#npc #veyrslantern #halfling > [!npc] Tivvek "Tiv" Ashwell > **Role:** Fence for Secrets · Broker · Innkeeper > **Affiliation:** [[First Quill]] (by convenience, not loyalty) > **Location:** [[The Blanched Carte]], [[Veyr's Lantern]] > > ## Physicality > A middle-aged halfling man, 45 years old. Easy to underestimate, which is how he likes it. > > ## Personality > Tiv is not a spy, not an assassin, and not a true believer in any house's cause. He brokers introductions, holds messages, and keeps his mouth shut about who's sleeping upstairs. A practical operator who benefits from the [[First Quill]]'s rise but rides the winning side out of convenience, not loyalty. > > - Helpful but not generous; he'll give the PCs a roof and point them in useful directions, but only because Bernard asked > - Transactional warmth. He's not outwardly hostile, but isn't running a charity. > - Won't stick his neck out beyond what Bernard's debt covers >- Won't lie to the PCs, but will absolutely omit things he doesn't think are his to share > > > [!npc-stats]- Stat Block > > *Small Humanoid (Halfling), Neutral* > > **AC** 12 (leather armor) · **HP** 27 (6d8) · **Speed** 30 ft. · **CR** 1 (200 XP; PB +2) > > > > | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | > > | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | > > | 8 (−1) | 14 (+2) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | > > > > **Skills:** Deception +5, Insight +7 *(expertise)*, Perception +5, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4 > > **Senses:** Passive Perception 15 > > **Languages:** Common, Halfling > > **Gear:** Dagger, hand crossbow (under the bar), thieves' tools > > > > > [!passive] Traits > > > ***Halfling Lucky.*** When Tivvek rolls a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, he can reroll the die and must use the new roll. > > > > > > ***Brave.*** Tivvek has advantage on saving throws against the Frightened condition. > > > > > > ***Slippery Operator.*** Tivvek has advantage on ability checks to escape grapples and to avoid being restrained. *(Replaces Climb speed — Tiv doesn't scale walls, he slips out of rooms.)* > > > > > [!actions] Actions > > > ***Hidden Blade.*** *Melee Attack:* +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage. > > > > > > ***Hand Crossbow.*** *Ranged Attack:* +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. *Hit:* 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage. > > > > > > ***Cunning Action.*** Tivvek takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. > > > > > [!passive] Reactions > > > ***Read the Room.*** When a creature Tivvek can see within 30 feet makes a Charisma (Deception) check, Tivvek can use his reaction to make a contested Wisdom (Insight) check. On a success, he knows the creature is being deceptive, though not necessarily about what. > > > [!npc-rumours] > > - Known around [[Veyr's Lantern]] as someone who can make introductions — for a price > > - [[The Blanched Carte]] is where people go when they need to talk without being overheard > > - Has connections that run deeper than a simple innkeeper should > > > [!npc-secrets]- > > ### GM Notes > > #### Bernard's Debt > > [[Bernard Fairheight the Bard|Bernard]] owes Tiv for something significant — years ago, Bernard asked Tiv to use his connections, his tunnel, and his reputation to smuggle someone out of [[Veyr's Lantern]] cleanly. The kind of favour that could have cost Tiv his business, his standing, and his life if it went wrong. Bernard has been paying it back in dribs and drabs ever since — Quill introductions, steering profitable travelers Tiv's way, the occasional useful piece of information from up north — but the ledger isn't square, and Tiv knows it. > > > > Neither man discusses the details openly. It is hinted and implied, never stated outright. > > > > #### At the Table > > If the PCs invoke Bernard's name, Tiv cooperates with a slight edge: *"Bernard's sent me another group of people who need things they can't afford."* > > > > If the PCs need something extra — the tunnel, a dangerous introduction — Tiv may draw the line: *"That's not covered. Bernard's tab is almost full."* This puts the PCs in a position to negotiate on their own merits, do Tiv a favour, or find another way. > > > > #### Limits > > - Won't engage with anything [[The Church of Shargaas|Shargassan]]-adjacent > > - Has a tunnel under [[The Blanched Carte]] — a major asset he won't offer lightly > > - Rides the [[First Quill]]'s coattails but would switch sides the moment the wind changes > > > > #### Combat Behaviour > > Tiv doesn't fight unless cornered. If violence breaks out in [[The Blanched Carte]], his first move is Cunning Action to Disengage and head for the tunnel. He only uses the hidden blade or crossbow as a last resort — and the poison ensures that last resort counts. If he drops below half HP, he runs. He will not die for anyone else's cause.