Ruehn was a captain in the Alanciari military, stationed at the fort at Garrow's Neck. At some point he lost one of his eyes, leaving him with one good one. When Quarra Thayn was traveling to Point Defiance to visit Jogan Halder, he stopped her and asked for her documents. When she showed him her letter of transit and commission, he was taken aback because he didn't realize she was a wardmaster.