The Duke of Ghastlick

Pitfiends Feelers

The Duke of Ghastlick

Names: Duke Durban Bobblewommy Vin Ghastlick

Species: Orc

Age: 49

Job: Grand old duke of orc / hunt-bastard / buffoon

Appears In: Game of Plagues

The Duke of Ghastlick - an orc in a purple, three-piece tweed suit and flatcap

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The Duke of Ghastlick is one of the hereditary land barons that cling to Grand Pundlia like a determined barnacle. While the man has numerous business interests - including Ghastlick Realmport - he's most infamous for the Ghastlick Hunts - a meet-up on his own private acres.

Unlike the adventurers who travel to the wild-realms to kill certifiably evil monsters, 'hunts people' murder helpless animals. This makes a lot of people think they're scumbags, although to be fair, it would be right to think of them thusly even without the animal abuse.

Some have pointed out that when spoken quickly 'Ghastlick Hunts' sounds like a description of the hunts people themselves. The Duke is well aware of the problem, but he'd rather maintain the name recognition than change it. It's also the case that the rich and dreadful have grown accustomed to name calling. Thankfully for them, they have all their ill-gotten gains to make themselves feel better.

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Creation Notes

The Duke of Ghastlick isn't based on a particular noble - he's just my image of what these people are like. It's probably wrong to think they're all like this, of course, as I imagine some are much worse.

I spent a lot of time coming up with his surname as I have an idea for another book on hunting and I needed a word that would sound somewhat descriptive when combined with 'hunts'. The name also sounded pretty similar to 'Gatwick' which meant I could name the Leaden realmport after him. Gatwick itself isn't owned by a duke (as far as I know), but this guy seemed like the sort of wastrel who would own unjustifiable amounts of infrastructure.