Bryon Ruudhume

Bryon Ruudhume is a Kalrentai citizen of Estwald. Born into a family of low-ranking nobility, his mother died in childbirth with him, and his father resented his only son, retreating into taverns to dull his pain. The family fortune was squandered away, and his father was eventually hung as a thief. Bryon was taken into the care of the crown, raised in a home for boys, and emerged a shrewd and canny young man. After serving as a Wayguide for a short time, he befriended a nobleman from Sudrast, ingratiating himself into the man's household, eventually rising to be his seneschal, and finally, becoming his heir. After the man's death, his non-hereditary title was lost, but his fortune was put at Bryon's disposal. He quickly made wise investments (some would say supernaturally lucky) and increased his fortune to the point where he could purchase a manor in Estwald's wealthy Gold District. He continues to live as a merchant prince, his eye on the family's former manse, intent on restoring his family name, siring an heir, and regaining the respect he feels he was always due. He is garrulous, jolly, driven, generous, charismatic, and well-liked by the nobles and the commoners alike.

Despite this, rumors continue to circulate that not all about Bryon is as benevolent as it seems. These people point to the accidents that befell his competitors as being deliberate actions by Bryon and those who work for him. His "wise investments", according to these rumors, were the result of being able to know that other ships would sink or warehouses might burn down. According to those who speak against him, Bryon is the public face of a figure known as "Silk", the leader of an extensive criminal network called the Velvet Wraiths. If these rumors are correct, then Bryon is in charge of over half of all the criminal activity in Estwald and a significant percentage of the thieves and criminals throughout Summerlund and indeed Aldorath. Few who meet the dandied gentleman are able to take these rumors seriously.