Baron Theodore von Monocle

Baron Theodore von Monocle

Full Name: Baron Theodore von Monocle Titles: Baron, General, Hero of Rislandia, Chief Military Strategist of Rislandia Affiliation: Kingdom of Rislandia, Grand Rislandian Army

Baron Theodore von Monocle was the most legendary figure in modern Rislandian history. Born to a minor noble family, Theodore earned his title through extraordinary valor and innovation, becoming the kingdom's most famous airship captain. His name alone was said to strike fear into the hearts of enemies, and many owed their lives to his leadership. He did not, despite his name, wear a monocle. His personal crest depicted a sword thrust through a gear—the sword representing his combat ability, the gear his capacity for strategy.

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Appearance and Signature Regalia

Throughout his years as an airship captain, Theodore was immediately recognizable by his signature ensemble: a red velvet (also described as crimson) cape and a black top hat. He adopted this look deliberately, intending to present himself in a memorable, flamboyant manner so that the enemy would turn him into legend—a strategy that succeeded, as the look became legendary. His daughter Zaira von Monocle later wore the cape in his honor and carried on his tradition. He carried a sword with a brass hilt, which he kept in a drawer in his quarters aboard the G.R.S. Liliana. He preferred the sword over firearms, calling it a more elegant weapon—though his marksmanship, when employed, was noted to surpass even that of Captain Talyen von Cravat. He preferred bitter black tea. In The Blood of Giants, he was noted to wear thin glasses when reading documents. By the events of The Fight for Rislandia, he had aged brown eyes, and his forehead wrinkled when he frowned, betraying his age.

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Personality

Theodore was charismatic, stubborn, and deeply loyal to his crew and family. He was described as larger than life, combining wit, experience, and combat capability in equal measure. He had a wicked sense of humor and a way with people few others could manage. He was known for unorthodox military strategies and ingenious plans, and he never made decisions in haste according to his attorney Matthias du Gearsmith. He inspired profound loyalty in all who served under him, and Harkerpal recounted that Theodore never left a crewman behind and had saved his life on more than one occasion. Crew members attributed his repeated escapes from impossible situations to positive thinking, and he was said to possess "the luck of the von Monocles."

He kept his adventuring world largely separate from his daughter Zaira, though he wrote letters home even while on duty and brought back exotic gifts from his travels, including a stationary ferromagnetic high-frequency howler and porcelain dolls. He told Zaira he would be there for her more often after her mother died, though in practice he often disappeared for months at a time. He was described as not always listening, though he had good intuition at times. It pained him not to personally take a bigger stake in the action during field operations, even as his rank required him to command from a distance. He instilled in Zaira a sense of loyalty to her land, blood, and people.

His personal logbooks—titled Baron von Monocle's Log—served as a primary source for the history of his era and were excerpted at chapter headings in For Steam and Country, The Blood of Giants, and The Fight for Rislandia. The logs were described as basic, simple descriptions of events—more statements of history than tactics—though his personal worries about losing Zaira and her mother were apparent within them, and they were also said to be to the point and to create a great narrative.

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Early Career and Notable Deeds

Theodore rose through the military ranks through sheer daring and tactical brilliance. He was a great friend of King Malaky XVI before Malaky ascended to the throne—the two were described as best friends who grew up together and were nearly inseparable in those years. Ships were granted to him as rewards for service to the kingdom. He was described as having been quite the adventurer in his youth.

Among his documented exploits, drawn from his logs and the accounts of those who served with him:

