The crown prince of Arelon who falls victim to a magical affliction that condemns him to eternal hunger and physical pain. Thrown secretly into the decaying, slime-covered city of Elantris by his own father, he refuses to surrender to the mindless agony that claims most victims. Adopting the alias "Spirit," he sets out to unify the suffering Elantrians, build a functional community, and uncover the mystery of why the city's magic failed ten years ago.

A tall, blonde princess from the northern nation of Teod. She travels to Arelon for a political marriage designed to protect both countries from the expanding Fjordell Empire. Finding her betrothed dead, she elects to stay in Arelon to uphold the treaty. She uses her sharp diplomatic training to organize the local nobility, improve conditions for the commoners, and actively resist religious conversion efforts.

A high priest, or gyorn, of the Fjordell Empire. He arrives in Arelon with orders to convert the entire populace to his rigid religion within three months, or face military annihilation. Haunted by a recent bloody revolution he oversaw in another country, he strictly prefers to achieve his goals through logic, political manipulation, and psychological pressure.

A native Arelonian priest (arteth) who serves as Hrathen's personal assistant and subordinate. He delivers rousing, emotionally charged sermons that easily whip the common people into a frenzy. His sheer zealotry and lack of restraint frequently put him at odds with Hrathen's preference for calm, bloodless logic.

An Elantrian originally from the southern country of Duladel. He retreats into a quiet, scholarly existence among his father's old books to cope with the horrors of the fallen city. Though deeply pessimistic, he becomes Raoden's first friend and essential guide, utilizing his background in farming to help sustain the new community.

Emperor Wulfden the Fourth of Fjorden. He acts as the supreme leader of the Shu-Dereth religion, claiming to speak directly for the god Jaddeth. Operating entirely from his distant empire, he uses military might and specialized priests to conquer neighboring nations and enforce religious uniformity.

The ruler of Arelon who seized power ten years ago during the chaos of the Reod. A former merchant, he structured his kingdom around strict financial hierarchies, reducing the peasantry to serfdom while elevating wealthy nobles. He is highly suspicious, fundamentally greedy, and easily threatened by Sarene's political maneuvers.

One of the three main gang leaders operating inside Elantris. Unlike the others, she maintains strict discipline and uses her resources to protect the children who have been thrown into the city. She forms a cautious alliance with Raoden when he promises to help her reconnect with the outside world.

Sarene's uncle who resides in Arelon. He operates publicly as a merchant, though his massive physique and heavily fortified mansion suggest a more complex past. He enjoys cooking extravagant meals for his family and provides Sarene with a safe haven and crucial political context regarding the local nobility.

One of the wealthiest and most influential noblemen in Arelon. He views King Iadon's brutal economic policies with quiet disdain and was secretly grooming Prince Raoden to improve the nation. Upon Sarene's arrival, he recognizes her capabilities and integrates her into his covert network of reformers.

An exceedingly rich Arelene nobleman with profound political ambitions. He has no loyalty to King Iadon and cares nothing for the suffering peasantry. He enters into negotiations with High Priest Hrathen, willing to convert to Shu-Dereth if it guarantees him the throne.

The monarch of Teod and a loving father. He constantly urges Sarene to return home, fearing the growing military threat from the Fjordell Empire. He ascended to the throne under complex circumstances that caused a severe rift with his older brother.

The wife of King Iadon. She is highly talkative, superficial, and easily distracted by court gossip. She displays virtually no grief over the supposed death of her step-son, Raoden, focusing entirely on social appearances.

A seon bonded to Princess Sarene. He appears as a glowing, melon-sized ball of light that possesses high intelligence. He acts as a loyal companion, an observer, and a direct communication link to King Eventeo in Teod.

Prince Raoden's personal seon. When Raoden was struck by the Shaod, the magical trauma severed Ien's intellectual faculties. He now drifts without purpose, his inner glowing Aon symbol fractured and broken.

A gang leader in Elantris who formerly worked as a sculptor in Kae under the name Taan. He styles himself as a baron and forces his followers to sustain themselves by eating the vellum pages of decaying books.

The figurehead of the most savage and mindless gang within Elantris. She is a young girl in a blonde wig who demands total worship from her followers. The men in her camp have entirely surrendered their intellect to pain and hunger, operating as primitive beasts.

A respected Arelene count who commands a private military legion. He is an honorable man who enjoys sparring with Sarene and willingly offers his combat skills to protect the reformist nobles from King Iadon's thugs.

A handsome nobleman from the southern nation of JinDo. He practices a meditative, martial-arts sequence called ChayShan. He serves as a polite and grounded presence among the often frivolous Arelene nobility.

Kiin's stepson. He is an affable and wealthy young man who frequently acts as a guide for Sarene, explaining the intricacies of Arelene politics and King Iadon's economic decrees.

Kiin's wife and the matriarch of his large household. She is a beautiful, elegant woman who provides a stark contrast to the rigid, artificial manners of the other noblewomen at court.

Kiin's stepson. He is heavily withdrawn and rarely interacts with others, preferring to focus entirely on numeric calculations.

A priest of the Shu-Korath religion serving in Kae. He believes firmly that unity arises from love rather than control, putting his faith in stark contrast with the Derethi religion.

A mysterious beggar who operates in the city of Kae. He takes on odd jobs, including smuggling weapons into Elantris on behalf of Sarene.