Fink the Observer

The family calls Fink “a bit much”. Fink calls himself the Observer of the Astral Planes, and considers the matter settled. Vinnie’s older cousin is an elderly, aristocratic goblin astronomer building an observatory high above New Gobson to survey the stars and the other realms.

He intends to give Praetoria the warning it needs. He also intends to become indispensable, admired, and famous. Mostly famous.

A grand observatory, eventually

The enterprise began with a tent, a desk, a stove, and a brass telescope on a ledge. Fink regards this as a perfectly respectable beginning. Vinnie regarded it as a folly and painted FINK’S FOLLY on the wall. Then he moved into the guest room.

Fink’s ambition is not empty bluster. Beneath the vanity is a real observer, painstaking about his measurements and alert to the danger of the planes leaking into Praetoria. He would simply prefer his competence to be recognised with rather more enthusiasm and rather less discussion of the budget.

The man behind the grievance

Theatrical, quick, and wounded by doubt, Fink can make a compliment sound like a complaint. He is also kinder than his grand manner suggests. The concern is real; admitting to it without an accompanying grievance is another matter.

His last three assistants are remembered as “the pigeon incident”, “the other pigeon incident”, and “Gerald”. The long ears, hooked nose, goggles perched on his cap, gentleman’s coat, and brass astrolabe are unmistakable. So is his conviction that he is the handsomest person in the room.