Matthias du Gearsmith

Matthias du Gearsmith

Titles: Attorney, Advisor, Ambassador

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Description

Matthias was tall and lanky with a gaunt face and a small divot in his chin. Despite his slender frame, he was noted to be strong and swift when circumstances demanded it. He carried himself with what Zaira von Monocle described as "that professional and aristocratic bounce," and was generally regarded as solemn in bearing. He held a firm and tall posture. James Gentry described his wardrobe as "too stuffy."

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Background

Matthias du Gearsmith had known Baron Theodore von Monocle since before Zaira von Monocle was born, and was present at Zaira's name day ceremony. He served as the Baron's personal attorney and, by his own account, it was he who recommended that the Baron formulate a will as a precaution. He also knew King Malaky XVI personally—well enough to be greeted by the king using his first name—and had at some point advised the king to stop flying on airships.

Matthias later recounted the battle at the Border River during which Baron von Monocle disappeared, and described Marina du Willet as one of the finest officers Rislandia had ever produced. He also maintained contacts in the Atrebla Kingdom.

Zaira von Monocle later described Matthias as the man who "first introduced me to my airborne life."

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Role in For Steam and Country

Delivering the Will

When word reached the capital that Baron von Monocle was missing in action and would soon be legally declared dead, Matthias—who had nearly forgotten the Baron's will until talk of the airship reminded him of it—was charged with executing the estate. The Baron had bequeathed the Liliana to Zaira. Matthias traveled to Plainsroad Village to locate Zaira and inform her of her inheritance. He carried the scroll containing the Baron's power of attorney and accompanying letter, and delivered it to her personally.

Journey to Loveridge

Matthias transported Zaira to Loveridge in his horseless carriage, which was described as speedy. He sat in the front of the vehicle and warned Zaira not to touch the steamstack. During the journey, Captain Talyen von Cravat also rode with them. When the captain departed temporarily to conduct reconnaissance, Matthias took the wheel. At one point, a Wyranth soldier pointed a gun at his head; Matthias remained calm and told the soldier that Zaira was his daughter. He had booked rooms at the Loveridge Inn several days in advance by post, and gave Zaira a brown dress with a golden sunflower pattern, accompanied by a card signed Matthias du Gearsmith, Esq.

At the Royal Court

Matthias accompanied Zaira and Captain von Cravat to meet King Malaky XVI. He explained royal meeting customs to Zaira, including the requirement for non-nobility to wear formal poofy attire, and instructed her not to speak until spoken to. He chided her when she spoke out of turn and again when she compared the king unfavorably to Baron von Monocle. He introduced Princess Reina to the group and, when tension with the king escalated, suggested retiring for the evening as a means of defusing the situation. He gripped Zaira by the arm and escorted her to her sleeping quarters. He also made clear to all parties that the Liliana was Zaira's airship.

When classified matters arose, Matthias stated that they would remain classified until the king said otherwise.

Departure of the Liliana

As King Malaky was indisposed, Matthias came to the landing pad to see the Liliana off in the king's stead. He was informed by Captain von Cravat of the plan to search for Baron von Monocle rather than follow standing orders. He warned Zaira to stay hidden and not take undue risks, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and tipped his hat with the words "Godspeed. Zaira, Talyen" before departing. He was described as solemn at this moment.

Captain von Cravat borrowed Matthias's horseless carriage to make quick arrangements to get the Liliana airborne.

Into Wyranth Territory

Matthias showed fury when the ship entered Wyranth territory. He took control of the Liliana when Zaira panicked, and after a crash carried Zaira over his shoulder to safety. He was called away on urgent business before a planned inn meeting. Zaira later vomited at his feet, soiling his shoes.

Informing the King

After Zaira departed on her unsanctioned mission, Matthias went immediately to King Malaky and told him of Zaira's plan to travel to the Wyranth capital to rescue her father. He was described as sounding worried. He split his efforts with Captain von Cravat to bring the king information about the Baron.

Resolution of the Liliana's Ownership

Following the mission, Matthias was present at the breakfast in the king's banquet room. During the treason discussion, he watched without comment. He then noted that a legal error had been made regarding the Liliana's ownership: because Baron von Monocle had been falsely pronounced dead, the airship technically needed to be transferred back to its rightful owner, the Baron. He asked Zaira to sign forms of consent regarding the Liliana, and ultimately accepted Theodore's plea of no contest regarding Zaira's continued ownership of the vessel. He stroked his chin while deliberating.

