Who's Who?
The total number of named characters in the first six novels, not even counting work in progress or associated shorts and novellas, several of which are freely available to read on Substack, is not far short of three hundred. (If I included named horses we’d be well past the triple century.) Obviously, many of these are minor figures whose names may only appear once or twice, but there’s still a substantial number of characters who recur more often and play some definite role in moving the story along. I’ve tried, here, to gather together all the names which recur and which might just have you thinking, I’ve seen that name before, but can’t quite recall who they are…
Be warned, though. If you delve too deep into this page before you’ve read well into the series, you’re going to encounter some pretty thumping spoilers. I can’t see any way to avoid this altogether, but proceed at your own risk.
This page uses the following abbreviations: Three Kinds of North: 3KN; The Sundering Wall: TSW; Vows and Watersheds: VAW; The Skilthorn Congress: SC; Stones and Secrets: SAS; The Silence of Numikès: SN
Point of View Characters
Jerya (POV in 3KN, TSW, VAW, and TSC)
Backbone character of the series, beginning as a patchily self-educated 19-year-old in the remote village of Delven. Chosen (in highly irregular fashion) as a Dawnsinger at the opening of 3KN, she’s escorted to the College in Carwerid by Rodal. At first she embraces her new life but later becomes disenchanted and leads Railu and Rodal on a daring venture across the mountains.
In TSW, both she and Railu are enslaved for a time but Jerya is soon freed and begins to fashion some kind of new life for herself.
In VAW, now a trusted secretary in the house of Duncal and governess to Embrel, she meets Hedric. They soon become friends and a deeper attachment begins to grow. Discovering that the Duke of Selton is planning a strong expedition to find a crossing of the mountains, she and Hedric set off to the Sung Lands to warn the Dawnsingers.
In SC, freshly ennobled as Countess of Skilthorn, Jerya presides over a Congress bringing together Dawnsingers and men of science from the Five Principalities. Later, she discovers she is pregnant.
In SAS, Jerya accompanies Embrel and Sumyra on a trip to the Sung Lands, and once again butts heads with her old adversary Perriad.
She’ll return as a POV character in Book Seven.
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Rodal (POV in 3KN and TSW)
c20 years old in 3KN, escorts Jerya to the city, becomes attached to Annyt, but feels duty-bound to accompany Jerya and Railu into the mountains.
In TSW, after Jerya and Railu are enslaved, he sets out to learn more of the Five Principalities and earn money in hopes of being able to rescue them. Discovers a new life sailing on the Levore and is strongly tempted to jettison his obligations to them and to Annyt.
Eventually he returns to the Sung Lands, marries Annyt, and they take over the tavern in Carwerid formerly run by her parents.
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Railu (POV in SC)
A Novice Dawnsinger, 19 yo, in 3KN. Specialising in Healing Arts and reckoned to show great promise. Becomes Jerya’s friend and lover. Upon Ordination, she is sent (through Perriad’s malice) to be Dawnsinger in Delven but is persuaded to accompany Jerya into the mountains.
In TSW, reaching the Five Principalities, they are enslaved. Railu falls pregnant (result of single amorous encounter with Rodal) and gives birth to Embrel, who is adopted by the childless Squire and Lady Duncal.
In SC, now free, and serving as housekeeper at Duncal, she is also clandestinely working as a healer. She travels to Skilthorn to help Jerya in running the Congress, meets Skelber, and they become attached. Through Fulmer’s meddling she’s accused of practising medicine without a licence, but the tribunal chooses to recognise her Dawnsinger training.
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Hedric (POV in VAW)
Hedric Pendeen, also Hedric of Kirwaugh, heir to the Earldom of Skilthorn. Travels to the Sung Lands with Jerya, later marries her.
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Mavrys (POV in SC)
Mavrys of Carinnan, daughter of a noted horse-breeder and trainer. After her father’s death her mother and uncle seek to marry her off against her will. She flees to Skilthorn and Jerya agrees to take her in. For a time she lives as a slave, becoming attached to Vireddi, and later works in the stable, ultimately becoming Mistress of Horse.
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Skelber (POV in SC)
Gallem Skelber, a doctor. Attending the Skilthorn Congress, he meets Railu and they gradually fall in love. The book ends with their wedding, and plans to run the clinic in Drumlenn together.
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Sumyra (POV in SAS)
Skelber’s daughter, whose mother died when she was young. She’s 12 when first seen, in SC, and 19 in SAS. Later, a teacher at Skilthorn and author of Tales From The Sung Lands.
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Embrel (POV in SAS)
Raised as son and heir of Squire and Lady Duncal, at the start of the book (aged 20) he is unaware that he is in fact the natural son of Railu and Rodal.
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Numikès (POV in SN)
Sole narrator of the eponymous novel (authored by Vireddi). Initially a slave in the house of Arkenshaw, she becomes maid to Lady Telfrid. This is the starting point of journeys both literal and metaphorical.
