Corporal Caliban Nectria
Caliban Nectria is the Corporal in command of the Order of the Flaming Sword Barracks in Cosutanu. He the son of Pawel and Tamara Nectria, and the brother of Gavriela Nectria, who was killed by the ghost on 12 Trowel. The death of his sister makes him the eldest child and presumed heir of the canis Nectria family. Caliban is strong and sharp, with a quick wit and a ready disposition. He is aware of the secrets of his family's past, and will encourage the player characters to deal with the matter of the ghost directly (and preferably violently), while softly discouraging any further questioning of witnesses.
Corporal Caliban Nectria can normally be found at either Cosutanu Hall or the Order of the Flaming Sword Barracks.
TOPIC: security situation
If the party asks the Corporal about the current security situation, and how he is securing the village with the complement of guards he has under his command he will happily give them an overview. How he has his guards assigned may change depending on the evolution of the outbreak, but the default assignments are found here. If the default assignments have changed, the following conversation will need to be improvised by the Director.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
Including forces seconded to my command from out of town, and from the Steel Key Company offices here in Cosutanu, I have a complement of twenty-one, plus myself. I have them broken up into three groups of seven, each working overlapping 16 hour patrols, which is extremely damanding. At any given time, I have fourteen guard on duty: seven fresh and seven tired. Of those, eight secure the homes of the infected, two are manning each of the checkpoints in and out of town, and two are patrolling, floating, and facilitating communication.
It's a critical time and my guard cannot manage 16 hour shifts for much longer. We need to bring the number of infected down as quickly as possible.
TOPIC: fugitives in Garagalo
If the players played the optional first encoutner at the dovecote in Garagalo, they may have questions about the effectiveness of the quarantine.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
I'll be the first to admit that our quarantine is effectively a joke. Sneaking in or out of town would be easy for anyone who choses to do it. The only thing keeping people from fleeing en masse is likely respect for authority and community - but if the disease continues to spread, that will break down quickly. That some have already fled only gives others ideas... we must get the disease under control.
TOPIC: contingency plans
If the party asks the Corporal if there are any contingency plans in place should the number of infected continue to grow, he will tell them his current thoughts.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
If the number of infected households increases, I will be forced to regrouped all of the quarantined families into the barracks. This would probably mean separating infected men, women and children into different groups and also separating out the exposed but not-yet infected. Such an action would be devastating for morale, and could lead to resistance or even violence. Anything that might compound the problems of the disease with the problems of unrest must be considered a last resort.
TOPIC: the threat of the ghost (generally)
If the party asks for the Corporal's general assessment of the threat posed by the ghost, he will be direct and to the point; he wants it destroyed as quickly as possible. Note that if the party asks Corporal Nectria about the ghost in the presence of Daciana Mitriu, she may try to get their attention and discretely offer them information.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
The ghost is indeed a terrible danger. Whether or not it is the cause of Black Rot is irrelevant, it has already killed one person and menaced another. We need to destroy it as quickly as possible. With the plague under control, I will be able to use the guard to establish a search pattern and we should be able to find it quickly. If you have the means to destroy it, I would welcome your help.
TOPIC: the threat of the ghost (to the Nectrias specifically)
If questioned about reports that the ghost may be targetting the Nectrias, or may have cried out 'Nectria' before attacking, the Corporal will be dsimissive, and will attempt to refocus the party's efforts on destroying the ghost rather than investigating further. Note that if the party Corporal Nectria about the ghost in the presence of Daciana Mitriu, she may try to get their attention and discretely offer them information.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
It seems too early to jump to the conclusion that the ghost is targeting my family specifically. The attack on my sister was a tragedy - the attack on my aunt, I presume a coincidence. I would prefer we not wait for a third attack to see if there is indeed a pattern. As soon as we can locate this ghost, we need to attack it with everything we've got... if you have the means to destroy it, I would welcome your help.
TOPIC: putting the ghost to rest
If the players ask about the belief that a ghost might be put to rest if whatever unresolved issue from its prior life is resolved, the Corporal will attempt to steer the party away from investigation and toward direct confrontation.Note that if the party Corporal Nectria about the ghost in the presence of Daciana Mitriu, she may try to get their attention and discretely offer them information.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
I too have heard tales of spirits left ill at rest, but I do not make security decisions based on such fancy. This ghost is a threat, not a mystery to be solved. If you have the capability to destroy it, I recommend direct action.
TOPIC: witnesses to the attack on Gavriela Nectria
The Corporal Nectria will attempt to softly discourage the players from asking anyone any questions about the attacks, as he does not want them to learn that the ghost allegedly shouted 'Nectria' when it attacked. He will not be overtly disuasive, however, as he needs to maintain deniability.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
My sister was attacked and killed in front of the Lumanaru shop on the Stradia di Frontiera after working late on the 12 Trowel. My sister’s co-worker, Sibel Crenliu, witnessed the attack from a short distance up the Mill Road. She reported that the ghost was of a glowing canis figure dressed in clothes from long ago. The Lumanarus ran to their door only to find my sister already dead in the street, and claim not to have seen the ghost itself. I have questioned them all thoroughly. I doubt you'll learn nothing more from the witnesses.
TOPIC: possibility of speaking with Beatriche Nectria
The Corporal Nectria will attempt to discourage the players from meeting with his aunt, and under no circumstances would allow them to meet her unaccompanied. He will attempt to dissuade them by telling them everything except the fact that the ghost shouted 'Nectria', and then assuring them he has her full report, and that she is also very distraught and frail.
CALIBAN NECTRIA
I spoke at great length with my poor aunt following the attack. Unfortunately she is quite frail and terribly upset. I think it would be inapproprite to trouble her further. She reported that the ghost took the form of a canis man, dressed in clothes from long ago... I'm afraid that's all she could tell me.