Butterbelly

Butterbelly is a pawnshop owner and fence for the Shadowdancers in the Lower Circle of The Capital City. Butterybelly gave Kihrin the tip for the Kazivar House and bought the intaglio carved ruby ring and green gem from him. He also shot a member of Faris's gang in the arm with a crossbow when they began to argue with Kihrin. He was later brutally murdered in his shop by Talon, but with blades others assumed to be Kihrin's.

## Detailed Biography

Prior to being introduced into the story not much is known about Butterbelly. His is simply known as Butterbelly and even Thurvishar (editor for Book 1) could not find another identity or formal name.

#### The Ruin of Kings

Butterbelly is introduced when Kihrin arrives after running from the Kazivar House at the beginning of *The Ruin of Kings*. Kihrin accuses him of setting him up at the Kazivar House, which Butterbelly denies stating the tip came from "...a good source. A trusted source." Reassured he and Kihrin begin to haggle over the intaglio carved ruby ring as Kihrin admires Butterbelly's painting of Morea. The fence then questions Kihrin on what the money the young thief raises is going towards, but drops the topic when Kihrin gets defensive.

The pair is then interrupted by Faris and his gang including Merit (then unnamed). Butterbelly continues to warn the pair not to fight as tempers escalate, culminating in Butterbelly using his crossbow to shoot Merit (then unnamed) in the arm as a warning. As the gang leaves Butterbelly finds the green gem wrapped in silver which Kihrin stole and the pair begin discussing it. Butterbelly claims it is a tsali stone, and a rare one. While debating over price he offers to buy Kihrin's similar necklace, which Kihrin believes to be from his mother who abandoned him. Kihrin grows angry, demands a steep price and walks out. Butterbelly still happily looks over the green gem thinking of his buyer.

At some point within the next 24 hours Butterbelly's store is attacked. Kihrin finds the fence dead on his bartering table (crossbow not fired) with multiple lacerations and stab wounds, and two twin daggers (believed by Shadowdancers to be Kihrin's) in his chest. Butterbelly's killer is likely Talon given Darzin D'Mon's non-rejection of guilt and his memories being a part of Talon's collection.

> "'By the way, who told you that house would be empty?'
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> Kihrin swallowed bile. 'Butterbelly. I don't know who told him. He wouldn't say.'
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> 'Hmm.' Darzin frowned. 'This little adventure has been fully of sloppy mistakes, hasn't it? Pity someone killed him too quickly.'
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> 'You're the one who killed him-'
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> 'Seems like quite the coincidence don't you think? That you'd be given a lead on the same house that we were using for our little question and answer session?'
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## Physical Description

Not much of a physical description of Butterbelly is given, but its likely his nickname is well earned. He also is said to look similar to the God-King Tavris.

> "[Rook] stopped long enough to rub the head of Butterbelly's bronze almost twin- his Tavris statue, fat god of merchants and profit."
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## Butterbelly's Pawn Shop

A small "cramped" pawn shop in the Lower Circle. It is usually open only at night and unlocked. It has a bell at its entrance from the alley, a table/desk, an area where Butterbelly paints and a small statue of the God King Tavris. Butterbelly also keeps a crossbow under his table "to deal with difficult 'negotiations,'". The store contains a multitude of odds and ends.

> "Rook glanced around the pawnshop filled with strange tidbits, found artifacts, cases of jewelry, weapons, clothing, and furniture. Seeing it empty of customers, he crossed over to Butterbelly's desk. Halfway there his mood changed. Between the old carved mermaid scavenged from a Zheriaso pirate ship and the cabinet of secondhand Khorveshan silver, Rook's fear turned to anger. By the time he reached the desk, he was livid with it."
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## Personality

FAITH:: Butterybelly has a curious artifact in the form of an oil lamp from the Temple of Light which is dedicated to the Vishai Mysteries. We do not know if he was himself a follower of this religion which worships a solar deity named Selanol  however the light sits at his right hand and is called his most precious possession.

> "Two lanterns lit his cramped shop, while Butterbelly's most precious possession, an oil lamp filled from the sacred Temple of Light, sat at his right hand."
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PAINTING:: Butterbelly paints oil paintings in his shop. He painted all night and from memory. Though not written, it is likely his paintings were of women in Velvet Town. At the time of the story his is painting Morea from the Shattered Veil.

> "When Butterbelly painted, he strayed into a world of beauty and light far from the ugly realities of the Lower Circle. He painted from memory and he painted all night."
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RESPECTED:: As an associate of the Shadowdancers Butterbelly is respected by those in the Lower Circle. This is evidenced by his generally easy nature and unlocked door.

> "Who did a Shadowdancer fence have to fear? No one in the Lower Circle would be so stupid as to attack someone in the 'dancers."
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CROSSBOW:: Butterbelly is used to dealing with difficult customers. He keeps a crossbow under his table for difficult situations between customers, and he is not afraid to use it.

> "Butterbelly had decided he had enough.
> 'Arrgh!!' The boy with the club screamed as a crossbow bolt sank into his arm.
> Everyone stopped what they were doing.
> 'Bertok's balls!' Faris screamed at Butterbelly. 'You *shot* him.'
> 'I SAID NO FIGHTING!' Butterbelly shouted again, waving the crossbow above his head like a flag."
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1. ↑ The Ruin of Kings, pg. 39
2. ↑ THEORY: This gem is possibly a Cornerstone given its resemblance to Kihrin's Stone of Shackles. For more information on this gem see Cornerstones.
3. ↑ Quote coming: Kihrin's conversation with Therin D'Mon regarding his attempted escapes, & Kihrin's first encounter with Faris after being accepted as a D'Mon
4. ↑ The Ruin of Kings, pg. 200
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The Ruin of Kings, pg. 38
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Ruin of Kings, pg. 39
7. ↑ SPOILER ALERT:: Which is actually the Eighth God S'arric, who is a previous life of Kihrin. The religion was actually created by Relos Var who continues to be an active leader in the disguise of Father Zejhera.
8. ↑ The Ruin of Kings, pg. 154
9. ↑ The Ruin of Kings, pg. 43