The Fate of Steve Holland

This flow follows Steve Holland from fraudulent Debtor to unwilling healer, contracted adviser, and morally compromised member of William Oh’s network.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Purchased Debtor

The Purchased Debtor A Failed Miracle William Oh pays for regeneration, but Andover cannot restore his hand because it belongs to The Tower. The failed service becomes a financial and emotional insult. A Choice of Prisoners The Temple offers Debtors as purchasable priests. Loth chooses Steve Holland because experience is more valuable than youth. A Bad Bargain Steve appears to be a useful Healer, but his history of fraud immediately makes the Party’s new asset suspect.

The Corpse Scam

The Corpse Scam A Convenient Fall Steve pretends to break his neck on a small rise, expecting William Oh and Loth to return him for a refund or assume his debt. Empty Ground The corpse disappears, revealing that the death was staged. Steve intended to exploit the Temple’s Corpse Fine and escape his obligations. Fraud Reversed Will uses the missing corpse to pressure Steve rather than accepting the debt. The scammer becomes the hunted party.

The Contracted Healer

The Contracted Healer A Violent Chase Steve uses Confusion and divine shields while William Oh pursues him through Temple of Andover. The Healer’s level makes him dangerous despite his lack of combat focus. The Tomahawk Contract Will forces Steve to swear truthfulness, cooperation, and assistance in recovering assets. The contract turns fraud into constrained service. A Moral Compromise Will does not kill Steve, but only because future profit may cover the debt. Mercy and coercion become difficult to distinguish.

The Expert Adviser

The Expert Adviser Information as Payment Steve offers knowledge of the higher Floors, contacts, and logistics in exchange for continued employment. His value lies less in combat than in accumulated experience. A Change of Position He recognizes William Oh’s potential and shifts from defiance to obsequious service. His attitude is opportunistic, but his advice is often accurate. A New Function Steve becomes a liaison who can handle town business while the Party climbs. The former fraud now helps convert information into survival.

The Unwanted Loyalty

The Unwanted Loyalty Freedom Offered After the Corpse Fine is paid, Steve could leave. Instead, he asks to remain with William Oh’s Party. Calculated Attachment Steve knows that Will’s future may make association profitable. His loyalty is therefore practical, but practical loyalty can still become dependable. A Network Below Steve’s new work lets him gather contracts, rumors, and supplies in Coalton and other Strongholds. The Party gains a civilian infrastructure it cannot build alone.

during William Oh’s visit to Temple of Andover

during Steve Holland’s first day with the Party

during the pursuit of Steve Holland

during Steve Holland’s explanation of Lordship

after the Ice Caves Expedition