Nergal
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As the story goes, when Godking Mangondulon asked the Arsur why he treated people with such disdain, the bhrunai answered without hesitation: “People are fools, and I haven’t the time to suffer such halfwits.” As perhaps the most disliked individual in Palask, Nergal makes a habit of propagating his reputation by his ruthless enforcement of tax law and drafting litanies of documentation for city-wide regulation and work orders. So intense is the cultural dislike of Nergal that his name is used as a vexed verb or noun, such as “Don’t nergal me with your complaints”, or “Godking, spare me from this nergal”.
Yet, despite these charming tales, Nergal is the best at what he does. Litigious, brilliant, and orderly, the bhrunai is indispensable, spending the majority of his time overseeing the expansion and order of Palask in such a way that not even Gilgalon could foresee. Mangondulon himself is a fierce defender of one of his most important scribes, much to the chagrin and near every other living soul in the city.
| Read Aloud: A pale blue bhrunai of rigid, impeccable stature, Nergal wears a layered set of palace robes, deep greens with golden trimmings highlighted in their precision and pressed, perfect visage. Absent weapons, he carries a thick tome at his side, his fingers stained with ink and charcoal, his large, blue eyes narrow, forehead wrinkled as if passively judging any who cross his path. With that stare, that assumption might just be true. |
Personality
Nergal is annoying. Irritating. A know-it-all, arrogant, and motivated, he never stops working, and expects anyone to adhere to the same work ethic, noting quite loudly when those in his presence don’t reach his standards. Still, he is fair, and levies even judgment, able to remain impartial and objective despite his personal, sneering opinions. Rumors abound claim that Nergal has never once smiled and that he would let his own mother be cast down if she cheated her taxes—rumors he will gladly verify.
While Nergal treats most he meets with an assumed level of disdain, anyone that proves his pessimism false quickly finds a reliable ally, with the scribe as likely to castigate as he is to aid and reward those he feels he can trust.
A City of Fools
Nergal truly believes that the majority of folk are idiots and that he is sparing both himself, the godking, and the city lost time by being rude and forward with those he deems as unimportant.
A True Civil Servant
Everything Nergal does is out of loyalty to Gilgalon, Palask, and the godking. Not of any physical stature, nor of magical ability, he serves the only way he can, putting his brilliant, task-oriented mind to work. He fosters respect for anyone that does the same, and beneath that cold, callous exterior, none will find a more true champion of the people—or at least of their secured future—than Nergal. Just as likely, though, will those with a chaotic, destructive streak find their greatest enemy.