Kvothe is a highly skilled 15-year-old student, lutist, and arcanist belonging to the nomadic Edema Ruh people. He searches the University archives for information about the Chandrian, the legendary figures who murdered his family. In the present timeline, he hides under the name Kote, living a quiet, isolated life as a rural innkeeper. He possesses immense magical talent and musical capability but struggles with limited financial resources.

Alveron is the Maer of Severen, a wealthy noble who holds power equivalent to a king in everything but title. He is older than his years due to a chronic, debilitating sickness. He exercises total control over his court and uses his vast resources to manipulate those around him. He seeks a talented wordsmith to assist him in courting a prominent noblewoman.

Denna is a beautiful, wandering musician who frequently changes her name and location. She attracts many suitors but rejects deep emotional attachments, choosing instead to rely on a mysterious patron for financial support. Her lack of stable income makes her vulnerable to abuse, yet she maintains a fierce independence.

Bast is a member of the Fae court who wears a glamour to appear as a dark-haired human man. He serves as an assistant and student at the Waystone Inn. He is deeply protective of his mentor and consistently attempts to manipulate events to reawaken the innkeeper's former legendary persona.

Ambrose is a wealthy, influential student at the University who holds a long-standing grudge. He uses his financial resources, family connections, and illicit methods to create difficulties for his academic rivals. He is arrogant and refuses to accept defeat gracefully.

Vashet is a harsh, capable Adem mercenary who works as a combat instructor. She originates from a different Ademic school of thought, making her an outsider in her current community. She is highly perceptive, sensing a darkness inside her new student that causes her to question his worthiness.

Chronicler is a traveling scribe and historian seeking to record the true story of a famous legend. He operates in the present timeline, carefully documenting history while occasionally clashing with the inn's assistant over how to handle their subject. He relies on logic and direct questioning.

Tempi is a quiet Adem mercenary who wears red and uses hand gestures to communicate emotion. He adheres strictly to the Lethani, a moral and physical discipline. He struggles with the language of the outside world but forms a close friendship through shared combat practice.

Simmon is a cheerful student at the University who excels in alchemy. He comes from a complicated family background but maintains an optimistic, empathetic demeanor. He is intensely loyal and frequently assists in illicit schemes to protect his friends from powerful rivals.

Wilem is a pragmatic student at the University who spends much of his time working in the Archives. He is a steady, reliable presence who offers practical advice and helps mediate conflicts. He maintains a dry sense of humor during stressful situations.

Fela is a beautiful and capable University student studying the magic of naming. She is well-connected in the academic environment and willingly uses her research skills to assist others in translating ancient texts. She attracts significant attention from male students but remains focused on her studies.

Elodin is the Master of Naming at the University, known for his eccentric and unpredictable teaching methods. He often behaves in ways that seem nonsensical or reckless to other masters. He pushes his students to awaken their unconscious minds rather than relying purely on logic and reason.

Auri is a timid, enigmatic girl who lives permanently in the hidden subterranean areas beneath the University. She is easily frightened by direct questions and operates on a unique internal logic, often exchanging seemingly random objects as gifts. She provides a safe, quiet refuge for those she trusts.

Devi is an exceptionally skilled arcanist who works as an underground moneylender after leaving the University. She charges high interest rates and uses vials of blood as collateral to enforce her contracts. She desires access to the University's restricted library and uses her financial leverage to seek entry.

Meluan is a prominent noblewoman who is the target of a high-profile courtship by the local ruler. She comes from an ancient, wealthy family and harbors a deep-seated hatred for the nomadic Edema Ruh people. She possesses a mysterious, ancient wooden box that has been sealed for generations.

Felurian is a mythical Fae woman who lures men into her domain through magical desire. She possesses ancient magic, sewing garments out of starlight and shadow. She is immortal and views humans as fleeting curiosities, trapping them with lust until they perish from exhaustion.

The Cthaeh is a malicious oracle residing in the Fae world. It possesses absolute foresight and uses this knowledge to manipulate listeners. It intentionally shares selective, painful truths to cause maximum destruction and psychological damage to anyone it encounters.

Bredon is an older nobleman at the Severen court who teaches the complex game of tak. He understands the intricate social hierarchies and ring-giving customs of the nobility, offering strategic advice to a newcomer. He values a beautifully played game over a simple victory.

Caudicus is an arcanist employed by a powerful noble in Severen. He creates specialized medicines and treatments for his employer's chronic conditions while maintaining a comfortable position at court. He shares historical gossip about local noble families.

Stapes is a fiercely loyal manservant to a powerful ruler. He is deeply protective of his employer's health and well-being, prioritizing it above all else. He values discretion and dedication, frequently hiding bad news to prevent his master from experiencing stress.

Master Kilvin oversees the creation of magical items and devices at the University. He values hard work, safety, and innovation, pushing his students to pursue complicated and enduring projects. He disapproves of illegal materials but recognizes exceptional craftsmanship.

Master Hemme is a harsh University master who holds a long-standing grudge against a specific student. He uses his authority to levy difficult questions, assign high tuitions, and enforce penalties. He frequently uses slurs against nomadic people.

Master Elxa Dal teaches advanced magical combat at the University. He organizes competitive duels among his students and occasionally offers practical life advice outside the classroom setting, suggesting strategic breaks from academic pressure.

Count Threpe is an advocate for musicians who tries to help artists secure financial backing. He arranges a significant travel opportunity for a promising young lutist, providing a letter of introduction to a powerful noble.

Hespe is a reserved female mercenary who shares folklore around the campfire. She harbors unspoken romantic feelings for a fellow mercenary and becomes deeply offended by disrespectful stories regarding women.

Dedan is a loud, hot-tempered mercenary with a tendency to complain. He often clashes with his traveling companions but possesses necessary physical strength for their mission in the forest.

Marten is an experienced tracker and archer. He is pragmatic and skilled at reading the wilderness, often serving as the most level-headed member of his traveling group. He strictly separates his work from the terrifying magic he witnesses.

Shehyn is the leader of an Adem fighting school. She is a master of combat and strictly adheres to the Lethani. She holds the authority to decide who is worthy of receiving Ademic training and who faces exile for breaking tradition.

Carceret is a strict Adem mercenary who strongly opposes teaching outsiders the Lethani. She harbors a deep anger toward rule-breakers and seeks to punish those who disrespect her cultural traditions.

Penthe is a young Adem mercenary who engages in language practice and physical sparring. She forms a close physical and emotional bond with an outsider visiting her town, sharing poetry and cultural beliefs.

Mola is a skilled student-doctor at the University. She provides discrete medical attention to students involved in illicit activities, keeping their secrets secure due to past debts of gratitude.

Puppet is a strange, eccentric man who lives permanently within the University library. He possesses an encyclopedic memory of text locations and answers historical questions for students who respect his bizarre rules.