NPC Lore and Info

Hero comes from the most regular background and was originally just an ordinary Paca - and, in his own opinion, he is still just a regular guy.

His friends would describe him as light-hearted, incredibly caring, and a bit of a jokester. Overall, he is very kind, patient, and flexible - almost to a fault. Hero is the kind of friend who would happily spend his entire afternoon helping you solve a problem, and never expecting anything in return. Brave, outspoken, and endlessly patient, Hero has a habit of speaking up whenever something is not right. He will stand up for his friends even if it's just to be the “friend who tells the waiter you asked for no pickles” kind of thing.
No matter what, he will always do his best to help anyone in need and simply be a genuinely good Paca. And he also believes that nearly everyone deserves a second chance. He tries to see the good in others - even when they sometimes make that difficult.

His passion for helping others, along with his habit of showing up unannounced to solve someone's random problem (and somehow being always helpful too), eventually led him to being famous and being known all across Chrysalopolis. Whether it was helping someone carry an incredibly heavy box, rescuing someone's Menyace from a really tall tree, fixing a broken fence, or somehow always appearing exactly when things are starting to go wrong. Over time, stories of his kindness spread throughout Chrysalopolis, and even to places he has never visited, until almost every Paca and Snekket recognizes his face and has heard stories about him. 

Another big reason for his popularity comes from the countless comic books written about him and featuring his adventures. He does not really know who keeps writing all those stories about him, but they are sold all across Chrysalopolis and seem to have developed a life of their own. Most portray him as a legendary hero, and sometimes even giving him incredible powers or alternate forms he does not actually possess. Some comics depict him flying, while others claim he can lift mountains. One story even shows him "defeating" an entire Bowncy army with nothing but motivational speech. (While in reality he would have tried to bait them with a beach toy or soggy snack!)
But Hero has stopped questioning where all these stories come from a long time ago.

While Hero does not particularly care for those comics himself, it occasionally is amusing to see what wild ideas other Pacas can come up with. However, his real guilty pleasure are makeup magazines. He is an avid reader of Ramu's special edition makeup magazines and eagerly tries to recreate many of the tutorials and beauty tips whenever he has some free time. While his results do not always look quite as polished, he enjoys experimenting and learning new techniques just for fun.
He has also discovered several smaller magazines featuring tutorials by Thyme, which he also enjoys a lot. Unfortunately, Thyme's magazines never came close to achieving the same level of popularity, something Hero genuinely believes is undeserved. Hero definitely admires her incredible precision and artistry of her makeup skills. The way she could apply such intricate and heartfelt makeup designs using only her Pincers was, in his opinion, deserving of far more recognition and he will gladly recommend her work whenever someone asks about makeup.

Ironically, his cape has become so iconic that people frequently mistake him for a cosplayer rather than the "real" Hero. There are even magazines and comic specials explaining how to recreate his look, with detailed sewing guides for his cape and elaborate cosplay tutorials that Hero himself had absolutely no knowledge of. Since he has absolutely no sewing experience, he would probably struggle to follow these instructions and would not be able to make his own Hero cosplay, even if he wanted to. In rare cases, some stories even depict him as a superhero pretending to be a cosplayer to protect his secret identity. The creativity of his fans truly knows no bounds.

But whether he wanted to or not, his cape eventually turned into his signature feature. Before becoming famous, Hero has never worn a cape at all, and truthfully, he never particularly enjoyed the attention that came with the fame. Hero is an incredibly humble individual, and much of the admiration he receives feels unearned to him. In his eyes, he is simply doing what anyone should do.
But he eventually realized that the cape serves an important purpose. It's not only an important statement, but wearing it makes him recognizable, allowing others to spot him in a crowd and know that help has arrived. And more importantly, it became a symbol - not of Hero himself, but of kindness. 
He wanted to inspire others to help one another, and that’s why he agreed to be a “celebrity” of sorts. He embraces his role as a public figure because he enjoys being a positive role model and encouraging others to be kinder, more compassionate, and willing to help those around them. If becoming a public figure helps in spreading that message, then it was worth it. Besides, most celebrities seem to have some sort of recognizable trademark... at least, that's what he assumes. In any case, his fans seem to love the cape, and ultimately, that is what matters most to him - the joy he could bring to others.

Despite his courageous nature, Hero is not reckless. He understands his own limits and would never throw himself into unnecessary danger unless there was absolutely no other choice. Yet, he would much rather face a terrifying Monster in the deepest, darkest forest than come anywhere near the one thing that terrifies him more than anything else... 
Minmites. If he spots even a single one hiding in the tall grass, he will immediately freeze before running away (not very heroic of him). He cannot help it, they are just creepy little crawlies.. :(

Aside from Minmites though, Hero really despises injustice, needless destruction, and bullies above all else. He could never understand why someone would deliberately treat others so horribly, but he always tries to look beyond their actions. More often than not, he believes that there is a deeper reasoning behind such behavior. Whenever possible, he will try to solve the underlying problem - not only to help the victim, but to help the bully become a better Paca as well.

