Master of the Great Spiral
The legendary Dwarven Gizmologist carved his place in history with the creation of his most famous invention: The Unwinder. This miraculous contraption calmed the great wall of tornadoes that cordoned off part of the world, taming the Great Spiral once and for all and revealing a lush, bountiful frontier filled with curious wonders and hideous creatures. Doc Rushmoore and his partner (the Gnome Valgamma) led a doomed expedition into this new land, seeking to map its terrain and categorize its wildlife. Obsession soon took hold, and the strange magic infusing the region brought out the worst in both men, who grew suspicious and paranoid of the other. One fateful night, a failed attack saw Doctor Rushmoore slay his lifelong friend in self-defense. Overcome with grief and seeing how the strange frontier affects the hearts of men, the good Doctor retreated deep into the shadows of history, naming the new Region he discovered after his departed friend, and thus, Valgamma’s Ruin was born.
Doomed Explorer
The handsome, brave and dashing adventurer exemplified every proud trait of the bold Gnomish people during the course of his exciting and short life. The sad tale of his undoing is something of a modern day Greek tragedy to the people of Spurth, and there isn’t a soul in creation that doesn’t know the cautionary tale of Rushmoore & Valgamma, the two men who changed the world forever and lost everything in the process. Among Gnomes, Valgamma is regarded as something akin to a saint, renowned for his fearlessness in the face of the unknown and burning hot passion for adventure. One would think that the tale of Rushmoore & Valgamma would act as a warning to keep others from braving the endless dangers of the strange and new frontier, but exactly the opposite occurred, and more and more people file into the Ruin with each passing day to seek their fortune.
Empress of Shay Baroux
Recent years have seen the wealthy, debauched elite of Shay Baroux grow even more exclusive in their tastes and more uncaring about the plight of the lesser classes. No one exemplifies this trend more than the Empress of the Region herself. Henrietta LaMonde is grossly wealthy and her reign caters exclusively to those of similar means and influence, and the Orc ruler is famous for her elaborate parties and reckless spending. Henrietta’s philosophy on governance is simple: Drown the common folks in alcohol and entertainment and they won’t care that they are slowly being crushed under the frilled boots of their betters. This attitude has made the Orc capital of Vaudelaire a debauched destination for anyone looking for a good time, but the Empress sinks the majority of Shay Baroux’s wealth into keeping the endless party going, while ignoring just about everything else. Someday, the wine will stop flowing and the common folk will see the extent of their exploitation, and woe be unto the perfumed Orcish elites when that day comes.
Foreman of the Hayseed Hills
Eternally optimistic and exceedingly likable, Leeland Doublespudd has gained political power in the Hayseed Hills mainly because nobody else much wants the job. The hard working Settlers of the Region prefer getting their hands dirty with honest work as opposed to dabbling in matters of governance, and Foreman Doublespudd secured the position because he felt it was his duty to do so after his father, Roland, died in office on his 110th birthday while pulling a plow. Leeland loves the Hayseed Hills and does his best to be as effective a leader as his capable father, but the boy just isn’t that bright (even for a Settler) and often wishes for a simple life bereft of the responsibilities and obligations of leadership. That being said, he has a heart of gold and is honest to a fault, which makes him an even lousier politician, but quite popular with the Settlers he governs over.
Chief of the Proudhawk Tribe
It is said that Thousand-Cuts is the toughest elf alive, with reports claiming that he has been completely devoured by no less than three dragons, but spat out on each occasion due to the toughness of his hide. Proudhawk Elves are notorious for their tall tales and thrill-seeking antics, and the Chieftain of the Tribe proudly displays his countless battle scars, considering each one a testament to his skill and endurance. When the Elven capital city of Six Spears was founded, Thousand-Cuts commemorated the event by giving himself a root canal with a pair of chopsticks to demonstrate his dedication to the newfound peace between the now united Elven tribes. One of six Chiefs who make up the Council of Chieftains that rule the Elven Region of Deepwind, Thousand-Cuts is known for his dedication to the fine art of suffering, seemingly looking for any excuse to test his physical resolve and gain esteem among his fellows.
