Roan is Evershade's Watcher. He is a massive, solitary chipmunk (about age 50 in human years), and his job is to travel the secret branches of the Corridor, keeping an eye on his fellow Walnut Keepers, watching and assessing the weather, and banishing Keepers who are not Evershade material. He is also trained in using medicinal herbs and is sometimes called upon to treat fever and assist with difficult births.
Up until "Season of Crows," one hardly ever saw a Watcher. They kept to themselves mostly and tended to remain single their entire lives. However, once the land is ravaged by a drought, Roan has the uncomfortable task of being thrown into the public eye--permanently. By nature, he is gruff, quiet, stern, and he rarely addresses the king as "Your Majesty." This is not out of disrespect. He is simply on equal ground with Evershade royalty, and he is loyal to them through and through.
Roan does not permit himself to experience many emotions beyond anger. He is not mean, but he is not pleasant, either. He does have compassion, but don't expect him to show it all the time. Of all the Walnut Keepers, he is the only one who has experience killing. He has had to do this to survive--and to protect Evershade and its inhabitants.
He respects bravery, honesty, straightforward talk, and independence. Though he is fair and just, he is responsible for doing the dirty work anytime it's deemed necessary. This weighs heavy on his soul. It's not easy to banish mousemaids or drive off certain visitors or kill on command. Not even for him.
His future seems set, and he seems to have found his place in the grand scheme of things. Loneliness doesn't play a role in his life--until a lovely female chipmunk with a crippled paw crosses Evershade's borders. It's only then that he begins to realize the one thing he has been missing--a partner on his journey.
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