Vin is an exceptionally powerful Allomancer and the central protector of Luthadel. Having grown up as an abused street thief, she struggles with her self-worth and fears becoming a tyrant or a mere weapon for the city's politicians. She loves the new king deeply but questions her fitness for a life in the palace.

Elend is the idealistic new king of Luthadel, determined to build a government based on equality and freedom. He is a scholar thrust into a position of absolute authority, forcing him to balance his democratic principles against the practical realities of an impending siege. He relies heavily on his friends to maintain order in a fractured society.

Bound by a strict contract, this kandra shape-shifter serves Vin by taking the physical form of a wolfhound. He resents humans due to their historical mistreatment of his kind. He maintains a passive-aggressive compliance with his master's orders and slowly opens up to Vin about his people's secretive culture.

Sazed is a Terrisman Keeper, tasked with preserving ancient knowledge in metal objects worn on his body. He experiences a crisis of faith while investigating mysterious deaths and daytime mists in the rural settlements. He serves as a moral compass and intellectual resource for the crew defending the capital.

Straff is a ruthless nobleman seeking to conquer Luthadel and install himself as absolute ruler. He treats everyone, including his own children, as disposable assets for his military and political ambitions. His paranoia and lust for power isolate him from any genuine human connection.

Zane is a powerful Mistborn who suffers from severe emotional trauma and hears a persistent voice instructing him to kill. He feels trapped by his father's control but yearns for an independent path. He becomes fascinated by Luthadel's female Mistborn protector, seeing her as a kindred spirit.

Ashweather Cett is an ambitious nobleman who controls the Western Dominance and seeks to claim Luthadel's throne. He is a pragmatic politician who uses bribery, intimidation, and military posturing to secure power. He views the city's instability as a prime opportunity for conquest.

Tindwyl is a stern Terriswoman sent to Luthadel to teach Elend how to behave like a true king. Having survived an oppressive breeding program, she possesses a hardened, practical worldview. She pushes those around her to project strength and authority rather than vulnerability.

Hammond is a former soldier and the current general of Luthadel's military forces. As an Allomancer who enhances his physical strength, he provides both martial expertise and philosophical conversation. He supports the new government's ideals while maintaining a grounded perspective on the siege.

Dockson acts as the steady manager and administrative backbone of the ruling crew. As a former plantation worker, he harbors deep-seated resentment toward the nobility, making him skeptical of having a nobleman rule the new government. Despite these reservations, he works diligently to keep the city functioning.

Edgard Ladrian is a skilled Allomancer who manipulates the emotions of those around him to provide comfort and confidence. Though he presents himself as a self-serving aristocrat, he genuinely cares for his allies. He uses his abilities to soothe the anxieties of the city's defenders during the siege.

Lestibournes is the youngest member of the ruling crew, striving to prove his worth among more experienced leaders. Initially quiet and insecure, he gradually takes on more active responsibilities as the city faces multiple crises. He provides reconnaissance and carriage driving for the group.

Cladent is a gruff former soldier and craftsman who offers experienced advice to the ruling council. His Allomantic ability allows him to shield others from emotional manipulation. He serves as a realistic counterpoint to the more optimistic members of the government.

Allrianne is a young noblewoman who presents herself as a frivolous girl, though she possesses sharp political instincts. She understands the shifting tides of power better than her father and adapts quickly to secure her own survival. She actively pursues an alliance with Luthadel's inner circle.

Lord Ferson Penrod is a prominent nobleman within Luthadel's new government. As political tensions rise, he positions himself to claim executive power, representing the entrenched nobility's resistance to a truly equal society.

Jastes is a former friend of the king who has resorted to controlling uncontrollable monsters to secure his own power. His irrational belief that he can command the violent koloss makes him a desperate and unpredictable threat to the city.

Marsh is a Steel Inquisitor who previously helped overthrow the empire and now acts as an ally to Luthadel's defenders. He investigates the mysterious activities of his fellow Inquisitors and the changing mists, though his actions grow increasingly aggressive.

Captain Demoux is a loyal military officer who becomes a passionate street preacher for a new religion. He views the city's Mistborn protector as a divine figure, spreading faith among the lower classes to boost morale during the siege.

Though deceased, Kelsier's presence looms large over Luthadel. He was the charismatic leader of the skaa rebellion and is now worshipped as a deity by the Church of the Survivor. His legacy inspires the city's defenders but casts a long shadow over the new leaders trying to fill his shoes.

Alendi was the historical figure originally believed to be the Hero of Ages. His ancient logbook provides the defenders of Luthadel with critical clues about the mysterious Deepness and the true nature of the world's magic.

Kwaan was a historical Terrisman who initially proclaimed Alendi to be the Hero of Ages before realizing his grave mistake. His desperate warning, left behind in steel to prevent manipulation, becomes the key to unlocking the truth behind the Well of Ascension.

Though defeated a year prior, the Lord Ruler's legacy continues to shape the struggles of the present day. He was the oppressive dictator who created the koloss and the kandra, leaving behind hidden caches of resources and structural mysteries that the new government must decipher.