Ridlin’s journey began in the murky underbelly of Alchester, where he was born into a family steeped in the criminal world. Growing up on the chaotic streets, he learned from a young age that honesty was a liability and that survival often demanded calculating risks. His family, engaged in petty thievery and low-level cons, gave him a front-row seat to the dark deeds that characterize life in the city’s shadows. As a child, Ridlin watched his father manipulate others and bend the rules to their favor, imprinting a lesson on him: trust no one and always seek an advantage.
By the time he reached adulthood, Ridlin had embraced a life of deception, honing his skills in the art of the con. He quickly became known for his sharp wit and cunning, adept at swindling unsuspecting travelers and gambling on their naivety. However, Ridlin’s ambitions extended beyond street-level schemes. He yearned for power and respect within the criminal hierarchy. In his quest, he opened Ridlin’s Den, a notorious establishment that served as a front for all manner of illicit activities, from drugs to underground boxing matches to high-stakes gambling.
Ridlin went slack, though the wildness in his eyes remained. “You can’t do this! I mean, who are you? You’re no sorceress. You’re bluffing! You have no power over me!”
“Am I? Don’t I? Then stand and leave.”
Mathilda removed both hands and leaned back on her heels, waiting for Ridlin to do as she asked. He tried, his torso wiggling back and forth, but his legs remained motionless, and his arms pinned to his side as if tied up. Still on top of the man’s head, You flapped his wings and squawked. The entire predicament was humorous enough that I had to laugh.
“What did you do to me?!” Ridlin continued to struggle, to no avail. “Release me!”
- THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE
Ridlin’s Den quickly gained a reputation as a hive of villainy and scum, attracting lowlifes, thrill-seekers, and those desperate to escape the monotony of their lives. Disciplined in maintaining an air of unpredictability, Ridlin manipulated the games, ensuring that the odds were always stacked in his favor. He thrived in the murky waters of underhanded dealings, willing to cheat anyone—friends, acquaintances, and even his own mother—if it meant turning a profit. Ridlin treated trust as a currency that could be spent only when it served his purposes, fostering a climate of suspicion and rivalry among his patrons.
As Ridlin’s Den grew in popularity, so too did Ridlin’s ruthless reputation. Those who crossed him learned that betrayal was met with swift and brutal consequences, as he often employed intimidation tactics and thuggish enforcers to ensure compliance. Ridlin soon was feared and respected for his cunning maneuvers and sharp tongue. People whispered tales of the mob boss who could charm the coins from a miser while holding a dagger behind his back, and he cultivated this image to solidify his standing in Alchester’s underworld.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Ridlin first appears in The Assassin's Blade (Assassin Without a Name Book One).
