Dunk is a tall, strongly built orphan from Flea Bottom who steps into the role of a knight following the death of his master. Armed with inherited armor and a rigid belief in chivalry, he searches for work and tournaments to prove his worth. His physical size hides an earnest, inexperienced young man who struggles to reconcile the honorable ideals of knighthood with the cynical reality of the lords he encounters.

Egg is a young, bald boy who persistently asks to squire for Dunk. He possesses an education and knowledge of heraldry that betrays a much higher social standing than his dusty appearance suggests. By traveling the roads of Westeros alongside a hedge knight, he seeks to distance himself from his family.

The Hand of the King to Aerys I, Bloodraven is a legitimized son of Aegon IV who holds immense political power across Westeros. He maintains authority through an expansive network of spies and agents, leading many commoners and lords to fear his influence. Whispers frequently accuse him of practicing dark magic to eliminate his rivals and maintain order in the kingdom.

Baelor is the crown prince of Westeros and a widely respected knight. Unlike many members of his family, he displays genuine honor and remembers the hedge knights he meets in competition. He values justice and is willing to intervene when he sees a wrong being committed.

Prince Maekar is a stern Targaryen prince who expects greatness from his children. He resents his position outside the direct line of succession and harbors jealousy toward the Hand of the King. He commands significant military force and tries to control his difficult sons.

Aerion is a vain and cruel Targaryen prince who uses his royal status to abuse those beneath him. He cares little for the rules of chivalry, preferring to inflict pain for his own amusement. His volatile temper makes him a dangerous presence at the Ashford tourney.

Known as the Red Widow, Lady Rohanne rules House Webber and commands significant local power. She faces intense pressure to remarry due to the stipulations of her late father's will. She is fiercely protective of her lands and refuses to show weakness to her neighbors.

Daemon is a claimant to the Iron Throne who relies on charm and inherited wealth to gather supporters. Operating in secret to orchestrate a rebellion, he attends tournaments to evaluate potential allies. He possesses a deep fascination with prophetic dreams and the idea of dragons returning.

Lord Peake is a bitter noble who lost two of his three castles following a failed rebellion. He aggressively orchestrates new plots against the crown to regain his former wealth and status. He manipulates events at local tournaments to build a rebel army.

Tanselle is a young puppeteer who travels to tournaments to entertain the crowds. As a commoner working for copper coins, she is highly vulnerable to the whims of the lords who watch her performances. She paints a new shield design for Dunk, cementing a quiet connection between them.

Daeron is Maekar's eldest son, a young man who prefers drinking to fulfilling his knightly duties. He experiences prophetic dreams that often dictate his actions and fears. He actively avoids combat and responsibility whenever possible.

Valarr is Baelor's eldest son and a formidable fighter. He relies heavily on his royal status to intimidate challengers in the lists, enjoying the deference others afford him.

Ser Arlan is an older hedge knight who rescued Dunk from the streets of King's Landing. He spent years traveling the dirt roads of Westeros, teaching his squire the fundamentals of combat and a rigid code of honor. His death forces Dunk to find his own path.

Ser Eustace is an impoverished lord who frequently reminisces about his family's glorious past. He holds deep grudges regarding the lands he lost following a failed rebellion against the crown. He commands very few men and struggles to maintain authority in his region.

Bennis is a cynical, foul-smelling hedge knight currently sworn to House Osgrey. He prefers violence and intimidation over diplomacy, actively causing trouble with neighboring forces. He stands in sharp contrast to Dunk's honorable approach to knighthood.

Ser Lucas is the castellan of Coldmoat, known for his height and aggressive demeanor. He continuously pressures Lady Rohanne to marry him so he can secure her lands. He views visiting knights as threats to his ambition.

Septon Sefton is a clergyman advising House Webber. He possesses extensive knowledge of the kingdom's politics and readily shares gossip regarding the royal family.

Lord Cockshaw is a wealthy noble involved in treasonous plots against the king. He harbors intense jealousy regarding anyone who draws Daemon's attention. He prefers bribery and ambushes over honorable combat.

Ser Glendon is a highly determined knight who claims descent from a famous warrior. Despite facing constant mockery regarding his mother's profession, he focuses entirely on proving his legitimacy through martial prowess. He arrives at Whitewalls fully intending to win the grand prize.

Maynard is an observant and reserved knight who seamlessly blends into tourney crowds. He gathers information on the various lords in attendance, operating quietly on behalf of the crown. He possesses resources and knowledge far beyond the average hedge knight.

Lord Butterwell is a wealthy but nervous nobleman attempting to manage dangerous political alliances. He uses his wedding as a cover to host former rebel lords, though he lacks the courage to fully commit to treason. He panics easily when plans begin to unravel.

Black Tom is Lord Butterwell's aggressive son-in-law. He actively pushes for war and is willing to murder children to force a conflict between the crown and the gathered lords.

Known as the Snail, Ser Uthor is a highly practical tourney knight. He intentionally maintains an unimpressive appearance to manipulate betting odds in his favor, making a steady living from fixed fights.

Raymun is a pragmatic squire who befriends Dunk. He views the knightly class with a more critical eye than his arrogant cousin, showing a willingness to side with what he believes is right.

Ser Steffon is an energetic and ambitious knight seeking to improve his social standing. He views tournaments primarily as opportunities to gain lordships and favor with powerful families.