← All NPCs
npc-carman-rajani portrait

Carman Rajani

npc active

Current state

Carman Rajani is the blacksmith and weapon-merchant of Otari, operating the shop known as "Blades for Gladys" [S5]. She is the last surviving member of the Rajani line — descendants of a Rose Guard founder — and has long nursed a bitter claim to both the town's ancestral sword and the mayoral seat [S11]. After years of failed elections, drink, and petty crime, Carman set fire to the Donflower Library as a distraction, stole the family heirloom blade Rose Argentis (Rosargentis), and fled to the Smuggler's Refuge [S19]. Talked down by the party and returned to Otari, she stood trial for theft, arson, and resisting arrest. Defended by the adventurers, she was sentenced to one year of public service, mandatory sobriety with a sponsor, and a tavern ban — but no prison time — and her shop reopened with a discount for the party [S25]. Back on her feet but on probation and heavily taxed [S30], Carman became a reliable town ally: repairing gear on critical successes [S47], running throwing-weapon training for Venris [S49], performing rune transfers for Cid [S54], and providing the party's standing 20% Otari market discount [S38]. She has specialist knowledge that extends to exotic weapons — recognizing the Tamchal chakram as Urdefhan-made and warning of the dangers of the "Earth-and-Huns" [S46]. As of S60, a new threat has emerged: the devil Irvane has placed a large "captured alive" bounty on Carman, apparently targeting her for her Rose Guard lineage and artifact connection, and the party fears the devil may try to use them as bait to lure her in [S60]. By S62, the devil Aravian's interest in "the Rajani" has become an active concern the party is tracking [S62]. In [S64], Venris warns Carman directly about Sanemi's contract-devil bounty. Carman says he does not know Uravian/Erevian, is constrained by probation but visibly worried, and later refuses to modify Rosa Argentis while demonstrating Blossom Veil — a family-sword ability he thought only he could use.

Recorded status active · Last seen [S64 · 02:57:15 · turn 3475 · scene 007]

Why this matters now

Latest recorded development
  • S64 Carman is sober under probation, says he tricked Sanemi, does not know Uravian by name, is worried after Venris explains the bounty, refuses to modify Rosa Argentis, and recognizes Blossom Veil as a family-sword ability he thought only he could use. [S64 · 00:45:10 · turn 0812 · scene 004]

3 open hooks remain on this record.

Recent appearances

Open hooks

Relationships

Full history

Show the complete record (26 sessions)
First seen [S5 · 02:12:45 · turn 1046] · All sessions S5 S9 S11 S15 S17 S18 S19 S20 S24 S25 S30 S37 S38 S39 S44 S45 S46 S47 S49 S52 S54 S56 S60 S61 S62 S64

Story

Carman Rajani: From Bitter Heir to Hunted Ally

Carman Rajani first appears as a gruff, guarded fixture of Otari — the smith at "Blades for Gladys" who rebuffs charm but warms to Cid, forges custom weapons, and deflects any talk of family relics [S5, S9]. Beneath that prickly surface is a simmering grievance: she is the last of the Rajani bloodline, descendants of a Rose Guard hero, and she believes that legacy entitles her to both the ancestral silver sword Rose Argentis (displayed at the town library) and the mayoral seat the current incumbent holds in her family's shadow [S11]. Four lost elections, a circle of Crook Snook associates, and years of escalating drink have eroded her into what the town sees as its worst thief and con-man — known as the Ace of Blades for knife-throwing, and known for beatings and blackmail when votes failed her.

The arc turns at S18, when Carman goes mysteriously absent from her usual tavern seat — a gap that sets Cid and the party on her trail [S18]. The answer arrives quickly: she burned the Donflower Library as cover, stole the Rose Argentis from its display, and fled north to her bolt-hole at Smuggler's Refuge, convinced the sword's luck would finally win her the next election [S19]. The party tracked her down and talked her back, and she surrendered. The aftermath unfolded over sessions 20 and 24 as she awaited trial — repentant, described as having turned herself in willingly, with Venris pushing hard for leniency against a guard commander eager to over-punish [S20, S24].

The trial in S25 is the pivot of her arc. Defended by the party before judges Lardis, Mayor Vangerdale, and Bandy, she was found guilty of theft and arson but not guilty of resisting arrest. The sentence — one year public service, mandatory sobriety with a sponsor, a tavern ban, no imprisonment — is a mercy she barely deserved and one the party fought for. Her shop reopened immediately, discounted for the heroes [S25].

Recovery is slow and imperfect. S30 shows her back on the streets, still on probation, still heavily taxed, hinting her prices may need to rise. When Cid shows her the Rosa Argentis in the street, she admires it and vows she will reclaim it for her family one day — the old hunger banked but not gone [S30].

