background story as a starting point too. His wife Elizabeth is much younger than Korriagn, and very beautiful, but is slowly going insane with fear that the fey will take their baby when it is born (thanks, Colmarr!). Here is the player's email:
Elizabeth's parents. I like the idea of a wealthy industrialist, who's status in society comes from education and enterpreneurship rather than old fashioned nobility. But the family is not coming from the dirt of course. Perhaps it was an established if minor merchant family with long aspirations to the upper class, and the industrial revolution provided just the right opportunity which Elizabeth's father promptly seized. Therefore they are accustomed to a wealthy lifestyle to a fair degree, are well educated as ambitious people are and have a certain snobbishness, but lacking formal titles they are even more concerned about all the trappings of nobility then the proper nobles.
Now I think I'm on the right track. So her father is from a merchant class. The family was established in Slate by perhaps his grandfather (Elizabeth's great grandfather), but around the time of Aodhan's glorious capture of the Danoran warship which was the first link in the chain leading to Industrial revolution, they relocated operations to Flint. That was Elizabeth's grandfather's time, he however died soon afterwards, leaving his son (Elizabeth's father) in charge who was at the time young, well educated and very ambitious. He set up his business (iron works?) at remarkable pace and to underline his aspirations married a lady from a declining noble house. So even though he did not inherit any title he "married into the higher circles" as it were and has a considerable wealth to back up his status (unlike many oldfashioned nobles who are struggling to maintain their estates).
Now for the name. I think Elroy is fitting enough. Elroy Stainer. Elizabeth's mother would be Lady Magnolia Stainer. They live on the Ayres, in an estate acquired no more than 10-15 years ago. Elizabeth's parents were never too happy about her daughter's choice of husband, but in the beginning Korrigan was on a path of a successful military career and hoping that he may achieve some distinction in future (having a general for a son-in-law isn't a bad prospect) they agreed to the marriage. But as the career slowed down and finally came to an end after the injury, so did Korrigan's relationship with his wife's parents become colder ever more.
Elroy and his wife never visit Korrigan at his home, and he and Elizabeth are rarely invited to visit the mansion in Ayres (probably only on special occasions as dictated by propriety). Elizabeth meets with her mother regularily in some upper class ladies salons (or wherever such ladies would socialise and spend their time) which Magnolia frequents while Elroy is busy with his business.
I think Elizabeth's condition is also a matter of some strain. Obviously parents are putting much blame (never spoken directly though) on Korrigan. The truth however is that madness runs in Magnolias family for generations. Only female members are affected and usually manifested once in a generation. While Magnolia herself obviously escaped the fate, the rumor has it that her younger sister which supposedly died at early age, may have shown the disposition (Korrigan doesn't know any details, they are never spoken about). Some may call it a curse upon the family, which Korrigan of course dismisses. May be just a genetic trait, then again it may not... This in part accounts for Elizabeth's (and her mother's) worries regarding the child she is bearing (in addition to Korrigan's weird state etc.). Elizabeth's own condition began to show relatively late in her life, which gave hopes that she may get through lightly. Anoher problem is that Korrigan was not aware of this danger before the marriage or indeed after until very recently. Even then he learned about Magnolia's familial affliction not from herself or Elizabeth, but from some third party, and still doesn't know how bad and how true this is.
Now while the relationship with Elizabeth's parents are cool and distrustful at best, Korrigan has a sympathizer in the family. Elroy's nephew, Cezar is a playboy in Flint. He owns shares in Elroy's company but has absolutely no inclination for business, preferring to spend his handsome income on decadent lifestyle. He is a son of Elroy's half-brother who leads the Slate branch of the family business. He is a kind of black sheep in the family who have given his uncle a reason for embarrassment more than once (he used to embarrass his father in Slate until he was made to leave the place). He is however quite liked in certain circles of the young wealthy and vain, throwing parties and otherwise engaging in decadence. The matter is that as unlikely as it may seem Cezar has taken liking towards Korrigan, and takes sort of patronizing attitude towards him despite Korrigan being more than ten years older. Of course Korrigan does not go to the parties, but he gets invitations to theater and opera for himself and Elizabeth from time to time, and receives occasional visits from Cezar who despite his vanity is very intelligent and witty conversationalist on his best days.
