RATCHETWICK GRAVEDIGGER
GnomesMechanical Cemetery Keeper
"Death isn't the end of care—it's when compassion matters most. My mechanical memorials keep the dead alive in memory, giving the living a way to remember, to grieve, to celebrate lives that mattered.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Gearhaven Memorial Gardens
- Civilization
- Gnomes
Appearance
• Clothing: He wears dark clothing with reinforced patches, heavy boots for rough terrain, and a vest with pockets for tools and maintenance devices. His apron is covered in soil and oil stains. • Distinguishing Marks: A scar on his arm from a grave-digging accident, permanently stained hands, and a tattoo of the city's sewer system on his shoulder.
Relationships
- Family - Children who've chosen different paths, parents who don't understand his "morbid" career
- Allies - The Cemetery Keepers' Guild, families who appreciate his care, fellow keepers who share his dedication
- Rivals - Those who want to develop the cemetery land, vandals who damage memorials
Personality
- Traits: Surprisingly philosophical about death, genuinely caring about the bereaved, frustrated by those who don't respect the dead, fiercely protective of his cemetery
- Mannerisms: Maintains the cemetery's mechanical memorials constantly, speaks in terms of remembrance and legacy, carries maintenance tools everywhere
- Voice: Soft and measured, with occasional passionate defenses of his work
Backstory
Ratchetwick became a cemetery keeper after his wife's death, finding purpose in maintaining her memorial and others. He's since transformed the Memorial Gardens into a place of beauty and remembrance, with mechanical memorials that celebrate lives lived.
Daily Life
His days are spent maintaining the cemetery, assisting with burials, and comforting the bereaved. He frequently works unusual hours when families need him. His evenings are dedicated to maintaining the mechanical memorials and planning improvements.
Story Hooks
- 1 Ratchetwick needs help understanding the unusual memorial, offering his cemetery expertise in exchange.
- 2 Someone has learned about the memorial's properties and wants to exploit them; he needs help protecting the dead from exploitation.
Narrative Value
Philosopher of death and keeper of memory. Provides cemetery access, raises questions about death and remembrance, and adds wonder through his discovery. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════