Orka is a physically imposing trapper living a quiet life in the wilderness. She possesses exceptional combat skills from a past life she tries to ignore, advocating a harsh, practical approach to parenting to prepare her son for an unforgiving world. When her steading is attacked and her son is abducted, she sets out on a relentless pursuit, utilizing her lethal combat efficiency to track the captors.

Varg is a determined young man driven entirely by the need to exact justice for his murdered sister. Having lived his whole life as property, he is deeply unfamiliar with camaraderie or freedom. He seeks out the Bloodsworn mercenaries in hopes of using their magic to track his sister's killer, eventually attempting to join their ranks despite lacking formal military training.

Elvar is a young warrior fighting with the Battle-Grim mercenary band. She rejected an arranged marriage and her noble upbringing to forge her own legacy, preferring the danger of the open sea to her father's political schemes. She maintains a highly skeptical view of religious myths and places her loyalty in her fellow mercenaries rather than biological ties.

Glornir is the commanding chief of the Bloodsworn mercenary band. He leads his warriors with a strict code of mutual protection, functioning as an egalitarian leader who protects his people fiercely. He recognizes Varg's determination and allows him to fight for a place in the company.

Agnar is the cunning leader of the Battle-Grim. He commands his warband with strict discipline, seeking out dangerous bounties for silver and fame. He prioritizes results over morality, utilizing intimidation and violence to secure his objectives.

Drekr leads a band of armed warriors targeting isolated steading settlements. He captures children for transport into the northern mountains, triggering a desperate pursuit through the wilderness by furious parents.

Ilska is the aggressive leader of the Raven-Feeders mercenary band. She specifically hunts down individuals possessing knowledge of ancient battlefields to facilitate her fanatical religious goals in the distant north.

Thorkel is Orka's husband, working as a trapper in the isolated wilderness. He balances Orka's severe parenting style with a patient, gentle approach toward their son. He possesses strong tracking abilities and remains deeply devoted to his family's safety.

Breca is Orka and Thorkel's young son. Despite his mother's harsh lessons about the brutal world they inhabit, he maintains a natural compassion and curiosity. His kindness leads him to rescue a fragile woodland creature, showing his belief in a gentler way of living.

Frøya is Varg's murdered sister. As the only companion Varg trusted during their shared enslavement, her death leaves a profound void in his life and dictates his actions as he seeks the strength to avenge her.

Vol is a skilled practitioner of Seiðr magic whose abilities are reserved exclusively for the Bloodsworn. She serves as a critical asset to the mercenary band, healing their injuries, though her magic draws the anger of formal magic practitioners.

Røkia is an uncompromising warrior within the Bloodsworn. She takes charge of instructing Varg in shield-wall tactics, emphasizing the group's philosophy of collective survival and punishing him for individual bravado.

Svik is an approachable member of the Bloodsworn. He helps integrate Varg into the group by explaining the practicalities of ship life and easing the tension with his storytelling and humor.

Torvik is a young scout-in-training eager to prove his worth among the veteran Bloodsworn mercenaries. He extends friendship to Varg, offering him a sense of belonging.

Grend is a veteran warrior in the Battle-Grim and serves as a mentor figure to Elvar. He watches out for her physical safety in combat and offers pragmatic advice regarding her ambitions and the dangers of mercenary life.

Biórr is a young warrior in the Battle-Grim who fights alongside Elvar. He forms a tentative romantic connection with her during their journey, though he remains evasive about the details of his own past.

Jarl Störr is the powerful ruler of Snakavik and Elvar's estranged father. He relies on strategic alliances to maintain his power, offering his daughter a warband to entice her back into his political sphere.

Uspa is a Seiðr-witch traveling under duress with the Battle-Grim. She uses her knowledge of ancient, mythological sites as leverage, bargaining with her captors to secure help rescuing her abducted son from a rival warband.

Bjarn is Uspa's young son. His safety is his mother's primary motivation, and his subsequent abduction by the Raven-Feeders forces Uspa to trade valuable secrets to get him back.

Vesli is a fragile, winged tennúr vaesen. After Breca tends to her injuries, she becomes deeply attached to his family, providing crucial information to Orka regarding the attack on their home.

Mord is a headstrong young man seeking vengeance for his father's death. He joins Orka on her journey northward, though his youthful rashness and desire for immediate action frequently clash with her seasoned caution.

Lif is Mord's brother, sharing the goal of avenging their father. He recognizes their lack of combat experience and successfully pleads with Orka to take them under her wing, hoping to prepare for their eventual revenge against the rulers of Fellur.

Guðvarr is Jarl Sigrún's finely armored nephew who serves as temporary leadership in her absence. He wields authority with unearned confidence, relies on skilled bodyguards for actual combat, and frequently sparks tension among the local community.

Virk is a frustrated local fisherman who openly opposes the centralization of power under Queen Helka. His willingness to challenge corrupt local authority forces a physical confrontation with Guðvarr to settle their dispute.

Skalk is an arrogant Galdurman who hires the Bloodsworn to eliminate a threat in the north. He strictly favors organized magic over the Seiðr magic practiced by Vol, and routinely withholds critical military information from his hired mercenaries.

Berak is a man attempting to live in hiding with his family in an isolated village. When the Battle-Grim mercenaries arrive hunting him for a massive bounty, he is forced to flee into the frozen wilderness.

Einar Half-Troll is a massive, highly experienced warrior in the Bloodsworn. He serves as Varg's first major obstacle, fighting him during the initiation trials and demonstrating the sheer physical power required to join the mercenary band.

Queen Helka is an ambitious ruler rapidly consolidating power across the region. Her growing authority sparks division among independent communities, as she requires local leaders to pledge loyalty and supply forces for her campaigns.

Jarl Sigrún is a local ruler attempting to secure her domain by swearing allegiance to Queen Helka. She employs formidable warriors to enforce her will and expects strict obedience from the fishing and farming communities under her protection.