Stendeval is one of the characters of the Jack Blank Adventures trilogy. He is one of the oldest characters in the series and the Circleman of Cognito.
History
Not much is known about Stendeval's personal life, but his powers grant him the ability to make himself one day young, so he looks the same age he had five hundred years ago when he started doing it. He's old enough to know and assume he's met Gandhi, an American president, and one of the Beatles, among many other people throughout his life. He's also been part of the Inner Circle for about the same time he's kept the same age appearance. Stendeval was there for the first invasion of the Rüstov Armada, and fought along side every hero and villain against them. Alongside Legend, Stendeval fought Revile, particularly to protect the baby, who Stendeval would later figure, by Revile himself, that it was him, Jack Blank. In order to save the world and the baby, Legend sacrificed himself to destroy Revile in the Rüstov mothership, giving Stendeval enough time to take Jack and hide him away. Stendeval took the baby to St. Barnaby's, wrote a letter to Chi, the Circleman of Karateka, that they would meet again to talk about Jack, and since watched over him as he grew for the next twelve years.
After twelve years, Stendeval wrote another letter, this to Jazen Knight, to come and find Jack, which the emissary doesn't doubt to follow and trust. Stendeval kept watch over them all as they returned to the secret country, and even appeared to Jack before the boy knew who he was. He appears fifteen minutes late for the meeting he wrote to Chi about, and with his vote and that of the Inner Circle, doesn't only save Jack from Smart to be executed and dissected, but is offered to take entrance exams to the School of Thought. While knowing Jack is impatient to know about his past, Stendeval kept to himself the truth, and it's not until after Jack defeats Revile that he reveals he knew about the super soldier. Stendeval then convinces Jack to stay in the Imagine Nation and find a way to cure the unsuspecting infected Mechas and prove that he doesn't have to turn into Revile.
A year afterwards, Stendeval has in many ways turned into Jack's confidant, knowing about his secret, but being so the case, tries to protect him from any Rüstov and anyone else that might suspect Jack. There's an assumption that Stendeval begins to doubt Jack considering his reckless decisions to keep the secrets in the dark, but after Jack saves the Imagine Nation once again by preventing another invasion, Stendeval regains his confidence on the boy, and doesn't stop him when he finally reveals all the secrets he's kept over the last year. Unfortunately, Stendeval, the rest of the Inner Circle, and other heroes are knocked out, the Rüstov taking advantage to kidnap Jack.
Stendeval stays on Earth during the year that Jack is away, and waits for his return after being saved by Jazen, Allegra, and Solomon Roka. With them, and a few other, Stendeval strives to protect Jack from the Imagine Nation as much as the Rüstov, who start the invasion. After saving Jack from an execution in Varagog Village, he, Jack, Allegra, and Solomon are captured by the Rüstov. Seeing no other way out, Stendeval uses his powers to give Jack time to escape, and as he does, the Magus infects and takes over Stendeval himself. While a moral blow to the citizens of Empire Citizen, Jack rallies everyone to fight back, and ultimately Jack saves Stendeval from the Magus as well as every other infected person in the secret country. Stendeval, while celebrating Jack's heroism, also leads to the discovery of Jack's real father.
Physical Appearance
Stendeval appears to be an Indian, with henna markings on his head, an orange suit, and red sash.
Personality
Stendeval shows to be extremely patient and acts like a caring grandfather to almost everyone. His sarcasm shows his disapproval at most times and rarely raises his voice. However, he is quick to battle when the citizens of the country are shown to be in trouble.
Relatives
There aren't any known relatives that Stendeval might have, alive or otherwise, nor he ever mentions them.
Abilities
Stendeval has an amount of abilities, from teleporting, telepathy, and telekinesis. His powers are born from daytime, though if using too much of his power, Stendeval will run out of power, left to fight hand to hand like any other person.
Relationships
Jack Blank
Stendeval cares very deeply for Jack, especially since he's been caring for him since he was a baby. He was the one who sent the comics to Jack as he grew and sent the letters to Chi to wait for them in twelve years time and the one to Jazen to come pick up Jack. Stendeval never doubted in Jack overcoming his parasite and him fighting his future, so that Jack could choose. While Jack's mentor, Stendeval cares for the boy as if he were his grandchild.
Jonas Smart
While he never says it directly, Stendeval doesn't like much Smart and doesn't agree with any of his methods to protect the Imagine Nation. He does recognize that while Smart's ideas are in the right place, he fights against his tactics, especially when Smart's inventions puts the citizens of Empire City in danger.
Clarkston Noteworthy
While Stendeval sees that Noteworthy is more to his personal gaining, Stendeval keeps his repectful attitude towards, even after Noteworthy denies Jack as his son and tries to act like his father after the defeat of the Rüstov.
Prime
The Circleman of Galaxis, Stendeval respects him highly as any of the Inner Circle.
Chi
While not said directly, it's assumed that Chi and Stendeval are good friends, as Stendeval had written a letter to Chi twelve years prior to the events of the trilogy, stating that they would meet again to discuss the fate of Jack Blank, adding on that Stendeval would be fifteen minutes late to that meeting with the Inner Circle.
Virtua
The only woman in the Inner Circle, Stendeval respects her very much, and cares for her as a friend. It is proved as in the second book, when Virtua finds out that some of the Mecha are infected, that Stendeval sides with her that things get out of hand, he'll provoke an EMP to will wipe out all Mechas, Virtua included.
Hovarth
They both put each other in high regards by their wisdom and strength. Despite their respects, they are at odds at some times, especially when it comes to Jack's fate, particularly in the third book, when Hovarth leads most of the citizens of the Imagine Nation, along with Smart, to take and execute Jack, which Stendeval tries to prevent.
Legend
The former Circleman of Hightown, Stendeval was a close of friend of Legend. He admits how much it hurt leaving him behind as Stendeval took baby Jack to safety while Legend carried out the Legendary Sacrifice. Stendeval is the one the renames Dedication Day into Rededication Day in Legend's honor and does everything he can to protect Jack so that Legend's death is not in vain.
Revile
During the Empire of Battle City in the first invasion, Stendeval, along with Legend, learned from the supersoldier himself that he was the baby he was trying to kill to prevent the chaos around them. Stendeval doesn't show any disdain or negative emotions towards him, even if they do face in combat before the events of The Accidental Hero and at the end of the first book.
The Rüstov
While no direct demonstration, it's assumed that like everyone else in the Imagine Nation, Stendeval hates the Rüstov for the destruction they provoke.
Khalix
Like Jack, Stendeval didn't initially realize that the parasite within the boy was Rüstov royalty, but once he does, Stendeval remains the same as before about it all. Along with Jack's friends, they support the boy into fighting Khalix's will, and thus a great show of being against the Rüstov prince.
Magus
While he does hate the Rüstov emperor, Stendeval doesn't show it nor does he show his fear against this great enemy. Stendeval fights the infection when the Magus tries to take over him, and moment before the Rüstov emperor manages, Stendeval helps Jack escape. The fact that the Magus took Stendeval as a host is a huge moral blow for the people in Empire City, but in the last fight, it's Jack that frees Stendeveal.