AT A GLANCE
Full Name
Clifton Clowers
Alias/True Name
Chief Defender
Species
Two-Skinned (Human/Bear)
Occupation
Chief Defender
Affiliation
Defenders of Smoky Springs Valley
"Did you forget the dragon dispatched five men in a few heartbeats? And without using his fire! Had he wanted us dead, he would have showered fire on us from above or landed in our midst! Do not antagonize him!"
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Clifton Clowers
Character
Clifton Clowers is the Chief Defender of Smoky Springs Valley and a two-skinned human-bear. He is the central martial authority of the region, evolving from a suspicious obstacle for Jason Archer into a pragmatic ally when confronted with the reality of a living dragon.
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Overview
Clifton Clowers is the formidable Chief of the Defenders of Smoky Springs Valley and a crucial supporting character in Book 1. A pragmatic, protective leader and a Two-Skinned human-bear, Clowers manages the complex defense of the valley using a highly organized network of avian shifters and magical operatives. He serves as the primary municipal authority who must integrate Jason Archer into the community. While initially suspicious of Jason's motives and unlikely survival story, Clowers demonstrates strong leadership and adaptability. When the dragon Xavier violently intervenes in an abduction, Clowers decisively prevents his own troops from attacking the beast, recognizing the necessity of allying with overwhelming mythical power to ensure the valley's safety.
Background
Before the arrival of Jason Archer, Clowers rose to the position of Chief Defender. He was tasked with managing a diverse paramilitary force comprised of humans, kaihana, and a high percentage of two-skinned warriors (specifically raptors). Under his leadership, the Defenders established sophisticated reconnaissance networks and rapid deployment protocols to protect the valley from bandits and marauders. He maintained communication with magical operatives like Glorinda the Green and the enigmatic fae MacTíre to secure the region. He was anticipating the arrival of a courier from Iudgual bearing a specific artifact, tracking the courier's progress via raven messages.
Role in Rutendo
In the world of Rutendo, Clowers represents the organized, institutional defense of civilian settlements against the lawlessness of the wild. As Chief Defender of Smoky Springs, he bridges the gap between mundane law enforcement and the magical realities of the valley. He acts as the gatekeeper to the community's resources, initially interrogating Jason to ensure he is not a threat. His role expands when he is forced to adapt the valley's defensive posture around the existence of Xavier. Clowers embodies the difficult decisions required of leadership, balancing suspicion with the pragmatic need to accept powerful, dangerous allies to protect his people from broader regional threats.
Relationships
Jason Archer: Uneasy Ally. Clowers initially greets Jason with intense suspicion, accusing him of being an addict due to the smell of kieff and doubting his survival of a mudslide. After Jason firmly rebukes him, Clowers apologizes and provides medical care. He eventually comes to respect Jason's martial skill and accepts the protective presence of his second skin. Tovia the Kind: Subordinate / Operative. Tovia is a two-skinned hawk and one of Clowers’s most trusted Defenders, frequently acting as a liaison between the Defenders' headquarters and the residents of Terlingua. Glorinda the Green: Magical Operative. Clowers employs the earth and water mage to act as a hidden truth-sayer during his initial interrogation of Jason and to secure the Athamé. Xavier: Pragmatic Alliance. When Xavier reveals himself by slaughtering raiders at Terlingua, Clowers immediately recognizes the dragon's tactical superiority. He physically steps between the dragon and his own panicking troops to prevent a disastrous conflict, establishing a tense but necessary truce.
Abilities & Traits
Two-Skinned Shifting: Transformation. Clowers possesses the ability to shift into a bear. Evidence in Book 1: This is explicitly stated to Jason by Tovia the Kind. Limitations: Not explored in Book 1. Military Command: Trained Skill. Strategic leadership and tactical coordination of the Defenders of Smoky Springs Valley. Evidence in Book 1: He effectively manages the rapid aerial deployment of his raptor units and ground forces during the Terlingua Abduction Attempt. Swordsmanship: Combat Skill. Proficiency in melee combat. Evidence in Book 1: He is armed with a long sword and wears chain mail during deployments, actively using the blade to strike a crossbow down to prevent an attack on Xavier. Pragmatism: Personality Trait. Clowers prioritizes the safety of his people over pride. Evidence in Book 1: He is willing to immediately apologize when proven wrong in his initial assessment of Jason, and he quickly adapts his worldview to accept the presence of a living dragon when it proves strategically beneficial.
Key Events
The Laughing Owl Confrontation: Clowers interrogates Jason upon his arrival in Smoky Springs, accusing him of misconduct. After Jason defends his honor, Clowers apologizes, accepts delivery of the Athamé, and witnesses Jason trigger a latent Death Curse. Establishes Clowers's authority, tests Jason's character, and integrates Jason into the protection of the Defenders. The Terlingua Abduction Attempt: Clowers leads the rapid deployment of Defenders to Terlingua to intercept a group of kidnappers. Upon arriving, he finds the raiders already slaughtered by Xavier. Clowers decisively orders his troops to stand down and not engage the dragon, permanently altering the valley's defensive strategy by acknowledging a mythical apex predator as an ally.
Significance
Clifton Clowers matters within Book 1 because he grounds the story's high-magic concepts in logistical, military reality. While Jason is navigating his internal spiritual journey and magical awakening, Clowers represents the practical consequences of those powers on a civilian population. His initial suspicion and subsequent acceptance of Jason validate the protagonist's worth to the reader. Furthermore, Clowers's reaction to Xavier during the abduction attempt is crucial; by choosing diplomacy and restraint over fear, he prevents a massacre and solidifies the alliance between the hidden power of the Two-Skinned and the institutional defense of Smoky Springs.