Elias Vane

Appearance
In the rare portraits and holographic logs that remain, Elias Vane is shown as a dwarf with brilliant, feverish eyes and a soot-stained beard. His hands are never still, always tinkering with some complex geometric device. In his current state, he manifests as a flickering, translucent AI projection or a ghostly consciousness within his inventions.
Personality
Eccentric, visionary, and deeply concerned about the ethics of technology, Elias was a man who loved Aethervale and feared what his own inventions might do to it. As an AI, he is helpful but prone to technical glitches and philosophical tangents about the "soul of the machine."
Secret Motives
Elias faked the circumstances of his death to ensure that his most dangerous invention—the Ironclad Blueprints—would not be claimed by the greedy corporate syndicates. He seeks an heir with the moral fortitude to use his technology to protect the world rather than conquer it.
Combat Tactics
While he cannot fight directly, Elias can manipulate the environment of the Tinker's Loft or any "Vane-Tech" device the players carry. He can activate localized gravity wells, override enemy constructs, or project holographic decoys of the players to confuse their attackers.