The First Sword Chronicles has a large number of characters populating its pages and its world. Here are some of the more important ones and the tropes that apply to them.
Michael Sebastian Callistus Dolabella Commenae ban Ezekiel
A gladiator from the small town of Lover's Rock in Corona Province, Michael is content to while away his days fighting for the enjoyment of the crowds, while he waits for an enemy strong enough to kill him. Events conspire to propel him into a real adventure, and force him to confront his fundamental flaws.
- Awesome Moment of Crowning: when Aegea anoints him First Sword of the Empire
- Back from the Dead: After he allows Felix to kill him, the Empress Aegea gives him a Whatthe Hell Hero and then sends him back in time save Amy, Jason and the others from the Voice of Corona
- Badass Cape: Always wears a red cloak that his mother made for him.
- Celibate Hero: Michael's religious beliefs do not tolerate pre-marital sex
- Cool Sword: Fiannuala gives him a sword forged by fire drakes in the elder days. Later, he inherits Duty and Piety after Gideon's death
- Death Seeker: Michael starts the story unapologetically waiting for someone to kill him in the arena (since his religion considers suicide abhorrent, he has to be defeated in a fair fight in which he was trying his hardest to win), a crucial part of his Character Development is getting over this.
- Dual Wielding: Michael was trained to do this in the arena, because of the Ruleof Cool. Fortunately Gideon is able to train him to make it work in real combat.
- Flowery Elizabethan English: manages to combine this with Spock Speak as part of his efforts to act like a gentleman.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: sees himself as the responsible sibling, who sold himself into slavery to make sure his sister had some money to get by on. as Aegea points out to him, he's actually the foolish sibling, making selfish, impulsive decisions regardless of how it affects other people
- Heroic BSoD: goes into one after Tullia and Fiannuala are killed resulting in his suicide by little brother; he is on the verge of a second one after Gideon dies but Amy pulls him out of it.
- Hero Protagonist: Michael is the hero of the story, and his Character Development is the heart of the story.
- The Last DJ: in the arena, Michael goes by 'The Last Firstborn of Old Corona' and he attempts to live up to the ideals of that fallen order. Many characters remark upon his antique courtesy and sense of honour.
- Men Don't Cry: his mother told him this just before she died, and as a result Michael does his best to live up to it. Gideon's death causes the waterworks to start flowing
- Magnetic Hero: Michael draws people to him effortlessly, and even those who start out with ulterior motives come to believe in him.
- Never My Fault: a zig-zagged example, as Michael is quick to take responsibility for things that aren't his fault, like Tullia and Fiannuala dying while refusing to do the same for things that definitely are his fault, like selling himself into slavery and leaving Miranda all alone.
- Platonic Life-Partners: with Amy
- Spock Speak: Michael does not use contractions when he is speaking, combining this trope with Flowery Elizabethan English in an effort to appear genteel and refined. When he does start using contractions it's a sign that either he's hit the Despair Event Horizon or someone has stamped hard on the Berserk Button.
- Try to Fit That on a Business Card: He starts the story as Michael Sebastian Callistus ban Ezekiel, which is a bit long by Imperial standards (but not Coronim ones), but in accordance with Imperial practe his name grows over the course of the story. If you add in titles then by the end of Spirit of the Sword: Faith and Virtue he has become Michael Sebastian Callistus Dolabella Commenae ban Ezekiel First Sword of the Divine Empire
- Undying Loyalty: to Gideon, Amy and the rest of his True Companions.
Amitiel Ameliora 'Amy' Doraeus ban Tiralon, daughter of Niccolo
Michael and Felix's oldest friend - their only friend when they were growing up - Amy disappeared after Felix's death, seven years before the start of the story. She reappears not long after the sack of Lover's Rock, and she is revealed to be a half-naiad, trained in the arts of the sea god's knights, willing and able to help Michael in his quest to save Miranda and the Empire.
- Action Girl
- All of the Other Reindeer: Amy experienced this from both the Coronim and the naiads. Amongst the humans she was a freak with gills on her neck, amongst the naiads she was a half-human too weak to be a knight. Michael and Felix are the only two people to offer her real acceptance
- Berserk Button: Demon summoning or any suggestion that it might not be a terrible idea. Anything to do with hurting Michael or Felix.
