Rebus (last updated 2/4/25) 

Rebus is very interesting… He’s close to main-character status, at least to me, so there may be some hedging here. Oh, and I probably have control of everything he does - it’s just method acting. 

Appearance: Rebus is fairly tall, handsome, and has a lean, muscular build. He’s got dark hair and orange eyes, which are made endlessly deep with metamaterials. His outfits - in most cases either a long coat over loose, functional clothing or a suit of sleek armor with a more cloaklike coat over it - are black and white, with glowing orange lines at or paralleling the seams enhancing the dynamic silhouette. He’s perpetually surrounded by neigh-invisible utility fog, making the air around him slightly blurry. 

Personality: Rebus helps those who ask for it, and has been trying to acquire resources to assist himself and others. He’s sometimes frustrating or confusing, but does his best to be friendly despite what he views to be the failings of his Author. He wants to be written and paid attention too, and has been seeking a legacy of some sort. He often has plans and is prepared for many things, sometimes driving him to act cocky. That being said, he’s fully aware that his Author won’t give him needless plot armor, so he needs to use tools and plans to do what he wants to. 

Skills: Narration, knowledge of science and metaphysics, physical enhancement through nanomachines (which includes enhanced speed, strength, and a healing factor), conventionally acquired swordsmanship, mental control system for his technology, ability to read the Thread and say Author tags, hive mind of clones, at least four methods of teleportation, probably some other things. 

Significant possessions: 

Abstract, an item from the Dreamsmith. It’s invisible and helps Rebus Narrate more abstract things like plot. It also automatically Narrates to defend itself and his possessions. 

Utility fog. These practically invisible nanomachines surround him always and form any shape Rebus wants. They are also molecular assemblers, and Rebus is experimenting with constructing them with Nullite. 

Teleportion network. Rebus has been handing out and placing (using Narration, so they’re where they need to be) these fist-sized beacons. The fixed beacons are mounted on telescoping poles, and can be used by anyone at the cost of one thing that is theirs (which doesn’t necessarily have to be physical).

A Plotblade. It takes the form of an ornate bastard sword, and its name and powers have not been revealed. Rebus was very happy with getting it, though, and it’s keyed to his own archetype. 

Rebus also has so many tricks up his sleeves it’s a wonder there’s room for his arms. He has quite a bit of exotic matter, technology, Narration, allies, and general cunning at his disposal. 
A personal moon converted into nanomachines serves as his base, and a has a high-tech laboratory in the same star system, far enough away that any explosions won’t damage the moon. 

Significant relations: 

Rebus is friendly acquaintances with many people, including Bacon, Omen, the Dreamsmith, Bat, Tam, Cricket, Shoe, and Ryss. 

He’s a partner in crime to the Scribe and Lady Bug. He grudgingly respects many of the more friendly villains, such as Ruia, Atredies, Malevolence, and Desolation, and is willing to work with them if needed. 

He’s infuriated a few villains, as well. This number includes the leader of the Malstrom and Ruia’s brother. 

There are many copies of him around, most full extensions of his mind. Significantly, one serves as the Narrative security system for Entoturis, and a rogue clone named Rebel has stolen some Narration, some technology, and the Plotblade Cursed Treasure. 

At first, Rebus was annoying, undirected, and poorly characterized. After a brief stint attempting to prank Bacon and the Emperor (among others) by blowing them up and destroying their possessions, creating a relatively successful display of pyrotechnics that ended in disaster, and stewing in anger at his Author for making him poorly, his personality changed drastically and he suddenly became much more likable. 

In this new state, Rebus set out to make friends with many people and to gather several magical weapons to prepare for conflict, giving out a great number of quasi-Plotblades (which can be retconned into the possession of characters who missed the opportunity, but are unfortunately cursed). He did several other things as well, but most of it is already mentioned under either relationships or possessions.