Oracle of the Gibbets
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Quick Character Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maximillian |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Human |
| Religion | Illuminatus |
| Age | 900+ |
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Occupation | Archmage |
| Place of origin | Unknown |
| Starting Place | World's Mouth |
| Current Location | Unknown |
The Oracle of the Gibbets, also known as Archmage Maximillian, the Lich of the Gibbets or the Clockwork Heart, is a mysterious NPC who is rumoured to dwell around the Gibbets in World's Mouth.
Appearance
A hooded cloak obscures most of his form. Dried and cracked skin is stretched tightly over the bones of Maximillian's face, pulled tighter than the skin of any drum. Yet set within the face of one who looks like a centuries-old corpse are the living eyes of a man, eyes that carry within them great power and knowledge. Around his neck, just visible under the folds of his cloak, a polished steel chain holds aloft a round pendant whose sides seem to flex and contract in time with the sound of the tapping.
Background and Personality
"From the far end of the room, the crowd seemed to quiet down a bit, and the carefully constructed sounds of a broad belly lute flew forth in place if it. The musician was certainly capable, and perhaps even good, though he started with a simple tune that almost any child in the Mouth knew. No one sung the words of the song aloud, but words there were, words that described a creature from beyond the grave, living by virtue of the clockwork heart, that often came out at night to abduct the innocent from where they slept.
Tick, tock, the clockwork heart...
Come and tear our family apart...
Tick, tock, the clockwork heart...
Seeking the victims of his black art...
Across the room, the professor and his daughter turned to watch the bard with some complacency, her hands gripping his and a languid smile formed across both faces as the notes rolled out across the room. Many other faces had turned to better hear the notes, as the skill of the musician claimed more people's attentions as he continued.
Tick, tock, the clockwork heart...
His anger and hate should he impart...
An older waitress of perhaps thirty yahren swaggered over to his table, a shapely woman that wore her dress tight around her midriff and her neckline low enough such that her camisole might peek out from beneath. "What may I get you, hun?" she asked, holding a large wooden platter cocked upon one hip. "An ale, perhaps?" Anything else would have been lost as a nearby table of what might have been merchants burst aloud in immense laughter at the conclusion of some story or joke, the sudden burst of noise deafening for a moment.
Tick, tock, the clock departs...
Till coming of dusk, when it restarts..." - Grant
The Oracle of the Gibbets remains an enigmatic character, and little is known about his history or motives. He is rumoured to be able to provide the secrets of fate and prophecy... for a price. More than a few disappearances and grisly deaths in East End or the Seams have been blamed on the mysterious figure, and a few parties sent to investigate have disappeared to a man, only strengthening the legends that surround the place.
