### **Selvyn Nightshade** – The Merchant of Enigmas --- ![[DALL·E 2025-02-22 15.17.29 - A striking half-elf woman with long, midnight-black hair streaked with silver at the temples. Her piercing violet eyes gleam with intelligence and mis.webp]] #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Selvyn Nightshade - **Race/Species:** Half-Elf - **Class/Profession:** Magus (Laughing Shadow) / Merchant of Arcane Relics - **Alignment/Morality:** Neutral Good (Pragmatic but fair) - **Age:** Mid-30s - **Gender & Pronouns:** Female (She/Her) - **Appearance:** Selvyn stands **tall for a half-elf**, with a **lithe and elegant build**, honed from years of travel and quick escapes from failed deals. Her **midnight-black hair** is streaked with silver at the temples—a **family trait** among the Nightshades that deepens with age or powerful magic use. Her piercing **violet eyes**, often hidden behind enchanted reading glasses, gleam with intelligence and mischief. She wears a **tailored midnight-blue coat** embroidered with golden filigree, layered over a practical leather corset and travel-worn breeches. An assortment of rings, each holding a small enchantment, adorns her fingers. --- #### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Selvyn **thrives on intrigue, the thrill of discovery, and a good trade**. She is both an **intellectual and an opportunist**, possessing a **silver tongue** that has won her both fortunes and enemies. While she enjoys a well-crafted illusion, she is a firm believer that **real power lies in knowledge and leverage**. She has a deep fondness for her family, especially Borion, though she often teases him for his **“idealism”** and warns him not to be blinded by **romanticized heroism**. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Master of Arcane Relics** – Selvyn has an **encyclopedic knowledge of magical artifacts**, how to **procure, appraise, and restore them**. - **Combat-Ready Merchant** – As a **Magus of the Laughing Shadow**, she **blends swordplay and spellcraft**, using **illusion and misdirection** to confound enemies. - **Negotiator Extraordinaire** – Skilled in **diplomacy, deception, and trade**, she can **turn most situations to her advantage**. - **Traveler’s Instincts** – Years of moving through different regions have given her **an uncanny ability to read people and situations quickly**. - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Opportunistic Streak** – While not unethical, she is **always looking for an angle**, which can make her seem untrustworthy. - **Risk-Taker** – She thrives on **high-risk, high-reward trades**, sometimes **pushing too far for a deal** that may not be worth it. - **Not a True Believer** – Unlike Borion, she does not share the **same faith in noble ideals**. She believes magic and power **must be wielded strategically**, not just for heroics. - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - **Refined but playful**, she often speaks with an **amused lilt**, as though every conversation is part of a **larger game**. - **Favorite phrases:** - “Power isn’t about what you hold. It’s about what people think you hold.” - “Borion, dear, you’re too noble for your own good. You do realize we’re Nightshades, not paladins?” - “There’s nothing more valuable than a secret… except maybe the right buyer for it.” --- #### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Selvyn was raised in the **Enigma Emporium**, just like Borion, but **chose a different path** than her cousin. While Borion studied magic with a more traditional sense of purpose, Selvyn turned to the **art of acquisition and negotiation**. She honed her **magical combat skills** not for duels or war, but to **protect her business and uncover the secrets of lost relics**. In her youth, she spent time **trading across Brevoy and the River Kingdoms**, forming relationships with **pirates, aristocrats, and black-market dealers alike**. Her dealings made her **both a valuable contact and a dangerous rival** in the world of magical artifacts. She believes in **staying neutral in politics** but has been forced to take sides before—often when it benefited her interests. - **Current Motivations:** - **Expand the Enigma Emporium’s influence** by securing rare artifacts and buyers in the Stolen Lands. - **Ensure Borion survives** his adventure and **doesn’t get himself killed chasing glory**. - **Investigate Rivermarch’s growing magical anomalies**—not out of duty, but **because power attracts profit and danger alike**. - **Secure Rivermarch’s place as a trade hub**, potentially making it an **artifact exchange center**. - **Connections & Relationships:** - **[[Borion Nightshade]]** – Her **favorite cousin**, whom she sees as **too noble for his own good**. She admires his magic but **worries about his idealism**. - **Nightshade Family** – A powerful but secretive lineage of illusionists and enchanters, **focused on preserving their magical legacy** through the Enigma Emporium. - **Various Smugglers & Traders** – Selvyn has **contacts in the artifact trade**, some respectable, some less so. - **Brevoy’s Noble Houses** – She has **sold magical items to several noble families**, though she remains independent. - **Potential Rival: An Unknown Collector** – A shadowy figure who has **sabotaged some of her past deals**. She suspects them to be part of a larger organization. - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **Enigma Emporium (Family Business)** – She is **a key figure in its trade operations**, constantly seeking **new artifacts and buyers**. - **The Laughing Shadow (Arcane Tradition)** – While she follows its **philosophy of illusion and wit**, she believes in using its magic **for practical gain, not just joy**. - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **The Mirage Fang** – A **dueling rapier** that can phase between **solid steel and pure illusion**, making her attacks unpredictable. - **Ring of Subtle Whispers** – Enhances her **deception and persuasion**, and lets her **eavesdrop on nearby conversations**. - **Traveler’s Satchel** – Enchanted to **store small artifacts and scrolls** without adding weight. --- #### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The **balance between pragmatism and nobility**—she **wants to help Borion but doesn’t share his romanticized view of magic**. - **Power through knowledge**—she believes in **gathering secrets, artifacts, and influence**, rather than brute force. - **An opportunist with a heart**—she isn’t cruel, but she **won’t shy away from making a profit if she sees an opening**. - **Player/GM Notes:** - Selvyn is a **cunning and resourceful ally**, but she will always look for an **angle** in any situation. - Her **loyalty to Borion is strong**, but she **will challenge his choices** if she sees them as naive. - She has **knowledge of magical artifacts** that could be **invaluable to Rivermarch’s future**—but only if she decides it’s worth the risk. --- ### **Final Thoughts** Selvyn Nightshade is a **half-elf merchant, magus, and artifact hunter** whose expertise in magical relics makes her a **key figure in the world of enchanted goods**. She is Borion’s **cousin and closest family ally**, though she **worries he is too idealistic for his own good**. While she operates in the **gray areas of trade and power**, her core loyalty to family keeps her from being **entirely self-serving**. Whether she becomes Rivermarch’s greatest **ally, informant, or an unpredictable force** remains to be seen.