A Foreboding of Woe characters

Appears from the start

A university professor, Red Guard consultant, and Sebastien's mentor. He studies the Raven Queen while negotiating access to a protected archaeological project, approaching both investigations as routes to otherwise restricted knowledge.

Appears from the start

A university history-department grandmaster who summons Thaddeus Lacer, questions him about the Raven Queen investigation, and controls access to protected archaeological material. The grandmaster offers information in exchange for Lacer's cooperation and secrecy.

First appears in chapter 2

A gifted university thaumaturge and Thaddeus Lacer's apprentice. During a defensive practical, Sebastien becomes the group's strategist, combining adaptable spellwork with a strong preference for keeping teammates alive.

First appears in chapter 2

Sebastien's trusted classmate and defensive-magic teammate. Damien contributes scouting and camouflage tools while following Sebastien's tactical lead.

First appears in chapter 4

A member of the Gervin family and one of Sebastien's allies. Anna responds to the defensive-practical alarm by helping contain damaging gossip and offering practical social support.

Also known as Nat

First appears in chapter 4

Anna's younger sister and another ally of Sebastien. Natalia joins Anna in planning a response to rumors after the university mistakes Sebastien's unusual conduit technique for dangerous magic, helping protect Sebastien's standing among the students.

First appears in chapter 5

A covert contact who passes along Thaddeus Lacer's request for a meeting with the Raven Queen. Oliver protects Sebastien's invented history while pursuing interests of his own, leaving her dependent on assistance whose full purpose she cannot safely assume.

First appears in chapter 8

An independent thaumaturge whom Oliver regards as trustworthy but not necessarily honorable. Sebastien considers Liza a possible custodian for sensitive property, yet remains unwilling to rely on her completely.

First appears in chapter 9

Damien's brother and the Lord Commander of the Coppers. Titus investigates Sebastien's background, her connection to Damien, and her association with Oliver, making him an official obstacle to her secrecy.

Also known as Chauvin, Silvia Nakai, Raven Queen

Appears from the start

Siobhan is Sebastien Siverling beneath a set of magical disguises and public identities. She uses these presentations to conduct covert work, negotiate through intermediaries, and keep the wanted Raven Queen separate from her university life.

First appears in chapter 10

A prognose woman attached to Lord Linwood's household and Millennium's mother. She agrees to deliver a covert letter and create a public distraction in exchange for a future spell meant to let her son sleep safely.

First appears in chapter 10

Head of the Linwood household and an affiliate of the Nightmare Pack. His home shelters Gera and Millennium and provides Siobhan with a discreet place to arrange services, communicate with trusted intermediaries, and appear as the Raven Queen.

Also known as Miles

First appears in chapter 10

Gera's fae-blooded son, troubled by predictive visions that disrupt his sleep. Millennium meets Siobhan at Lord Linwood's home, where she offers practical comfort while owing his mother a more durable solution.

First appears in chapter 11

Sebastien's imprisoned father. Sebastien expects his approaching sentencing to give the Coppers an occasion to renew their attempt to locate the Raven Queen.

First appears in chapter 14

A university contact whom Sebastien approaches for a discreet meeting, expecting Tanya to recognize an unsigned request without attracting attention.

First appears in chapter 15

A severely malnourished orphan whom Sebastien finds ill after eating unsafe food. Sebastien brings Betty to a healer and persuades the Lord Commander to pay for her treatment, overnight care, and short-term aid.

First appears in chapter 22

Millennium Linwood’s maid, who accompanies him and his protectors while they flee Pendragon operatives.

First appears in chapter 26

Katerine's nephew and one of the children held with Millennium in a sensory-deprivation prison. Theo is injured but alive when Siobhan finds the captives and begins organizing their escape from guards who are prepared to use lethal force.

First appears in chapter 26

A Verdant Stag enforcer imprisoned with the abducted civilians. Though badly beaten, Gerard remains able to organize the other captives as Siobhan works to free them, providing order while injuries and renewed attacks threaten the group.

First appears in chapter 26

A Verdant Stag enforcer gravely injured during the abduction. Turner has a serious broken leg when Siobhan finds him among the captives.

First appears in chapter 30

A Pendragon operative who abandons his former side during the escape. Anders accepts a bargain with Siobhan in exchange for healing and extending the life of his disabled dog, then helps the captives evade the organization he previously served.

First appears in chapter 30

A defecting Pendragon operative who helps conceal the escape group. Parker worries that association with Siobhan will endanger his daughter and aunt, and seeks protection for them in exchange for further service.

First appears in chapter 33

A senior Verdant Stag operator and aunt of one of the rescued children. Katerine arrives at the warded arena after learning that the children are safe.

First appears in chapter 35

A burned survivor of the abduction and an outspoken follower of the Raven Queen. Deidre plans to collect accounts from the rescued captives, helping turn their incomplete observations into a shared legend.

First appears in chapter 35

Anders’s elderly, gravely injured dog. Siobhan has promised to restore Bear’s health and grant him an exceptionally long life.

First appears in chapter 36

A Pendragon operative who survives Siobhan's shadow creature entering his body. Healers cannot determine its continuing effect on Jorgensen.

First appears in chapter 40

Siobhan's short-lived persona for gaining access to Willowdale alongside Liza. The disguise casts her as Liza's relative from Silva Erde and an apprentice healer.

First appears in chapter 40

A surviving archaeologist from the Black Wastes expedition. Edgar is paranoid, prone to hallucinations, and detached from his own name, but remains a possible witness to what was recovered from Merton's hermitage.

First appears in chapter 45

A university grandmaster connected to the Architects of Khronos. Kiernan seeks Merton's alleged process for converting magical beast cores into usable solarium.

Also known as Anna Gervin

First appears in chapter 47

Anastasia Gervin is Sebastien's ally Anna Gervin. She openly supports and protects Sebastien during a difficult meeting with Oliver Dryden.

First appears in chapter 56

An unidentified Red Guard operative who confines Siobhan in a distorted space and imposes a three-minute contest with lethal terms. The agent wields a parasitic aberrant flesh glove that can sever physical matter and magical connections.