1. Nehima
1.1. Daughter of Helre and Oranis
1.2. Mute, communicates with telepathy
2. Helre
2.1. Primordial deity
2.2. Main antagonist
2.2.1. Direct foil to her brother, who loves humanity, who wanted to save her.
2.3. Originally a force of creation, her powers have been warped by her imprisonment. Now she's wholly a force of destruction.
2.3.1. As a child, both she and her twin, Vero, were powerful beyond comparison.
2.3.2. Vero had better control, and used his powers for creation. Helre tried, but all of her attempts were uncontrollable.
2.3.3. Eventually Helre began to resent people for treating her differently, for being afraid of her. Her creations became more violent, more out of control.
3. Vero
4. Issa
4.1. High Maegi
4.2. Thought to be Emerald level, but actually Onyx
4.3. "Mother" of Settima
4.3.1. Being a shapeshifter has a few perks. If that's what you want to call them.
4.3.2. Never told Ersken about their daughter
4.3.3. Sent her off to be raised at the temple, where she began working for the Lord's family
4.4. Loves Ersken, but is convinced Ersken is safer without him
4.5. Raised Ersken from the dead after making a deal with the equivalent of a crossroads demon for power.
5. Oranis
5.1. Thought to have perished in a freak snowstorm
5.2. Actually alive, and helping Helre break free
5.3. Tells Sornja that Nehima is her daughter... But in reality, she is Helre's.
5.4. He cares for Sornja but can't see beyond his own ambition.
6. Sornja
6.1. Has been away from home for 10 years
6.1.1. She left when she was 18, after obtaining her Shield.
6.1.2. She discovered she was pregnant just before her Ordeal.
6.1.2.1. She passed her Ordeal, but sustained serious injury
6.1.2.2. She was treated by the doctors, who discovered her little secret. They couldn't save the child.
6.1.2.3. She was then called before her Lord (read: father) who figures out how to best deal with her.
6.1.2.4. Her mother died giving birth to her, so she is all alone.
6.1.3. Her punishment was diplomatic banishment to Ruluong, a Far East outpost dominated by women.
6.2. She only returns to Duir upon learning her Lord-Father has called her back -- he's dying.
7. Ersken
7.1. Fallen nobility
7.1.1. Father keeps scheming ways to usurp the throne, or at least more power.
7.1.2. Ersken just wants to be left alone with his toys.
7.2. Travels around, running away from his problems.
7.2.1. At some point he runs into Sornja and Settima
7.2.2. Begins traveling with them, because being part of a band of misfits if better than being alone.
7.2.2.1. He and Sornja are kindred spirits - they fall into each others arms, but there's no love there, just understanding.
7.2.2.2. Still very much in love with Issa.
7.3. Inventor & alchemist
7.4. After Issa pushing him away, he became reckless. He put himself in harm's way one too many times, and got himself killed.
7.5. Issa brought him back, at great personal cost. He now has a glyph burned into his chest.
7.6. Even without knowing Settima is his daughter, he grows to care for her very deeply, and becomes protective of her.
7.6.1. "If I had to chose a dad," scene
7.6.2. He notices the similarities between her and Issa, and grows suspicious.