

Yeah, it might explode. But if it doesn’t, you’ll be the first to know just how much damage it can do.
—Shmelo, unveiling a new invention
Shmelo is a burly Nim engineer who earned his place in history as a key ally of Prince Exton during the early days of the rebellion. Known for his inventions—some groundbreaking, others catastrophically flawed—Shmelo created Clockwerk weapons of war for the Returners that often turned the tide of battle in critical covert operations. His fearless curiosity made him an indispensable asset to the Prince’s cause at Fell Rock.
When the Prince Exton passed away, Shmelo channeled his grief into an obsessive need to tinker for the Queen Who Lives. He provides mechanical expertise and an endless supply of half-finished prototypes for their perusal. His workshop in Fell Rock is a labyrinth of schematics, discarded blueprints, and dangerous experimental gadgets. Despite his quirks, he remains fiercely loyal to the rebellion’s ideals and the legacy of his fallen Prince.
Shmelo is a heavy drinker with an appetite to match. He has a crude sense of humor, and though he avoids speaking of his past too often, the pain of losing a closes friend in the Prince is sometimes hard for him to hide.