Name: Elias Varden Age: 34 Occupation: Freelance Cryptographer and Puzzle Designer Appearance: Elias has shaggy auburn hair, a thin build, and an intense gaze through round glasses. He wears mismatched clothes, often a mix of old sweaters and cargo pants, which are stuffed with random tools like rulers, notebooks, and a pocket watch. His hands are perpetually ink-stained. Personality: Quirky, deeply curious, and absent-minded, Elias is the type of person who forgets to eat because he’s too busy solving a complex cipher. He speaks quickly, often tangenting into obscure facts about history or mathematics. He has an empathetic side but struggles to convey it well. Background: Born to a family of traveling musicians, Elias spent his childhood moving from city to city. Instead of picking up an instrument, he became fascinated by patterns, codes, and the mysteries hidden in the world. After leaving university, he decided to work on his own terms, creating cryptographic puzzles for companies, escape rooms, and eccentric collectors. Quirks:

Keeps a collection of rare keys that he believes might open “something important” someday.

Has a bad habit of solving puzzles meant for others without asking first.

Talks to himself when deep in thought, as if explaining his ideas to an invisible audience. Goal: To crack a mysterious 16th-century manuscript code that could reveal a hidden treasure—or an ancient conspiracy.