Gerwyn was born into the Panther Tribe, a lineage steeped in the lore and traditions of the krill people. Growing up in the sprawling Merrow Woods, he witnessed the beauty and the dangers of a land infused with magic and ancient spirits. From an early age, Gerwyn demonstrated exceptional agility and combat skills, traits admired and nurtured within his tribe. The spirited krill children engaged in mock battles, and Gerwyn quickly rose to the top, earning respect for his abilities and his unwavering sense of honor.
As he matured, Gerwyn felt a powerful call toward the path of a warrior. He devoted himself to rigorous training and learned the art of combat from the tribe's elders. His childhood friends often recounted his daring feats, from single-handedly defending a foraging party from a pack of wild beasts to sparking a peaceful resolution between rival tribes. This reputation eventually led him to the attention of the sinjee, the elite protectors of the krill, who were always looking for warriors capable of embracing their rigorous standards.
Upon receiving his invitation to join the sinjee, Gerwyn felt ecstatic. This elite group embodied the ideals of sacrifice and bravery, acting as the guardians not only of their tribe but of the entire Merrow Woods. However, initiation into the sinjee was not merely a matter of combat prowess but a test of the spirit and mind. Gerwyn approached the challenges head-on, pushing through physically and mentally demanding trials while holding on to his dream of serving his people.
The final trial loomed ahead like a dark cloud. It was shrouded in mystery, spoken only in hushed whispers and fearful glances. Gerwyn learned that the final ritual required participants to confront their deepest fears and traumas, a requirement for allegiance to the sinjee.
Haunted by memories of a childhood tragedy—an incident during a tribal festival that claimed the life of his younger sister—Gerwyn faced inner turmoil. He had long suppressed the guilt he carried for not protecting her. The idea of reliving that moment, of confronting the horror he had tried to forget, filled him with dread. The weight of his past crashed down on him like a fierce wave, and Gerwyn realized he could not endure such a trial.
When he declared his intent to withdraw from the sinjee, shock reverberated through the gathering of warriors and elders. His decision marked a profound betrayal in the eyes of his community, as withdrawing was forbidden and seen as a sign of weakness. The elders convened, deliberating the consequences of his choice. In the end, Gerwyn was exiled—cast out not only from the sinjee but from his tribe and all he held dear.
“Hello, friend.”
Ensel Rhe drew his khatesh. From behind the roof’s access enclosure, the speaker revealed himself.
“Krill,” Ensel Rhe said.
Panther-dark, with whiskered face and claw-tipped fingers, he wore the finery of the well-to-do: a high-collared dark jacket made of velvet over a burgundy vest and white shirt, with a patterned tie around his neck. Tailored trousers covered him from the waist down, but the claws and fur on his feet remained revealed as he wore no shoes. Green cat eyes met Ensel Rhe’s as the krill spoke with liquid smoothness, the words congenial and tinged with amusement.
“And you, my friend, are eslar.”
- THE NULLIFICATION ENGINE
Transitioning from a revered warrior to a solitary wanderer was a bitter herb. Gerwyn traversed the diverse landscapes of Uhl, seeking solace in the solitude of the vast wilderness. He learned to survive on the outskirts of civilization, honing his skills as a fighter while grappling with his inner demons.
Eventually, fate intervened when he crossed paths with Ingrid Kane, an eslar woman of keen intellect and an unyielding spirit. Recognizing the potential in Gerwyn, she offered him a position as a chaperone and weapons master for her ward, the teenage eslar girl Jakinda Rhe. At first reluctant, Gerwyn accepted, sensing a chance to redeem himself and guide someone else—a way to nurture a new generation rather than watch them fall prey to the same mistakes.
Through his time with Jakinda, Gerwyn began to rediscover purpose. He encountered the complexities of mentorship, reflecting on his past and understanding the nature of fear and strength. As he trained Jakinda, he not only imparted his knowledge of combat but also infused the essence of honor and resilience in her. In doing so, Gerwyn found a new family amid the fallen shadows of his former life and began to forge a path toward atonement, wrestling with the ghosts that haunted him as he protected this new light.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Gerwyn first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).
