Overview
Efrén is a Lyra shadow theater performer and combat puppeteer who managed a small shadow theater troupe within the Tisdhera Clan caravan. He is the father of Sierra, whom he raised while traveling from city to city across Asgartha. Beyond his theatrical performances, Efrén possesses powerful Ignescence abilities and can summon combat-equipped puppet Eidolons—capabilities he kept hidden from Sierra until their reunion at The Screed in 393 AC.
Background
Shadow Theater and Caravan Life
Efrén managed a small shadow theater within the Lyra caravan troupe, performing stories of princesses and ancient heroes, fables and tales from ages past. His shows referenced mythical cities including Madrid, Venice, and the City of Light. Sierra helped him manipulate threads, lights, silhouettes, and sets behind the narrow backstage.
Efrén raised Sierra while following the Tisdhera Clan caravan from city to city. He often teased Sierra by saying she could have easily become a Bravos.
The Tumult Incident
While the caravan traveled Asgarthan roads, a Tumult anomaly erupted from the ground. Efrén and Sierra jumped from their mobile home to avoid pools of Tumult as terrain transformed and collapsed around them. When Sierra stepped into a pool and her legs began mutating, Efrén pulled her to safety. Her left leg liquefied into scattering pebbles and her right leg transmuted into knotted wood sprouting feathers and rusty nails. Both legs were later amputated by healers from the Khamsin Clan.
Recovery and Journey to Verbera
After the amputation, Efrén cared for Sierra and tried to occupy her mind by asking her to help rebuild his theater, sculpt, and paint new puppets. He eventually carried her to Verbera, on the edge of the Muir Concordia, to find a mobility device. The visit coincided with the Prodigium, the Axiom’s World Exposition.
At prosthetist Hamisu’s workshop, Efrén could only afford rudimentary devices rather than the advanced Grafts that responded to their wearer’s will. Sierra was fitted with racing blades. During the stay, Efrén finalized the Clan’s new caravan and performed shows in the city to fund his projects.
Sierra’s Departure
Sierra began building smoke machines, spark projectors, and visual effects to accompany Efrén’s plays. Though Efrén preferred simplicity in his art, he accepted Sierra’s technical additions. He went to Hamisu and asked him to sponsor Sierra within the Axiom. Hamisu agreed on the condition it was something Sierra truly desired.
Efrén offered Sierra the choice to continue with the caravan or remain in Verbera for a technical apprenticeship. Sierra chose to stay, and Efrén promised to visit whenever the caravan passed near the capital. Sierra then traveled to Hamisu’s workshop and the station that would take her to Arkaster.
Timeline
393 AC - Letter from Sierra
Efrén received a letter from Sierra via The Talaria courier while traveling with the caravan. Sierra’s letter detailed discoveries at Storhvit including climate analysis of the Cais Adarra region, archaeological findings around The Nilam revealing pre-glaciation human settlement, and technical analysis of a mysterious ancient machine. Sierra mentioned caravan companions Faarsan and Argiris, asking Efrén to give them hugs and remind them about chores.
393 AC, June-August - Reunion with Sierra at The Screed
Efrén arrived at The Screed aboard The Wayfarer, the Tisdhera Clan’s Sahanka, after the vessel followed a brief opening in the Tumult. As gondolas descended from the vessel, he called out to Sierra, and they reunited after ten months apart.
393 AC, June-August - Exploring City of Scholars with Sierra
Efrén accompanied Sierra into the depths of the City of Scholars, using wires to swing from block to block while she sped ahead on her one-wheeler. He revealed his Ignescence and combat puppeteer abilities by summoning old mannequins he had sculpted and stored away years earlier, equipped for battle and artifact retrieval.