# Koshchei — Jurgen character guide > Koshchei in Jurgen by James Branch Cabell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nessus, Koshchei the Deathless, Nessus Koshchei **First appearance:** 0023-xix-the-brown-man-with-queer-feet ## Snapshot The deathless maker of things as they are, who appears to Jurgen as a black gentleman, a centaur, and a smiling arbiter of what has or has not happened. ## Who they are Koshchei is the cosmic force behind the novel's shifting realities, the one who decides that what he wills has not only happened but always already happened. He meets Jurgen near the end of the journey and offers him not justice but something more acceptable — a life unburdened by the memory of wonders. His wry, unreadable smile and his refusal to be pinned down make him the book's slyest joke and its quietest terror. ## Relationships ### [Jurgen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/characters/jurgen) _rivalry_ Koshchei the Deathless is a supernatural antagonist who opposes Jurgen's quest and represents death itself. ### [Jurgen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/characters/jurgen) _rivalry_ Koshchei the Deathless is a supernatural antagonist who opposes Jurgen's quest and represents death itself. ### [Jurgen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/characters/jurgen) _rivalry_ Koshchei the Deathless is a supernatural antagonist who opposes Jurgen's quest and represents death itself. ## In the story ### [II: Assumption of a Noted Garment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/ii-assumption-of-a-noted-garment) Referenced as the maker of things as they are, whom Jurgen must seek for justice. ### [III: The Garden Between Dawn and Sunrise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/iii-the-garden-between-dawn-and-sunrise) Nessus, the Centaur, accompanies Jurgen into the garden, explaining its nature as a realm of illusions where each man sojourns with imaginary creatures. He shows compassion and insight regarding the lone woman. ### [IV: The Dorothy Who Did Not Understand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/iv-the-dorothy-who-did-not-understand) Mentioned as Nessus the Centaur, who discreetly wanders away during Jurgen's conversation with Dorothy. ### [V: Requirements of Bread and Butter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/v-requirements-of-bread-and-butter) Appears as the Centaur Nessus, who explains the garden's fate and the nature of love and reality. ### [VI: Showing That Sereda Is Feminine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/vi-showing-that-sereda-is-feminine) Referenced as the one who can remedy Jurgen's situation; all roads lead to him. ### [XIX: The Brown Man with Queer Feet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xix-the-brown-man-with-queer-feet) The brown man mentions Koshchei as the one under whose will he is changeless. ### [XXII: As to a Veil They Broke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xxii-as-to-a-veil-they-broke) Not directly present; no mention in excerpts. ### [XXXV: What Grandfather Satan Reported](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xxxv-what-grandfather-satan-reported) Referenced as the creator of Hell extempore, who cannot be proud because he contemplates things as they are. ### [XXXIX: Of Compromises in Hell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xxxix-of-compromises-in-hell) Implied as the creator of Hell, which Jurgen considers an anachronistic notion of his ancestors. ### [XLI: Of Compromises in Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xli-of-compromises-in-heaven) The maker of things as they are, who created Heaven for Steinvor and is said to be unable to love or experience pride. ### [XLIII: Postures Before a Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xliii-postures-before-a-shadow) Referenced as the maker of things as they are, possibly the butt of a larger jest. ### [In the Manager's Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xliv-in-the-manager-s-office) Revealed as the Manager, busy with stellar accounts, and offers Jurgen a new wife. ### [XLVI: The Desire of Anaïtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xlvi-the-desire-of-ana-tis) Waves his hand to summon Anaïtis, initiating the encounter. ### [XLVII: The Vision of Helen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xlvii-the-vision-of-helen) Waves his hand for the third time to summon Helen; remains with Jurgen after she vanishes. ### [Candid Opinions of Dame Lisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xlviii-candid-opinions-of-dame-lisa) Observes Jurgen's indecision and reveals he made things as they are; dismisses Dame Lisa as a termagant. ### [XLIX: Of the Compromise with Koshchei](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xlix-of-the-compromise-with-koshchei) Accepts the shirt of Nessus as ransom, spares Jurgen due to his diminished state, and later reveals that nothing of the past year has happened. ### [L: The Moment That Did Not Count](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/l-the-moment-that-did-not-count) Mentioned as having quitted Jurgen near Bellegarde; his actions are questioned by Jurgen. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/characters/koshchei - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jurgen_se/characters