• In the 23rd Year of King Malaky XV's Reign, flew the G.R.S. Liliana on its first mission to Tyndree on the east coast of Rislandia. During this mission, he rescued a duchess named Liliana from High Mesa Castle during a conflict with the Wyranth Empire, fell in love with her, and named his airship in her honor. He later returned to Rislandia and married her. (See also: How Baron Von Monocle Named His Airship.)
• In the 1st and 2nd Years of King Malaky XVI's Reign, took the Liliana on exploratory world tours.
• Assisted with disaster relief in Portsgate. According to Sergeant Lansing, he saved the day from Portsgate all the way to Borderville, at one point bringing the Liliana to pick up barrels of aether fuel via hooks during a past battle.
• Convinced Renawl, the One-Eyed King he would work as a mercenary, was imprisoned by Renawl's guards, but kicked a knife from Renawl's hand while chained, seized it, and drove it into Renawl's good eye before escaping back to his airship with his crew.
• Made three journeys across the ocean to open trade negotiations with the Tribes of Zenwey, obtaining a book from a shaman attached to a Zenwey chief. He also warned his daughter of beast-men to the north of the Zenwey continent. (See: The Zenwey Expedition.)
• Agreed to travel to the Islands of Fae to assist an Atreblan noble, securing aether fuel for the fleet in exchange. During this voyage he came across a book given by a shaman concerning giants who roamed the land in ancient times. (See: Baron Von Monocle and the Island of the Fae.)
• Traveled to the Dragonmist Isles to retrieve a rare flower for his wife Liliana on their anniversary, according to Harkerpal.
• Took Mr. Gentry aboard the Liliana when he first took her out.
• Set aside a farm for Zaira and her mother to live in peace.
• Took his wife Liliana to the Ebony Sands Coast before Zaira was born.
• Led Zaira and knights into the Wyranth's serum production facility inside Devil's Mountain on a prior occasion.
• Noted that when the Liliana was launched, she was not tested in combat for several weeks.

He was also known for the phrase "For steam and country" and the maxim "A von Monocle doesn't run."

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Family Life

Theodore's first wife was Liliana von Monocle (née Duchess of High Mesa Castle, from the Tyndree Kingdom), whom he rescued during the Wyranth conflict and married. She died of a fever during a cholera epidemic, after which Theodore withdrew inward and stopped coming home as often. He mentioned both Liliana and Zaira in his ship's log. Both Theodore and King Malaky XVI lost their wives to the same terrible disease. Following his first wife's death, he had a close personal relationship with Captain Talyen von Cravat, who referred to him as "Theo" and for whom he had previously served as commanding officer.

He granted power of attorney to his attorney Matthias du Gearsmith and bequeathed his land and the Liliana as a primary inheritance to his daughter Zaira von Monocle, who inherited the airship at age sixteen.

Children:

Spoiler: The Crystal ConspiracyClick to reveal

• Lilly von Monocle — infant daughter by Talyen von Monocle

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Giant's Blood Lineage

Theodore carried traces of Giant ancestry, with enhanced crystal affinity and physical resilience. The "von Monocle luck"—an instinctive sense of danger and opportunity—runs through Zaira's mother's side via giant's blood. He was described as "more of a giant than creatures in bedtime stories," and he himself told Zaira that "von Monocle blood" would see them through difficult circumstances. In The Iron Wedding, he planned to have royal historians look into claims about Zaira's lineage, including the matter of giant's blood, and wanted intelligence agents to find a crystal for Harkerpal to test. See also: The Giants, Giant's Blood Serum.

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Role in For Steam and Country

At the outset of For Steam and Country, Theodore had been missing in action for approximately two years, last seen swinging off the bow of the Liliana from a rope and charging onto the enemy shore during the Second Battle of the Border River in the 17th Year of King Malaky XVI's Reign. He had been formally declared deceased under Rislandian Kingdom law after two years missing, and his final mission was classified.

His log entries, dated across the Month of Queens and Month of Kings in the 16th and 17th Years of King Malaky XVI's reign, were excerpted at chapter headings throughout the novel. These entries referenced returning to Rislandia City after a sojourn home, his daughter's resemblance to her mother, the death of Liliana, fear of something inhuman in the current crop of Wyranth soldiers, ferocious Wyranth attacks and crew losses, and a final entry on Day 21 of the Month of Kings, 17th Year of Malaky XVI's reign, reading: "This will be my final reckoning. I face the full might of the Wyranth Empire today."

