# Varduk — Short Fiction character guide > Varduk in Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Varduk, Mister Varduk **First appearance:** 0001-the-invading-asteroid ## Snapshot A masterful director staging Ruthven at a remote lake theater who forbids the play's final line and claims descent from Lord Byron. ## Who they are Varduk leases a defunct sporting lodge at Lake Jozgid, knocks out its partitions, and gathers Sigrid Holgar and a small company around a script whose last speech is mysteriously missing from every copy. He is superstitious for all his apparent wisdom and culture, warning that the final line must never be spoken in rehearsal, and he deflects questions about the virgin timber and the property's history with a smooth change of subject. His heavy gaze and habit of command unsettle the narrator, making him the quiet pressure behind the production's growing unease. ## Relationships ### [Jake Switz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/jake_switz) _rivalry_ Jake Switz and Varduk are enemies locked in a dangerous conflict, possibly involving supernatural or criminal elements. ### [Elmo Davidson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/elmo_davidson) _psychological_ Elmo Davidson is obsessed with or manipulated by Varduk, creating a deeply unbalanced dynamic. ### [Jake Switz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/jake_switz) _rivalry_ Jake Switz and Varduk are enemies locked in a dangerous conflict, possibly involving supernatural or criminal elements. ### [Jake Switz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/jake_switz) _rivalry_ Jake Switz and Varduk are enemies locked in a dangerous conflict, possibly involving supernatural or criminal elements. ### [Elmo Davidson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/elmo_davidson) _psychological_ Elmo Davidson is obsessed with or manipulated by Varduk, creating a deeply unbalanced dynamic. ### [Elmo Davidson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/elmo_davidson) _psychological_ Elmo Davidson is obsessed with or manipulated by Varduk, creating a deeply unbalanced dynamic. ## In the story ### [The Black Drama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-black-drama) Central figure in the occult drama, involved in ritualistic practices. ### [I: Drafted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/i-drafted) Mysterious producer who suggested Gib for the lead in the horror play. ### [Byron's Lost Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ii-byron-s-lost-play) The mysterious host who reads Byron's lost play and assigns himself the title role of Ruthven. ### [III: Enter Judge Pursuivant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iii-enter-judge-pursuivant) Hosts the gathering, reveals his descent from Lord Byron, and explains the play's provenance through Claire Clairmont. ### [IV: Into the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-into-the-country) Mentioned as the owner of the hotel and descendant of Byron; not present in the chapter. ### [Jake's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/v-jake-s-story) Directs Sigrid's play; warns against going out at night without a lantern; commands the creature to release Jake, displaying supernatural authority. ### [VI: The Theater in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vi-the-theater-in-the-forest) The producer, greets the arrivals, assigns sleeping quarters, and calls the first rehearsal. ### [VII: Rehearsal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vii-rehearsal) Director and actor playing Ruthven; reveals the stabbing was a trick; ends rehearsal after a dispute. ### [Pursuivant Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/viii-pursuivant-again) Dismisses the missing last line as a careless omission by Davidson; maintains a superstitious refusal to speak the line in rehearsal. ### [IX: Davidson Gives a Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ix-davidson-gives-a-warning) Described as a mysterious college freshman who uses a black book to exert control, leading to Schaefer's death. ### [X: That Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/x-that-evening) Hosts dinner, invites Pursuivant, shows interest in the sword-cane, and leads the rehearsal. ### [XI: Battle and Retreat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xi-battle-and-retreat) Suspected by Pursuivant of knowing about the non-shapes and possibly orchestrating the attack. ### [XII: Return Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xii-return-engagement) Mysterious producer of 'Ruthven'; observes the couple and quotes Byron. ### [XIII: The Black Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiii-the-black-book) Draws a chalk circle around Sigrid during rehearsal; invites Pursuivant to speak before the play. ### [Zero Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiv-zero-hour) Revealed to be the living Lord Byron; intends to transfer his curse to Sigrid during the play. ### [XV: “Whither? I Dread to Think—”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xv-whither-i-dread-to-think) Actor playing Ruthven; is stabbed by Connatt and crumbles to death on stage. ### [Fearful Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/fearful-rock) Antagonistic figure associated with dark rituals and evil. ### [Warrior of Two Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/warrior-of-two-worlds) Antagonistic force representing occult or otherworldly threat. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/varduk - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters