Rian Degtiar, a member of the Cetagandan Empire's haut class, served for a time as the acting keeper of the Star Crèche after the death of the Empress, Lisbet Degtiar, with the title of "Servant of the Celestial Lady, Handmaiden of the Star Crèche". As a fellow member of the Degtiar Constellation, she was related to Lisbet, though three generations removed. At the conclusion of the novel she was elevated to permanent keeper of the Star Crèche and became the leading one of Fletchir Giaja's Empresses, the one who was tasked with the job of creating the next haut-Emperor.