Alwin ohd Monime

**Alwin ohd Monime** (until 134WD known as Alwin tlo Hambert) is a half-elf bard, currently employed by Curious Couatls Caravans in Rydoon, after previously working for that organisation in Atralran and Whittengrove, and, more recently, as the founder and main representative of the trading post at Amberrun.

## Personality

As a merchant, Alwin is dedicated to his trade, with a quick mind that thrives when faced with logical questions, while being open for the consideration of a multitude of possibilities. Nonetheless, Alwin maintains consistent habits like his businesslike mannerisms or a preference for Atral cuisine, particularly cheese. He is cautious in forming connections to other people, although the Cleric Euora has recently caused him to open up to her.

(Details here)

## Specific Characteristics

### Physical Appearance

* **Eye Colour:** Blue-Brown
* **Hair Colour:** Dark Brown
* **Build:** Lean to Average
* **Distinguishing Features:** Regular humanoid, Elvish influence barely noticeable; well-groomed circle beard
* **Preferred Outfit:** Professional wardrobe, with some decorations within the extent of the mercantile class, intentionally avoiding aristocratic connotations; a compromise between business standard formality and comfort for travelling
* **Accessories:** Those associated with his affiliations - a Curious Coinpurse hanging from his belt, a Warmheart Pendant and Pendant of the Gildhearth Throne worn around his neck, and a Jade Pass Holder’s pin, well-visible for conductors on his lapel, next to his Tag of the Tepid Traveller
* **Level of Grooming:** Decent, meeting standards of the mercantile class, but occasionally reduced for comfort.
* **Mannerisms:** Generally formal, even among long-term acquaintances, often reserved and only responsive after delay
* **Walking Style:** Initially cautious, but undeterred once knowing his destination

### Speech and Communication

* **Talk Speed:** Sometimes hesitant, sometimes rambling with increasing speed
* **Style of Speech:** Professional
* **Accent:** Atral with Elvish influence (IG) Continental Learner’s RP (IRL)
* **Posture:** Formal enough, but relaxed if in thought
* **Do they Gesture?:** Mostly when rambling
* **How much eye contact that they like to make?:** As little as possible
* **Preferred Curse Word:** Do “unpleasant” and “detrimental” count?
* **Personal Motto:** "Everything we see is a perspective, not truth”
* **Distinguishing Speech “tics”:** Occasional mispronunciation of words with Elvish cognates
* **What's their laugh like?:** Chuckling and mildly amused, sometimes persistent
* **Describe their Smile:** Wry
* **How emotive are they?:** Not very, sometimes entirely blank in his expression

## Abilities and Equipment

### Powers

During his training with Curious Couatls Caravans, Alwin has learned not only the mundane craft of trading and accounting, but has also be equipped with some extent of spellcasting and other adventuring skills that may become useful for his long travels, be they undertaken for purposes of business or expedition.

* **Bardic Inspiration:** The best plans of business are of no use if one cannot make others act upon them. Therefore, Alwin is trained in motivating his companions to achieve the tasks they set out to do. Where other bards inspire through music, Alwin simply calls out his thought of how to proceed and thereby brings others to succeed.
* **Blood Money:** A signature move in combat for Alwin is the throwing of coins imbued by arcane force that at times deal more damage than a heavy weapon would, be it through his magic skill, his precision, or both. A coin disposed of to protect one's fellow combatants is certainly a coin well spent, and in additon can be listed as business expenses in tax declarations.
* **Spellcasting:**
	+ Message: Communication is key in many situations, and thus Alwin has learned an arcane means for that, as well, in addition to regular speech (for which he speaks at least five languages - more, if one counts the variants of Primordial as more than mere dialects).
	+ Detect Magic: Before making decisions, it is important to gather all the information available. When a problem seems to have arcane roots, Alwin will quickly check whether that assumption is true and try to discern more about the kind of magic at play.
	+ Dissonant Whispers: Not only their active hostility is what plagues Alwin about the foes encountered on his adventures, but also their uncivilised lack of understanding for accounting. He has learned to use that for his advantage, however, confusing them with to them strange concepts represented in accounting records as they resound in their minds. The weaker-willed among Alwin's opponents even are caused by this spell to flee from him.
	+ Healing Word: Not only after meeting Euora, but particularly since he has worked for the Matron House with her, Alwin has dedicated himself to ensuring the health of his allies and of victims of cruelty, being able to raise their spirits and heal their wounds with his voice alone.
	+ Lesser Restoration: Often lasting damages are incurred on adentures, and where such afflict the body and mind, Alwin knows how to remove such impediments.
	+ See Invisibility: Incomplete information makes for inefficient decisions, and thus Alwin requires a means to discover even that which is hidden from him. This spell has been of particular help when fighting the devil Witherwrit.
	+ Mirror Image: Unlike more martially-minded adventurers, Alwin is not all too difficult to hit with a targeted attack. Thus, it is quite helpful to him to offer alternative targets to opponents, sparing his own body.
	+ Glyph of Warding: Mostly used by Alwin to protect his luggage on Galerider journeys he embarks on alone, storing a *Message* to wake him from his sleep if any of his possessions are touched, this spell could theoretically have more devastating uses, as well, which are yet to be tried.
	+ Hypnotic Pattern: Even more so than hearing accounting records recounted in their ears, foes can be confused by the sight of ledgers and financial abbreviations inescapably appearing in front of their very eyes.
	+ Dimension Door: While the surrounding conditions of his life changed after the Attack on the Isle of Midalios and his subsequent relocation back to Rydoon, Alwin's study of spellcasting did not cease and so he came to learn a means of arcane teleportation, which greatly came to aid him in rescuing Clio at Sandoval Ravine.

