Stephen is the novel’s protagonist, a former paladin whose development centers on rebuilding his sense of identity after the death of his god, the Saint of Steel. A former berserker paladin, Stephen lives with the constant internal conflict of managing the “battle tide” (16), a holy rage that has become a directionless, destructive force without divine guidance. Three years after his god’s demise, he seeks purpose through quiet service to the Temple of the White Rat. This new life is an effort to create structure after the loss of divine purpose. His morning ritual of acknowledging the void where his god once was, only to then get up and embrace his duties, establishes his core character: a man governed by responsibility and resilience following a deep personal loss. His identity is closely connected to his past as one of the Saint’s chosen, symbolized by the cloak he continues to wear, which he describes as “a warning” (15) to others of his dangerous potential. Stephen’s narrative arc centers on his gradual movement from grief and isolation toward renewed connection and hope, a transformation catalyzed by his relationship with Grace Angelica.

Stephen’s strong sense of duty serves as his anchor and primary