Istvhan
Istvhan is a former paladin of the Saint of Steel, and the title paladin in Paladin's Strength.
Istvhan is the biggest of the paladins, "a great bear of a man with shoulders like an ox."[1] He has dark skin, "black and fiercely curly" hair, "shot with gray at the temples." He has an angular jaw, bright white teeth, and a close-cut beard.[2] At the time of Paladin's Strength, he is about forty years old.
He is often presumed unintelligent because of his hulking size, but Stephen notes that he is a dangerous man to underestimate. He has a tongue-in-cheek wit and a pleasant optimism, even if it amounts to gallows humor. Istvhan holds the rank of Captain among his remaining order of paladins, taking orders directly from Bishop Beartongue. Galen refers to him as "boss."[3]
"What if she kills you, Boss?" called Galen.
"Then either avenge me or put her in charge. Your choice."
-Paladin's Strength, ch. 1
Background & Personal Life
Istvhan's native language is Harshek, "from the south and west." He is also fluent in War-tongue, and "a few others."[4] He finds the idea of keeping slaves abhorrent.
Istvhan comes from a large and seemingly eccentric family. He tells Clara that he has "many, many sisters," and reminisces about assisting at least one of them in childbirth. At one point he says that some of his favorite aunts (and since their passing, some of his favorite cousins) are bandits.[5] His family is described largely through the women, insinuating that he had a fairly matriarchal upbringing.
"And if he did not turn aside and help a nun, his maternal relatives for nine generations would rise from their graves and come to his dreams to box his ears, with his mother at the forefront."
-Paladin's Strength, ch. 2
In Paladin's Grace, he was "friends with benefits" with Bishop Beartongue of the White Rat, "but she wore him out."[1] They remain friends, and he harbors no regrets.
He makes a muscle rub of cinnamon, pepper and ginger, which he claims is from an old family recipe, which he shares with his friends to help with the wear and tear of their profession. The rub causes its wearers to smell strongly of gingerbread.