Naelo of the Prism Pact
He smiles like a sunrise — and hides like a knife in it.
Mike’s Personal Thoughts
Lad… don’t let the sparkle fool ya.
I’ve seen oracles, seers, soothsayers — all the usual shiny bastards who talk like riddles and smell like incense and regret. But Naelo? He’s different.
He’s nice.
Too nice.
The kinda nice that leaves you checkin’ if yer coin purse is still there — even though you’re sure he didn’t touch it.
And if he did, he probably left a better one behind just to mess with ya.
He’s not cruel. But he’s not kind, either.
He’s... curious. Hungry. Bright as a glass dagger.
They say he was born when the Prism Pact fractured — whatever that means. Me? I say he’s one part light, one part charm, and two parts somethin’ that oughta stay sealed. But he’s here, star-touched and smilin’, and you’ll feel warmer just standin’ near him.
Don’t mean he won’t burn ya.
Character Overview
Character Type: NPC
Build Type: Roleplay & Skill Hybrid
Build Role: Charismatic Wildcard, Ally or Trickster, Social Puzzle Node
Who He Is (and What He Ain’t Sayin’)
Naelo is a radiant, otherworldly figure who claims to represent “what remains of the Pact” — a mysterious celestial accord shattered in the star’s wake. Whether that’s a lie, a ritual, or a metaphor, even he doesn’t say.
But his role in the Conclave is clear:
He guides.
He tests.
He charms.
And occasionally, he betrays — with a kiss on the hand and a “thank you for trusting me.”
He floats between the locations of the Conclave like light between mirrors — never staying, always returning. He’s a social mirror, designed to reflect the party’s own intentions.
If they lie, he lies better.
If they trust, he rewards it.
If they try to break him, he’ll smile… and disappear before the blow lands.
What He Looks Like
Skin: Smooth and radiant — skin like mother-of-pearl that shifts in hue under the light
Eyes: Iridescent, multi-colored like fractured gems — always amused, always tired
Hair: Flowing silver that occasionally refracts rainbows when he moves too quickly
Clothing: Sash-like robes stitched with celestial thread — no seams, no fasteners, just fluid shape and elegance
Voice: Velvet over blades — soft, musical, but cuts to the bone when he’s done being polite
Presence:
The air shifts when he enters a room. Like the moment before a storm, or the silence right before someone laughs.
He’s enthralling.
And it’s never clear if that’s magic, or just him.
Narrative Role & Gameplay Use
Naelo isn’t yer average guide, nor a full-on antagonist. He’s a pressure gauge. A glitterin’ test o’ trust, temptation, and what yer party’s willing to believe when the truth feels too raw to swallow.
Lore Function:
Naelo claims to be the last remnant of the Prism Pact — a celestial covenant that once bound stars, oaths, and something more ancient than gods. The Pact broke when the star fell, and now he’s what’s left: a living echo, or maybe just the shard that didn’t vanish.
He’s drawn to the party because they’re walking paths written in the sky, and he wants to watch.
Sometimes he helps.
Sometimes he hinders.
Sometimes he disappears for three sessions and returns in someone else's memory.
“I never lie. I just show truths from better angles.”
Optional Mechanics (GM Use Only — Don’t Let Players Peek)
Naelo’s Pact Temptation
Once per party member, he offers them a fragment of the Prism Pact — a glowing shard, pressed into their palm with a gentle smile.
Effect (Optional Buff):
Advantage on one type of Charisma check (player’s choice), for the rest of the arc.
AND: Once, the player can ask Naelo a yes/no question. He must answer truthfully.
Catch:
Naelo knows the truth. But the players don’t know which version of the truth he’s using.
If rejected:
He leaves them alone. But later, they may dream of him — standing in the light of a hundred versions of themselves… and smiling at the wrong one.
Smile at Him — But Count Yer Teeth
👉 Naelo works best when yer party thinks he’s harmless — until they realize he’s always been two moves ahead. Run him like a puzzle piece in disguise, a truth laced in perfume, a pact that might just save them — or break the world a little further.
Discover the Celestial Refractor
Speak with Ilyra of the Folded Sky
FAQ
Q: Is he good or evil?
A: Neither. He’s a shard of something bigger. His morality depends on what the players want — and whether they’re ready to pay for it.
Q: Can he be fought?
A: Technically, yes. But hitting Naelo is like stabbing light. He’ll be somewhere else the moment the blade lands — and he’ll leave a memory behind to answer for him.
Q: What’s his goal?
A: He says it’s to “see the end.” He doesn’t specify whose.
When Charm Has Teeth
👉 Naelo ain’t just a handsome NPC with a smirk. He’s a living test of the party’s moral compass. Will they trust him? Trade with him? Follow him into a Trial Room? Every interaction’s a mirror — and what they see in it might not be what they want to see.
About Mike’s Tavern
Contact
Explore the Conclave
Related Lore Across the Conclave
The Voice Beyond the Star – It has not spoken aloud. Not yet. But it’s been listening since before the sky cracked.
Celestial Refractor – Where Naelo sometimes appears mid-reading, whispering corrections.
Ilyra of the Folded Sky – He calls her “the echo I admire.” She never returns the compliment.
Berenzaar the Archivist – They once debated a star map into combustion. No one speaks of it now.
Vimra of the Thirteenth Flame – She won’t speak to him. He visits anyway.
Shrine of the Thirteenth Sign – He always stands too close to it. As if it’s calling him back.
Wanderer's Rest – He once claimed it was made from his old Pact-brother’s bones. He was probably joking.
About Mike’s Tavern – Mike doesn’t trust him. “Too many teeth in that grin.”
Contact – Try. He may answer before you press send.
Still think light's always good?
Naelo’s barely holdin’ it together — and the Conclave’s only makin’ it worse. Follow the trail of radiant regrets in Shrine of the Thirteenth Sign, or see what happens when Vimra pushes back against the light she once swore to follow.
