Master Devlin

Overview

Master Steven Devlin is a dragon member of the Masters Council from Widdlington and one of the stars of The Waldoverse.

Background and Role

Master Devlin, a formidable dragon and member of the ancient Order of Masters, has been a central figure in the Waldoverse since his assignment in 1891 to oversee the notorious Widdle Frunkut, better known as Waldo. Born in 1691 in Scotland, Devlin hails from a long lineage of Masters, with his grandfather, Alexander, being particularly notable. Although much of his early career remains shrouded in mystery, his role as Waldo’s master has defined his life for over a century.

The relationship between Master Devlin and Waldo is both complex and multifaceted. Devlin has been the long-suffering "hetero-life mate" and "best friend" of the chaotic goblin. Despite Waldo's constant mischief, Devlin has dedicated himself to mitigating the damage caused by his troublesome companion, often at the expense of his own personal life and career. Their bond is marked by a blend of camaraderie and frustration, with Devlin persistently trying to temper Waldo’s chaos through a mix of strict discipline and reluctant tolerance.

In recent years, he has also reluctantly taken on Harris Travers as his other pupil. Although Travers has a fundamentally different personality and entirely different pursuits, he brings just as much chaos and drama into Devlin’s life and tests his patience in ways that rival, and sometimes even surpass, Waldo.

Physical Description

Master Devlin is a striking figure, with a large, muscular build and purple, leathery skin. His classic dragon head, adorned with prominent horns, adds to his intimidating presence. Though he often assumes a humanoid size, typically dressing in suits and shirts that reflect his upper-class upbringing, Devlin has the ability to morph into a full dragon form. In this state, he reveals his large, hidden wings and gains the ability to unleash devastating fire breath, reminiscent of the most fearsome dragons in folklore.

Personality and Traits

Devlin carries himself with a sense of dignity and sophistication that reflects his noble heritage. Polite, well‑spoken, and steeped in old‑world manners, he strives to uphold the ideals of the Masters Council and genuinely believes in protecting the innocent. Despite his many flaws, he is fundamentally brave, dutiful, and committed to doing what he sees as the greater good.

Devlin is a skilled warrior, proficient with a variety of weapons, from swords and axes to firearms. He is often forced to confront the many villains that have appeared throughout the Waldoverse, using his combat prowess and dragon abilities to protect those under his care. His strength and battle experience have made him a respected figure among allies and a feared adversary among enemies.

Although typically on the side of the greater good, Devlin is often morally dubious and highly authoritarian, with a strong need to maintain control and order through force. He also hates having his own authority challenged. Fiercely protective of the Council, he has little patience for pesky things such as government oversight or democratic movements aimed at reining in the Council’s influence, and he has shown a willingness to use underhanded tactics—and even violence—to quash such interference. His rigid worldview and intolerance for chaos frequently put him at odds with others, especially Waldo.

He is often short‑tempered and quick to anger, frequently resorting to physical punishment to discipline Waldo, insisting that “he must learn,” while rarely explaining why Waldo’s behavior is wrong. These unsuccessful attempts at discipline often lead to Devlin erupting into snarling bouts of rage, further complicating their tumultuous relationship. His temper is a constant struggle, one he tries—but often fails—to keep in check.

As a dragon member of the Council, Devlin is required to take regular doses of a potion known as Dratonin (or Anodynus Dratonium, as it is known in ancient texts). This mystical elixir helps keep his primal dragon urges at bay. Without it, Devlin, like his dragon master peers, risks relapsing into violent outbursts of dragon fury, leading to destructive rampages where he might fly around burning towns and villages, or kidnapping young noblewomen to lock them in castle towers. Even with the Dratonin, however, he cannot fully escape the dragon’s instinct to hoard jewels and gold, contributing to his considerable wealth and the resentment of non‑master townsfolk.

Devlin also has an eccentric side. Despite his cultured demeanor and his role as the straight man, he has a few quirks—most notably his addiction to collecting Fabergé eggs and his questionable relationship with butter, which he manufactures himself at his factory in the small town of Butterbur. He also has a habit of making deliberately perverted remarks toward Waldo, prompting frequent accusations that he is homosexual, which Devlin denies.

Devlin also maintains numerous residences, including the stately Devlin Manor in the countryside and various holiday homes around the world, such as in the Maldives and Turks & Caicos. Whenever the chaos of Widdlington becomes too much, he retreats on holiday, but when he does, his absence tends to create a vacuum that quickly escalates into even larger, apocalyptic crises.

Devlin is also infamous for his legendary flatulence and bowel movements, which often lead him to claim that his “bottom is broken.” This crude humor contrasts sharply with his otherwise composed demeanor, adding a layer of complexity to his character.

Notable Relationships:

• Widdle Frunkut: His most significant and challenging relationship, marked by a mixture of camaraderie, frustration, and begrudging affection. Their bond is characterized by a complex blend of mutual dependence, exasperation, and occasional hostility.
• Harris Travers: Despite Travers' sleazy narcissism, Devlin has developed an unlikely friendship with him. Travers, once an alternate personality of Waldo, shares some of the same chaotic tendencies that test Devlin’s patience.
• Mayuri Shiina: Devlin has taken on the role of a surrogate father to Mayuri, offering her guidance and support amidst the chaos of her life with Waldo and later Harris Travers. Her kindness and innocence are a refreshing contrast to the turmoil surrounding Waldo and Travers.
• Dr Linda Shawn: Principal psychologist for the Masters Council and a close ally of Devlin. In recent times, there have been hints of a romantic relationship between the two of them, much to the Ed's disgust.
• The Editor (Ed): Devlin shares an antagonistic relationship with The Editor, a god-like figure who shapes the Waldoverse. Ed takes particular pleasure in tormenting Devlin, disrupting his sense of control and authority. This relationship is a source of constant frustration for Devlin, who resents being overruled by a higher power, particularly one as whimsical as Ed.
• Stuart Devlin: A hybrid goblin–dragon and the son of Master Devlin and Widdle Frunkut, created as the result of a bizarre infection. Though Devlin at first regarded the child as an abomination and a violation, he eventually came to accept him.

Conclusion

Master Steven Devlin is a figure of great complexity, embodying both the nobility and flaws of his ancient lineage. As Waldo’s master and a guardian of order in the Waldoverse, he navigates a world of chaos and danger, balancing his duty with his personal quirks and challenges. His relationships, particularly with Waldo and Travers, define much of his experience, blending camaraderie, frustration, and reluctant loyalty into a narrative that is as unpredictable as it is enduring.