Mr Oliver Reed

Oliver Reed was not a noble by birth, yet he commanded the respect of many who were. As the head of the Silver Accord Trade Consortium, the most influential merchant guild in Virensha, he wielded wealth and connections with the same precision that a swordsman wielded his blade. The Silver Accord focused not on manufacturing but on the intricate art of trade—securing contracts, establishing routes, and ensuring that goods flowed seamlessly between Virensha and the heart of the Empire.   Under his leadership, the guild flourished. Merchants who once struggled against the whims of noble patrons now found themselves protected under Reed’s careful stewardship. He built alliances not only with fellow traders but with nobles, bureaucrats, and even the occasional smuggler. He understood that power did not rest solely in crowns and titles—it resided in coin, in commerce, in control of supply and demand.   For all his successes, Oliver Reed was not a man prone to extravagance. Unlike the flamboyant merchant-lords of the capital, he conducted his affairs with precision and restraint. To him, every transaction was a game of strategy, every deal a battlefield. His sharp mind and keen instincts made him a formidable opponent in negotiation, and many who sought to best him found themselves walking away with lighter purses than they had intended.   Appearance: The Mark of Refinement   In his late forties, Oliver Reed carried himself with the quiet confidence of a man who had built his fortune with his own hands. His neatly trimmed beard was peppered with the first signs of silver, lending him an air of wisdom and experience. His sharp eyes, always calculating, missed nothing—every movement, every hesitation in speech was an opportunity to gain the upper hand.   His attire reflected his approach to business: elegant but not ostentatious. He favored a deep blue suit with silver trim, its fabric finely tailored but devoid of excessive embellishment. A white cravat added a touch of refinement, and a silver pocket watch rested in his coat—a symbol of both his meticulous nature and his respect for time, the most valuable resource of all.   A Mind for Strategy, A Man of Practicality   Oliver Reed was efficient, pragmatic, and strategic in all things. He built his reputation not on charm or deception, but on reliability and foresight. When he spoke, his words were measured, each syllable carrying weight. Those who tried to deceive him found themselves ensnared by their own tricks, for Reed had seen it all before.   Though he was respected—perhaps even admired—he was not a man who inspired deep affection. Business was business, and he never allowed personal sentiments to interfere with his dealings. Yet, for all his cold logic, he was not without a sense of duty. He believed in the stability of Virensha, for what was good for the city was good for trade. He funded public works, negotiated fair contracts for his guild members, and ensured that commerce remained uninterrupted—even during times of political strife.   Reason for Invitation: The Power of Coin   Duke Samuel Greeve understood the value of men like Oliver Reed. While the nobles controlled the land, it was the merchants who controlled the lifeblood of the city—trade. Reed’s invitation was both a gesture of appreciation and a strategic move to strengthen economic ties between the aristocracy and the mercantile class. With Virensha recovering from rebellion, securing financial stability was paramount, and few understood economic resilience better than Reed.   That evening, he was meant to discuss trade agreements, tariffs, and the future economic prosperity of the region. He knew that deals would be made, alliances strengthened, and the foundation for future wealth laid over fine wine and carefully chosen words. But fate had other plans.   The Massacre: A Merchant’s Fall   When the assassins struck, Oliver Reed reacted as any pragmatist would—he assessed the situation. He had no sword, no training in combat, but he had his mind. He sought escape, not heroism, for what good was a dead merchant? Yet, in the chaos of the massacre, there was no deal to be made, no negotiation that could spare him.   Perhaps he had been too slow, or perhaps his finely honed instincts had finally failed him. Amidst the bloodshed, a crossbow bolt found its mark, piercing his side as he attempted to flee. He staggered, gripping his wound, eyes darting for an escape route. But the assassins were relentless, cutting down the guests without mercy.   They say he died not in panic, nor in fear, but with the cold realization that this was one game of strategy he had lost. His silver pocket watch, the ever-present symbol of his discipline, lay shattered on the banquet hall floor, its hands frozen in time.   Legacy: A Kingdom Without Its Merchant King   With Reed’s death, the Silver Accord Trade Consortium was left leaderless, and uncertainty gripped Virensha’s merchant class. His absence created a power vacuum, one that ambitious traders and rival guilds would soon seek to fill. Who would control trade now? Who would ensure the delicate balance between noble authority and mercantile independence?   For all his calculated dealings, Oliver Reed had never planned for his own demise. And in the wake of the massacre, the wheels of commerce, like the hands of his broken watch, momentarily stood still.