During the story, a captured Wyranth soldier revealed that Theodore was still alive and being held in the Wyranth Castle dungeon by the Iron Emperor. Theodore communicated with Zaira via notes carried by Toby while imprisoned; he signed one such note "Theodore" and wrote: "Zaira! There's so much I need to tell you. How it both brings me joy and pains me to know you're here, my daughter. I love you." The Iron Emperor threatened to have him lashed each time Zaira resisted.

Theodore had spent most of the preceding years in a solitary cell, where he scratched lines into stone and devised a strategy game he planned to develop into physical pieces upon his return to Rislandia.

He was ultimately rescued during the events of the novel. In the escape from Devil's Mountain, he pistol-whipped Sergeant Wilheim in the back of the head, caught him before he fell, and chose not to kill him, remarking "Don't kill unless we have to, m'boy." He donned Wilheim's Wyranth uniform, led the group through the central chamber posing as a Wyranth soldier, identified the creature in the pit as a giant, shot three Wyranth soldiers in quick succession, and carried Talyen von Cravat over his shoulder out of the chamber. He collected a sample of the glowing azure substance—which he identified as vitality ether (see Vitality Ether)—in Cid's canteen, and identified the exhaust shaft as the group's exit route. He agreed the giant and its goo supply should be destroyed.

Following the rescue, Theodore was present at a breakfast in the king's banquet room, where he explained the events of the Devil's Mountain mission, noted the losses suffered in the firefight, and protected Marina du Willet by declining to reveal her betrayal to the king. He accepted a position with King Malaky XVI as Chief of Foreign Relations, describing the new post as "hobnobbing and paperwork." He pleaded no contest on Zaira's behalf regarding ownership of the Liliana, announced his intention to marry Talyen von Cravat, and expressed hope to have more children with her. He raised a glass in toast to Zaira at the conclusion of the gathering. King Malaky noted his profound influence on everyone he met and called him an old friend.

After the battle, Theodore stayed beside Talyen, fired shots at Wyranth soldiers while diving toward the injured Zaira, and later took the Liliana back out over the sea to recuperate.

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Role in The Blood of Giants

By the time of The Blood of Giants, Theodore held the rank of General in the Grand Rislandian Army and had married Talyen von Cravat, now Talyen von Monocle. He worked in the war room at the palace and wore thin glasses when reading documents, a departure from his earlier field-captain days.

He greeted Zaira on her return to Rislandia City, embracing her and expressing his pride: "I'm so proud of you, Zaira." He informed her that the Liliana must go back into action immediately, explaining that the Wyranth had opened war on two fronts and were drawing near to Rislandia City. He described the army's deployment along the Border River as a feint. He assembled a commando team to replace half of Zaira's personnel for the coming mission.

Theodore received reports that the Wyranth had developed a new exploding artillery weapon. He was excited by the proposed ocean mission, remarking "This is exactly the sort of plan I would have conceived of a decade ago," and went personally to speak with King Malaky XVI to obtain the king's blessing for it. He noted that his own logs might contain useful information about the Zenwey continent, and warned Zaira of beast-men to the north of that continent from his earlier travels there.

He debriefed the crew in the evening following the mission and participated in detonating a bomb in Devil's Mountain. He had previously taught Zaira to keep a full resupply list, a habit she carried into her own command.

Harkerpal had adventured with Theodore previously, a relationship that continued to inform the crew's deep respect for the General.

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Role in The Fight for Rislandia

In The Fight for Rislandia, Theodore held command of the entirety of the Grand Rislandian Army and worked alongside Captain Talyen von Monocle in the big war room at the palace, planning troop movements and logistics. He and Talyen had recently welcomed their infant daughter Lilly von Monocle. He stood at the front of Cliffside Castle's honor guard to meet Zaira on her return, and later set her up with a room in one of the castle towers.

When scouts determined the Wyranth invasion forces were closer than expected, Theodore sent a messenger at sunrise with orders for the Liliana to depart at midday, and separately dispatched a private to warn Zaira of the accelerated threat. He told Zaira the crew could rest up one night but no more, and planned to have the Liliana escort the royal family to the Oler Mountains. He became very angry upon learning Zaira had met with the Iron Emperor without informing anyone, though he subsequently agreed she had acted in good faith for the kingdom—a conclusion he reached in discussion with King Malaky XVI.