One of Hero's oldest and closest friends is Mach, they have known each other for ages. In fact, they have know each other for so long that Hero genuinely cannot remember a time anymore, when they did not know each other. The two trust each other completely and have always been able to rely on one another, whether it is about facing dangerous adventures or dealing with personal struggles. No matter the situation, they always have each other's backs.

Their greatest shared passion, however, is competitive sports. Mach's rigorous training, along with his work as both a coach and organizer of sporting events, constantly pushes him towards new personal bests. Hero, on the other hand, stays in great shape simply because his adventures never seem to end. Helping others often means running across cities, climbing impossible terrain or carrying heavy loads. Combined with their close friendship, this frequently ends in head-to-head competitions in which they compete their strengths and abilities against one another. Both are fiercely competitive and always give everything they have in these competitions, but at the end of the day they are good sportsmates who can take a loss - usually combined with a few playful teases afterwards though.
Running, in particular, is one of Hero's greatest strengths. Mach constantly pushes him to improve and perform at his best, and that extra speed has also helped him in his “heroic deeds”. There was also something Hero secretely loved about sprinting with his cape fluttering dramatically behind him. He will never admit that out loud, though.

Outside of helping others, doing the right thing, and competing against Mach, Hero has another simple passion: A good snack. (Being a hero is hard work after all.)
While he never expects anything in return for helping others, he secretly appreciates the occasional snacks gifted to him by grateful Pacas. A sincere "thank you" is always more than enough and everything he is hoping for, but he certainly is not going to turn down a slice of cake or a freshly made sandwich if offered to him. Watching others put care into making something for him always warms his heart.

But Hero also has an undeniable weakness for sour flavors. A Sour Candy Apple or a few Sour Candy Bacons can instantly brighten his mood and make even the hardest day worthwhile. If he happens to discover a new sour snack during one of his adventures, he will happily declare the entire week a success.

Interestingly though, no one knows if "Hero" is actually his birth name or simply a title that stuck over time. In fact, not much is known about Hero before he became famous..
Hero himself rarely speaks about his past. While he is not trying to hide anything, he simply does not think that his past is very important. To him, who he was matters far less than who he chooses to be every single day.

Mach is also often asked what he knows about Hero’s past, especially since the two have known each other for so long - which makes Mach one of the few Pacas who might actually know the answer everyone is looking for. But every single time, he simply shrugs and claims he cannot remember. Whether he is completely honest or deliberately keeping Hero’s past a secret remains a mystery. Some believe that Mach genuinely cannot recall events from that long ago, while others are convinced he is protecting his oldest friend. Despite the endless speculation, Mach has never changed his answer, leaving fans with little more than theories and unanswered questions.

[Name: Mach | Pronounced "match" but most pronounce it "mac" so he kinda gave up]

Mach was raised by a rather wealthy family that spared no expense when it came to his education. Throughout his school days, his family provided him with every opportunity imaginable, allowing him to attend a prestigious academy that nurtured his keen intelligence. He was a hard-working student, consistently earning top grades and quickly becoming known for both his sharp mind and disciplined work.

Yet despite all of his academic success, something always felt... incomplete.
However, this changed the moment he discovered sports. Not one particular sport, but nearly all of them. 
For the first time in his life, Mach truly felt challenged. Whether it involved speed, strength, precision, strategy or quick decision-making, Mach was fascinated by every new discipline he was able to encounter. Sports gave him something academics never could - a chance to push his own physical and mental limits.

Unfortunately, his family did not approve of his newfound passion. They would have preferred that Mach stay at his prestigious academy and pursue a highly respected, well-paying career. To them, sports was just little more than a hobby, something to enjoy in moderation before returning to "real" ambitions.
But Mach disagreed and chose to follow his own interests. He left the prestigious academy and transferred to a regular sports academy, determined to build a future around the thing that truly made him happy, which ultimately led to him losing contact with his family. 

After graduating from the sports academy, he continued expanding his knowledge and experience by attending a wide variety of sports courses. He wanted to understand as many of them as possible and learning the strategies, techniques and philosophies behind each one. Determined to gain an even deeper understanding of competitive sports, Mach completed an extensive certification program to become a professional judge and referee. From traditional competitions to niche sporting events, he wanted to understand not only how each sport was played, but why its rules existed in the first place.

Nowadays, serving as a judge or referee has become one of his favorite roles during competitions, due to how thoroughly he has studied the rules of various sports. He is capable of explaining even the most obscure rulebooks from memory since he wants to ensure that every match is fair, organized and played according to the rules. He has also earned a reputation for being strict, but never unfair.