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Vireddi (Author of SN)
Not strictly a POV character, but worth including here as the real author of SN. A slave, aged about 17, first met in SC, where she befriends Mavrys; later they (unofficially) marry. Initially illiterate, she learns rapidly, becomes an avid reader, and then, with support from Mavrys, begins to write.
Other Key Characters
Sharess
Delven’s Dawnsinger in 3KN, whose irregular Choosing of Jerya launches the story. In TSW it’s revealed that she is Jerya’s mother.
Holdren
Delven’s headman in 3KN. In TSW it’s revealed that he’s Jerya’s father.
Perriad
Senior Tutor of the Dawnsingers’ College in 3KN, who accepts Jerya despite her irregular Choosing. Her high-handed attitude and virtual banishment of Railu precipitate Railu’s and Jerya’s exit from the Guild. A staunch traditionalist, with a profound grudge against Jerya, she is the key antagonist in both VAW and SAS. In VAW she briefly becomes Master Prime.
Analind
In 3KN, a Novice alongside Jerya and Railu. Roommates with Jerya for a time, their friendship eventually rekindles in VAW, near the end of which she succeeds Evisyn as Master of Peripatetics. Will reappear in Book 7.
Duncal
Eglar Duncal is Squire of the Duncal estate. Married to Pichenta, they become owners of Jerya (for a few months) and Railu (for nearly 10 years), adoptive parents of Embrel.
Rhenya
A slave at Duncal and for a while the lover of both Jerya and Railu.
Tavy
Properly Tavistan, son of the Duke of Selton, part of his father’s party in VAW which makes the first Crossing of the Southern route. Will play a small but significant role in Book 7.
Evisyn
A Dawnsinger, Master of Peripatetics at the opening of VAW. Jerya’s staunchest ally in the turbulent days either side of the arrival of the Selton expedition. Following the rise and fall of Perriad, she becomes Master Prime. In this capacity she attends the Congress in SC. Will return in Book 7.
Sokkie
Properly, Sokisel. Daughter of Rodal and Annyt. An infant in VAW, but a feisty 14-year-old in SAS. Accompanies Jerya, Sumyra, and Embrel on the eventful trip to Delven.
Torvyn
Daughter of Jerya and Hedric, fully Lady Torvyn Sharess Railu Delven-Pendeen. Unborn at end of TSC, glimpsed as a 7-year-old in SAS and again, aged about 12, in SN. Will be a POV character in Book 7.
Telfrid
Lady Telfrid of Arkenshaw, becomes Numikès’s mistress. Marries Lord Kamaril, initiating travels which will take her across three Principalities and ultimately to the Sung Lands.
Kamaril
Lord Kamaril of Emerall, husband of Telfrid.
Secondary Characters
Annyt: informally betrothed to Rodal in 3KN, later his wife, and mother to Sokkie.
Marit: in 3KN, Dawnsinger at Thrushgill. Later moved to Delven to replace Sharess.
Berrivan: a Dawnsinger, Master of Healers.
Brinbeth: a Dawnsinger, who disciplines Jerya in 3KN but offers support in SAS.
Jossena: a Dawnsinger. In 3KN, First Tutor in Astronomy, later Senior Tutor.
Skarat: a Dawnsinger, Tutor in Cartography in 3KN and VAW.
Yanil: a Dawnsinger, Tutor in Mathematics, mentor to Jerya.
Croudor: in TSW, a ship-mate of Rodal on the Levore.
Grauven: in TSW, a ship-mate of Rodal on the Levore.
Grevel: in TSW, overseer at Duncal, disapproves of Jerya. In VAW it’s revealed that he subsequently embezzled a substantial sum and absconded. In SS Jerya discovers by chance that he’s living in Velyadero, and is able to bring about partial restitution.
Haulton Filder: in TSW, Skipper of the Levore. Reappears in the Epilogue to VAW.
Keeving: overseer of the Drumlenn slave-market in TSW, brutalises Jerya and Railu.
Narèni: a young woman of Sessapont, driven into prostitution, becomes enamoured of Rodal.
Whallin: a slave at Duncal in TSW, coachman and carer of horses.
Ashlem: Rodal's mother.
Sardain: Rodal's father.
Dortis: a young slave at Skilthorn who cares for the old Earl in VAW (and interprets his incoherent speech). Later an apprentice to Railu.
Elifian: a young Dawnsinger in VAW.
Elleret: a slave acquired by Jerya after being tongue-clipped and discarded by a previous owner. Learns to speak again and becomes Jerya’s loyal attendant.
Ferrowby: in VAW, Hedric’s cousin and rival for the inheritance of Skilthorn.
Katellen: a Dawnsinger, Master Prime for the first part of VAW.
Kurslan: in VAW, a Master of the Guild of Dawnsingers.
