Orfrey

Biodata

Background

Orfrey lives in Ailan Village with his four children. His family raises dairy cows, chickens and geese, and has harvested wheat and rye. He prefers raising sheep to growing vegetables, admitting that his lettuce often becomes spotted, dies or is eaten by bugs 9 44 195 203.

Appearance

Orfrey is described as a tall man 156.

Farming and Livestock

• Dairy and grain: Orfrey sells milk, butter, cheese and mixed wheat-and-rye flour. He proudly claims that his family has the best cows in the county and can obtain milk even in spring 9 10.
• Vegetable growing: He brought Xie Juanhan seedlings and seeds, including cauliflower, lettuce and epimedium, some collected from other villagers 44.
• Crop protection: He explained that Ailan Village farms collectively and organizes night patrols during harvest. He suggested selling beasts caught eating crops to offset losses 50.
• Poultry: Xie Juanhan consulted him about raising and incubating Tuonai’er Demon Birds. Orfrey later suggested castrating troublesome birds and recommended Old Fowler, although Fowler refused to work on level-three Demon Birds 195 262.

Story Role

Meeting Xie Juanhan

Orfrey first met Xie Juanhan while gathering mushrooms with two other farmers. Hoping to make cream of mushroom soup for his children, he asked to buy some Baklao mushrooms. Unable to find his money pouch, he invited Xie Juanhan back to the village, where he also offered to sell him flour 9.

At his home, Orfrey served Xie Juanhan tea with milk and butter. Xie Juanhan bought flour and dairy products, and Orfrey gave him sourdough starter for making bread 10.

Helping the household

Orfrey became a regular supplier and a source of local advice. He hired the mason Arnold to discuss Xie Juanhan’s house and later suggested that Arnold might know how to contact dwarf builders 13 31. His family also lent Xie Juanhan a plowshare for preparing a rice field 31.

When a Chimerao attacked the village’s fields and livestock, Orfrey explained the situation and said it had been reported to the steward, priest and sheriff 18. During harvest season, he warned Xie Juanhan that milk deliveries would stop temporarily and suggested buying supplies at the Star Market 74.

The wounded adventurer

Orfrey and two villagers sought Xie Juanhan’s protection after a powerful, badly wounded adventurer appeared in Ailan Village. Afraid both to help him and to let him die there, they led Xie Juanhan and Telingewei to the man, a necromancer named Tuoyin, who was hiding in a chicken coop. The dragons arranged for him to be taken to Teme Port for treatment 156 157.

Lost after the Star Market

Orfrey and other villagers discussed rumors of a spirit that left people lost after they visited the Star Market 202. About half a month later, Orfrey and his companions failed to return from the market, prompting his children to seek help 203.

Xie Juanhan and Telingewei found the group circling a hill in an illusion-like state. After giving them a potion, the dragons kept a bonfire burning and stayed until villagers came for them after sunrise 203. The dragons subsequently found a Tree Spirit that Telingewei believed was responsible for bewildering them 204. Orfrey’s children later brought the household butter-coated eggs 206.

Relationships

• Xie Juanhan — Neighbor, customer and friend. Orfrey supplies him with food and farming advice; Xie Juanhan helps him and other villagers in emergencies 10 13 157 203.
• Orfrey’s children — His four children seek help when he goes missing. Their father had originally sought mushrooms to make them soup 9 203.
• Arnold — The mason Orfrey hired to advise Xie Juanhan on house construction; Arnold also had connections with dwarf craftsmen 13 31.
• Telingewei — Xie Juanhan’s companion, who helps rescue Orfrey and his companions after they become lost 203.