Marlin
Status
Active Player Character (New)
Overview
Muslim doctor and former mercenary who joined the party after failing to save Sigmund's life. Now traveling north to find his estranged son while seeking redemption for his failure as a surgeon.
Background
Military Past
Marlin worked as a traveling caravan guard and mercenary before becoming a doctor. His combat experience and physical strength are still evident.
Personal Tragedy
Marlin lost his wife in a raid, a trauma that led to the breakdown of his relationship with his teenaged son. After this loss, his son deserted him, leaving Marlin to search for him while processing his grief and guilt.
The Surgeon's Failure
In Zaragoza, Marlin served as a surgeon. When Sigmund was brought to him mortally wounded after the escape from the Emir's fortress, Marlin was unable to save him. This failure weighs heavily on Marlin and contributed to his decision to leave Zaragoza and travel with the party.
Joining the Party
The Funeral
Marlin first bonded with the party while helping Bjorn dig Sigmund's grave at the riverside cave. During this work, he:
- Shared his beliefs and past with Bjorn
- Provided guidance on Islamic burial rites (instructing Bjorn to lay Sigmund on his right side facing east toward Mecca)
- Demonstrated genuine respect and sincerity in honoring Sigmund's death
- Made a good impression on Axel, who determined Marlin's encouragement of Bjorn's confused but earnest funeral rites was genuine
Response to Supernatural Events
When Cernunnos appeared and Anansi possessed Sigmund's corpse, Marlin demonstrated unusual composure:
- Was the first to hear coughing from the grave
- Kept focused while most of the party failed Steel tests and panicked
- Frantically helped Jean-Luc dig up Sigmund
- Remained functional despite being "completely baffled by the supernatural chaos"
This level-headedness under supernatural pressure suggests either exceptional willpower or previous experience with the inexplicable.
Beliefs (New)
Marlin's new beliefs center around:
- Finding his son who has gone north
- The understanding that gods serve their own purposes (likely informed by witnessing the divine confrontation)
Motivations
- Redemption: Making up for failing to save Sigmund
- Family: Finding his estranged son who headed north
- Escape: Leaving Zaragoza and his failures behind
- Purpose: Traveling with companions who need his medical skills
Skills & Capabilities
- Medical Knowledge: Trained surgeon (despite his failure with Sigmund)
- Physical Strength: Strong enough to dig graves and handle manual labor
- Combat Experience: Former mercenary and caravan guard
- Cultural Knowledge: Muslim, knowledgeable about Islamic burial practices
- Mental Fortitude: Maintained composure during supernatural crisis
Attributes
(To be documented from character sheet)
Relationships
Bjorn: Bonded during grave-digging. Marlin helped Bjorn navigate Islamic burial traditions.
Jean-Luc/Remy: Welcomed Marlin to the party as chef/bard. Worked together to dig up Sigmund.
The Party: Officially joined them heading north, though still getting to know everyone.
Current Journey
Marlin travels north with the party, following the path of both his son and the stag visions from Cernunnos. The convergence of these paths may not be coincidental.
Unresolved Questions
- What happened to Marlin's wife exactly? Is she deceased or did they separate after the raid?
- Does Marlin have any previous experience with the supernatural, or was the funeral his first encounter?
- Where exactly did his son go, and why?
- What were the circumstances of the raid that destroyed his family?
- How will Marlin handle the ongoing presence of Anansi in Sigmund's corpse—the patient he failed to save?