Rise of a Merchant Prince characters

Also known as Roo

Appears from the start

A survivor of Calis's Novindus expedition who returns to Krondor determined to become rich before the coming war overturns the Kingdom. Roo begins with little capital but an exact memory for prices, a talent for reading desire, and a willingness to treat reputation, credit, and information as goods that can be traded.

Appears from the start

Roo's closest friend, once a Ravensburg blacksmith's apprentice and now a proven soldier in Calis's service. Erik understands the scale of the invasion being prepared in Novindus and chooses continued military duty, placing him on a different path from Roo without ending their loyalty to one another.

Appears from the start

A veteran swordsman who survived the expedition with Erik and Roo. Luis moves comfortably between military and civilian society and becomes one of the friends Roo can trust while building a life in Krondor.

Appears from the start

An ageing former thief who rose to become Duke of Krondor and one of the Kingdom's most experienced administrators. James knows that Calis's warning is genuine and begins preparing a city whose merchants and nobles would rather treat the danger as distant.

First appears in chapter 2

The commander of the Novindus mission and the son of Tomas and Queen Aglaranna. Calis carries human, elven, and Valheru inheritances and has spent years tracing the force behind the Emerald Queen. He returns to the field while the Kingdom makes practical use of his warning.

First appears in chapter 3

An Isalani gambler and wanderer who denies the existence of magic while performing feats nobody around him can explain. Beneath the jokes and apparent disorder, Nakor has a serious interest in the unnatural powers surrounding the Emerald Queen's campaign.

First appears in chapter 5

A practical young woman whose steadiness contrasts with Roo's restless ambition. Karli offers him affection, a household, and a connection to the respectable commercial world he wants to enter, while seeing more clearly than he does what his hunger for status may cost.

First appears in chapter 8

One of Krondor's established merchant powers, wealthy enough to shape markets and backed by the reputation and connections Roo is trying to acquire. Esterbrook takes an interest in the ambitious newcomer when their commercial paths begin to cross.

First appears in chapter 8

Jacob Esterbrook's beautiful and socially assured daughter. Sylvia moves through Krondor's wealthy circles with an ease Roo covets and becomes inseparable in his mind from the success and acceptance he is trying to purchase.

First appears in chapter 18

The former orphan of Crydee who became a Great One of Kelewan. Pug is now an elder magician investigating the forces behind the invasion, following evidence that reaches beyond Midkemia and ordinary spellcraft.

First appears in chapter 18

A formidable magician who appears to know both Pug and the threat he is pursuing. Miranda is independent, secretive, and able to cross dangers that would defeat most practitioners, but she gives Pug help before she gives him a complete explanation of her motives.

First appears in chapter 19

The general directing the Emerald Queen's conquered peoples and armies. Fadawah is methodical rather than fanatical, turning victory in Novindus into the ships, supplies, and command structure needed for a campaign across the sea.