Ryalla
Ryalla grew up in the town of Ranjeya, the illegitimate child of a serving maid who worked within Ranstall Keep. Ryalla never saw the inside of the keep herself as entrance was restricted to staff and invited visitors, so whilst her mother was at work, she spent her days playing with the children of the village and learning some of the shadier activities of the beggar boys that frequented the town. She was still a child when she took it upon herself to head for The City, where she met Chiodo, the man who introduced her to her new trade -- thievery. Now she spends her time between The City, where she "earns" her living, and Ranjeya, where she lives.
Lord Dalkstan

Little is known about the elusive Lord of Ranstall Keep. He took up residence in it just over a year ago and has kept himself aloof ever since, going so far as to shut off the old entry rooms where previous lords had once held audience with the people of the village.

Louis
Louis is Ryalla's would-be lover. He lives in The City where he works as a scribe for anyone willing to pay for his services. Much to Ryalla's dismay, he still lives with his father, a retired Hammerite who yet holds tightly to the teachings of the Builder. Louis has been captivated by Ryalla since his first sight of her in a public market and wants nothing more than to settle into a steady relationship, but Ryalla's fears keep her from committing.
Unseen in Ranstall Keep
Provost Hrrsskk
Hrrsskk is unusual for a Hiss Trooper, in that he has been awarded a rank within the Lord Dalkstan's order. Hissies, in a manner similar to their arachnid ancestors, are born in clutches - hatched from eggs laid by their mother and later fertilized by one or more males. At least one of the males born to each clutch develops as a stronger and, occasionally, more intelligent specimen than the rest of his nestmates. This was the case with Hrrsskk and, through much scheming and in-fighting, he grew to become the dominant male of his clutch. However, his brood was also one of the smallest to be produced in recent years and so he has been restricted to the rank of Provost. This "injustice" has angered Hrrsskk greatly, and he is oft heard cursing his fate in the common tongue, which few of his peers have mastered.

It is also rumoured that Hrrsskk has the rare green spider gene within his blood and is able to spray a weblike substance from his hands when threatened.

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