Main Characters

Appo Ilonnorot: Healer, former priest, one of the leading figures in the burgeoning field of medicine. Called to Ash to investigate the screaming plague. Worships Lowya, the goddess of pestilence. Cityfolk from Jyvask (east of Ash). Inquisitive, skeptical, determined. One-handed.

Jere: A mercenary with a mysterious past who works under Boah Awil-Ishtar. Former priest. Semi-reluctant companion of Appo’s investigation. From the far south of Ostior. Laconic, stubborn, tactical. Currently trapped under Ash Manor.

Boah Awil-Ishtar: One of the nine Heads of Ash, summoned Appo to investigate the plague. An influential figure amongst Ashfolk and Heads alike. Charismatic, ambitious, intimidating. Currently the leader of the last survivors of Ash in the Manor.

Juddken Awil-Ishtar: Boah’s young adult son. Works with the Guard Corps, loyal to his father above all else. Believes he hears the voice(s) of Okkan. Sadistic, quiet, deceptively plain.

Isbibarra: A ‘blind’ beggar who seems to be involved with the Screaming Plague. Asshole.

Eevi: A former raider turned bartender. An acquaintance of Jere and Isbibarra. Somewhere in Ash Manor.

The Nine Trader Heads (ranked by influence at the beginning of the story, follow either Okkan or Ati)

1. Mendalla Ealamassi: The most powerful and influential Head within Ash. Sells pottery, though recently came into power by orchestrating the Day of Akkavan. She is classist and judges Boah despite their similarities. Stern, but open to reason. Secretly sentimental. Worships Okkan. Current whereabouts unknown.

1. Mother of Amaren.

2. Boah Awil-Ishtar: Sometimes referred to as “The Big Man for the Little People.” Sells jewelry and high-end clothes. A self-made man, made his initial fortune from water trading. Is the newest Head and is treated as such by many Ati worshipers. Is highly influential with Ashfolk, who believes he will one day not only replace Mendalla in influence but also become the high priest. Is well known for his impassioned, often extemporaneous speeches in the open. Worships Okkan.

1. Father of Juddken

3. Zaman Urash: the patriarch of the Urashs, an old and influential family who ruled Ash for centuries until recently. Sells spices, most notably the aphrodisiac brown ash. Is old, decrepit, vulgar, and traditional in his beliefs, but is exceptionally cunning. Worships Ati. Is close friends with Kyosti and Kirashi. Maintains his own brand of desert mercenaries separate from the Corps.

4. Shimsusa: Sold perfume. Had distinctive red hair. Worshipped Okkan. She was highly fanatical and often praised Okkan. She worked with her brother Enlil, the current high priest of Ash. Victim of Juddken's sacrifice.

5. Harran: Sells silk. An early supporter of Boah, paying for his schooling, and remains a vital ally to him today. Often called sycophantic by others. Worships Okkan. Has a large mustache.

6. Kyosti: Sold beads and riding animals. Large man notable for his intricately braided beard. Worshipped Ati, one of Urash’s closest friends. Killed by screamers.

7. Kirashi: Maintained a monopoly tax on wine and ale, worked closely with taverns. Worshipped An. Close friends with Urash and Kyosti. Tongue removed by Juddken for speaking out against Boah.

8. Namshi: Sold paint, former artist, and was responsible for painting the murals on the walls of the Manor. Worshipped Okkan. The survivor of a stroke/mental breakdown and unable to participate in political gatherings. He was represented by his granddaughter, Nami. Both perished to screamers.

1. Grandfather of Nami.

9. Digram Gizzal: Sold gemstones, descended from a family known for mining. Short-statured and overweight, adorned in many jeweled rings. Worshipped Ati, though is not seen as a particularly close with the other Ati worshippers. Kidnapped by Isbibarra and sacrificed to the Krazeek.

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Guard Corps

-Penzer: Head of the Guard Corps, worked for Mendalla. Claimed by the screamers in the cells

-Adok: Guard, works for Mendalla. Young, inexperienced. Assigned with guarding Jere. Trapped underground.

-Duncic: Guard, worked for Boah. Friend of Jere. Killed himself after being scratched.

-Heikk: Guard, works for Mendalla. Friend of Adok. Trapped underground.

-Ipa: Guard, worked for Boah. Early Juddken sacrifice.

The Yald Family

-Garabi: Patriarch of the Yald Family

-Erish: Garabi's wife

-Tomi: Young powerful magi. Killed by Isbibarra

-Uten: Oldest. Killed by Isbibarra

-Hulla: Youngest, saved by Appo

Others

-Anna “Malefica” Olavintar: Shaman, Witch accused of cursing Ash. Worshipped the Godlin, Vijar. Exiled by Ashfolk.

-Eanna: Caregiver, works for Boah. Knowledgeable in caring for the plague victims. Sacrificed by Juddken.

-Bjorn: FIrst plague victim encountered by Appo

-Mena: A desertfolk woman who cared for her husband after he became afflicted with the plague. Plague later claimed her and her family.

-Mikal: Companion of Isbibarra, patient zero of the Screaming Plague