Esmer Balenta

**Esmer Balenta** is an explosives manufacturer, operating a black powder business from Finders Takers in Bassuras. As an NPC, she is played by Matthew Mercer.

## **Appearance**

Esmer is a tall, slender, gorgeous woman with jet-black skin and white, almost bleached hair that's parted in the center that goes just past the chin. When Bells Hells first met her, she was clad in a dirty white work shirt and a dark purple-red thick leather vest that cut off mid-torso. She also wore a thick pair of goggles with multiple relatively intricate lenses.

## **Biography**

### **Background**

Esmer owns and operates the Finders Takers shop in the East Dregs of Bassuras, and manufactures black powder, firearms, and dynamite. Dancer had frequently sent F.C.G. to Esmer's shop. Esmer had also been dating Dancer, and had last seen her in mid-Brussendar, 843 PD, about a month before meeting Bells Hells.

### **"Hidden Truths" (3x26)**

Accompanied by Dusk and Fearne, who sought supplies to infiltrate the Seat of Disdain, Fresh Cut Grass went to see Esmer to tell her the news of Dancer's death. Esmer was surprised to see FCG and asked if Dancer sent them. FCG tried to gently tell her Dancer was brutally murdered a few months ago, but Esmer spat out her wine and told them they were lying, that was impossible. Dancer came alone to the shop a month ago trying to reconnect with Esmer, and Esmer bought her sad stories and let her stay for a few days. But when things got "a little too intimate", Dancer vanished again. Esmer thought she was probably at The Ends.

FCG was shocked by this revelation, but eventually remembered the purpose of their visit. He told the others that Esmer specialized in "pepperboxes and things that make explosions", and they ended up buying five sticks of dynamite and a "wall-busting charge" strong enough to handle the walls of the Seat of Disdain. When asked if she could help hide Armand Treshi for them if they succeeded in his capture, she refused, saying, "I don't deal in smuggling, especially of the living variety. That's not what I do."

## **Relationships**

### **Dancer**

Esmer and Dancer had a tempestuous, on-again-off-again relationship, until Dancer disappeared for some time to go "up north". However, about a month before Bells Hells met Esmer, Dancer had reconnected with her and convinced her to let her stay for a few days, before disappearing again when they got close. Esmer was very angry about about the situation, calling Dancer a "filthy liar", a "really good manipulator", and a "fucking bitch" but nonetheless clearly still wanted a personal apology from her. She admitted that part of her liked it.

## **Notable items**

Finders Takers inventory:

* Black powder
* Pepperboxes - a "few hundred" gold each
* Carbines
* Pistols
* Rifles
* Dynamite sticks - 5 gold per stick
* Small explosives

## **Appearances and mentions**

* Campaign Three
	+ "Hidden Truths" (3x26) (first appearance)
	+ "A Race for the Prize" (3x27)
	+ "The Aurora Grows" (3x49), mentioned only
	+ "For The Tempest" (3x68), mentioned only (unnamed)
	+ "Embattled in Bassuras" (3x70), mentioned only

## **Quotations**

* **FCG**: *(about Dancer)* She came back here? You saw her? You talked to her?
Esmer: Oh, I did more than talk to her, little friend.
FCG: Wait. So you're sure it was her?
Esmer: I'm sure. Only one person does "the thing." Yes.

## **References**

1. ↑ See "Breaking Point" (3x31) at 2:55:29.
2. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:50:20.
3. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:45:39.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) from 1:54:35 through 1:55:40.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:52:17.
6. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:53:13.
7. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:54:39.
8. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:57:23.
9. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:56:35.
10. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:49:11.
11. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:49:42.
12. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:49:48.
13. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 2:02:57.
14. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:59:05.
15. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:58:48.
16. ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 1:50:20.