Master Corban is the stern, mathematically-minded owner of The Constant Variable. Far removed from the stereotype of the jovial, rustic halfling, Corban runs his establishment with the ruthless efficiency of a factory foreman. Standing at three and a half feet tall, he is broad-shouldered and impeccably groomed, typically wearing a tailored waistcoat lined with pockets for various specialized tools and timepieces.
He is famously the architect of the Minimum Consumption Protocol. Corban patrols the floor of the tavern with a clipboard and a custom-made, multi-dial pocket watch, monitoring the "hydration efficiency" of every table. He views his patrons not as guests, but as temporary tenants of intellectual space who must pay rent in the form of beverage purchases. While he has a deep respect for the senior faculty of the Meridian Academy, he has zero patience for students who attempt to nurse a single pint of oat stout for three hours. Those who fail to meet his strict logistical standards are met with a polite, monotone request to vacate, enforced by his surprising physical strength if necessary.
Despite his cold demeanor, Corban is a master brewer who takes immense pride in his craft. He personally oversees the temperature controls in the Cellar of Reason, ensuring that every keg of ale sent from the western agricultural collectives is stored at the precise atomic vibration required for optimal flavor profiles. He believes that bad beer leads to bad math, and thus, he serves the Academy by ensuring their fuel is chemically perfect.