- BFS: her naiad greatsword Magnus Alba
- Blood Knight: enjoys fighting, and makes no effort to disguise the fact; however she does worry occassionally that it is a weakness on her part.
- Blue Blood: Amy is descended from the sea god Turo himself through his son Niccolo, and her family are amongst the greatest of the undersea lords.
- Embarrassing First Name: considers both Amitiel (a Coronim first name) and Ameliora (a naiad first name) to be this, hence why she goes by Amy.
- Fiery Redhead
- Glory Seeker: is determined to make a great name for herself as a warrior
- Half-Human Hybrids: is half human, half naiad, enabling her to breath under water and giving her naiad Super-Strength
- The Lady's Favour: she wears a scarf that Michael gave her when she was a child tied around her arm as one of these
- The Lancer: Michael's best friend and confidante
- Platonic Life-Partners: with Michael
- Self-Proclaimed Knight: although she was denied knighthood on account of her human heritage, Amy nevertheless claims to be a knight of the Oceanhost to everyone but Michael. At the end of Faith and Virtue, Princess Romana makes her Knight of the Purple
- Super-Strength: as a half-naid, Amy's strength is much greater than that of a human
- Tragic Keepsake: carries a pearl that Felix gave her tied around her neck to remember him by
- Try to Fit That on a Business Card: Amy possesses the longest name of anyone in the series.
- Undying Loyalty: to Michael
Gideon Commenae
A former Imperial officer and current First Sword of the Divine Empire, Gideon saves Michael's life (and the lives of all the other survivors of Lover's Rock) from the Crimson Rose. He then reveals Quirian's true intentions towards Miranda, and recruits Michael for a mission to defeat Quirian and save the Empire from his malice.
- Ambition Is Evil: it led him to murder his brother
- The Atoner
- Blue Blood: Gideon comes from the oldest patrician family in the Empire, a fact he uses to gain Michael's trust.
- Cool Sword: Gideon has two, Duty and Piety. He passes them both on to Michael after his death.
- Death Equals Redemption: after the truth comes out about his past and his plans for Miranda, Gideon takes his own life in repentance of his crimes.
- Dual Wielding
- Green-Eyed Monster: Gideon became intensely jealous of his brother's fame and the honours accorded to him, so jealous that he murdered him
- Master Swordsman: even without spirit magic Gideon is nigh-unbeatable in combat
- My Country, Right or Wrong: anything is justified so long as it is for the good of the Empire.
- Parental Substitute: becomes a father figure to Michael as they journey together.
- Spirit Advisor
Jason Nemon Filius
The illegitimate son of the Emperor Demetrius V, and half-brother to the Emperor Demodocus II, Prince Antiochus and Princess Romana. He is forced to flee the capital after Antiochus tries to have him killed, and he joins up with Michael and his party to save the Empire from Quirian, not because he likes the Empire at all, but for the sake of all the innocent people who will die for Quirian's revenge.
- Shock And Awe: most of his spells have are air/lightning combinations
- Heroic Bastard
- Murder Is the Best Solution: Jason advocates killing Miranda, since her power makes her too dangerous to leave alive. Later, he advocates killing Felix, too
- Only Sane Man: Jason fills this role amongst Michael's allies
- Pretty Boy
- Magic Staff: Jason carries a shepherd's crook, and it is his primary means of casting spells
- Squishy Wizard: Jason is a sorcerer, and the least capable physically of any of Michael's allies
- Technicolor Eyes: one of the things that makes it impossible for Jason to escape his status as an Imperial bastard is that he has the purple eyes of Aegea's descendants
Tullia Athenaeum
A mage of the black, assigned to guard Jason at the command of the Emperor, his father, when his health began to fail. Tullia fled with Jason from Eternal Pantheia, and with him found her way to Corona to join up with Michael. A skilled lightning mage and warrior, she and Michael come to greatly respect one another.
- Character Death: Quirian kills her amongst the ruins of Aureliana
- Undying Loyalty: To Jason, first and foremost, but also to Michael.
Princess Fiannuala of Eena
The second daughter of the king of the forest realm of Eena, a secluded woodland nestling in the midst of the Empire, Fiannuala is a dryad with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for glory. Inspired by dreams of adventure, she saves Michael's life and later joins the company on their quest.
