## Basic Information - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Master smith - **Location:** Duskwatch, Deadwood Glade region, South Angoria - **Alignment:** [Likely True Neutral or Neutral Good] - **Occupation:** Blacksmith, Weaponsmith, Master Craftsperson ## Personality Proud, blunt, industrious ## Background Asha Korrin earned her reputation as Duskwatch's master smith through decades of exceptional work. Her blades are prized by warriors across the region for their balance and edge retention, while farmers rely on her tools for durability and practical design. She learned the craft from her father and has surpassed him, developing techniques that produce superior weapons and implements. Her forge has become a landmark in Duskwatch—the ring of her hammer a familiar sound that locals use to mark time. ## Role in Duskwatch As master smith, Asha provides: - Custom weapons for militia and adventurers - Farm implements and tools for agricultural workers - Horseshoes and cart fittings for transportation - Repairs for damaged equipment - Training for apprentice smiths Her work is essential to both Duskwatch's economy and defense—without quality tools and weapons, neither farmers nor soldiers can function effectively. ## Political Position Asha deliberately maintains independence from all factions, selling to everyone and favoring no one. This neutrality serves both practical and philosophical purposes: **Practical:** All factions need her work; choosing sides would limit customers and invite retaliation **Philosophical:** Good metalwork transcends politics; a well-made blade serves whoever wields it justly She has no patience for political games and will bluntly tell any faction representative to leave if they try to pressure her into exclusive arrangements. ## Business Philosophy Asha operates by simple principles: - Quality above all else - Fair prices for fair work - No favorites, no exclusives - Your politics aren't her concern - Good work speaks for itself This approach has earned her universal respect—even bitter political enemies agree that Asha's work is excellent and her prices honest. ## Allies & Enemies **Potential Allies:** - Anyone who values quality craftsmanship - [[Captain Brannic Torrell]] (supplies militia weapons) - Farmers and laborers - Other independent craftsfolk **Potential Enemies:** - None directly (her neutrality protects her) - Anyone trying to monopolize her services would face resistance **Complex Relationships:** - All factions want exclusive access but can't get it - Respects competence regardless of politics - Has no tolerance for those who waste her time ## Adventure Hooks - Seeks adventurers to recover rare ores near Grimholt - May need escort to dangerous mining locations - Could request help clearing monsters from old mine shafts - Might hire party to investigate inferior ore sources - Could ask for protection from faction pressure or coercion - May need specific materials from Deadwood Glade or Rift Scar areas ## Connections - Supplies weapons to [[Captain Brannic Torrell]]'s militia - Provides tools to farmers and merchants - Probably knows Ferrywarden [[Ferrywarden Grenthal Orem|Grenthal Orem]] (equipment repairs) - Respected by all major NPCs regardless of faction - May have apprentices who interact with various groups ## Notes for DMs Asha represents the "honest artisan" archetype—someone defined by their craft rather than politics. She's proud of her work and won't compromise quality for anyone, which makes her both admirable and occasionally frustrating to deal with. **Character Dynamics:** - **Pride in Craft:** Her identity is her work - **Blunt Honesty:** Says what she thinks without filter - **Political Indifference:** Genuinely doesn't care about factional conflicts - **Universal Respect:** Even enemies agree she's excellent **Campaign Uses:** 1. **Reliable Supplier:** Provides quality equipment 2. **Neutral Ground:** Her forge is safe meeting place 3. **Quest Giver:** Offers ore-recovery missions 4. **Moral Exemplar:** Shows virtue through work, not politics 5. **Information Source:** Hears things from all factions **Plot Possibilities:** **Rare Ore Quest:** The ore near Grimholt creates opportunities for: - Exploration of dangerous mining locations - Discovery of ancient or magical materials - Encounters with creatures drawn to ore deposits - Investigation of why ore quality has changed - Possible connection to planar instability affecting mineral composition **What Makes It Rare?** Consider why Asha needs adventurers: - Location is monster-infested - Mine shaft collapsed, dangerous to enter - Ore has special properties (magical, planar-touched) - Previous expeditions disappeared - Local tensions make travel dangerous **Faction Pressure:** Multiple factions try to monopolize Asha's services: - Offer lucrative exclusive contracts - Threaten to harm her if she serves enemies - Attempt to kidnap or control her - Try to burn forge or sabotage work - Players must protect her independence **The Superior Weapon:** Asha creates exceptional weapon for player: - Uses rare ore from successful quest - Demonstrates her master craftsmanship - Creates meaningful reward with story behind it - Shows appreciation for helping her maintain independence **Apprentice Subplot:** Asha's apprentice gets involved in factional politics: - Takes sides where Asha won't - Faces consequences Asha warned about - Players must rescue or mediate - Asha deals with betrayal of her principles **Supply Chain Disruption:** Someone targets Asha's ore sources: - Bandits specifically raiding her shipments - Mines being sabotaged - Suppliers being intimidated - Investigation reveals factional warfare **The Weapon That Shouldn't Exist:** Asha discovers someone has her work: - Weapon she never made, but with her mark - Forged blade used in crime - Mystery of counterfeit craftsmanship - Her reputation at stake **Moral Questions:** - Should neutrality be maintained even when one side is clearly evil? - Do craftspeople bear responsibility for how their work is used? - Is political independence possible or just self-deception? - Can honest work exist apart from power structures? **Using Asha Effectively:** **Respect Her Expertise:** When players need equipment: - She knows what they need better than they do - Don't let them bully or intimidate her - Good work takes time—rushing produces inferior results - She won't compromise quality for any reason **Show Her Pride:** Asha's self-image is tied to her work: - Compliments on craftsmanship genuinely please her - Criticism of her work (justified or not) angers her - She takes personal offense at shoddy equipment - Seeing her work used well satisfies her **Demonstrate Her Bluntness:** Asha doesn't do diplomatic: - Tells nobles they're idiots if they ask for stupid things - Refuses unreasonable requests without apology - Won't pretend to care about political concerns - Says exactly what she thinks **Character Voice:** Asha's dialogue should be: - Direct, no-nonsense - Technical when discussing metalwork - Impatient with time-wasting - Proud but not boastful - Dismissive of politics Examples: - "You want it fancy or functional? Can't afford both." - "Your sword's dull because you don't maintain it. Not my fault you're lazy." - "Politics? Don't care. Need a blade? Sit down and wait." **Relationship with Players:** **Initial:** Assesses their competence, treats accordingly **If players show respect:** Warms up, offers good prices **If players waste her time:** Increasing hostility, higher prices **If players help with ore quest:** Genuine appreciation, priority service **If players prove skilled:** Offers to make custom equipment **Asha as Moral Compass:** Her political neutrality isn't cowardice—it's principle: - Everyone deserves good tools - Her work shouldn't be used as weapon in politics - Craft transcends temporary conflicts - Quality speaks louder than ideology Players can learn from this perspective, or challenge it. Both are valid. **Custom Equipment:** When Asha makes something special for players: - Describe her process in detail - Show the care and expertise involved - Create mechanical benefits (masterwork, minor enchantment-ready, etc.) - Make it feel earned, not just purchased Example: "I used the ore you brought from Grimholt. Folded it seventeen times. It'll hold an edge better than anything else you've carried. Don't embarrass my work by getting yourself killed." **The Question of Sides:** At some point, pressure on Asha will become extreme: - Factions may force her to choose - Her neutrality might enable evil - Independence might become untenable - Players might have to help her escape or defend her forge This creates compelling drama: Can principled neutrality survive in a world of escalating conflict? Should it? Let players grapple with these questions through their relationship with Asha. There's no single right answer—just difficult choices in difficult times.