Balmalant

A spiritualist who retired from putting down Emperors, settling for expelling migraines instead.

He dwells in the Forest of Murmurs, for the errant pain-causing spiritlings he expels from his patients would simply infest one of the many other prone bodies available if he worked any closer to the Hostel proper.

Despite the distance and the need to walk the whole way (to have any hope of finding his hut amidst the dense, warped woods), patients are eager to make the trip, for a few intricate claw motions and a cleansing breath are all that is needed to keep the ache of the rot away for another week - and maybe they'll get into the Hostel by then!

Though used to the fierce routines of the Ashfall Wastes, where expulsion of coal-shades was so urgent to keep the hammers dropping, Balmalant still finds himself overwhelmed by the workload - and developing carpal tunnel from the thousand gestures he performs each day is no laughing matter. His jewels and lanterns channel local spirits to assist in expelling their brethren - a necessary risk, given how any patients rely on his aid daily.

He is involved with the haruspex Zeria, though their relative workloads mean they have to grab what moments they can.

Hoard: The ghost-channeling jewels, which he wears during his duties; a collection of instructional manuals on at-home exorcism, because he likes a good laugh.

Familiar: The leader of his assisting spirits, held hostage in lifeless transparent crystal to keep those dwelling in his ghast-gems in line.