Character from cradle-wintersteel by
The most infuriating man on Cradle — who throws his tournament match for a soulforge no one else values, smiles when questioned about it, and somehow makes the trade look brilliant in retrospect.
Eithan throws his match. He walks into his tournament bout, negotiates a private deal with Reigan Shen — the lion Monarch, the schemer behind half the tournament's political machinations — and trades his position for Shen's mobile soulforge. Everyone watching assumes he's lost his mind. Eithan assumes they'll understand eventually. They won't. Not until Reaper, when the soulforge becomes essential and Eithan's identity as Ozriel explains why he valued a soulsmithing tool over a weapon that kills anyone. He already has that weapon. He IS that weapon. In the meantime, Eithan does what Eithan always does: he trains his students, keeps secrets, provides exactly the right help at exactly the right time, and leaves everyone wondering whether he's a genius, a lunatic, or both. He begins treating Ziel's shattered spirit — another investment no one understands yet. He watches Yerin become a Herald and Lindon become a Sage, and behind his smile is the pride of a father watching children exceed everything he planned for them. The hair care routine has not changed. Some things are sacred.
Tall, golden-haired, immaculately groomed even in a tournament full of people trying to kill each other. His smile is the same whether he's winning, losing, or making decisions that baffle everyone around him. His pure madra is at Underlord — which, given that this is Eithan, tells you nothing about what he's actually capable of.
Also known as: Eithan, Eithan Arelius