Penthero Iss

Penthero Iss is the current ruling Surlord in the heart of Spire Vanis, at the Mask Fortress, and the former Protector General. He is the foster father of Asarhia March, adopting her as an abandoned baby, and a primary antagonist.

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Description

Slight of build and often dressed in fanciful robes, Penthero Iss is described by his "almost-daughter" Ash as carrying something hard within himself, "as if his skeleton were made of stone". His long face has the shape and smoothness of a skinned hare, with long manicured fingernails, and grey-caste teeth. As such, he rarely smiles.

Ash also describes him as having an old smell, of "things locked away so tightly that they dried to brittle husks"; likely a nod to the fact he has been keeping Baralis imprisoned for many years.

Penthero Iss is a deceitful and manipulative man, often judging people's wishes and ambitions, then offering a seemingly mutual deal to benefit them both. He has "a way with answers", seemingly providing them, and then only later do people realize that he never truly revealed anything.

At the start of the series, Penthero Iss is insistent on learning of every little thing Ash does, and even becomes aggressive when she refuses to divulge her dreams to him. He often reminds her that out of all the foundlings discovered outside Vaingate, she was the only child he ever kept. This is due to a prophecy that said the Reach would be born and found outside Vaingate. Despite his malicious intentions to lock Ash away and steal her power, Iss does seem to have some genuine love for her.

As Surlord, his seal is a Killhound rampant, with claws like meat hooks, latched in the Iron Spire.

Biography

Penthero Iss was born with no prestigious holdings or money, joining the Rive Watch, and eventually becoming Protector General in Spire Vanis. He became Surlord with the help of the Rive Watch, murdering the previous ruler of Spire Vanis.

Sixteen years before the main events of the series, Penthero Iss organized a raiding party to intercept Crope, who was carrying his master's burned body to safety. Penthero ordered Crope shot with arrows and Baralis captured. Over the many years, Penthero Iss has ordered the binding, physical and mental torture of Baralis, seeping blood and sorcery from him.