Cardinal

The mysterious trader who seems to know exactly when people are about to spend coin on something specific.

Summary

There exist tales all over multiple realms of a shady, but trustworthy merchant clad in the garb of a simple hunter, with a hat and mask obscuring his entire face, only his red eyes being visible.

Cardinal is said to appear wherever, whenever, and without reason. Being seen in one city and then across the world in an hour. The myth states that he usually resides in a small little carriage, though not pulled or moved by anything, the carriage seems to just materialize. Along with a strange, teleporting carriage, he is able to procure any item from the back of the carriage, even if it is far too long to fit in his little carriage.

There is even tell that Cardinal is secretly a god of sorts, with his seemingly limitless teleporting abilities and uncanny awareness of everything around him.

Historical Basis

Sightings and tales of Cardinal are very plentiful, with countless eye witness reports in larger cities popping up almost daily, along with one of the most popular published journals, the written events of stopping Rylbray's Eclipse published by Nori give some credit to Cardinal for assisting in Cedrick's defeat.

Spread

The story of Cardinal is known far and wide through nearly all of the cities, but it is best known by adventurers who, in a time of need, suddenly see a carriage that happens to sell what they are needing, even if it is a slightly upscaled cost. Adventurers looking to make a name for themselves regularly seek out the man known as Cardinal to try and barter for powerful trinkets.

Variations & Mutation

The story of Cardinal takes many turns as with each person who reports him or is interviewed, the story differs even slightly. A large idea of his myth is that he is a malevolent being, potentially a daemon of sorts, who exclusively sells cursed item and artifacts instead of helpful ones, believing Cardinal is of the Fae.

Many also say he's a collector, procuring different artifacts and even living beings for some odd collection.

A rare, but still spoken about theory is that Cardinal is a Fae God, and potentially the creator of the Fae.

Cultural Reception

Depending on who tells the legend, Cardinal can mean a few different things. Many just see him as a myth but adventurers, especially the ones who say they have seen the real Cardinal, regard him as a savior, appearing in most peoples direst times of need. Merchants across various cities even see him as both a competitor and a blessing, stealing customers from time to time but putting strange artifacts and cursed items into peoples pockets that they end up selling, and keep the markets for such items going.

In Literature

The only published book that Cardinal makes an appearance in is a journal published by famed author Nori, a tale of how she and a group of heroes saved the world from Cedrick and Rylbray bringing about the Eclipse. He is attributed in the story as being quite the help, being a one stop shop for the party and occasionally teleporting them and sending them places.

In Art

While not a traditional form of art, some say it is art to Cardinal, as in many places among the criminals faces plastered on the city streets he too is among them, not exactly wanted for his strange merchandise in certain places.

Related People

• Globaba, The First Changeling