-Lore-
In a dangerous part of New York, a post office is run by a single man: Poste. The son of a long line of couriers, he's watched his co-workers die at the hands of everything from Ixian rioters to sacrificial rituals. And he's always escaped, his work ethic, athleticism, and quick thinking getting him out of more than one jam. But he keeps a chipper attitude.
However, on an unusual day, a package came to him, meant to be delivered to a rare animal collector. But that collector was arrested on the very day he went to deliver it. Thus, he took it back to his post office, intending on sending it back. But it broke out, and he lost a leg in the ensuing scuffle.
This thing, a 'kobold', is an extraplanar creature who was captured outside of one of the Astral Gates. And it ran to hide from him, ducking into the Dead Letter storage, which was exceedingly full (dangerous part of the city, after all). Seeing all of these envelopes and packages, the creature decided that Poste was obviously some sort of dragon and this must be his horde. Thus, they decided to devote themselves to him and the mechanically inclined creature built him a new leg, using parts from their nearly bottomless satchel, as an apology.
Unable to turn away such a quick apology and from such a little hard worker, Poste now works with his new assistant, Fare, to bring deliveries to the area and keep up the rounds as best they can.
The pair (Well, Poste anyway) enter the Ritual in order to get the Patrons to bring more of Fare's kind to Earth, in order to get a working Post Office with some very hardy, devoted employees.
-Personality-
Poste is a chipper man who loves two things: His wife and his job. Kind to a fault, he doesn't blame people for the bad things they do (most of the time) and always gets his deliveries done. Having adopted Fare, he treats them like a best friend and loyal assistant, seemingly understanding their strange yapping.
Fare is a curious creature who enjoys taking apart anything they can get their claws on. They see Poste as a mighty dragon, due to his horde of packages and letters (which is quite impressive to the kobold), and do their utmost to support him. Viciously protective of him and mechanically inclined to near genius levels, they designed weaponry and gear for him that makes his job easier.
-Weapon-
Dead Letter is a customized postal service revolver modified by Fare. While only firing four rounds, they have immense stopping power, but suffer from heavy recoil. The reloading is performed by Poste tossing the gun into his bag, where Fare reloads it for him. If Fare isn't around, he can do it, but it takes a couple of seconds more.
-Skills-
Express Fare
"<Yapping Intensifies!>" "Woah!"
Fare rushes out of the courier bag to grab their master, hoisting him up and running with him, boosting their speed and bullet resistance.
Upgrades grant the pair Unstoppable as long as Fare is touching the ground, as well as buffing nearby allies with Movement Speed when they pass.
To Your Door
"Run this to this address!"
Poste dumps Fare out of the bag and points to a target. If an enemy is targeted, Fare will rush them, grabbing the enemy and slowing them to deal continuous damage for a few second. If an ally is selected (either directly by targeting or, if the skill is useable, by holding tab and selecting an ally on the map), Fare will run to them with a package which burst heals them and grants them bonus fading Spirit Damage over several seconds. Fare cannot use Express Fare or Special Delivery while this is active. Fare will utilize vents to move if available, but will not use rails, roofs, or teleporters.
Upgrades can add Bleed to damage dealt and allow Fare to perform chain deliveries of weaker healing packages to other allies within range of the target.
Mail Call
"Mail Call!"
Poste blows a whistle made by Fare. This creates a burst of sound which knocks enemies away in a radius and provides a temporary Barrier to allies nearby. If Fare is away on delivery, they will rush back at double speed. The cooldown for Mail Call will be increased by 10s if this is done.
Upgrades can create a cone that inflicts Silence and allows Fare to teleport back immediately.
Special Delivery
"Nothing stops the post!"
Poste dumps Fare out and Fare uses parts from their satchel to build a fortified Postbox that acts as cover. While active, Fare will sit atop it and fling timed, exploding packages at enemies in range. Allies moving near it can access the Mail-Order Curiosities Shop. Allies using this grant 5% of the cost as extra Souls directly to Poste.
While in use, Express Fare can't be used. To Your Door works as it normally does, but Mail Call will bring Fare back to the Postbox via teleportation as long as it's still up.
Upgrades can boost the bullet defense of allies in range and grant a small amount of bonus rounds to reloads.
-Sample Conversations-
Vyper: So why's your little weirdo staring at me all the time?
Poste: Fare? Oh, they apparently think you're just peachy, miss!
Fare: <Yapping Noises>
Poste: Aw, that's cute, lil postmaster! But the missus doesn't enjoy double dates.
Vyper: What's cute? What'd they say? ...Know what, nevermind.
Dynamo: Fascinating creature. You say you found them... in your post office?
Poste: Yes, sir! They were cramped in a box, broke out, ate my leg, and then broke into my dead letters office.
Dyanmo: And now... ?
Poste: They're my assistant, sir! Hard to find someone to depend on who can build a leg from scratch, especially in my part of town!
Fare: <Yapping Noises>
Poste: Oh really? Miss, my assistant says your weapon has a loose screw on the left rear side!
McGinnis: What does a lizard know about- ...Oh, they're right. Smart thing.
Poste: They also said something about faulty weld lines and subpar something or other. I'm not very well versed in mechanical things, miss, I apologize!
McGinnis: Maybe too smart.
