Jeff

Jeff is an undead swordsman whom Randalph Brigsiel meets in the Underground World. Repeated defeats in their daily spars turn his initial bravado into respect, and he later recognizes Randalph as his lord. His last confirmed action is volunteering to hold the rear against pursuing forces; the corpus does not confirm whether he survives or reunites with Randalph.

Biography

From sparring partner to sworn soldier

Jeff and Torium find the living but incapacitated Randalph in a realm inhabited by the dead and hide him while he recovers. Jeff is proud of having killed one hundred warriors and challenges Randalph for his two swords, but Randalph exposes the limits of his forceful, unsophisticated technique. Their daily matches consequently serve two purposes: Randalph rehabilitates his body, while Jeff becomes increasingly determined and comes to understand the depth of his opponent's swordsmanship. When war reaches their region, Jeff helps Randalph obtain a seal, joins the strongest undead gathered around him, and accepts him as lord after witnessing his strength and resolve. (Chapters 130–133)

Jeff marches beside Torium and a small skeleton force as Randalph enters the wider conflict, awkwardly wearing knightly armour despite his lack of experience with it. Randalph later assigns him as a non-commissioned officer among five thousand troops and orders him to block the rear during a dangerous withdrawal. Knowing the position may be fatal, Jeff laughs that he is already dead and refuses the prospect of becoming a skeleton soldier; he promises to escape and find Randalph again. Randalph remembers Jeff afterward, but no later scene establishes whether that promise is fulfilled. (Chapters 134–138)

Appearance and personality

Jeff is an undead man who carries a curved sword resembling a scimitar. When equipped like a knight, he looks uncomfortable and moves awkwardly in the armour. The corpus does not provide a more detailed physical description. (Chapters 131 and 134)

He is boastful, competitive, and direct, repeatedly advertising his battlefield reputation and initially demanding Randalph's swords as the price of a duel. Those traits coexist with loyalty and courage: he and Torium protect Randalph without demanding payment, show no greed toward Wrath or the Emperor's Sword, and ultimately choose a rear-guard action despite being warned that it may destroy him. (Chapters 131–136)

Abilities and powers

Swordsmanship

Jeff fights almost exclusively with a sword. His technique is experienced and strong enough for Randalph to accept his claim of having killed one hundred people, and he is considered capable of defeating seven skeleton soldiers. However, he lacks sophistication in distributing power and is less versatile than Torium, which allows a weakened Randalph to wear him down during their first match and defeat him throughout their later training. (Chapters 131–133)

Undead endurance and command

Jeff already regards himself as dead, but the evidence does not define what injuries his undead body can survive or whether destruction would be permanent. His demonstrated military value is clearer: Randalph makes him a non-commissioned officer because thousands of troops need subordinate leadership, and Jeff accepts responsibility for soldiers assigned to protect the retreat. (Chapter 136)

Relationships

• Randalph Brigsiel: Jeff progresses from challenging Randalph to sparring with him daily, protecting him, and recognizing him as lord.
• Torium: Jeff's closest recorded companion finds Randalph with him, helps conceal and support the newcomer, and fights beside him in the Underground World campaign.
• Oswen: Jeff joins the force built around Oswen's identity and remains behind when Randalph evacuates the wounded commander.

Items

• Curved sword: Jeff's usual weapon is a curved blade resembling a scimitar.
• Knight armour: He receives armour for the campaign but initially finds it difficult to move in.