Theodore devised a plan to lure the Wyranth out of Rislandia City using false rumors of a food shipment, and planned to advance on the city once the Liliana was adapted as a crop duster and Rhys finished the anti-serum. He arranged for Rhys to use the town hospital as a laboratory. He told Zaira that interrogation of a prisoner indicated Plainsroad Village as the origin of the Wyranth serum supply, and gave her his blessing to pursue the serum supply mission.

During the street ambush in Rislandia City, Theodore acted as commander, waiting behind the others. He brandished his sword in the streets, praised the group's shooting after the ambush, ordered Corporal Tyson to lead the group into the storehouse, and ordered Sergeant Lansing to guard Zaira and the bomb until they were safely aboard the airship. He then departed with Corporal Tyson and his team deeper into the city. It pained him not to personally take a bigger stake in the action.

Theodore organized the assault on Rislandia City, dividing forces between the north and west entrances. He told Colonel Rennie to lead the north contingent and led the western gate assault himself, taking the forest route so the Wyranth would not spot his forces. He regrouped forces in the forest after the Wyranth scattered. When he recognized Zaira's voice, he ran forward and embraced her. He was with the general army and had not been reported injured or missing.

During the final confrontation at the palace, Theodore recognized General Swift by name. When Swift held Zaira hostage, Theodore held his arm out palm open to stop his soldiers from firing. He kept a stoic face but showed worry in his eyes. Following the resolution of the standoff, he shouted "Victory! Rislandia City is ours!"

He promised not to try anything foolish in the coming battle, expressed that he missed the Liliana, and ushered Zaira back downstairs and embraced her before she departed, asking her to say hello to Harkerpal. He looked flustered when he saw Ethan von Lantern link arms with Zaira, and spoke gruffly after seeing the two together. He noted that the gates of Rislandia City had been made stationary since the invention of the horseless carriage, and remarked of the Wyranth: "They always underestimate us. That is their weakness."

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Role in The Iron Wedding

In The Iron Wedding, Theodore continued to serve as General and chief military strategist of Rislandia, stationed at the royal palace in Rislandia City. He was described as wearing a Grand Rislandian Army uniform rather than his former cape and top hat, and bore a freshly trimmed salt and pepper beard with wrinkles lining his face, though his bright eyes betrayed a youthful spirit. He stood beside King Malaky XVI in the audience chamber, discussed plans with engineers, and met with troops.

He attended the airship reconstruction site survey and greeted Harkerpal with a hug; Harkerpal referred to him as "General." He gave Harkerpal two more days to solve the airship problem before threatening to shut the project down, and wanted intelligence agents to find a crystal for Harkerpal to test. He knew Dr. du Brass and described him as a brilliant man.

Theodore was strongly opposed to Zaira marrying Ivan, the Iron Emperor, stating: "You can't seriously be entertaining the idea that Zaira marry that fiend." He hated Ivan intensely. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Rislandia was on its last legs and had no airship, and ultimately agreed to the arrangement, expressing both disappointment and pride in Zaira's sacrifice and acknowledging that she had done the right thing. He embraced Zaira before her departure and told her she could always change her mind.

He shared every meal with Zaira during her Rislandian visit and met with her and Queen Reina I over strategic matters regarding Wyranth factories and automaton locations. He attended the briefing with Queen Reina and the High Knight of Rislandia. He remembered Zaira's mother and knew of her small kingdom's prestigious lineage; he planned to have royal historians look into claims about Zaira's genealogy, including the matter of giant's blood. He said that King Malaky XVI had told him that as soon as Zaira entered the city it would be like a switch turning on a motor.

When King Malaky XVI died, Theodore had bags under his eyes and had evidently been crying, though he would not have admitted it if asked. He gave a speech at King Malaky's funeral procession using an amplifying device, telling stories of himself and Malaky as boys. He was described as having recently suffered the death of his best friend.

