Brigadier General

Biodata

Background and History

Ralph served as regent of Borland during Rusirt III’s reign; his portrait appeared on a Silver Wolf coin. He later admitted that his impatience and political decisions helped precipitate the Red Rose Civil War. Accused of corruption and blasphemy, he denied both charges and said he had escaped arrest 112 143. Geliide’s memories identify him as the official who deceived her, framed her for burning naval grain, and helped bring about her father’s execution 41.

Shipwrecked with the Serko survivors, Ralph initially appeared to be an elderly, wounded soldier. He helped organize shelter and supplies, fought beside Xia Lun, and offered to teach him the sword technique Burst in thanks for a life-saving potion 106 111 113 125. He also urged caution against the island’s unknown enemies, citing the consequences of his past impatience 112.

Ralph was eventually exposed as the Sacrificer behind the survivors’ deaths. He sought to end the Red Rose Civil War through a wish requiring the Serko’s passengers, the Prayerbook of the Drowned, and a final sacrifice. Fear of dying led him to sacrifice others across the island’s repeating cycles; in one cycle, he decided Xia Lun could take his place 146 149. After killing Delis and Horn, he fought Xia Lun in Bonefall Valley. Xia Lun won their sword duel, but undead artillery killed Xia Lun before he could finish Ralph 146 150.

Wounded after a further battle with the Demon, Ralph resolved to sacrifice himself after all. Xia Lun reached the Sacrifice Cave first and crushed the Pipe that served as Ralph’s phylactery, killing him permanently 152 153.

Appearance

Ralph ordinarily appeared as an aging man with wrinkled features, graying or white stubble, clouded pale-blue eyes, and a pipe 107 112 146 147. His frail appearance concealed a far more dangerous body 150.

• In combat — Extra arms and compound eyes emerged from his body; he later emerged from the damaged body as a tall, robust young man 150.
• Distinctive possession — His Pipe bound his soul and Life Force as a phylactery 152.

Personality

Ralph is composed, persuasive, and tactically cautious. He can reassure frightened survivors, but he also studies others closely and plans before acting 107 108 148. He acknowledges his responsibility for Borland’s civil war and remains devoted to restoring the kingdom 112 143 149.

That devotion does not prevent him from killing people who stand in his way. He admits fearing his own sacrifice even while demanding others’ lives 146 149. In his duel with Xia Lun, he observes formal swordsmanship etiquette and concedes defeat, yet arranges an artillery strike because he believes the kingdom’s fate matters more than a fair victory 150.

Abilities and Skills

Swordsmanship

• Force Dissipation redirects the force of an impact; Ralph uses it to transfer a bullet’s impact into the ground 113 150.
• Burst, a technique he developed, redirects received force into a powerful sword strike. He warns that using it incorrectly—or with a weakened body—can be fatal 113 122.
• Flow retains some received force and builds on it through successive exchanges, giving Ralph an increasing advantage during a prolonged duel 150 158.
• His swordplay can deflect a shotgun blast pellet by pellet and sever Xia Lun’s Life Drain effect 146 150.
• His swordsmanship memories also contain Curse-Reversal Strike, which Xia Lun later acquires 156 158.

Necromancy and survival

• Ralph commands more than fifty Undead and appears able to switch places with them 147 152.
• His Pipe is a phylactery binding his soul and Life Force, allowing him to return after death. Destroying it kills him permanently 152 153.
• Heavy use of his Secret Art damages his mental stability 151.

Curses and knowledge of the island

• Ralph uses a Wicker Man linked to Xia Lun by hair and blood to deliver a Secret Art curse 149 150.
• He understands the island as an Event Life whose cycles reset memories. He preserves his own by embedding them in a bullet that transmits them when it strikes him 148.

Equipment and Items

• Pipe — Smoking pipe and concealed phylactery 122 152.
• Sword — His primary weapon 146 150.
• Short flintlock — Carried on the island and lent to Delis when Xia Lun requested another armed defender 106.
• Memory-bearing bullet — Returns his memories during the island’s cycles 148.
• Wicker Man — Used to target Xia Lun with a curse 149 150.
• Silver Wolf coin — Bears his portrait from his time as Borland’s regent 112.

Relationships

• Xia Lun — Initially an ally and prospective swordsmanship student; later his intended sacrifice and opponent. Xia Lun ultimately destroys his phylactery 113 149 150 153.
• Geliide — An enemy whose downfall Ralph engineered. Her blood oath against him later grants Xia Lun curse and mental resistance upon Ralph’s death 41 151 153.
• Horn and Delis — Fellow Serko survivors whom Ralph kills after his role as Sacrificer is exposed 112 146.
• The Demon, Tedilina — Attempts to seize Ralph’s accumulated sacrifice; Ralph defeats it and takes it to the Sacrifice Cave 151 152 153.

Notable Quotes

“Remember, our fate is always in our own hands.” 107

“Your sacrifice deserves respect, but sacrificing other people is wrong.” — Xia Lun to Ralph 149

“I didn't want to cheat and insult a Warrior's honor. But I truly cannot lose; I must save the Kingdom.” 150