It is here that the "Great Evil Nasty" enters our story: Tyrian Dweomermist, the Cruelty of the Ebon Hooves. A gray elf of remarkable refinement, charming disposition, and calculating intellect, this magepriest was the chosen of Lazev to lead the Ruby Legion throughout the whole of Miren. Yet despite this, the Cruelty had a curious and rather cordial relationship with some of the Rats, Malcolm in particular...

     You know, the sad part about this is when I introduced this intriguing NPC into the campaign, it was almost on a lark. All I really wanted to do was to see how the PCs would react to an "implacable enemy" who, in point of fact, couldn't care less.  I thought the Cruelty would be an unusual role-playing experience at best, an occasional irritant at worst.

     Yeah, right.

     Upon the very first meeting, most of the Companions took immediate offense to the elf, with sentiments ranging from undisguised distaste to implacable hatred.  Few opportunities were missed to annoy, offend, and even spy on His Cruelty whenever he crossed their paths in the course of his legitimate, day-to-day duties as the lawful Lord Governor of Leander.  As a result, the party quickly compromised their mission, drew a lot of unwanted attention, and needlessly endangered their lives.

    Note I said most, not all. Though they never lost sight of his evil nature, two of the Companions respected the Cruelty for his myriad achievements and his singular brand of integrity. Instead of being alienated by this complex persona, the players of these PCs realized the game I was playing, and decided to go with the flow (within the limits of realistic role-playing and party loyalty, of course). These individuals earned the gray elf's respect, and in so doing provided a much needed buffer between Dweomermist and the worst of their comrades' excesses.

    And the crowning irony?..when the Clan was found at last, the Companions discovered that His Cruelty wanted the return of the Mikskek—for reasons of his own, of course—almost as much as the Companions did. Would the PCs accept his offer to cover their backs from the Vauldraani while they completed the quest?  After all the grief the Companions had given the gray elf to no purpose, I confess to a certain perverse pleasure in watching them swallow their pride...

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