Personnel of Fort Virkin – Part 2: Civilian

Frothyr Grumblevoice – Head Chef of the Fortress

Frothyr Grumblevoice is a man of supplies, planning, and quiet control. As the head chef of the fortress, he bears responsibility for the daily nourishment of all residents—a task that goes far beyond simply distributing food. He manages the stores, inspects the quality of ingredients, and ensures that every portion meets the standards of durability, nutrition, and order.
  His face is angular, his voice deep and terse. He speaks rarely, but when he does, his helpers follow without question. Frothyr tolerates no waste, no carelessness. The kitchen under his command is a place of precision: every movement is deliberate, every ingredient has its place.
  He works with dried roots, salted meats, fermented mushrooms, and other long-lasting components, processed and portioned in clear routines. For him, taste is not a luxury but part of structure. Food should strengthen, organize, and suffice.
 

Jyrkarn Smiler – Kitchen Assistant

Jyrkarn Smiler is one of several kitchen assistants, but his name stands out—not because of exceptional skills, but due to his unusually cheerful demeanor. While most work silently and dutifully, Jyrkarn wears a constant smile, even during monotonous tasks.
  He performs his duties reliably: sorting supplies, portioning rations, cleaning containers, and assisting with distribution. He chats with others, occasionally makes a dry remark, or lifts the mood with a casual joke. His manner isn’t intrusive—just unexpectedly light, as if he’s preserved something others have long lost.
  Frothyr Grumblevoice tolerates him—perhaps even more than that. Jyrkarn knows when to be silent, when to act, and when a brief comment is enough to ease the tension in the room. He’s no leader, no planner—but among the kitchen staff, he’s the one you’d rather have beside you when the work drags on.
 

Frysta the Silent – Maintenance and Order Staff

Frysta is part of the fortress’s service staff, responsible for cleaning, maintenance, and quiet oversight of interior spaces. She does not speak, shout, or comment. Her work is silent, precise, and unobtrusive. When something falls out of order, she’s often already fixing it—long before anyone reports it.
  She is the twin sister of Fryska Cold-Eye, the fortress’s caretaker. But while Fryska appears with sharp eyes and clear words, Frysta remains in the background. They share the same discipline, the same endurance—but not the same voice. Frysta communicates through gestures, glances, and actions.
  She is rarely seen in company. She prefers remote corridors, storage rooms, and technical alcoves. Her presence is felt only through the results of her work: cleaned floors, organized supplies, repaired fixtures. Some claim she hears everything, sees everything—but no one knows what she thinks.
  Frysta and Fryska work separately, never speak to each other, yet their routines interlock like gears. Seeing one inevitably brings the other to mind—and reminds you that order is no accident.
 

Fryska Cold-Eye – Fortress Caretaker

Fryska Cold-Eye is the caretaker of the fortress. She oversees structural integrity, inspects mechanical systems, monitors access points, and ensures everything that must function does so. Her voice is brief, her instructions clear.
  She is the twin sister of Frysta the Silent, but unlike her quiet sibling, Fryska is direct and visible. She speaks when necessary and expects to be heard. Her gaze is calm and discerning—she sees what others overlook and identifies problems before they arise.
  Fryska knows the fortress down to its hidden corners. She knows where pressure builds, where materials wear down, where moisture collects. Her tools are simple, her methods efficient. She works with few helpers, but her orders are firm and unquestionable.
  Her connection to Frysta is palpable but wordless. They rarely meet, hardly speak in public. Fryska maintains the structure, Frysta the surface—together they keep the fortress in a state that leaves no questions.
 

Skayrn Strapcutter – Workshop Foreman for Maintenance and Construction

Skayrn Strapcutter runs the fortress workshop—a functional space where devices are repaired, mechanisms maintained, and new solutions developed. He is responsible for the technical upkeep not only of buildings but also of equipment, transport systems, and operational devices used daily and during missions.
  Skayrn is a quiet, focused man with a strong sense of material and function. He speaks little, works much, and when he builds something, it lasts. His workshop is not a place for experiments, but for precise, durable constructions. He knows the limits of available resources and how to solve complex problems with simple tools.
  His name comes from an old craft he once practiced—cutting and fitting straps, belts, and connectors. Today he works with ropes, joints, levers, and fixtures used throughout the fortress.
  Skayrn works closely with Fryska Cold-Eye and the Materials Officer. If something breaks, it ends up with him. If something needs building, he’s the first to be asked. He’s not one for long conversations—but those who know his work know it speaks for itself.
 

Imsal Sniffnose – Fortress Archivist

Imsal Sniffnose is the keeper of knowledge, chronicles, and old maps. As the fortress archivist, he manages the archive—a winding, dusty place full of parchments, reports, sketches, artifacts, and forgotten tales.
  Imsal is a frail, slightly sickly man with a fondness for tea, thick scarves, and the sound of rustling paper. His nickname “Sniffnose” comes from his chronic cold, which never quite leaves him—and from his tendency to sniff emotionally at every discovery.
  He has an almost photographic memory for texts and data. If someone wants to know when the last sighting of a Snovinga occurred, where the old tunnels run, or how supplies were distributed three winters ago—Imsal knows. Or he knows where to find it.
  He’s no fighter, no builder, no strategist—but without him, the fortress would be blind to its own history. His maps aid planning, his reports support analysis, and his records often unlock old mysteries.
  Imsal works closely with the commander. He is cautious, sometimes pedantic, but always helpful. And if he doesn’t know something, he immediately starts searching.
 

Hjorka Barefoot – Fortress Librarian

Hjorka Barefoot is the quiet soul of the library—a place that, unlike the archive, not only preserves knowledge but also unfolds thought. While Imsal Sniffnose manages the fortress’s memory, Hjorka is the guardian of its ideas, stories, and dreams.
  She always walks barefoot, on principle: “If you don’t feel the ground, you lose touch with the world,” she says. Her steps are silent, her presence calming. She moves between tall shelves like a shadow—unobtrusive, yet alert.
  Hjorka is well-read but not preachy. She loves asking questions more than giving answers. Her library is not a place of order, but of discovery. Books lie in stacks, notes hang on walls, and in the corners, young recruits sometimes sit, inspired by old legends.
  She collects not just books, but thoughts. Anyone who speaks with her quickly realizes: Hjorka doesn’t just listen—she thinks along. Her recommendations are never random—she gives you exactly the book you need, even if you don’t know it yet.
  Hjorka rarely works directly with the commander, but often with Imsal when it comes to ancient languages or forgotten authors. She is a mentor to many, a confidante to few, and a source of calm for all who find their way to her.