Hodge Starkweather

**Hodge Starkweather** was the weapons trainer at the New York Institute and a former Circle member.

## Biography

#### Early Life

Hodge Starkweather was born to a poor, isolated family in the countryside of Idris. As a child, he was often left to his own devices, so he would roam the fields and forests.

He became a loner during his time at the Shadowhunter Academy. In his youth, Hodge had considered possibly joining the Silent Brotherhood someday. When Valentine came to him, offering to train and befriend him, the very young Hodge eagerly accepted and joined the Circle. As one of the founding members, Hodge helped write the Circle's loyalty oath. He considered Jocelyn Fairchild one of his best friends.

For years, Hodge was one of the many Shadowhunters whom Valentine had wrapped around his fingers. Hodge remained dedicated to him and, like all the other members, was told that he was his most trusted follower and closest lieutenant.

After the Uprising, Hodge was among those who stayed and surrendered to the Clave. As punishment, he was exiled from Idris and sent to the New York Institute to live out his days, forbidden to ever leave its grounds. He became its weapons trainer. The Circle rune on his neck was cursed by the Clave, made to burn and hurt him every time he spoke of the Circle and their activities.

#### Valentine's Return

When Jace Wayland brought Jocelyn's daughter, Clary Fray, to the Institute and took her to see Hodge, he immediately recognized her as his old friend Jocelyn due to their resemblance. Hodge was devastated to learn that Jocelyn was kidnapped by Valentine and members of the Circle, as he had believed him dead all these years. Despite the pain he experiences when discussing the Circle, Hodge proceeded to tell Clary all he could about them and about why they could want the Mortal Cup or Jocelyn.

Once, after Clary's mundane friend Simon was kidnapped, Hodge found Alec Marking his arrows and about to sneak weapons out of the Institute but told him that he would rather not hear his reason or excuse so he wouldn't have to report them. However, he noticed Alec's dilemma with Jace and Clary. Knowing that Clary is Valentine's daughter, Hodge warned Alec about being "a loyal friend standing in the shadow of the chosen one" and following him for her sake, comparing Alec's situation with his during his time with the Circle.

Hodge, however, was still desperate to get out of his punishment. When Valentine reached out to him by sending a Forsaken minion with a ring they could use to communicate, they reached a deal: the Cup for his freedom. After the day of Alec's supposed wedding, Hodge stole the Cup and immediately contacted Valentine, who promptly deactivated his Punishment rune so he could deliver the Cup. His betrayal was discovered soon after and a manhunt for him was launched, a situation made worse by Valentine's rejection of him. He was eventually tracked down by Luke Garroway's werewolves and Jace. His confrontation with his former student led to a fight during which Jace cut off his hand in a fit of rage and may have been killed had Alec not interfered.

Hodge was taken to the prisons of the City of Bones while waiting for his trial. Hodge withstood the torture of the Silent Brothers, choosing not to sleep to avoid receiving nightmarish visions through his dreams. After his trial and nights of mental torture from the Brothers, Hodge came to regret his choices. Shortly after, Jace was imprisoned in the cell next to his.

When Valentine came to take Jace, Hodge tried to stop Valentine with a chokehold through his cell's bars and was stabbed and killed by Valentine.

## Skills and Abilities

* **Nephilim physiology**: Being Nephilim, Hodge possesses a variety of enhanced physical and mental abilities granted to him by the angel blood of Raziel in his veins and also by the angelic Marks of the Gray Book. This includes enhanced strength, agility, stamina, and coordination, which only improved over time and practice.
* **Use of heavenly weapons**: As a Nephilim, Hodge is also able to handle heavenly weapons such as seraph blades, with effect, since this would normally not work for other species.
* **Runic magic**: Due to the Angel Raziel's blood in their veins, all Shadowhunters are all able to apply runes on their skin without any real danger. These Marks, in turn, give varied effects that serve to benefit the wearer.
* **The Sight**: As a Shadowhunter, Hodge is able to easily see through most magical illusions and layers of glamour over reality.
* **Hand-to-hand combat**: Hodge is an expert in both armed and unarmed combat and is particularly skilled in the use of his weapons of choice, the chakram.