Character from Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
A centuries-old Skyfowl changeling trapped in corporate indentured servitude — the most knowledgeable guide in the dungeon and the most reluctant manager in galactic history.
Mordecai is generally grumpy but perks up when talking about potions, which tells you everything about his priorities. He has centuries of dungeon knowledge compressed into conservative, risk-minimizing advice that increasingly conflicts with Carl's approach of 'what if we just blew it up.' He's not wrong — his advice would keep crawlers alive. Carl's approach keeps crawlers alive AND makes good television, which is why the audience loves Carl and Mordecai develops a stress condition. He deeply cares about the people around him, particularly younger NPCs who remind him of his lost family. His brother Uzzi entered the dungeon with him under Manager Odette, and that history left scars. He harbors lasting resentment toward Odette, whom he testified against at trial. His expertise in potion brewing expanded over centuries to cover most crawl knowledge — according to Odette, he's among the dungeon's most knowledgeable guides. He became Princess Donut's Manager through manipulation during third-floor class selection and resents every moment of it while being unable to stop caring about his charges' survival.
Changes form every floor as a Changeling — originally a dark-gold-feathered eagle-like Skyfowl with large wings. Has appeared as a bearded rat-kin, a handsome incubus, a fuzzy Pocket Kuma, and various other mob forms. Regardless of shape, his accent stays consistent and his expression stays grumpy. Currently on his final contracted tour before potential Syndicate citizenship.
Also known as: Mordecai, Princess Donut's Manager, the Manager