Ralph

"'He hasn't changed at all. A stint in the Outsides can sometimes really do a number on a person, but there's no trace of it on him. It's like he went away only yesterday, and today he's already back. The familiar jacket over the familiar sweater. The gloved left hand, the one missing the two fingers, and those eyes. The eyes of an inquisitor. Makes you shiver. When the lesson ends he stands up and stares at us. He's leaped over. It's so obvious. I marvel at his lack of discretion.' - Tabaqui on Ralph. Book Two, p. 283"

Appearance
Ralph wears all black, except when he doesn't, to the principal's Chagrin. He wears a glove on his left hand, which is missing two fingersundefined He has black hair, bushy eyebrows and is clean-shaven.

Notable Relationships

 * Vulture - Ralph's friend and confidant in the House, owing in part to returning a favor after Ralph kept Vulture in his office while he was mourning the death of his brother, sparing Vulture potential expulsion from the House.undefined
 * Elk
 * Godmother
 * Shark
 * Sphinx
 * Blind
 * Smoker

Before the House
Nothing is known about Ralph's past, except that he is the longest-standing counselor and the only staff remaining from before the last Graduation. At the beginning of Book Two, he returns from a six month leave he took from the House. We know Ralph has been working at the House for 13 yearsundefined, so if he started at age 18 (unlikely), he would be at minimum 31 years old as of the events of the books. He is most likely older.

In The House
Ralph has worked in the House longer than any other staff member (potentially with the exception of the Old Night Guard). He buys into the students' mysticism surrounding the House, but doesn't know fully what to make of it.

(To be added - role with Noble, Blind, Godmother)

On the Other Side
Ralph is the only staff member to go over with the students. He lives in the Other Side's iteration of the House. After he moves in, Rat delivers the permanently-changed child version of Godmother to him, and he assumes the role of her caretaker.

Quotes
"He's got a silly face," Grasshopper said. "If I were him I'd grow a beard to hide behind."undefined

Mentions
Ralf le Noir