The Steward — Charlie
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Alive (in custody) |
| Affiliation | Train crew |
| First Appearance | Session 1 |
| Role | Train steward, reluctant accomplice |
Overview
Charlie is a nervous train steward who was coerced by mysterious hooded figures into allowing “unusual cargo” aboard the train. He was terrified of what he’d helped enable, and his nervousness was the party’s first warning that something was wrong.
Appearance
A charismatic individual by profession — he takes care of passengers for a living. During the session, he was visibly nervous: making furtive glances back toward the forward cars, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting with his hands. He carries a journal and a pocket watch with a key chain.
Personality
- Terrified — clearly in over his head
- Compliant under pressure — handed over the key when intimidated
- Self-preserving — went along with the hooded figures’ demands to stay alive
- Had been planning to quit — his journal corroborates this was going to be his last trip
Story Involvement
Session 1 — The Train
- Entered the passenger cabin and addressed the group, offering assistance
- Most of the party (Corbin, Ossivar, Cal Clyde) noticed his nervousness
- Told the party they were ~30 minutes from Grand Central Station
- Retreated into the passenger cabin when the Forsaken attacked, crouching behind Gluthoric
- Interrogated by Gluthoric (intimidation with Guidance) and Corbin
- Revealed he was approached by mysterious hooded figures who told him there would be “unusual cargo”
- The figures threatened his life as payment for his silence
- Handed over a key to the dining cart (from his pocket watch chain)
- His journal corroborates his story
- Given a shortsword by Corbin for guard duty, then tied up alongside the Forsaken prisoner
- Turned over to Father Eamon for questioning at Grand Central
Key Items
- Journal — Corroborates his story; handed over to the Sergeant as evidence
- Pocket watch with key chain — The dining cart key was on this chain
- Shortsword — Given to him by Corbin (briefly)
Mysteries
- Who were the mysterious hooded figures?
- What exactly was the “unusual cargo”?
- What else is in his journal?
- Is he truly innocent, or more involved than he admits?