October Character Q&A (Patreon)

Sorry, folks, I just realized that I have forgotten to post the answers to the October character questions.

We had two questions, one for the Dracomage and one for Beddigan.

One reader asked the Dracomage:

"The level of the Delve you live on doesn't seem to be all that populated; where do you acquire your servants from, and how do they come to being in your service?"

DM:

I’ve always had a talent for finding new servants… something of an innate skill, really. I was only six years old when I summoned my first monsters. Another child had stolen my favorite marble and then proceeded to taunt me mercilessly, holding it just out of my reach as I attempted in vain to jump high enough to snatch back my beloved glass orb from his grubby fingers. Overwhelmed with powerless frustration, I cried out for help, and, to everyone’s surprise, it arrived in a puff of sulfurous smoke. I can assure you that the lad lost all interest in maintaining his grip upon my toy the moment that a half dozen fel lemurs began gnawing at his ankles.

Over the years, I learned to develop my strange new talent, summoning ever more potent minions to do my bidding. It was only after a particularly unpleasant misunderstanding involving a young lady of my acquaintance, a trio of boys who had been tormenting her, and a pack of summoned zerklings, that I was… encouraged to leave my humble village.

In time, I discovered my true calling as a leader of many races, a sort of father figure, if you will, to the myriad cultures that call my Delve their homes. They are drawn, perhaps, by their love of my benevolent and welcoming demeanor, and instilled with loyalty for me by my sensitive, yet stern, bearing and charismatic air.

I also employ a rather efficient staffing service and a number of headhunters who scour the surrounding planes of existence for the most qualified recruits… and severed heads as well… I mean, I was a little hazy on the meaning of the term “headhunter” when I was starting out, and I took it perhaps a little too literally in my initial recruitment phase. Still… once we sorted it all out, they took on their new duties with great enthusiasm. I tell you, those guys really know how to fill those empty chairs… as well as how to decorate the skull-pikes on the chasm bridge between the eastern and western halves of Level 23.

Speaking of which, we’re still trying to fill a recently-vacated position for a receptionist, in case you know of anyone. She needs to be proficient with all modern spell-matrix processors, certified as at least a level two tormentor, and know how to make Powerpoint slides. Right now, I’m just reusing that same slide of the optimistic-looking guy in the suit, looking toward the future, over and over again, and attentions are starting to drift at the Friday post-mortems.

Anyway, pass the word to anyone you think might be interested. We do have a pretty good dental plan, and a whole crate of live rodents that the last receptionist left behind in the break room, you know, in case that sweetens the pot.

Of Beddigan, a reader asked:

“How is (after)life as a Disembodied Ghost going so far? Also, how likely would you think are the chances for a Haunted House party in the near future?”

Beddigan:

What? Oh, ah, I suppose things are going well enough… I think.

It’s all very hard to remember now…

sometimes I feel as though the memory of who I used to be is right there… just

out of my reach. I can almost grasp it, pull it back to me, and I will remember… be myself again… whomever I was before… I can’t recall now. It’s like a dream, but I don’t know if I am trying to remember the dream, or if I am still in it, struggling to awake.

What were we discussing?

Oh, a party… that would be nice.

Charlotte has promised to introduce me to the other ghosts. She says they are all quite anxious to meet me, but I’m afraid… What if they ask me where I am from? I can’t quite recall now. It’s all gone fuzzy. I remember talking to someone… someone important… Others, like me, but… They’re laughing… happy… but now they are frightened… something’s wrong! Why can’t I remember?

It’s all slipping away again, into the void… no… it isn’t a void… it’s a place… a thing that has taken these memories from me… I can feel them there… I know where they are now… and I’m going to get them back.

If you will excuse me, I think I have somewhere to be.