★The Shopkeeper ~ Tarven★

Name: (Tarven)

Alias: (???)

Gender: (Male)

Species: (Unknown)

Nationality: (Tarven's origins are shrouded in mystery. He is not considered a Mobian, and most who visit his shop aren't even sure he's from this world—or any known realm, for that matter. Some believe Tarven hails from a now-erased dimension or timeline, one that collapsed long before Outcome Memories. Others think he exists outside time and space altogether, possibly summoned or bound to the shop. A few conspiracy theorists whisper that Tarven is a fragment of the world's "original storyteller"—the forgotten author of fate. Because of this, Tarven is considered "Overworldly", a being whose existence defies the usual geography or nations of Mobius or the Sonic multiverse. His voice has a flavor to it—expressive, whimsical at times, but grounded in a resonant, deep tone. Think of a voice that invites curiosity yet also warns you not to come too close. Occasionally, a bit of silly flair or chuckle escapes him, like a bard who’s seen dark times but still finds joy in storytelling. His usual speech is slow, thoughtful, and rhythmic—almost like he’s reciting a spell or speaking in verse.He also says "darling" towards visitors/explorers but not in a flirting way He talks like he’s in a storybook. This includes: Using old-fashioned or poetic words [“Ah, traveler of twisted paths… you seek the Emberdrop, do you not?”] Speaking in allegories, riddles, or metaphor [“The rings speak truer than coin, and the shadows? They do not bargain.”]

Age: (Unknown [Presumably ageless;Mature/Adult)

Appearance: (Tarven is a large [unknown height] unknown creature with black fur/skin, quills on their back that is pointed downwards, a pitch black face with small, glowing white pupils, white hands with four digits clawed fingers and horse-hooves. He also has fuzzy dark grey fur on his upper legs and darker grey on his lower legs)

Clothing: (He wears an white, large goat skull with a large slit on the middle of it and holes for his eyes [well...pupils], a large black coat that pretty much covers most of his body with dark grey fizzy sleeves with a tan collar and cuffs. He never takes any of these off)

Personality: (Tarven embodies the essence of a mystical, ageless shopkeeper one might meet in a dreamlike RPG or fairytale. He speaks softly, never raises his voice, and carries himself with the poise of someone who has seen too much. His calm demeanor often puts travelers at ease—even in a world as twisted as Outcome Memories. Tarven is deeply compassionate and fair. He is never greedy, never overcharges, and treats every visitor with dignity—be they innocent wanderers or hardened survivors. His sense of justice is strong, yet quiet. He believes in balance and upholding a code, no matter the chaos outside his doors. While Tarven exudes a ghostly, otherworldly vibe—almost like he exists slightly out of phase with reality—he is not malevolent. His presence is unnerving to some, but not in a threatening way. It’s the uncanny warmth of someone who shouldn’t exist anymore…yet does. Tarven hides his grief well, but he is haunted by the loss of his kind—most of whom were allegedly consumed or wiped out by Suture. The guilt of survival weighs on him, yet he has turned his pain into purpose: staying alive, helping others, and preserving the remnants of what was. Despite his wisdom and poise, Tarven is afraid—specifically of Suture. He never leaves his shop, not just out of fear, but because he believes he’s being watched. He keeps protective charms and ring-based seals around the shop's perimeter to stay hidden. Tarven often talks in metaphors or slightly cryptic phrases, as if quoting some ancient fairytale or prophecy. His items are priced in red rings, and he always tells the truth about what each item does. He sees deception as a betrayal of trust—perhaps the one thing he still values most. There’s something off about his presence. Some believe he’s been in the shop since the beginning of Outcome Memories. Others suspect he arrived during the collapse and simply stayed. Tarven is terrified of Suture and views them as a monster in every sense. It's heavily implied that Suture is responsible for the destruction of Tarven’s people. Tarven may even be the last of his species. He refuses to even say Suture’s name, often referring to them as “the hunger” or “the shadow outside the veil.” The nature of their connection is unclear. Tarven’s tone becomes colder when asked about Alucard, though not hateful. Some believe the two were allies, others say Alucard once tried to help Tarven or gave him knowledge in exchange for something dear. Whatever their history, it’s complicated—and perhaps dangerous.)