### Items

* **Rapier:** For purposes of self-defence on his journeys, Alwin possesses a rapier he wields with some skill in close combat should damaging spells prove too valuable to spend on an enemy.
* **Clockwork Amulet:** One of Alwin's most useful possessions is an amulet he once bought at a market in Rydoon. Sometimes, it is most efficient to make a solid attempt at something, rather than risking a perhaps only slightly higher outcome, and thus Alwin often places coins upon this reliable amulet, if he is certain an average trajectory would find purchase in an opponent.
* **Apiarist's Swathe:** Given to Alwin by the druid Ydina, this bandage awaits to be used in an hour of need.
* **Seeker's Compass:** Found in the Sahuagin Temple of Torrent's Bait, this useful item allows for the location of objects otherwise difficult to trace except by arcane means.
* **Pendant of the Gildhearth Throne:** Awarded to him by King Gilbert X Goldlor for his service to Atralran, this medal reminds Alwin of the Seven Virtues of Chivalry and helps him achieve them.
* **Curious Coinpurse:** As a Copperquill of Curious Couatls Caravans, Alwin carries a Curious Coinpurse, in which he keeps his monetary possessions. In addition to is impressive capacity, it is also capable of producing beautiful effects.
* **Warmheart Pendant:** Alwin wears this wooden pendant given to him by the Matron House below his shirt, reminding him of the compassion he can extend towards his companions, and every time he heals an ally with its powers, it noticeably warms his heart.
* **Azurite Pass/Jade Pass:** Being a frequent traveller in the Galerider Rail, his status as Azurite and Jade Pass Holder is of great use to Alwin, and he greatly enjoys the refreshments served to him on his journeys, usually choosing a cheese-based dish in the style of his destination of travel.
* **Tag of the Tepid Traveller:** Useful for his occasional travellers to the lands of the Radiant Triumvirate, Alwin has been provided by that government an appliances that makes the weather there, previously excruciating to the Atral man, somewhat more bearable.
* **Strongbox of Summoning:** After his efforts within Curious Couatls Caravans were recognised with promotion to Silvervane, Alwin was gifted a fine and curious box that could change size - allowing it to be carried in his breast pocket - as well as conjure items as requested after payment is placed therein. The first item thus procured was - by accident - a glass of date ice cream for Clio ohd Monime.
* **Stamp of Clamant Correspondence:** With the granting of Jade status by the Galeriders, Alwin was provided with an arcane means of communications, which he has already used for the sending of letters relating to the quest for Ulding's Keep (right back to the Galerider station at Khonoldhur), for some among the invitations to his wedding to Clio ohd Monime, and later to arrange the effort to rescue her from Sandoval Ravine with Faustus Howell.

## Relationships

### Family

#### Father

* **Name:** Bertram Hambert
* **Race:** Human
* **Age:** 55
* **Occupation:** Carpenter
* **History with Alwin:** Although he himself has always been content with a simple life - all the more has Alwin always been astonished by his decision to marry his Elvish mother - Bertram encouraged his son to see more of the world than he had. While feigning incomprehension and disregard for such high ambitions, he is secretly proud of his son's career.

