Sir Cletus Cogworth is the secondborn son and heir apparent of Lord Kai Cogworth. He was chosen to inherit House Cogworth over his elder brother Karlon, who has a disability. Cletus was a childhood friend of Jaster Blackthorne; they squired together for Lord Yven Monmoth when they were boys, and Llewys Monmoth was often their accomplice. Cletus is fond of whoring, drinking and gambling, and resents his engagement to Lady Daena Thormund. He showcases a humorous, eccentric attitude to life. Cletus has long, curly black hair that hangs over one eye. He has dark eyes and often has a sly smile. He owns a suit of bronze armor and has a personal "good-luck talisman," a bird's skull dipped in bronze that he calls "Leland."
In 1014AE, Cletus fought alongside his Lord at the Ambush at Dimhollow Mire. A marshlander's poison dart nicked him beneath his gorget and gave him a slow, painful death. Cletus' father returned his corpse to the Cogfort for burial, and Jaster is still weighed by the guilt of his best friend's loss.