Brusque is the son of Eskil and Bria and brother to Benzine and Epoxy. He makes things hard and heavy or soft and light. He and his brother and sister rescued Umlaut and Para from a web. Brusque was offered to Surprise as an alternative to Umlaut, while Becka was offered to Umlaut. Surprise and Umlaut refused. He now lives in Castle Maidragon with Becka, his wife, and their son Ben. In Xanth Reality Four, Brusque-Five is married to Surprise-Five and has a child with her.