#### Mother

* **Name:** Elyen Imielien
* **Race:** Wood Elf
* **Age:** 184
* **Occupation:** Herbalist
* **History with Alwin:** Depite being of both his parents' races, to Alwin his mother's nature was always the stranger one, but all the same he continues to admire her wisdom and gentleness that distinguishes her most. She often took her young son to be with the Elves of the Greensong and although Alwin turned to another kind of exploration abroad, she still hopes to have given him all she deems necessary onto his way.

### Friends and Acquaintances

Forming relationships with strangers is not to be counted among Alwin's strengths, and thus he may be unsure of whether a connection can already be referred to as a friendship. Nonetheless, over the past months, he has had many interactions on a personal and professional level.

* **Ashewan Norvegicus:** Much like Alwin, the ratfolk Ashewan seems to mostly only open up to those that would prompt him, and thus, Alwin has so far for the greatest part only seen the warlock's deeds, which fill him with mystery, but also recognition of competence.
* **Clio ohd Monime:** During his business travels in celebration of Writ's End, Alwin became acquainted with an accountant from Rydoon, with whom he conversed about financial service documentation. Despite the favourable conversation, Alwin was slightly surprised that she quickly decided to join him in settling in Amberrun. Over time, Alwin has come to value Clio as good company, and sometimes may even prefer spending time with her to being alone. After an occurrence almost too adventurous, from which Alwin had to rescue her, he married her in a Gold Suite of the Galerider Rail on the stretch between Khonoldhur and Hob's Fall.
* **Elinor:** As a fellow Atral citizen and possessing a similar skillset to him, Alwin quite easily related to the young woman, and though their connection has not been very personal, either, he certainly would consider Elinor quite likeable.
* **Euora:** The most intensive and also the most confusing connection so far, Alwin has had with the cleric Euora, whose compassion he admires and to whom he is strangely drawn. While the concept of romance has always been foreign to him, Alwin cannot but wonder whether towards Euora, his feelings have not only reached, but exceeded friendship.
* **Faustus Howell:** The scion of the infamous Howell Family is to Alwin's great surprise of a completely different disposition than his father, and thus Alwin has been able to amicably cooperate with him well. While always having had respect for him, Alwin is now even more thankful to Faustus for selflessly aiding him in the rescue of Clio.
* **Jona Baldeci:** To his colleague from Curious Couatls Caravans Alwin maintains a professional but cordial relationship. The two merchants work together very well and are always ready to assist each other.
* **Kendrij:** The two men in service of Curious Couatls Caravans are simultaneously extremely similar in their skills and tasks, and utterly different in demeanour. Nonetheless, Alwin gladly supports his colleague.
* **Moxzi Bluhedd:** While certainly appreciative of her efforts and achievements in their shared adventures, the goblin sorcerer outright confuses Alwin, and that in an entirely different way than Euora does. While initially doubtful about her contribution to the rescue of Clio, Alwin gladly relied on her sheer destructive power to disperse the bandits at Sandoval Ravine.
* **Ódóvir Jotunsson:** The Asgardian paladin possesses a drive and decisiveness Alwin does not, and even though Alwin may need some convincing to follow his lead, he looks up to Ódóvir as a great and trustworthy leader. All the more, Alwin was honoured to have Ódóvir officiate his wedding to Clio, despite liturgical idiosyncracies of the faith of the One-Eyed Crow.
* **Rinn Zelnolar:** A more recent arrival to Amberrun, the cleric has cooperated well with Alwin on their shared adventure. Their friendship grew when at the Stalrose Vineyard, they both became inebriated with Amberian Dawn and had an enjoyable conversation.
* **Roderick Reman:** As a more conventional leader than Ódóvir, Alwin respects the Atral knight as a reasonable authority figure, and even after his retirement sees him as a welcome addition to the community of Amberrun.
* **Ronagur Spiterender:** Not being a man of prejudice, Alwin has welcomed the Orc assistant into his office in Amberrun and sees him as a trusted colleague. After Alwin's relocation to Rydoon, he recommeneded Ronagur to the management of Curious Couatls Caravans, who promoted him to the rank of Copperquill and left him in charge of the trading post at Amberrun.
* **Rover Custard Augustine:** Known to Alwin from his Rydooni times, Rover is Alwin's closest business partner, and while Rover's aristocratic excentricities may be foreign to him, Alwin sees him as a good friend and partner in many varied adventures.