Vakosh: in VAW, a Master of the Guild of Dawnsingers.
Brellas: in SC, the man intended for Mavrys’s husband; Mavrys later engineers his attachment with her mother instead.
Deneval: in SC, mother of Mavrys.
Thiseman in SC, uncle of Mavrys. Having frittered away the stock at Carinnan, seeks to make an advantageous marriage for his niece.
Riccart: in SC a young man put forward to marry Mavrys after betrothal to Brellas falls apart.
Mardom: in SC, a stable-hand at Skilthorn; becomes Mavrys’s staunchest ally.
Crimmon: in SC, a stable-hand at Skilthorn; becomes an ally of Mavrys.
Tharshin: in SC, a stable-hand at Skilthorn; never an ally of Mavrys, leaves when she becomes Mistress of Horse
Renfrith: in SC, Master of Horse. Dismissed for conspiring to harm Mavrys, replaced by Renfrith.
Haldrow: in SC, replaces Renfrith as Master of Horse. Dismissed for unfairly disciplining Mavrys.
Le’ast: in SC, a doctor and senior figure in the Denvirran Association of Physicians. Conducts the hearing into Railu’s unlicensed practice.
Fulmer: in SC, a doctor and aide to Le’ast. Rival of Skelber, prosecutes Railu.
Shevra: in SC and SS, a senior slave at Skilthorn.
Corysse: in SS, a young Dawnsinger visiting Drumlenn, has a brief fling with Sumyra.
Chamion: in SS, a Dawnsinger, an ally of Perriad
Sesmy: in SS, a Dawnsinger, an ally of Perriad
Elidir: in SS, a Dawnsinger, initially an ally of Perriad, later more sceptical. Embrel is infatuated with her.
Seyólu: in SS, a woman of Kermey. Mother of Railu.
Nóèttu: in SS, a young woman of Kermey, whose mother and Railu were childhood friends. Lovers with Sumyra for a time.
Verris: in SS, one of Embrel’s friends at University.
Claife Henty: in SS, one of Embrel’s friends at University.
(Dunmall) Riber: in SS, a Professor at the University of Velyadero, prime supporter of the admission of women.
Meirzem: in SS, 12yo daughter of Riber.
Birchen: in SS, a Professor at the University of Velyadero, opposes the admission of women.
Gethren: in SN, a slave of whom Numikès is fond, but sold away before the relationship fully develops.
Berravoe: in SN, a slave, in charge of the shaving-room at Arkenshaw.
Chayben: in SN, a young man who has secret assignations with Telfrid, who uses Numikès as a go-between.
Richenne; in SN, maid to Telfrid until she reveals her mistress’s dealings with Chayben
Varwen: in SN, a slave, overseer of household slaves, picks on Numikès.
Lady Evinèd: in SN, older sister of Telfrid.
Lady Meirleth: in SN, oldest sister of Telfrid. Mentioned frequently but never appears in person.
Lord Alandel: in SN, husband of Evinèd, helps arrange Telfrid’s marriage with Lord Kamaril.
Lady Lowreth: in SN, a widow, who cares for Numikès after she’s fished from the river. Later an ally of Telfrid and Numikès.
Heruvel: in SN, a Dawnsinger and Healer, who attends Numikès at Lady Lowreth’s house.
Vetchel: in SN, a slave, attendant to Lord Kamaril.
The Margravine: in SN, a high-ranking noblewoman who helps Telfrid and Numikès escape. Possibly a parallel for Jerya.
'Lordship': in SN, never named. Telfrid’s uncle and the head of the House of Arkenshaw.
Lord Teldwyn: in SN, father of Telfrid.
Lady Keerling: in SN, mother of Telfrid.
Lady Iralan: in SN, mother of Lord Kamaril.
Lord Geryon: in SN, brother of Lord Kamaril, heir apparent to headship of House Emerall.
Lady Nianèri: in SN, wife of Lord Geryon.
Orumès: in SN, sister of Lord Kamaril, approx same age as Telfrid, but straight-laced and disapproving.
Artian: in SN, a deckhand on the Solan Goose, takes a fancy to Numikès.
Caelwyn: in SN, a Dawnsinger and Tutor at the College
Elindu: in SN, a Dawnsinger, first met at Under-Keldash. First to discern that telfrid and Numikès could be sisters.
Gulesni: in SN, a Dawnsinger, met at Under-Keldash
Kelidet: in SN, a Dawnsinger, met at Under-Keldash
Brandaya: in SN, one of the sisters who run the tavern in Carwerid where Telfrid and Numikès find work.
Ythara: in SN, one of the sisters who run the tavern in Carwerid where Telfrid and Numikès find work.
Endèri Kerron: in SN, interviews and profiles Vireddi (appended after the main text)
Vrenya Farray-Apstone: in SN, a member of the publishing house which reissues The Silence of Numikès almost 80 years after first publication.
