Earnan Ó Haonghuisi

Earnan seems from a distance to be a solitary man and, until recently, was often to be found silent and in his own company in the Temple of Daevas. They accepted him without asking a single question, and left him free to pursue independent study. Of all the places he’s studied, the Temple of Daevas contains his favourite libraries. He can get lost for hours learning about the many gods whose names are no longer spoken. It’s become less serene with the frequent comings and goings of a truly awful and profane group of four, led by Valentina Vibulanus (page 104). Soon after this began, angry and violent public protests followed in their wake. Now Earnan’s been asked to stop coming to the Temple. He was told it was for his own safety, but from what? None of the protesters ever laid a hand on him. Perhaps it’s Valentina. Without speaking a word, she radiates fury like he’s never felt, and he’s not usually sensitive to how people are feeling. People confuse him. Unlike books, they are difficult to read and you can’t close them up when you’ve had your fill. Also, they don’t like it when you put them on the shelf for a month or two while attending to more pressing things, like reading. Friendship has been elusive. Partnership is less satisfying, but more manageable. When they finally barred him from entering, Earnan put his name up on the notice board looking for work. He might be worth bringing along. So long as he is out on a mission and there are monsters to fight, he’s a fine man to have by your side. But in the awkward quiet before and afterwards...