Short Fiction · Character

Gavin Duncan

A frontiersman on Layard who crosses a river into unclaimed forest and claims the discovery as his own, only to find the Cytha he's tracking grows more cunning with every mile.

major

Also known as Duncan

First appearance: hellhounds of the cosmos

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Gavin Duncan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A key member of the crew, contributing to the mission's dynamics and facing the harsh realities of space.

In the storyProject MastodonOpen this moment free

See Gavin Duncan in Project Mastodon Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In Project Mastodon: A key member of the crew, contributing to the mission's dynamics and facing the harsh realities of space. Later, in I: A determined planter on Layard who is willing to hunt the dangerous Cytha to…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Gavin Duncan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Gavin Duncan in hellhounds of the cosmos

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Gavin Duncan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Alien screamers group
Martian adventure team

+8 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Duncan’s hissed command to stop tracking marks the emotional and psychological peak because it signals the mom…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

the Cytha
rivalry · negative
Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey… How this plays out →
Sipar
friendship · positive
Screamers
rivalry · negative
the Cytha
rivalry · negative
Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey… How this plays out →
Sipar
friendship · positive
the Cytha
rivalry · negative
Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey… How this plays out →
Screamers
rivalry · negative
Sipar
friendship · positive

the Cytha
Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey or enemy relationship.
Sipar
Gavin Duncan and Sipar are allies, possibly partners in a mission or shared survival scenario.
Screamers
Gavin Duncan is in conflict with the Screamers, likely hostile creatures or enemies he must fight or evade.
the Cytha
Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey or enemy relationship.
Sipar
Gavin Duncan and Sipar are allies, possibly partners in a mission or shared survival scenario.
the Cytha
Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey or enemy relationship.
Screamers
Gavin Duncan is in conflict with the Screamers, likely hostile creatures or enemies he must fight or evade.
Sipar
Gavin Duncan and Sipar are allies, possibly partners in a mission or shared survival scenario.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Gavin Duncan in hellhounds of the cosmos

In the story

Gavin Duncan appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Project Mastodon
A key member of the crew, contributing to the mission's dynamics and facing the harsh realities of space.
I
A determined planter on Layard who is willing to hunt the dangerous Cytha to protect his crop and his dream of a better life.
II
Leads the hunt for the Cytha, reflects on the native Sipar and the blending of cultures from different planets.
III
Leads the hunt, growing increasingly wary of the Cytha's intelligence and the dangers of the terrain.
IV
The hunter, consumed by a kill-or-be-killed mentality, reflects on the hunt and his relationship with Sipar.
V
Trapped under a tree, pinned by screamers, and later freed by the Cytha's donovan. Makes a pact with the Cytha.
VI
Parts ways with the Cytha, leaning on a rifle-crutch, and agrees to hunt the Cytha if it threatens the vua.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Gavin Duncan unlock in the free preview.

See Gavin Duncan in hellhounds of the cosmos

See Gavin Duncan in Project Mastodon