• Species: ExoHuman
• Born: 2604 aboard the Last Frontier
• Affiliation: Freelance Accountant for venues of the Firetown Entertainment District (Beta Age) and Firetown Billiards Saloon (Federal Host), Jane Mendoza Gang (Unofficial Contact) in the 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 crashlanding 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, 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 Red Wheel, Kittens from Space, and Saloon Gloria.

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

• Traits: Practical, secretive, authoritative.
• Behavior: Maria is composed and professional, maintaining an air of quiet authority. She is highly observant, quickly identifying potential threats or opportunities. While she appears approachable, her true loyalty lies with the gang, and she will not hesitate to manipulate others to maintain her position.
• Values: Maria values order and efficiency, which makes her an asset to the saloon. However, her ambition and ties to the gang reveal a willingness to bend rules for personal gain.

• 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. 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 of power: Maria’s primary goal is to maintain her position of power within the Firetown Billard Saloon while safeguarding the interests of the Jane Mendoza Gang. She is ambitious but pragmatic, unwilling to take unnecessary risks. Her ultimate aspiration is to gain more influence within the gang.

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