Arjo B: The Haunted Veteran of the Venators

Arjo B is a fixture at the Sunken, the venerable tavern and headquarters of the Venators. To the casual observer, he is just another lonely drunk, always seated in his usual spot by the fire, staring into the flames with a drink in hand. His appearance is unremarkable; a man in his fifties with a weathered face marked by lines of grief and years of hard living. His eyes, once bright with the spirit of adventure, now hold a distant, haunted look that speaks of sorrow and loss.
A Storied Past
In his youth, Arjo was a celebrated adventurer and a member of the Venators. His exploits took him to the farthest reaches of the empire, where he faced down fearsome creatures and uncovered ancient secrets. Known for his bravery and skill, Arjo's name was spoken with respect among his peers. However, about a decade ago, a series of personal tragedies struck him, altering the course of his life forever.
The Threefold Misfortune
Arjo's descent into despair began with the loss of his three-year-old son to an unknown disease. The grief was a heavy burden, but he tried to move forward, throwing himself into his work with the Venators. His next mission took him to Bariatok, where he and his party faced a formidable foe: fire elementals. The battle was fierce, and though Arjo survived, his companions did not. He returned home, scarred and weary, seeking solace in the arms of his wife, only to find his home empty. During his absence, his wife had succumbed to the same disease that had claimed their son, a malady now identified as Dew Tick Disease, contracted from the dangerous ticks native to the Kargathian Wetlands and Bariatok.
The possibility that he might have brought the ticks home from his adventures, or that his wife might have contracted them during her own travels, gnaws at him endlessly. The guilt over his companions' deaths, fearing he might have brought doom upon them, compounds his torment. These heavy burdens have transformed Arjo from a vibrant adventurer into the somber figure that now haunts the Sunken.
Life at the Sunken
Despite his inner turmoil, Arjo maintains a façade of cheerfulness and camaraderie. He is known as the fun and helpful local drunk, always ready with a hearty laugh or a bit of advice for younger Venators. His extensive knowledge of the Kargathian Wetlands and Bariatok makes him an invaluable resource for those planning expeditions into these treacherous regions. He often shares his wisdom with those willing to listen, though few understand the depth of the darkness he carries within.
Arjo's typical day involves arriving at the Sunken early, taking his seat by the fire, and nursing his liquor while he loses himself in the flickering flames. Regular patrons greet him warmly, and he responds with good-natured banter, but there are moments when his gaze grows distant, and the weight of his memories pulls him into silence.
The Man Behind the Mask
To those who take the time to look beyond his outward demeanor, Arjo B is a man of profound depth and tragedy. The jovial mask he wears at the Sunken conceals a soul burdened by sorrow and regret. He is haunted by the ghosts of his past—the lost family, the fallen comrades, and the lingering question of his own culpability.
Despite his preference for solitude and alcohol, Arjo remains a Venator at heart. He quietly ensures that those venturing into the dangers he once braved are better prepared, sharing his hard-earned knowledge to help prevent the kind of losses he has endured. In this way, Arjo continues to serve the Venators, finding a measure of redemption in aiding others, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own painful history.
In the flickering firelight of the Sunken, Arjo B sits as a living testament to the cost of adventure and the indomitable resilience of the human spirit. His story is one of loss and survival, of bearing the unbearable and finding a way to carry on, even when the weight of the past seems too great to bear.