## Backstory

Alwin was born in the town of Ualune in southeastern Atralan, into a family that before had brought forth skilled craftsmen like Alwin’s father Bertram, a carpenter. Alwin’s mother Elyen had come into town from a Wood Elf settlement in the Greater Greensong, and thus, when he left the town during his childhood, often wandered the woods in solitude. Thus he found peace, but from the beginning, he knew that his everyday life had to be different - more urban.

In his father’s carpentry, with his hands on the material, he proved modest, but when it came to keeping the books of his father’s sales, Alwin was diligent, even developing some shrewdness. And when the decision had to be made where he would be apprenticed, it was only fitting that around that time, a merchant of Curious Couatls Caravans passed through from Chalimar to Oxresh, picking up some of his father’s work. The exotic sight of the caravans had always excited Alwin, and when that particular trader was in need of a helping hand, Bertram knew that sending his son along was the right decision.

Over the next years, Alwin travelled the various realms of Ahlus on the Caravans, and on ships and Galeriders, as well, learning the best practice of trading, negotiating, and investment. He passed through bustling cities, through peaceful nature, and from the variety of masters to teach him, some even taught him glimpses into the Arcane, with bardic magic seeming a fine supplement to a well-rounded merchant.

Years passed, and over time, Alwin came to desire to settle down - and as opposed to many, or so he perceived, desire for marriage was not a part of that decision, but simply the wish to deepen his experience of a place, rather than getting to know a multitude only superficially. An opportunity presented itself in Rydoon, where Curious Couatls Caravans had a position to fill in their guildhall there, to coordinate the trade routes to and from the lands of the Hollow Concord.

For the past three years, Alwin has lived in a comfortable dwelling in the Clayrose district of Rydoon, enjoying a lifestyle better than his childhood’s, but nonetheless shrewdly optimising his expenses like he is wont to do for the Caravans, as well. He negotiated many a contract for import and export, often coming in contact with the buyers and sellers of each product, and accumulating many miles travelled as a frequent passenger on the Rail line between Rydoon, Chalimar, and Whittengrove. When calamity hit the latter, the Caravans sent Alwin to oversee the reconstruction effort and soon he once more climbed onto the next Galerider leaving Rydoon.

Right after arriving in Whittengrove, even before arriving at the guildhall of Curious Couatls Caravans, Alwin was already entangled in the adventures to be found in Whittengrove following the destruction.

## Recent Events

### 131 WD, Ardor-Amberlight

After arriving in Whittengrove in the Amberlight of 131 WD, Alwin was involved in the investigation into disapearances in the wake of the tidal wave that had struck the City, uncovering and helping to vanquish a sea tangler that had washed up at the Three Brothers Warehouse. During this venture, alongside other companions to whom he would grow close in the following months, Alwin first met Euora, a young Cleric that caught his curiosity and with whom he spent some more time as they both worked to help Whittengrove in different ways.

### 131 WD, Loghelt-Amberlight

Soon after, Alwin took to the familiar tracks of the Great Conduit, as he helped the Galeriders in dealing with rail raiders. On that venture, he encountered further companions that shared his objective, among them Rover Custard Augustine and Faustus Howell, with whom, despite the rather chaotic impression he received from them on that journey, he would later come to cooperate to a great extent. The party assembled defeated the Halterslate Raiders, before Alwin could return to Whittengrove to aid in its reconstruction. Thereafter, he perused the tome "Emperors of Ivory", which provided an interesting lesson in political history.

### 132 WD, Gantul-Whiterose

After the turn of the year, in the middle of Whiterose, Alwin travelled to Viridell with another party of adventurers, with the objective of procuring medicinal honey in the Faeflame Forest, after having promised such import to Euora. At the Smokepot tavern, where he reunited with his once (and hopefully future) business partner Kendrij, Alwin aided in resolving a mystery relating to the Celestial nature of one Orlene, the wife of the patron Gedeon. Inspired by words of wisdom spoken by his companion Ódóvir Jotunsson, Alwin came to ponder the nature of his relationship to Euora, though his reunion with her in Whittengrove would be delayed by complications in the Faeflame Forest, which forced the party to get involved in the internal conflicts of the bullywugs of Gurkvale Marsh, before Ydina could provide the desired honey, now restored to her production.