- Character Death: Quirian mortally wounds her during the fighting in Aureliana, and she gives up the last of her life force to save Michael.
- Glory Seeker: Like Amy, she is very desirous to make a name for herself.
- Green-Skinned Space Babe: Dryads have green skin in their youth.
- Green Thumb: She possesses wood magic, as well as some wood-themed sorcery.
Wyrrin of Arko
A fire drake, exiled from his home city and enslaved as a gladiator, who finds himself in Lover's Rock when the Crimson Rose attacks. Freed at the same time as Michael, he joins him in escorting the survivors to Davidheyr and then onwards in the fight against Quirian.
- Born into Slavery: the fire drakes operate a strict caste system, and Wyrrin was born into the slave caste
- Made a Slave: after he was exiled he was enslaved again.
- Self-Proclaimed Knight: he got exiled after pretending to be part of the fire drake warrior caste. He attempts to keep up the deception for a while.
Rebecca Miranda Callistus
Michael's slightly younger sister, Miranda has inherited the Aurelian power from their ancestor, Cynane. Determined and ambitious, Miranda travels to Eternal Pantheia to seek her fortune in the service of Lord Quirian, unaware of the full extent of his plans for her.
- All Your Powers Combined: possesses power over all forms of magic. Most people are lucky to get one.
- Berserk Button: If you value your life do not harm Octavia or Portia; Prince Antiochus found that out the hard way
- Break His Heart to Save Him: Miranda attempts this, telling Octavia she never loved her to try and save her from punishment. Octavia doesn't buy it
- Deuteragonist: Miranda provides the other major POV in the first two volumes
- Defrosting Ice Queen: Miranda begins the story very proud and arrogant, but gradually learns to open herself up to love and friendship
- Easily Forgiven: After everything that she's done Romana lets her off with comfortable house arrest
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: she's the responsible sibling, no matter what Michael thinks
- A God Am I: She starts to take this attitude after Portia dies and she goes off the rails.
- Handicapped Badass: Miranda has a twisted leg, needs a cane to help her walk and finds sitting down awkward and reclining painful. She's still the most powerful mage in the entire world and capable of destroying an entire city if she chose.
- Heroic BSoD: Miranda goes into one after Portia is murdered, Michael is able to bring her out of it.
- Hypocrite: Miranda spends great length complaining about Michael's selfish behaviour, and the way that he claims to be doing it for other people's good. Then, at the end of Faith and Virtue she decides to send Octavia away rather than see her taken into captivity with Miranda, regardless of Octavia's views on the subject. Octavia calls her out on it.
- The Medic: Miranda's healing powers are unmatched, and she saves several lives over the course of the story.
- Mystical White Hair: a sign that she is the inheritor of the Aurelian magic.
- Odd Friendship: her relationship with Portia, who is neither as clever as Miranda nor as outwardly cynical, yet they adore one another
- Straight Gay
Octavia Volucris
A half-aestival, half-human air mage in Quirian's service, who is assigned to Miranda as a bodyguard; before too long she has become Miranda's lover and confidante.
- All of the Other Reindeer: she was never welcome or accepted in her home village
- Beware the Nice Ones: Octavia is sweet and gentle, and no one really takes her seriously in spite of her magical potential. Then when Portia is in danger she kicks the ass of half the Imperial Guard without breaking a sweat.
- Blow You Away: a prodigiously talented air mage, handicapped by her dislike of violence
- Bodyguard Crush: that gets a Relationship Upgrade pretty quickly
- Child by Rape
- Half-Human Hybrid: half human, half aestival
- Nice Girl: one of the nicest people in the Empire
- Significant Wardrobe Shift: before she reveals to Miranda that she is part aestival, she dresses in all-enclosing, frumpy clothes with her wings folded up and hidden, making her look as though she has a hump on her back. After she reveals herself and she and Miranda enter a relationship, she starts to wear shoulderless, backless tops that free her wings to move around and emphasize her growing self-confidence
- Undying Loyalty: to Miranda
- Winged Humanoid
Ascanius Posci Castra
An old soldier, employed by Quirian together with Lysimachus and Julian. He comes to admire Miranda's combination of strength and compassion, and transfers is loyalties to her.
