GORATH THE TAX COLLECTOR
DragonsRevenue Officer for the Dragon Territories
"Numbers do not lie. People lie. My job is to make sure the numbers tell the truth.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Ledger Hall, various territories
- Civilization
- Dragons
Appearance
• Physical: Gorath's scales are a dull, bureaucratic gray-brown, the color of old parchment and dust. He is thin and angular—100 feet of nervous energy—with wings that seem permanently cramped from too much time indoors. His eyes are the pale yellow of aged paper. • Clothing: He wears a vest of interlocking metal plates (for protection from angry taxpayers) covered in pockets for forms and stamps. • Distinguishing Marks: His claws are stained with ink, and he has developed a permanent hunch from leaning over ledgers.
Relationships
- Family - Estranged—they consider his work shameful
- Allies - Other bureaucrats who appreciate his dedication, the Treasury Department, a few Drakonian accountants
- Rivals - Tax evaders, smugglers, anyone who tries to hide income
Personality
- Traits: Obsessively detail-oriented, surprisingly honest, genuinely believes in the importance of his work, socially awkward
- Mannerisms: Counts everything compulsively, organizes items by size and color, becomes anxious when things are out of order
- Voice: Rapid and precise, with a tendency to cite regulations mid-conversation
Backstory
Gorath was born with a gift for numbers and a compulsion for order that other dragons found bizarre. Rather than pursuing traditional dragon pursuits, he offered his services as an administrator and discovered a talent for taxation. He has spent centuries ensuring the dragon territories remain financially stable, taking pride in work others disdain.
Daily Life
Gorath reviews tax records, audits suspicious claims, travels to collect overdue payments, and maintains the massive ledgers that track the flow of wealth through dragon territories. He works sixteen-hour days and takes pride in never making errors.
Secret
Gorath has discovered that a significant portion of dragon territory revenue is being siphoned off by corrupt officials—including some of the most respected wyrms. He has documented everything but is terrified to come forward, fearing retaliation.
Story Hooks
- 1 Gorath anonymously hires the party to investigate the corruption he has discovered
- 2 The corrupt officials have learned of his investigation and are targeting him—the party must protect him and help him expose the truth
Narrative Value
Gorath provides investigation-focused quests, access to financial records, and his corruption discovery creates opportunities for political intrigue storylines. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════