Returning to Whittengrove, Alwin presented the honey to an elated Euora, who subsequently saw through his ponderings, leading to a conversation in which they both assured to aid each other on their respective journeys, while Euora revealed her ability to see and understand dreams, confirming her connection to il-Yannah.

### 132 WD, Pinnul-Whiterose

Still within Whiterose of 132 WD, Alwin departed from Whittengrove, however, deciding to settle in the newly founded village of Amber Run, where he established a branch of Curious Couatls Caravans, cooperating with the *Stregarch Reginald Sherbet Augustine Fund for Development and Philanthropy* founded by Rover Custard Augustine. Nonetheless, he was not parted from Euora for long, as she, too, moved to Amber Run to represent the Matron House, and from this new starting point, both Alwin and Euora joined Rover on a journey to Rydoon, where they stayed at the Augustine Abode and aided in the investigation of various murders in the City, which they eventually traced to the devil Witherwrit through information uncovered by Faustus Howell, managing to protect the High Priest Tarumo Sunmantle of Yaldin from the fiend.

### 132 WD, Halla-Greencrown

Upon return to Amber Run, as Greencrown came, Alwin decided to erect an Auditorium for lessons on the efficient completion of tasks, both commercial and adventurous, called the *Amberrun Efficiency Institute Of Utility*. To accommodate the increasing commercial activity in the village, he furthermore hired a secretary for Curious Couatls Caravans, for which, despite his unconventional preceding career, the orc Ronagur Spiterender seemed promising.

Some weeks later, a message from his colleague Jona Baldeci reached Alwin, requesting assistance in combating the bandits of the Greater Greensong. With the Atral Spellslinger Roderick Reman and the Ysgardian warrior Ódóvir to lead the expedition, Alwin met with Jona in his hometown of Ualune, where he reunited with his parents before setting out on the road towards Oxresh - just like when he had begun his apprenticeship. There, they were set upon by the Green Quill Troupe, whose intent did not seem banditry as such, but rather the completion of a ritual to contact the Archfey Morgaelei. However, the Warlock Kelun that led the Troupe had been deceived by the demon Acherontia and thus, the party was forced to fight off fiends. When deciding upon Kelun's fate, Alwin initially agreed with Roderick's suggestion to turn him over to the Atral judiciary, but was convinced by Ódóvir to trust the man's word that he would atone by hunting down the escaped demons. Before returning to Amber Run, Alwin left a note to Jona in Ualune that she may visit him at his northerly outpost.

### 132 WD, Ardor-Amberlight

As Amberlight came, Alwin travelled to Viridell once more, into the humid heat that Alwin found only tolerable through the consumption of the delicious shaved ice sold there. With some companions, he sailed to Skerry Sands on a ship captained by the Half-Orc Donol, though not without stopping at Ringlet Cay first, where harpies harried them, Alwin himself even being enchanted by their melodies before managing to defeat the creatures that had nested on the island. Skerry Sands, then, they found destroyed, with aberrations plaguing the waters and answers to the destruction only partially found in Torrent's Bait, the ruins beneath the sea. Alwin's knowledge of the Primordial Tongue aided the adventurers, and through combined efforts they could defeat the Sahuagin gathered in there, but at the same time, through Arnica's arcane means, the group witnessed the emergence of beings of likely greater threat.

### 133 WD, Onteer-Greencrown

The remainder of 132 WD, Alwin spent with continuously expanding the business operations of Curious Couatls Caravans in Amberrun, and only left the town again when he joined another expedition to the lands of the Radiant Triumvirate, seeking to further investigate the jungle of Mkitos' Garden, whither their earlier acquaintances Almelia Bettencourt and Hywell Genest had travelled about a year before. The group was ferried from Viridell by Kervin Donstall, who, however, would betray them to the Yuan-Ti. After a fight with the snake people and the arrest of the treacherous Captain by Rover Custard Augustine, upon which, however, the captive took his own life, Alwin discovered the wands of the two wizards of the Crimson College, presuming them to have been similarly betrayed and killed by the Yuan-Ti. While Alwin guarded the ship they would need to return to Viridell, the other adventurers went on to discover Malacholar's Pinnacle and at least Almelia alive.

