37. Tailor & Netter
On the southern edge of Nulb, among the swampy shacks and muddy alleys, sits a ragged structure barely standing against the elements. Made from stacked hay bales, with a grey woolen blanket in place of a door, the Tailor & Netter is both home and workshop to Dain Blackthread, a man attempting to piece together a new life—one stitch at a time.
Inside, the earthen floor is uneven and damp, covered with warped planks placed haphazardly to avoid the worst of the mud. A small wooden chest at the foot of his straw bed contains his only remaining valuables—a rusted chainmail vest, an old cutlass, and a blackened bandit’s mask. The air carries the scent of mildew, damp wool, and regret.
Once a smuggler and enforcer for the river pirates, Dain’s life was spent spilling blood rather than mending cloth. But after his crew left him for dead in the marshes, he clawed his way back to Nulb and vowed to turn his skills toward something that might—just might—leave fewer scars.
“A patch of hope stitched together with frayed edges and threadbare dreams.”The Tailor & Netter stands as a testament to both perseverance and misfortune. Constructed primarily from bales of hay, the home looks fragile and temporary, as if a strong wind might carry it away. Instead of a door, a heavy grey woolen blanket hangs limply, perpetually damp from the swampy air.
Dain Blackthread
The Tailor with a Fractured PastOnce a smuggler and enforcer for the river pirates, Dain’s life was spent spilling blood rather than mending cloth. But after his crew left him for dead in the marshes, he clawed his way back to Nulb and vowed to turn his skills toward something that might—just might—leave fewer scars.
Appearance
Dain is lean but hardened, with deep-set blue eyes and short, graying hair. His hands, calloused from both blade and thread, work deftly at repairs, his fingers moving with a precision honed by years of tying intricate knots and setting fine stitches. He wears a patched-up black tunic and an old leather coat—a remnant of his past, now faded and frayed.Personality
- Cynical but Hopeful: He doubts his redemption, but he still tries to do right by those who give him a chance.
- Regretful but Pragmatic: He has no illusions about his past, yet he knows he can't change it—only what comes next.
- Fiercely Loyal: Dain will not betray those who trust him, even under threat. He knows what it’s like to be left behind.
The Role of Tailor & Netter
The Tailor & Netter provides basic tailoring services for Nulb’s residents and any travelers passing through who can tolerate the squalor. Despite his struggles, Knum takes pride in his work and yearns to build a reputation as a reliable craftsman.Services Offered
- Clothing Repairs: Patching torn cloaks, stitching boots, and fixing split seams.
- Basic Custom Orders: Given enough time (and payment upfront), Knum can craft simple garments like tunics, cloaks, and breeches.
- Nets and Rope Repairs: Knum’s skill with twine allows him to repair fishing nets, rope ladders, or rigging for small boats.
Reputation
- Locals view Dain with mixed feelings: some pity him for his earnest efforts, while others remember his banditry and are slow to trust him.
- Travelers seeking cheap repairs or a trustworthy hireling may find value in Dain’s services and determination.
"This old armor and sword? They’re worth more to me than coin… they’re all I’ve got left of who I used to be."
Background
Once a trusted member of a local bandit gang, Knum turned his back on that life after seeing the harm it brought to innocent travelers. He returned to the trade he learned as a youth—tailoring—hoping to rebuild his life in Nulb. However, with his reputation preceding him and little coin to his name, Knum has struggled to gain trust or customers.- Skills and Training: Knum learned tailoring as an apprentice in a distant town before falling into banditry. His hand is steady, and his skills are good—he simply lacks the materials to demonstrate his craft.
- Weapons of Worth: His chainmail, shield, and longsword are his only valuable possessions, and he constantly debates whether to sell them to stay afloat.
"I’m trying to leave that life behind, but sometimes the past feels like a shadow that won’t let go."
Dain’s Relationships & Conflicts
Lady Nysera & the Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness
Dain keeps his head down when Lady Nysera Krivaltis’s men pass by. He knows better than to draw their attention, especially since he’s refused their offers to mend their armor—or their dirty work. But her men have noticed his reluctance. If pressed too hard, will he be forced to choose between his shop or his soul?The River Pirates
Captain Tolub’s crew once counted Dain as one of their own. Some might try to pull him back in, offering riches he never had in tailoring."A needle can't fix a gut wound, Dain. Come back to us before you drown in this honest life."
The Villagers
Fishermen and traders pay him in coppers to repair their nets and boots, keeping their distance. A few outcasts trust him, seeing in him what they see in themselves—someone trying to outrun their past."Coin’s been scarce, and trust even scarcer. You can’t blame folks for looking at me sideways."
For Dungeon Masters Only
Secrets and Plot Hooks
Show spoiler
- A Bandit’s Return: Members of Dain’s old gang appear in Nulb, threatening to expose his past unless he helps them rob the village. Dain turns to the adventurers for protection or help.
- Nysera’s Shadow: Lady Nysera’s men grow suspicious of Dain’s reluctance to sell his armor and sword. They demand he swear fealty to her, forcing him into her service as an enforcer. Will the adventurers intervene?
- The Apprentice’s Reward: Dain believes his old master—a retired tailor—hid a stash of valuable cloth and tools. He asks the adventurers to help him locate this “inheritance” to improve his shop.
- Knum as a Hireling: If befriended, Dain offers his services to the party as a loyal henchman. His combat skills make him a reliable fighter, and his tailoring abilities provide useful support.
- The Mud and the Muck: A hidden trapdoor under the muddiest patch of Dain’s floor leads to a forgotten tunnel used by smugglers. Uncovering it draws the attention of both Lady Nysera and The Crimson Reapers .
Dain the Netter by 3orcs
"You need someone to mend your cloak, I’m here. You need someone to swing a sword? I can do that too."
Dain Blackthread: The Tailor with a Shady Past
Dain is a ruggedly handsome man with dark, unkempt hair, piercing green eyes, and a hint of stubble on his face. Though his demeanor is calm, there’s a quiet desperation in his movements.Personality
- Earnest but Wary: Knum is trying hard to redeem himself but is naturally suspicious of others, a trait left over from his time as a bandit.
- Reluctantly Hopeful: He clings to his skills as a tailor as a lifeline, though he secretly fears he’ll never escape his past.
- Reluctant to Let Go: He keeps his armor and sword as his last connection to a life of certainty, even if it was a violent one.
Dain Blackthread
Medium Humanoid (Human)- Chaotic Neutral (with good tendencies)
- Armor Class: 15 (chainmail and shield)
- Hit Points: 11 (2d10)
- Speed: 30 ft.
14 (+2) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 11 (+0)
- Skills: Athletics +4, Perception +1, Sleight of Hand +3, Survival +2
- Weapons: Longsword +4 to hit, 1d8 slashing damage
- Items: Chainmail, shield, longsword, 8 sp, 14 cp
- Fighter’s Resolve: Dain can reroll a failed melee attack roll once per short rest.
- Improvised Tailor: Dain can repair fabric and nets given basic tools, though the results are crude unless quality materials are supplied.
"I can patch your clothes, but I can’t patch your conscience. Believe me, I’ve tried." - Dain
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