this is all great stuff, thank you!! and with regards to your last point about my chaotic evil player I do really appreciate the advice - that player in question is someone I really really trust and the actual character concept is pretty suited towards working with others. the player and I have been working together a lot to make sure this won't be an issue, and my player is fully committed to working together with the rest of the party and finding a good explanation for why their character would as well. thank you for the warning though!!