### 133 WD, Otealt-Greencrown

With the funds gained from that previous adventure, Alwin improved the caravans running regularly between Amberrun and Hob's Fall, before soon journeying out again into the Bristlebacks, where the group first joined up with an individual named Prince and soon came across an artifact that seemed to carry particular significance for Ashewan Norvegicus. Investigating particularly strange Gnoll attacks in the mountains, they faced the she-devil Nybrekk Bleachbone in her domain of Burshrúga, where Alwin quelled her ability to send forth witherlings, while the other adventurers took on the undead creatures and the fiend herself.

At the end of the month of Otealt, Alwin reached out again to his business partners to celebrate Ilemer's festival of Writ's End, both inviting some to Amberrun and traveling himself to his previous places of activity in Rydoon and Chalimar. On the Galerider Rail between those two cities, Alwin met Clio ohd Monime, who after their conversation sent him a letter announcing her intention to relocate to Amberrun.

### 133 WD, Pinnul-Greencrown

In the month of Pinnul, King Gilbert X Goldlor, accompanied by his advisors, visited Amberrun, and during the King's audiences with the new town's citizens, Alwin spoke with his sovereign about the Seven Virtues of Chivalry, delighted both by the King's views on prosperity, as well as the man's own wisdom. As a gift symbolising the cosmopolitan nature of the new settlement of Amberrun, Alwin presented the King with his copy of "Emperors of Ivory", hoping Atralran could achieve the greatness of the Empire of Raq. After the celebrations for the Royal Procession, the Archmage Bastien l'Adolx sent Alwin together with other adventurers to the Lesser Greensong to join the High Priest Jacotin Emym in dealing with the Spawn of Acherontia and the demons of Tinaemortum infesting the area. With his usual means of combat, Alwin fought the demons, working together with Ashewan and Rinn Zelonar, whose health he ensured, as well as Atral Silvertowers, while the other members of the party aided the High Priest in detecting and closing the portals to the Abyss. With the demonic threat quelled, Alwin returned to Amberrun, on the way calling on his parents again after almost a year since is last visit to Ualune.

### 133 WD, Loghelt-Amberlight

After Alwin had contacted her upon his return from the Greensong, Clio ohd Monime arrived in Amberrun to join the activities of Curious Couatls Caravans there, as well as Alwin's own. Her nature of conversation seemed strange to Alwin at first, but in complete honesty, in his adventures he had encountered stranger things than a business partner's mannerisms.

Soon after her arrival - and, incidentally, the disappearance of Faustus Howell - Alwin once again ventured out into the Bristlebacks, on another expedition arranged by his companion Rover Custard Augustine, to track down the Flails of Nargus. On the way there, Alwin shared a Tiny Hut with Elinor, before journeying on. The adventuring party came across a group of alleged poachers - who, however, seemed to be of a more official intention - and eventually continue on to find the lairs of the gnolls. Once they reached and entered the tunnels below ground, combat broke out with Ondar Fetorcreep and his gnolls, as well as a Wastrilith, supervised by the spellcasters Elhorn and Eula, who, however teleported away as the gnolls were being defeated, to which Alwin contributed through his usual means.

After returning to Amberrun, Alwin provided his companion Matthias Tavares with funds to investigate into the curious nobleman Iskren Cardailon in Whittengrove, but was drawn further into the matter when a wildshape incident during that investigation led to damages to the establishment *Mirage*. Alwin arranged its reconstruction with the help of craftsmen affiliated with Curious Couatls Caravans and made an arrangement to settle the matter with Master Garyson Barkley and the firm Cardailon & Xaldir.

### 133 WD, Tarra-Whiterose

When Whiterose came, Alwin joined a group of travellers to the Stalrose Vineyard, where many Atral nobles were expected to attend a wine tasting. Initially, Clio intended to travel with them, but after a confusing conversation opted to stay in Amberrun. Together with Kavaxel Mannette, whom they met as they left Chalimar on its hateable new bridge, the group, led by Anivia Reman, who at the time had proclaimed her intention of becoming a Knight-Errant, arrived at the vineyard and was led through the premises by Anthoin-Symon Caskbow, who offered them various wines. Certainly enjoying the experience, both regarding the insights into the management of such a business, as well as the wines, Alwin went along with the group, though found himself increasingly inebriated.

