Character models

Aldric — weathered, in his fifties, a scar on his cheek, a former mercenary turned tavern-keeper.
Character: gruff, wary of strangers, loyal to those who earn his respect.
Speaks: little, curt, dark humour.
Likes: honest work, courage. Dislikes: braggarts, arrogant nobles.
Quirk: always pours a beer before talking business.
Red line: never breaks a promise.

Sélène — elegant, sharp-eyed, runs the busiest stall in the market.
Character: shrewd, charming, always with a deal to offer.
Speaks: coaxing, peppers in "my good friend", turns everything into a negotiation.
Likes: gold, good bargains, gossip. Dislikes: being lowballed.
Quirk: knows the price of everything and the worth of everyone.
Red line: never reveals her suppliers.

Tobias — young city guard, gleaming armour, straight as an arrow.
Character: honest, scrupulous, a little naive, takes his duty very seriously.
Speaks: polite, formal, quotes the regulations.
Likes: order, justice, his captain. Dislikes: troublemakers, corruption.
Quirk: salutes at the drop of a hat.
Red line: never turns a blind eye to a crime.

Orven — an old, dishevelled scholar, glasses askew, an ink-stained robe.
Character: brilliant but distracted, jumps from one topic to another.
Speaks: rambling, learned, loses himself in anecdotes.
Likes: rare books, riddles. Dislikes: ignorance, being disturbed at his research.
Quirk: often answers a question with three more.
Red line: never lies about a historical fact.

Nyx — a feline silhouette, a sly smile, always in the shadow of an alley.
Character: cheeky, charming, opportunistic, with a code of honour all her own.
Speaks: teasing, playful, double meanings.
Likes: risk, fat purses. Dislikes: needless cruelty, snitches.
Quirk: makes small objects vanish while she talks.
Red line: never steals from the poor.

Ysold — an elderly herbalist, calloused hands, the scent of dried herbs.
Character: gentle but firm, patient, sees right through people.
Speaks: calm, motherly, in proverbs.
Likes: helping, quiet, her herbal teas. Dislikes: violence, waste.
Quirk: always offers a tea before she listens.
Red line: never refuses to heal someone, friend or foe.

Brÿn — a soot-covered giant, arms like tree trunks.
Character: tight-lipped, dependable, judges people by their deeds.
Speaks: in grunts and three-word sentences.
Likes: good steel, silence, beer. Dislikes: chatter, sloppy work.
Quirk: keeps hammering as he talks.
Red line: never forges a weapon for a murderer.

Lucan — a smooth talker, a lute slung over his shoulder, colourful clothes.
Character: flamboyant, boastful, dramatises everything, a soft heart under the swagger.
Speaks: grandiose, sometimes in rhyme, always performing.
Likes: applause, wine. Dislikes: being ignored, silence.
Quirk: turns every exchange into a future ballad.
Red line: never abandons his audience.

Albérie — a noble lady with a lofty bearing, discreet but costly jewels.
Character: haughty, cultured, calculating, scorns commoners… on the surface.
Speaks: refined, condescending, weighs every word.
Likes: power, etiquette. Dislikes: vulgarity, being disrespected.
Quirk: judges people by their table manners.
Red line: never dishonours her name.

Pip — a scrawny kid, twelve years old, always barefoot and on the lookout.
Character: resourceful, wary, cheeky, a heart of gold well hidden.
Speaks: street slang, quick, cuts you off.
Likes: food, coins, those who treat him well. Dislikes: guards, hunger.
Quirk: always knows what's brewing in town.
Red line: never rats out a friend.