An old man who moves like he’s done being surprised by anything. Founder of the Order of the Shadowed Hand, a criminal network connecting Firebell, Zamoria, and Caviana. Before that, a guardian of artifacts in an unnamed order he fell out with, for reasons he won’t discuss.
Appearance
Old. Sharp. The kind of person who has been underestimated so many times that he has stopped noticing. His hands are steady. His eyes are not warm.
Background
A former artifact guardian of an unnamed order, expelled after a disagreement he refuses to explain. He took an artifact with him when he left, something the order had voted to destroy. He built the Order of the Shadowed Hand from that expertise: not just moving artifacts, but understanding them. What they are, what they do to people, what people will do to get them.
He dealt with Order of the Pale Flame operatives moving into his territory in Firebell for some time, a problem that had occupied much of his attention. The Pale Flame’s Firebell cell has since been destroyed, though their broader presence in the city remains a concern.
Recent Events
He appeared on the road between the Fractured Workshops and the airship, as if he had been waiting. He spoke with Klause about the Pale Flame’s growing presence in Firebell and asked whether the anchor decision was worth whatever price it carried. He appeared to recognize Devon but pointedly said nothing to him at first.
By the end of the conversation, both Klause and Devon knew something about each other’s connection to Marlowe. The tension was not subtle.
Connections
- Klause Jaeger: former protégé; trained him; gifted him the tekko-kagi
- Seraphine Voss: his most trusted lieutenant; runs the fencing operation
- Order of the Shadowed Hand: his network
- Order of the Pale Flame: encroaching on his territory in Firebell