Shagron, Holy Warrior of Ukko – An aging Avar warrior nearing his mid-40’s, Shagron is past the age where most adventurers would have chosen to retire and settle into an easier way of life. Plagued by demons – literally and figuratively – he continues to travel the land, righting-wrongs and enforcing the law, until he finds himself pursued by the law for the murder of the Arch Bishop of Ukko in Mercurum. Betrayed by his order, he does not deny the act – he was doing as the laws of his faith commanded – but he lacks the evidence to clear his name. Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in his beliefs, and will not yield to any who say otherwise. Hardened by time and experience, he relies on his faith to give him the strength to do whatever needs to be done, and shuns the practice of magic and stitching that has begun common among the Avars, seeing such shortcuts to power as unearned and dangerous.
Omar Stiletto – a streetwise youth, wise beyond his fourteen years, Omar is ambitious, power-hungry, and fueled by a desire for revenge, against any whom he perceives to have wronged him. Upon learning about the potential power to be gained from ‘stitching’ Omar is quick to steal the means of doing it himself, and does not hesitate to find ways to increase his fame, wealth, or power. Dabbling in magic, thievery, and the tricks that can be played in the shadows, he learned early in life that there is a price for everything, and that everyone has their price.
Lady Darellan Fenndragon – Dar is a true Taltos – a witch woman born into strange powers that connect her to the land. Though common to most villages, as healers and removers-of-curses, Dar’s connection is stronger than most, fueled by her bloodline and years of study of other magicks. With a disdain for ‘stitching’ she has grown her knowledge through many years of travel and adventuring, only recently settling down – briefly – to be an advisor to Prince Svatopluk, for reasons of her own.
Ralof – a man of the cloth, a cook, and a healer, Ralof is driven by his faith in a higher power than man, and has grown old in the service of his congregation. When that is taken from him by the dictates of the Imperium, he finds himself morally adrift and simply ‘going through the motions’ to please the new overlords of the Avar. When his conscience re-awakes and he finds the courage to do the right thing, he eventually finds himself drawn back to his true faith…
Jason Greymantle – a young, renegade scout captain of the Imperial Legion, Jason fell in love with the Avar lands – and one Avar in particular – breaking with his commanders and forging his own path. Cunning, stealthy, and quick, he is a lethal opponent for any who stand between him and his search for his missing fiancé. Settling in the Avar lands after rejecting the Legion call to return home, he has laid claim to an abandoned estate outside of Mercurum from which the people have given him his namesake title. His devastating trap for the Legions at Lakhani Plain has earned him a reputation for bringing death – as well as several other nicknames among the people – many of whom sought him out for this very reason, hoping for his protection from the plague-born.
Ferenc – formerly Jason’s second-in-command, Ferenc follows Jason now as much for the adventure as anything else. Young and quick with his blade, he is equally adept with a bow, having mastered the hunting skills needed to be an effective scout for the Legions. As Jason follows his heart to find Katerina, Ferenc finds himself envious of his commanders good fortune in finding Katerina, and wishing he and Kiara were something more…
Kiara – as a member of Jason’s scout unit, Kiara found herself drawn to follow the charismatic young captain wherever he decided to go, and so when that meant abandoning the Legion and staying in the Seven Kingdoms, she did not hesitate. A master of the bow, on foot or mounted, she finds herself constantly competing with her skills to prove herself worthy of her role amongst the other men of his command. Drawn to him by an unrequited hope, she holds her tongue as he courts Katerina, grateful to be near his side as they travel and adventure together.
Torick – Secretive and secluded, Torick is one of the few remaining Angyalok to be found in Vengriya. He prefers to keep a low profile and avoids interacting with the common folk unless absolutely necessary. He has several abodes that he calls home, including a small tower in the market in Mercurum, which he only uses because he won it in a duel. An adventurer by trade, and a mage by training, he has learned his craft through years of study, travel, and research, preferring not to enhance his skills through shortcuts like ‘stitching’. His inherent distrust of the Avar people is not unfounded, but he will use his skills to help others when it is to his benefit as well.
Louhi – a witch woman, herbalist, healer, and shaman, Louhi is the keeper of many secrets, and seeks to constantly meddle in the affairs of men. Bemoaning the loss of so much ancient knowledge, she is determined to bring back the old magic, recruiting those whom she can find that would be willing to learn the mystical arts, and even encouraging many to risk the dangers that come from ‘stitching’ to long dead ancestors to access the forgotten powers they used to wield. Aged, wrinkled, and decrepit, her appearances are deceiving, as she has been known to take many forms. Some even whisper, in bedtime stories for their children, that she is the goddess of magic herself, interfering when others of her kind have stepped back from the world, and that good children should stay in bed lest Louhi steal the toes of any feet that might dangle over the side of the bed…!
Voros Vazul (Vaszoly) – long thought dead, Voros Vazul was an Angyalok wizard who defied the conventional wisdom of his own people, and over-indulged in the practice of ‘stitching’ to connect his mind with the ancient wisdom & powers of the ancient Angyalok. Seeking the strength to fight back against the betrayal of the Avars, wanting to fight while the other Angyalok fled, he lost his mind to the magic of the stitching and fell into madness. When finally defeated by Avar mages, they believed the danger to be ended, but rumours have begun that there is a madness behind the plagues that have been afflicting Vengriya – the madness of Vaszoly!
Prince Svatopluk – There hasn’t been a ‘Grand Prince’ of Vengriya in nearly three generations. Arch-Duke and current ruler of the Principality of Nyirseg, Prince Sato has ambitions to become the next Grand Prince, filling the void left by the departing Imperium. But first he must save the people of Nyirseg – even better for his ambitions if he saves the whole of Vengriya – from whatever is causing the great plagues that have been growing more deadly with each passing week…