All the Skills 4: A Deck-Building LitRPG characters

Also known as Ernest Kane

Appears from the start

An outsider who reaches an unfamiliar walled city with Brixaby and begins investigating why Scourgelings threaten its approaches. He is linked to the dragon and presents himself as a traveler displaced by a random portal.

Also known as Brix

Appears from the start

Arthur's linked dragon partner, separated from him briefly while hunting outside the unfamiliar city. Brixaby is a determined seeker and fighter, but at this point is still too small to carry Arthur through the air.

First appears in chapter 3

The proprietor of a translation-card shop who bargains with Arthur over an enchanting primer. The proprietor offers language instruction and brief access to a language card in exchange.

First appears in chapter 28

Arthur's returning ally and Joy's rider. While crossing the Scourge Deadlands with Horatio, Joy, and Sams, Cressida contacts Arthur to report their progress and receives his warning about active Scourgeling threats.

Also known as Joyberry

First appears in chapter 29

Cressida's dragon and a returning member of Arthur's group. Joy has grown since Arthur last saw her and breaks through Brixaby's opening while the allied travelers remain surrounded by flying Scourgelings.

First appears in chapter 29

Sams's rider and a returning ally who survives the Scourge Deadlands crossing with Cressida. Horatio fights in partnership with his dragon, and their combined light attack is powerful enough to strike flying Scourgelings.

First appears in chapter 29

Horatio's dragon and light-combat partner. Sams reaches Arthur's group after a difficult journey across the Scourge Deadlands and contributes to the pair's forceful light-based attack against the pursuing flock.

Also known as Prince Marion

First appears in chapter 10

A prince who is present when Brixaby brings a badly wounded Arthur to the hospital. Marion helps arrange the urgent healing Arthur needs.

First appears in chapter 12

A displaced survivor who led younger travelers during a dangerous wagon crossing. Soledad has no cards when she meets Arthur, but asks to accompany him in pursuit of a combat card and the possibility of becoming a dragon rider.

First appears in chapter 48

Soledad's newly linked red hatchling, left with the territory defenders while Arthur's smaller team descends toward the Darkheart core. The young dragon identifies the name Equinox to Arthur before the groups separate.

First appears in chapter 50

A silver origin hatchling whose bond becomes possible after Marion's damaged heart deck is repaired. She selects Breath of Healing, links with Marion, and reveals her name as Asha before the group must retreat.

First appears in chapter 27

A healer and heart-deck specialist whose card set provides unusual insight into cards and skills. Ravi advises Arthur not to force a replacement anchor while his soul resists it, and offers training for the coming Darkheart attempt.

First appears in chapter 26

A discreet local trader willing to exchange supplies and practical support for lesser cards. Daniel agrees to find Arthur and Brixaby a private workshop while remaining wary of attention from the sheriffs.

Appears from the start

A border law officer who speaks Arthur's language and controls entry to the walled city. Domingo accepts Arthur's account of accidental portal travel and recognizes that the gate attack creates an immediate danger.

First appears in chapter 7

A local undersheriff who sends Arthur and Brixaby to investigate attacks on caravans traveling through the Scourge Deadlands. Lopez coordinates the response and carries a rare mapping spell that Arthur copies.

First appears in chapter 13

New Houston's senior law officer, responsible for organizing a force against the rare Scourgelings. Walker bargains with Arthur, reserving early places in the reshuffling in return for his guidance on the expedition.

First appears in chapter 13

Leader of the visiting Lightning Cats adventuring team and a former customer for chainmail from Mesa Free Hive. John joins the organized hunt for the rare Scourgelings outside New Houston as part of the expedition force.

Also known as Claude the Kluge

First appears in chapter 15

An adventurer from the Icelands who specializes in improvised machinery. Claude's paired utility cards make his unconventional devices unusually dependable, and he builds a catapult and bicycle-like equipment for the fissure battle.

First appears in chapter 17

A heavily protected adventurer who fills the Scourgeling pit with toxic gas, then uses the danger to tag nearly every valuable corpse as his own. Bradley has personal shields and a reputation that makes local officers reluctant to confront him.

Also known as Penn

Appears from the start

Arthur's cousin, a rival holder of legendary power, and a competing Rowantree claimant. Although Pennrow is not present at the start of this volume, Arthur carries unresolved fear and conflict connected to him.

First appears in chapter 49

Marion's father, a king whose mind has been damaged. The mythic dragons ask Marion to attempt his treatment, making Eleazar the focus of a new obligation protected by their promise of safe passage and return.

Appears from the start

An escaped mind-controlling Scourge enemy tied to Arthur and Brixaby. Mindsinger remains an unresolved threat from earlier events, operating through a corrupted white-dragon body and retaining followers, eggs, and a legendary card.

Appears from the start

A leader at Wolf Moon Hive, rider of Alyssa, and Arthur's former superior. Valentina supports Arthur, but the division within the hive leaves her position and Arthur's relationship with its leadership unsettled.

Appears from the start

A senior power holder at Wolf Moon Hive who is connected to Arthur's training and remains his political rival. The conflict attached to Whitaker carries into this volume as part of the hive's continuing division.

Also known as Red Laird

Appears from the start

A riderless red dragon and council figure at Mesa Free Hive. Laird remains at Mesa to strengthen its defenses, leaving the hive's preparations and future security as active concerns while Arthur travels elsewhere.

Appears from the start

A leader of Mesa Free Hive whose reservations about combat shape the settlement's unsettled defensive direction. Chablis remains part of the political situation Arthur leaves behind while pursuing other threats.

Appears from the start

Arthur's father and the former Duke of Rowantree. Calvan remains vulnerable near the border while the dispute over the Rowantree claim continues to threaten the family and complicate Arthur's eventual return.

Appears from the start

Arthur's uncle and a rival claimant within the Rowantree family. Lionel remains an unresolved threat to both Arthur and Calvan as this volume begins, with the family conflict still awaiting resolution.

Appears from the start

A disgraced Blood Moon heir whose gambling debts connect him to Arthur's Ernest Kane identity. His debt-driven interest in Arthur's legendary card remains an unresolved danger carried from earlier events.

Appears from the start

A hostile carded associate who claims Arthur owes him for an earlier rescue. Second has already attempted to kill Arthur, leaving both the claimed obligation and the personal danger unresolved as the new journey begins.