Mr Barleycorn

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"There were seven of us, once. Outcasts, bound to this Messenger's service. But the Messenger defied the Halved's command, and the Halved slew it. We were free. My colleagues, fled. But I remained to serve the Halved.

"Tell the chained one — tell the chained one we still wait in the dark. When it has the courage to break its chain, we will be here."

Mr Barleycorn, known as the Seneschal, is a Curator of the House of Rods and Chains.

Mr Barleycorn is the only Curator of its group that remains loyal to the Halved. It resides alone in its belfry within the Spire of Inches, the last remaining spire of the House, and it only allows visitations from those who have proven their worth. It dislikes the Rubbery Men who also reside in the House, as it finds them to be poor conversationalists. However, it does often accept tribute of golden amber from them.

Within its office lies a doorway to the Unterzee, which leads to the Eye in the Unterzee. Mr Barleycorn offers to ink grotesque eye designs on lost zailors' arms, which according to Barleycorn, are messages of the Liberation of Night.

Mr Barleycorn has an interest in music, books, and information - specifically, information regarding the status of its brethren. It uses special Correspondence seals to communicate with them, should they ever be found. It also offers something that many revolutionaries could only dream of: the attention of the Halved.