Large sporting events are among Mach's favorite places to be. Since he works not only as a coach but also as an event organizer, he has ample experience organizing competitions of all sorts. One of his favorite parts of these events is speaking with young aspiring athletes. Mach (who is - surprisingly - an extrovert) loves listening to their ambitions, sharing advice from his own experiences and encouraging them to chase their dreams. 

As an event organizer, Mach invites Pacas from all across Chrysalopolis to participate in his sporting events, including the Gilled Queen Galarda. Yet no matter how many invitations he sends, she never seems to have the time to attend. At this point, Mach suspects that she may be deliberately avoiding him, though he has no idea why. Despite that, he still hopes that one day she will accept his invitation and finally get to experience one of his events firsthand.

When Mach participates in sports himself, he usually plays completely casual, unless his opponent is Hero. The two have spent years challenging one another across countless sports, constantly pushing each other toward new personal bests. Mach loves their shared passion for sports and that Hero always presents him with new challenges. No matter how many times they compete, neither of them could ever predict the winner of their competitions.

Beyond competition, Mach also values Hero as a close friend who has always been there for him. Although Mach was already fairly popular during his years at the prestigious academy, he never cared much for school cliques or social status. In his experience, they usually brought unnecessary drama, gossip and pointless arguments. But Hero showed him a genuine friendship built on trust, encouragement and mutual respect.

Overall, Mach is highly organized, remarkably disciplined and thrives on structure. He enjoys keeping everything neat, orderly, and exactly where it belongs. His nest consisting of minimal decoration and neutral colors is always spotless, with every belonging having its own designated place. The same attention to detail extends to every sports field he monitors. Balls, equipment, scoreboards, training gear - everything is carefully arranged whenever it is not in use. He can usually tell if someone has moved something by just a nub. And yes... he is going to put it back where it belongs. 

Every sporting event he organizes is planned well in advance, often down to the smallest detail. While he is capable of adapting when absolutely necessary, he believes careful preparation is the key to success. An improvised plan, on the other hand, is something Mach strongly dislikes. Although being friends with a certain someone (*stares at Hero*) also means he has to put up with the occasional improvised plan.. 

His outgoing personality and constant presence at sporting events has naturally made him quite popular. Over the years, a number of Pacas have shown romantic interest in him and while he appreciates the kindness behind those feelings, he tries to let them down gently. Romance has simply never been something he is particularly interested in, and he is perfectly content focusing on his friendships, his career and his passion for sports.

Apart from that, however, Mach has always greatly admired Monet. He enjoys listening to stories from Monet's travels, fascinated by the different places they have explored and the people they have met along the way. Even though Mach usually owns almost no decorations, some of Monet's paintings are carefully displayed in his nest. After a demanding sporting event, Mach enjoys looking at the paintings and finding a certain sense of calm within them.

Galarda comes from a royal lineage deep within the oceans depths. Her regal presence is further emphasized by her ornate armor with intricately engraved metal accessories, enhancing her commanding aura and high-ranking authority. These elaborately crafted suits of armor are considered symbols of nobility within the Gilled Domain, representing the pride of belonging to the Gilled Subspecies, their noble nature and enduring strength.

Although Galarda appears to have no eyes, she moves through the waters with graceful precision and effortless control. Every movement is calm, confident and perfectly in tune with her surroundings, as if she can sense the ocean in a way beyond sight. She likely knows the Gilled domain and kingdom better than any other Gilled or aquatic creature. 

Her constant companions are her two shrimp, Tidal and Zunami, who are always seen by her side. As they swim through the ocean, they move in perfect harmony with her. They usually mimic the queen’s expression, almost as if they were connected both in spirit and emotion. Those shrimps derive from an ancient kind of Caridina, a rare breed exclusively found within the royal family. They have long been tied to the linage and are treated with the utmost care and respect. It is said that harming even a single leg of one of these shrimp is strictly forbidden - those who dare to do so may face terrifying consequences.

Despite her formal and at times seemingly cold and distant demeanor, Queen Galarda rules her people with great care and devotion. Her kingdom means a great deal to her and she bears the weight of her responsibilities with quiet strength.

When she is not occupied with royal duties, she enjoys swimming through her kingdom to persue her secret hobby. She loves collecting small figurines, although she feels somewhat embarrassed about it and tries to keep this information hidden from others. In general however, she is a strong and passionate patron of the arts and metalworking. She deeply values skilled artisans and supports the creation of finely crafted works, seeing them as an important expression of culture within her kingdom.

While she remains cautious around outsiders, she is generally open to visitors - especially those who show genuine interest and respect to the Gilled Domain. Galarda will get very excited as soon as she realizes that her visitors are truly interested in learning about the Gilleds’ way of life. 

