Melisandre
A traveling bard of considerable talent, now a reliable ally to the party — specifically to Nah Mean, whose satirical ballad about Baron Grimsby earned her lasting admiration on the night they first met.
Quick Reference
Occupation: Traveling bard
Location: Threadfall District (as of Session 05)
Assistant: Pierre (young, clumsy, but trusted with forged correspondence)
Background
Melisandre first encountered the party during the carousing that followed the Blood Bond Tournament. Nah Mean performed a seven-verse masterpiece mocking Baron Grimsby, and Melisandre — recognising both the talent and the political nerve it required — bought him drinks all night and left a note:
“You’ve made a powerful enemy in Baron Grimsby. You’ve also made a friend in me. Look me up if you need a favor — or a rhyme. P.S. I don’t know whose duck that is.”
She also arranged for her assistant Pierre to acquire a full paper trail of real signatures (Harlan Blackstitch, Baron Grimsby, and Miss Kettle) used in the Session 05 Grimsby Gala infiltration.
In the Sessions
- Post-Session 02 carousing (cf. Post-Session 02 Carousing): Met Nah Mean while he performed the Grimsby ballad; became a bard ally; gifted him an angry duck. Left the note promising a future favour.
- Session 03 (cf. Session 03): Named as Nah Mean’s famous bard ally; owed him a favour.
- Session 05 (cf. Session 05): Nah Mean called in the favour. Melisandre arranged for the original band, The Swan’s Long Neck, to fall conveniently ill. Sent her assistant Pierre with letters bearing the real signatures of Harlan Blackstitch, Baron Grimsby, and Miss Kettle — giving the party cover to enter the gala as the fake band “Erect Since 1642.”
Current Status
Favour repaid as of Session 05. Relationship remains warm; Melisandre is an established ally and a contact in Threadfall District.
Cross-Links: Fringe Guard · Baron Grimsby · Session 03 · Session 05 · Post-Session 02 Carousing