Important Characters
Alistair Fawkes
Alistair Fawkes was born to a pair of Merchants in the capital of Vezenhold in 1187. When he was twelve years old, his parents were killed by Fadebeasts while on a business trip, and he was sent to Three Bridges to live with his Uncle. Obsessed with Fadebeasts, his anger has been tempered into genuine curiosity over the years, and he's spent his entire life attempting to study the strange otherworldly creatures. The study and curiosity regarding the animals have drawn the attention of the Hand of the Creator on more than one occasion - seeing it as potential heresy and questioning his motives.
In 1219, Alistair was returning to Three Bridges to visit his Uncle and Mentor only to learn that the ageing scientist had also been killed since their last meeting. After a period of mourning, he took up residence in his Uncles old home and continued his research - enlisting the aid of The Party on their arrival to capture a Fadehound. After a brief fight with a small pack, they succeeded.
Alistair is both skilled and intelligent, however, he can also be impulsive and reckless - overconfident in his own ability to keep himself or those around him safe. He keeps a ledger filled with detailed information on every Fadebeast he's been able to encounter as well as information gleaned through interviews with other hunters or survivors.
Alistair is never seen without his companion, Aluat. A strange flying dog of a species Alistair says is called a "Hainu," and is adamant that his companion is not a Fadebeast. The animal is friendly, excitable, and behaves exactly like any other dog. (The absolute goodest boy.)
The Fade Knight
The Fade Knight, a being who's true identity is not known, was first encountered by the party during the massacre of Solace. The Knight appeared to be leading a group of Fadebeasts, including Wyverns and some strange burrowing creatures. This was the first time the fadebeasts had ever been seen showing any signs of organization or intelligence, as they're widely known to be essentially wild animals, and will often even attack each other.
After murdering a young man from the town, the Fade Knight approached the party and "with a voice that sounded like thousands of echoing screams," it repeated three words: "Give. Us. Key."
When Solomon used his rifle to shoot the knight, blowing a bullet hole through his breastplate - there was no blood to be seen. Instead, dozens of tiny black maggots fell from the wound.
The Fade Knight had disappeared by the time the Hand Paladins arrived, and outside of a few Nostors with the privileged information, very few people in the world are even aware of his existence.
Merek Sallworth
While not an official Governor appointed by the Imperial Senate, Merek Sallworth is referred to as "The Governor" by most residents of Midweld. Now in his late sixties, the man is considered largely responsible for Midweld's growth over the past few decades - and deservedly so.
Born in the frontier town of Kernsby, a young Merek Sallworth left his hometown to pursue a career in the Imperial Guard, seeking to aid in the defense of the Empire and the frontier towns from the ever-present threat from both the Fade and the opportunistic bandits and highwaymen known to frequent the eastern roads. While stationed in Crest on the Vezenhold - Seftmire border, news came to the lieutenant about the destruction of Kernsby. The fade collector network had, for the first time in history, failed, and his hometown had been completely consumed by the Fade.
Sallworth resigned his commission and was discharged from the service of the Guard, returning to the southern frontier towns to aid in the relocation of the Kernsby refugees. While in Midweld, a slowly growing community on the cliffs overlooking the Pelmoore Bay, he began making a point of sending word to numerous smaller farming communities and townships, imploring them to uproot and join the easily defended community in the heart of the Empire.
For the past thirty years, Merek has been considered the de-facto leader of the burgeoning city-state, having earned the respect of the citizens of the many frontier towns across the Empire.