Daron Solus (dare-ON SO-lus) – Duke of Val Solus and Talaren’s father, Daron is a renowned strategist and tactician, famous for halting the Bhellan advance into Valeran during the Bhellan Revolution at the Battle of the Gilden Hills. He is among the most trusted of advisors to King Garant, and has been working closely with the monarch to ensure Valeran’s political stability into the future.
Garant Zherrane (gare-ANT ZAIR-ane) – The current King of Valeran, Garant’s reign has been largely defined by the events of the Bhellan Revolution, in which his nation broke into three competing kingdoms. With his sons all slain in the fighting, Garant is now deeply concerned with establishing a clear line of succession to prevent order in his country from deteriorating further upon his death.
Joren Jerak (JORE-en JAIR-ack) – Heir to the Archduchy of Val Jerak, Joren frequently finds himself in competition with Talaren for reputation and renown. His resentment at being regularly outperformed by his rival in this regard serves only to add fuel to the adversarial relationship between Houses Jerak and Solus.
Kherzul Meravos (CARE-zool mare-uh-VOSS) – The King of the breakaway nation Bhellus, Kherzul came to the throne under questionable circumstances and is believed by many in the north to have had a hand in the hunting accident which claimed the life of his father and allowed his own advancement.
Kyril Damarrian (KEY-rill da-MARE-ee-an) – A Guardian of the Jhessaillian Order, Kyril’s most noticeable qualities include his sharp wit and a passion for the finer things in life. Cunning and exceptionally well-informed, his assistance is a boon to Talaren but his affiliation with the Order often leaves his true loyalties and motivations open to question.
Malry Zhierren (MAL-ree ZEE-ren) – Arguably the finest swordsman in the north, Malry attained the title of Armslord in his twenties and has borne it with honor and distinction for the better part of four decades. Making the acquaintance of Daron Solus during the Bhellan Revolution, he was later retained by the Duke to instruct Talaren in the fighting arts of the Armslords.
Rania Amoran (ra-NYA ah-MORE-an) – The sole surviving member of House Amoran, Rania’s whereabouts for the last fifteen years are unknown and she was widely believed to have died in the same mysterious attack that took the lives of her parents. Reappearing as the last of the legendary Shevestra’ken, she is driven by her thirst for vengeance but suffers from a supernatural affliction that threatens to rob her of her sanity.
Talaren Solus (TAL-air-en SO-lus) – Commonly regarded as the most promising of Valeran’s upcoming generation of nobility, Talaren represents the combination of his father’s tactical expertise and Armslord mastery in single combat. Though benefitting from superlative training and education, Tal lacks practical experience and his lofty personal ideals occasionally clash with the political reality of his position.
Tazmin Joseth (TAZ-min JOE-seth) – Lighthearted and jovial, Tazmin is Talaren’s cousin and best friend. As the heir to the Barony of Val Joseth, he enjoys the perks and privileges of his position, though not quite so much as he enjoys a night out drinking and carousing.
Zharkus Jerak (ZAR-kus JAIR-ack) – The Archduke of Val Jerak, Zharkus is a proud and prickly man, vigilant in trying to maintain the lofty standing of his House. That standing was damaged during the Bhellan Revolution when he dug his forces in for a prolonged siege from the Bhellan invaders, only to have them ride past and into Valeran leaving behind only a token force to keep him pinned inside his city. Daron Solus was later promoted to the title of Duke from Baron for routing that same force, and House Solus’s rise in the wake of his own loss of face is an irritant that plagues Zharkus to this day.