Characters in The Tainted Cup

Dinios "Din" Kol

The novel's narrator: a junior engraver in the Iudex, biologically altered to recall everything he perceives. Serves as Ana Dolabra's eyes in the field while concealing his dyslexia.

Ana Dolabra

The Iudex investigator Din assists: brilliant, abrasive and reclusive, she rarely leaves her rooms and works blindfolded to keep the world from distracting her deductions.

Also in A Drop of Corruption, A Trade of Blood

Tazi Miljin

A decorated war veteran attached to Uhad's Iudex division, and the one member of the investigating team who is largely unaltered — practical and blunt where Ana is abstract.

Kepheus Strovi

A Legion captain stationed at the sea wall who aids the investigation and grows close to Din. His wealthy family barred him from the more drastic bodily alterations.

Taqtasa Blas

An Imperial engineer whose death in a Daretana mansion — a tree erupting fully grown from his body — opens the investigation.

Fayazi Haza

A member of the immensely wealthy Haza family, whose interests in the ruined canton of Oypat sit at the centre of the case.