A gnome of short stature and slight build. Eyes of a dull green with the permanent expression of someone calculating costs. Prematurely grey hair — has been this way since he was 200. Always carries a field notebook and a pencil behind his ear. Functional, inconspicuous clothing designed not to draw attention at crime scenes.

Chronicler of disasters not of his own making

Carries a notebook in which he records everything, including his own unanswered questions · Interrupts fights with research questions · Never runs — walks briskly while taking notes · Cites statistics from previous episodes at inopportune moments

Academic trained at the Brotherhood of the Uncharged Scholars, expelled for publishing a study on 'The Statistical Inevitability of Dwarven Disaster' without the subject's consent. Has spent four years following Thrain as an unauthorised field study.

The Crooked Dome

Field notebook — currently on volume 24 of 23, Graphite pencil — always carries three spares

A dwarf of solid build, dark beard split in two by an old scar — hence the surname. Small dark eyes with the expression of someone who has already made the decision and is merely waiting for the rest of the world to catch up. Functional armour with genuine wear. War hammer across his back.

Warrior. Cause of seventeen documented incidents. Still counting.

Dwarven internal logic: concrete, grounded in honour/debt/territory/drink · Never admits mistakes — reframes them as inevitable consequences · Extraordinary alcohol tolerance, though not unlimited · Decides before evaluating — evaluation comes later, if needed

Exiled from Broken Forge following the Incident of the Third Tunnel, the exact nature of which varies depending on who tells the story. Thrain does not discuss it. Travels settling outstanding matters — there are many outstanding matters.

Broken Forge