From the practical point of view there are the family "contacts". Elroy and his wife would hardly do any favours, unless the matter concerns the wellbeing of their daughter or perhaps to avoid a scandal that would hurt their status in society. Korrigan could get access to Ayres to visit his father-in-law but he would rather not do it unless there is a very serious reason. I guess he doesn't have anything to do with the Stainer Company either. On the other hand Cezar would be a man to go to to get a high society gossip, find info on members of upper classes or even to seek an access to some of them if he doesn't mind the certain reputation that comes with a referral from a man like Cezar. Cezar would be relatively easy accessible as he is always happy for any kind of company and enjoys Korrigan for various reasons (that Korrigan himself doesn't always like). But to get anything from him would require some "wine tasting".
Other contacts I mentioned before.
Bernard of Glenwade - a Druid based in the Stray River district. I'm not exactly sure of the role of druids in this society, but I imagine him as a tutor, doctor and spiritual advisor (psychiatrist), a sort of wise man to whom folk comes with their problems whatever they are. The idea was that Bernard as far as druids come are quite down to earth (I suspect the expression has a double meaning when related to a druid
). He is quite open minded about the recent changes in Risur and Flint in particular, which appeals to Korrigan who was never a religious or particularly spiritual man. Normally Korrigan while respecting the Old faith for the traditions and connection to the nation of Risur, was quite equal to it mostly just doing what any risurian would be expected to do like celebrating Christmas and attending church at Easter or some such. Only recently due to Elisabeth's condition and all the related problems he has started to take it more seriously for his wife's sake. Elizabeth must have been consulting Bernard for some time before Baldrey was convinced to visit him too. But he found Bernard to be more open and understanding than he expected such druid to be. Bernard also shows respect for Korrigan and so they have developed a friendly relationship. Now Korrigan comes to Bernard more often, still mostly regarding his wife's health and family relationships, but from time to time they are discussing other matters such as the turn that Risur is taking these days.
Bernard of Glenwade is not native to Flint but has been living here for the last few years. He doesn't know the city much prefering to stay in Stray River. But he has many people coming to him for advice, and so has a fair knowledge about the ills that afflict the society here. He is also wise in the ways of nature and man as druids should be. I imagine him being relatively young (for a spiritual leader), no older that Korrigan himself, living an ascetic lifestyle.
Alderic Woodrow - an attorney. A lawyer well known in the courts of Flint. He is approaching retirement age, and his his hair is gray enough that he doesn't need a white wig to attend the court, but he remains lean and mean, i.e. energetic and aggressive in his dealings. The relationship with Korrigan is a professional one based on mutual benefit as one is working on the enforcement side of the law and order and the other in the courtroom. They have been sharing information on some occasions, and Alderic has provided Korrigan crucial tips on some cases which Korrigan then was able to bring to court for Alderic to work on. Korrigan knows Alderic as a man who serves justice faithfully and actively. Alderic trusts Korrigan as a man who knows how to do the job right. Alderic Woodrow is very knowledgeable in the intricacies of the law. As a contact he can serve as a lever to influence the legal proceedings of any kind if need be, and give legal advice.
Johan Grim - a reporter. A new acquaintance of Korrigan formed in the wake of the Coaltongue scandal. Many reporters wanted to get the hot story, but Korrigan was wary of their willingness to exaggerate or add saucy details . He refused to comment until Johan came around. He was very young but struck as a decent and smart man who is more willing to listen and less ready to invent stuff himself. Korrigan decided to give him the full story, and wasn't disappointed with the way it was presented. This means that if Korrigan think it necessary to put something in the papers (either a story or a call for information) he will use Johan. Also Johan expressed willingness to work as an agent to gather information on a case (as a reporter would do) if he gets a material to publish in the end, so Korrigan might call for him if he needs a smart and able information gatherer not connected to RHC or shady acquaintances of Uru.
Quite clever - choosing a lawyer and a reporter as one of your contacts. Alderic Woodrow has already smoothed the unit's passage on board the Goodson Estuarial Reformatory. And here is the slight adaptation I made of the Flint Tribune handout featuring Korrigan's quotes (as provided to cub reporter Johan Grim). View attachment Flint Tribune.rtf
Korrigan's player was, usual, much more sober - but very thorough - when generating his contacts.
