Samuel Smith (U-50)

Samuel Gael Smith, an engineer and inventor, calls the city of Rainmore in the Republic of Geldland his home. During the reign of Lord Devon Embers, he held the esteemed position of Minister of Iron for the duke. Although his cabinet role was rescinded under the rule of Lord Lawrence Silversea, Samuel later regained this position during the regency of William Rumford.

Born to Gyles Smith and a common woman named Lene, Samuel has remained unmarried and childless.

Additionally, Samuel is a founding member of the Grand Order, an organization committed to safeguarding the secrecy of the Ivory Staff's existence. While his involvement in the Incident of 354 4E compelled him to join, it was not entirely of his own volition.

## Character

Samuel, of average height and a slightly corpulent build, maintains a perpetual air of dishevelment with his unruly hair, pointed mustache, and thick beard framing his face. His distinctive look is complemented by his thick bronze glasses, equipped with an array of magnifying lenses and measurement devices. He tends to don a somber attire, typically opting for a white shirt paired with a subdued green suit. His collection of dark red ties showcases subtle tonal variations.

While Samuel may come across as eccentric and somewhat untidy, his exceptional intelligence has garnered the respect of Etallo Werefore, particularly for his engineering acumen. Samuel's early acclaim and wealth have fostered a significant ego, and he views his inventions as unparalleled and unrivaled in the world. His fervor for his work often takes precedence over all else, leading to a predominantly solitary existence.

Moreover, within the Grand Order, Samuel stands out as the member with the strongest moral compass. He frequently grapples with ethical concerns about the actions necessary for the welfare of Rainmore. Despite these reservations, he remains a steadfast supporter of the order and Etallo, never hindering their endeavors.

## History

### Youth

Samuel, born in Rainmore in the year 316 of the Fourth Era, hailed from House Smith, a noble family in the city, albeit not as affluent or renowned as the more prominent houses. Nonetheless, with his father's financial backing, Samuel embarked on a journey to Stellung to study at the Royal Academy of Sciences. Remarkably, he graduated at the tender age of 17, equipped with extensive knowledge of physics, mathematics, and engineering.

Upon his return to Rainmore, Samuel received a call from Lord Devon Embers and Raynard Valwater, who served as the Minister of Iron. These nobles sought to launch a project that would elevate the city to the standards of Kasserstadt, modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing security. Samuel promptly immersed himself in this endeavor, bringing illumination to the streets and upgrading the coastal fortifications in collaboration with Lord Marshall Chambers. His remarkable effectiveness during these years led to a promotion to Minister of Iron following Raynard's passing. Throughout his tenure in the cabinet, he not only solidified his friendship with Marshall Chambers but also had the opportunity to meet notable figures like Edmund Songnight, Sir John Highsea, and Lord Lawrence Silversea.

### Working with the Gray Department

Around 346 4E, Samuel received a proposition from Jonathan Holder, the director of the Gray Department. Holder aimed to equip his agents with more potent weaponry to combat the Night Blades' terrorism. Samuel engineered a series of firearms equipped with a refractor crystal, capable of emitting a powerful beam that could penetrate a man. Although Samuel named this invention the "Smith 46," it became more famously known as the "Light Cannon."

Samuel's work for the Gray Department opened doors to a permanent role in technology development within the agency. His exceptional performance caught the eye of Etallo Werefore, who made a specific request for Samuel to join his covert research team. Samuel collaborated with his new colleagues, including Aldous Freeman, Thomas Greene, Dorothy Field, and Franz Volkert. The team delved into the study of Edmund Songnight's Ebony Staff, reaching a significant breakthrough when they managed to open a small portal to another dimension, keeping it active for several minutes. Although Etallo desired further exploration of other universes, Samuel and Dorothy cautioned against it, deeming it a risky venture. However, siding with Volkert's perspective, Etallo reached for the Ivory Staff just as Edmund Songnight entered the room to halt the action. Chaos ensued, and Samuel lost control of the device, leading to an energy explosion that caused minimal harm to the scientists but obliterated the wizard Edmund. Witnessing the formidable power of the universes and the Staff, Etallo pledged to safeguard it and made all present swear to preserve the secret. Samuel and the others consented.

Following Lord Embers' deposition the subsequent year, Samuel initiated secret meetings with Etallo and the other researchers. Initially, they attempted to maintain common objectives and continue working together. However, Dorothy and Volkert eventually departed from the group for various reasons. The remaining members opted to establish the Grand Order, a clandestine organization dedicated to safeguarding the knowledge they had gained and the Staff. They recruited Nicholas Trench, a private investigator and former Gray Department member, due to his proficiency in security and arcane abilities.

### Silversea's Government

During Lord Lawrence Silversea's administration, Samuel was dismissed from the cabinet due to suspicions of his loyalty to the Embers family. Samuel regarded this action as highly unjust, especially given that some of his friends and loyal supporters of the Embers, like Marshall Chambers, retained their governmental positions. Furthermore, the Gray Department cut ties with him following Silversea's rise to power, leaving Samuel without a stable occupation.

In response, Samuel returned to his workshop, dedicating himself to advancing his various inventions. He even crafted several enhanced iterations of the "Smith 46," most notably the "Smith 60." However, he failed to persuade Holder to acquire these innovations.

With Lord William Rumford's appointment as First Counselor and the mysterious disappearance of Benedict Holder (Jonathan Holder's brother and the Minister of Iron), Samuel was reinstated in the cabinet, courtesy of Rumford's recognition of Samuel's capabilities. William entrusted Samuel with the task of fortifying the city's defenses. Samuel retrofitted several naval cannons with his refractor crystals, resulting in the creation of potent and highly destructive weapons.