The Reorkas family was one of the first to settle in the Glades, clearing a section of what was then virgin forest to build their enormous manor, Brightwood Hall. The family had made their money in dealing with antiquities, but by the time they settled in the Glades they had enough and investments that they didn't need to do any further work, the interest from their vast wealth being more than enough to support their lavish lifestyle and even allow them to engage in some ego-boosting philanthropy.

The money and resources of the Reorkas family, however, are not divided equally among all family members; currently, due to a combination of scandals, extinguished lines, and canny maneuvering, almost all the family's fabulous wealth lies in the hands of the aged paterfamilias, Valan Reorkas, who doles out gifts and allowances to his family members as he sees fit. For some time now, though, Valan Reorkas has been ailing and bedbound, and while he is still as acerbic and quickwitted as ever, he is weak enough that he seems to be at death's door—although he's already held out longer than anyone really expected. Surely there are family members who are tired of waiting and wouldn't mind taking an active hand in making sure their paterfamilias shuffles off this mortal coil a bit more promptly... but not before they're sure that they're going to inherit a big chunk of his fortune. Of course, eliminating other heirs also has its attractions. Nobody who knows the Reorkas family would be at all surprised if one day Brightwood Hall was the site of a whole series of murders—and woe betide the unfortunate detective who's tasked with wading into that vipers' nest to prove whodunnit.

Valan Reorkas is a shriveled old figure whose frail body, slow and shivering movement, and papery skin belies his shrill and petulant voice. He is clean-shaven but has a thick lion's mane of snow-white hair. His high, thin nose rises between cheeks that were sunken even in his prime, and dark eyes that he often squints suspiciously. Nowadays, Reorkas barely leaves his bed, and is usually clad in one of a collection of richly embroidered nightgowns.

(Eh... it kind of feels like this guy is at least as much a plot hook for a specific type of adventure as he is an NPC of general campaign utility. Well, I suppose there's some overlap in those categories.)