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Elder Ragar

Goliath Elder • Clan Leader • Bearer of Lost Knowledge

Overview​

Elder Ragar is the leader of the Skyhammer Clan, the ancient Goliath tribe living on Grimvar's Spine. He met Taco Cat in Session 17, recognized Red's heritage through his tattoo, and explained the desperate situation facing the clan: only Red can save their starship, but the trials might kill him in the attempt.

Basic Information​

Identity​

  • Species: Goliath
  • Title: Elder of Skyhammer Clan
  • Position: Clan leader/chieftain
  • Age: Elder status suggests significant age and wisdom
  • Location: Grimvar's Spine

Physical Description​

  • Goliath physique (tall, powerful build)
  • Elder features (aged, experienced)
  • Traditional clan appearance likely
  • Possibly tattooed in Skyhammer style
  • Commands respect through presence

Role and Responsibilities​

Clan Leadership​

Elder Authority:

  • Leads Skyhammer Clan decisions
  • Preserves traditions and knowledge
  • Guides clan through crisis
  • Diplomatic representative
  • Ultimate authority figure

Guardian of Heritage​

Keeper of History:

  • Knows clan traditions and legends
  • Understands trial system
  • Recognizes Skyhammer tattoo styles
  • Preserves oral history
  • Maintains connection to past

Starship Guardian​

Technology Protector:

  • Oversees ancient starship
  • Knows it requires Skyhammer bloodline
  • Understands what was lost with Marion/Robert
  • Desperate to recover operation knowledge
  • Clan's greatest responsibility

Meeting with Taco Cat (Session 17)​

Recognition of Red​

Tattoo Identification:

  • Immediately recognized Red's tattoo style
  • Matched it to Skyhammer clan traditions
  • Confirmed Red's heritage before trials
  • Artistic traditions preserved through generations
  • Visual proof of bloodline

The Revelation​

Truth About Red:

  • Real name: Thurnok Skyhammer
  • Status: Goliath prince, main bloodline
  • Parents: Marion and Robert Cross (murdered)
  • Hidden by Twilight Company
  • Lost heir now found

The Desperate Situation​

Crisis Explained:

  • Only Skyhammer bloodline can power starship
  • Knowledge died with Red's parents
  • Clan cannot use their most important asset
  • Trials either unlock knowledge or kill Red
  • No other options remain

The Trials Explanation​

Worms Tunnel Description​

Ancient Test:

  • Mystical passage carved by ancient serpent
  • Reality-warping trials within
  • Only main Skyhammer bloodline survives
  • Pretenders die in the attempt
  • Tests prove heritage and unlock abilities

Blunt Honesty​

No False Hope:

  • "The trials will either unlock this knowledge or kill you"
  • Elder Ragar doesn't sugarcoat danger
  • Red must choose: risk death or leave clan crippled
  • Honest about stakes and consequences
  • Respects Red enough for truth

Permission and Blessing​

Red's Choice:

  • Explained trial purpose and danger
  • Allowed Red to choose participation
  • Party could accompany (unusual?)
  • Blessing for dangerous journey
  • Heavy responsibility placed on young prince

Personality and Character​

Wisdom and Gravitas​

Elder Demeanor:

  • Speaks with authority of experience
  • Measured and thoughtful
  • Carries weight of clan's survival
  • Diplomatic but direct
  • Commands natural respect

Sadness and Burden​

Personal Weight:

  • Saddened by Marion and Robert's murder
  • Bears responsibility for clan crisis
  • Watches potential heir risk death
  • Lost contact with hidden prince for years
  • Failure weighing on conscience

Honesty and Directness​

Blunt Truth-Teller:

  • No false promises or comfort
  • Explains stakes clearly
  • Respects Red's agency to choose
  • Pragmatic about desperate situation
  • Truth over comforting lies

Knowledge and Understanding​

What Elder Ragar Knows​

Clan History:

  • Ancient origins and purpose
  • Starship's existence and importance
  • Tattoo traditions and meanings
  • Trial system and purpose
  • Marion and Robert's role

What Was Lost:

  • Method of powering starship died with parents
  • How bloodline ability works specifically
  • Operational procedures
  • Safety measures
  • Alternative approaches

What He Doesn't Know​

Critical Gaps:

  • How to power starship without trials
  • Whether Red will survive
  • What trials actually unlock
  • Marion and Robert's full story
  • Twilight Company's full involvement

Relationship with Red​

Recognition of Heir​

Found Prince:

  • Recognizes Red as clan royalty
  • Respect for bloodline
  • Hope for clan's salvation
  • Burden of expectation
  • Personal investment in survival

Complicated Position​

Elder's Dilemma:

  • Must ask young man to risk death
  • No other choice available
  • Red raised outside clan
  • Stranger who is also prince
  • Duty vs. compassion

Relationship with Taco Cat​

Gratitude for Escort​

Party's Role:

  • Brought Red to Grimvar's Spine
  • Accompanied him through trials
  • Support for clan's heir
  • Respect for their loyalty
  • Appreciation for protection

