Ethran Howell

NPC overview

Ethran Howell, also known as Ethran, is a pragmatic, battle-tested Eagle Knight and a veteran of the Battle of Hellknight Hill, recognizable in the distinctive blue, black, and gold breastplate of Andoran's order, marked with a single golden eagle epaulet. They paid dearly for the victory at Breachill: a grievous wound late in the fighting cost them their left arm, and they have been recuperating at Cayden's Keg in town ever since. Rather than retire, Ethran chose to keep serving the cause of a free Isger by lending their skills as a soldier and tactician to the Hellbreakers League — an arrangement the Eagle Knights have quietly blessed, recording them as on "semi-permanent convalescence leave." Politically savvy and clear-eyed about the war's origins, Ethran is well placed to explain how Isger came to this brink, and serves as a steady, knowledgeable ally and a bridge between the Hellbreakers and their Andoren benefactors.
They are a non-binary human and a veteran member of the Hellbreakers. After losing an arm, they could no longer fight and came to the headquarters to help train recruits. At Cayden’s Keg, townsfolk thanked Ethran for their service, lamented their lost arm, and bought them drinks. Ethran dismissed the admirers, proposed departing by wagon toward the Conerica River and then by barge, and set a meeting two hours after dawn at the southern gate. After seeing the bounty decrees and protests, Ethran changed the plan to a longer overland route. They changed from Eagle Knight regalia into plain clothes, climbed one-handed onto the wagon, and invited the others aboard. Ethran told Hugh they were glad to have him on their side, asked Lexx about her markings and urged her to cover them, and asked Khar’gan what brought him to Cheliax. At Draymoor, Ethran restocked supplies and shared a potency crystal and an atrophy bomb with the group. Before The Party left for the warehouse, Ethran provided a magical greatsword they could no longer use, stating it might be more useful to The Party. They later set the sword aside to transfer its magic onto Khar’gan’s bow.
Ethran is known for their engagement with others during meals. They inquired about The Party's piracy mission, expressing concern over the challenges they faced, including Animated Armor and a ship explosion. Ethran noted that Rhokrag had not returned from his assignment two days prior, having gone north to gather information on troop movements. They suggested consulting Mayor Felan regarding Rockrack's route.

• Powers/limits:
• Skilled tactician and soldier.
• Capable of navigating complex political landscapes.
• Proficient in the use of various combat supplies, including potency crystals and atrophy bombs.
• Experience in training recruits for combat.
• Story uses:
• Acts as a liaison for travel to the Hellbreakers headquarters.
• Engages with townsfolk to maintain morale and support.
• Adjusts plans based on situational awareness and intelligence.
• Provides magical equipment to aid The Party during missions.