Merrick Goldhand

Knight-Captain Merrick Goldhand is a member of the Knights of the Lily and a Champion of Herimetha. She was attempting to solve a series of murders attributed to the urban legend Bloody Jack in the city of Malakaya and enlisted the party's help to do so through their mutual friend Corrin Bellheart.

Personality

Merrick Goldhand is a dedicated and dutiful halfling, driven by her devotion to the goddess of Beauty and Kindness. Having suffered great loss in her life, she takes her role as a member of the Knights of the Lily very seriously, seeing it as her duty to protect the people of Malakaya from harm. While she can be stern and uncompromising in the face of danger, she also has a compassionate side, especially towards those who have suffered as she has. Her faith and loyalty to her goddess are unshakeable, and she will stop at nothing to fulfill her duties as a knight.

Description

Merrick Goldhand is a middle-aged halfling with a warm, friendly face and a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her long brown hair, tinged with grey at the temples, is kept neatly braided, and she wears it pulled back in a practical bun while on duty. Despite her small stature, she is strong and muscular, a testament to her years of rigorous training as a member of the Knights of the Lily. Her armor is well-maintained and polished, with the emblem of Herimetha, goddess of Beauty and Kindness, emblazoned on her breastplate, as is her maul, a great hammer nearly as tall as she is. When she speaks, her voice is firm and commanding, with a hint of kindness and compassion underneath.

Relationships

Merrick lost her husband to the Violet Pox, which devastated Malakaya two decades ago, and still feels the pain of his loss acutely, but her faith in Herimetha has given her the strength to carry on. She often visits her husband's grave to pay her respects and to seek solace in her memories of their life together. Her love for her husband has also inspired her to fight fiercely for the people of Malakaya, to ensure that they do not suffer the same fate as he did. Merrick is deeply committed to her knightly order, the Knights of the Lily. She sees her fellow knights as family, and is willing to lay down her life to protect them and the people they serve. Her devotion to Herimetha is mirrored in her loyalty to her order, and she takes her vows very seriously. Her fellow knights respect her for her dedication, her courage, and her unwavering commitment to their cause. Prince Corrin Bellheart is someone who has captured Merrick's attention and admiration. His liberal politics and opposition to indenture have earned him her respect, and his warm and sociable nature has won her heart. They have become close friends over the years, sharing meals and conversations about their shared passion for justice and social causes. While Merrick has never explicitly stated her romantic interest in Prince Corrin, there are whispers among some that there may be more to their friendship than meets the eye. For now, though, Merrick is content to enjoy their companionship and to fight alongside him for a better world.

History

Merrick Goldhand was born in the thalassocracy of Sidonia. From a young age, she showed a fierce determination to make her own way in the world, and was known for her quick wit and sharp tongue. When she was just a teenager, her family moved to Malakaya, hoping to take advantage of the city's booming economy. Merrick quickly fell in love with the city's vibrant culture and diverse population, and eagerly threw herself into the life of the city. It was in Malakaya that Merrick met Llewellyn Goldhand, a halfling baker with a warm smile and a kind heart. The two fell deeply in love and were married in a joyous ceremony at the Chapel of Nightsky. For many happy years, Merrick and Llewellyn worked side by side in their bakery, creating delicious pastries and breads that were the envy of their neighbors. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and the occasional disagreement. Sadly, their happiness was not to last. In 3378, the Violet Plague swept through Malakaya, killing thousands and leaving many more sick and suffering. Despite her best efforts to keep her husband safe, Llewellyn fell ill and died just a few days later. Merrick was devastated by his loss, and for many long months, she struggled to find meaning in a world that had been turned upside down. It was during this time of mourning that Merrick first became interested in the Knights of the Lily, a chivalric order that dedicated itself to protecting the weak and upholding justice. Drawn by their ideals of honor, courage, and self-sacrifice, Merrick joined the order, eager to use her skills and talents to make a difference in the world. Over the years, she proved herself to be a skilled and dedicated member of the order, rising through the ranks and earning the respect of her fellow knights.

Hunt for Bloody Jack

In 3398, a brutal serial killer named "Bloody Jack," after an old children's skip-rope rhyme, began to stalk the streets of Malakaya. The killer's savage attacks had left the city in a state of constant fear, with people locking their doors and windows at night, and avoiding the streets after dark. The city guard was stretched thin, and the local authorities seemed helpless to stop the madman. That's when Merrick stepped in, determined to bring the killer to justice. Her investigation had been slow and frustrating at first, with little evidence to go on. But as she interviewed witnesses and examined crime scenes, a pattern began to emerge. The killer only struck on certain nights, under specific conditions. Merrick developed a profile of the killer and began to track his movements, slowly closing in on him. But as her investigation progressed, Bloody Jack seemed to take notice of Merrick. He began to taunt her, leaving cryptic messages and clues at the scenes of his crimes. Merrick refused to be intimidated, however, and pushed on with her investigation. She was determined to catch the killer and bring him to justice, no matter the cost. Despite her best efforts, however, Bloody Jack remained elusive. He seemed to be always one step ahead of her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was toying with her. Frustrated and desperate, Merrick turned to the Misunderstandings for help, hoping that together they can finally put an end to the reign of terror that has gripped the city. With their help, Merrick was able to discover the true identity of Bloody Jack, Tarrin Falidore, as well as the one truly behind his depraved acts, Tarrin's mother, Theodora Falidore. Along with the Misunderstandings, she confronted Theodora at the wedding between Tarrin and Mikayla Shipbreaker, and helped fight off the massive devil, Theophany, formed from the union of Theodora and Tarrin's demon. When the fighting ended, she quickly brought her healing hands to bear, aiding both Elpenor Falidore and Tarrin, who, without the demon's intervention, found himself dying of Violet Pox once more.

Rise of the Sisters

After the events of the wedding, Merrick moved in with Corrin, the two choosing to make their relationship official. At the Founders Festival meant to comemmorate the founding of Malakaya, and to honor the efforts of the heroes who had saved the city from Theodora's plot, The Sisters struck, spreading a modified version of Violet Pox engineered to cause those exposed to it to descend into madness. Merrick was present at the attack, and used her holy power to help shield civilians while evacuating them to a larger bubble of safety created by Magister Edouard Wyrmblessed. When the Council of Princes asked the Misunderstandings to descend into the Sump and defeat the Sisters, Merrick offered her aid along with Sebastian Vesper and a reluctant Kymara. In the Sump, Merrick was held back from the Sisters' true sanctum by their overwhelming power, instead remaining behind with Sebastian to hold off a horde of mutated monstrosities. In the ensuing fight, she was grievously injured, losing her left leg at the knee. Once the group emerged from the sewers, she was evacuated to the field hospital set up by the Lys Hospitalier for treatment.