Over the mid-campaign sessions Carman quietly becomes one of the party's most useful town contacts. After a priest decontamination strips Venris of his clothing, Carman outfits him with new gear [S38]. She opens her knife-throwing wall to Venris for feat retraining — sessions 39 and 49 mark measurable progress on Quick Draw [S39, S49]. When Venris needs the Shifter Prosthesis repaired in a crisis, Carman delivers a critical success, fully restoring 40 HP of damage and handing over a healing potion from her own stock [S47]. She handles rune extraction and imbuing for Cid — transferring a striking rune from composite longbow to family heirloom longbow, an eight-hour job done right [S54]. She is also a source of field intelligence: when Venris shows her the Tamchal chakram, she identifies it as Urdefhan-made and names the wielders violent warmongers [S46], knowledge that proves useful as the dungeon delves deepen.

Her old hideout at Smuggler's Refuge resurfaces as a geographic reference in sessions 44 and 45 when the party maps a tunnel reconnecting to "the little cave Carman was in" — physical proof that her earlier story has left traces in the landscape [S44, S45].

S53 ties her name to the Rosa Argentis in the party's ongoing relic accounting — she is remembered as the origin point of the sword, the reason the party has it at all [S53]. And in S61, Abbas uses the sound of Carman's workshop as the benchmark against which he judges the hellforge anvil's ring, and the party explicitly prefers crafting at "Regani's workshop" to working at the demonic forge — a quiet signal of how far trust has traveled [S61].

The late-campaign threat crystallizes in S60: the devil Irvane has posted a substantial "captured alive" bounty on Carman, apparently connected to her Rose Guard lineage and her tie to the Rosa Argentis. The party suspects the devil may attempt to use them as leverage to deliver her. By S62, Aravian's interest in "the Rajani" is a live concern the party is actively discussing, unsure what the infernal interest in Otari's blacksmith ultimately means [S62]. Carman — who began the campaign as a drunk, a thief, and a grudge given legs — has become an unwitting focal point in whatever larger infernal plot is closing around Otari.

S64 brings that threat to Carman directly. Venris finds her sober but still constrained by probation, and Carman says she does not know Uravian/Erevian by name before Venris explains the bounty on her head [S64, 01:03:14; S64, 01:07:19; S64, 01:09:28]. Carman is shaken, but still offers practical help. Later she refuses to modify Rosa Argentis because it is her family sword, demonstrates Blossom Veil, and is surprised when Cid can activate the same ability [S64, 02:53:58; S64, 02:54:37; S64, 02:57:15]. The result is a sharper open question: Uravian wants the Rajani alive, Carman does not know why, and the sword's bloodline-linked power remains active around Cid.

