Character guide

Dom Manuel

major

Also known as Manuel, young Manuel, Squinting Manuel, Count Manuel, Messire Manuel, Tall Manuel, el jove Manuel, Manuel the Redeemer

A swineherd who becomes Count of Poictesme through a series of magical and martial adventures.

Niafer

major

Also known as Dame Niafer, young Niafer

Manuel's first wife, a resourceful woman who helps him gain power and later returns from the dead.

Freydis

major

Also known as Queen Freydis of Audela, Queen Freydis, Dear Freydis

A powerful witch-queen of Audela who becomes Manuel's second wife and bears him children.

Alianora

major

Also known as Dame Alianora, young Alianora, the Princess Alianora, Queen Alianora

A beautiful woman from a magical realm who becomes Manuel's third wife and mother of his heir.

Miramon Lluagor

supporting

Also known as Miramon, dread Miramon Lluagor

A powerful magician who aids and opposes Manuel at various points in his quest.

King Ferdinand

supporting

Also known as wicked King Ferdinand, Ferdinand, Duke Asmund

A tyrannical king who opposes Manuel and is eventually defeated by him.

King Helmas

supporting

Also known as Helmas, The wise King

A wise king who gives Manuel counsel and the crown of wisdom.

Hinzelmann

supporting

Also known as Still Hinzelmann

A kobold or household spirit who serves Manuel and offers philosophical commentary.

Sesphra of the Dreams

supporting

Also known as Sesphra

A mysterious figure who appears in Manuel's dreams and guides him.

Melicent

supporting

Also known as little Melicent

Manuel and Freydis's daughter, who is stolen by a stork and later rescued.

Raymond Bérenger

supporting

Also known as Raymond, King Raymond, King Raymond Bérenger

A neighboring king who becomes an ally and friend to Manuel.

The Head of Misery

supporting

Also known as Misery

A magical severed head that grants wishes but brings sorrow.

Suskind

supporting

Also known as young Suskind, Queen Suskind

A queen who becomes Manuel's mistress and bears him a son.

Madame Gisèle

minor

Also known as Gisèle, the Lady Gisèle

A noblewoman who has a brief romantic encounter with Manuel.

Ruric

minor

Also known as grave young Ruric, young Ruric

A young warrior who serves Manuel and later becomes a king.

Horvendile

minor

Also known as quiet Horvendile, young Horvendile

A mysterious young man who appears at key moments in Manuel's story.

Sister Math

minor

Also known as Math, Sister Math

A nun who teaches Manuel about economics and practical wisdom.

Oriander

minor

Also known as Oriander the Swimmer

A legendary swimmer who helps Manuel cross a dangerous river.

Stultitia

minor

Also known as Queen Stultitia

A foolish queen who is easily manipulated by Manuel.

Mimir

minor

Also known as shameless Mimir

A wise but shameless being who guards a magical well.

Grandfather Death

minor

Also known as Death

The personification of death who appears to claim Manuel at the end.

The Zhar-Ptitza Bird

minor

Also known as Zhar-Ptitza

A magical firebird that Manuel must capture as part of a quest.

The Apsarasas

minor

Celestial nymphs who appear in a magical episode.

Jurgen

minor

Also known as little Jurgen, young Jurgen

A minor character who appears briefly in the story.

King Thibaut

minor

Also known as Thibaut

A king who is mentioned but does not appear directly.

Sancha

minor

A servant or minor noblewoman in the court.

Arnaye

minor

A minor character who appears in the story.

Emmerick

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

King Theodoret

minor

Also known as Theodoret

A king who is mentioned in passing.

Vraidex

minor

Also known as gray Vraidex

A mountain or personification that Manuel must ascend.

The Léshy

minor

A forest spirit encountered by Manuel.

Anavalt

minor

Also known as Holden, Holden and courteous Anavalt

A courteous nobleman who appears briefly.

Gleipnir

minor

A magical fetter mentioned in the story.

Dorothy of the White Arms

minor

Also known as Dorothy

A beautiful woman who appears in a vision or dream.

The Peohtes

minor

A tribe or people mentioned in the narrative.

Countess Matthiette de Montors

minor

Also known as Montors

A noblewoman who appears briefly in the story.

The Holy Father

minor

Also known as Father

The Pope, who is mentioned in the narrative.