Terry
Summary
Terry is a barrel-chested guard in New Smoke who serves as the de facto leader of The Acapella Guards, a group of four fellow guards dedicated to extensive acapella singing practice. In Session 8 of the campaign, Terry and the group realize their musical dreams when Sucks Benedict requests them to perform a romantic serenade during his date with Greta. Terry is characterized by Sucks Benedict as a "sexual deviant" and demonstrates enthusiastic, if awkward, knowledge about animal reproduction and progressive awareness regarding sexuality. The guard is voiced by the GM, Shawn.
Terry has a habit of oversharing information about animal reproduction, particularly concerning birds and horses, and shows genuine enthusiasm for being inclusive and helpful, though the execution is sometimes boundary-crossing. Despite the awkwardness, Terry remains earnest and passionate, especially when given the opportunity to perform publicly after countless nights of practice.
Appearance
Terry is described as barrel-chested, matching the physical build of the other guards in the acapella group. During the performance in Session 8, Terry's eyes are noted to "bug out" when Sucks Benedict calls them a sexual deviant mid-performance, though Terry continues singing without stopping. Terry displays expressive physical reactions, with eyes that "light up" when excited about opportunities to perform.
History
Session 8
Terry first appears when Sucks Benedict approaches the guards seeking help for a romantic date. When Sucks mentions wanting music for the occasion, Terry responds enthusiastically: "What the fuck? They give you the impression we could ever say no to an opportunity like that?" Terry rallies the other guards, declaring: "Boys, this is what we. This is what we've been practicing for, okay? Every second night, practicing, hours on end. And now, finally, an opportunity to show our stuff in the market."
Terry refuses payment for the performance, stating: "Can do. No problem. It's an honor."
Earlier in the session, Terry engages Vasso in an awkward conversation about animal reproduction, explaining: "Yeah, pretty much the same deal. I mean, if you saw. If you see a horse do it, that's basically how like, let's say 70 of people do it." Terry continues: "I mean, horses, birds, it's all the same actually, with birds. Fun thing. It's kind of different. There's like. It's not a. It's got one thing for all of it, you know, what about. It's elegant."
During this conversation, Terry asks Vasso: "Hey, vessel, have you ever considered that you might be on the spectrum of asexuality?" When Sucks Benedict criticizes this as overstepping, Terry responds defensively: "I never said it was sexual. It is, but I never said it out loud." Terry then seeks validation, asking: "Like peeking around a stall. Like, does he actually think it's fine? Because so many people don't."
When the moment for the performance arrives, Terry and the guards execute an elaborate rendition of "Somebody to Love" complete with choreography. During the performance, "a woman dressed as a bird walks into the square and they start dancing while. While he's singing this song." The spectacle draws crowds across New Smoke and may inspire the guards to abandon their posts to pursue music.
Throughout the performance, even when Sucks Benedict publicly calls Terry a sexual deviant, "Terry's looking down at you. His eyes are bugging out, but he doesn't stop singing. This is Terry solo."
Later, Erin references the earlier interaction, noting that Vasso "took advice from creepy Terry earlier today."
Episode: "Session 9"
Terry is recalled during a philosophical debate about universal beauty and personal preferences. Cat brings Terry up as a counterexample to Sucks Benedict's assertion that "everyone is beautiful in their own way," initially misremembering the guard's name as "Todd." The party's memory of Terry centers on two characteristics: behavior they found unsettling (leading Cat to describe Terry as "the creepy Terry") and a preference for individuals Cat describes as "bird with breasts."
Sucks Benedict defends Terry against Cat's negative assessment, noting "that guy's beautiful in his own way" and praising Terry for having "a great voice." Sucks Benedict also points out that Terry's preferences simply reflect what Terry finds beautiful, maintaining a consistent defense of individual differences that aligns with the guard's own progressive attitudes demonstrated in their earlier encounter.
Key Attributes
- Leader of The Acapella Guards: Rallies and coordinates the group of barrel-chested guards who practice acapella singing extensively
- Musically dedicated: Has practiced acapella singing with companions "every second night, practicing, hours on end"
- Passionate performer: Becomes emotional at the opportunity to perform publicly, considering it "an honor"
- Knowledgeable about animal reproduction: Possesses and shares extensive, detailed knowledge about birds and horses
- Awkwardly progressive: Demonstrates awareness of concepts like asexuality spectrum but applies them in boundary-crossing ways
- Previously identified attraction: Part of the group of guards sexually attracted to anthropomorphic birds
- Refuses payment: Will not accept money for performing, viewing the opportunity itself as sufficient reward
- Committed to performance: Continues singing even when clearly flustered or uncomfortable