Banterley

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Banterley Mirrorimage (班特力)
Alias(es)	Old Banterley; Lord Banterley Mirrorimage
Species/Race	Gnome 23 47
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Friendly Arm Inn — master and innkeeper 23
Occupation/Role	Innkeeper; high-level arcane mage; magical researcher and instructor
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Background / History

Banterley is the master of the Friendly Arm, a fortified inn that also contains the Temple of Wisdom, where his wife Jelana serves as head priest. Skar introduces him to Zhang Yuan as a level 11 Archmage, though Banterley modestly describes himself as only having reached the threshold of high-level magic. 23

He gives Zhang access to his magical wares at a discounted price, allowing the novice to purchase four first-level spell scrolls. When Zhang nearly trips while excitedly considering new knowledge, Banterley catches him with Mage Hand and advises him not to lose sight of practical matters. 23 24

When Zhang fails to transcribe a spell scroll, Banterley recognizes that he possesses unusual innate magical potential despite lacking any magical education. He explains that spellcasting requires understanding a spell's construction, rules, and operating principles—not merely the ability to cast it. 25 26

Although he refuses Zhang's request to become his apprentice, Banterley and Jelana arrange a costly Spell Infusion Ritual to transmit the spell models for Sleep and Summon Monster I. Banterley frames this aid as a wager connected to a prophecy attributed to the seer Aranndor, but declines to elaborate on his intentions. 26 27 28 29

After Zhang returns from Nashkel, he persuades Banterley to provide ten days of magical guidance by offering Tiny, his anomalous stone golem summon, for research. Banterley is intensely interested in the creature's apparent connection to Mechanus and personally tests its mobility, obedience, and construction. 47

Appearance

Banterley is an elderly gnome who commonly keeps a pipe in hand or mouth while speaking and thinking. 23 25 27

• Frequently smokes a pipe while considering magical problems. 25 26
• Small enough to tiptoe while closely examining Zhang Yuan. 25
• Energetic despite his age; excitement over Tiny makes him jump and pace around the golem. 47

Personality

Banterley is humble about his own magical rank, immediately dismissing Skar's grand introduction of him as an Archmage. At the same time, he is blunt, teasing, and unwilling to indulge Zhang Yuan's misconceptions about magic. 23 25 26

His central trait is intellectual curiosity. Zhang's altered summoning spell and Tiny's possible connection to Mechanus captivate him so strongly that he agrees to teach Zhang in exchange for research access. 47

Despite his sarcasm and reluctance to accept formal apprentices, Banterley consistently helps Zhang find practical solutions: selling discounted scrolls, explaining arcane fundamentals, arranging the infusion ritual, and offering limited instruction. 23 26 27 47

Abilities & Skills

Arcane Spellcasting

Banterley is introduced as a level 11 Archmage, while personally characterizing himself as a mage only at the threshold of high-level status. 23

• Casts Mage Hand to prevent Zhang Yuan from falling. 24
• Uses extended arcane incantations during the Spell Infusion Ritual. 28
• Maintains a stock of magical items and spell scrolls for sale at the Friendly Arm. 23

Magical Scholarship

Banterley understands both the theoretical and practical requirements of arcane learning.

• Identifies Zhang as an unusually late-awakening but naturally gifted mage, comparing the potential of such awakeners to rare historical prodigies. 25 26
• Emphasizes that a mage must understand and control spell structures rather than simply wield their effects. 26
• Recognizes the unusual implications of a first-level summoning spell producing a stone golem-like construct. 47
• Evaluates Tiny as a capable construct that follows common commands and moves with unusual agility for a first-level summon. 47

Spell Infusion Ritual

Banterley and Jelana perform a ritual intended to directly transmit spell models into Zhang Yuan's mind. 27 28

• The procedure is presented as an expensive temporary solution for a mage without foundational education. 26
• Zhang incurs a 500-gold debt after the ritual. 29
• The ritual enables Zhang to acquire Sleep and leads into his connection between Summon Monster I and the DLTCEP Auto-Battler System. 28 29

Equipment / Magical Wares

• Pipe, which he habitually smokes while thinking or speaking. 25 27
• An enchanted catalogue-scroll displaying the Friendly Arm's available magical items and their descriptions. 23
• Spell scrolls and other magical merchandise, including first-level spells sold to Zhang at a discount. 23 24

Relationships

• Jelana Mirrorimage — Wife; together they operate the Friendly Arm's magical and religious services. Jelana serves as priestess of the Temple of Wisdom and joins Banterley in the Spell Infusion Ritual. 23 27 28
• Zhang Yuan / Charnem — Customer, magical beneficiary, and temporary student. Banterley recognizes Zhang's unusual potential, assists with his spell education, and later agrees to guide him for ten days in exchange for studying Tiny. 25 26 47
• Skar — Acquaintance who introduces Zhang to Banterley and helps secure Zhang's discounted purchase of spell scrolls. 23 24
• Tylanthyr — Fellow high-level mage and a point of professional comparison. Banterley is provoked into claiming that his own knowledge is not much worse than Tylanthyr's. 47
• Aranndor — Banterley invokes the seer's prophecy as the reason he is willing to “add a stake” in an uncertain future. 27

Notable Quotes

“When you gaze at the stars, don't forget the road beneath your feet.” 24

“You can't be called a Mage simply because you can cast a few spells.” 26

“This is not magic, this is not arcane!” 47