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Zeke

Suspected Assassin • Marion and Robert's Killer • Eldoran Agent?

Overview​

Zeke is the prime suspect in the murder of Marion and Robert Cross, Red's adoptive parents who were protecting the hidden Skyhammer prince. This brutal act eliminated the only people who knew how the Skyhammer bloodline power worked, creating a crisis for the Skyhammer Clan and setting Red on his path toward the trials.

Basic Information​

Identity​

  • Occupation: Suspected assassin/killer
  • Crime: Murder of Marion and Robert Cross
  • Status: At large, fate unknown
  • Allegiance: Possibly Eldoran Empire
  • Threat Level: Killed Red's parents, extremely dangerous

Physical Description​

  • No details documented
  • Unknown species or appearance
  • Combat-capable enough to kill two adults
  • Professional assassin likely

The Crime​

Marion and Robert Cross Murders​

Double Homicide:

  • Killed Red's adoptive/protective parents
  • Eliminated only people who knew how Skyhammer bloodline power worked
  • Knowledge of starship operation died with them
  • Catastrophic loss for Skyhammer Clan
  • Personal tragedy for Red

Method and Circumstances​

Unknown Details:

  • How were they killed?
  • Ambush, combat, or stealth assassination?
  • Did they fight back?
  • Were they targeted specifically?
  • Quick death or prolonged?
  • Evidence left behind?

Timing​

Pre-Campaign:

  • Occurred before Red joined party
  • Recent enough to be discussed
  • Long enough ago that Red survived without them
  • Twilight Company protection afterward?
  • Red's timeline as orphan unclear

Motive​

Suspected Eldoran Connection​

Imperial Assassination (Theory):

  • Empire wants Red/Thurnok Skyhammer dead or controlled
  • Marion and Robert hiding Red from Empire
  • Empire tracked them down
  • Zeke as imperial agent or contractor
  • Elimination of threat to Empire

Alternative Theories​

Option 1: Hired Assassin:

  • Someone paid Zeke to kill them
  • Professional killer for hire
  • Empire as client
  • Other enemies possible
  • Mercenary with no personal stake

Option 2: Personal Vendetta:

  • Zeke had grudge against Marion/Robert
  • Personal rather than political
  • Revenge or past conflict
  • Coincidental that victims protected Red
  • Less likely given circumstances

Option 3: Criminal Connection:

  • Marion/Robert's cover identities exposed
  • Criminal past or false identities revealed
  • Zeke as criminal enforcer
  • Unrelated to Skyhammer heritage
  • Wrong place, wrong time

Connection to Red's Story​

Creating the Orphan​

Personal Impact on Red:

  • Lost only parents he knew
  • Forced to survive alone
  • Eventually joined Taco Cat
  • Revenge possibly motivating factor
  • Trauma underlying pacifist beliefs?

Heritage Crisis​

Clan-Level Impact:

  • Knowledge of bloodline power lost
  • Skyhammer Clan unable to use starship
  • Trials now only way to recover knowledge
  • Red must risk death to learn what parents knew
  • Crisis created by murders

Mystery of Survival​

Why Red Lived:

  • Was Red present during murders?
  • Did parents hide him before death?
  • Was he away at the time?
  • Did Zeke spare him or fail to find him?
  • Twilight Company rescue?

Investigation Status​

Unknown to Party​

Limited Information:

  • Red knows Zeke's name as suspect/killer
  • Beyond that, details unclear
  • No active investigation by party
  • Red's personal quest potential
  • Justice delayed but not forgotten?

Evidence​

What Exists:

  • Zeke's name connected to crime
  • How was Zeke identified?
  • Witnesses? Physical evidence?
  • Confession or accusation?
  • Reliability of information?

Current Whereabouts​

At Large​

Unknown Location:

  • Not captured or killed (as far as known)
  • Could be anywhere in realm
  • Possible continued employment by Empire?
  • In hiding from consequences?
  • Confident in safety from retribution?

Threat Status​

Ongoing Danger:

  • Professional killer still active?
  • Threat to Red personally?
  • Empire might send again?
  • Knows about Skyhammer clan?
  • Could target Red at Grimvar's Spine?

Relationship to Other Factions​

Eldoran Empire (Suspected)​

Imperial Agent Theory:

  • Most likely employer
  • Empire's hunt for Red established
  • Professional assassination suggests resources
  • Imperial interest in eliminating Skyhammers
  • Pattern of imperial interference

Twilight Company​

Opposite Side:

  • Twilight Company protected Red
  • Placed Marion/Robert as foster parents
  • Zeke undermined their protection
  • Possible conflict between organizations
  • Twilight Company might hunt Zeke

Skyhammer Clan​

Enemy of Clan:

  • Killed clan's hidden prince's guardians
  • Created knowledge crisis
  • Direct attack on clan interests
  • Would face clan justice if caught
  • Personal enemy of Elder Ragar?