He took his background story as a starting point too. His wife Elizabeth is much younger than Korriagn, and very beautiful, but is slowly going insane with fear that the fey will take their baby when it is born (thanks, Colmarr!). Here is the player's email:
Elizabeth's parents. I like the idea of a wealthy industrialist, who's status in society comes from education and enterpreneurship rather than old fashioned nobility. But the family is not coming from the dirt of course. Perhaps it was an established if minor merchant family with long aspirations to the upper class, and the industrial revolution provided just the right opportunity which Elizabeth's father promptly seized. Therefore they are accustomed to a wealthy lifestyle to a fair degree, are well educated as ambitious people are and have a certain snobbishness, but lacking formal titles they are even more concerned about all the trappings of nobility then the proper nobles.
Now I think I'm on the right track. So her father is from a merchant class. The family was established in Slate by perhaps his grandfather (Elizabeth's great grandfather), but around the time of Aodhan's glorious capture of the Danoran warship which was the first link in the chain leading to Industrial revolution, they relocated operations to Flint. That was Elizabeth's grandfather's time, he however died soon afterwards, leaving his son (Elizabeth's father) in charge who was at the time young, well educated and very ambitious. He set up his business (iron works?) at remarkable pace and to underline his aspirations married a lady from a declining noble house. So even though he did not inherit any title he "married into the higher circles" as it were and has a considerable wealth to back up his status (unlike many oldfashioned nobles who are struggling to maintain their estates).
Now for the name. I think Elroy is fitting enough. Elroy Stainer. Elizabeth's mother would be Lady Magnolia Stainer. They live on the Ayres, in an estate acquired no more than 10-15 years ago. Elizabeth's parents were never too happy about her daughter's choice of husband, but in the beginning Korrigan was on a path of a successful military career and hoping that he may achieve some distinction in future (having a general for a son-in-law isn't a bad prospect) they agreed to the marriage. But as the career slowed down and finally came to an end after the injury, so did Korrigan's relationship with his wife's parents become colder ever more.
Elroy and his wife never visit Korrigan at his home, and he and Elizabeth are rarely invited to visit the mansion in Ayres (probably only on special occasions as dictated by propriety). Elizabeth meets with her mother regularily in some upper class ladies salons (or wherever such ladies would socialise and spend their time) which Magnolia frequents while Elroy is busy with his business.
I think Elizabeth's condition is also a matter of some strain. Obviously parents are putting much blame (never spoken directly though) on Korrigan. The truth however is that madness runs in Magnolias family for generations. Only female members are affected and usually manifested once in a generation. While Magnolia herself obviously escaped the fate, the rumor has it that her younger sister which supposedly died at early age, may have shown the disposition (Korrigan doesn't know any details, they are never spoken about). Some may call it a curse upon the family, which Korrigan of course dismisses. May be just a genetic trait, then again it may not... This in part accounts for Elizabeth's (and her mother's) worries regarding the child she is bearing (in addition to Korrigan's weird state etc.). Elizabeth's own condition began to show relatively late in her life, which gave hopes that she may get through lightly. Anoher problem is that Korrigan was not aware of this danger before the marriage or indeed after until very recently. Even then he learned about Magnolia's familial affliction not from herself or Elizabeth, but from some third party, and still doesn't know how bad and how true this is.
Now while the relationship with Elizabeth's parents are cool and distrustful at best, Korrigan has a sympathizer in the family. Elroy's nephew, Cezar is a playboy in Flint. He owns shares in Elroy's company but has absolutely no inclination for business, preferring to spend his handsome income on decadent lifestyle. He is a son of Elroy's half-brother who leads the Slate branch of the family business. He is a kind of black sheep in the family who have given his uncle a reason for embarrassment more than once (he used to embarrass his father in Slate until he was made to leave the place). He is however quite liked in certain circles of the young wealthy and vain, throwing parties and otherwise engaging in decadence. The matter is that as unlikely as it may seem Cezar has taken liking towards Korrigan, and takes sort of patronizing attitude towards him despite Korrigan being more than ten years older. Of course Korrigan does not go to the parties, but he gets invitations to theater and opera for himself and Elizabeth from time to time, and receives occasional visits from Cezar who despite his vanity is very intelligent and witty conversationalist on his best days.
