Character guide

The Narrator

major

Also known as I, me, mine, myself

The protagonist who discovers the manuscript and recounts his Antarctic adventures.

Almah

major

Also known as The beautiful Almah, beloved Almah, the gentle and virtuous Almah

A Kosekin woman who becomes the narrator's love interest and moral compass.

Layelah

major

Also known as the aspiring Layelah, The Dark Maiden Layelah, Dear Layelah

A mysterious Kosekin woman who challenges Almah for the narrator's affection.

The Kohen

major

Also known as Kohen, the Kohen Gadol, The mild Kohen, this Kohen Gadol

The high priest of the Kosekin, who enforces their death-worshipping traditions.

Otto Melick

supporting

Also known as Melick

A fellow sailor and companion of the narrator in the Antarctic.

Agnew

supporting

A member of the ship's crew who survives the Antarctic ordeal.

The Kosekin

supporting

Also known as Kosekin, armed Kosekin, Kosekin Howard, O Kosekin

The native people of the Antarctic world, who embrace death and darkness.

The Doctor

supporting

Also known as doctor, Doctor

A ship's doctor who provides scientific commentary on the strange new world.

Lord Featherstone

supporting

Also known as Featherstone, Here Featherstone

A wealthy English lord who funds the Antarctic expedition.

Noel Oxenden

supporting

Also known as Oxenden

A clergyman on the expedition who preaches to the Kosekin.

Henry More

supporting

Also known as More

A scientist on the expedition who studies the Kosekin culture.

Atam

supporting

Also known as Atam - or, O Atam

A Kosekin chief who assists the narrator in navigating their society.

The Chief Pauper

minor

Also known as the Chief Pauper

A Kosekin leader who embodies their ideal of poverty and humility.

Captain James Clarke Ross

minor

Also known as Captain Ross, Ross

Historical explorer referenced as the discoverer of the Antarctic region.

Epet

minor

Also known as the Epet, The Epet

A Kosekin guide who leads the narrator through the underworld.

Mista Kosek

minor

Also known as the Mista Kosek, the tremendous Mista Kosek, XIII The Awful Mista Kosek

A fearsome Kosekin monster or deity that threatens the narrator.

Melek

minor

Also known as the Melek

A Kosekin title for a ruler or king encountered by the narrator.

Grimm

minor

A character associated with a law or principle in the Kosekin world.

Athon

minor

Also known as Kohens, the Athon, the Kohens Athon

A Kosekin priest or official involved in sacrificial rites.

Polley Reed

minor

A sailor on the expedition who survives the initial shipwreck.

Captain Bennet

minor

Also known as Bennet

The captain of the ship that discovers the copper cylinder.

Adam More

minor

Also known as Adam

A historical figure or ancestor mentioned in the manuscript.