Trust Extended​

Unusual Permission:

  • Allowed outsiders to accompany trials?
  • Shared clan secrets with non-Goliaths
  • Trusted Red's judgment of friends
  • Desperate times require unusual measures
  • Hope in unity

The Starship Crisis​

Clan's Greatest Asset​

Ancient Technology:

  • Central to clan identity
  • Purpose beyond current understanding
  • Escape? Weapon? Exploration?
  • Requires bloodline to operate
  • Dormant for generation(s)

Knowledge Gap​

Catastrophic Loss:

  • Marion and Robert knew operation
  • Information not documented
  • Oral tradition failed
  • Trial system only backup
  • Desperate gamble on Red

Stakes for Clan​

Existential Crisis:

  • Identity tied to starship guardianship
  • Cannot fulfill purpose without operation
  • Why does clan exist if can't use ship?
  • Generations of guardianship meaningless
  • Red their only hope

Leadership Challenges​

During Red's Absence​

Lost Contact:

  • Hidden prince for years
  • No way to contact or protect
  • Marion and Robert murdered
  • Clan helpless to intervene
  • Connection to Twilight Company unclear

Current Crisis Management​

After Red's Return:

  • Trial preparation and blessing
  • Clan morale during danger
  • Maintaining hope
  • Planning for success or failure
  • Leadership through uncertainty

Political Position​

Clan Governance​

Internal Authority:

  • Ultimate decision maker
  • Respected by clan members
  • Traditional leadership role
  • Balance of power (council?)
  • Unquestioned authority (seemingly)

External Relations​

Diplomatic Role:

  • Representative to outsiders (Taco Cat)
  • Negotiator if necessary
  • Protector of clan secrets
  • Bridge between isolation and contact
  • Careful with trust

Connection to Twilight Company​

Mystery of Alliance​

Unclear Relationship:

  • How did Twilight Company become involved?
  • Did Elder Ragar arrange Red's hiding?
  • Communication methods?
  • Agreement terms?
  • Current status of alliance?

Marion and Robert's Mission​

Protection Arrangement:

  • Who sent them to hide Red?
  • Elder Ragar's knowledge of plan
  • Loss when they were killed
  • Did he know about Zeke?
  • Failure to protect them

Future Implications​

If Red Succeeds​

Hope Restored:

  • Clan's purpose fulfilled
  • Prince who can operate starship
  • Knowledge recovered
  • Elder Ragar's burden lifted
  • New era for clan

If Red Fails​

Permanent Loss:

  • Last hope dies with Red
  • Knowledge gone forever
  • Clan crisis permanent
  • Elder Ragar's leadership questioned?
  • Existential despair

Red's Choice After Trials​

Prince's Decision:

  • Stay with clan or return to Taco Cat?
  • Duty to heritage vs. chosen family
  • Elder Ragar's influence
  • Balance between worlds
  • Negotiation of obligations

Significance​

To Campaign​

Exposition and Stakes:

  • Explains Red's heritage
  • Establishes cosmic-level importance
  • Creates personal stakes for Red
  • Introduces ancient technology
  • Connects to Imperial threat

To Red's Character​

Authority Figure:

  • Represents heritage and duty
  • Contrasts with Taco Cat family
  • Embodies expectations
  • Source of ancient wisdom
  • Challenge to identity choices

To Themes​

  • Heritage vs. Choice: Duty to bloodline
  • Leadership: Burden of responsibility
  • Lost Knowledge: Tragedy of information death
  • Honesty: Truth even when painful
  • Desperation: Asking impossible things
  • Red/Thurnok Skyhammer - Clan heir, his responsibility
  • Marion Cross - Murdered guardian (deceased)
  • Robert Cross - Murdered guardian (deceased)
  • Zeke - Killer who created crisis
  • Roscoe - Twilight Company connection
  • Ancient Serpent - Created trial system
  • Grimvar's Spine - Clan home, his domain
  • Worms Tunnel - Trial site he sent Red into
  • Lakeshore Vale - Within trials
  • Starship Location - Guardians' responsibility

Key Sessions​

  • Session 17: Met Taco Cat, recognized Red's tattoo, explained trials and starship crisis
  • Session 20: Sent Red and party into trials

Quotes​

"Only someone of the Skyhammer bloodline can power our spacecraft. The knowledge of how this works was lost when your parents died. The trials will either unlock this knowledge or kill you in the attempt." - Elder Ragar explaining the crisis

"Your tattoo... I recognize that style. You are of the Skyhammer clan. But how? We thought the prince was lost." - Recognizing Red

"I will not lie to you, Thurnok. The trials are deadly. Many have entered. Few have returned. But you are of the main bloodline. You have the best chance. The only chance." - Honest about danger

Historical Note: Elder Ragar carries the burden of leading a clan whose purpose is threatened, watching their last hope walk into deadly trials, and living with the knowledge that he must ask a young man he barely knows to risk death for a heritage that was stolen from him.