Allstren Cynder

Allstren Cynder is a professor and a linguist from an Elisian University on the Darkside of Taldain.
== Appearance and Personality ==
Cynder is an older man with dark skin and a bald head. He remains optimistic and frequently shows a sly sense of humor. He frequently squabbles with Jon Acron over inconsequential matters. 
== History ==
Professor Cynder traveled to Dayside with Duchess Khrissalla, Baon, Jon Acron and an escort of Elisian soldiers. He and Acron were fascinated with the cultural and linguistic differences of Dayside. Professor Cynder had learned "Dayside language" from five hundred year old texts imported to the Elisian University from Dayside. When they were passing through Dosha-Har'Ken, each time he approached somebody to ask for directions, they would run off without answering. While purchasing supplies from a Kerztian merchant that spoke Dynastic, he hears a phrase he can understand coming from a speaker in the square. Cynder appraches the A'kar, without realizing he is interrupting a sermon, but when he tries speaking to the A'kar the situation devolves rapidly, and they retreat only having learned they were blasphenomously speaking the "holy language" of the clergy. 
After arriving near the base of Mount KraeDa, Flennid shot their guide, Daazk, and left with Torth—taking the remaining food and water. Searching the tents near the massacre for water and supplies, Cynder and Baon found Kenton passed out in a tent, dehydrated from his fight with the Kerztians, and helped revive him. When he and the travelling party were ambushed by Kerztian warriors on their way to Kezare, Cynder was shot in the arm by a zinkall arrow. Kenton showed him how to remove the arrow safely by pouring water on the wound to melt any remaining carapace fragments.
Upon arriving in Kezare the group discovered Lonzare, the Darksider section of the city. Cynder was thrilled by the mixing of Darkside and Lossandin culture. He suspected that a pidgin between Dynastic and Lossandin could be developing among the people living there.
The lock on Cynder's luggage malfunctioned and was repaired by Khriss as she, unsuccessfully, sought meetings with the Taishin. After they discovered that Kenton had become the Lord Mastrell the group returned to Lonzare where Cynder, while playing a game like chess with Acron, suggested that she use her diplomatic skills to help out the Diem.
He and Kriss discussed the differences between Dayside sand and sandling carapace, as well as Dayside sand, sand that had water poured on it, and what he beleived to be Darkside sand when she was doing experiments in her bedroom. Khriss explained that it was not Darkside sand, but sand that had had the lichen digested by sandlings, proving that sand from Dayside and Darkside were fundamentally the same, except for the lichen.
Cynder and Acron, having found more saltpeter for Khriss to use in making new gunpowder charges for Baon, interrupted Khriss and Baon as she was confronting him about the incident with Captain Deral and his lieutenant. Shocked by what he saw, Cynder dropped the container of saltpeter to the ground where it shattered. Baon then left taking his pistols with him.
Because Kenton "accepted" Khriss as a sand master recruit for testing, Khriss, Cynder, and Acron moved into the Diem. After they had arrived, Cynder remarked how strange it was for Baon to have turned out to be a spy, since he was always so loyal. He then suggested that any of them might also be a spy. Acron suggested they not dwell on the subject since Baon hadn't had a chance to explain himself. Khriss gave Gevalden's pistol, which she had received from Nilto, to Cynder so he could use it to guard her. He accompanied Khriss when she went with Kenton to visit Vey.
Acron went with Khriss, Kenton, and Delius when they went to Lraezare to find Vey. He helped Khriss revive Kenton when he passed out from overmastery.
He went with Khriss to watch Kenton's duel with Drile. Two weeks after the final vote of the Taishin on the Diem's fate, Khriss, Baon, and Cynder set sail for Elis, taking barrels of white sand and a few sand masters with them.
== Quotes ==
== Trivia ==
* In White Sand Volume 1 Jon Acron and Cynder's speech bubbles are occasionally misattributed, particularly when they converse with one another. Noting the clothing of the speaker and context of the quote is required to catch these mistakes. For example, Acron wears white in most of Volume 1, though in at least one frame their clothing was switched.
== Notes ==
Category: Taldaini