Harvester of Lightning
Widely regarded as the latest great Dwarven inventor, Trivian Voltenheim’s discoveries have allowed the Dwarven people the ability to harness electricity as a power source, and their massive industrial capital city of Longlane hums and buzzes with all manner of electric amenities thanks to this revolutionary breakthrough. Upon his discovery, Trivian was nominated to join the esteemed Dwarven ruling body, the Court of Sages, where he now sits among other esteemed Dwarven minds, engaging in furious debates about policy and governance of the Region. Indeed, the term “Volt” is named in honor of the Dwarf, immortalizing him for his astonishing discovery. Much to the Dwarf’s chagrin, electrical power is slow to catch on in the rest of Spurth, with most non-Dwarves believing electricity to be nothing more than a passing fad at best or straight out malevolent sorcery at worst. These misguided souls will surely see the error of their ways in a few hundred years or so, but as it stands now, few other Dwarves enjoy a reputation for innovation and intellect more well earned than the master of the lightning bolt.
President of San Rojas
Politics in San Rojas is a brutal affair, with corruption and assassinations being commonplace in the volatile Region. Indeed, the last four Presidents of San Rojas have all died in highly publicized and spectacular assassinations that remain unsolved to this day. The brutal Bandito gangs of Dazrigal have declared open warfare on any sort of formal government, and have made it clear that San Rojas is a lawless place that belongs solely to them, and any who try to stabilize the region will meet with similar fates as the previous four rulers. Enter one Javier Emilio Campos, who came out of nowhere to claim the Presidency and stand up to the Bandit threats. The idealistic Gnome speaks for the beleaguered people of San Rojas, who often must tolerate crushing poverty and the relentless cycle of bloodshed spawned from unchecked banditry and gang warfare that plagues the Region. Paranoid and constantly looking over his shoulder for threats, the haggard newcomer to the political arena has already survived 3 attempts on his life. Rumors speculate that El Presidente is actually being advised by the deceased ghosts of his previous 4 predecessors, and the spirits of these fed up, vengeful Presidential specters are protecting the new ruler of San Rojas from harm while he does his best to establish a government free of corruption. Until that blissful day comes, El Presidente enjoys the support of the people but will certainly be sleeping with one eye open. Indeed, the rumors of El Presidente’s ghostly counsel are true, and the constant flood of phantasmal whispers and other worldly advice has frayed the Gnome’s sanity just a bit, making him constantly on edge, yet surprisingly adept at leadership.
Newfangled Alchemist/Marketing Genius
After being run out of most towns on Spurth once his useless tonics and salt water elixirs were discovered to be useless, the wily snake oil salesman found himself entering Valgamma’s Ruin as a last resort. The would-be Alchemist marveled at the new and strange fauna growing in the Ruin, and the Orc was even more surprised when (by pure accident) he discovered a miraculous healing tonic that has taken the world by storm ever since. Doc Pepstein’s Healing Tonic made the Doctor an overnight success, and can be bought over the counter at any General Store. While the Orc only has rudimentary alchemical knowledge (and even less actual medical know-how), he was always quite a lucky fellow, and stumbled upon this astonishing formula purely on accident after a brewing mishap one fateful afternoon. Quick to capitalize on his success, Doc Pepstein is hard at work creating an entire line of tonics that do anything from regrow hair to bring back the dead*.
*Actual results may vary.