Theodore was present at Carnait Cove for the wedding and had dinner with Zaira the evening before, squeezing her hand across the table. He stood at the front of the wedding structure watching with a somber countenance, and smiled when he saw Zaira in her dress. During the Nightmen alarm, he asked if Zaira was okay and stated his priority was to get Queen Reina I to safety. He agreed to mobilize Rislandian soldiers to assist the Wyranth against the Nightmen threat, expressing disbelief at working alongside the Wyranth but acknowledging the danger based on Zaira's report.

After the battle, he was the first to spot Zaira when she came downstairs at the inn, saying "Thank Malaky" upon seeing her awake, and guided her to a chair. He told her their forces had numbered five hundred Nightmen in all and that her actions had taken one hundred and fifty from the battlefield. He expressed that he aimed to see her fly again. He wanted reparations for the terrible things Ivan had done to Rislandia.

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In The Steam Knight

Theodore appears mostly in the background of The Steam Knight, where King Malaky calls him "General von Monocle":

• His interrogation of the captured Wyranth spy Marcus confirms where the traitor knight Lou is hiding.
• James Gentry and Cid are credited with breaking into the Wyranth prison, disguised as Wyranth soldiers, to rescue "Baron von Monocle". The Hazing ceremony lists "breaking into the Wyranth capital city and freeing prisoners from their dungeon" among James's deeds.
• Ambassador Sheila McRose of Atrebla calls him "the greatest adventurer who ever lived, or the wiliest devil, depending on who you speak with". King Malaky replies, "Perhaps a little of both."
• King Malaky recalls that Theo dealt with the goblins along Atrebla's northern countryside near Zarma "more than a decade ago".
• As the Wyranth close in, Mr. du Gearsmith assures the king that "the von Monocles will defend the city". Malaky answers, "Theo and Zaira have done so much for us."

Relationships

• Zaira von Monocle — his daughter; he bequeathed her the Liliana and his land, was deeply proud of her, and told her the von Monocle blood would see them through. In The Iron Wedding, he expressed both disappointment and pride in her sacrifice and acknowledged she had done the right thing. He instilled in her a sense of loyalty to her land, blood, and people.
• Liliana von Monocle — his first wife, deceased; he named his airship after her. She was from the Tyndree Kingdom.

• King Malaky XVI — his closest friend; the two grew up together and were nearly inseparable. The king stated he would risk his life for Theodore. Both men lost their wives to the same disease. Theodore gave a speech at Malaky's funeral procession and was visibly grief-stricken at his death.
• Matthias du Gearsmith — his attorney, who held power of attorney and recommended he formulate a will.
• Harkerpal — a crewman whose life Theodore saved on more than one occasion; the two had adventured together previously. Theodore greeted him with a hug in The Iron Wedding and asked Zaira to say hello to him before she departed in The Fight for Rislandia.

Spoiler: The Crystal ConspiracyClick to reveal

• General Carwell — told stories of Theodore's victories alongside King Malaky.
• General Swift — a Rislandian officer Theodore recognized by name during the crisis at the palace in The Fight for Rislandia.
• Mr. Gentry — took him aboard the Liliana when Theodore first took her out; called Theodore by his first name.
• Renawl, the One-Eyed King — an enemy Theodore attempted to trick and ultimately blinded in his remaining eye during an escape.

• Marina du Willet — a crew member whose betrayal Theodore chose to conceal from the king.

• Corporal Tyson — ordered by Theodore to lead the group into the storehouse during the Rislandia City ambush.
• Sergeant Lansing — ordered by Theodore to guard Zaira and the bomb until they were safely aboard the airship.

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Quotes

"King and Country can fill one's mind with a sense of duty and purpose which cloud what's important in life."

"This will be my final reckoning. I face the full might of the Wyranth Empire today." — Log entry, Day 21, Month of Kings, 17th Year of Malaky XVI's Reign

"Don't kill unless we have to, m'boy."

"The 'Great Baron Von Monocle,' while flattering as a term, makes me a symbol."

"For steam and country."

"A von Monocle doesn't run."

