Steven Erikson: Kruppe couldn't be anything but central, at least in his own mind. He's great fun to write, because his game is with language. The opening scene where he encounters his vices and virtues did indeed come out of nowhere, but it certainly set the stage in my mind for how he was going to be from then on. In Gardens, he was certainly my foremost vehicle for taking the piss with fantasy cliches (him and the whole Crokus/Challice thing). In a sense, Kruppe became a kind of narrator/orator in a Greek play, always ready to comment on the goings on with a sly wink. Sure I love him, and revel in how irritating he can be (just like Iskaral Pust).

Interview with wotmania (2003)

 

Kruppe, a man of false modesty

GotM, Dramatis Personae

 

The Eel, a rumoured master-spy

GotM, Dramatis Personae

 

Kruppe, a citizen

MoI, Dramatis Personae

 

"In his dream the small round man....The tattered tails of his faded red waistcoat flapped in his haste."

GotM, US mmpb, p.161

 

"Murillio studied the man's round body, the faded red waistcoat, gathered at the cuffs, and the short oily curls atop his head."

GotM, US HC, p.403

 

"For some, the talent they possessed found its channel through a toss of knucklebones, the reading of heat fractures in scapulae, or the Fatid of the Deck of Dragons. For Kruppe, he had no need of any such affectations. The power of divination was in his head and he could not deny it, no matter how hard he tried. Within the walls of his skull rang the dirge of prophecy, and it echoed through his bones.

...None could call Kruppe a fool, after all. Fat with sloth and neglect, yes; inclined to excesses, indeed, somewhat clumsy with a bowl of soup, most certainly. But not a fool."

- thoughts of Kruppe

GotM, US mmpb, p.162

 

"...already he felt the urgings of the Deck of Dragons in his head."

GotM, US HC, p.257

 

"...a short, round man with sparse, greasy hair. Faded red waistcoat, over a linen shirt with stained once-white blousy cuffs erupting around the pudgy hands.

...From the small knuckled chin dangled long black hairs - not enough to braid, alas - a new affectation he had taken to twirling a stroking when deep in thought, or even shallowly so."

 

"'Dear K'rul, dearest friend of Kruppe, hast thou ever seen Kruppe dance?'

The stranger [Fisher] sat. A wan face, an expression of sorrow and pain.

'No,' said K'rul. 'I think not. Not by limb, not by word.'

Kruppe's smile was muted, and something glistened in his eyes. 'Then, my friends, settle yourselves for this night. And witness.'"