Pikridios Goudeles was a member of the bureaucratic faction of the Empire of Videssos. When first encountered he is head of an embassy sent by Vardanes Sphrantzes to attempt to placate Thorisin Gavras during their civil war. He has authority and prestige among the city's bureaucrats. He uses a bookkeeping trick to embezzle the funds for a flashy ring under Scaurus' nose when the latter is appointed to oversee the bureaucracy, and then explains the trick to Scaurus (who later catches another bureaucrat attempting to use it).