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Role in The Blood of Giants

In The Blood of Giants, Matthias du Gearsmith was mentioned as one of the friends Zaira considered close to her in Rislandia City, named alongside James Gentry among those she regarded as friends or family there.

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Role in The Fight For Rislandia

In The Fight For Rislandia, Matthias du Gearsmith was part of King Malaky XVI's entourage when the king visited Zaira aboard the Liliana. He wore his customary top hat. During the visit, Matthias held a small wooden box containing a medal for Zaira, which he handed to King Malaky for the presentation. He then stepped forward to give Zaira a ribbon with a clip for the medal, instructing her that for public ceremonies she should wear it around her neck. He called her "a hero of the people" and addressed her by her new title of Baron von Monocle. He also praised her, telling her she had "matured considerably in the last several months."

When circumstances required the king's safety, Matthias patted King Malaky on the shoulder and urged him to leave for safety, agreeing it was best for the king to go below decks.

Matthias departed the Liliana at Lake Avily with the royal retinue.

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Role in The Iron Wedding

In The Iron Wedding, Matthias du Gearsmith continued in his role as advisor to King Malaky XVI, standing beside the king in the audience chamber during deliberations over the Wyranth armistice terms. He was described as lanky and referred to as "the lanky advisor."

Opposition to the Armistice Terms

Matthias opposed the Wyranth armistice terms, calling them preposterous. He also cautioned the king not to give the Wyranth ambassador Andrei—in truth Ivan, the Iron Emperor disguised by a changeling net—more information than was strictly necessary.

Assessment of Zaira

During the round table meeting, Matthias advised King Malaky on the costs and benefits of the proposed arrangement. He stated plainly that "Ms. von Monocle, no offense, is in no way a strategic value compared to an airship," reflecting his characteristic bluntness in strategic counsel. He subsequently advised Zaira to rest after the proposal was put to her.

Arranging the Mission

Matthias suggested that Zaira carry a micro-camera and act as a spy during her participation in the Wyranth proposal. He introduced Zaira to the scientist who demonstrated the micro-camera to her. He also drafted the formal letter conveying Zaira's acceptance of the Wyranth proposal, and informed the Wyranth delegation of her decision. He mentioned the letter that had originally pronounced Zaira's inheritance of the airship, connecting the present circumstances to his earlier legal work on her behalf. When the king's poor health prevented him from seeing Zaira off personally, Matthias told her so.

Despite his blunt strategic assessment, Matthias told Zaira, "You're a treasure, Ms. von Monocle."

Advising Queen Reina I

By the events of The Iron Wedding, Matthias had also taken on an advisory role to Queen Reina I, assisting her on administrative matters including taxation forms. Zaira recalled that Matthias had previously brought her to the palace and lectured her about traditions, made her wear strange poofy attire, and instructed her to keep her eyes cast low—conduct consistent with his earlier behavior in For Steam and Country. When Reina chose the title Queen Reina the First, Matthias went pale and began rambling about traditions, behavior Zaira characterized as that of the "old guard." He was nonetheless described as sighing with understanding and patience when advising Reina, and caught Zaira's eye in Reina's chamber during one such exchange.

Zaira reflected that she "had the best advisors in the world in my father, Talyen, and Mr. du Gearsmith," listing Matthias alongside Baron Theodore von Monocle and Talyen von Cravat as advisors to Queen Reina I.

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Role in The Steam Knight

In The Steam Knight, Matthias du Gearsmith remained a fixture at King Malaky XVI's side during a high-stakes diplomatic meeting involving Ambassador Sheila McRose of Atrebla. He had conversed with the king before the ambassador arrived and was present throughout the proceedings.

The Atreblan Diplomatic Meeting

Matthias answered King Malaky's question regarding the Atreblan ambassador and was an active participant in the deliberations that followed. He argued strenuously that Rislandia must not surrender its airship technology to any foreign power, stating: "We can't give the airship technology. We are the only ones in the world with such a capability." He also raised the possibility that there might be a traitor in their midst. When the meeting grew tense, Matthias moved to cut off Ambassador McRose and pleaded with her personally, an act that suggested a degree of prior acquaintance between the two beyond a simple professional relationship. He told the king and those assembled that the kingdom should trust in the von Monocles, declaring: "The von Monocles will defend the city."