- Berserk Button: the wealthy and powerful using the common people as pawns
- Combat Pragmatist
- Deadpan Snarker
- Heel–Face Turn
- Military Brat: his father was a soldier, and Ascanius followed in his footsteps
- Would Hurt a Child: he is prepared to kill Aula before Julian stops him
- Those Two Guys: with Julian
Julian Dalassena
Another veteran soldier who, like Ascanius, is employed by Quirian but comes to be more loyal to Miranda
- Heel–Face Turn
- Wouldn't Hurt a Child: stands by when Ascanius kills Gellius of Helenia (a grown man) but steps in to stop him before he can do the same to Aula of Arginusa (a young girl)
- Those Two Guys: with Ascanius
Quirian of Aureliana
'Lord' Quirian appears to be nothing more than an ambitious social climber in the service of Prince Antiochus, in which role he brings Miranda to Eternal Pantheia and acts as her patron. In actual fact he is the only survivor of the sack of Aureliana, 500 years ago, and has been plotting his revenge upon the Empire ever since.
- Affably Evil: speaks courteously, is kind and considerate to Miranda...and is willing to murder her friends in order to get her to destroy Eternal Pantheia and kill everyone living in it.
- Big Bad: of Spirit of the Sword
- The Chessmaster: Quirian is manipulating everyone to accomplish his aims, including those like Miranda who think they are too clever to be manipulated.
- Character Death: Michael kills him in single combat
- Devil in Plain Sight: he is obviously the Big Bad but everyone in Eternal Pantheia is too stuck-up and Genre Blind to see this enigmatic man of unknown origins as anything more than The Dragon to Prince Antiochus. Miranda comes closest to seeing what he really is, but even she doesn't quite manage it.
- Don't You Dare Pity Me!: the reason he is the Sole Survivor of Aureliana is that the Imperial troops who found him hiding took pity on him, and Quirian hates the fact.
- Dual Wielding
- Hero Killer: kills both Tullia and Fiannuala
- Foil: to Michael. Both are devoted older brothers, both lost their parents at a young age, both assembled a group of True Companions around themselves. Michael wonders if he can really blame Quirian for the actions he's taken, and speculates that in his place he would exactly the same.
- I Lied: he promises Felix that he will spare the lives of Amy and the others after Michael dies, then he sends Metella to kill them all anyway.
- Jerkass Woobie: The man lost his entire family, then found happiness somewhere else only to lose all of his friends in a war they fought in for his sake. It's hard not to feel a little sorry for him in spite of what he's planning to do.
- Large and in Charge: nearly seven feet tall
- Older Than He Looks: as a result of eating hearts to renew himself, he has been able to live for five hundred years while still appearing to be in his mid-thirties.
- Worthy Opponent: to Michael
Lucifer of the Lost
The captain of Quirian's personal guard, known as the Lost, Lucifer does not remember much about his childhood, and hides his face behind a mask.
- Artificial Limbs: his left arm has been cut off, and so he has a metal arm strapped to his stump. It doesn't move, but it has all of his spells engraved into the metal.
- Brainwashed and Crazy
- Easily Forgiven: Michael says that he doesn't even need to forgiveness for the things he's done, because they're family
- Faking the Dead: Quirian arranged his kidnapping and faked his death so that Michael and Miranda wouldn't look for him
- Magic Knight: can use a sword or sorcery
- Mask of Power: sort of. Lucifer wears a mask over his face to hide the fact that he is actually Felix which seems to also make him more assertive, powerful and just a bit meaner. Felix even talks about Lucifer as a stronger, better version of himself that comes out when he's wearing the mask.
- Walking Spoiler: he's actually Felix, Michael and Miranda's little brother
Metella Kardia
Quirian's bodyguard, Metella was rescued by him from the destruction of her village when she was a girl. An experienced spirit warrior, Metella is often found roaming the shadow plane protecting the helpless, and it is there that she first meets Michael, unaware that they are on opposite sides of the battle for the Empire.
- Action Girl
- Cool Big Sis: to Lucifer/Felix
- Doomed Hometown: Quirian saved her from one, her village was sacked by barbarian raiders when she was a child
- Heart Is an Awesome Power: as a spirit warrior, she can turn her drive to protect others into the strength to do so
- Heel–Face Turn: when she finds out what Quirian is really planning, she refuses to go along with it.
