Bemba
Relay Warden
Bemba
Species
Human
Appearance
Bemba is a broad-shouldered, soft-footed person whose movements are unhurried but never sluggish. Their skin has the deep brown sheen of polished walnut, and their hands are heavily callused from years of handling wax, wire, leather satchels, and winter-damp paper. They keep one thumb hooked beneath the copper ring at their neck, checking its position whenever they think. Their breathing is almost noiseless while calm, yet becomes an audible measured count when rattled. Bemba's smile arrives slowly and unexpectedly, making their dry jokes land with the force of a dropped stone. They look like an imposing gatekeeper, but they wear spectacles with tiny painted flowers on the frames and apologize to furniture after bumping into it.
“Low, measured, and warm, with careful pauses between clauses. Bemba's voice becomes nearly melodic when comforting someone and turns clipped and breath-counted when angry.”
Ability Scores
Alignment
Distinguishing Features
A copper ring hangs from a cord at their throat, and Bemba checks it unconsciously whenever they are deciding whether to trust someone.
Their spectacles have tiny blue flowers painted on the outer corners.
They pause before answering even simple questions, giving the impression that every word has been weighed.
When irritated, they begin counting their breaths under their voice.
Their hands smell faintly of beeswax, black tea, and rain-soaked paper.
Voice
“A calm contralto with a faint river-country cadence, usually quiet enough that listeners lean closer. Their laughter is a sudden dry bark that seems to surprise them.”
Clothing
A charcoal-blue warden's coat reinforced with hidden leather panels, a moss-green waist sash filled with wax sticks and cipher tabs, weatherproof trousers, and quiet-soled boots. Their cuffs are lined with scraps of retired letters, stitched so the handwriting faces inward.
Body Language
Bemba leans slightly forward when listening, as though making room for another person's words. Their thumb repeatedly tests the copper ring at their throat. When amused, they cover their mouth with two fingers. When alarmed, their shoulders become perfectly still while their breathing turns into a soft, audible count.
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