Julian Pendergast

Introduced himself as Senior Auditor for the Royal Order of the Gilded Ladle. Appeared on the logging road, blocking the wagon with a white pavilion tent. Arrived with 'assistants' in oversized clean white aprons who moved with military precision — later revealed to be Silas's men in disguise. Conducted a field audit of the Greasy Spoon while the wagon traveled; awarded it his Gilded Ladle seal of compliance just before his 'assistants' dropped their disguises and leveled spears at the party. Whether Pendergast himself is complicit with Silas or was also deceived remains unresolved.

Session 05: Fought alongside the party against Silas's thugs once the Greasy Spoon passed its audit, killing two thugs with his silver greataxe the Critic's Choice. Turned hostile when Skrit soiled his robes and Sanji redirected one of his attacks into his own face. Has a special ability called Cease and Desist (DC 14 Wisdom save, restrains targets within 30 feet until end of their next turn, recharge on 5-6). Makes two attacks with the Critic's Choice. Uses a bonus action called Gourmet's Gaze that grants the next attacker against a target advantage. Keeps a meticulous inspection ledger, which Wicket successfully pickpocketed. Appears significantly more powerful in combat than he looks. Role updated to enemy. Session ended with Pendergast having used Cease and Desist to restrain three party members. Voiced: 'You should call your minions off, Silas.' and 'Are you quite done?'

Session 06: Returned as active hostile combatant at session start. De-escalated after being surrounded by loggers who believed he was trying to skin Sanji. Lowered his axe and submitted to Harold. Stated to Harold: 'Harold, you know three things about me. You know I'm a stickler for the rules. You know I do not attack unless attacked. And you know, I wouldn't be caught dead in fur like that.' Vouched that the tuna had been pilfered from the Greasy Spoon, inadvertently corroborating the party's evidence claim. Confirmed the Greasy Spoon's certification stands regardless of the altercation. Role updated to neutral. Is suspicious about how his official ledger ended up in the dirt but has no proof it was planted. Possibly referenced in Silas's ledger as a transaction entry, though not definitively — Harold noted this while reviewing; Pendergast seemed unconcerned. Departed with Harold toward Waymoot. Was patted on the back by a freshly-washed Skrit on departure; checked his robes immediately.