The Loyalists

The city owes much to this great mind. Let him drink and find company where he can.

Anton Sokolov. He knew me once. And did much to set me on my path.

Yes, Sokolov's a foreigner - with the looks and manner of a Tyvian Swineherd. But he is also a great genius.

What the aristocracy will pay for a portrait painted by Anton Sokolov! If only they knew how much he detests them!

Not all his knowledge was gleaned from Academy books, some is gained from the maid-servants he beds.

She dreams of freedom, and the decks of whaling ships fast after the beasts of sea! But alas, she is a woman.

Such sadness.

She and her uncle - the last of the Curnow family.

She is Callista Curnow. She has learned to defend herself in this treacherous city.

He has spied upon Callista as she bathes. More than once.

He is Piero Joplin. Even now he visualizes the next invention - astonishing. I wish you could see it too.

Poor Piero. His elixirs have cured so much for so many. But they cannot cure his brain fevers.

The youngest ever to pass through the Academy of Natural Sciences. Sokolov will never forgive him that!

Each and every night the black-eyed Outsider visits upon Piero's dreams.

Samuel was once eager to hear Havelock's stories of the sea. But perhaps the Admiral is not what he expected.

The boatman has a good heart. And respects you.

Samuel is a simple man, but he knows the River Wrenhaven and all its tributaries, down to the smallest inlet.

He has many scars. Some from the phlegm of the river krusts, some from the nameless monsters of the deeper ocean.

Samuel Beechworth went to sea to forget a hopeless love. He succeeded.

What kind of leader would use such against their own people?

He believes the machine he walks on makes him invincible.

They use their height to advantage.

Most of the City Watchmen call them Tallboys.

Keep clear of its legs.

It has other surprises in store - not just height.

They walk about the plague, above the rats, above the flooded streets.

Somewhere atop that contraption - there is a man.

His sword is in poor condition, but it will still cut.

His mother never cared for him the way she cared for the bottle.

They sometimes work for coin, but are often paid by the bottle.

Without that torn uniform, he would have nothing.

He is unfit for any vocation. That's why he's in the low guard.

The Lower Guard find their recruits in prison cells.

He is like a feral dog. Hungry, mean, and mangy.

The Lower Guard: Drunkards and thieves in shoddy uniform.

The pain in his head drives him to do unspeakable things.

He once killed a man just for a change of boots.

He was in prison, but they needed more men for the guard.

This one's thoughts are indistinguishable from those of an Overseer's hound.

He's bathed but four times in all his life. The times he's fallen drunk into the Wrenhaven waters.

The orders confuse him, so he follows what the others do.

Once he found a turtle by the Rudshore Waterfront. He fed it lettuce leaves and horse flies.

Filthy, cowardly. You smell the Lower Guard before you see them.

If they find out what he's done, he'll be executed.

These are the sons of rich and powerful families.

Discipline, pride, and courage. A dangerous combination.

They act quickly, harshly. And without mercy.

Careful. The Officers of the City Watch are well trained.

They've been known to mock their victims before striking.

An Officer of the City Watch.

He will follow his orders to the end.

See how proudly the Officers hold themselves.

They are loyal to the Lord Regent.

Careful. This is no dim-witted Sergeant of the Watch!

Few can best their swordsmanship.

He has a pistol and has used it on children before!

They are the Lord Regent's most trusted men.

They are chosen for their advanced skills.

His entire family was taken by the plague. It is just him now.

He murdered a nobleman, then framed a friend for the deed.

Madness runs in his family. And he is the worst of them all.

When his cousin refused his advances, he sent a Watch patrol to beat her to death.

He has ambitions well past the City Watch.

Not once has he lost a sword fight.

He received a letter from his sister. He can never go home, the plague is there.

No one ever mentioned the missing boys. He feels confident he's gotten away with it.

Twice today he has coughed up blood. He's told no one.

He is worried. It's been four days since he's had word from her.

What he ate last night isn't settling well with his stomach.

He is only two merits away from another medal. He hopes to earn them today.

His visits his father in the asylum, though the man no longer remembers him.

He thinks exercise and discipline will keep the plague away.

Arrogant. Corrupt. And fiercely loyal to the Lord Regent.

The common folk, simple-minded, selfish. But they can be kind.

She can hold her drink as well as any man.

There is nothing common about the work she does every day.

The fabric of the city is made of stuff such as she.

She hides her hands. They are raw and scarred from the washing.

She is a seamstress in a shop frequented by the wealthy.

All she wants is to lay herself down in the middle of Framling Street, and await death.

She starves so that her children can have bread.

She has only one dress, and wears it to tatters.

If only she had a coin for every time she stubbed her toe.

Now the littlest one is sick.

The common woman. She fears the Abbey and the plague.

You are like the rivermen. They spread their nets wide, and pull up all manner of things. The sweet, the deadly, the poisonous, all together in one catch.

Callista tried to protect her, but they pulled the child from her arms. Oh, the curses she spat at them!

Emily banged her head in the confusion. They dragged her crying into the waiting boat. She called your name.

Your usefulness is spent. They long for news of your death!

They left in great haste. Scattering like insects, eager to bore into the nests you made for them.