Mazrian NPCs

Factotum

Factotums are imperial bureaucrats, often mild-mannered and ill-at-ease at being stationed in Tel-Kanan and surrounded by potential insurgents. By coincidence or by some sort of selective pressure, most factotums have heads of ibises, ducks, herons, or other waterbirds. 

Lore. Factotums tend to be fans of modern Civilization and are quite willing to share what they know.

Follower

Followers are what Mazrians call the crew of a skyreme. Unlike their more mercenary counterparts from Tel-Kanan, Mazrian skysailors “follow” a single skyreme on its journeys and come to learn all of the vessel's intricacies. If a follower is separated from their vessel, they are said to be “lost.”  

Lore. Followers know all about Skyremes, and might share this knowledge with a hero who shows earnest appreciation for the unique qualities of their vessel.

Hand

The Hands of the Empress are Mazr’s special forces. They’re sent on dangerous predawn raids and sabotage missions where their mobility lets them easily slip away into the air above or clouds below. 

Tactics. Hands almost always fight in pairs, preferably in darkness. They stay Untethered and hover silently above their prey like spiders. Being on high also grants them maneuver advantage for their ranged dark magic attacks. 

Lore. Hands of the Empress are experts in Tactics, The Hand and The Panoply, but are unlikely to share this knowledge with anyone who doesn't serve the Empire's interests.

Panjandrum

A panjandrum is an imperial authority figure stationed on Kananite islands. Ostensibly, islands are ruled by Kananite governors, but everyone knows the local imperial panjandrum is calling the shots. Panjandrums almost universally reviled by locals, including the Kananite soldiers they often pay handsomely to work as bodyguards.

Lore. Panjandrums know enough about Politics to become panjandrums, but they aren't too keen to share this knowledge—even with fellow Mazrians—for fear of getting out-politicked. 

Plenipotentiary

Plenipotentiaries are high-ranking Mazrian politicians tasked with representing the empire’s authority in Tel-Kanan. There are, or were, three known plenipotentiaries—one for the outer islands, one for the inner, and one for Ushu, the largest Kananite island right beneath the capital (where Mazrians ostensibly are not allowed). Each plenipotentiary travels with a retinue of a dozen factotums and four sentinels aboard massive, luxurious, tax-collecting skyremes. 

Lore. A plenipotentiary understands that knowledge is power, and so knows much about many things. They're likely willing to extol the virtues of Civilization to anyone willing to listen. They're less likely to share their knowledge of Politics and Trade. Some plenipotentiaries are rumored to be secret followers of the Solar Circle cult.

Sentinel

Sentinels are the elite soldiers and guardians of the Mazrian Empire. Encased in silver-and-bronze plate armor, sentinels often have the heads of jackals and are recognizable by their sleek, form-fitting helmets. 

Sentinels accompany plenipotentiaries and other high-ranking imperial functionaries. Rarely, a well-connected panjandrum might be guarded by a single sentinel. 

Tactics. Most sentinels carry Kotharian staffs, which gives them a great deal of firepower at range. After discharging the staff, they'll quickly draw their sword and shield and engage in melee. Sentinels are clever, expertly-trained fighters and won't hesitate to outflank foes who seem a little slow.

Lore. Sentinels are loathe to share their secret training with anyone, particularly non-Mazrians. If united against a common cause that threatens the Empire, a sentinel might teach a hero about Tactics, The Panoply, The Shield, or The Sword.