However, once she forms a friendship with someone, she places great trust in them and deeply values these relationships with others. One of her closest friends is Thyme. While many Pacas are afraid of Thyme and avoid her (and especially the Gilled folk in particular has little to no contact with Monsters), Galarda recognized Thyme's gentle nature, and the two have formed a strong bond on a deep intellectual and emotional level. Unfortunately, due to their very different living conditions, they rarely get to see each other. Instead, Thyme often sends carefully arranged flower compositions to the palace as a thoughtful gesture of their friendship.

Unlike many other Gilleds, Galarda loves the thrill of spicy food. She particularly enjoys the intense heat and bold flavors of various spicy dishes that are imported specifically for her from distant regions across Chrysalopolis into the Gilled kingdom. 

However, one thing she truly dislikes is sports and any kind of athletic events. Whenever Mach decides to host another sports competition near her domain, she always comes up with a countless number of excuses or "important appointments" to explain why she is unfortunately unable to attend. She always promises to join the next event, while in reality, she avoids those occasions and prefers to spend her time in a different way than observing or, even worse, participating in sporting activities.

Despite being involved a lot with the Gilled folk, the royal family maintains a notably reserved and private nature. While they are present and attentive to their people, they keep much of their personal lives carefully protected. There is an ancient mystery the royal family kept hidden for generations. It is rumored that Queen Galarda possesses a unique immunity to the Hollo disease. The reason for this immunity, however, remains a closely guarded secret known only to the crown...

Carb comes from a humble background, with a deep love for collecting treasures. Ever since he was a young Shelled, he would spend his days scouring the beaches for anything he could find, gradually building up his own little collection. Not all of his finds were particularly valuable, but as he grew more experienced, he developed a keen eye for what truly made a treasure special.

As time passed on, Carb ventured beyond his familiar beaches in search of rarer and more valuable treasures. These adventures often led him into dangerous situations, and although most of his journeys were successful, he did not always return unscathed - more than once he came back with new scars. But he feels proud of every scar he bears and the stories they tell, since they remind him of the risks he took and the treasures he earned.

Eventually, Carb realized that other adventurers were also returning from their journeys with interesting treasures they found. Seeing an opportunity, he opened a small shop called "Carb's Treasures 'n' Trinkets" where treasures could be traded or sold to him. He takes great pride in being a salesman and the business he has built all by himself. He has also framed his first earned Leaflet and Golden Berry at home, which mean a great deal to him.

One of Carb's most precious possessions is an iridescent shimmering pearl, which is now firmly embedded in his shell. He found it during a deep dive in a more dangerous part of the ocean, which nearly became his last adventure. The pearl, however, was not the only find that was very special to him, but also the lifelong companion he gained. During that dive, Carb spotted a small Urcheeb that was stuck in a sand hole, unable to free itself alone. After he helped the little Urcheeb escaping its misery, the Urcheeb returned the favor by helping Carb bring the pearl to the surface. This shared experience forged a strong bond between the Urcheeb Hyde and Carb, who would now proudly carry the pearl in his shell for the rest of his life. In addition, the shimmering pearl also serves as an ideal eye-catcher, drawing the attention of curious customers and attracting them to visit his shop.

Another of Carb's passions is blacksmithing. Using the treasures along with other valueable materials and raw resources he finds, he particularly enjoys crafting armor, intricate emblems or unique collectible items. To express his deep fondness for Urcheebs, he also forges special coins from gold-shimmering metals engraved with Urcheeb designs. Every time an adventurer purchases one of these Urcheeb coins, Carb can barely contain his excitement and with his enthusiastic, almost overwhelming personality, he eagerly shares everything there was to know about Urcheebs.

Although Carb may look a bit gruff at first and comes across as rough around the edges, he has a kind heart and is always willing to listen to any adventurer who stops by his shop. Most visitors not only leave with a new purchase but also with a free (and often lengthy) lesson about Urcheebs.

Carb learned the art of blacksmithing in the Gilled Domain, a vast region rich in the finest and most valuable materials. One day, while he was working on mastering this craft, he caught sight of an incredible suit of armor that left a lasting impression on him. Adorned in finely crafted, ornate armor with intricately engraved metal accessories, he saw the most beautiful Paca he had ever laid eyes on. With elegance and grace, her head held high, she swam through the deep ocean waters, and from that moment on, Carb was completely captivated by the Gilled Queen Galarda. 

Not a day goes by without him thinking about her incredibly stunning armor and her unmatched beauty. The first time he saw her gorgeous armor up close, he almost fainted, and ever since, he finds every excuse to spend time in the Gilled Domain, just for a chance to see her again and fawn over his impossible love.

Tragically, the queen does not return the feelings of the devoted blacksmith and salesman, but Carb refuses to give up hope. He dreams of becoming the greatest blacksmith in all of Chrysalopolis, so that one day he can forge the most beautiful, valuable and masterfully crafted armor, jewelry and treasure for the queen. He truly believes that one day he will be able to win her heart.