Combat Capabilities​

Successfully Killed Two Adults​

Demonstrated Lethality:

  • Overcame Marion and Robert
  • Were they fighters? Civilians?
  • Professional execution suggests training
  • Combat skills or stealth mastery
  • Dangerous opponent

Assassin Methodology​

Professional Approach (Presumed):

  • Targeted killing capability
  • Effective and final
  • Escaped without capture
  • Covered tracks well
  • Experience suggested

Potential Confrontation​

If Party Encounters Zeke​

Personal Stakes for Red:

  • Revenge for parents' murder
  • Justice for Marion and Robert
  • Pacifist beliefs vs. vengeance desire
  • Party support or letting Red handle it?
  • Moral dilemma confrontation

Information Value​

What Zeke Knows:

  • Who hired him (if anyone)
  • Why Empire wants Red dead
  • Details of Marion and Robert
  • Skyhammer clan location knowledge
  • Imperial operations information

Combat Scenario​

Dangerous Opponent:

  • Professional killer vs. adventuring party
  • Red's emotional state complicating fight
  • Zeke's potential escape abilities
  • Capture vs. kill decision
  • Evidence and confession extraction

Significance to Campaign​

Red's Personal Quest​

Character Arc Potential:

  • Unresolved trauma and loss
  • Justice or revenge theme
  • Pacifist confronting killer
  • Choosing violence or mercy
  • Character-defining moment

Imperial Threat​

Pattern of Violence:

  • Shows Empire's ruthlessness
  • Willing to kill to eliminate threats
  • Professional resources employed
  • Red's ongoing danger
  • Personal stakes in Empire conflict

Knowledge Lost​

Campaign Impact:

  • Starship operation mystery
  • Red must undergo deadly trials
  • Alternative path eliminated
  • Stakes raised by Zeke's actions
  • Ripple effects of two deaths

Moral Complexity​

Was Zeke Just Doing a Job?​

Assassin's Perspective:

  • Professional killer, not personal
  • Hired to eliminate targets
  • Moral culpability of contractor vs. killer
  • Just following orders defense
  • How guilty is the weapon vs. wielder?

Red's Dilemma​

Pacifist Confronting Murderer:

  • Can Red forgive killer of parents?
  • Violence vs. principles
  • Justice through system or personal revenge?
  • Would killing Zeke make Red like him?
  • Character test of beliefs

Future Possibilities​

Possible Storylines​

Revenge Quest:

  • Red tracks down Zeke
  • Party assists or counsels caution
  • Confrontation and choice
  • Justice achieved or mercy granted
  • Character development through resolution

Zeke Returns:

  • Sent to finish job (kill Red)
  • Party must protect Red
  • Zeke reveals employer
  • Information extracted
  • Threat eliminated or escapes again

Imperial Connection Revealed:

  • Zeke identified as Eldoran agent
  • Empire's systematic Skyhammer elimination
  • Wider conspiracy exposed
  • Multiple targets endangered
  • Campaign escalation

Redemption Arc?:

  • Zeke regrets murders
  • Was deceived about targets
  • Seeks to protect Red now
  • Unreliable ally
  • Complex moral questions

Significance​

To Campaign​

Personal Antagonist:

  • Red's personal villain
  • Imperial threat personified
  • Unresolved plot thread
  • Potential future confrontation
  • Emotional stakes

To Red's Character​

Defining Trauma:

  • Shaped Red's life
  • Orphaned by violence
  • Tests pacifist beliefs
  • Revenge vs. principle
  • Identity crisis potential

To Themes​

  • Revenge vs. Justice: Personal vengeance or legal resolution
  • Pacifism: Can beliefs survive confronting killer?
  • Loss: How tragedy shapes character
  • Forgiveness: Can ultimate crime be forgiven?
  • Imperial Evil: Personal cost of Empire's actions
  • Red/Thurnok Skyhammer - Son of victims, target
  • Marion Cross - Murder victim, Red's mother
  • Robert Cross - Murder victim, Red's father
  • Elder Ragar - Clan leader affected by murders
  • Roscoe - Twilight Company agent who revealed truth
  • Murder Site - Where Marion and Robert killed (location unknown)
  • Grimvar's Spine - Red's heritage, potential target
  • Eldoran - Possible origin if imperial agent

Key Sessions​

  • Session 11: Red's true heritage revealed, Marion and Robert's deaths discussed
  • Pre-Campaign: Murders occurred, Zeke implicated

Mysteries​

Unanswered Questions​

  • Who hired Zeke (if anyone)?
  • How were Marion and Robert found?
  • Why didn't Zeke kill Red too?
  • Where is Zeke now?
  • Will Red seek revenge or justice?
  • Was this part of larger Skyhammer genocide?
  • Does Zeke regret the murders?
  • Will party encounter Zeke in campaign?

"Zeke killed them. My parents. Marion and Robert. They were protecting me, and he killed them both." - Red's pain

"The knowledge of how our bloodline power works died with your parents. Zeke didn't just murder two people. He crippled our entire clan." - Elder Ragar's assessment

"You'll have to decide someday, Red. If you find Zeke, will you show him the mercy your parents would have wanted? Or will you show him the justice he deserves?" - Philosophical question for Red's character