Montague Vermishank was an exceptional bio-thaumaturge who taught at New Crobuzon University as Head of Department. He was strongly suspected of having ties to the New Crobuzon government and New Crobuzon Militia.
Thaumaturgy[]
Vermishank was extremely proficient in the field of bio-thaumaturgy. His abilities in Remaking were so advanced that it is believed he was one of the only living bio-thaumaturges who could restore flight to the maimed, wingless Garuda Yagharek. He was adept enough to use the Clayflesh Hex as a close-combat weapon when assaulted and questioned by Isaac and his allies.
Description[]
- "Vermishank was not fat, but he was coated from his jowls down in a slight excess layer, a swaddling of dead flesh like a corpse’s. He wore a suit too small for him, and his necrotic white skin oozed from his sleeves. His thin hair was brushed and styled with a neurotic fervour."
- —Perdido Street station, Ch 17
Vermishank is portrayed as a thoroughly disagreeable man, both in appearance and his unctuous, greasy attitude. Despite his negative traits, Vermihsank's intellect and his inscrutable façade are respected by his erstwhile subordinate and partial-adversary, Isaac Dan der Grimnebulin, along with his technical abilities as a Remaker of flesh.
Vermishank's true prowess, however, lies in his administrative abilities, a skillset which has landed him not only a position as Head of Department at the university, but also as the administrator of a secret government research project.
Events of Perdido Street Station[]
During the events of Perdido Street Station, Isaac reluctantly visits Vermishank in his office at New Crobuzon University to ask his help in Remaking Yagharek's wings. Despite Vermishank's formidable skills, the finesse required to fix maimed wings would be beyond even his own abilities and he declines to assist Isaac.
Vermishank is revealed to be the head of the Slake Moth project, a part of a Parliament-led plot to enslave the deadly Slake Moths for research purposes. When the research failed to yield progress, Vermishank had decided subsequently to sell these entities to the drug-lord Motley in order to recoup costs for their sponsors.
Death[]
Vermishank is killed after David Serachin attempts to set a trap for Isaac and his group by leading the militia to them. Vermishank's eventual death comes with a blackpowder pistol shot between the eyes, delivered by Lemuel Pigeon, an ally of Isaac and a 'go between' in his relations with the criminal underworld.
Notes[]
- Some have inferred that due to Vermishank's dealings with Motley, the latter's intricately, grotesquely Remade form, and Vermishank's unparalleled skill, that he may have had a hand in creating the corporeal body of New Crobuzon's most dangerous gangster.
| Characters in Perdido Street Station |
|---|
| Main characters |
Isaac Dan der Grimnebulin · Lin · Yagharek · Derkhan Blueday · Motley · Mayor Bentham Rudgutter | |
|---|---|---|
| Minor characters |
Andrej Shelbornek · Benjamin Flex · Cornfed Daihat · Construct Council · David Serachin · Lemuel Pigeon · Lublamai Dadscatt · Magesta Barbile · Montjohn Rescue · Montague Vermishank · Pengefinchess · Shadrach · Silchristchek · Tansell · Eliza Stem-Fulcher · Teafortwo | |