Locke

Biodata

Background / History

Service to Liushuang

Locke was one of the companions left to Liushuang by her mother. Alongside Lady Linda and Captain Peiwen, he provided the affection she lacked within her immediate family after her mother’s death. Liushuang regarded him as a grandfather, and his position among her mother’s retainers could not be taken away even by the first heir 25.

He held considerable standing in Cloudmist Territory. Within Liushuang’s traveling household, Locke and Linda exercised much of the practical authority, while Peiwen directed military matters. Locke was particularly influential in assessing political risks and deciding where the party could safely travel 14 26 32 39.

Meeting Chen Mo

At Liushuang’s request, Locke treated Chen Mo’s arrow wound after Peiwen removed the projectile. He used magical powder and healing magic to close the injury, then ignored Chen Mo’s question about payment and walked away yawning. Peiwen advised Chen Mo that another two or three days of rest would complete his recovery 11.

Their next encounter centered on two pressed gold pieces Chen Mo offered for airship passage. Locke was fascinated by their intricate, perfectly identical five-clawed dragon designs rather than merely their gold content. He persuaded Liushuang and Linda to allow Chen Mo and Little White aboard, later suggesting that the designs appeared to have been replicated through magic 12.

During the voyage, Locke and Linda concluded that Chen Mo was an impoverished member of a noble family’s collateral branch. They interpreted his habits and restrained behavior as signs of an upbringing and experience inconsistent with his circumstances 13.

Orc Ambush and Political Investigation

When orc wolf riders ambushed the party in the Longwind Hills, Locke supported Peiwen with healing magic. Once Peiwen was knocked beyond his spell range, Locke tried to advance but was forced back by the riders. He also recognized the extraordinary distance the attackers had traveled from the North Wind Wasteland and questioned why they had come specifically for Liushuang 24 25.

After Peiwen killed Moglu with Chen Mo’s thermite grenade, Locke immediately healed him and released a stored Hymn of Life, enabling the captain to resume fighting. The grenade’s destructive power astonished Locke; he later admitted that he could not reproduce it 26.

At Boulder Fort, Locke rejected the Creek Moon Federation’s explanation that a port official alone had enabled the raid. He argued that maintaining the riders and tracking Liushuang across hundreds of kilometers required powerful assistance. He also imposed strict secrecy on the survivors, preventing outsiders from learning the true source of the attack that killed Moglu 32.

Recruiting Chen Mo and the Journey Home

Locke discreetly attempted to recruit Chen Mo, recognizing that his unusual weapons could strengthen Liushuang’s household and Cloudmist Territory. Chen Mo initially declined to concentrate on his studies, but later accepted an invitation to travel with the party. His decision to consult his instructor before joining further improved Locke’s opinion of him 35.

During the confrontation with Tikpot, Locke cast protective spells on the warriors defending the camp. After Chen Mo helped defeat the knight, Locke assessed his weaponry as devastating against formations. He subsequently emphasized that Chen Mo’s distant supporter was dangerous not only for supplying weapons, but for preparing a battle plan specifically for him 39 42.

After Peiwen hauled the party across the Crystal River, Locke treated his exhaustion and confirmed that rest would restore him. Following Peiwen’s death, Locke’s recovery spells helped the remaining survivors continue their escape 43 47.

Eliel’s Betrayal and Death

At an abandoned village, Locke allowed Eliel to leave in search of food despite Chen Mo’s order that nobody depart alone. He defended the decision by citing Eliel’s family’s generations of service to the territory. The disagreement exposed the party’s uncertain command structure after Peiwen’s death, prompting Chen Mo to prepare to leave 47.

When Eliel returned with enemy soldiers following him, Locke realized that his judgment had endangered Liushuang. Furious, he struck the fleeing traitor with a fireball, severely burning him but failing to kill him 47.

Locke fought in the ensuing defense, alternating healing magic with fireballs. An unidentified spell tore open the left side of his body, leaving him bleeding heavily and struggling to breathe 48.

Before Chen Mo and Liushuang departed, Locke entrusted his spellbook and a magical device to Chen Mo through Liushuang. She later explained that Locke’s injuries could have been healed, but he gave up because he feared she would otherwise refuse to leave him 49 50.

