Ludinus’s reaction to being asked if he is Ruidusborn was very interesting. And subsequently Fearne’s reaction was too. But I do think Ashley would have let the group know if she found out he was faking it. Or had Fearne tell Imogen.

However in the chance that he is faking being Ruidusborn, this makes things very juicy! Because for one, there’s no way Otohan would be fooled by a fake. Unless Ludinus has some insane way of faking it. Like perhaps say something akin to ruidium?

Spoilers for Call of the Netherdeep Ahead!!!

Ruidium is this mineral that was created by Alyxian when he fell in battle and created the Netherdeep. It’s actually a manifestation of his own emotional torment. Using it will grant you the power that he possesses, however long exposure will physically and emotionally corrupt you.

Now depending on which ending you go for, ruidium will disappear forever in one of them. Even so, I’m not thinking that Ludinus is exactly using ruidium. Alyxian was basically an Exaltant Ruidusborn. So that means his power came from Predathos or as we know now possibly a Reilora.

So what if Predathos has it’s own version of ruidium. A part of itself that can bestow it’s power onto another. And if Ludinus has been talking to Predathos, it’s possible it gave him something like this. Travis’s inner Cerrit caught the hand motions that Matt was doing when acting as Ludinus. And he’s definitely wearing something and holding it when he looks at Imogen and Fearne to see if they are Ruidusborn.

The only thing that does bug me about this theory is his feelings about power and specifically relying on boons from the gods. Because if this is true, then he’s a hypocrite. Which is possible as most villains are. And he definitely can be sometimes. But the idea that Ludinus is so set on taking down the gods, he will take on a potentially corrupting item to do it, is quite interesting. He’s a very complex character.

The other alternative to his reaction to being asked if he’s Ruidusborn is that he is but hates to be called it. Like he react to being asked about talking to Predathos, being Ruidusborn with this sort of hesitation and slight irritation. It’s very interesting. Because you get Otohan, the proud Ruidusborn, wanting to flaunt her powers on those she deems weak. And then potentially you get Ludinus, who seems to hate power for power’s sake, yet also believes that mortals have surpassed the gods. So it’s like he hates that he got this power without purpose and yet also see it as a sign that they are better.

Every time we get answers on this elf, we get ten thousand more!