From the practical point of view there are the family "contacts". Elroy and his wife would hardly do any favours, unless the matter concerns the wellbeing of their daughter or perhaps to avoid a scandal that would hurt their status in society. Korrigan could get access to Ayres to visit his father-in-law but he would rather not do it unless there is a very serious reason. I guess he doesn't have anything to do with the Stainer Company either. On the other hand Cezar would be a man to go to to get a high society gossip, find info on members of upper classes or even to seek an access to some of them if he doesn't mind the certain reputation that comes with a referral from a man like Cezar. Cezar would be relatively easy accessible as he is always happy for any kind of company and enjoys Korrigan for various reasons (that Korrigan himself doesn't always like). But to get anything from him would require some "wine tasting".
Other contacts I mentioned before.
Bernard of Glenwade - a Druid based in the Stray River district. I'm not exactly sure of the role of druids in this society, but I imagine him as a tutor, doctor and spiritual advisor (psychiatrist), a sort of wise man to whom folk comes with their problems whatever they are. The idea was that Bernard as far as druids come are quite down to earth (I suspect the expression has a double meaning when related to a druid
). He is quite open minded about the recent changes in Risur and Flint in particular, which appeals to Korrigan who was never a religious or particularly spiritual man. Normally Korrigan while respecting the Old faith for the traditions and connection to the nation of Risur, was quite equal to it mostly just doing what any risurian would be expected to do like celebrating Christmas and attending church at Easter or some such. Only recently due to Elisabeth's condition and all the related problems he has started to take it more seriously for his wife's sake. Elizabeth must have been consulting Bernard for some time before Baldrey was convinced to visit him too. But he found Bernard to be more open and understanding than he expected such druid to be. Bernard also shows respect for Korrigan and so they have developed a friendly relationship. Now Korrigan comes to Bernard more often, still mostly regarding his wife's health and family relationships, but from time to time they are discussing other matters such as the turn that Risur is taking these days. Bernard of Glenwade is not native to Flint but has been living here for the last few years. He doesn't know the city much prefering to stay in Stray River. But he has many people coming to him for advice, and so has a fair knowledge about the ills that afflict the society here. He is also wise in the ways of nature and man as druids should be. I imagine him being relatively young (for a spiritual leader), no older that Korrigan himself, living an ascetic lifestyle.
Alderic Woodrow - an attorney. A lawyer well known in the courts of Flint. He is approaching retirement age, and his his hair is gray enough that he doesn't need a white wig to attend the court, but he remains lean and mean, i.e. energetic and aggressive in his dealings. The relationship with Korrigan is a professional one based on mutual benefit as one is working on the enforcement side of the law and order and the other in the courtroom. They have been sharing information on some occasions, and Alderic has provided Korrigan crucial tips on some cases which Korrigan then was able to bring to court for Alderic to work on. Korrigan knows Alderic as a man who serves justice faithfully and actively. Alderic trusts Korrigan as a man who knows how to do the job right. Alderic Woodrow is very knowledgeable in the intricacies of the law. As a contact he can serve as a lever to influence the legal proceedings of any kind if need be, and give legal advice.
Johan Grim - a reporter. A new acquaintance of Korrigan formed in the wake of the Coaltongue scandal. Many reporters wanted to get the hot story, but Korrigan was wary of their willingness to exaggerate or add saucy details . He refused to comment until Johan came around. He was very young but struck as a decent and smart man who is more willing to listen and less ready to invent stuff himself. Korrigan decided to give him the full story, and wasn't disappointed with the way it was presented. This means that if Korrigan think it necessary to put something in the papers (either a story or a call for information) he will use Johan. Also Johan expressed willingness to work as an agent to gather information on a case (as a reporter would do) if he gets a material to publish in the end, so Korrigan might call for him if he needs a smart and able information gatherer not connected to RHC or shady acquaintances of Uru.
Quite clever - choosing a lawyer and a reporter as one of your contacts. Alderic Woodrow has already smoothed the unit's passage on board the Goodson Estuarial Reformatory. And here is the slight adaptation I made of the Flint Tribune handout featuring Korrigan's quotes (as provided to cub reporter Johan Grim). View attachment Flint Tribune.rtf
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