Appearance

• Age and build: An elderly, gaunt man with withered hands 11 26 47.
• Hair: Graying hair and beard, which bristled when he confronted Eliel 11 47.
• Clothing: Wore a gray-white mage robe 48.
• First impression: Arrived to treat Chen Mo yawning, bleary-eyed, and visibly reluctant 11.

Personality

Locke combined strict guardianship with grandfatherly affection. His stern manner discouraged Liushuang from proposing outings, and he firmly placed her safety above social visits or personal wishes. After the orc ambush, however, he playfully praised her judgment and kindness, helping reassure her that accepting Chen Mo’s gift had saved the party 26 32.

He was politically perceptive and intellectually curious. He identified weaknesses in the federation’s account of the ambush, anticipated attempts to investigate their supposed fire-element expert, and recognized the strategic significance of Chen Mo’s outside support. Exceptional craftsmanship and unfamiliar weapons could nevertheless leave him openly excited or astonished 12 26 32 42.

His loyalty also carried a blind spot: he trusted inherited household service as evidence of personal faithfulness. His confidence in Eliel overrode Chen Mo’s security precautions, and the resulting betrayal provoked both rage and the realization that his own mistake might doom Liushuang 47.

Abilities & Skills

Healing and Recovery Magic

A support specialist capable of closing wounds, controlling bleeding, and restoring exhausted companions 11 25 43.

• Sustained Peiwen through repeated injuries during the orc ambush, though the healing only barely suppressed his bleeding 25.
• Cast recovery spells throughout the survivors’ escape after Peiwen’s death 47.
• Range limitation: Could not reach Peiwen after Moglu knocked him away from the defensive position 25.

Hymn of Life

A stored healing spell released from Locke’s wood-grained bracelet 26.

• Produced a surge of green life force over Peiwen after Moglu’s death 26.
• Followed Locke’s initial healing wave and helped return Peiwen to combat 26.

Enchanting and Protective Magic

Identified as a master of healing and enchanting, Locke also provided defensive support in battle 39 47.

• Cast successive protective spells on the warriors guarding the camp against Tikpot 39.

Fireball Spell

Locke retained basic offensive magic learned before changing classes, despite specializing in support 47.

• Burned and incapacitated Eliel with a direct hit to the back 47.
• Used fireballs between healing spells during the village defense 48.
• Limitation: His offensive spellcasting lacked the power and accuracy of specialist elemental mages, even those of lower rank 48.

Alchemy and Technical Appraisal

Worked as an alchemist and examined unfamiliar craftsmanship and weapons 12 39.

• Recognized the exceptional precision and identical engraving of Chen Mo’s gold pieces 12.
• Correctly identified Chen Mo’s weaponry as highly effective for breaking formations 39.
• Could not manufacture a counterpart to the thermite grenade 26.

Equipment / Items

• Staff — Held in both hands while casting protective spells at the camp entrance 39.
• Wood-grained bracelet — Stored the Hymn of Life used to heal Peiwen 26.
• Magical powder — Used alongside healing magic when treating Chen Mo’s arrow wound 11.
• Spellbook and magical device — Passed to Chen Mo through Liushuang before the survivors left the village 49.

Relationships

• Commandery Princess Liushuang — His ward and a granddaughter-like figure. He prioritized her safety, while she affectionately called him “Grandpa Locke” and mourned his death 25 26 32 50.
• Captain Peiwen — A colleague of many years whose military judgment Locke respected. Their familiarity allowed Locke to react immediately to his call for healing 26 39.
• Lady Linda — Fellow senior guardian of Liushuang and follower of the God of Wisdom; shared authority over the household’s conduct and initially shared Locke’s assessment of Chen Mo’s background 13 14.
• Chen Mo — Initially a patient and suspicious stranger, later a prospective recruit and traveling ally. Chen Mo remembered Locke among those whose kindness had helped him, and received his spellbook and magical device 11 35 48 49.
• Eliel — A household soldier Locke mistakenly trusted because of his family’s service. Locke attacked him upon discovering his betrayal 47.