Bantaro Valentine

Bantaro Valentine is a NPC created and portrayed by Justin Green. He is the commander of the bard squad, having recruited Aeyrin Starsinger, Pearl Pervalur, Shyla, and Elm Mossyheart.

**General Spoiler Warning:** This page has been updated with information as of Ep 45 - Consequence Debt. Anything after that, if any, is not on this page.

## Description

Bantaro Valentine is an effete elven aristocrat who always has a knowing smirk on his face.

He's usually very put together and takes a lot of pride in his appearance. However, while working as part of Prince Erling's entourage, he looks a little stressed and haggard, and doesn't look like he's been taking care of himself as much. When Taft is upset with him in Mealnor, Bantaro looks even more of a mess. He shows up drunk and on the verge of tears, in just a T-shirt with uncombed hair.

## Backstory

Bantaro is a world-renowned pianist and the court musician for Birwine’s royal family. He's often brought along by them on diplomatic engagements. He is always networking and favors are his currency.

At Shadowend, he teaches music and performance.

## Current Events

During Shadowend's engagement in Newhaven, Bantaro becomes part of Prince Erling's entourage. He accompanies him back to the capital and realizes that they're looking for a scapegoat for the assassination of Gamwir. They want to blame Taft Warsoul and Berl Stanton, but Bantaro intervenes to protect Taft. General Windstar returns having talked to Janni about the demigods being killed, and Bantaro sees his opportunity to shift the blame onto Bovil.

Bantaro and his remaining squad go to Mealnor and stay at Count Vilnit's estate. He brings Manny with him and teaches him about posture and networking. He passes the assignment of tracking down the Vilnit fingers to Janni Squad, which is later revealed to be a distraction while Bovil is lured to a sea fort.

To make it up to Taft for imprisoning Stanton, who was his former mentor and father figure, Bantaro has the prince revive Taft's recently-dead father. When Bantaro tells Taft this, Taft is furious. Bantaro, drunk and upset, asks Janni for help. Janni advises him to tell the truth and also maybe play Blitz with him. Bantaro takes Janni's advice and talks to Taft, who ends things between them. After Shyla dies and the party leaves Mealnor, he tells them that he's resolving to be honest from now on.

## Random Facts

* He is one of the best liars out there.
	+ He doesn’t totally believe Astra’s bluff about their secret mission and Patty’s bluff about Baby Angel.
	+ He later uses this lie against them by implicating Bovil in the assassination of Gamwir.

* He has odd couple energy with Taft but it works.
	+ Taft doesn't like it when Bantaro treats him like a friend.
	+ It turns out they've been "casually" seeing each other for 5 years, but they break up after Bantaro reveals his numerous lies.
* Prince Erling will randomly force him to play piano when he’s not on the job.
* Bantaro doesn't have a good relationship with his father.
* His alcohol of choice is bourbon.

## Appears In

* Ep 2 - Janni Squad
* Ep 3 - Bread Map
* Ep 5 - Garden variety zombie
* Ep 6 - Who knows who's coming back (mentioned)
* Ep 8 - Baby Angel
* Ep 12 - Grapes for an Eleflute
* Ep 15 - Like a drowned rat
* Ep 17 - That's not being a bro
* Ep 32 - Licking the lollipop of crime (mentioned)
* Ep 33 - Dentistry trigger warning
* Ep 34 - I WOULD RATHER DIE
* Ep 36 - More than enough teeth for everyone
* Ep 40 - The Nine Senses
* Ep 41 - Janni confuses the crostinis
* Ep 42 - Backhand of Good Luck
* Ep 43 - What's your Rabual score?
* Ep 45 - Consequence Debt

## References

1. ↑ Ep. 15
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ep. 40
3. ↑ Ep. 40 NPC description
4. ↑ Ep. 12
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ep. 43
6. ↑ Ep. 33
7. ↑ Ep. 41
8. ↑ Ep. 45
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ep. 8
10. ↑ Ep. 17