Characteristic Looks

In The Shadow Spinner, the characters each have something that is visually interesting and relevant to their characters. Hermit’s staff, N’Halia’s scar, Araina’s age and size, and Shoku’s bracer. Read on to learn more about these things!

Hermit’s staff

Obviously the wise mentor needed a staff. It was unthinkable that Hermit would ever not have a staff. This was actually an important part of the cover design. Some of the covers that were submitted in the 99Designs contest had very ornate or ‘clean’-looking staves. This didn’t fit with his character at all. Hermit’s staff is just a simple piece of wood.

Of course, in the second book, you find out that his staff is no simple piece of wood! Ok, it really is, but there is more significance to it. Another important component, though, is that Hermit basically has to have a weapon. His Shadow magic makes him Fade from the influence of the physical world – meaning physical attacks don’t hurt him. But this is a two-way street. He also doesn’t have much effect on the world. This is why he needs a weapon, so he can at least do something to attack. It’s also why you rarely ever see him do anything besides knock people down.

N’Halia’s scar

N’Halia’s scar is on her left arm (her dominant one), where she first used Lightning to attack. The scar is described as a shadowy, black mark – the significant of this component of the description is very obvious if you’ve read the book. Otherwise, though, her scar is described like a feather or fern that goes down her arm. You can actually look this up, it’s called the Lichtenberg figure. It’s the pattern of the scar people get from electrical burns and is from the discharge pattern of the electricity. Pretty cool, right?

Araina’s age and size

Okay, so this isn’t really super notable, but bear with me. Araina’s character is the badass of the group. She’s the strongest and even the most ferocious when properly motivated. So the fact that she’s a smaller, wiry, older woman is awesome. The juxtaposition of her gentle appearance and her imposing physical abilities is at least a little reconciled in the second book when she gets her final weapon. Spoiler: it’s amazing and a glorious callback to her work in construction.

Shoku’s bracer

Shoku has a simple metal bracer he wears on his arm. To him, the significance is that it was his mother’s, the only thing he has of hers anymore. For all the riches and gems he covets, this simple bracer is the most precious to him. It’s sweet sentimental value is amped up even further in the second book.

Next up

Next post will be talking about the eviola! It’s the instrument that Lightning wielders play and the origin of how I thought of it is juvenile and ridiculous.