Arraleen Caze
Spymaster’s daughter and trained assassin. Feared and known for her bad temper among the servants. But she’s fiercely loyal to her father, Tulomon Caze and Vendel. After he falls from favor, she flees with him into the wilderness. Throughout her harrowing travels, Arraleen learns how she’s connected to the goddess, Argonwui, who she knows as Agarra the Cruel. Though on the surface she’s a cold-hearted killer, [...]
Gujun the Slayer
Ex-gang member. Once the leader of the Silver Slayers, but now on the run. Wanted in Shen. Gujun did the traitor Magister Chulan’s wet work. A crafty killer and survivor. He finds himself at odds with Arraleen Caze and just about everyone else. As events pass and somehow, he keeps his head on his shoulders, Gujun discovers more about the world he lives in and learns, [...]
Grodu
Gujun’s friend. An ex gladiator from Golt, Grodu, serves Ulani III, the Yamondon king, as a spy. He met Gujun in Laregoza and becomes his ally. Has a reputation for always being in trouble.
Rogashi
Good natured Yamondon. Sees himself as Gujun’s ‘big brother.’ One of Tarkai Akashi’s best warriors. A keen fisher.
Kanemys
Also known as Kanny. Observant tavern girl who works as a spy for Genza’s enemy, Cama. Kanny becomes Gujun’s best friend and confidante. She finds herself embroiled in the war between Ran Genza and the Laregozans under Cama. She discovers the waif, Saryna, while lost in the wild. A strange occurrence which alters the course of her life.
Jaran Saerk
Jaran is an exile from Valkador and serves in the Sapphire Guard, a renowned regiment of Northmen in the Shen army. He keeps himself to himself but is terrible when roused. A berserker, feared on the battlefield. Becomes a legend among his comrades. A loner. This all changes when he discovers a witch has stolen his inheritance and murdered his father.
Savarna Eltayn
Born of Rundali nobility, Savarna and her twin Vian are both gifted killers. After the fall and ruin of their house, she’s captured but escapes and eventually allies herself with Jaran Saerk against the Ice Witch Sheega. She becomes his lover. Fiercely determined, Savarna’s half Aikashi and possesses a tiger spirit. Like her brother, she’s easily recognised for her bright red hair.
Vian Eltayn
Whereas his sister is fierce and proud, Vian’s quieter. Calm and measured. But just as lethal. A mystic and musician. Also, half Aikashi. Dragon spirit. Vian’s love and loss of Empress Rasnei finds him traveling through the dimensions. A time shifter. He is one of the few characters to feature in most the books.
Finvar Droll
Renegade thief. Midnight Cutting Crew gang member and outlaw on the run. Scrawny conniver and wit. Finvar discovers he can fly, albeit badly. He convinces Jaran that he’s a friend and becomes an unwitting participant in the struggle against Sheega.
Gunsala
The only person to like Finvar. Gunsala’s a healer. Gifted by the mysterious Traveler, she discovers herself a Vulkorye Warrior. She joins Finvar in the fight against Sheega.
Genza
Son of Ran Calla. Youngest of nine Ragans (princes.) A lazy and violent ruler. Genza is the only son that stays in Cardalan, thus avoiding the disaster that claims his father and most of his brothers’ lives. Ambitious, cunning and cruel.
Valgarn
Sheega’s middle son. Born in Valkador. A Berserker, and vengeful killer. Valgarn is brighter than his brothers and sets out to learn the whereabouts of his hated cousin, Jaran Saerk.
Garland
Ariane’s chosen captain. Former sergeant in the Bear Regiment. The Journeyman. Garland gets tasked with finding Tamersane, the queen’s missing cousin. His journey takes him far into the unknown realms across the great steppes. He soon becomes enmeshed in a maze of sorcery and war, surrounding an ancient foe and the legendary bow, Kerasheva. Garland is stalwart, strong and dependable. But he’s no longer young, and [...]
