The Sorcerer in the North characters

Appears from the start

A newly qualified Ranger receiving his first independent posting after years as Halt's apprentice. Will is observant, resourceful and eager to prove that he can manage a fief without his mentor beside him, although his youth makes some people underestimate him.

Appears from the start

Will's former mentor, a legendary Ranger whose dry manner conceals deep concern for his old apprentice. He attends Will's graduation and remains a trusted source of advice even though Will must now work on his own.

Appears from the start

Commandant of the Ranger Corps and one of Halt's oldest friends. He gives Will his silver oakleaf and assigns him to Seacliff Fief, where a quiet posting should let the new Ranger settle into his responsibilities.

First appears in chapter 2

A young Courier and Will's childhood friend from Redmont. Intelligent, poised and skilled at reading people, Alyss serves in the diplomatic corps trained by Lady Pauline while Will begins his Ranger career.

First appears in chapter 2

Will's small, shaggy Ranger horse and experienced partner. Tug responds to an extensive set of commands and often seems to anticipate Will's intentions before they are spoken.

First appears in chapter 4

The lord of Seacliff Fief, Will's first posting as a full Ranger. He receives the young Ranger courteously and gives him room to inspect the neglected local defences.

First appears in chapter 7

A scarred stray dog whose former owner treated her brutally. She attaches herself to Will after he intervenes, proving both fiercely loyal and unusually responsive to training.

First appears in chapter 8

A violent fugitive encountered near Seacliff. He is dangerous to animals and people alike, and his movements give Will an early test of the tracking and weapons skills he must now use without supervision.

First appears in chapter 10

A Skandian skirl leading a wolfship crew on a coastal raid. Gundar is a formidable seaman and fighter, but he respects nerve and cleverness even in an opponent.

First appears in chapter 17

The ailing lord of Castle Macindaw. Once a steady ruler of the northern fief of Norgate, Syron has been struck by a mysterious sickness while rumours of sorcery spread through his lands.

First appears in chapter 17

Lord Syron's son and acting master of Macindaw. Orman is abrupt, suspicious and widely disliked, which makes the stories accusing him of dark practices easy for the castle household to believe.

First appears in chapter 18

Orman's cousin and a popular senior figure at Macindaw. Friendly, open and skilled with soldiers, Keren presents a sharp contrast to Orman's secretive manner and readily offers help to the visiting jongleur.

First appears in chapter 18

Orman's slight, anxious secretary. Xander is devoted to his master and handles much of the work created by Syron's illness, despite having little influence among the castle's warriors.

Also known as Malkallam

First appears in chapter 29

A healer living in the feared Grimsdell Wood. Local stories call him Malkallam and credit him with supernatural powers, but Will approaches the rumours as a Ranger looking for practical explanations.

First appears in chapter 30

A huge, badly disfigured man living among Malcolm's protected community in Grimsdell Wood. His size frightens strangers, while his careful treatment of the vulnerable people around him suggests a gentler nature.