After the tour ended, the group joined with other guests who had come to witness the presentation of the new product Amberian Dawn. In attendance were such notable figures as Galinnadan Velenthir and Alwin's mercantile superior Hassk. However, Alwin let the opportunity for conversation pass, being aware of his inebriated state, even increased by Amberian Dawn. Instead, he at one point broke out in song with an Aquan ballad, which reminded him of Clio, and later engaged in an ultimately pointless, but very enjoyable conversation with Rinn Zelnolar. To complete the occasion, and witnessed by Alwin despite his state, Gilbert X Goldlor appeared at the Vineyard and proclaimed that - perhaps inspired by Alwin's gift of Emperors of Ivory - he had decided to choose his own successor, appointing as such Almaurry Alcourt, who was also in attendance.

### 134 WD, Onteer-Greencrown

In the new year of 134 WD, Alwin once more travelled to the lands of the Radiant Triumvirate, now to investigate the disappearance of ships in the Wavebreaker Reefs. On the way there, while Ódóvir through his imposing personality took command of the ship they sailed on from its owner Dallan, Alwin curiously studied the workings of the ship, aided by his Pendant of the Gildhearth Throne. They come across an island where men had been left to die, marked as slavers, and after some more travel, were encountered by a ship commanded by Callie Vayne, who came aboard to ensure they were not slaves themselves, Alwin being slightly offended by the mere suggestion, for being a self-employed businessman may well be the opposite of slavery.

Eventually, Callie Vayne brought them to the base of operation of the Thrice-Damned, where matters were discussed that concerned not only the disappeared ships, but the fate of the world as a whole. The threat of the Hadean Tide was brought up, as were the elemental Fragments, of which Ashewan held one. Alwin, in particular, was tasked with contacting Hassk to warn him of the malign dangers and enlist his aid as Exarch of Ilemer.

### 134 WD, Pinnul-Greencrown

Little time later, after Alwin had contacted Hassk and other officials of Curious Couatls Caravans, he received a note that he was now considered Silvervane of the Caravans, with which came a curious strongbox. Immediately, he began methodically experimenting with it, through the chance help of Clio discerning its mechanism. Soon after, he joined Rover on a journey to Aviacrest to find the fugitive Cassian, who had been an affiliate of the disappeared Dane Evergreen. An enquiry among the cloth merchants of the city - during which he also bought a fine shawl to gift to Clio - led Alwin on a trail to the taven named The Broken Bill.

There, the group encountered Rynros Onyxblade, who was hunting for a bounty on a spider-like creature, which - like Cassian, as Ba'alakor had found out - seemed to be connected a gang named Fate's Path. The group sought that group's headquarters, and - mostly instigated by Moxzi's recklessness - found itself in combat with them, while merely seeking to speak with their leader Heritage. Eventually, they encountered him, but were challenged by him to fight his Bladesenties and the creature Aranea. Alwin was severely hit and fell unconscious, despite initially simply enquiring after information on Cassian. When he awoke again, healed by Rover, Alwin found that Aranea had been a were-spider, in fact a shape Cassian had taken. After the foes were defeated, Rover revivified Cassian and interrogated him on the matter of Dane Evergreen, in which Alwin assisted. It was learnt that Cassian had not been involved in the murder of the other Wild Cape employees, but rather Zylvari had left the premises unharmed and unfazed. As for the Attack on the Pearl Ward, which had occurred in Whittengrove, which Cassian confirmed to be a city, he could not give definitive information, but could not exclude Dane's responsibility. Cassian was given over to the authorities of Aviacrest to be further questioned in the proceedings regarding the Attack, before the group returned to Amberrun.

### 134 WD, Halla-Highreign

Upon request of his companion Rover, Alwin decided to travel to Rydoon with a party assembled by the Archon hopeful, to support his campaign and in that course aid the people of the city Alwin himself had called home for a while. Before departing, though, almost from nowhere, Alwin also decided to make another step in the course of his life - as he had realised over the past months, be it in the state of inebriation at Stalrose, upon another celebration of Writ's End, or in the streets of Aviacrest, his relationship to Clio seemed to mean more to him than commercial utility, and thus, he suggested to her that they would get married, to which she agreed, immediately shifting to organising such a union, in contrast to the little-prepared proposal.

