Swain

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Swain
Alias(es)	Boss Swain
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Formerly the Mandated Punishers; owner of the Evil Dragon Bar
Occupation/Role	Retired Mandated Punisher captain; black-market broker and bar owner
Status	Deceased 67
First Appearance	Chapter 2 (mentioned); Chapter 6 (appears)

Background

Swain was once captain of Tingen’s Mandated Punishers. Though retired, he retained close ties to the squad and continued to act when Tingen faced supernatural threats. He lived alone in the Docks District after cultists killed his wife in retaliation. 52

He operated the Evil Dragon Bar, whose concealed rooms hosted an underground Beyonder trading market. His name carried enough weight for Roland, an unofficial Machinery Hivemind craftsman, to accept commissions from people he referred. 2 42

Aster knew Swain as the Storm Pathway class mentor from Sequence Wars. This foreknowledge led him to accept Swain’s confidential Vinia Town commission, which other unaffiliated Beyonders had avoided because the reward and Swain’s former office made it seem like a trap. 6

Appearance

Swain was an older, broad-shouldered man with a solid, muscular build. Despite his rough habits and frequent drinking, he retained an alert, intimidating presence.

• Messy brown hair and sharp blue eyes. 6
• Usually wore worn, practical clothing, including a thin shirt and an old naval coat. 6
• Often smelled of alcohol and carried liquor or a pipe. 6 38
• Continued wearing broad bandages after Trissy’s attack, even after his physical wounds had largely healed. 55

Personality

Swain was outwardly rough, hot-tempered, and fond of intimidation, but his apparent recklessness concealed adaptability and professional caution. He scrutinized Aster’s motives, questioned his purchase of Ghost Shark blood, and refused to involve him in the search for Megose despite valuing his intelligence. 6 8 38

He was deeply loyal to former comrades. His insistence that the Vinia Town spirit be allowed to rest peacefully came from guilt over personally killing and improperly burying a Mandated Punisher who had lost control. He later treated Aster’s warning about Old Neil seriously because Neil was his friend. 6 25

Swain believed strength created an obligation to protect others. While dying, he rejected the idea that ordinary civilians were insignificant, arguing that the strong should protect the weak as they would family and friends. 67

Abilities & Skills

Storm Pathway Beyonder Abilities

Swain was a Sequence 8 Beyonder of the Storm Pathway. 7 56

• Used Rage Strike to break free from Trissy’s ambush and smash through a window. 53
• His resistance to alcohol was exceptional; his apparent drunkenness at the Evil Dragon Bar was an act. 48
• Retained the instincts, physical strength, and intimidation associated with a former Mandated Punisher. 6 52

Investigation and Underground Connections

As owner of the Evil Dragon Bar, Swain controlled access to its hidden trading market and maintained a network of subordinates and couriers.

• Could acquire and sell Beyonder materials, including 100 milliliters of Ghost Shark blood. 8
• Provided Aster with forged identity documents in repayment for protecting Old Neil. 25
• Relayed urgent intelligence to the Mandated Punishers and other churches’ Beyonder teams. 48
• Served as a trusted intermediary for Aster’s deliveries and messages. 11 63

Associated Items

• Witch’s Kiss / Evelyn’s Kiss — A pair of white gloves Swain gave Aster as compensation for resolving the Vinia Town haunting. Swain knew they drained blood and spirituality, produced invasive living skin, and could permanently transform and consume an overextended wearer. 6 7
• Messenger whistle — Aster gave Swain a whistle capable of summoning his messenger for urgent correspondence. 59

Story Role

Vinia Town Haunting

Swain hired Aster to settle the resentful spirit of a former Mandated Punisher without banishing or purifying it. Aster resolved the haunting by using the Sleeping Slaughter Knife on the coffin sustaining the spirit, after which Swain compensated him with Witch’s Kiss. 6

Cooperation with Aster

Swain remained suspicious of Aster but repeatedly cooperated with him. He sold him Ghost Shark blood after verifying that its intended recipient was not an enemy of the Church of Storms, passed along Aster’s warning about Old Neil, and later provided identity documents as repayment. 8 20 25

When Aster warned him about Megose, Mr. A, and suspicious “coincidences,” Swain transmitted the intelligence to the Mandated Punishers and other official teams. He also searched the East Borough for the injured Aster after the confrontation with Mr. A. 48 49 52

Attack by Trissy

Trissy ambushed Swain in his home while searching for Witch’s Kiss. Swain refused to reveal that Aster possessed the gloves. A possession-type undead secretly placed on him by Aster absorbed Trissy’s fatal strike, allowing Swain to escape, though Trissy’s black magic severely injured his spirit body. 52 53 55

Death

During the crisis surrounding Sealed Artifact 1-27, Swain was mortally wounded while protecting civilians. Rachel found him dying and attempted to treat his injuries; their final exchange revealed the depth of his faith in protecting the weak. 67

Relationships

• Aster Crowley / Melvin / Rachel — Initially a suspicious client, then a guarded ally and friend. Swain gave Aster Witch’s Kiss, accepted his intelligence, and survived Trissy’s assassination attempt because Aster had secretly placed an undead safeguard on him. 6 49 53
• Townsend Neil — Former colleague and close friend. Swain took Aster’s warning about Neil’s Hidden Sage faith seriously and considered the intervention a favor that prevented Neil’s death. 20 25
• Kallio — Captain of the Mandated Punishers after Swain’s retirement. Swain respected Kallio’s authority, reported Aster’s warning about manipulated coincidences to him, and was protected by Kallio’s furious response after Trissy’s attack. 52 55
• Rejel — Former subordinate or colleague with a familiar, almost brotherly rapport. Rejel visited Swain during his recovery and discussed Madam Sharon’s death with him. 57
• Trissy Cheek — Attacked Swain to locate Witch’s Kiss. He resisted her interrogation, concealed Aster’s identity, and escaped her attempted murder. 52 53
• Unnamed wife — Killed in a cultist retaliatory attack, after which Swain lived alone in the Docks District. 52

Notable Quotes

“The Lord said that those with strength ought to protect the weak, just as they protect their own family and friends—” 67