"Zaira! There's so much I need to tell you. How it both brings me joy and pains me to know you're here, my daughter. I love you. – Theodore"

"I'm so proud of you, Zaira." — The Blood of Giants

"This is exactly the sort of plan I would have conceived of a decade ago." — The Blood of Giants

"It's okay, Zaira. We have von Monocle blood running through our veins." — The Fight for Rislandia

"Zaira, I swear, you think just like I do some days." — The Fight for Rislandia

"Proposing strategy. You've come a long way, Zaira." — The Fight for Rislandia

"They always underestimate us. That is their weakness." — The Fight for Rislandia

"Victory! Rislandia City is ours!" — The Fight for Rislandia

"You can't seriously be entertaining the idea that Zaira marry that fiend." — The Iron Wedding

"Two more days. If you can't come up with something, we shut the project down." — The Iron Wedding

"I don't know that I'd be able to make the decision you had if our situations were reversed." — The Iron Wedding

"Thank Malaky." — The Iron Wedding, upon seeing Zaira awake after the battle

"We aim to make that happen." — The Iron Wedding, regarding Zaira flying again

In the short stories

In How Baron Von Monocle Named His Airship, Theodore is already famous. He lands at Duke Wesley Yount's castle to collect a debt and coal, but finds that the duke is dead and his daughter Liliana is Duchess. After a feud over coal (Theodore raids the castle stores, and she takes his ship), the two spend the night together. She names his unnamed airship after herself, and he refuses to rename it.

In Island of the Fae (3rd Year per the timeline), he negotiates for Atreblan aether fuel with Count Eberle at the Stanley Estates. He agrees to rescue Eberle's son from the Fae and leads a landing party in his red cape and top hat. He ends by trading for the Fae's aether fuel instead of tricking them, then lies to Eberle about the boy. His pun, "Life isn't faerie, as they say", gets him thrown out.

In Tangled Web, set after his disappearance at the Second Battle of the Border River, he was last seen swinging down a rope ladder into the Wyranth line. Thesally tells Edwin Ral, "Theodore von Monocle is dead."

In A History of Rislandia

According to A History of Rislandia, Baron Theodore von Monocle is treated as one of the most significant figures of the modern era, and his personal journals are cited repeatedly as a primary historical source throughout the text. The sourcebook adds several details about his ancestry, early career, specific dated operations, and current rank that either expand upon or, in some cases, conflict with information established in the novels.

Family Name and Inherited Title

According to A History of Rislandia, the von Monocle name did not originate with Theodore. The title of Baron von Monocle was first granted to Frederick von Monocle in Year 445 of the Rislandian calendar, as part of the Von Monocle Honor — an act that transformed what had originally been a name of humiliation (imposed under the Edict of Ridicule Families) into a noble title. Theodore is identified as Frederick's son, who inherited the barony and went on to become one of Rislandia's greatest heroes. The sourcebook notes that by Theodore's time the absurd name had become synonymous with heroism through generations of distinguished service by the Von Monocle family.

Journals as Historical Source

The sourcebook draws on Theodore's personal journals extensively, quoting them at chapter openings and citing them as a primary record of the era. Among the passages quoted or paraphrased: his reflection from the Crystal Spire — "From the Crystal Spire, one can see the entire kingdom spread before you — forests and fields, mountains and rivers, cities and villages. It is a land worth fighting for, worth dying for. It is home" — and his diplomatic observation, "I have walked among peoples who would seem alien to us, yet I have found that we share more than we differ." The sourcebook also quotes his account of walking the Spire's halls at midnight: "I have walked the Spire's halls at midnight and heard things I cannot explain," and records his belief that the tower is alive in some way and that it remembers.

The Siege of High Mesa and Rescue of Duchess Liliana

According to A History of Rislandia, the rescue of Duchess Liliana took place during the Siege of High Mesa. The sourcebook describes Theodore as a young airship captain at the time, who fought through Wyranth forces to reach High Mesa Castle and led a daring rescue of Duchess Liliana and other nobles via the Liliana, naming the airship after her on the spot. He later married her; their daughter Zaira subsequently inherited the airship. This account is broadly consistent with the novels.

