Aster Laker

Astel was a former member of Sybak University, who supposedly looked and acted much like Emil. Having been used to being in a study environment since he was nine, he was known as a prodigy (despite being a half-elf at a time when the attitudes towards his race were less than friendly). Although he is dead by the time the story begins, he still has a large impact on the main story. Having been close friends with Richter Abend as well as a fellow researcher, the two were sent to study Ratatosk; this eventually led to his death at Ratatosk's hands. His death was the starting point for the current strife, making up a fair amount of Richter's motivation and dislike of Ratatosk, who later was killed by Richter.

During the Purge of Blood in Palmacosta, Ratatosk is regenerated through the Ratatosk Core Marta has by mimicing Astel's appearance.