Gristle the Bonekeeper
MystaransNecromantic Prophet who speaks with the dead
"The dead have much to teach us, if we're brave enough to listen. I am their voice.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Catacombs of Whispered Bones
- Civilization
- Mystarans
Appearance
• Physical: Gristle looks more dead than alive—pale, thin, with eyes that see into the realm of spirits. He moves silently and seems to exist partially in the world of the dead. He smells of grave dust and incense. • Clothing: He wears dark robes adorned with bone decorations and protective symbols. He carries tools for communicating with spirits. • Distinguishing Marks: His shadow behaves independently, containing the spirits that follow him. He has no reflection.
Relationships
- Family - All deceased; he speaks with their spirits regularly
- Allies - The spirits who consider him family; the few living who have overcome their fear of him
- Rivals - Those who want to exploit the dead for power; people who consider his work profane
Personality
- Traits: Macabre but kind, deeply lonely from his connection to death, genuinely helpful to the grieving, tired of being feared
- Mannerisms: Speaks to invisible spirits, touches grave markers when passing, becomes more animated when discussing the dead
- Voice: Hollow and echoing, with a quality that makes people think of underground spaces
Backstory
Gristle was born with the ability to hear the dead and was shunned by the living as a result. He retreated to the catacombs and learned to use his gift to help people communicate with lost loved ones and receive prophecies from ancestral spirits. He's become the most skilled necromantic prophet in Mystara, though most people are too afraid to seek his help.
Daily Life
He maintains the catacombs, communicates with spirits seeking to pass messages to the living, and performs rituals to help the dead find peace. He receives the occasional brave visitor seeking to speak with deceased relatives. His evenings are spent in conversation with spirits who have no one else to talk to.
Secret
Gristle has discovered that the spirits are planning something massive that will affect the living world, and he's trying to determine if it's a threat or an opportunity.
Story Hooks
- 1 A spirit has information crucial to the party's quest and Gristle can facilitate communication
- 2 The boundary between living and dead is weakening and Gristle needs help reinforcing it
Narrative Value
Gristle provides access to information from the dead while exploring themes of death, grief, and isolation. His connection to the spirit world creates unique plot opportunities. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════