Meat Party Vendor

Summary

The Meat Party Vendor is a thick-armed, middle-aged operator of the Meat Party stall in the New Smoke food court. In Session 8, the vendor becomes a key source of information about the violent takeover of New Smoke when Vasso and Safia witness guards extorting them for protection money. The vendor has suffered significant personal loss during the takeover—the thugs took the vendor's nephew and recruited him into their gang, and the vendor now watches him "walking around in one of those vests kicking people around." Despite operating under constant financial pressure and harassment from the New Smoke Guards, the vendor demonstrates resilience, dark humor, and generosity, offering free meat patties to Vasso and Safia after they intervene on the vendor's behalf.

Appearance

The Meat Party Vendor is described as thick-armed and middle-aged. The vendor works at a food stall where they mash mystery meat into circle shapes, fry them, and serve the patties on pieces of paper. The vendor's physical build suggests someone accustomed to manual labor, consistent with the demanding work of running a food stall in New Smoke's market.

History

Session 8

The Meat Party Vendor first appears when Vasso and Safia observe New Smoke Guards demanding payment at the Meat Party stall. The vendor protests the extortion: "Oh, come on. I already. I already paid. I paid yesterday. I can't." After Vasso confronts the guards, the vendor expresses gratitude: "Ah, thanks, kid. I appreciate what you're trying to do."

When questioned about the situation in New Smoke, the vendor explains that the extortion began recently: "Yeah, it's just, you know, last couple weeks, you know, a bunch of. Bunch of thugs rolled in, took over the place. Said they were in charge. There were a lot of them." The vendor describes the violence of the takeover: "Couple people got. A couple people got taken away. A couple stalls got smashed. You know, homes burnt, the whole thing."

The vendor reveals personal loss during the takeover: "They took my Nephew. Yeah, well, I mean, they took him and then I see him walking around in one of those vests kicking people around." When Vasso naively suggests the merchants should organize resistance, the vendor responds with sarcastic humor: "You know what? I don't think any of us ever considered rising up against them, really? That's a great point, kid." The vendor immediately apologizes: "No, I'm so. I'm sorry. I just, you know, it's been a rough. A rough couple weeks."

Despite the financial strain of daily extortion payments, the vendor gives Vasso and Safia free food: "Me pat. Meat patties are on me. I really appreciate you sticking your necks up for me." When asked about the mysterious leader operating from the New Smoke Town Hall, the vendor admits limited knowledge: "No, I haven't really. Haven't really heard too much. It's more just like a, like a vague presence, you know, no one's really seen the guy."

Key Attributes

Occupation: Operates the Meat Party stall, preparing and selling fried meat patties
Personal Loss: The vendor's nephew was taken and recruited by the thugs, now serves as one of their enforcers wearing the gang's distinctive vest
Financial Situation: Under daily extortion by New Smoke Guards, struggling to make payments
Personality Traits: Demonstrates dark humor under pressure, generosity despite hardship, and sarcasm when faced with unrealistic suggestions
Knowledge: Provides crucial information about the timeline and nature of New Smoke's takeover (approximately two weeks prior to Session 8)
Attitude Toward Resistance: Weary and skeptical of confronting the thugs, having witnessed their violence firsthand