Founder of Cactology
The fanatical leader and prophet of a splinter denomination of the Church of the Sacred Spine, Father Blurning’s sect believes that the discovery of Valgamma’s Ruin heralds the end times of the world. According to his grim gospel, the Great Spiral was put in place by Father Cactus to protect the world from the influence of what lay beyond it, and the meddling of mortals has opened a Pandora’s Box of mischief and grief upon creation itself. Father Blurning preaches that Father Cactus will cleanse the world with a rain of spines that will wipe away all the unclean (namely anyone that is not a Settler). Cactologists believe that Settlers are the chosen people, and only those who prepare for the end times alongside Father Blurning will be spared a rather prickly demise. The most terrifying part about Father Blurning is that he is indeed not merely preaching his rhetoric simply for power or wealth, but he truly believes the fiery sermons he preaches to his faithful congregation, which grows more and more each day. Cactologists shun non-Settlers, and these doomsday fanatics hole themselves up in their religious commune, impatiently awaiting the end of time.
Tormented Prophet
Born blind, the Elf known as Sees-Too-Much has been plagued by visions of things to come since she was a small child. Indeed, the young Elf has already foretold the founding of Six Spears after having a vivid dream about the great tribes of the Elven people making peace and cementing a pact after laying down their arms. She also proclaims to have predicted the taming of the Great Spiral on the day of her tenth birthday, a full year before the monumental event actually occurred. This non-stop assault of visions and dreams of things to come has driven the young Elf quite insane, and she wanders Spurth aimlessly, muttering to herself in frantic rambling, but sometimes offering her insights to those she comes across when clarity of mind strikes her. Recently, the young Elf has been speaking of an encroaching event so cataclysmic that she dare not speak it aloud. If her previous accuracy is any indication, the entire world of Spurth will never be the same if this dreadful event comes to pass…
.OPHELIA ARGENT.
Titan of Industry
One of the wealthiest and most cutthroat business people on Spurth, Miss Argent is the head of the famous Argent Railroad company, which has connected most of the Regions of creation together in a complex network of track and rail. Determined and unwilling to compromise once her mind has been made up, Miss Argent’s dream is to connect Valgamma’s Ruin to the rest of Spurth. This lofty ambition has proven an expensive nightmare, and work on the rail has stalled due to constant monster attack and a handful of other administrative dilemmas. The headstrong Railroad tycoon has become obsessed with this dream, and she will sink every last bit of her extensive personal fortune to see the strange frontier linked to the rest of creation.
Spurth’s Most Wanted
The bloody bandit Prince El Sonriente is violent, brutal and (even more disturbingly) cunning beyond his years. The ambitious pistolero has a horrid vision to unite the warring factions of desperate, bloodthirsty bandits of his home town, Dazrigal, uniting them under one single banner (his own). Should he succeed, this united nation of outlaws would paint the boiling sands of San Rojas red with blood. Meanwhile, the people of Dazrigal suffer in a veritable warzone that the city has become, often being caught in the crossfire from the vicious gang wars that plague the streets.
Hero of the People
The mysterious protector of the humid marshes of the Orc homeland of Shay Baroux, the Green Ranger is something of a regional legend, protecting the poor and downtrodden from the predations of the wealthy and powerful. Something akin to a shotgun-toting Robin Hood, this talented rogue believes in a most curious manner of wealth redistribution, where those with too much of it “donate” a bit to those far less fortunate. To the rich and powerful of Shay Baroux, the Green Ranger is nothing but another shadow-clad outlaw, but to the poor and oppressed masses, he is a true folk hero fighting back against injustice.
Dauntless Messenger
When his wife and children were taken from him due to fever, Abner found himself alone and with a great deal of time on his hands. Unable to spend another minute in a silent, lonesome homestead, he packed up a few belongings and took to wandering the Hayseed Hills, offering his services as messenger and mail carrier. Dependable, honest, and seemingly immune to requiring sleep, the crabby old man found himself quite adept at his new profession, and soon, his business grew to the point where he had to hire others to take on some of the workload for his services. A few years later, the Settler’s Courier services have offices in every Region on Spurth, with their messengers being nicknamed “Humbucklers” in honor of the cantankerous founder of the organization. Abner himself still personally handles deliveries in the Hayseed Hills, and appoints trustworthy agents to run the other regional offices of his service.
