Sir Ina A brave and impetuous knight. Though she is younger than many of the other senior knights she is still an experienced warrior and well loved by the people. She carries an enchanted blade, handed down to her by her father, once the greatest knight of the Duchy, but now some years dead. Sir Arangorm A wise and experienced knight Arangorm is a veteran of wars against pirate chiefs in the past, and a wise head in council. Arangorm is a legendary warrior with his long spear named Ironthorn always at his side. He dislikes the Duchess, a fact that he does not make much effort to conceal and which has led to her hatred. Sir Pelgor Another old warrior, Pelgor is also something of a scholar, sometimes being found in the lonely tower inhabited by the monks who make their home at the edge of the castle. Pelgor is an old companion of Arangorm, but does not always see eye to eye with Sir Ina. He finds her youthful impetuousness to be hasty at best and foolish at worst. Sir Surrand Surrand is the captain of the castle guard and very poular with the young women of the castle. Some say that half the children running through the castle corridors may be his. Surrand likes his beer and his humor, and seldom seems to have his mind on serious matters. Whether he is truely a wastrel, or whether there may be more to the man remains to be seen. Councilor Matteus Matteus is the Duke's cousin, and his chief advisor. Some say that he desired the Duke's throne for himself once upon a time, but now he seems happy to advise his lord. He is a favourite of the Duchess Ollagard, who seems perhaps to dote on him a little too much. The older knights frown on any suggestion of gossip where the Duchess is concerned however. Duchess Ollagard Ollagard is the Duke's wife, but not the mother of his daughter Illana. The Duke's first wife dies some years ago of a mysterious illness leaving the Duke heartbroken. After a while though Ollagard, daughter of a minor noble, came to the castle and seemed to win the Duke's heart. They remarried a year ago and since then she has found her way into the heart of the castle, and the castle's life. Duke halldad Halldad is the aged Duke of Crannoch, and a man beloved of his people, for whom he cares deeply. A mentor to Ina the real love of his life is his daughter Illana, child of his first wife. When his wife died from a mysterious illness halldad was plunged into grief, but in the alst year, since meeting and marrying Ollagard, his life has improved somewhat. Illana Illana is the young daughter of the Duke, and his pride and joy. He dotes on her, and she has a reputation for being meek and mild, while at the same time smart, everything her father could hope for. The one problem in her life is her stepmother Ollagard. It is no secret that she does not like the new Duchess, but tried to behave well for her father's sake.