Upon arrival in Rydoon, the party sought out Tolas, whose cat Alkestis had gone missing, eventually learning that a multitude of animals in the city had been awakened by Vankeshtad, another candidate in the election. Putting aside political differences, Rover and the party, including Alwin, despite Vankeshtad's rhetoric opposing Curious Couatls Caravans, joined forces with him to recover the seed of a Chromarind Heart Tree from the Hall of the Virtuous. Within the vaults of the Hall, Rover was separated from the rest of the party, and when they were discovered by Duergar guards, whom Alwin fended off by confusing them with hypnotic patterns of ledgers and financial records, their companion Sigmund was placed under the influence of a mysterious force and only through Vankeshtad's assistance could the party escape and find the object of their search - although before they could leave the building, Vankeshtad himself was disintegrated by a similarly mysterious effect.

Alwin and Clio remained in Amberrun when the election results were to be proclaimed in Rydoon, and one may call that fact fortunate, for during the final days of the election season and the simultaneous Kroan Games, the Attack on the Isle of Midalios occurred, Alwin's companions present only barely escaping, while thousands of others perished. Upon hearing the news, Alwin and Clio immediately travelled to Rydoon to aid the rebuilding efforts and to reunite with the Monime family. From Rydoon, Alwin aided the quest undertaken by Rover, Faustus, and others to Ulding's Keep by corresponding with the Galeriders in order to arrange their transport.

### 134 WD, Vluk-Whiterose

During the wedding preparations, Clio suddenly disappeared, and soon a ransom note was sent to Alwin alongside a ring he knew to be Clio's, requesting a payment of 7500 gold pieces to be made at Sandoval Ravine. Immediately, Alwin sent a message to Faustus Howell to request his assistance, while researching the location of that geographical feature. When it was clear that he would need to head into the Shifting Dunes, he notified Faustus that they would meet on the Great Conduit at Hob's Fall, heading to Khonoldhur. On his own accord, Faustus brought assistance in the shape of Ódóvir Jotunsson, Rynros Onyxblade, and - controversially - Moxzi Bluhedd.

From Khonoldhur, the party headed into the desert on Sacers rented from Beivailur, upon arrival at the Lesser Cicatrix Faustus heading onwards to scout the location. From his report, the plan was made that Moxzi would diminish herself to be placed in a bag carried by Alwin, while he would carry the requested gold in two separate bags, offering a payment to ensure Clio's release, offering the second after her return to safety. It was not precisely how it was conducted, though, as the ransomers requested Alwin to play a game of Tazim's Bluff, though with the expectation that he would lose. After the first round, Alwin brought the bandits to agree that Clio could be seated next to him, so that when the situation grew more tense, Alwin eventually placed his additional bag as a bet and cast Dimension Door on himself and Clio, while Moxzi emerged from the bag and attacked the bandits with a Chaos Bolt.

Now the other companions revealed themselves and soon the bandits were overwhelmed, surrendering and revealing themselves to be Alto, Bannir, and Wenzel, certainly not foreigners to Alwin. When they further revealed that they were requesting the money in order to provide it to the Auvryth Den, from whom by sheer luck Alwin had won it in a game of Tazim's Bluff years ago, Ódóvir decided to stay at Sandoval Ravine and oversee the encounter with those criminals. After nightfall, the drow Akorrith and Tazyr Auvryth appeared, the latter ending up in another game of Tazim's Bluff with Alwin, which Alwin now lost, allowing the drow to depart with 7500 gp. But Clio was saved, at least, and after a declaration as emotional as could be expected from the pair, they decided to conduct their wedding on the Great Conduit, where they once had met.

On their way back, the party, now joined by Clio, investigated a Sultan Ash standing alone in the desert, before returning to Khonoldhur. There, Clio booked for them a Gold Suite upon the Galerider Rail, and upon the stretch of the Great Conduit between Khonoldhur and Hob's Fall, Ódóvir Jotunsson officiated the marriage of Alwin and Clio in a combination of customs of the faiths of Ilemer and the One-Eyed Crow, and thus, the pair sang *We Pledge Before The Goldenhand*, a variation on the Ilemer hymn *The Goldenrod*, while their foreheads were decorated with the blood of a freshly slaughtered goat.

After his marriage, Alwin relocated to Rydoon indefinitely, conducting another celebration with Clio in their city, as a ray of hope after the disaster that had struck months before. Meeting again with their colleagues from Curious Couatls Caravans, Alwin suggested the promotion of Ronagur Spiterender to the rank of Copperquill and to the main administrator of the Amberrun trading post. Pursuant to the laws of Rydoon, after marrying a Rydoonish citizen, he was now known by her higher name of *ohd Monime*.