MORNA STONEGRIP
DwarvesBeast Handler (Deep Worms)
"People think worms are stupid. They're not. They just think slower and deeper than we do. Give 'em time, and they'll surprise you.""
Identity
- Residence
- Kragnir - Beast Warrens
- Civilization
- Dwarves
Appearance
• Physical: Wiry and scarred, with ropey muscle from wrestling creatures twice her size. Her hair is cut short for safety, and she smells perpetually of cave-musk. • Clothing: Thick leather armor reinforced with chitin plates from her charges, gloves that extend to her shoulders, and boots with special grips for slick cavern floors. • Distinguishing Marks: A spiral scar wrapping her right arm (from a young worm's first bite), missing left ear, and dozens of small scars she calls her "love bites."
Personality
- Allies: The Beast Handlers Guild, several miners who respect her worms' work
- Rivals: The Deep Delvers who want to replace worms with mechanical diggers
- Cross-Civilization Ties: Trades worm silk with surface weavers
Backstory
Morna was abandoned as a child and raised by a pack of cave wolves. When they were killed by hunters, she vowed to protect all deep creatures. She spent thirty years learning to communicate with and care for the massive worms that help excavate new tunnels.
Daily Life
Rises with the worms at dawn (they're light-sensitive), feeds and exercises them, assists with excavation work, tends to injuries and health issues. Evenings are for training young handlers and writing in her "worm journal."
Secret
One of her oldest worms has begun showing signs of mutation - increased intelligence and what might be psychic abilities.
Story Hooks
- 1 The mutated worm has gone missing, and she needs help finding it before it causes problems
- 2 Someone is poisoning her worms, and she needs investigators to find the culprit
Narrative Value
Source of information about underground creatures, quest giver, potential ally with unique transportation methods ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════