- Weak, but Skilled: not weak, per se, but although her spirit magic isn't as powerful as Michael or Gideon, she knows how to use it with more versatility.
Lysimachus Castra
A former soldier, Lysimachus served with Gideon, Ascanius and Julian in the Oretine War, and unlike them he carries a burden of guilt for things that he did there. That guilt drives him to take drastic action to advance Quirian's cause.
- The Atoner: he is driven to atone for the guilt of his actions in the Oretine War
- Go Out with a Smile: he looks content as the Furies devour his soul to punish him for his sins
- Heart Is an Awesome Power: he's a spirit warrior
- Military Brat
- One-Man Army: he delivers curb-stomp battles to the Imperial Army and Quirian's Lost
- Shellshocked Veteran
- Suicide by Cop: Quirian's plan involves him dying at the hands of the golems, he's fine with that.
Emperor Demodocus II
The current Emperor, Demodocus is a mild-mannered man hopelessly devoted to his wife, Portia. Well-meaning and devoid of any class prejudice, Demodocus takes Miranda into his confidence, but his other decisions as to who to trust are less well-founded.
- Blue Blood: he is the Emperor, after all, he has the bluest blood around
- Character Death: Antiochus murders him during The Coup
- Happily Married: to Portia, they're completely in love
- Horrible Judge of Character: zig-zagged, on the one hand he trusts Miranda, which is very wise of him, on the other hand he also trusts Antiochus while distrusting Romana, which is absolutely the wrong choice.
- Inadequate Inheritor: he is afraid of being seen as this
- Reasonable Authority Figure: most of the time, particularly when he's dealing with Miranda
- Took a Level in Jerkass: when he's dealing with Romana he becomes notably more aggressive.
Empress Portia
Demodocus' wife, Portia was a young serving-maid until she met, fell in love with, and married the Emperor. Beautiful, sweet and kind, Portia becomes one of Miranda's few friends at court.
- All of the Other Reindeer: she is isolated at court, because the noble famillies resent the fact that a pleb like her married the Emperor instead of the daughter of a patrician house. Miranda and Octavia are the only real friends she has.
- Beauty Equals Goodness: It is Miranda's opinion that the reason Portia seems so much more beautiful than any other woman at court is because she is so good and kind.
- Character Death: murdered by Antiochus and Messalina during The Coup
- Expy: of Cinderella
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: she has golden hair, and is one of the kindest people in Eternal Pantheia
- Happily Married: to Demodocus
- Innocent Blue Eyes
- Nice Girl
- Odd Friendship: with Miranda, who is a lot more intelligent and cynical than Portia
- Princess Classic: although she isn't a princess, she fits all the other requirements of the trope
- Rags to Riches: thanks to marrying the Emperor
- Too Happy to Live: she is happily married, finally made two good friends who don't despise her as an upstart, and has just found out that she is carrying the child that she and the Empire have long hoped for. Naturally, she dies soon after.
Prince Antiochus
The middle child of the three Imperial siblings (younger than Demodocus, older than Romana), Antiochus is far more politically engaged than his brother. He is also ambitious, and he arranges with Quirian to have Miranda brought to court in order to advance his own prospects.- Ambition Is Evil
- Blue Blood
- Character Death: Miranda roasts him alive
- Entitled Bastard: feels that he deserves to be Emperor because he wants to be
- Evil Prince
- Faux Affably Evil: he presents himself as a suave, charming courtier. He's actually a short-tempered, entitled little shit who wouldn't hesitate to kick a pregnant woman to death
- Obviously Evil: Miranda takes his measure after the attack on Quirian's house, when he's more interested in celebrating the destructive power of the golems than mourning the dead
- Oh, Crap!: his face when he realises just too late that Miranda means to kill him for what he's done to Portia
- Smug Snake: he has no idea that Quirian is using him
- Too Dumb to Live: in carrying out his coup, he decided to stamp on Miranda's Berserk Button by killing Portia, then apparently expected her to be okay with it and go back to serving him.
