Rise of Empire
Characters in Rise of Empire
8 characters, main characters first.Main characters
Arista Essendon
Princess of Melengar, who defies her brother and hires Royce and Hadrian for a mission behind enemy lines to win the Nationalists as allies.
Also in Avempartha, Nyphron Rising, Wintertide, Heir of Novron, Theft of Swords
Royce Melborn
Wary master thief and half of the Riyria partnership, who suspects the wizard Esrahaddon is using the pair as pawns.
Also in The Crown Conspiracy, The Crown Tower, The Viscount and the Witch, Avempartha, The rose and the thorn, Death of Dulgath, Nyphron Rising, The disappearance of Winter's daughter, The Emerald Storm, Drumindor
Hadrian Blackwater
Royce's partner, a former mercenary weary of thieving who longs for a just cause and learns more about his own past.
Also in The Crown Conspiracy, The Crown Tower, The Viscount and the Witch, Avempartha, The rose and the thorn, Death of Dulgath, Nyphron Rising, The disappearance of Winter's daughter, The Emerald Storm, Drumindor
Antagonists
Merrick Marius
A cunning and ruthless spy aiding the Imperialists, an old acquaintance of Royce whom the pair set out to stop.
Also in The Emerald Storm, Wintertide, Heir of Novron
Supporting characters
Esrahaddon
An ancient wizard whom Royce suspects of using Riyria as pawns in his own struggle for power.
Also in The Crown Conspiracy, Avempartha, Nyphron Rising, Theft of Swords
Thrace Wood
A farm girl installed as Empress Modina, a figurehead of the new empire kept out of sight while others rule in her name.
Also in Nyphron Rising, Wintertide, Heir of Novron, Theft of Swords
Alric Essendon
King of Melengar and Arista's brother, holding his small kingdom against the new empire with information Royce and Hadrian supply.
Also in Nyphron Rising, Heir of Novron
Gwen DeLancy
A woman close to Royce, with whom he spends much of his time between the pair's missions.
Also in The rose and the thorn, Death of Dulgath, Wintertide, Heir of Novron, Theft of Swords