Violet is an intelligent, petite second-year rider at Basgiath War College who lives with a physical disability that weakens her bones and ligaments. Originally trained for the Scribe Quadrant, she uses her deep knowledge of history and strategy to survive the brutal Riders Quadrant. She struggles with the recent revelation that Navarre's leadership has been lying about the existence of dark magic-wielders.

Xaden is a newly commissioned lieutenant in the Navarrian military and a secret leader of the Tyrrish rebellion. Bearing a rebellion relic from his father's failed uprising, he balances his military assignments at border outposts with his covert efforts to supply weapons to gryphon fliers. He is fiercely protective of Violet but believes withholding information is the best way to keep her safe.

Dain is a third-year rider recently promoted to wingleader at Basgiath War College. As a strict follower of rules, his blind trust in Navarre's leadership leads him to prioritize his military orders over his personal relationships. He possesses a classified signet ability that allows him to read memories through physical touch.

General Sorrengail is Violet's mother and a formidable commander in the Navarre military. Known for her cold demeanor and lack of mercy, she possesses a powerful storm-wielding signet. She forces her children into dangerous military paths, hiding her true motivations behind a mask of strict discipline and duty.

Major Varrish is a strict, cruel officer assigned to tighten discipline at the war college. He actively targets Violet and other riders with rebellion relics, frequently searching them for contraband and punishing them harshly. He holds a signet ability that allows him to sense an individual's personal weaknesses.

Jack is a hostile first-year cadet from Violet's past who was presumed dead after Violet collapsed a mountain on him. He reappears after spending months in the infirmary being mended by Nolon. Jack is obsessed with power and harbors a deep-seated aggression toward his peers.

Rhiannon is a second-year cadet and the newly appointed squad leader of Second Squad, Flame Section. She is a natural leader and talented fighter who notices the growing distance between herself and Violet. Her signet power allows her to teleport objects.

Ridoc is a second-year rider in the Flame Section who survived the deadly first year at Basgiath. Known for his quick wit, he provides necessary comedic relief for his squad during high-stress training exercises. He wields an ice signet and rides the dragon Aotrom.

Sawyer is a second-year cadet in Violet's squad who successfully bonded a dragon after repeating his first year. He works hard to improve his skills and learns sign language to communicate better with the scribe he admires. He wields a metal manipulation signet and rides the dragon Sliseag.

Mira is Violet's older sister and a highly respected lieutenant in the Navarrian military who patrols the borders with the Eastern Wing. She is a physically powerful rider who firmly believes in the military's established rules. Her signet allows her to extend the protective wards beyond their normal limits.

Brennan is Violet's older brother, formerly believed to have died six years ago during the Tyrrish Rebellion. He is actually alive and operating as a key leader within the movement against Navarre's leadership. Renowned as one of the greatest menders in history, he prioritizes the rebellion's cause above his family's comfort.

Andarna is one of Violet's two bonded dragons. Originally a golden hatchling, she enters a rapid growth phase following massive energy expenditure. She ages into a short-tempered adolescent with dark scales and a poorly cooperating wing, unable to carry a rider but fiercely dedicated to Violet.

Tairn is a massive, legendary black dragon and one of Violet's bonded mounts. He channels immense power to Violet, enabling her lightning signet. Tairn is deeply connected to Sgaeyl through a mating bond, which directly intertwines his fate and Violet's with Xaden's.

Sgaeyl is a fierce blue daggertail dragon bonded to Xaden. She shares an intense mating bond with Tairn, which inextricably links Xaden and Violet's locations and lives. She is highly demanding and hard to please, often testing those around her.

Jesinia is a second-year scribe and a trusted friend to Violet. She works in the Archives, where she becomes suspicious of missing historical records and agrees to help Violet research the First Six and the wardstones. She communicates primarily through sign language.

Cat is a Poromish gryphon flier and the niece of Viscount Tecarus. She possesses an ability that allows her to heighten the emotions of those around her. As Xaden's former partner, she holds a deep-seated jealousy toward Violet and actively attempts to unnerve her during their joint training exercises.

Liam is a deceased first-year rider who died at Athebyne. Though he is dead, he appears to Violet as a hallucination during moments of extreme physical and mental duress, providing her with the strength and comfort she needs to survive torture.

Sloane is Liam's younger sister and a first-year cadet placed in Violet's squad. She initially resents Violet, blaming her for Liam's death. Sloane struggles with physical combat but possesses a rare and powerful signet that allows her to siphon power from others.

Colonel Aetos is Dain's father and a senior officer in the Navarrian military. He is responsible for sending Violet and the rebel cadets into a deadly trap at Athebyne to eliminate them. He issues threats against the survivors' families to ensure their silence regarding the kingdom's secrets.

Aaric is a first-year cadet placed in Violet's squad. He enrolls at Basgiath to escape his family's notice, holding a deep understanding of the true threats facing the continent. He actively rebels against the established military propaganda and seeks to fight the real enemy.

Nolon is a highly skilled healer at Basgiath War College. He spends the year looking exhausted as he secretly works to mend Jack Barlowe's mysterious condition. His loyalty to the institution ultimately leads him to participate in harsh interrogations against cadets.

Imogen is a rider bearing a rebellion relic who survived the attack at Athebyne. She serves as a tough, unsentimental ally to Violet, accompanying her on morning runs and helping train the weaker first-year cadets in hand-to-hand combat.

Viscount Tecarus is a wealthy and eccentric noble in Poromiel. He possesses the luminary needed to forge alloy daggers and uses it as leverage, demanding to see Violet wield lightning in combat before he will negotiate an alliance.

Professor Devera is an instructor at Basgiath War College who teaches history and Battle Brief. She often provides subtle hints to the rebel cadets and eventually chooses to defect from the college to join the rebellion in Aretia.

Markham is the leader of the scribes at Basgiath and the author of the official Navarrian history textbook. He actively participates in the military's cover-up of enemy attacks, writing off village massacres as border unrest to maintain the kingdom's official narrative.

General Melgren is a top commander in the Navarre military. He possesses a signet that allows him to see the outcomes of battles, though this ability is blinded when more than three riders with rebellion relics are gathered together.

Bodhi is a rider bearing a rebellion relic who survived the trap at Athebyne. He acts as a reliable messenger and operative for the rebellion, frequently assisting Xaden in logistics and guard duties.

Felix is a member of the rebel Assembly in Aretia. He serves as a specialized instructor for Violet, teaching her how to focus and control her volatile lightning signet using a glass orb conduit etched with runes.

Garrick is a newly graduated rider bearing a rebellion relic. He is Xaden's closest friend and right-hand man at the border outposts, actively participating in the smuggling of weapons to the gryphon fliers.