Jan Struycken was an imperial intelligence officer. He was tasked with tracking down the suspected traitor Isengrim Faoiltiarna and delivering him to Nastrog in Verden. While he did track down Isengrim, he was himself captured. He started providing information about the details of his mission when Isengrim threatened him with torture. He was sent back by the elf to explain himself to his superior, Vattier de Rideaux.