Barrayar characters

Also known as Regent-designate

Appears from the start

Cordelia's husband and the count chosen to govern for the young Prince Gregor. He prepares for confirmation while accepting both political opposition and close scrutiny from Imperial Security.

Also known as Lady Vorkosigan

Appears from the start

Aral's Betan-born, pregnant wife. As prospective Regent Consort, she becomes his link to Kareen and Gregor while adjusting to a public place in Barrayaran politics.

Also known as Prince Gregor

Appears from the start

The child heir whose position makes Aral's coming Regency necessary. Aral explains that he will hold authority only until Gregor is old enough to rule for himself.

Also known as Princess Dowager Kareen

Appears from the start

Gregor's guarded mother and the Princess Dowager. She receives Cordelia as a liaison to the new Regency and remembers Bothari as the man whose intervention saved Cordelia.

Also known as Sergeant Bothari

Appears from the start

A veteran oath-armsman and formidable protector. He once saved Cordelia Naismith from death, but coercive treatment has left his memory of that period unreliable.

Also known as Lieutenant Koudelka

Appears from the start

A survivor of extensive neural damage from disruptor fire whose impaired movement remains readily visible.

Appears from the start

A class-one bodyguard transferred from Kareen's household to protect Cordelia. Her new assignment places a trained and capable guard inside the Vorkosigan household.

Appears from the start

An Imperial Security commander working under Captain Negri. He helps protect the prospective Regency while preserving safeguards against any misuse of its power.

Appears from the start

The chief of Imperial Security, responsible for oversight and protection as Aral approaches confirmation as Regent.

First appears in chapter 2

A count and conservative political rival who resents Aral Vorkosigan and the approaching Regency. He leaves a dispute with Aral and Vortala predicting that the Council will regret its choice.

Also known as Piotr

First appears in chapter 2

Aral's father and the Vorkosigan family patriarch. He supports Aral's confirmation and places great importance on Cordelia's pregnancy and continuation of the family line.

Also known as Prime Minister Vortala

First appears in chapter 2

The prime minister and Aral's political ally. He works privately with Aral to secure uncertain Council votes before the Regency confirmation.

First appears in chapter 3

The dying emperor whose approaching death will place Gregor on the throne and bring Aral's Regency fully into effect.

First appears in chapter 3

A count and the father of Evon Vorhalas and Lord Carl, members of a prominent military family.

First appears in chapter 3

A commander and the elder son of Count Vorhalas, introduced as a member of a prominent military family.

First appears in chapter 3

Count Vorhalas's younger son and a member of his prominent military family.

Also known as Captain Vorpatril

First appears in chapter 3

Aral's first cousin and a captain on his staff. He previously served as a junior officer under Aral and belongs to the Regent's military and family circle.

Appears from the start

Bothari's infant daughter, born through a uterine replicator and placed in foster care under his responsibility.

First appears in chapter 6

A military widow who is paid to foster the infant Elena and provides her with day-to-day care.

First appears in chapter 6

A hospital researcher who assesses Elena's development after gestation in a uterine replicator and studies related treatment for burn patients.

First appears in chapter 8

Cordelia and Aral's unborn son. Exposure to a sultoxin antidote threatens his developing bones, leading Cordelia to authorize an experimental transfer into a uterine replicator.

Also known as Vaagen

First appears in chapter 8

An Imperial military-hospital biochemist who specializes in poisons. He supports an experimental plan to preserve Cordelia's pregnancy after toxic exposure.

First appears in chapter 9

An unnamed surgeon persuaded by Vaagen to perform Cordelia's dangerous late placental transfer into a uterine replicator.

First appears in chapter 12

A retired Imperial Ranger whose postal route and knowledge of the hills allow him to shelter Cordelia, Bothari, and Gregor from the coup's search parties.

First appears in chapter 13

A trusted loyalist sent to move Gregor into a new concealed refuge. He accepts the danger of protecting the emperor while treating him as a frightened child as well as a ruler.

Also known as Alys Vorpatril

First appears in chapter 16

Lord Vorpatril's pregnant wife, arrested by Vordarian's security. The threat of her execution forces Cordelia's covert party into an urgent rescue.

Also known as Ivan

First appears in chapter 16

The newborn son and surviving heir of Lord and Lady Vorpatril, delivered by Cordelia while the rescue party is fleeing through the capital.

First appears in chapter 13

An Imperial Security guard exposed under fast-penta as an informant for Vordarian. He sabotaged a secure console and disclosed the party route used for an earlier attack.