Stalwart

“We are claiming, under the Syndicate rules regarding independent system sovereignty, that this summary execution is both justified and appropriate given Carl’s statements advocating sedition. That is all.” Prince Stalwart ^[1]

Stalwart is the crown Prince of the Skull Empire. Brother to Maestro and Formidable. Son of King Rust.

Appearance

Stalwart looks very similar to his brother Maestro, a coarse haired wild boar like creature with lean muscle and a cruel demeanor. ^[1]

Story

Book 1

Prince Stalwart is a producer on the show Death Watch Extreme Dungeon Mayhem, the talk show hosted by his younger brother Prince Maestro. ^[2] When Carl threatens to leave the production mid-show, Stalwart speaks through Mexx-55 to threaten to drop Carl and Donut in the ocean. Carl calls his bluff, which results in Mukta being called in to threaten him with acceleration if he does not cooperate. ^[3]

Book 2

Midway through the Third Floor, Carl and Donut go on the show Danger Zone with Ripper Wonton. On the show Carl is asked about the unrest in the Skull Empire caused by the fallout of the Pork Boy Snick. Carl says that citizens should hold their leaders accountable, and if they don't like it, then they should do something about it. Prince Stalwart responds to this threat to his empire by striking one of the production trailers for the show, accidently killing the Valtay Corporation's pop singer star Manasa. ^[1]

Prince Stalwart releases an accompanying video statement with the strike, showing him on the Ninth Floor preparing for Faction Wars (game). :

“Citizens of the Syndicate. By the time this message hits the tunnel, the earth creatures Carl and Donut will have been executed by a pulse fired from my personal yacht. The Skull Empire will pay for any damages to any private property destroyed in the attack. We are claiming, under the Syndicate rules regarding independent system sovereignty, that this summary execution is both justified and appropriate given Carl’s statements advocating sedition. That is all.” ^[1]

Even though the Skull Empire and Valtay Corporation were close allies, the fact that the strike killed a high value asset like Manasa triggers a response from the Valtay. The Valtay use one of their dreadnaughts in orbit around Earth destroys Stalwart's yacht, killing Queen Consort Ugloo and presumably killing Prince Maestro. ^[1]

Mordecai had recommended Carl needle King Rust to try to get him to target the Blood Sultanate during Faction Wars (game), but after all these actions he suggests they stop talking about outside entities anymore. ^[4]