SeVe Nesk
A war veteran soured on the machinations of Kings and Lords, Severia Nesk hired on as a Caravan Guard captain in Mythrite at a time when she had grown tired of following orders that seemed to benefit only those who already had more than their share. She sees protecting the Miners and, by extension, the town, as the more worthwhile part of her job; the fact that most of the money goes to the mine owners is something she dislikes but accepts, for now.
She takes her work seriously but has an approachable, humane way of dealing with her subordinates, the miners, and the townsfolk. Severia is known for taking on extra work, taking over command of trips to the mine for other captains who need a day off for personal reasons. When the caravans are attacked--a less common occurrence, these days, though when they come they tend to be larger and better-planned than before--she manages to be where the fighting is thickest, favoring spears or long knives depending upon how close the quarters are. She inspires great loyalty and even love among those who serve with her.
When Severia is not working, much of her time is spent in activities that some would see as being at odds with her duties. In her first week at Mythrite she ordered the guard to spare a small group of mountain orc women and children who were crossing the caravan route to gather water. Fluent in Orcish, she warned the women that she could not guarantee their safety in the future, and encouraged them to find another watering spot. Some of the guard questioned this decision, and she was reprimanded by her superiors at the mining company, but soon it was forgotten. Subsequently, however, Severia was visited at her home in Eronia by a mountain orc priestess of the Mountain Mother, said to be an earlier manifestation of the female divine predating the Cave Mother Luthic, as well as Gruumsh himself.
Severia found a kindred spirit and a common cause in the priestess Ligish, and since that first meeting the two of them have worked clandestinely towards the goal of peace between the people of Mythrite and the humanoids of the mountains. This is delicate work on a myriad of levels: centuries of bad blood and mistrust between the various species, the political ascendance of the priesthoods of Gruumsh among the orcs and Hruggek among the bugbears, the financial interests of the mining company and, beyond that, of the Lords' Alliance. Severia does not see a contradiction in seeking peace and even community with those whom many of the townsfolk consider monsters, but she knows that her efforts must remain hidden for now. To that end, she has assembled a household skilled in subterfuge and spycraft: her butler, Wingar Blandstone, is a veteran of mercantile espionage among the textile Merchants of Baldur's Gate; her adopted ward Yeardley Flick lived secretly in the halls of Candlekeep for seven years, stealing her own education from its precious tomes until forced to escape to the wilds of the Sword Coast; her valet, a half-elf, one-quarter orc known as Keen Hilda, has a taboo private life that intersects with more than a handful of prominent upper-class citizens.
These three help Severia carefully seek out allies in the cause of peace, as well as identifying obstacles in the community. As much of this work is done openly as secretly, as Severia hosts frequent dinner parties for middle-class merchants, mine supervisors, and others of her class, with a sprinkling of citizens from the higher and lower echelons. Severia knows that this is a long game, and a risky one--she has more than one exit plan should things go badly for her or for Ligish. Because there is one secret that is known only to Severia and her household; she and Ligish are not just allies, but also lovers.
- David J. Schwartz
Wealth & Financial state
Middle-class
Comments