Lashel
Lashel is a prominent supporting character in The Metalwood Saga. He is an older elven scholar working for the Anthropological Society on the planet Valaralda. Initially introduced as a dowdy academic and the author of Tarathiel's biography, Lashel becomes a crucial member of Tarathiel's expedition to uncover the ancient secrets of the Defense Mechanism.
Despite lacking any magical abilities in a world defined by them, Lashel's keen intellect, groundbreaking translations of Ancient Eglarian, and surprising moments of bravery make him an indispensable ally in the fight against the Twins and Cariel.
Appearance and Personality
Lashel is consistently described as a physically unthreatening, unassuming figure. He is an "older man" who is "skinny, his skin a little shriveled," with a face that is "craggy with age" and "gray eyes that had seen a cold lifetime". He has lanky hair and a spindly physique that makes him look "distinctly uncomfortable" during physical exertion; when carrying expedition gear like tents and thick woolen jackets, he looks utterly miserable. He is initially seen wearing a "chocolate brown suit that was more than a little shabby". Trey instinctively likes him upon meeting him, pegging him as "the least dangerous person on the planet".
Personality-wise, Lashel projects a meek, dowdy, and friendly air. He is deeply curious and prone to staring at passing landscapes with "rapt attention". While he appears easily frightened—often seen "shaking like a leaf" during combat—he possesses a hidden backbone, standing firm against Trey when debating the dangerous nature of his ancient translations. He is thoroughly dedicated to his academic work, to the point that his wife frequently calls him a "taskmaster". Ultimately, he views magic as the "single most destructive force in the history of all three planets".
Biography
The Biographer
Thousands of years after the Great Awakening, Lashel worked at the Anthropological Society on Valaralda. He extensively studied the history of Tarathiel (Trey) and wrote a biography titled Tarathiel: Age of Discovery. The book did not sell well because the general public had stopped believing in the apocalyptic threat known as the Fall.
When Trey finally returned to Valaralda, Lashel recognized him immediately on the university campus, despite Trey's shorter hair and slight weight gain. Eager to share his work, Lashel joined Trey and Arra on their expedition into the Thesserin Desert to uncover Akhenaten's Tomb.
Translating the Truth
During their research, Lashel discovered that Trey’s original, twenty-thousand-year-old translations of the Ancient Eglarian texts were dangerously flawed. Through meticulous study, Lashel realized that the ancient glyphs were highly complex and metaphorical.
He corrected several massive errors that fundamentally altered their understanding of the threat:
- He realized the word otso (seven) had been mistranslated and was actually satto (two), meaning the Defense Mechanism only involved two planets, not seven.
- He corrected the translation of Thangail Gaud (shield machine) to Thangail Band (shield prison).
- He discovered that the texts did not instruct them to bring planets into the solar system to activate a weapon, but rather warned that two "prison trees" had been cast far away to hold a great threat, and that the Key (Edrafen) would open them.
Lashel desperately tried to convince Trey that using Edrafen would not save the world, but would instead release the Twins from their ancient prison. Trey, blinded by his obsession with the Key, accused Lashel of jealousy and refused to listen.
The Tomb and the Betrayal
Inside Akhenaten's Tomb, Lashel's knowledge of elven biology saved Trey's life. When their guide, Shorn, failed to react to a grid of ultraviolet security lasers, Lashel realized she was not an elf, as elves possess the biological ability to see a small band of the UV spectrum. He correctly deduced that Shorn was an imposter in disguise.
Later, during a brutal confrontation, the ancient Prime Mage Cariel successfully used soulbinding magic to take control of Trey's mind. In a desperate, split-second decision, Lashel grabbed Trey's shocksword and drove it directly through Trey's back, bursting the blade out of his chest. Though it appeared to be a fatal betrayal, Lashel had theorized that the severe physical trauma of death, combined with the instant healing of prime birch, would sever the magical soulstrand connecting Trey to Cariel. The gamble worked, freeing Trey from Cariel's control.
Surviving the Apocalypse
Lashel remained by Trey and Arra's side throughout the apocalyptic return of the Twins. He survived the terrifying, illusion-filled stage show of the mistweaver Erodar the Prime, where the audience was subjected to a highly realistic mass-murder illusion before the subterranean facility of Memory was violently raised to the surface. He later traveled with Trey and Arra to the frozen ruins of Thylmanas to locate a hidden gate, awkwardly enduring the thin walls of his tent while the couple became intimate next door.
Following the final defeat of the Twins and the dismantling of the magical system, Lashel attended the wedding of Tarathiel and Alleria, sitting alongside Erodar and Donar Cresius.
Powers and Abilities
Unlike almost every other major character in the saga, Lashel is a Mundane—he possesses no magical Talent whatsoever. However, his immense value to the group comes from his intellect:
- Ancient Eglarian Linguist: Lashel is a master of Ancient Eglarian, a dead language of hieroglyphics. He successfully deduces that the language uses subtle stroke variations (similar to Earth languages like Chinese) to encode multiple layers of phonetic and metaphorical meaning.
- Elven Biology: He possesses a deep academic understanding of the biological differences between humans and elves, notably the elven ability to see ultraviolet light, which allows him to see through Shorn's disguise.
Key Relationships
- Trey (Tarathiel): Lashel begins as a fanboy, having dedicated his academic career to studying Tarathiel. Their relationship strains when Lashel discovers Trey's translations are flawed and tries to stop Trey from using the Key. Despite this, Lashel remains deeply loyal, even stabbing Trey to save him from Cariel's possession.
- Arra (Alleria): Lashel travels extensively with Arra during the desert expeditions. While he is initially intimidated by the adventure, he proves to be a reliable, if easily frightened, companion.
- Shorn (Svalya): Shorn acts as their guide in the desert. Lashel is the first to realize she is an imposter because she cannot see the ultraviolet lasers in the tomb.