Edward McMillipede

Royvan‘s cousin — a dracona, retired railroad baron, artifact collector, and self-taught historian who lives at Pell Manor on the south hill of Arborolus. After two cities’ worth of buildup, the reunion finally happened in Session 9 — and Edward turned out to be the realest, kindest, best-resourced ally we’ve found.

What We Know

• Royvan’s cousin on his mother’s side — “more uncle than cousin” given the age gap. Greeted Royvan with “You’ve got your mother’s spots.”
• Retired from the railroads; now runs Old Tracks Antiquarian (by appointment) as the front for his estate, Pell Manor.
• A historian at heart — has spent his life in libraries chasing the truth, and been called a “crackpot” for his conclusions more times than he can count.
• A widower (his late wife, Wilma). Has a grown son, Willie, who works for the airlines near the capital city.
• Keeps a glowing pet centipede, Millie (the “McMillipede” family joke), and a halfling butler, Arthur.
• Owns nothing Grove-made, on principle — and everyone knows it.

What He Told Us

• The Antennas are “windows,” not weapons — built by the same hands that built the cities, with the towns grown up around them. (Arborolus’s is the cathedral spire.)
• The old myth of the Black Wheel is, he believes, the Grove of today — a thing that can mimic people, places, even (in legend) a whole living train.
• The Grove wants the Antennas to become “seven minds in one place.”
• Our gear symbol is an old surveyor’s mark — “an invitation.” He carries the same mark on his pocket watch.
• He showed us a hand-drawn map of the nodes that matches our Star Atlas.

What He’s Given Us

• Pell Manor as our home base and safe haven — rooms, keys, and Winnie parked up on the hill.
• A promise to research our artifacts (he sketched each one).
• Our way into the cathedral: ask for Brother Aldred Pell and use Edward’s name.

Status

• Active ally, at Pell Manor. Heartened and newly determined: “You have inspired me to be more proactive.” The worry: thanks to Lyndon, the Grove now knows Edward matters to us.

Last Updated: Session 9