Auburn

> *"I won’t tell if you don’t."*
>
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## Storyline

The Listener arrives at the Order of Occult Phenomenon and tries to find their room when they meet one of their colleagues. In a drafty room in the upper floor of the manner, they are startled by a soft-spoken voice that invites them to the rookery. The man admires them for putting the Lord Inquisitor  in his place and is welcoming but apologetic. The room is not open to others for sharing; he shares it with many birds and is implied to be uncomfortable for others, a state of being he prefers.

The man introduces himself as Auburn, The Lord of the Crows, who acts sort of like a spymaster for the Order. He “keeps an eye on things” through his birds and highlights a particular favorite of his named Odin, a grumpy old bird with a heart of gold and a raucous voice. He kindly dismisses the Listener to find another, more comfortable living space in the manor with a suitable roommate but is surprised when they ask if he is lonely instead. Then he remembers that they are a clairvoyant and teasingly offers his hands so they can read his soul. Auburn freely admits that he prefers deflecting questions by asking questions and asks the Listener an odd question: Do you know how long it takes for a heart to break?

He chides them for their confused expression, convinced that they have broken more than a few hearts in their life – or have been heartbroken themselves. Auburn deduces that they don’t have an answer. He describes heartbreak as one of the truly pivotal moments in life, more life-changing than overcoming challenges or the people you spend your life with. He speaks of the experience in intimate detail but doesn’t mention a specific partner. Instead, he explains that heartbreak defined him for a long time; it’s a bad habit among immortals to wallow in a certain timespan or emotion. He built for himself, he says, a palace dedicated to loneliness and decadence until he decided to move on and become what he is now. The Lord of Crows tells the Listener that he sees in them the same fire that pushed him out of his loneliness, claiming to have an eye for these things. It is essential, he goes on, to burn before one can arise anew.

The Listener seems unsatisfied with his answer to their question and he apologizes with a laugh, his social skills have suffered a little from the constant company of his birds. Auburn insists he’ll not hold them verbally hostage any longer but asks if they would like to return to speak with him again. They seem to agree, pleasing him, and the strange man bids them farewell before they get in trouble for fraternizing.

Sometime later the Listener is out in the field with Auburn on their first field mission. They are resting in one of the few green places in “this godsforsaken city of smoke and machinery” (probably Runika) to plan their mission. He expresses how happy he is to be partnered with them. He says he prefers working with those new to the Order and their manipulative lifestyle for veterans of the industry end up twisted and embittered. As lead investigator for the mission he decides it’s time for a break while Odin scouts ahead. The bird seems unhappy to be made to work after spending the afternoon with the Lord of the Crows so Auburn must poke and prod and eventually apologize before the crow takes off.

The Listener passes him a map of the area and he discusses their plan to approach their target, a possibly unstable mage in the Market District of Runika. All they must do is locate the person, observe them, then approach them for recruiting if the Listener deems it appropriate. They plan routes to intercept if the man decides to run instead of talk, though it’s difficult with their current proximity to the Undercity. Auburn reassures them that his plans are more refined than those of the Grand High Executioner, who is on sabbatical from field work, and that the two of them are better suited to recruiting. The Listener’s “quirky reliability and a good deal of magic” and his ability to judge the contents of another’s heart (and Odin) can take care of the job.

The Listener asks about Odin, surprising the Lord of the Crows, but he invites them to go on. Auburn is happy to answer their question: Odin is the spirit of his long-deceased lover reincarnated in the body of a crow. He’s not able to hold the joke for long, though, and explains that he found Odin when he was pushed out of the nest for being the weakest of the brood. Auburn cared for him until he was strong enough to fly and the bird decided to stay with him. After a century of living, being able to help someone felt lovely so they have been together ever since. He then teases the Listener saying that the two of them might end up the same way.

Auburn suggests that after their mission is complete, they have some fun in the city. He claims that excitement is their true heart’s desire but admits when challenged that he can’t really look read a person’s heart with some mystic ability. His skill is from long years watching people with perhaps a dash of the new science of psychology thrown in. Still, he insists that the two of them take some time off to enjoy the markets together and even get into a little trouble should the opportunity arise. They can let the Grand High Executioner foot the bill for it as part of their job to blend into the market. The Listener seems to protest using the Order’s money this way and he contends that it’s compensation, not stealing. He manages to convince them, to his pleasure, and announces their break is done.

## Personality

The Lord of the Crows is a soft-spoken but genial man with a mysterious past. He is open to conversation, for all his claims that he’s unused to it, but there are some things that he keeps close to his chest. He casually shares that he is immortal but doesn’t explain what power or lineage made him that way. His ability to communicate with birds similarly goes unexplained but he admits his skill in “reading hearts” is observation and not magic. Auburn also speaks of heartbreak and loneliness in tragic detail but jokes that his long-dead love being dead is also his best friend, a grumpy crow. Whatever drove him out of his wallowing seems to have made him a happier person, for now.

Auburn is attracted to the Listener for their appearance and fiery spirit, though his flirtation stays within the bounds of propriety. So far he seems grateful for their companionship and interest and is happy to answer the questions they have about him.

## Trivia

### Auburn

* Claims to do his best work when he’s alone.
* Odin the crow is Auburn’s oldest friend, has a foul vocabulary, likes corn chips and biting, and has a habit of sneaking into city rookeries to “look for love”
* Is at least 100 years old
* Calls the Listener “my darling” and “my dear”

### The Listener

This list is in addition to that found here.

* They have been working hard with/for the Order since their arrival and their first mission is one of assessment and recruitment.

### Fan Theories

* Auburn is one of the gods from the Greek God series (but I have no guesses as to which one he could be)
* Auburn is related to Tharamis, possibly even his twin. They share the same ability to read people though they put the talents to different uses. (unconfirmed)

## Audio References

You can find ***The Spymaster's Gambit*** playlist here.

1. ↑ Lord of The Crows Steals Your Heart
2. ↑ Oujidere Inquisitor Interrogates You
3. ↑ Some Fun With The Lord of The Crows