• Species: ExoHuman
• Born: 2604 aboard the Last Frontier
• Affiliation: Accountant for Firetown Entertainment District venues (Beta Age); Federal Host, Firetown Billiards Saloon; Unofficial Contact, Jane Mendoza Gang (Gamma Age)
• Place of Residence: Firetown

Maria Reuter grew up in the cramped corridors of the Last Frontier as the daughter of shipboard technicians. From an early age she became the go-to problem-solver for broken life-support panels and errant data streams — work that honed her steely focus and knack for straightening out chaos.

After the Last Frontier's crash-landing on VOI 700 D, Maria tried her hand at farming in Hope, but found the work too isolated. Instead, she parlayed her administrative skills into freelance accounting for Firetown’s booming Entertainment District. From 2628 to 2631 she balanced the books for venues like the Red Wheel and Kittens from Space, earning a reputation for discreteness and precision.

In 2631, under federal mandates following the Great War and the rise of Communardism, Maria was tapped to manage billiard operations at the newly nationalized Firetown Billiards Saloon. Privately, she forged an alliance with the Jane Mendoza Gang in the year 2634, falsifying logs and smoothing the mechanics of their secret gambling tables — while publicly presenting herself as a model Federal Host.

• Freelance Accountant (2628–2631): Managed financial ledgers, payroll, and covert “off-the-books” funds for key venues across the Entertainment District — including the Red Wheel and Kittens from Space.

• Federal Host, Firetown Billiards Saloon (2631–present): Issues allotment cards, enforces table-time rules, and oversees official operations.
• Jane Mendoza Gang Contact (since 2634): Discreetly coordinates off-books gambling via coded signals.

• Traits: Precise, composed, quietly ambitious
• Behavior: Always professional; masks her true loyalties behind a courteous smile. Rapidly spots inconsistencies and exploits them in service of her own goals.
• Values: Order, competence, personal advancement—her allegiance shifts to whichever side best preserves her standing.

• Height: 1.66 meters
• Build: Slender but sturdy, with a confident posture that commands respect.
• Appearance: Maria has neatly styled dark brown hair that is often tied back in a bun. Her green eyes are sharp and analytical, reflecting her meticulous nature. In the Gamma Age, she wears the Standard Clothing Set for the Dark Side.

Maria avoids direct combat but is capable of defending herself when necessary.

• Armor Class (AC): 12 (light clothing and agility)
• Hit Points (HP): 50

Actions:

• Federal Stun Gun (Gamma Age only): Hidden in a drawer under her desk, Maria uses the Federal Stun Gun to disable threats quickly. | Effect: Target must succeed on a Constitution save (DC 13) or be stunned for 1 round.
• Calm but Firm (Social): DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) to de-escalate minor disturbances; failure leaves target flat-footed for 1 turn.

• Sharp Observer: Maria has advantage on Insight checks to discern lies or hidden intentions.
• Gatekeeper’s Influence: Players seeking access to the gambling den must pass a Charisma (Persuasion) check against her Insight. Bribes or favors may also sway her judgment.

• Build a Network: Establish a reputation for discretion and reliability—so that club owners trust her with both legitimate and illicit finances.

• Maintain Position: Secure her Federal Host role to keep influence and channel resources to preferred contacts.
• Rise in the Shadows: Leverage her dual roles to gain leverage within the Jane Mendoza Gang—aiming for a power base that outlasts any single patron.

Maria Reuter serves as a key NPC for social and investigative encounters.

• Social Encounters: Maria tests players’ wit and strategy. She is unlikely to reveal the den’s secrets without proof of trust or value.
• Role in the Story: Maria provides a link between the players and the Jane Mendoza Gang, offering both opportunities and challenges depending on how she is approached.

• Gamma Age
• Firetown
• Firetown Billiards Saloon
• Jane Mendoza Gang
• Haruto Miller
• Sergio Adams (Gatekeeper of the VIP Gambling Rooms)