• Species: Exohuman
• Born: 2593 aboard the spaceship Last Frontier
• Affiliation: Federal Courier Service (Federal Landlady of the Halfway Inn)
• Place of Residence: The Halfway Inn

Florence van Dyk was born aboard the spaceship Last Frontier in 2593, growing up in the close-knit engineering community that maintained the ship during the Alpha and Beta Ages. Her father, Arjan van Dyk, was a skilled carpenter and visionary who dreamed of creating a sanctuary for travelers braving the harsh landscapes of the Dark Side.

After the crash landing on VOI 700-D, Arjan secured a license from the Free State of Settlers to build the Halfway Inn. Florence worked alongside her father from its inception, helping to establish the inn as a vital stop on the Trade Route. During the Great War, the Halfway Inn became an orphanage, sheltering children displaced by the conflict, a role Florence took to heart.

In 2634, tragedy struck when Arjan was killed during a raid by the Jane Mendoza Gang. Despite her grief, Florence took over the inn, determined to uphold her father’s vision. Appointed by the GAIA system as the Federal Landlady, she has managed the Halfway Inn with resilience and unwavering dedication, ensuring it remains a haven of security and comfort for all who pass through.

• Job Title: Federal Landlady of the Halfway Inn (since 2634)

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Halfway Inn, coordinating its 17-member staff to ensure smooth functioning.
• Manages relations with the Federal Courier Service, ensuring the safe accommodation of caravans and passengers.
• Maintains order and security within the inn, discreetly monitoring for potential threats.
• Acts as a liaison between the Federal Confederation and local settlers, advocating for the needs of travelers and the Trade Route community.

• Traits: Tough, resourceful, empathetic
• Behavior: Florence exudes a calm authority, born from years of experience managing the chaos of life on the Trade Route. She is quick to act in crises, balancing pragmatism with compassion. Known for her sharp wit, she is unafraid to stand up to bandits or bureaucrats alike, ensuring the Halfway Inn remains a neutral ground.
• Values: Florence believes in the importance of hospitality and community, viewing her role as a protector of the vulnerable. She is deeply loyal to her staff and guests, valuing trust and fairness above all.

• Height: 1.70 meters
• Weight: 62 kg
• Appearance: Florence is lean and weathered, her sharp features reflecting years of resilience. Her gray-streaked auburn hair is usually tied back in a loose braid, and her piercing hazel eyes miss nothing. She wears practical clothing suited for the inn’s demands, often carrying her stun gun discreetly on her hip.

• Armor Class (AC): 11 (light, padded clothing)
• Hit Points (HP): 35

Actions:

• Stun Gun: A non-lethal weapon carried as part of her official role.
• Damage: 1d8, with a chance to stun the target for 1 round (DC 12 Constitution save).
• DIY Air Rifle: A handmade heirloom from her father, hidden in her private quarters. | Damage: 1d10 piercing, range: 60 meters.| Effect: Has a chance to jam if used consecutively (roll a d20; on a 1-3, the rifle jams).
• Deft Strike: Florence can use her quick reflexes to strike an enemy with a heavy object or tool. | Damage: 1d6 bludgeoning.

Special Abilities:

• Innkeeper’s Intuition: Florence gains advantage on Insight checks to detect lies or suspicious behavior.
• Defensive Tactician: Once per round, Florence can impose disadvantage on an attack targeting herself or an ally within 5 feet.

Florence van Dyk is driven by a sense of duty to uphold her father’s legacy, ensuring the Halfway Inn remains a place of refuge in the harsh environment of the Dark Side. She is fiercely protective of her guests and staff, determined to prevent any repeat of the tragedy that took her father’s life. While officially neutral, Florence harbors a quiet disdain for the Jane Mendoza Gang, whose actions have caused her great personal loss.

Her secret air rifle is both a symbol of her father’s ingenuity and a personal reminder of her responsibility to protect the inn at all costs. Despite the challenges of her role, Florence dreams of one day expanding the Halfway Inn to serve as a cultural and trade hub, bringing settlers and travelers closer together.

Florence van Dyk is a versatile NPC who can provide support, guidance, or tension in gameplay. Potential Scenarios:

• Ally Potential: Florence may offer players assistance or information if they prove trustworthy. Her knowledge of the Trade Route and its players can provide crucial leads.
• Defensive Standoff: If the inn is threatened, Florence uses her tactical skills and hidden air rifle to defend her guests and staff.
• Moral Dilemma: Florence’s loyalty to her guests could create conflict if players target a guest she is determined to protect..
• Hidden History: Players might uncover Florence’s personal connection to the Jane Mendoza Gang, adding depth to her character and potential story arcs.
• Trade Route Secrets: As a longtime innkeeper, Florence knows the Trade Route’s hidden dynamics, including smuggling routes and rivalries.

• Dark Side
• Ralar Region
• Trade Route
• Halfway Inn
• Federal Courier Service
• Federal Courier Caravans
• Jane Mendoza Gang

Staff of the Halfway Inn

• Florence van Dyk (Federal Landlady since 2634)
• Isabelle Pradhan (Housekeeper)
• Gustav Fjeldstad (Stable Hand)