Papan

Papan is a recurring character in the D&D campaign "The Tavern Revisited".

## History

**Pre-Awakening**

Little is known about Papan’s history before he was found by the Queen Aya. Scholars of Atzlan date him back to ancient Toltec periods, and his craftsmanship is indeed reminiscent of that era. However, the care put into his longevity; and the capacity for free will, intelligence, magic, and battle are unlike any other artifact ever uncovered.

**Post-Awakening**

Recovered in the forests of Tenoch city by the Queen Aya, Papan was originally brought back to the royal palace as a present for the queen’s children. He awakened after some contact with them and immediately began playing melodies and exploring the castle, playing particularly harmonious jingles for Xicotencatl. The children called him Papan-Olli, unable to decide on a single name, although most simply called him Papan.

**New Friendships**

Papan was brought enroute to Jambudvipa, originally to accompany the Queen Aya’s children, but was later tasked with documenting important information after his perfect memory and affinity with languages was revealed to the queen. Here, Papan developed closer relationships with the rest of the party, slowly exerting himself as a being with individual will and desires. This came to a head when Qawari and Novac Silroot tried to uncover information about Papan’s past, trapping him in a cage and leading to a series of events that ended with the three fighting, Papan being stunned by the Prince Angari, and the group learning that Papan was capable of telepathic speech. Papan eventually revealed that he was ass clueless as his past as the group, but felt a fierce protectiveness to protect this information along with a deep-rooted sense of duty and obligation—although to what is unclear. The group acknowledged Papan’s right to personal autonomy and they formed an uneasy friendship.

**The Search for Purpose**

Papan has been searching for a purpose, a *"long lost melody"*, since his awakening--a call that the chaos deity Tezcatlipoca has answered. Given the moniker “Child of Chaos”, Papan seems to be tasked with raising the demigod Gzio'joeza, who was born of Tezcatl and Zili.

## Personality

**Papan the Babysitter**

In another life, you would find Papan presenting as court jester for some high-ranking noble, or dressed as a temple maiden dancing under a cold summer night. Papan is duty-driven, this trait rivaled only by his affinity for music, love of entertainment, and his understated ego. Papan puts his obligations and promises first, but secretly enjoys pleasing a crowd. He is especially fond of children who seem more taken with his displays of magic and glamor.

**Papan the Child of the Forest**

Papan grapples with grief for a civilization he has never known. A streak of curiosity and resigned optimism help him cope, but while he is always eager to learn about new things he can't help but feel out of place and out of time. Because of this, he feels particularly attached to new friendships, familiar faces, and the Atzleco people as a whole.

**Papan the Child of Chaos**

Envy, pride, and greed are absent from Papan, who seems to (mostly) operate on logic and mutual respect. However, Papan's orderly nature is constantly challenged by his inability to understand his god's overarching design. He has high respect for scholars and logicians, but has both admiration and frustration with those who possess some aspect of chaos--whether it be disorder and confusion or those brimming with the spread and impulse of life.

## Appearance

Papan is a 2"5 feet tall, 60lbs terracotta statue that looks to be what some might call a little man. He has jade orbs as eyes and no mouth.

## Relationships

**Cirro and family**

Cirro is Papan's first friend and most trusted companion since awakening. He thinks highly of her, is endeared to her children and family, and adores being pampered and protected by her. He shares Cirro's natural curiosity and respect for nature along and trusts her honest yet righteous disposition.

**Novac Silroot**

Papan respect's Novac's insight and intellect. Although the two got off to a rocky start, Papan likes to think they are similarly minded in their pursuit of knowledge.

**Qawari**

Papan and Qawari suffered a minor altercation when they first met, but the two have forgiven each other and moved on. Like Novac, Papan feels a scholarly kinship with the curious Qawari and enjoys their library trips together. He is always keen to hear about Qawari's theories and musings on whichever topic springs into his mind.

**Arakano**

Papan has developed a fondness to the sun elf who has saved him time-and-time again. He admires his level-headedness and prowess in battle, as well as his understated charm. He is unsure of how to navigate Arakano's air of mystery but trusts his word.

**Bacchus**

Papan and Bacchus are both natural entertainers and thus harmonize quite well. They enjoyed a dance-off when first meeting and occasionally jam together.

**Voltan**

Papan has no strong opinion of Voltan but respects his combat ability.

**Angari**

Papan feels that Angari sees him as an object or inferior being and is thus hesitant to work with the prince. He believes Angari to be prideful and unstable yet respects him as a party member for his keen insight and combat prowess.

## Notable Possessions

**Scarab of protection**

Retrieved from liberating a slave camp in Jambudvipa. A beetle-shaped medaillion that protects against magical attacks.

**Image of the Nataraja -** *Repossessed*

Stolen from a library in Jambudvipa. It calls out to him somehow...

## Trivia

Tezcatlipoca as Papan's patron deity foreshadowing:

- Papan has an affinity for music and is able to "*play the melody of the world*"

- Papan often looks to the stars when feeling lost