Ded Moroz
Half-brother to Lord Claus, the general of the North
King of Diamonds
Long ago, an arcane war between good and evil played out across the now barren expanses of the North. Few of the ageless combatants remained on either side of the contest, ushering in the era of humanity and its relatively quick and frequent reproduction. Surviving immortals and their lines act as sentinels of the light, fostering the spread of humanity or safeguarding it from a resurgence of dark forces.
The Claus lineage were assigned the former task, and the Moroz family the latter. Retired from his military service, Ded Moroz now attempts to acclimate to civil society amid the domain of his half-brother. However, some memories stick like scars.
In Conversation
Ded delights in any open ear his tales can find and shows deep gratitude for your perseverance. Despite his battle-marred appearance and icy ghost of a left eye, staff generally see Ded as the warmest and most sincerely friendly of the family.
Trouble
Ded believes (erroneously) the elves harbor his old nemesis the Baba Yaga and is preparing for war against them.
Normal
Ded regales anyone who’ll listen with tales of his grand battles against the Baba Yaga and her nefarious alliance with the woodland elves during the Dark Ages.
Tier 1
When it comes to weapons and ammo, Ded is like a squirrel burying nuts for the winter: they are everywhere and most of them are forgotten. He does know that a box of dynamite was wrapped in festive wrapping paper and hidden among the family's presents, but those presents were recently relocated. Find the wrapped dynamite and bring it back to Ded so he can hide it again.
Tier 2
Ded found a chicken foot somewhere. Probably the kitchen. But Ded is convinced it's more than a chicken foot... it's a message from Baba Yaga! A death threat! And if Baba Yaga's back, the house needs to get ready. Find a festive way to add barricades around the Manor and grounds that can repel Baba Yaga's mobile attack hut – without tipping off that Ded's on to her plot.
Tier 3
An old lady (note: absolutely NOT Baba Yaga, despite what Ded says) has been badly injured by Ded's vigorous home defense. This is just the sort of thing that could drive humans into a war on Christmas, so please arrange for quick and quiet treatment. Oh, and act fast, because Ded has changed his story and is stalking the Manor with a blunderbuss, saying he wasn't fooled by "that decoy!"
Tier 4
Ded has convened a kangaroo court where every elf in the employ of the family must face the accusation of being an agent of Baba Yaga. Ded, draped in every bit of military finery he's ever owned, has already sentenced 30% of the work force to life in prison. There's some fear he may start sentencing "infiltrators" to death. Work under these conditions is impossible.