White Beard

Biography

Return to ruined Bayton

White Beard, a former Tribunal castoff acquainted with Jassim, partnered with the orange cat Kate to enter ruined Bayton. His formation knowledge and symbiotic shoulder sprite helped him confront ash-people whose mental influence made ordinary resistance unreliable. When the attack intensified, he exposed an old elf-pollution scar and rotted face to interrupt the enemy's hold, while his beard and body hair became weapons and shields. His last direct scene leaves him alive and still fighting, with the expedition's final personal outcome unconfirmed. (Chapters 722–726)

Appearance and personality

White Beard is distinguished by a full white beard, a hidden rotted facial scar, and a small symbiotic sprite on his shoulder. He is experienced, suspicious, irreverent toward institutions, and prepared to exploit his own corruption tactically.

Abilities

• Body hairs that harden into steel-like needles and defensive barriers.
• Formation expertise and a symbiotic sprite that supports combat effects.
• Resistance derived from old elven pollution, used against mental interference.

Relationships

• Jassim: A former Tribunal acquaintance whom White Beard remembers as Jasim.
• Kate: His orange-cat partner in the Bayton expedition.