Tarmen Elcox is a human member of the town of Reedenford. In need of money, he got caught up in a illicit operation instigated by the mayor of Reedenford, Tunban Fetterly, to help transport the Thin Man across the Muckmeer Swamp.
Description
Tarmen is a moderately unkempt man, sporting a ragged, messy mop of brown hair and an overgrown but scraggly beard. He has brown eyes and warm, light skin. He might be considered handsome if he cleaned up. He wears a simple tan tunic and trousers.
Tarmen is a cowardly man by nature, and a terrible liar. Still, he is a man of opportunity, and can overcome his fears if the prize is enticing enough. He cares greatly about his personal safety, and to a lesser extent the safety of his wife, Corali.
History
Tarmen was known in Reedenford for being something of a layabout, only taking odd jobs to support his drinking habits. He is the husband of Corali Elcox, who sent for the Claw of Arali to located her husband when he went missing.
Tarmen in fact had taken on a secretive mission where his blood was used in a sealing ritual to entrap the Thin Man in a magic cage. Tarmen was highly motivated by the job, as he was promised 50 gold for his role, a sum that would allow him and his wife to get out of Reedenford. Working alongside some traffickers, Tarmen journeyed into the Muckmeer to stayed away from any Bronze Aegis patrols on the main roads. However, when making camp, Tarmen and his team were captured by bullywugs, who sought to use them as slaves; however, Tarmen's captors were soon slaughtered by the Rampager, a magically enraged Lathotas. This attack also resulted in the loss of his team, but Tarmen alone managed to stay alive by burying himself in the mud under one of the deceased traffickers.
Tarmen was later discovered by a group of Claw Initiates that had taken on Corali's mission from Cloverhall. After a bit of arguing, the Initiates decided to use Tarmen's blood to free the Thin Man, but escorted him back to town anyways. Tarmen was fearful of retribution by Tunban after failing his job and becoming a loose end. Tarmen's antagonism did not ellicit much sympathy from the Claw members, but the Initiate Caedali took pity on the man, and along with some coin from Ilryn Dewsong, gave him a hefty sum of gold to help him and his wife disappear. Ilryn cast a disguise over Tarmen to help him avoid any watchful eyes, and he snuck out into the town at night.
Anise Taranil hinted that Tarmen had died as a result of the actions of the Cursebusters, though his specific fate is unknown.