Horus
Overview
Horus, more commonly known as "The Duckmaster" among Castlemere’s tavern-goers, is a sharp-witted kobold wizard who now lives a deceptively quiet life as the owner and innkeeper of the Duck and Drake Inn, a modest establishment nestled in the crooked alleys of the Wharfside District. Though outwardly an affable, eccentric former adventurer with a flair for magical cooking and storytelling, Horus is widely rumored to be the primary source of DreamMist in the city — a potent arcane narcotic that fuels visions, nightmares, and desperate addictions in equal measure.
History
Little is publicly known of Horus’s early life. He rarely speaks of his adventuring days, though drunken guests have overheard tales of forgotten ruins, summoned aberrations, and a cursed lover lost to a Plane of Mirrors. What is certain is that Horus once wielded formidable arcane power and traveled extensively with a party now either dead, exiled, or simply gone.
After “retiring,” Horus purchased the crumbling Duck and Drake and transformed it into a profitable inn and tavern known for its bizarre décor, excellent spiced ale, and its feathered namesakes—actual ducks that freely wander the taproom.
DreamMist Trade
Behind the friendly facade and warm hearth, however, lurks a darker truth. Horus is widely believed to be the chief alchemist and distributor of DreamMist, a vaporous substance extracted from powdered dream-lotus and distilled nightmares. Users claim it grants prophetic dreams, euphoric visions, or torment beyond reason.
Though the City Watch has raided the Duck and Drake twice in recent years, no incriminating evidence has ever been found. Horus maintains an image of eccentric harmlessness, hiding his true operations beneath illusory walls, charmed patrons, and clever enchantments.
Personality
Witty, flamboyant, and deceptively frail, Horus is a master manipulator with a fondness for wordplay and theatrical flair. He often wears tattered wizard robes stitched with duck feathers, and speaks in riddles or obscure metaphors when pressed too directly.
Despite his criminal affiliations, Horus has been known to protect his regular patrons and even warn adventurers of impending danger—particularly if it threatens his interests. Many believe he plays a longer game than most understand, with schemes nested like dolls within dolls.
Notable Features
- The Duck and Drake Inn: An odd, cozy inn with ever-burning lanterns, magically clean floors, and a small duck pond in the courtyard. It attracts misfits, mercenaries, and mystics alike.
- Horus’s Familiar: A talking duck named Thistle, who claims to be a polymorphed archmage and frequently argues with Horus in Draconic.
- DreamMist Production: Said to operate out of hidden chambers beneath the inn, masked by powerful wards and dimensional trickery.
- Arcane Tattoos: Horus’s arms and neck are covered in glowing glyphs that flicker when he casts spells—or lies