Burglar

"What have I got in my pocket?"

- One of Burglar's enigmatic riddles

Burglar  (忍びの者, Shinobi no mono) also known as Traveler (往還せし者, Ōkan seshi mono), and "Barrel Rider" is Goblin Slayer's master and mentor.

Appearance
Burglar is an old rhea with uneven teeth and milky eyes, though this is most likely due to his advanced age. He bears a goat patch and few strands of hair, with three on the sides of his cheeks like whiskers. Like all rheas, he has the racial trait of short height and pointed ears. He dons a scarf with an intricate pattern over a straw cape.

Personality
Burglar acts in a demented and cruel manner, as shown when subjecting a young Goblin Slayer to brutal and harsh training.

Despite his superficial lack of sanity, he rescued the young boy and spent years training Goblin Slayer's mind and body in order to become strong enough to kill goblins on his own. His misconducts aside, Burglar had trained Goblin Slayer without anything in return, demonstrating a capacity for sympathy and kindness.

Background
Nothing is known about Burglar's younger years, nothing but cryptic clues. These clues include legends of Burglar once being a famous Adventurer, named among the greatest legends by Guild Girl, and the Rogues Guild holds him in particularly high regard.

Burglar first encountered Goblin Slayer after saving the ten year-old boy from being killed by the goblins that destroyed his village. He later trained Goblin Slayer up until they parted ways five years later.

Burglar has ties to the Rogues Guild, and told Goblin Slayer how to find their locations via marked doorways.

Goblin Slayer Volume 2
In a flashback Goblin Slayer had, Burglar trained him in a dark cave, while also telling him riddles to solve. After his pupil solved several, Burglar questioned him what he had in his pocket, which his pupil was unable to solve.

At some point, the old rhea informed Goblin Slayer he was going on a journey before leaving.

Goblin Slayer Volume 9
Burglar shows up in front of the farm as Cow Girl was doing laundry making an off the cuff comment about her generous chest. He correctly guesses that Goblin Slayer lived here while referring to him as a talent-less wonder only capable of taking everything too seriously. He then inquires in a riddle-like way if Cow Girl and Goblin Slayer had settled down yet.

After Cow Girl sharply corrects him, Burglar, disappointed, suddenly brings up that an old magician once said the little things matter more than big adventures, and a dwarf said that a beauty she was unaware about was inside her. He then bids Cow Girl farewell before disappearing with the wind.

Abilities
Burglar is a skilled and crafty fighter, relying on any method he can to defeat his enemies and achieve victory.

Equipment

 * Short Sword: Burglar carries a short sword, befitting his Rogue class to great effect, enough to be well known as a living legend.


 * Platinum Mail: Goblin Slayer remarked once that Burglar wears Platinum mail under his robes, amongst the highest quality in defensive protection.


 * Magic Ring(s): Burglar's most iconic piece of equipment is his Magic Ring that allows him to disappear and reappear at will. Presently it is unknown just how many Magic Rings he has

Intellect
Admittedly, Burglar is not much of a full on fighter, instead relying on his incredible wit and intelligence to fight his battles for him. To his credit, he is wise enough that his only known student is known for being incredibly resourceful; being able to do a lot with minimal and the most basic of equipment.

Trivia

 * In the anime credits, Burglar is credited as "Rhea".
 * Burglar is a clear homage to the iconic character "Bilbo Baggins" created by the most famous fantasy author, JRR Tolkien for his novel "The Hobbit"
 * Burglar's question, "What have I got in my pocket" is from "The Hobbit", in which Bilbo Baggins asks the same question of Gollum in their game of riddles in the creature's cave.
 * His alias of "Barrel Rider" also makes reference when Bilbo had another game of riddles against Smaug the Dragon in the Lonely Mountain.
 * Burglar's Platinum Mail is also a reference to Bilbo's Mythril chainmail
 * The Magic Ring Burglar carries that allows him to disappear and reappear is an obvious homage to the infamous "One Ring", the item of ultimate power from Tolkien's famous "Lord of the Rings" books.