Gustav Fletching

 is a half-elven carnival master of The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities. As an NPC, he is played by Matthew Mercer.

Appearance
Gustav has a lanky physique. He has ashy brown hair that curves ever so slightly past his mid back. He wears a long coat and tails that knock around his skipping step, and a top-hat that is floppy towards the top.

Personality
Following the zombie outbreak in his carnival, Gustav claimed all responsibility for what happened so that Mollymauk could freely go. Caduceus would later analyze him and deem him a very sad individual despite his flamboyant and jovial attitude, deducing that Gustav was willing to be imprisoned rather than deal with his problems in the real world. It would seem Clay's analysis was accurate as Gustav persistently tried to convince the Mighty Nein not to pay off his debts and leave him in jail.

Background
Gustav apparently came from Shadycreek Run. He was known by other members of the Carnival to often make poor choices, some of which have plagued him his whole life.

At a time when the Carnival was not doing well, the devil toad Kylre offered Gustav a deal: he could make the Carnival something great, but Gustav would have to bring him people to eat. Gustav wasn't willing to give him just anyone, but did offer to bring the elderly and infirm after each show.

Gustav and his circus arrived in Trostenwald and put on a show, which Gustav lead as ringmaster. He welcomed the crowd and introduced each act, promising an incredible and unique performance. When the final performance went horribly wrong and ended in a zombie attack, Gustav emerged from the back and tried to figure out what happened. The Mighty Nein pointed out a correlation between Toya's performance and the man's transformation into a zombie but Gustav explained that she was just a normal girl the circus took in from the streets. The Crownsguard then arrested Gustav and the rest of the circus, holding them responsible for the attack. Gustav tried to convinced the Watchmaster that Mollymauk wasn't part of the carnival but failed and he was also arrested.

The carnival workers and the Mighty Nein were brought before Lawmaster Norda to plead their case. Gustav claimed that he was solely responsible for the incident, and the rest should be set free. Bo attempted to protest but Gustav shut him down, and Molly corroborated Gustav's story perfectly. Lawmaster Norda had Gustav and Bo moved to the holding cells within the Stockade and dismissed the rest of them.

At the trial to resolve the situation with Kylre, Gustav was sentenced to pay off a debt of 2645 gold pieces. Later, he seemed resigned to his fate, hoping that the remaining members of the carnival would make do without him.

The Mighty Nein traveled through Trostenwald and decided to check on Gustav. In the stockade, they were escorted to his cell by Norda. He was living in a reasonable comfort and looked leaner than he had previously. They informed him of Mollymauk's death, and he said the circus had found him in a vegetative state in the woods. He considered his death a shame.

Caduceus Clay said that they should pay the money Gustav still owed so he could be released and start to pay his debt. Gustav insisted that he was paying his debt. Caduceus explained to the others that Gustav was guilty of something and hiding in the stockade from the outside world to avoid facing his real problems. Norda determined that there was 2100 gold left to pay, and that if they paid 1700 she'd let him go. They bargained her down to 1500 and although Gustav tried to convince them that it really wasn't necessary, between the whole party they paid it off. Jester used the Wand of Smiles on Gustav to make him look happy. Norda kicked him out of the stockade and told him to be grateful.

Stepping outside, Gustav took his personal belongings and thanked the Mighty Nein although he expressed uncertainty about what he'd do now with the circus scattered. Caduceus intimidated him by reminding him he should deal with whatever was trying to put him in a box. Gustav appreciated his candor but responded that it was only a possibility. He bid them farewell and the Mighty Nein told him they'd message him if they ever needed him again. As he left, Caduceus said that Gustav seemed like a very sad person despite his smiles.

Caduceus Clay asked around Trostenwald for Gustav while the Mighty Nein passed through on the way to Felderwin. No one had seen him since he was released after the Mighty Nein paid off his debt.

Appearances and mentions

 * Campaign 2

Quotations

 * "Maybe I'll find an ear to bend one day."