The Riven Lands

A distinguished Elf man who dresses in expensive but understated merchant clothing that allows him to blend in at both criminal gatherings and legitimate business meetings. His silver hair is kept in a conservative style appropriate for a successful trader, and his green eyes hold the calm confidence of someone comfortable in any social situation. Carries multiple sealed message tubes and maintains correspondence with contacts across the archipelago. A subtle network of small scars on his hands tells the story of previous conflicts resolved through negotiation rather than violence.

Diplomatic and well-connected with genuine talent for reading people and situations, Shade prefers negotiation to violence and views criminal conflicts as business problems requiring practical solutions. He values information and relationships above immediate profit, investing heavily in maintaining his network of contacts and informants. Takes pride in his reputation for keeping secrets and honoring agreements, understanding that trust is his most valuable currency in the criminal world.

Third-generation smuggling coordinator whose family built an extensive network of criminal contacts across the archipelago over decades of careful relationship building. Shade inherited not just the family business but also their reputation for discretion, reliability, and fair dealing in illegal enterprises. His success comes from treating criminal coordination like diplomatic relations - maintaining neutrality in gang conflicts while facilitating profitable cooperation between rivals. His network spans multiple kingdoms and criminal specialties, making him one of the most connected individuals in the archipelago's underworld.