A Voyage to Arcturus · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay.
Maskull
major
Also known as Mr. Maskull, Corpang, Spadevil, Oceaxe, Tydomin, Sullenbode
Protagonist who travels to the planet Tormance, undergoing transformations and encounters with various beings.
Krag
major
Mysterious figure who guides Maskull on his journey and reveals the nature of Muspel.
Nightspore
supporting
Also known as Mr. Nightspore
A somber companion of Maskull on Earth and later revealed to be a facet of his soul.
Joiwind
supporting
Also known as the real Joiwind
First woman Maskull meets on Tormance, embodying love and self-sacrifice.
Panawe
supporting
Joiwind's husband who tells the story of the Shaping and guides Maskull.
Oceaxe
supporting
Fierce warrior woman who becomes Maskull's lover and ally on the Lusion Plain.
Tydomin
supporting
Enigmatic woman who uses her will to manipulate others on Disscourn.
Spadevil
supporting
A stern philosopher who preaches the doctrine of suffering and duty.
Polecrab
supporting
A fisherman who hosts Maskull and teaches him about the Wombflash Forest.
Sullenbode
supporting
Also known as Poor Sullenbode
A passionate woman who becomes Maskull's final love on Tormance.
Haunte
supporting
A tormented being who guards the threshold of Muspel and tests Maskull.
Corpang
supporting
A stern, joyless man who accompanies Maskull through the final regions.
Gleameil
minor
A beautiful woman encountered in the Wombflash Forest who embodies illusion.
Crystalman
supporting
The deceptive creator of Tormance's illusory pleasures and forms.
Earthrid
minor
A silent, powerful figure who appears on Swaylone's Island.
Broodviol
minor
Also known as Old Broodviol
An ancient musician who plays the instrument of sorrow on the Lusion Plain.
Gangnet
minor
A guide who leads Maskull through the region of Threal.
Backhouse
minor
Also known as Mr. Backhouse
A scientist on Earth who experiments with spiritual forces.
Hator
minor
Also known as ancient Hator
An ancient being who reveals the history of the Shaping.
Digrung
minor
A grotesque creature encountered in the Wombflash Forest.
Faceny
minor
A being of pure intellect who tests Maskull on Disscourn.
Catice
minor
A cold, beautiful woman who lives on the Lusion Plain.
Leehallfae
minor
A wise woman who teaches Maskull about the nature of love.
Trent
minor
Also known as Mrs. Trent
A woman on Earth who hosts the séance at the story's opening.
Lang
minor
A friend of Nightspore present at the séance.
Branchspell
minor
The sun of Tormance that influences the planet's strange phenomena.
Dreamsinter
minor
A being who creates illusions and dreams on the Lusion Plain.
Mrs. Jameson
minor
A participant in the séance on Earth.
Alppain
minor
The second sun of Tormance, associated with pain and longing.
Thire
minor
A being of pure will who appears on Swaylone's Island.
Muspel
minor
Also known as Muspel - light
The realm of ultimate reality and light beyond Tormance.
Swaylone
minor
A mysterious figure who lives on an island and tests Maskull.
Nuclamp
minor
A creature encountered in the Wombflash Forest.
Crimtyphon
minor
A monstrous being who guards the approach to Muspel.
Slofork
minor
A being of pure sensation encountered on the Lusion Plain.
Teargeld
minor
A woman who weeps perpetually on the Lusion Plain.
Tormance
minor
The planet itself, sometimes personified as a character.
Sant
minor
A being of pure love encountered in the final regions.
Sature
minor
A being of pure joy encountered on the journey.
Professor Halbert
minor
A scientist present at the séance on Earth.
Maulger
minor
A being of pure strength encountered on the Lusion Plain.
Barey
minor
A guide who leads Maskull through the final approach to Muspel.
Lichstorm
minor
A being of pure intellect encountered on Disscourn.
Amfuse
minor
A being of pure sensation encountered in the Wombflash Forest.
Threal
minor
A being of pure will encountered on the journey.
Prior
minor
A being of pure duty encountered on the journey.
Muremaker
minor
A being of pure sorrow encountered on the Lusion Plain.