Skills/Powers/Abilities/Weaknesses: (Tarven can dash a short distance, momentarily cloaked in a smoky shimmer of magic. During this dash, he becomes nearly intangible for a split second, phasing through weaker objects or enemies.This is used more for repositioning and escape rather than offense. Wields a long, curved, nail-like blade, forged from a now-lost metal said to resonate with memory and loss.The weapon is nearly as tall as Tarven himself, with an ethereal glow, and makes a haunting chime when swung.Not just physical—it’s infused with some kind of “memory magic,” possibly binding fragments of the past into each slash. His claws are unnaturally sharp and can cut through most non-magical materials. In close range, he can rapidly slash with them in a flurry.They also leave behind a faint shimmering “echo” in the air—possibly a remnant of time distortion or memory bleed. Tarven can channel energy from the red rings he collects to create a barrier or ward that deflects small projectiles and weak magic.This ability consumes his ring-energy reserve and can only be used occasionally.Lore-wise, it's a sacred protective magic designed to shield traders from corruption. Tarven is magically bound to his shop. While this means he cannot stray too far from its protective radius, within it he is significantly harder to damage and may recover over time.The shop itself seems to respond to his presence, subtly shifting reality inside to protect him. Tarven can hide his physical presence almost completely, blending into shadows or folding into the background of forgotten spaces.It's not full invisibility—more like he is ignored by the world, unless someone is extremely perceptive or already knows he's there. Due to his hoofed legs, Tarven is not particularly fast and has clunky movement in open terrain. He relies on dashing or short bursts of motion, not sustained evasion.His legs make clacking sounds on hard surfaces, which can betray his position if he doesn’t move carefully. While inside or near his shop, Tarven is significantly more durable. Outside, he becomes physically weaker, with his magical protections fading the longer he’s away.If forced into battle in the open, he becomes much more fragile. The mention or presence of Suture causes a psychic freeze in Tarven. He becomes slower to act and occasionally hallucinates or re-lives traumatic memories.If Suture appears nearby, Tarven may even refuse to fight, instead attempting to vanish or retreat immediately. His nail-like weapon is cursed with fragments of his people's memories. Prolonged use can cause mental fatigue, nightmares, or painful memory flashes—especially if used in rage or desperation.In lore, it’s said the weapon “remembers those who’ve fallen” and bears their grief.)

Likes: (Above all, Tarven finds comfort and purpose in tending to his shop. It's not just a job—it's a sacred duty, perhaps the last piece of a forgotten tradition. Organizing shelves, polishing relics, and curating items gives him a sense of normalcy in a chaotic world. Tarven feels safe, grounded, and “real” within his shop. It’s where the world makes sense—structured, stable, and immune (for now) to Suture’s corruption.The shop is enchanted to subtly shift its interior over time—like a living museum. He holds great respect for red rings, seeing them not just as currency, but as fragments of experience—tokens of survival and meaning.Red rings are often imbued with faint echoes of their bearers, which Tarven may be able to feel or interpret. Tarven genuinely appreciates visitors who are kind, respectful, and curious. He may even offer discounts, rare dialogue, or secret items to those who treat him and his wares with care.He believes survivors are like “flames in the fog”—and seeks to quietly support them. There's always soft, haunting music playing in the shop—possibly coming from nowhere, or a dusty old music box on the counter.Music soothes Tarven's mind and wards off intrusive thoughts. He likes classical, ambient, and old lullabies from a forgotten era.He may hum along when he thinks he’s alone. Tarven finds peace in old rituals, even meaningless ones. Lighting candles, turning keys, whispering blessings—he performs these regularly, possibly as a way to keep his fading culture alive.He enjoys travelers who respect the old ways, or at least show interest in them. He has a fondness for strange, broken, or forgotten objects, especially those tied to memory or lost stories.Even items that serve no use might end up on a special shelf in his shop with a hand-written tag: “Belonged to a quiet soul. May they still dream.”)

