The Riven Lands

A meticulous Shadar-kai whose pale hands are permanently stained with inks that change color based on which dead calligrapher's spirit is currently guiding his work. His scholar's robes bear embroidered names of every murdered scribe whose blood contributed to his family's ink supply, worn as a memorial garment that honors their sacrifice. Carries an ornate writing case containing instruments made from the bones of grateful spirits who donated their remains to his artistic mission. His precise movements are occasionally interrupted by ghostly possession as dead masters briefly take control to demonstrate proper technique.

Artistic perfectionist driven by guilt over his family's unwitting participation in systematic murder, seeking redemption by using his inherited necromantic talents to honor the dead scribes whose blood flows in his veins. Takes pride in creating forgeries that surpass the quality of original works because they're guided by the accumulated expertise of dozens of murdered masters. Views his criminal work as collaborative art projects with grateful spirits who finally have their skills recognized.

Master Krell Inkweaver is a brilliant Shadar-kai calligrapher who inherited a family workshop where for generations his ancestors unknowingly created forgeries using ink made from the blood of murdered scribes. Upon discovering the horrific source of his family's 'superior' materials, the revelation drove him to embrace necromantic arts to commune with the victims whose blood had made his family's reputation. Now, he creates perfect forgeries by channeling the skills and memories of dead calligraphers, using their ghostly expertise to produce documents so authentic they seem to carry the spiritual authority of their supposed creators.