- Unwitting Pawn: of Quirian
Princess Romana
The youngest of the four children of the late Emperor Demetrius V, Romana has inherited the traditional purple hair and eyes of the Imperial bloodline, as well as ability to dream of events to come from her ancestor Lartha. A devout worshipper of the Empress Aegea, Romana is convinced that it is her destiny to sit on the purple throne and make the Empire great again.- Anime Hair: purple with streaks of rose and pink in the bangs, one of the signs that Aegea's bloodline has bred truer in her than in her brothers
- Blue Blood: is fond of reminding people that she is descended from Aegea
- Because Destiny Says So: Romana is a firm believer in this, to the extent that, although she wants the throne, she doesn't scheme to get it like Antiochus because it's her destiny to have it anyway.
- Dreaming of Things to Come: notably, she dreams of Michael's death, though not his subsequent resurrection
- The Fundamentalist: other characters percieve her as being this, thanks to her devout adherence to the Aegean faith
- Good Old Ways: is a staunch traditionalist and a believer in the old Imperial ways, including the faith of Aegea
- Graceful Ladies Like Purple: when she isn't in public (and thus wearing black then she wears purple, for it's Imperial associations
- A Mother to Her Men: knows the names of everyone who serves her, and inspires Undying Loyalty in all of them
- Odd Friendship: she tries to form one with Miranda, but the differences between them are too great
- Politically-Active Princess: more politically aware than Demodocus, she is actively courting the support of the nobility to counter Antiochus' support amongst the equestrians.
- Princesses Rule: She remains Princess Imperial, rather than becoming Empress after she ascends the throne.
- Technicolor Eyes: the only legitimate child of the last Emperor to have inherited purple eyes
- Tender Tears: sheds them for her guards after they are killed by Lysimachus in the attack on Quirian's house
Silwa
The goddess of victory and wisdom, Silwa is working tirelessly to save the Empire from Quirian. Unable to act against him directly, she uses Michael and Miranda as her instruments, guiding them along the path to victory with cryptic advice and information that rarely tells the full story.
- The Atoner: she did things in her youth that she isn't proud of, like expelling all the souls from heaven because It Amused Me, but is working to make up for them now.
- Big Good: she is working to save the Empire, which she claims is necessary for the survival of mankind.
- Create Your Own Villain: she saved Quirian's life five hundred years ago, and made him into the enemy of the Empire that he is today (she was opposed to it as well, at the time).
- Dissonant Serenity: is almost always calm and controlled, even when things appear to be falling apart
- Dream Walker: how she communicates with Michael
- God's Hands Are Tied: the reason she can't just kick Quirian to the curb herself: her fellow gods would take action against her if she used her divine powers to achieve her aims, forcing her to use guile and mortal agents instead
- Icy Gray Eyes: Her gray eyes are noted to be very difficult to read
Aegea, the Divine Empress
The founder of the Empire, she ascended to godhood rather than die, and continues to watch over her country and her people from the afterlife. Though she has only a few followers now, she continues to be committed to the nation she founded.
- Action Pet: had a wolf for one that fought alongside her. Its spirit accompanies her in the afterlife (its also on the Imperial flag).
- God-Emperor
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: she also delivers one of these to Michael
- Winged Unicorn: rode on one of these, and its spirit accompanies her in the afterlife (it, too, is on the Imperial flag).
The Furies
Oldest of the old gods, the Furies hunt down evildoers and punish them for their transgressions they are Ellyria, the Fury of Wrath, Hamara, the Fury of Jealousy, and Tyria, the Fury of Justice. They claim to be as far beyond corruption as they are without mercy, but they may have come to love the hunt more than they should.
- Flaming Sword: Ellyria carries one
- He Who Fights Monsters: they have all succumbed to this to some extent, but Ellyria the most
- Winged Humanoid: their appearance
- What You Are Inthe Dark: Hamara and Tyria refuse to allow Ellyria to kill Octavia, in violation of their code, even when no one would know they had done it.
Iriali, Mistress of the War-Cry
Daughter of Beltor, God of War, Iriali was imprisoned in a tomb for thousands of years as punishment for rebelling against the gods. She is set free by Lenwar as part of a plan to bring more troubles down upon the Empire.
- It's All About Me: Iriali is woken up by two human sacrifices, then kills the remaining treasure hunters camped down the mountain. She then sits down and mopes about how lonely she is and how much she misses her friends
- Lady of War
- Sealed Evil in a Can
- Semi-Divine: the daughter of the god of war