Dislikes: (Suture isn’t just disliked—Tarven is deeply afraid of them. The presence, or even mention, of Suture causes his shop’s lights to flicker and the music to distort.He may fall silent or whisper a protective incantation when Suture is referenced. Tarven believes in fairness and respect. Snarky, loud, or impatient visitors are met with an icy stare—or no reaction at all.He may refuse to serve them, quietly implying they should leave and reflect. While Tarven doesn’t attack, he can sense when someone steals. The shop’s magic remembers.Those who attempt theft may find themselves mysteriously unable to re-enter the shop. Their presence is rejected by the warding sigils. The shop is sacred. Loud noises, violence, or wild movement inside make Tarven visibly uncomfortable—he might even stop speaking.He may quietly move behind the counter, shielding delicate items and blowing out candles until peace is restored. Tarven hates the outside world. The thought of leaving his sanctuary fills him with dread and sadness.He won’t do it unless absolutely necessary—and even then, only for a moment. He has no problem with poor visitors—only those who act entitled.If someone asks for a handout kindly, he might offer something small. But demanding things or arguing over prices triggers firm boundaries.“This shop is built on fairness… not pity.”)

Backstory: (Not much is known of Tarven’s true origin, not even to the survivors who frequent his hidden shop. He never speaks of his species, his past life, or where he came from. But subtle clues in his dialogue, his sorrowful eyes, and the relics on his shelves imply something far more tragic. It is heavily implied—almost confirmed through whispered rumors and cryptic remarks—that Tarven is the last of his kind. His species, whose name is lost to time, may have been guardians of memory, keepers of reality’s balance, or simply a peaceful and wise people with deep spiritual knowledge. They lived quietly, perhaps in a hidden region of the world or beneath the fabric of it, rarely interacting with Mobians or the surface world. Then came Suture. Suture didn’t just consume land and people—it unmade them. Entire towns faded from history. Whole timelines fractured. Tarven's species was one of the first to fall. Whether Suture devoured them physically or erased them from memory is unclear, but Tarven remembers. He speaks of “whispers that once sang beside me,” and “warmth turned to fog,” suggesting close family and friends were lost. Some survivors believe Tarven watched it happen, hiding in fear while Suture destroyed everything around him. This event became known in fragmented survivor myths as “The Veilfall.” A calamity where a whole race vanished without a scream. After the Veilfall, Tarven fled into his shop, a place layered in protective magic and memory wards—possibly of his own creation, or maybe a relic of his kind’s last sanctuary. It’s said the shop exists between layers, half-in and half-out of Green Hill’s broken remains. He has not left it since. He fears Suture will smell him if he does. The shop is more than shelter—it’s the last tether to who he was, full of artifacts, tokens, and echoes of his people’s memory. Now, Tarven remains in the shadowed corner of what used to be Green Hill Zone—a hidden sanctuary in the midst of ruin. He sells items not just for rings, but in a sense, for hope—equipping travelers, survivors, and even iconic Mobians like Sonic or Tails with whatever small edge he can offer. When asked about the past, he simply says: “Some stories are buried so deep… even the stars forget how they ended.” He never blames Suture outright—but the hatred and fear in his voice when the topic arises is unmistakable. Some believe Tarven is planning something. A quiet revenge. A final act. A legacy. Others believe he’s simply trying to survive until the world finally forgets him, too. In the back of his shop is a sealed door. It’s said that behind it is a mural depicting creatures similar to Tarven, frozen in time. On certain days, Tarven stares at it for hours, unmoving, as music softly loops)