u/Iwasforger03

I have always gotten the impression that the community as whole tends to dislike Naru Gwei. He's old, brooding, limited in his thinking, assumes the worst of many of our favorite characters and would happily kill them all over the possible threats they *might* represent.

I myself have always had an affection for him, instead. Sometimes inspite of, and sometimes because of, those same qualities. Naru Gwei is a cop. While ACAB absolutely applies here, he's also a soldier, in a political system he is tasked with defending snd maintaining. It's what he does, snd he's good at it. He's effective at his job. I've always had a soft spot for people who are just doing their jobs the best way they know how.

He might be a mean old coot, but he's a mean old coot who puts the empire and the Skysworn above everything. I like the way he rationalizes how to deal with Lindon and Yerin. I love how much he hates Eithan.

I myself love Eithan. He's fantastic. He's wonderful... but he's a gremlin and a troll. Of course Naru Gwei is going to hate him. Eithan doesn't fit into his neat little picture of order. Eithan defied him , recently. Eithan is the one who pushed Jai Daishou to extremes!

I love how curmudgeonly he is. I love how unclean he looks because he doesn't give a damn about appearances, only doing his job. I love how Will writes him and uses him in the story. If there was an ugly old man with wings plush of Naru Gwei, I think I'd buy one.

I wouldn't want to hang out with him. We could never be friends. I don't think I'd actually enjoy meeting him, but I kind of want to? I think he's probably my favorite pseudo-antagonist/ally in the story. Anyway, I just wanted to discuss Naru Gwei for a moment during my reread.

Lindon just got permission to join the Skysworn. Gwei is hoping he, Yerin, and Mercy will all die in the fighting. I love that he's going to be so disappointed but I adore how Will writes the way he comes to this conclusion.

What are y'all's thoughts on Naru Gwei?