WHIRRVALVE LUTHIER
GnomesMaster Stringed Instrument Maker
"An instrument isn't just wood and strings—it's a voice waiting to be discovered. My job is to find that voice and give it form that will sing for generations.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Instrument Quarter, Gearhaven
- Civilization
- Gnomes
Appearance
• Clothing: She wears practical clothing with numerous pockets for tools, a vest with loops for various measuring devices, and soft-soled shoes for quiet workshop movement. Her apron is covered in wood shavings and varnish stains. • Distinguishing Marks: Permanently stained fingers from varnishes, a scar on her hand from a tool accident, and a pendant containing a fragment of her first successful instrument.
Relationships
- Family - An apprentice who will inherit her workshop (chosen for skill, not blood), distant relatives who trade on her name
- Allies - The Instrument Makers' Guild, musicians who play her instruments, fellow masters who share her standards
- Rivals - Mass-produced instrument manufacturers, younger makers who use "modern shortcuts"
Personality
- Traits: Obsessively detail-oriented, genuinely passionate about music, frustrated by mass-produced instruments, fiercely protective of her craft
- Mannerisms: Listens to wood constantly (tapping to assess quality), speaks in terms of resonance and tone, carries instrument-making tools everywhere
- Voice: Soft and measured, with occasional bursts of enthusiasm when discussing particularly beautiful instruments
Backstory
Whirrvalve comes from a family of instrument makers stretching back generations. She's considered the finest luthier in Gearhaven, with instruments sought by musicians across Landorya. She personally crafts every instrument that bears her mark.
Daily Life
Her days are spent at her workbench, crafting instruments with techniques passed down through generations. She accepts only a few commissions each year, focusing on quality over quantity. Her evenings are dedicated to studying new techniques and historical instrument traditions.
Secret
Whirrvalve has discovered that one of her instruments seems to have unusual properties—it produces tones that affect listeners' emotions in ways she doesn't understand. She's terrified of this knowledge being exploited.
Story Hooks
- 1 Whirrvalve needs help understanding her unusual instrument, offering her luthier expertise in exchange.
- 2 Someone has learned about her discovery and wants to steal the instrument; she needs help protecting her creation while deciding what to do with it.
Narrative Value
Master craftsperson and artist. Provides instrument-making expertise, access to musical networks, and raises questions about art and influence. Her discovery adds wonder and potential concern. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════