Caspar

**Caspar** is a Caraval performer who plays Legend and Lord Daniel DeEngl.

## Appearance

Caspar is pale with very dark, sparkling eyes. He only looks a few years older than Scarlett. He is incredibly handsome. His face has harsh cheekbones and sharp lines. He has tiny scars on his jaw from getting nicked while shaving. He also has a few freckles on his nose. Caspar has a rich laugh.

## Plot

### Caraval

When Tella and Scarlett enter Caraval, Tella sleeps with a man on the first night, who is later revealed to be named Daniel DeEngl.

When Scarlett finds Tella in the tower bedroom at the end of the game, Tella refuses to leave with her, saying that she has met someone and they are engaged and he will protect both sisters. Tella rings a bell and Jovan arrives. She asks Jovan to bring Daniel to them.

When Daniel arrives, Scarlett becomes frightened and says that this is not Daniel, but Legend. Tella says that's impossible because she's been with him every night of the game. Scarlett goes to attack him, but Tella pulls her back. Daniel suggests they tie Scarlett up because she could hurt someone in her maddened state. Unsure who to believe or what to do, Tella reluctantly sides with Daniel, telling Scarlett she doesn’t want her to get hurt. While Tella goes to get rope, Daniel grabs Scarlett and whispers to her about willing Tella is to do whatever he suggests. Scarlett says she will do anything if he lets her sister go, even jump off the balcony. Daniel tells her to pretend to be ready to jump by walking to the edge of the balcony, as close as possible without falling over. Daniel promises not to hurt Tella if Scarlett does this. He tells her that he wants to see how far she’s willing to go. Daniel yells out to Tella as Scarlett approaches the balcony, saying that Scarlett is trying to jump. Tella immediately reappears and begs her not to jump. Daniel lies and says that Scarlett told him if she jumped, she’d wake up from the game. Too late, Scarlett realizes what he’s done, and that anything she says will sound even more insane. When she attempts to flee, Daniel and Tella grab her and bind her to a chair. Suddenly, Marcello and Count Nicolas d'Arcy walk into the room. Now showing a bit of fear, Tella asks what they’re doing here. Daniel says that he invited them. Then he turns to the men and says, “All tied up and ready to go, as promised.” When Tella asks what he is doing, Daniel tells her that she should have listened to her sister because there is no Daniel DeEngl, he is actually Legend, and calls her stupid and stubborn. Tella says she doesn’t believe him, and he had said he loved her. Legend says he lied. Utterly devastated, Tella backs towards the balcony. She tells Scarlett that she would rather “die at the edge of the world than live a miserable life on Trisda.” Blowing her sister a kiss, she jumps off the balcony to her death.

When Marcello slaps Jovan for trying to keep him from taking Scarlett, Legend and Scarlett both shout at him not to touch her. Legend tells Marcello that he will not hurt any more of his players. Marcello doesn’t care, saying that Legend can’t hurt him as long as the game is in play. Legend replies that the game ends at sunrise, which is approaching fast. When the game does end, he will be free to get rid of him. Legend continues, “I may not have cared about you daughter, but I do care about my players, and I know what you have done.” Legend explains that Marcello thought he could kill him and mistakenly believed Dante was the master of Caraval and killed him instead. Marcello says he was only trying to protect the sisters. Legend tells him to leave immediately and never come back or show his face anywhere he might find Legend again.

After her father and the Count leave, Scarlett demands that Legend give her the wish she won. Legend refuses. Scarlett tries to save Tella herself, but is not successful. Jovan shows Scarlett the letter Tella had sent to Legend. Scarlett returns to where Legend is waiting and notices how he doesn't seem as brilliant or as crazed as he had before. He says he didn't make any deal with Tella. Scarlett is increasingly confused. Legend then hands her another stack of letters and says that he can't tell her what is going on because it's not his role. Scarlett realizes that this is not Legend. He says his name is Casper. Scarlett remembers that rumors say Legend wears a different face every game, and she realizes that the truth is that a variety of his performers pretend to be him each time and that a glamour is put on them for each game. Scarlett asks if there is even a real Legend. Casper laughs faintly and says there is. He tells her that Legend is real, but most people have no idea if they have met him, including many of his performers. He's almost always pretending to be someone else. Finally, Casper tells her that Tella had apparently caught Legend's attention.

After reading Tella's letters, Scarlett asks Casper how Tella knew so much. Casper replies that Caraval is not the only place where people trade secrets for things, and Tella must have bargained away something valuable to learn so much. All of a sudden, Tella walks into the room. Casper says good-bye to the girls and that he'll see them at the after-party.

### Legendary

Casper is inside the metal cage at the Caraval opening night ball. He is dressed in a. tawny suit that makes him look foxlike. He is whispering secrets to a handsome young man. Tella sees him as she dances and speaks with Jacks.

Later, Caspar performs during Caraval by befriending two players and leading them to the Church of Legend. He asks both of the players which of the Fates' powers they would like to have. He then asks, Tella the same question, but leaves before Tella can answer. Lastly, he plays the Prince of Hearts in the play shown at Empress Elantine's banquet.

### Finale

Caspar first appears in the Narrow House with Legend's others performers during the meeting with the Maiden Death and the Assassin. Caspar is the most friendly to the Fates out of the group, and feels that they should be trusted. Legend later orders Caspar to sneak in to the palace to find out what the other Fates have planned. Caspar is later mentioned after Tella says she likes nice boys, and Legend reveals that Caspar isn't attracted to girls.

## References

1. ↑ *Caraval*: page 345
2. ↑ *Caraval*: page 348
3. ↑ *Caraval*: page 351