Matthias motioned to the guards to move when King Malaky proposed a stroll, and at another point bowed his head toward the guards and told them to enjoy their break while it lasts. He also offered to escort Ambassador McRose to her quarters and play a game with her, subsequently departing to the east guest wing with McRose and her guards.

Private Dinner and Delivering the Verdict

Matthias was invited to a private dinner with King Malaky, Queen Reina I, and Dr. von Breech. He also provided emotional support to the king during this period. He was ultimately tasked with informing Ambassador McRose that she would be returning to Atrebla empty-handed, remarking: "I'd better tell Ambassador McRose she'll indeed be returning to Atrebla empty-handed."

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Relationships

• Baron Theodore von Monocle: Matthias served as the Baron's personal attorney for decades, knew him since before Zaira's birth, and was present at Zaira's name day ceremony. It was Matthias who recommended the Baron formulate a will. In The Iron Wedding, Zaira listed Matthias alongside her father as one of Queen Reina's foremost advisors.
• Zaira von Monocle: Matthias became Zaira's attorney upon delivering her inheritance and was, by Zaira's own account, the man who first introduced her to her airborne life. He acted as a guardian figure throughout her early adventures, guiding, chiding, and protecting her as needed. Zaira later named him among the people who took care of her, and by the time of The Blood of Giants counted him among her trusted friends in Rislandia City. In The Fight For Rislandia, he praised her growth and formally addressed her as Baron von Monocle. In The Iron Wedding, he called her "a treasure" while also offering frank strategic assessments of her value, and she described him as one of the best advisors in the world.

• King Malaky XVI: Matthias was an old friend of the king, greeted by first name, and had previously advised him on personal matters including airship travel. He continued to serve as part of the king's entourage through The Fight For Rislandia, personally urging the king to seek safety below decks when danger arose. In The Iron Wedding, he stood beside the king in the audience chamber and advised him on the costs and benefits of the Wyranth armistice proposal. In The Steam Knight, he remained at the king's side during the Atreblan diplomatic meeting, offering both strategic counsel and personal emotional support.

• Dr. von Breech: Matthias shared a private dinner with Dr. von Breech, King Malaky, and Queen Reina during the events of The Steam Knight.
• Marina du Willet: Matthias referred to her as one of the finest officers Rislandia had ever produced.

In the short stories

In City Duty, "Mr. du Gearsmith", top hat on his knee, has tea with Reina and James after the assassination attempt. He argues that James is invaluable in the city, but Reina sides with James.

In A History of Rislandia

According to A History of Rislandia, Matthias du Gearsmith is identified as a notable member of the du Gearsmith family and is classed among the gentry of Rislandian society. The sourcebook groups him explicitly with "Attorneys and Scholars" as an exemplar of that professional class, describing him as both an attorney and a scholar — the scholarly dimension being an addition not addressed on this page.

The bible identifies Matthias as the author of journals from which the Chapter 12 epigraph is drawn, quoting him as writing: "No kingdom stands on the will of one alone." This establishes him as a published or at least circulated writer whose words were considered worth preserving in a scholarly history of Rislandia — a detail not found in the novels as covered by this page.

Regarding his role in the events preceding For Steam and Country, A History of Rislandia records that it was Matthias who recommended that Baron Theodore von Monocle formulate a will before his dangerous mission, and that Theodore followed this advice. This is consistent with the novel-based account on this page. The sourcebook also notes that Matthias was based in the capital, had nearly forgotten Theodore's will, was reminded of it by talk of the airship, informed Talyen von Cravat that Theodore would soon be declared legally dead, and then arrived at Zaira's farm with the news of the declaration and her inheritance of the Liliana. The novel-based account on this page states that Matthias traveled to Plainsroad Village to locate Zaira; the sourcebook's phrasing that he "arrived at Zaira's farm" is consistent with this but specifies the destination as a farm rather than the village generally.

Spelling Note

One entry in A History of Rislandia renders the name as "Mathias du Gearsmith" (without the second t), but the same entry cross-references this as an alias for "Matthias du Gearsmith." The canonical spelling used throughout the sourcebook and confirmed by the novels is Matthias. This wiki follows the canonical spelling.