Solomon: lore

Solomon enters the ritual to protect New York and keep the Patrons’ power out of dangerous hands. He spends much of his time in Central Park, meeting people and playing chess. Skilled but not a grandmaster, he earns money by hustling tourists and sometimes locals. He says he has lived a long, good life and is not preoccupied with dying in the ritual. His age and full power are unknown: he says he is younger than Drifter and suggests he is holding back. His accent seems Jamaican.

Patient and thoughtful, Solomon prefers to assess situations before acting. He dislikes the pursuit of power and believes young people should learn through experience. He tries to give honest advice without cruelty. Chess gives him a way to meet people on equal terms, from tourists to criminals and business leaders.

Appearance

Solomon is an older Black man with white hair and a goatee shaped like chess pieces, brown eyes and square glasses. His outfit includes a white coat, green clothing, a plaid scarf with rook-shaped ends, chess-piece jewelry and a chess clock. He floats cross-legged and uses a floating board and pieces as his weapon. His queen piece depicts a Black woman with short hair, a collar and earrings.

Relationships

Baba and Solomon are friends and dislike fighting one another. He knows of her hatred of Mildred and invokes it to rouse her. He is also friends with Shelly Fisher and Bebop, worries about Shelly’s health, asks to visit and promises not to tell her about Bebop’s participation. He dislikes fighting Bebop but regards the ritual’s stakes as too high to let him win.

Solomon knows the Doorman’s true nature and thinks he should remain impartial; Baba suggests the two have bonded. Celeste and her found family know Solomon, and Ted told him about Lenny’s soul debt. Celeste invited Solomon to a Renaissance fair and for pizza; he declined the fair invitation.

He has played chess with Billy, Mo & Krill and the Curiosity Dealer, and may often play McGinnis. Paradox wants a game. Billy believes Solomon hustled him. Solomon offers to teach Rat King, who accepts, and Rem, who declines.

Other interactions

Solomon believes giving Abrams the Tome was right and offers him European accommodations after he destroys it. He warns Seven that the pursuit of godhood will cost him and threatens to counter his wish. Solomon appears to know Graves’ Lich mentor from before its burial and dismemberment. He recognizes the Adversary as a threat and allies with Viscous against it. He reads Kelvin’s adventure books and supports him despite believing Kelvin’s arrogance caused the expedition’s deaths. He appears to know Rem’s creator; a possible connection to Haze remains speculative. An old friend from the Soviet Empire could be Raven, but that too is uncertain.

Sources and editorial notes

Adapted from Solomon/Lore, revision 214904, by Deadlock Wiki contributors; checked 2026-11-01. Source-derived content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Literary biography and dialogue summarized; direct interaction quotations and media omitted.