Ryan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ryan (瑞恩)
Alias(es)	Messenger Ryan 16
Species/Race	Falaroan 2
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gray Hawk Mercenary Group 2
Occupation/Role	Mercenary; rogue and intelligence worker 33 42
Status	Active 135
First Appearance	Chapter 2: Mercenary

Background / History

Ryan is a Level 4 Falaroan mercenary of the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group. Gagnor and Raymond find him severely wounded in a forest, where he uses Feign Death to appear dead while keeping a dagger concealed beneath himself. After Gagnor treats his abdominal wound with a Healing Stone and Raymond gives him a bed at the Driftwood Town church, Ryan becomes indebted to both of them. 2

Uncomfortable receiving aid without repayment, Ryan teaches Gagnor Feign Death before leaving Driftwood Town. He also warns Gagnor that those with a Sage Name could face persecution from the Church, advising him not to remain there if he possesses one. 3 4

Ryan later reveals that he grew up in South Sea Town's slums and used to steal alongside a lame vagrant. His past gives him sympathy for certain beggars, though he remains practical about charity. 33

Appearance

Ryan is first seen in leather armor bearing the Gray Hawk eagle insignia, armed with a dagger and suffering from a long, narrow abdominal wound. 2

• Wears the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's gray metal shoulder insignia. 2
• Carries a dagger and rogue tools. 2 128
• Uses throwing knives coated in poison. 76
• His gait becomes noticeably guarded after a later injury. 33

Personality

Ryan is initially guarded and defensive, relying on Feign Death because he does not know whether strangers are dangerous. Once Gagnor and Raymond help him, however, he becomes open, grateful, and eager to repay the debt rather than accept charity freely. 2 3

As a veteran of South Sea Town, he is pragmatic, humorous, and wary of overreaching. He encourages Gagnor's ambition while repeatedly cautioning him to know his limits, especially regarding Cassandra and the Tidal Lands. 17 21

Ryan often deflects personal questions with jokes or abrupt changes of subject. This is particularly evident regarding his injuries, his work, and his private relationship with a nun at the South Sea Town church. 15 33 104

Abilities & Skills

Feign Death

Ryan uses and teaches a self-hypnosis technique that makes the body resemble a corpse. It saved his life at least twice before his encounter with Gagnor. 3

• Can suppress breathing and heartbeat, lower skin temperature, and retain awareness at higher proficiency. 3
• Can remove the sensation of pain at Level Four Feign Death. 3
• Has a severe limit: an ordinary person can stop breathing and their heartbeat for only about six minutes before dying. 3
• Uses the technique as concealment when weak or uncertain of others' intentions. 2 3

Rogue Combat

Ryan favors mobility, concealed weapons, and opportunistic counterattacks rather than direct confrontation. He considers himself poorly suited to leading from the front because rogues excel at hiding and escaping. 42

• Runs fast enough to leave afterimages and nearly keep pace with a charging Level 7 High Troll. 75
• Throws poisoned knives; the blades barely injure a High Troll, but the poison slows it down. 76
• Evades and counterattacks a Level 5 thief alongside John and Thomas. 110
• Functions as a lightly armored lure during ambushes. 110

Lockpicking

Ryan is a capable lockpicker who continues to practice on difficult Dwarven-made locks. 113 115

• Opens Black Steel Shackles during the mercenaries' plan to replace Nicon with Barons. 128
• Unlocks one of Flame Guardian Eborshir's elemental shackles despite the interference caused by Agathys's Armor. 135
• Aspires to master lockpicking and obtain a Level 5 rogue badge. 115

Intelligence Work

Ryan performs intelligence-related work for the Gray Hawks and knows South Sea Town's criminal underworld well. 17 33

• Guides Gagnor through the Raven Inn and Black Gold Corridor black market. 33
• Explains the value of Bloodsail Pirate badges and the requirements for receiving a Black Gold Certificate. 33
• Operates a Gray Hawk stall that purchases information long-term. 33

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Gray Hawk eagle shoulder insignia. 2
• Leather armor. 2
• Dagger. 2
• Throwing knives and poison. 76
• Rogue tools and lockpicking wire. 115 128
• Dwarven Black Steel Lock used for practice. 115

Relationships

• Gagnor — Friend and fellow Gray Hawk member. Gagnor saves Ryan's life; Ryan repays him by teaching Feign Death, advising him on mercenary contracts, and guiding him through South Sea Town's black market. 2 3 17 33
• Raymond — One of the church attendants who helps carry the wounded Ryan to Driftwood Town and gives up his bed for him. Ryan respects Raymond's selfless devotion but does not want to receive aid without repayment. 2 3
• Night Owl — Gray Hawk vice-captain associated with Ryan's lockpicking training; Ryan refers to his own teacher while avoiding naming Night Owl in front of Nicon. 17 128
• John — Fellow mercenary who protects Ryan from a Level 5 thief during the silver-mine mission. 110
• Unnamed nun — Ryan secretly meets with her in the South Sea Town church courtyard; their intimate moment is interrupted before a priest notices. 104
• Eborshir — Ryan works under Agathys's Armor to pick the Flame Guardian's elemental shackles. 135

Story Role / Major Arcs

Driftwood Town

Ryan's apparent corpse draws Gagnor and Raymond into their first major crisis. His Feign Death lesson later allows Gagnor to survive Priest Green's blood-sacrifice ritual. 2 3 7

South Sea Town and the Gray Hawks

Ryan reunites with Gagnor in South Sea Town, introduces him to the city's safer inn, and helps him join the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group through a Level 1 pharmacist contract. 15 17

Tidal Lands Expedition

Ryan brings Gagnor with his team to the Stoneclaw Mountains, explains the risks around the Tidal Lands, and later supports Gagnor's right to retain his spoils under his apothecary contract. 21 28

Black Gold Corridor

Ryan introduces Gagnor to the Raven Inn's black market, assists with the sale of a Bloodsail Pirate badge, and runs an information-buying stall for the mercenary group. 33

Presto War and Wilderness Clearing

Ryan leads Gagnor's squad temporarily while traveling toward Presto Fortress, though he expects to return to intelligence duties afterward. During the subsequent wilderness operation, he faces a High Troll and helps lead it toward Vice-Captain Hicks. 42 75 76

Silver Mine and Underdark Operations

Ryan joins Gagnor's silver-mine security mission, where Gagnor discovers his secret church relationship. Later, Ryan contributes his lockpicking to the mercenaries' underground escape and the liberation of Eborshir. 104 128 135

Notable Quotes

“The more dangerous the place, the freer it is.” 4

“Anyone with ambition won't avoid it.” 17

“As a rogue, I'm best at hiding in corners and running fast.” 42