Chelonian Master

The Chelonian Master leads Chelonia, a religious cult based on a mountaintop in Cumberland Forest, New Hanover. Nothing is known of his life before 1899. He wears the cult's plain clothing, distinguished by a gold turtle emblem at his neck, and preaches its doctrines to followers who have withdrawn from ordinary life. His authority draws Jamie Gillis to the camp, along with other converts.

When Arthur Morgan comes to the mountain at Mary Linton's request, he finds the Master addressing the gathered Chelonians. Arthur asks Jamie to return and speak with Mary, but the Master insists that Jamie has chosen his own course. If Arthur remains calm, the Master permits the two men to talk. If Arthur presses the issue, the Master bars the conversation until Arthur grabs him by the throat.

In 1907, after John Marston has met Chelonia's founder Anders Helgerson in Saint Denis, the Master is again at the Cumberland Forest camp. He has stripped down to the trousers of his old robe and wears a large turtle shell over his body. He leads his followers in the cry of "Chelonia!" and takes them over the nearby cliff, joining them in the fall.