Cedric the Matchmaker

**Name**: Lord Cedric Marlowe

**Race**: Human

**Class**: Aristocrat (Expert)

**Alignment**: Lawful Neutral

## Description

Lord Cedric Marlowe is a distinguished human with salt-and-pepper hair, a well-groomed beard, and a sharp sense of fashion. He always dresses in luxurious, tailored attire adorned with intricate patterns and jewels, reflecting his affluent lifestyle.

## Background

Cedric was born into a noble family known for their keen sense of politics and diplomacy. He never pursued the typical adventuring path but instead chose to utilize his extensive knowledge of noble etiquette and courtly customs to become a professional matchmaker for noblemen. Lives in a well-heeled hotel in Kingsmount.

## Personality

Cedric is refined, composed, and highly discreet. He values the art of diplomacy and conversation above all else. His clients appreciate his attention to detail and ability to navigate the intricate web of noble politics. He is driven by a desire to strengthen alliances and ensure the prosperity of noble houses through carefully orchestrated marriages.

## Abilities and Skills

1. Diplomatic Expertise: Cedric possesses exceptional diplomatic skills, making him a master negotiator when arranging noble marriages.

2. Extensive Network: He has cultivated a vast network of contacts within noble circles, allowing him to connect potential suitors and assess the suitability of matches.

3. Knowledge of Lineages: Cedric is well-versed in the genealogies and histories of noble families, ensuring that he suggests matches that are politically advantageous and genetically compatible.

4. Courtly Etiquette: He is a walking encyclopedia of courtly etiquette and can train noblemen and women in the proper conduct expected at court.

## Backstory

Born into a noble family, Cedric Marlowe was groomed for a life in politics and diplomacy from a young age. He realized that the power and stability of noble houses often depended on strategic marriages. Cedric's passion for matchmaking was born from his observations of how such unions could shape the realm.

He spent years traveling among noble courts, perfecting his skills and making influential connections. Over time, he became known as the go-to matchmaker for noblemen seeking both love and political advantage.

## The Matchmaker perfume

Cedric is famous in the noble circles of Koena as the spokesperson, endorser, or "face" of a popular band of expensive perfume called *Matchmaker*. The scent is made frankincense, saffron and oud and produced by a perfume baron named Tintulip who lives in a small keep called simply Four Corners.

## Hooks for Interaction

1. A noble PC seeks Lord Cedric's assistance in finding a suitable spouse, but Cedric believes their choice could have significant political implications.

2. Cedric hires the party to investigate rumors of a scandal that could tarnish the reputation of a noble client he's representing in a matchmaking endeavor.

3. The party discovers that Cedric is secretly manipulating noble marriages for his own gain, leading to a moral dilemma about whether to expose his actions or help him for a hefty reward.

4. Cedric offers to teach a noble PC the intricacies of courtly etiquette and the art of diplomacy in exchange for assistance in a delicate matchmaking endeavor.