Roger

“Black Scorpion” Roger is the leader of Trier’s Poison Spur Mob, a Great Mother cultist whose organization abducts residents and supports Hugues Artois’s political rise. (Chapters 1564, 1596, and 1654–1660)

Biography

Cordu, Trier, and the Approaching Apocalypse

Roger governed the Poison Spur Mob from 126 Avenue du Marché, relying on “Baldy” Harman, “Short-legged Candlestick” Castina, and the protection of Lady Moon’s faction. When Lumian Lee attacked the mob and publicly ruined a mediation, Roger chose to wait inside his fortified home for Artois’s election, expecting the promised new boon to secure his faction’s future. (Chapters 1596–1631 and 1654–1657)

Lumian and Franca Roland infiltrated the house before that reward arrived. Roger activated the Undying Lands, raised his slain companions through blood, and used curses, black flame, and a sculpture’s enhancement to suppress both attackers; however, Fallen Mercury exchanged his fate with an unconscious tramp, leaving him helpless. Lumian carried him outside and shot him through the head while he remained comatose. (Chapters 1657–1658)

Appearance and personality

Roger is a confident, coarse mob leader who lounges in aqua-blue silk pajamas while fondling Castina and issuing orders. He is vindictive and cruel, curses enemies with threats of death and forced pregnancy, and treats abducted civilians and subordinates as expendable instruments. (Chapters 1657–1660)

Pathways and abilities

As a Heretic Spellmaster empowered by the Great Mother’s side, Roger can establish an Undying Lands domain filled with tormented spirits, move through its ghostly faces, animate corpses with blood, invoke Evil Words and weak black flames, burn life force, and wield a spectral scythe. His exact Sequence-equivalent rank is not stated, and he had not yet received the promised Sower boon. (Chapters 1610 and 1657–1658)

Relationships

• Harman and Castina: Roger’s senior enforcers and combat partners, whom he temporarily raises after Franca kills them. (Chapters 1657–1658)
• Hugues Artois: Roger’s organization supports his election in expectation of greater supernatural rewards. (Chapters 1654–1657)
• Lumian Lee: Their mob conflict culminates in Lumian infiltrating Roger’s home and executing him. (Chapters 1630–1631 and 1657–1658)

Items

Roger uses a life-sized female sculpture that augments his physical and spiritual power and appears dangerous to attack directly. Its name, precise origin, and later custody are not established. (Chapter 1658)