Blackjack Mel is a lieutenant of the
Queen's Men. He conducts business and plays card games in the backrooms of the
Skull and Sword Taphouse.
How 'bout a round of cards? For a little coin, of course.— Blackjack Mel
Description
Blackjack Mel is a rotund man with an impressive mustache, an always-lit imported cigar, and is arguably the best dressed person in
Emberwood Village.
Personality
When meeting potential clients, he projects an air of friendliness; it is unclear if he is being truly genuine or attempting to disarm them with pleasant conversation. Blackjack Mel is a skilled negotiator and provides no more information than is necessary.
Relationships
Family
His cousin, Mike Conley, owned the
Black Ivory Inn before he was killed in the Cataclysm.
The Queen's Men
He does not openly align himself with any of the subfactions, which causes some members, like
Jorvan Silvershade, to harbor suspicions about the lieutenant.
Allies
He is friendly with
Cuff, who usually joins card games with the high-ranking Queen's Men and screens Blackjack Mel's guests before allowing them into the backrooms.
Enemies
When Vikari was still a Queen's Man, he and Blackjack Mel had a falling-out that quickly turned violent. Vikari tried to murder Blackjack Mel, but he learned about it and had all of Vikari's co-conspirators killed.
History
After
Kapital aided
Jorvan Silvershade with saving his friend from the "Keepers of Northcastle," the Queen's Man facilitated a meeting between the group and
Blackjack Mel.
After appraising the group and learning about their priorities, Blackjack Mel proposed a quest to infiltrate the Hanging Tree Tavern, rescue a prisoner, and kill the leader of the bandits,
Doma Erascovar.
Although he was disappointed that the
Silver Order knight was taken to
Camp Dawn instead of to him, when the group gave him the
scroll of contaminated power, Blackjack Mel paid them generously and suggested they give it as tribute to the
Queen of Thieves.
He personally recommended the group to the Queen, even setting up a meeting with her, after they secured
Oscar Yoren's exclusive potion shipments for the Queen's Men.
Later, when many factions were vying for Kapital's support in retrieving the
dowsing rod, Blackjack Mel strongly urged them to accept the Queen's deal, as she could persuade the Ironhelm Dwarves not to siege the recently cleared-out
Von Drakken Estate.
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