Klaus Schneider

Klaus Schneider, or Klaus the Toymaker is a Belgian human wizard and a member of the White Council. He first appears in Summer Knight.

Description
Arthur Langtry describes Klaus Schneider as a long-standing senior wizard of impeccable reputation. Joseph Listens-to-Wind describes him as a fine enchanter with a reputation for skill and honesty but he considers him young for the responsibility of a seat on the Senior Council.

A small man with a round belly and cheeks, and white hair, he is the Merlin's favorite candidate for the open seat on the Senior Council.

Summer Knight
In Summer Knight, Schneider was nominated by the Merlin for a position in the Senior Council to replace the deceased Simon Pietrovich. When this nomination was contested due to his youth and the greater seniority of other wizards, candidates were called up from the registry in order of seniority. Most of the wizards called upon were absent, with Ebenezar McCoy being about a half dozen places ahead of Schneider. Schneider declined the position on the Senior Council in favor of McCoy, who he stated would be more able.

Turn Coat
In Turn Coat, he was to replace Aleron LaFortier. Ebenezar McCoy thinks that the Merlin asked him to step aside, though Klaus didn't confirm that. Gregori Cristos got the seat instead to keep LaFortier's block of supporters from receding from the Council if Cristos didn't get the seat as Cristos threatened.

Word of Jim
The author once said in an interview that Klaus' personal motif for channeling his magic is his favorite:

"'My favorite is probably from an unpublished short story I wrote, set in the Dresden Files universe, but during the Battle of the Bulge. The Nazis had a sorcerer operating out of an old monastery, and the White Council dispatched the Belgian wizard, Klaus the Toymaker. Klaus's magic is all based around using children's toys as focii. My favorite moment was when he killed a couple of SS-summoned demons with a windup wooden duck.'"