Black Dow — the Protector of the North, or stealer of it, depending on who you ask.

Splitfoot — his Second, meaning chief bodyguard and arse-licker.

Ishri — his advisor, a sorceress from the desert South, and sworn enemy of Bayaz.

Caul Shivers — a scarred Named Man with a metal eye, who some call Black Dow’s dog.

Curnden Craw — a Named Man thought of as a straight edge, once Second to Rudd Threetrees, then close to Bethod, now leading a dozen for Black Dow.

Wonderful — his long-suffering Second.

Whirrun of Bligh — a famous hero from the utmost North, who wields the Father of Swords. Also called Cracknut, on account of his nut being cracked.

Jolly Yon Cumber, Brack-i-Dayn, Scorry Tiptoe, Agrick, Athroc and Drofd — other members of Craw’s dozen.

Scale’s Men

Scale — Bethod’s eldest son, now the least powerful of Dow’s five War Chiefs, strong as a bull, brave as a bull, and with a bull’s brain too.

Pale-as-Snow — once one of Bethod’s War Chiefs, now Scale’s Second.

White-Eye Hansul — a Named Man with a blind eye, once Bethod’s herald.

‘Prince’ Calder — Bethod’s younger son, an infamous coward and schemer, temporarily exiled for suggesting peace.

Seff — his pregnant wife, the daughter of Caul Reachey.

Deep and Shallow — a pair of killers, watching over Calder in the hope of riches.

Caul Reachey’s Men

Caul Reachey — one of Dow’s five War Chiefs, an elderly warrior, famously honourable, father to Seff, father-in-law to Calder.

Brydian Flood — a Named Man formerly a member of Craw’s dozen.