Parzhadel

The Marquess Parzhadel is the head of House Parzhadada and the sponsor of the Vermilion Opera. He resides in Amalo.

Personality
Parzhadel appeared to be a private person who kept his own counsel. Iäna Pel-Thenhior described him as, “Decorous and very calm and utterly ruthless. I find him baffling, to tell the truth. He seems the last person who would support an opera company, especially when he can’t attend himself. But he’s never actually balked when we needed money.”

Life
Two years prior to the events of The Witness for the Dead, Arveneän Shelsin visited Parzhadel to try and get another opera singer fired, and was refused. Parzhadel told her she was lucky she wasn't fired.

Iäna discussed Zhelsu with Parzhadel before putting on the opera, and had Parzhadel's assent. Arveneän later arranged another meeting with Parzhadel, possibly to complain about Iäna putting on Zhelsu, but was killed before she could meet with Parzhadel.

During The Witness for the Dead, Parzhadel was an invalid and never left the Parzhadeise compound. Parzhadel had a box - the Parzhadeise box - at the Vermilion Opera, but was too ill to visit the opera himself, so Ema Dravenezh either went on his behalf or typically occupied the box himself when he attended.

When the Vermilion Opera was damaged due to riots after Zhelsu, Iäna noted he'd have to have an unpleasant discussion with Parzhadel about the repairs. The scandal ultimately made them back enough money for the repairs, and others enjoyed it as well.

Iäna told Parzhadel the truth about Tura Olora (possibly that he was a murderer), but Parzhadel would not say his feelings on the matter. Iäna also noted he'd have to discuss the new hired foundlings with Parzhadel.

Skills
Iäna noted that Parzhadel was a canny businessman, which is why Parzhadel wouldn't allow Iäna to put on any Barizheise operas, as they were too risky.

Ema Dravenezh
Ema was Parzhadel's secretary, and seemed protective of him.

Iäna Pel-Thenhior
Iäna and Parzhadel seemed to have a close, friendly relationship, although Iäna sometimes seemed a bit wary of Parzhadel's reactions to things.

Quotations

 * Iäna to Thara about Parzhadel: “I can never tell whether he views the Opera as a business venture or a very expensive hobby, but he is stringent about knowing where each zashan goes.”

Trivia

 * There is a General Parzhadar Square in Amalo. It's unclear if General Parzhadar was some family relation of Parzhadel.