Handbook of Erotic Fantasy: Nom de l'amour (Patreon)

Ever since Warlock joined the party, replacing the inexplicably-missing Fighter as the Heroes’ frontliner, there’s been a mysterious presence shadowing the group. It was there, lurking beneath the judges’ table, when the beefy blade-lock came on board. It was there, hiding in the bushes, as Thief thirsted after that smoking hot half-elven man meat. It was even there when Wizard became Fem!Wizard, camouflaged among the diaphanous bed linens, as our feminized archmage enjoyed her first girl-on-girl encounter with Thief. That faint mother of pearl shimmer among the curtains? It was none other than our very-sneaky aasimar, Ninja.

As you may have surmised, Ninja is something of a tagalong for the Heroes party. Attached romantically to Warlock (literally in today’s comic), this stealthy killer-for-hire is exactly the sort of character to drop in and out of the plot. He might adventure with the party in one arc, disappear for months at a time, and then reappear as BBEG’s hired henchman months later. As the proverbial Catwoman to Warlock’s Batman, this on-again-off-again love interest makes for an unusually versatile sort of campaign element.

In my opinion, this is a naturally-occurring character archetype that deserves a little more attention. The Heroes Party has always been a four-man operation, but Ninja is exactly the kind of recurring hanger-on that most groups tend to pick up. They’re distinct from henchmen, cohorts, and companions because they owe you no formal allegiance. There aren’t any feats for “occasionally does you a favor,” but it happens through RP. Same deal with “turns on you in a fit of pique.” Royal viziers, charming merchants, and mercenary types all count here. And even if such a character is willing to mount a defense (or anything else) for your benefit, there’s no guarantee that long-standing association with the party will engender loyalty. 

What does that mean for Thief and the rest of the gang? In the short term, it means that Warlock really ought to remember his companions' names. There’s nothing worse the old, “Hey there… buddy,” between lovers. But in the long term? Well let’s just say that the shameless infidelity of the love springs will not go unanswered! Stay tuned, kids. This is a four-part mini-arc, and there’s gonna be consequences and repercussions!