Tax Collector

The Tax Collector is a Hardmode NPC that taxes other Housed NPCs to earn coins for players. The Tax Collector is obtained by traveling to the Underworld and throwing Purification Powder on a Tortured Soul (a rare Underworld enemy that appears similar to the Tax Collector). The enemy will transform into the Tax Collector, and will respawn thereafter so long as a vacant House is available.

When the Tax Collector is present, will be earned per real-world minute (each in-game hour), for each NPC that has a House &mdash; including the Tax Collector himself. The Tax Collector stores these funds, up to. Speaking to the Tax Collector will reveal the amount stored thus far, and offer the option to collect.

The Tax Collector attacks nearby enemies by hitting them with his cane.

Tips

 * With 20 Housed NPCs, the Tax Collector will collect every minute. It would then take 100 minutes to reach the cap of.

Quotes
If Dryad is present: If Arms Dealer is present: If Demolitionist is present: If Merchant is present:
 * "Must everyone open and shut doors so incredibly noisily around here?!"
 * "I see you're free of time, as usual. Can't imagine what work life would be for your kind of folk."
 * "...two barrels of molasses, plus -- Oh, nevermind that, you're here. Here's your money."
 * "What does a man have to do to be left alone in this place? Go bugger someone less busy!"
 * "You again? Suppose you want more money!?"
 * "Yes, yes, yes! -- I'll give you your share in just a moment. I'd think you to be a bit more patient, what with me doing all the work and all."
 * "Tried to get [Name of Dryad] to pay me with favors once, now I have fungus growing in strange places."
 * "Go tell [Name of Arms Dealer] to stop offering to pay me with ammo, I don't even own a gun."
 * "Why don't YOU try collecting money from [Name of Demolitionist] and not losing a hand or foot or..."
 * "I just came from [Name of Merchant]'s. He wanted to know if I took credit cards."

When player clicks Collect:
 * When player clicks Collect when some money is collected:
 * "Here you are again, taking all my coin! Just grab it and begone from my sight!"
 * "Here's your cut of the taxes that I've taken from our surplus population!"
 * "Bah! Here, take your shillings and get out of my sight!"
 * "This is all you're gonna get for now, not a penny more! Take it and spend it wisely."
 * When player clicks Collect when there is no money to be collected:
 * "Not so fast! You got your money, now begone!"
 * "Bah! You again? You just grabbed some of my coin just moments ago, so bugger off and come back later!"
 * "I just gave you half a crown five minutes ago! Scram!"
 * "You just received your pay, and not a farthing more! Get out!"
 * "Oh, so you just see me as a coin sign, eh? 'Cus every time you see me, you ask me."
 * "Reaching into my moneybags again already!? And you call ME greedy."
 * "Money doesn't grow on trees, so don't overpick my fruit! Bah!
 * "You already managed to spend every pence I paid you!? Bah, I'm not a charity, go kill a slime!"
 * "Don't you ever stop just to say 'Hi?'"
 * "Begging so soon?! Don't look at me like I'll have a change of heart overnight!"
 * "...And people call me greedy? No, I have nothing else for you."

Trivia

 * The Tax Collector is a reference to the fictional character named Ebenezer Scrooge, who also wears a top hat, has mutton chops and a hunched back, and is known for his grumpy, hostile attitude and extreme greed. The quote "Begging so soon?! Don't look at me like I'll have a change of heart overnight!" is a reference to Scrooge's dramatic change-of-heart experienced overnight after being visited by three ghosts.
 * The Tax Collector's potential names are all names of well-known U.S. politicians, most of which were at one point president or vice-president.
 * The quote, "Just between you and me... I have no idea why they're bothering to pay the rent," exists in the game's source code, but never appears, possibly due to a coding error.
 * The Tax Collector seems one of two NPC with a direct link to the real world, more specifically the United Kingdom, the other being the Traveling Merchant, Since he mentions crowns, shillings and pennies, which are all UK currencies.

History
Collecteur de Taxe