Dated Operations During the Wyranth Invasion

The sourcebook provides specific dated log entries from Theodore's journals covering operations not detailed elsewhere:

• Month of Princes, Day 22: Received orders to fly the Liliana to Desert's Watch.
• Day 25: His commandos tailed surviving Wyranth soldiers back to their main army.
• Day 31: Desert's Watch fell; Theodore retreated to Pleasant Pass.
• Month of Princesses, Day 10: Agreed to transport a highly volatile explosive.
• Month of Princesses, Day 17: Returned to Rislandia City for the Winter Festival and reunited with his wife Liliana, during which she expressed a desire to move to the countryside when the war ended.

The sourcebook also records that Theodore received news of his wife Liliana's death by carrier pigeon while away on duty, and that he could not face his daughter afterward, burying himself in military service — expanding on the emotional detail present in the novels.

Portsgate Relief

According to A History of Rislandia, Theodore led evacuation efforts via the Liliana during a hurricane that struck Portsgate in Year 15 of King Malaky XVI's reign. The novel-based account on this page references his Portsgate relief work but does not specify the year or identify the disaster as a hurricane.

The Zenwey Expedition

The sourcebook states that Theodore first made contact with the Tribes of Zenwey at Seeva's Village, and that in Year 5 of King Malaky XVI's reign, Seeva showed him a book about giants and the ancient world. He established good relations between Rislandia and the Zenwey tribes and was welcomed and helped by them. This is consistent with the novels but adds the specific year and the name of the contact.

The Islands of Fae Expedition

According to A History of Rislandia, Theodore visited the Islands of Fae in Year 3 of King Malaky XVI's reign. The sourcebook provides a more detailed account of the bargain he struck with the Fae: he traded an electrical field defense system for aether fuel, and left Count Eberle's son with the Fae because the boy was happy and safe. The Fae honored the bargain, and Theodore departed with the fuel. His log records the Fae warning: "You chose wisely" — and noting that they would have pursued him had he betrayed them. He also noted that the electrical field defense system would not have held forever.

The sourcebook additionally states that during this or a related expedition, an entire airship crew disappeared on the Islands of Fae, after which Theodore declared the Islands off-limits. This conflicts with the novel-based account on this page, which records only that he agreed to travel to the Islands of Fae to assist an Atreblan noble and secured aether fuel, with no mention of a crew disappearance or a subsequent prohibition. Both versions are recorded;

The Second Battle of the Border River and Capture

According to A History of Rislandia, at the Second Battle of the Border River, Theodore made a deliberate choice to create a distraction to allow Chief Engineer Harkerpal to repair the engines and relaunch the Liliana. He swung from a rope onto the enemy shore, engaged dozens of Wyranth soldiers single-handedly with his sword, and disappeared into the Wyranth ranks as the Liliana lifted off. He did not escape with the ship. The sourcebook records that he was missing for more than a week after the battle before being confirmed captured — and that he was subsequently imprisoned and tortured for two years in a Wyranth dungeon beneath Devil's Mountain. This is broadly consistent with the novels but adds the detail that the distraction was a deliberate tactical choice to save the ship and crew, and specifies that he was missing for more than a week (not immediately known to be captured).

Relationship with Talyen von Cravat

According to A History of Rislandia, Theodore's relationship with Talyen von Cravat prior to their marriage is described as that of a secret lover — "not publicly acknowledged." The novel-based account on this page describes their relationship as a "close personal relationship" without characterizing it as a secret. Both versions are recorded;

Plainsroad Village

The sourcebook identifies Plainsroad Village as Theodore's home, a detail not stated explicitly on the novel-based account on this page.

Journal Quote on Rislandia

The sourcebook quotes Theodore's diplomatic journals: "I have traveled the world and seen wonders beyond imagination. But there is no place I would rather be than home, in Rislandia, among my people." This passage is attributed to him in the context of his role commanding the defense from Cliffside Castle during the two-front invasion in Years 19–20 of King Malaky XVI's reign.

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