Hand of Eserion

Eserion is the God of Defiance, patron of thieves.

According Elilial, all gods who have not gone crazy have a paladin like mortal entrusted with a divine spark which helps control and define the God's identity.

When the Avatar explained the concept of paladins to Darling, Joseph P. Jenkins, and Ingvar, Darling burst out laughing. Jenkins immediately surmised that there was a hidden hand of Eserion and that Darling knew who it was.

The readers have commonly speculated that Principia Locke is the Hand of Eserion. The other likelihood is that Darling himself is the unwitting Hand of Eserion. Evidence for this is found in Darlings regular meetings with Eserion.