.FLIES-HIGHER.
Herbal Enthusiast
Just like any member of the Brightblossom Tribe, the young Elf Flies-Higher has a keen understanding of all things plant-related. In particular, this groovy fellow specializes in hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms of all kinds. Using his expert knowledge in being totally radical, Flies-Higher maintains an impressive farm where he grows bountiful harvests of mind-altering plants and substances that he cultivates and mixes to design new and colorful intoxicants to the world. The laid back Elf has gathered a small cult following around him of other like minded Elves, who practice their yoga and meditation between sessions of getting completely blasted on whatever new blend of exciting substance they’ve grown.
Leader of the Mentarium
Psychoanalyst Blanche DeWitt was famed for her work unlocking the latent psychic abilities of the Dwarven mind. Her career was ruined when her dark secret was revealed: Miss DeWitt sharpened her mental powers by eating the brains of her hapless patients. This sickening practice caused her to be chased out of her hometown of Longlane, but not before she had amassed a group of devoted followers who sought her tutelage on expanding the powers of their own mind. This morbid secret society took up residence in the only Region of Spurth that would not drive them away-the newly discovered Valgamma’s Ruin. Naming her new outfit The Mentarium, Miss DeWitt and her mysterious cohorts abduct and consume anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. To the Mentarium, the Dwarven mind is superior to all others, and non-Dwarves are thought of as little more than snacks. Blanche is cold and calculating in her beliefs and teachings, but few can argue with the results of her research, and the Dwarf has access to shockingly potent psychic abilities. Sure, the path to understanding is slick with blood, but as Miss DeWitt would say--You can’t make a brain omelet without breaking a few skulls.
Obsessive Academic
The famed Professor is the foremost authority on all things regarding the ancient Tarreran race that inhabited San Rojas centuries prior to the rise of the Gnomish people. Professor Cabral ventured deep into the steaming southern jungles of his homeland to study the shattered ruins of the once great civilization. One fateful day, he discovered a dreadful secret about the ancient, bloody gods that the Tarrerans worshiped via gruesome sacrifice. Atop a massive ziggurat, a horrid voice entered the Professor’s mind, whispering about its ancient hunger. To his delight, the Professor discovered that the old gods of the Tarrerans are not dead, but only sleeping. The more he studied, the louder the voices called to him, and the Professor finally gave in, ambushing one of his students and carving their heart out, offering it as a grim sacrifice to the long dormant gods. Having turned his back on La Dama de Hueso, Professor Cabral now fully devotes himself to his new, nameless Tarreran deities, who whisper promises of power and influence in exchange for oceans of blood sacrifice. The Professor maintains his facade as a mild-mannered academic, sacrificing others in his spare time, then blaming their disappearance on the dangerous jungles around them. No one suspects the Gnome of these foul deeds, of course, and with each bloody heart he offers to his new patrons, his dark knowledge grows.
.BEATRIZ MARISOL CALIXTO.
Insatiable Treasure Hunter
Suffering from a seemingly incurable wanderlust and unhealthy love of danger, Beatriz was born in the war-torn town of Dazrigal, doing what she needed to in order to survive the poverty and violence of her hometown. This upbringing gave her a variety of useful (if not exactly legal) skills, and the bold Gnome now uses her cunning and guile to travel Spurth in search of unearthing hidden riches. Her talents are always for hire, and she often takes dangerous, high paying jobs to retrieve priceless relics for powerful people who do not share her unquenchable thirst for action.
Dime Novel Hero
When sinister outlaw Webb "Spider" Manley was bitten by a magical black widow, he suddenly found himself imbued with lightning reflexes (and a few extra limbs). His new powers instilled a dramatic change of heart in the lawbreaker, and he now devotes his time to fighting crime and bringing law to the wild frontier! The rowdy gunslinger is currently one of the most popular characters in all of Dime Novel fiction.