Recorded beats

  • S5 Grumpy, gruff weapon-shop blacksmith in Otari who rebuffed Veve's seduction last session but bonded with Cid. Sells the party weapons; Venris buys a wakizashi from him. Still unfriendly to Venris. Shop name heard as 'Blades for Gladys'. [S5 · 02:12:45 · turn 1046]
  • S9 Otari blacksmith who forged Cid's Rajani's Malunar Rapier and performs rune transfers. A descendant of a Rose Guard hero (the Rajani line); resents the mayor (who 'only has his job because of his name') and aspires to be mayor himself. Coy about family relics/heirlooms. [S9]
  • S11 Otari's blacksmith and the town's best thief/con-man, closely tied to the Crook Snook thieves. Drunk and embittered: he is the last surviving Rajani, claims Rose Guard founder blood and a right to the mayorship, and lost every election (resorting to beatings/bribes/blackmail). He covets his family's ancestral silver longsword 'Rose Gente' (rose-and-thorns motif) displayed at the library; the mayor ('Osa') won't sell it back. His parents were killed years ago by an Absalom bounty target ('high woman'). Known as 'Ace of Blades' for knife-throwing. Name heavily mangled (Carman/Johnny likely the same NPC). [S11]
  • S15 A drunk Otari NPC who throws knives at the tavern wall, talks about keeping his 'good stuff' at a place called Smugglers' Refuge north of town, and propositions Cid before stumbling out. Stayed up drinking with Cid that night. [S15]
  • S17 An offhand-referenced character tied to Venice's backstory ('his whole sword bullshit'). Mentioned only when the player chose a memory for Venice to forget to the ghosts; the GM linked 'Carman' and 'Rajani.' Identity and relevance unclear from this session alone. [S17]
  • S18 A contact the party expected to find at the tavern, who is mysteriously absent ('he would have been here'). His absence prompts Cid to want to investigate the library. A dangling mystery thread. [S18]
  • S19 A local Otari drunk and longtime menace who claims the Rose Argent is his family heirloom. He set a fire at the library as a distraction, stole the sword, and fled to the Smuggler's Refuge. Has lost four mayoral elections and believes the sword's luck would finally win him the office. Talked down by the party, returned to Otari, and arrested. Name spellings (Carman/Harmon) appear to be transcription variants of one NPC. [S19]
  • S20 Drunk-and-disorderly townsman the party captured for arson (burning one of Otari's oldest buildings, a library/books) and burglary (a stolen sword and 'borrowed' money/diamond). A descendant of Vaunt Jeljust / the Rose Guard who has long wanted the heirloom sword Rose Argent but never earned it. The mayor wants the party to talk him into reforming; punishment likely ~10 years. Name spelling uncertain (also rendered 'Carman'). [S20]
  • S24 A fugitive the party found/captured (apparently after 30 years missing) who turned himself in willingly and is described as repentant. He is awaiting a trial in Otari (in a couple of days / next week) before three judges: Lardis, the mayor (Vangerdale), and Bandy. Venerus advocates for leniency and reform; the guard leader Lardis is eager to over-punish. [S24]
  • S25 Otari's blacksmith and a descendant of the Rose Guard, on trial for theft of his ancestral sword (the Rosargentis), arson at the Donflower Library, and resisting arrest. Defended by the party; found guilty of theft and arson but not guilty of resisting arrest. Sentenced to one year of public service, mandatory sobriety/AA probation with a sponsor, and a tavern ban, but no prison time. His shop reopens with a discount for the heroes. [S25]
  • S30 A friendly NPC who runs into Cid in the street, admires and briefly wields the Rosa Argentis, and vows to one day reclaim it for his family. He is back working/worshipping but on probation and heavily taxed, hinting he may raise his prices. [S30 · 00:48:24 · turn 0425]
  • S37 The Otari blacksmith the party did a whole 'season' of questing for. Raised in the end-of-session out-of-character discussion: a player expected helping Rajani would unlock custom crafting of cool gear (Cid has a custom-crafted sword from him), and is disappointed the GM has ruled custom crafting… [S37 · 04:48:21 · turn 1457]
  • S38 The Otari blacksmith who likes Venris. After the priests burn Venris's fungus-contaminated clothes and disinfect his armor, Venris goes to him for clothes and crafted gear adjustments. Tied to the party's 20% Otari market discount. Recurring NPC. [S38 · 00:14:09 · turn 0087]
  • S39 The town smith / knife-thrower ('giga the knife thrower') who has a dedicated knife-throwing wall. Venris shows him his throwers bandelier and chakrams and recruits him to help him retrain a thief feat into Quick Draw over about a week. [S39 · 01:06:57 · turn 0284]
  • S44 Referenced this session because the Smuggler's Refuge cave tunnel reconnects to 'the little cave that Carman was in to hide out' — a known prior location the party recognizes. [S44 · 03:01:05 · turn 1680]
  • S45 Recurring NPC, referenced only in passing this session: the party recalls the stone formation wall where Carman had been hiding, which would take ~20 hours to dig through to reach the old hideout/tower. [S45 · 00:53:47 · turn 0499]
  • S46 The Otari blacksmith/merchant the party shops with (his 'collections' and 'guns and deliveries' stock offer discounts). Venris shows him the Tamchal chakram; he recognizes it as an Urdefhan weapon and warns the 'Earth-and-Huns' are violent warmongers. His old hideout (Rajani's hideout) was… [S46 · 00:01:35 · turn 0018]
  • S47 The Otari blacksmith/crafter. Venris ran to his shop to repair the Shifter Prosthesis; Rajani fixed it on a crit success (expert crafter, healed 40 HP, full repair) and handed over a minor healing potion, though he had no 3rd-rank mending scrolls. [S47 · 00:16:19 · turn 0157]
  • S49 Otari blacksmith/merchant. This session restocks Venris's light hammers (with the usual discount) and runs his throw-weapon training (good progress, feat not yet retrained). Matches canon npc-carman-rajani. [S49 · 04:44:39 · turn 2459]
  • S52 The Otari blacksmith; Venris goes to Rajani's to train his throwing and wait for the party during the day's downtime. Mentioned only in passing this session. [S52 · 00:38:12 · turn 0275]
  • S54 Town weapon/gear vendor. Bought most of the party's sold weapons and agreed to transfer Veve's striking rune onto her plain heirloom longbow for 10 gp (8-hour job, ready next day). [S54 · 02:38:19 · turn 2819]
  • S56 The Otari blacksmith, consulted to identify the small transparent gem; he can't ('I'm a black smith, just looks like a gem to me'). Brief off-screen reference during town downtime. [S56 · 04:01:57 · turn 2065]
  • S60 The party's blacksmith ally, wielder of the Rosa Argentis family sword and tied to the Rose Guard. This session he is revealed as the target of the devil Irvane's large 'captured alive' bounty, apparently for his Rose Guard / artifact connection. The party speculates the devil may try to use them… [S60 · 03:28:02 · turn 1734]
  • S61 The Otari blacksmith. Referenced this session as the standard against which Abbas judges the hellforge anvil's ring ('being around anvils with Carman'), and as whose workshop ('Regani's workshop') the party would rather craft in than the demonic forge. [S61 · 01:51:25 · turn 0922]
  • S62 Referenced by the party as someone Aravian is interested in ('why is he interested in the Rajani?'). The party recalls the name as Carman/Carmine Rajani. [S62 · 00:46:40 · turn 0389]
  • S64 Carman is sober under probation, says he tricked Sanemi, does not know Uravian by name, is worried after Venris explains the bounty, refuses to modify Rosa Argentis, and recognizes Blossom Veil as a family-sword ability he thought only he could use. [S64 · 00:45:10 · turn 0812 · scene 004]