![[CoyleMarsdenPathfinder-v5.webp]] # Coyle Marsden _Human Priest | [[Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance]] | [[Yartar]]_ ## Summary Former High Priest of [[Tymora]] at the [[Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance]]. Rose to leadership after his predecessor [[Theron Lockley]]'s suspicious death. Dismissed [[Chalaska Muruin]]'s warnings about [[Doombringers]] as divisive conspiracy theories. Fled [[Yartar]] after [[Garaele]] exposed his role in [[Theron Lockley|Theron]]'s murder. %% ## Now Fled [[Yartar]] with his role in [[Theron Lockley|Theron]]'s murder exposed. ## Appearance Tall and handsome, with perfectly coiffed golden hair and ornate robes that jangle with excessive silver coins. Constantly flips coins between his fingers, the habit growing more frantic under pressure. ## Personality Ambitious and guilt-ridden in equal measure. Believes the ends justified the means but can't stop replaying the choice. Dismissive of anything that threatens his authority, seeing criticism as existential danger rather than counsel. A loud voice that fills any room, forced confidence covering deep guilt. ## Quote _"The temple needs unity, not wild theories about conspiracy. We must focus on Tymora's light, not shadows that may not even exist."_ ## Connections **[[Theron Lockley]]** — predecessor, murdered on Coyle's behalf. **[[Asha]]** — ghostly child who offered to remove his obstacle. **[[Chalaska Muruin]]** — dismissed her Doombringer warnings as divisive. **[[Varlen Taramond]]** — Doombringer agent who manipulated him unnoticed. ## Background **The Bargain:** Coyle wanted to save the [[Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance]] from [[Theron Lockley]]'s failing leadership. When he prayed for help, the ghostly child [[Asha]] appeared and offered to remove the obstacle. **The Murder:** Though repulsed by [[Asha]]'s nature, Coyle found her logic sound. She pushed [[Theron Lockley]] down the temple stairs, breaking his neck. It looked like a tragic accident. **The Aftermath:** Coyle led a temple built on murder, telling himself success would justify everything. He publicly attacked [[Chalaska Muruin]]'s [[Doombringers]] investigations as divisive. He never realized [[Varlen Taramond]] was a [[Doombringers|Doombringer]] agent manipulating him from the start. ## Stats **Base:** Priest (MM p.348). %%