Riley is the host of the Fangs of Valmar, which he has come to share with Xander Lovell through an anomaly that Riley refers to as a "terrible love miracle." The Fangs demand an ongoing series of blood sacrifices, a mission that Riley and Xander don't relish, but have resigned to, traveling the land in search of victims. At a first meeting, Riley may seem to be an amiable Drifter with a playful sense of humor; some may even know him from his pre-Valmar life where he was a simple adventurer. But rumors do follow the pair, and they are wanted in some towns in connection with a series of murders resulting in graves that bloom with red flowers. Riley fights with a bow and dagger, as well as having the power to summon a darkly magical... shovel, which he seems unwilling to discard despite the fact that it is blatantly, palpably cursed.