The Roach

SPOILER WARNING

**The Roach**, also known as **Van**, is a goblin and a member of the Court of Shadows, the spy group that worked for Prince Dain and now answers to the Queen.

## Physical Description

The Roach is a male goblin. He has scarred, green skin, the color of ponds. His nose is long and twists fully around, before bending back toward his face like a scythe. His hair is a black tuft at the very crown of his head. His eyes are unreadable. He has a melodious voice, completely at odds with his face. When he grins, it twists his whole face up even more hideously. He has sharp claws and a black tongue.

## Personality

The Bomb described The Roach as being so affable, so dapper and charming, that he’d con people right to their faces, with no magic required. He is friendly and inviting toward Jude when she joins the Court of Shadows. He is an excellent strategist. He is able to consider all the aspects of a plan, big and small.

The Roach says he judges people by three things: how square you are with the Court of Shadows, how capable you are, and what you want for the world. The Roach believes in the triumph of goodness, but not before he gets his.

## Biography

### Early Life

The Roach met The Bomb when she was in the human world, working as a small-time crook. The Roach spotted her and he pointed out that while she might not be much of a thief, she was good at concocting potions and bombs. They worked together for decades.

The Roach then had the idea that they should steal from the Court of Teeth in the West. The con went wrong. The Court carved them up and filled them full of curses and geases. The Court of Teeth then forced The Bomb and the Roach to serve them.

They screwed up a job, and Prince Dain Greenbriar got hold of them. He had a scheme for them to betray the Court of Bone and join him. So they did and ended up in Dain’s service instead.

* The Cruel Prince
* The Wicked King
* The Queen of Nothing
* How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

The Roach meets Jude when she joins the Court of Shadows. The Roach orders Jude to practice moving through the crowds of courtiers without being noticed, and to eavesdrop without seeming interested. He teaches her to conceal herself and to blend in with others to avoid notice.

The Roach attends the coronation ceremony where Balekin stages his unsuccessful coup. He returns to the lair of the Court of Shadows where Jude has taken Prince Cardan prisoner. Instead of treating Cardan like a regular prisoner, the Ghost and the rest of the Court of Shadows allow Cardan to drink and play cards with them.

He supports Jude's plan to pick the next High King. When Jude tells him her plans, he begins to write out the plan and Jude remarks, "You're replanning my plan." The Roach replies, "Just a little."

The Roach continues to be a member of the Court of Shadows. They are now working to protect the High King and for less bloodshed in Faerie.

The Roach and the Ghost wake Jude up in the middle of the night. They take her to Cardan's rooms where he is drunk and upset. Locke and two other faeries lie drunk and half undressed. The room is a wreck and partially on fire. Jude orders everyone out. Cardan says that someone tried to kill him. While Jude explores the secret passage that the would-be assassin escaped through, the Roach and the Ghost stay to protect Cardan.

The Roach has taken King Cardan under his wing and been teaching sleight of hand, pick-pocketing, and little magics. The Roach tells Jude that Cardan is good at it. He tells Jude that Cardan is part of the Court of Shadows and that while they may play the world, they don't play one another. He wants her to tell Cardan that she spoke with his mother, Lady Asha.

The Roach goes to get Jude from Madoc's camp along with Cardan. While there, Jude forces them to get a key Grimsen's forge. In the process, a trap springs open and shots needles at them. The Roach is hit with the needles, falling into a sleep-like state due to the deathsweet. He is unable to be woken by the Bomb. Though, Jude eventually uses her High Queen power to wake him form his sleep. He then confesses his feelings to the Bomb, thinking he'll die. The Bomb tells him he's not dying anymore, but confesses her feelings in return.

After Cardan gave the Court of Shadows masks so no one will recognize them, Jude recounts that two of the now masked spies took hands with each other.

The Roach is teaching Cardan how to do slight-of-hand with a coin. Cardan says that he likes doing it because it lets him feel in control. The Roach replies that the only thing you can be in control of is yourself.

## Relationships

### Romances

<tabber>The Bomb=

The Roach and The Bomb have a good relationship with each other and have been friends for decades. They are playful with each other. They have feelings for each other, but haven't told one another. After the Roach is poisoned, the Bomb tries to find a way to cure him. She unfortunately fails, and as a last resort asks Jude to heal him. Jude is successful and after the Roach wakes up, they confess their feelings for one another.

## Friends and Allies

* Jude Duarte
* Cardan Greenbriar
* The Ghost

The Roach is friendly and inviting to Jude when she joins the Court of Shadows. The Roach orders Jude to practice moving through the crowds of courtiers without being noticed, and to eavesdrop without seeming interested. He teaches her to conceal herself and to blend in with others to avoid notice. The Roach supports Jude. Their relationship continues to strengthen as time goes by and they keep working together in the Court of Shadows.

The Roach teaches Cardan thief tips and tricks.

to be expanded