A figura era um shadowblaze .
A Shadowblaze is a chalk creature that, when bound to a human, bestows Rithmatic powers. They appear to those who become Rithmatists during their inception. Unlike chalklings, Shadowblazes do not need to be affixed to a two-dimensional surface. They have the appearance of primitive cave drawings, and are roughly man-shaped.
Discussion of the Shadowblazes' role in the inception ceremony is strictly taboo with non-Rithmatists