Willan

 is a human scholar of history, and the traveling companion and rival of Master Simeon.

Appearance
Willan is a human man with tanned skin. He is shorter and slightly lighter-skinned than Master Simeon. When he met Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia, he carried "a staff made from three pieces of wood braided together" with "a gleaming blue stone" at the top, inside the weaved wood.

Personality
Willan is skeptical towards strangers: when Simeon said Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia were welcome to join their group's camp and share their food, Willan said it "entirely depends on the company".

Background
Around 806 PD, Willan began traveling with Master Simeon, a retired bookbinder from Emon.

Kith & Kin
Around 807 PD, Willan and Simeon traveled together to Jorenn Village from Turst Fields; they had "been traveling together for the better part of a year". They hired Nera and a pair of dwarves to accompany them on their journey. Along their journey, their group crossed paths with a messenger traveling between Turst Fields and Westruun; she described them as merchants and informed Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia that they might catch up to them.

The following evening, Willan and his party made camp with Jorenn Village in view. The twins and Trinket did indeed catch up to them, and asked to camp with them. Simeon told them they were welcome to join and share in their food, while Willan was less enthusiastic. One of the two men cooked dinner for the group. Willan then went onto the cart, but both men later joined around the fire for one of the dwarves' story about the ash walkers. Later that night, while Vax'ildan and Nera took watch, ash walkers descended upon the camp. Willan barricaded himself in the horses' trough and fought back with spells. Willan and his fellow travelers, except for Vax'ildan and some of their ponies, were rescued by riders from the Shadewatch; Vax'ildan was rescued by the outlaw miners, while all but two of the ponies were killed by the ash walkers. In their flight, the travelers left behind much of their belongings, including a notebook belonging to either Simeon or Willan. The Shadewatch brought the travelers to Jorenn Village and told them there would be rooms for them at The Scattered Bar. As the pair arrived in town, Willan dismounted from his horse and vomited. Simeon "made his way toward his nemesis, checked to see if he was unhurt, and within moments they were bickering again."

During the following days, Shademaster Derowen and Wick spoke with Willan and the other survivors. The two scholars then found a guide to lead them into the Grey Valley, while the dwarves returned to Turst Fields; Nera left for Westruun the day after the attack.

Master Simeon
Willan and Master Simeon are travel companions, despite being described as adversaries and nemeses. According to their fellow travelers, the two men argue constantly over trivial matters such as "the proper use of gloves". Even after being nearly killed by ash walkers, the two men immediately started bickering again. They also seem to have quite opposite personalities: Simeon was very welcoming to strangers asking to join their camp, while Willan was not.

Abilities
Willan is a spellcaster; he "flung streaks of vibrant blue light" at the ash walkers.

Notable items

 * Staff