Vanos Al Myrna – Sword of the Realm, Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches.
Dahrena Al Myrna – Lonak foundling, adopted daughter of Vanos.
The Noble House of Sendahl
Artis Al Sendahl – First Minister of the Council of Unity.
Nortah Al Sendahl – Brother of the 6th Order, son to Artis, Vaelin’s comrade.
The Noble House of Hestian
Lakrhil Al Hestian – Lord Marshal of the King’s 27th Regiment of Horse, later Battle Lord of the King’s Host.
Linden Al Hestian – Lord Marshal of the King’s 35th Regiment of Foot, son to Lakrhil, friend to Vaelin.
Alucius Al Hestian – Poet and second son to Lakrhil.
The Sixth Order of the Faith
Gainyl Arlyn – Aspect of the 6th Order, Vaelin’s superior.
Sollis – Swordmaster and Brother Commander of the 6th Order, Vaelin’s Master.
Caenis Al Nysa – Brother of the 6th Order, third son of the House of Nysa, Vaelin’s comrade.
Barkus Jeshua – Brother of the 6th Order, son of a Nilsaelin blacksmith, Vaelin’s comrade.
Dentos – Brother of the 6th Order, Vaelin’s comrade.
Frentis – urchin and pick-pocket, later Brother of the 6th Order, friend to Vaelin.
Makril – Brother of the 6th Order, renowned tracker and later Brother Commander.
Rensal – Master of Horse.
Chekril – Master of Hounds.
Hutril – Hunt Master.
Jestin – Master of the Smithy.
The Fifth Order of the Faith
Elera Al Mendah – Aspect of the 5th Order.
Sherin – sister of the 5th Order, friend to Vaelin, later Mistress of Curatives.
Gilmer – sister of the 5th Order, attached to the 35th regiment of foot.
Harin – Master of Bone Lore to the 5th Order.
Sellin – veteran brother of the 5th Order, Gatekeeper to the Order House.
Others
Scratch – Volarian slave-hound, friend to Vaelin.
Spit – Warhorse of foul temper, Vaelin’s mount.
Nirka Smolen – Captain of the 3rd Company, King’s Mounted Guard.
Sentes Mustor – Drunkard, Heir to the Fief Lordship of Cumbrael.
Hentes Mustor – Younger brother to Sentes, called the Trueblade.
Lartek Molnar – Finance Minister of the Council of Unity.
Dendrish Hendrahl – Aspect of the 3rd Order.
Tendris Al Forne – brother of the 4th Order and servant of the Council for Heretical Transgressions, later Aspect of the 4th order.
Liesa Ilnien – Aspect of the 2nd Order.
Theros Linel – Fief Lord of Renfael, Vassal to Janus.
Darnel Linel – son to Theros, Heir to the Fief Lordship of Renfael.
Banders – Knight and Baron of Renfael, bondsman to Theros.
Gallis – climber, criminal and later sergeant in the 35th regiment of foot.
Janril Norin – former apprentice minstrel, later standard bearer in the 35th regiment of foot.
Bren Antesh – Captain of Cumbraelin archers during the Alpiran war.
Count Marven – Commander of the Nilsaelin Contingent during the Alpiran war.
The Alpiran Empire
Aluran Maxtor Selsus – Emperor.
Seliesen Maxtor Aluran – (Eruhin: The Hope) adopted son to Aluran, Chosen Heir to the Imperial Throne.
Emeren Nasur Ailers – Wife of Seliesen.
Verniers Alishe Someren – Imperial Chronicler.
Neliesen Nester Hevren – Captain in the Imperial Guard.
Holus Nester Aruan – Governor of the City of Linesh.
Merulin Nester Velsus – Imperial Grand Prosecutor.
Ahm Lin – Stonemason of Far Western origin.
Meldenean Islands
Atheran Ell-Nestra – Meldenean Sea Captain and Shield of the Isles.
Carval Nurin – Captain of the Red Falcon, Later Ship Lord.
Seordah Sil
Nersus Sil Nin (Song of the Wind)
Hera Drakil (Red Falcon)
Appendix II: The Rules of Keschet
Keschet is played by two players on a board of one hundred squares. Each player begins the game with 1 Emperor, 1 General, 1 Scholar, 2 Merchants, 3 Thieves, 4 Lancers, 5 Archers and 8 Spearmen.
At the start of the game a player may place any piece in any square in the first three rows at their end of the board. The opposing player will then place a piece of their choosing in the first three rows of their end of the board. All pieces are then placed on the board in turn. The player who placed the first piece then makes the first move.
A piece is taken if the square it occupies is occupied by an opposing piece. The game is won if the Emperor is taken or if the Emperor is the only piece remaining the losing player.
Any piece in an adjoining square to the Scholar is protected and cannot be taken.
The Scholar may move one or two squares in any direction.
The Emperor can move up to four squares in any direction.
The General can move up to ten squares in any direction.
The Archer can move a up to six squares vertically or horizontally.
The Thief can move one square in any direction. A player has the use of any piece taken by the Thief.
The Spearman can move up to two squares vertically or horizontally.