20 Things in Sylvie's Wagon

Hey Realmers! Are you ready for another behind-the-scenes look at The Many Merchants of Malune? As part of creating our characters, each of us did a little writing exercise where we listed out 20 things that could be found in each of the PC's wagons. These lists helped inspire character moments and fill in detail about day-to-day life in Malune. We thought you'd enjoy them, too.

First up is Sylvie and the troupe's wagon. Since we created these lists quite early, some of these details are non-canonical; they depict a world where the troupe has been travelling together in the wagon for a while, even though we know the reality is a bit different! Even if the details are muddy, the spirit is true--like any good fanfiction.

1. Costumes. Often, the troupe will put on plays when  travelling through small towns as a way to earn money. These are very  broad, populist comedies, usually with a lot of sexual innuendo and  fairy tale endings. Fabio is the leading man who sings his feelings.  Sylvie is a princess, or a long-lost princess, or a pair of identical  twin princesses. Paz doubles or triples up on servants, merchants, and  disapproving fathers/kings.

2. Paz’s Instruments. The troupe’s musician has an  uncanny knack for picking up just about any instrument and figuring it  out in a couple of hours. He has a large box with lutes, harps, and  pipes knocking about, with a sediment layer of simple drums and bells on  the bottom for Sylvie and Fabio to use as needed. A couple of nicer  instruments hang from pegs nearby.

3. A Stack of Mail. At one point when they were  travelling a lot, Fabio had the idea that they could act as a courier  service as well—free extra money. The idea, and this bundle of letters  and parcels, was eventually forgotten.

4. Fabio’s Shaving Set. One of his nicer possessions,  this includes an only-slightly-cracked mirror, a razor and strop, and a  pair of washing bowls. Fabio gets mad when Sylvie uses his set to  freshen up, so she tries to do it when he’s not around. Paz doesn’t  shave.

5. An Almanac. No one remembers who bought this. Of  the three, Fabio has the strongest reading skills. Often consulted  during arguments, or for medical advice when one of them falls sick.

6. The Strongbox. One of the reasons Sylvie scrimped  up enough to buy this particular wagon is the strongbox built into the  rear of the wagon, reinforced with iron. After losing a huge chunk of  money to a burglary in her previous accommodations, Sylvie ensured it  wouldn’t happen again. Though the troupe does not keep the tightest grip  on their finances, there is a small stockpile of coins and sellable  items for ultimate emergencies kept in here. Sylvie keeps the key on her  at all times.

7. Dagger, Slid Into the Crack Beside Each Mattress. A secondary security feature.

8. Jarred Figs. Paz’s favourite snack. He only eats  them on special occasions, and politely declines to share them with  anyone. Fabio and Sylvie try to remember to buy him a new jar on his  birthday to keep him happy.

9. Lacquered Folding Screen. Sylvie tried at first to  preserve a sense of modesty in the wagon when changing or bathing. This  proved impossible when it became too onerous to set up and move the  screen constantly. Now the troupe has an unspoken agreement to face the  corner and get it over with quickly.

10. Wine Bottles. Fabio is saving these for a special  occasion. It turns out he celebrates special occasions pretty damn  often, so he constantly needs to go buy more. He claims at least one of  the bottles is actually an old, rare vintage.

11. Cooking Supplies. One dented pot. One scratched  pan. A roll with two knives and a spatula. Tin sporks perched inside tin  cups hanging precariously from the wall. A mid-size water jug that  always smells faintly, though the water tastes okay. Paz does all the  cooking, and his one insistence is trying to buy or find herbs when he  can.

12. Carved Wooden Dice. Fabio owns this crudely-made set. Two are weighted, which Fabio uses to run light cons and pick up spare cash.

13. Sylvie’s Shortbow. Sylvie took this as payment  from a young man who asked for the pleasure of her company. She figured  she would sell it but ended up holding on to it. Mostly she uses it as a  prop or to threaten people, but she knows how to use it. Kind of.

14. Fortune-Telling Set. Deck of cards, glass sphere,  incense, candles. A good way to make money, especially in smaller  settlements where people are impressed by this stuff. Sylvie puts on an  accent and Paz plays creepy music.

15. Sketches of Solay. Paz likes to draw during breaks while he’s busking. These are done with thick, crumbly charcoal and are not very good.

16. Satin Dress and Jewellery. Sylvie avoids wearing these to keep them as clean as possible. If she ever finds herself  trying to impress a rich person—maybe someone who would pay for her to  lounge about a palace all day—she wants to have this ready.

17. Mop, Broom, and Bucket. These are only ever used as stage props.

18. Rainbird. Fabio is from somewhere further south  in Malune, which the other two forget until he brings up some specific  cultural touchpoint like the rainbird. Apparently, where he’s from  everyone hangs one of these carved wooden birds in front of their house  for good weather. Sylvie thinks it’s ugly, but when she took it down  Fabio sulked for days.

19. Book of Fairy Tales. Paz stole this ages ago but  Sylvie refuses to sell it. It has illuminated illustrations in vibrant  colours. Sylvie flips through it when she’s sad.

20. Kiki. Paz’s pet. Some kind of rodent that  resembles a cloud of fluff with bright green eyes and a long tail. Lives  in a tiny cage next to Paz’s hammock and shits on the floor when let  out. Fabio hates her, Sylvie loves her, and Paz tries to teach her  tricks so she can perform with them and earn more money for the troupe.

Thanks for reading! We've got two more wagons to explore (at least!), so who would like to see next: Jolie's Cheesemobile, or Zeke's Moving Anvil? Let us know!