The young, charismatic King of Ravka, widely known as the King of Scars. While projecting an arrogant and confident playboy charm to the public and foreign dignitaries, he deeply cares for his country and seeks to restore its stability after a devastating civil war. He secretly harbors a dark, lingering curse from the war that causes him to transform into a dangerous monster at night, prompting a desperate, covert quest for a cure.

Zoya is the General of the Second Army and an incredibly powerful Squaller. Known for her icy demeanor, striking beauty, and formidable Grisha powers, she hides deep remorse and fear behind a fierce, unapproachable exterior. She is dedicated to protecting Ravka, expanding Grisha safety, and fiercely guarding the secret of Nikolai's nightly affliction.

A Ravkan spy and Grisha Heartrender operating deep in hostile Fjerdan territory. Still actively grieving the recent death of her husband, she maintains a constant internal dialogue with him while smuggling Grisha fugitives to safety. Her abilities have been dangerously altered by past exposure to a deadly drug, allowing her to hear and manipulate the dead.

A former soldier who served under Nikolai and currently works as a palace guard and translator. Chosen for his unwavering loyalty, linguistic skills, and physical resemblance to the king, he accepts a highly dangerous assignment: impersonating Nikolai at a grand political party to prevent a national scandal and deter foreign invasions.

A high-ranking Fjerdan commander who aggressively hunts and imprisons Grisha. He enforces a deeply patriarchal and militaristic culture, believing women should be docile and uneducated. He carries physical scars from a violent past encounter with Nina Zenik and remains a major threat to Ravkan operatives.

The deceased former leader of the Second Army and the Starless Saint. Though his physical body perished at the end of the civil war, his dark legacy, magical tampering, and loyal fanatical cult continue to plague Ravka and haunt the surviving Grisha.

A young monk and devoted follower of the Cult of the Starless Saint. He ardently believes that the deceased Darkling should be recognized as a divine figure. His fanatical devotion and extensive knowledge of ancient religious rituals make him both useful and highly unsettling to the Ravkan leadership.

A Ravkan Grisha operative missing an arm. He assists Nina with the smuggling of Grisha fugitives out of dangerous Fjerdan territory. He is practical, cautious, and mission-focused, often acting as a necessary counterweight to Nina's more reckless emotional tendencies.

A Grisha Fabrikator working as a Ravkan operative in enemy territory. She uses her specialized skills to forge documents, test toxic river water, and create sedatives for the team's covert operations. She is deeply compassionate and supports rescuing those in need.

A tall, rebellious novitiate living at a strict Fjerdan convent. She chafes against the rigid gender roles of her society, secretly stashing masculine clothing for forbidden escapades in the woods. She harbors Grisha healing abilities, which are considered deeply heretical in her homeland, making her an eager participant in underground operations.

A fierce Grisha Heartrender and key member of the royal Triumvirate. She acts as a personal guard to the king, utilizing her dual axes and sharp tactical mindset to manage Ravka's security and oversee complex palace operations.

A towering Grisha Heartrender, poet, and dedicated member of the royal Triumvirate. He serves as Nikolai's personal guard and is deeply involved in managing the kingdom's physical security and investigating magical crises.

A highly skilled Tailor and member of the Grisha Triumvirate. She uses her unique abilities to perfectly alter appearances, drawing on her own traumatic past at the Ravkan court to instruct others on royal survival and etiquette.

An ancient Grisha known as Sankta Lizabeta, the Saint of roses and bees. Trapped in a pocket of the Shadow Fold, she offers to help Nikolai cure his affliction through an ancient, dangerous ritual, though her true motivations remain heavily veiled.

Known as Sankt Juris, an ancient Saint who slew a dragon and became one with it. Trapped in the Fold, he takes a keen interest in Zoya and pushes her to harness her full Grisha potential without relying on external amplifiers.

An ancient healer and Saint who became one with the bears that once attacked him. He shares the forgotten history of the first Grisha and warns of the grave dangers associated with tampering with dark magic.

A Shu princess and second in line to her nation's throne. She travels to Ravka as a prospective bride for King Nikolai to forge a political alliance. She frequently expresses a desire for a life outside royal pretense and dreams of being a soldier.

A disciplined Shu guard traveling as part of Princess Ehri's royal delegation to Ravka. She is highly skilled with a sword and secretly hopes to locate her twin brother, who may have been drafted into a dangerous military program involving enhanced soldiers.

Nina's deceased Fjerdan husband. Although he is dead, his voice remains a constant, comforting presence in Nina's mind as she travels through his harsh homeland to fulfill her promise to bury him properly.

A large white wolf who previously belonged to Matthias. He roams the Fjerdan wilderness and occasionally appears to protect Nina, serving as a living connection to her late husband.

The strict overseer of the Fjerdan convent. She enforces curfews and rigid rules upon the novitiates while secretly participating in dark, systemic operations involving the nearby factory and its prisoners.

A senior Kerch merchant seeking lucrative trade agreements and technological secrets from Ravka. He represents the financial interests of neighboring nations and must be carefully managed by the crown during high-stakes demonstrations.

The crown's spiritual counselor, a calculating religious figure who commands the heavily armed Priestguard. He attempts to manipulate the religious fervor sweeping Ravka for political gain, maintaining an uneasy truce with the king.