Habrobar

Habrobar is a maker of signets for the Untheileneise Court.

Appearance
“He was a small man—less than five feet tall when he leaped up to greet the emperor—with silver gray skin and silver gray eyes. He was perfectly, gleamingly bald. He spoke with an accent Maia did not know, which seemed to chip the edges off all the words in its rush and tumble, for Dachensol Habrobar used five words in the time it took Maia to say one.”

Habrobar was from a race of people who were "very long-lived", and was himself over 500 years old during The Goblin Emperor, and expected to live to make signets for Maia's grandchildren.

Personality
Habrobar was well-learned in history and had a sense of humor. He was also compassionate and considerate.

Life
Around 500 years before The Goblin Emperor, Habrobar made signets for Lisethu Pevennin and for Edrehasivar VI.

Elves (or possibly noble elves) were granted signets at age 16, as a sign of adulthood. Traditionally, dealing with and/or obtaining the imperial signet was managed by the Lord Chancellor. Since Maia was not given one by the time he was 18 and arrived at the Untheileneise Court to become emperor, he inquired to Csevet Aisava about where to get one, and Csevet inquired to Habrobar.

Habrobar let Maia know he would wait on him, and Maia went to Habrobar's office with Csevet, Cala Athmaza, and Deret Beshelar. Habrobar explained that he kept the impression from which the signets were made so that if the bearer needed a replacement, he could make one. He also explained how he was over 500 years old, and then brought out a range of Drazhadeise signets.

At Maia's timid request, Habrobar brought out the signet he produced for the Empress Chenelo Drazharan, and noted that he regretted that she was never able to use it, as Varenechibel IV "found it unsuitable and insisted that she use the Drazhada's cats instead." Habrobar explained, “Serenity, if you should wish to use it, we think it would not be unfitting. It was never even made into a ring for her.” Maia was deeply touched, and said he would. Habrobar said it should take no more than a week, and then measured Maia and asked some questions.

During Maia's breakfast on the day of his dinner with the ambassador from Barizhan, Vorzhis Gormened, Habrobar sent a courier with the completed signet. The ring was in a "little quilted silk pouch".

Skills
Habrobar requires the ability to consult with his collection of signets to find what best suits those who seek his services; he has several thousand signets in his catalogue.

Trivia

 * Katherine Addison said on Goodreads that Habrobar is not an elf.