Tamersane
Also known as Tam. Joking charmer turned bitter soak. Loved by Teret. Served in the war with Caswallon. A friend of Corin. Tam’s cheerful character changes after killing his treacherous brother. He works as a spy for Ariane in the east after the war, moving to dangerous Ptarni with his lover, Teret. He seeks solace with the poppy. When Teret gets abducted by an old enemy, [...]
Teret
Proud Rorshai. This Kaan’s daughter is tough and resourceful. She loves Tamersane but worries that she will lose him after they move to Ptarni. After being abducted and escaping, she discovers she has a key part in the fight against the witches who have stolen Kerasheva. She becomes a friend of the lost sailor, Carlo Sarfe.
Dunrae Tarn
Doomed champion. Jynn’s bagman. The Avenger. Dunrae’s tale is old. He and his friend Sir Valen fought in the Chaos Wars and, as mercenaries, committed atrocities. At the end of that war, they got a choice. Redeem your souls and work as a champion for Jynn the Weaver’s eye. Dunrae accepted, whereas Sir Valen stayed with the servants of Old Night. After that, they became the [...]
Zorc
Urgolais warlock and canny trickster. Zorc is a relic from a former time. One of the hated Urgolais warlocks almost destroyed in the ruinous war with their golden brethren, the Aralais. Zorc survived and readdresses some myths surrounding his people and why they’re so despised. He joins Garland and Dunrae Tarn in their fight to reclaim the missing the bow. Zorc’s knowledge of dark sorcery proves [...]
Stogi
The former Tseole horse-thief becomes Tam’s friend. Stogi has a wry sense of humor and accepts most things as fate. He loves Tai Pei who doesn’t seem to like him. He hates water and finds himself stuck in the middle of the ocean. Stogi plays a key part in the struggle against the master of Graywash Hall.
Tai Pei
Freed from the mines, this slave and former scion of the once exalted House Vayn is an unaccomplished warrior. Tai Pei carries a kariya––a slim Jian type sword that only Shen assassin may use. She plays a key part in the last events after the attack on Graywash Hall. Despite what he thinks, she is fond of Stogi. Tai Pei also possesses some basic sorcery skills [...]
Corin an Fol
Six of the Legends feature Corin an Fol. The Mercenary Trilogy tells of his years serving in the Wolf Regiment and Silon the Merchant, mostly in Permio. The following three books (The Crystal Crown Trilogy) tell of Corin’s part in the war with Caswallon, the Sorcerer. A man of mystery. On the surface, he appears a moody, distant character. With thuggish tendencies and bad temper. [...]
Ariane
Queen of Kelwyn. First appears in The Mercenary Trilogy but stars as one of the principal characters of the Crystal Crown Trilogy. Ariane is headstrong and passionate. A leader. Known for her impatience and abrupt manner. Trained to fight by the king’s guard. Foul-mouthed, she’s courageous but impulsive. Also has a stubborn streak like her father, King Nogel. Ariane is one of the few people to [...]
Silon
Corin’s employer after leaving the Wolves. A wealthy and successful merchant, but spends most of his time scheming and working as a spy for the High King, and later Queen Ariane. Clever and devious, he’s one of the first to suspect Caswallon’s treachery in Kelthaine. Persuades Corin to join her rebels and take up against Caswallon.
Shallan
The Duke of Morwella’s aloof daughter has many secrets. She is kind, but prone to moods. She falls for Corin after they meet, as he’s so unlike any other she’s known. The mystery surrounding her mother’s death haunts Shallan, and revelations about her real father lead to profound discoveries. She is an accomplished archer.
Barin
Barin of Valkador is a household name in Ansu. A renown voyager in his later years and the Jarle of the island king, Valkador. A proud Northman who loves his wife and two daughters but spends most of his time at sea. His ship––the Starlight Wanderer––is key in saving Ariane from Crenna and plays a big part in the war against Caswallon. Barin is mostly a [...]
Cale
As a boy, Cale crept out from the slums of Kelthara. He’s a rogue and vagabond thief with a good heart. Has a glib tongue and adores Ariane who adopts him as a stray. Later, he becomes more or less respectable and takes part in the war against Caswallon. After the Happening, adult Cale serves the new High King as Captain of Guard at Car Carranis. [...]
