![[DALL·E 2025-03-11 10.29.58 - A realistic, detailed portrait of Grev, a Ysoki (ratfolk) tavernkeeper. He stands behind a sturdy wooden bar in a dimly lit tavern, surrounded by shel.webp]] ### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Grev - **Race/Species:** Ysoki (Ratfolk) - **Class/Profession:** Tavernkeeper, Underworld Broker - **Alignment/Morality:** True Neutral (Leans pragmatic) - **Age:** Mid-40s (by Ysoki standards) - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (He/Him) - **Appearance:** A wiry Ysoki with greying fur at the edges of his muzzle and ears. His left ear has a noticeable notch, a remnant of past disputes. Wears well-tailored, dark-toned clothes that always seem just a little too clean for someone running a tavern. His sharp black eyes miss little, and his dexterous fingers are always busy—cleaning a glass, flipping a coin, or tapping absently against the bar. --- ### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Grev is a calculated man, one who understands the flow of people, power, and information better than most. He speaks in measured tones, rarely raising his voice unless he intends to make a point. While he presents himself as an unassuming tavernkeeper, the **Broken Anvil** is more than just a business—it’s a web, and Grev is at its center, pulling threads with quiet expertise. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Information Broker:** Keeps an ear to the ground and is always aware of shifting allegiances, upcoming deals, and new arrivals. - **Silver Tongue:** Can talk his way out of (or into) nearly anything. - **Underworld Ties:** While he denies any direct involvement, he has contacts within [[The Undercroft Vigil]] and beyond. - **Poison & Alchemy Knowledge:** Knows his way around subtle mixtures—both for pleasure and for pain. - **Sharp Reflexes:** Years of tavern brawls have made him quick on his feet and quicker with a knife if needed. - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Pragmatist to a Fault:** Grev doesn’t make decisions based on sentiment—only survival and opportunity. He will sell out someone he _likes_ if the price is high enough. - **Distrustful:** While he knows a lot, he reveals little. Even his closest associates never know the full extent of his plans. - **Too Many Favors Owed:** His long history in Rivermarch’s underbelly means plenty of people want his help—and plenty more want payback. - **Doesn’t Take to Authority:** He respects power, but he doesn’t bow to it unless absolutely necessary. - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - **Voice:** Smooth, low, and deliberate. He rarely speaks more than necessary. - **Phrases:** - “Timing is everything. Good deals, bad deals—it all comes down to timing.” - “A drink and a little patience will tell you more than a blade ever could.” - “I don’t deal in favors. I deal in exchanges.” - **Body Language:** Always in control of his movements—calm, never hurried. Even when cornered, he acts as if he’s the one doing the trapping. --- ### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** No one is entirely sure where Grev came from before he established himself in **Rivermarch**, and that’s how he likes it. What’s known is that he arrived with coin, a keen mind, and the ability to set up **The Broken Anvil** in record time. Some say he has a past in **Mivon**, others whisper about a fallout with **Pitax**, and some claim he’s simply been here longer than most realize. - **Current Motivations:** - Maintaining his **neutrality** while still holding influence. - Keeping [[The Undercroft Vigil]] in check—while also benefiting from their existence. - Expanding his network, particularly outside of Rivermarch. - Ensuring that Tybalt, Valerius Crowne, and anyone else stirring the pot **don’t burn his establishment down in the process**. - **Connections & Relationships:** - **[[Tybalt Rattigan]]** – A complicated relationship. Grev respects him but keeps his distance, knowing Tybalt asks too many questions. - **[[Valerius Crowne]]** – An old acquaintance, though whether that’s good or bad depends on the day. - **[[Fizzle]] & [[Nib]]** – Ysoki masseuses and informants. Loyal to Grev first, Rivermarch second. - **[[The Undercroft Vigil]]** – He won’t admit to any dealings with them, but there’s an understanding. - **[[Rynara Rattigan]]** – He sees too much of himself in her, which is precisely why he doesn’t trust her. - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **The Broken Anvil** – His personal domain. Nothing happens here without his knowledge. - **The Warrens** – Has dealings below the surface but keeps them limited to business. - **Mivon & Pitax** – Past affiliations, though whether they still hold weight is unclear. - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - A **small silver token** always kept in his pocket, worn smooth from years of handling. - A **custom poison ring**, used more for theatrics than practicality. - A **ledger** hidden somewhere in the Anvil, detailing debts, trades, and whispered names. --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - **"Knowledge is Power, But Power is Dangerous"** – Grev thrives in knowing more than anyone else, but that also makes him a target. - **"Nothing is Free"** – Everything he does comes at a cost, whether immediate or delayed. - **"Shadows Watch the Light"** – He keeps his distance from open conflict, preferring to be the one setting the terms. - **Player/GM Notes:** - Grev is not an open antagonist but a **wildcard**—he can be an ally, an informant, or a dangerous obstacle, depending on how he is approached. - He values **stability over chaos**—if a situation threatens to throw Rivermarch into unnecessary conflict, he’ll take steps to prevent it, even if that means removing certain pieces from the board.