The Traveling Party

Ikhara could be considered the heroine of this story, but she doesn't act very heroine-ish. She's a strong, intelligent woman who knows how to read and control people. As one of the Empress' two favourite courtesans, she evaluates pretty much everything by how it can be of use to her. She's doing this because, basically, she wants to find out if everything she's been taught is bullshit. I think we can relate...

Cydric is the other favourite, and perhaps could be called Ikhara's counterpart. He's dignified and aristocratic and an expert at the intricacies of courtly politics, but is frustrated with the stagnation of the Empire and his inability to become anything more within the confines of his society. Ikhara is very suspicious of his motives in joining her group.

Nithnaeri (Naeri for short) showed up in the dungeon when Ikhara and Cydric were springing Meleye. The others don't know why she was in there, but they do know that she was in there for quite a while. She's been tortured, among other things, and she's understandably rather antisocial now. She mostly glares and mutters to herself, occasionally making sarcastic remarks at Meleye.

Meleye is a heretic of sorts that Ikhara found in the dungeon. He claims to have come from the mythical "surface world" and has promised to lead Ikhara (and later her whole entourage) there in exchange for his freedom. He's fanatically devoted to his "Sun Lord" and believes that the Goddess is a demon. He's scared stiff of Naeri, whom he thinks is a witch out to destroy them all. We don't know exactly why he thinks that...

Liselle got included in the party when she overheard Ikhara's treasonous plans, and Ikhara (in an attempt to keep her quiet) invited her to come along. It didn't work, but she's at least comic relief. She's more than a little of a bubblehead, and can't remember much for longer than 5 minutes, but she's kind of sweet in a ditzy sort of way. Astoundingly enough, she does seem to have some awareness of what she is. She's infatuated with Meleye, and thus thinks Naeri is the source of all evil.

Kielmar could be written off as Cydric's tagalong sidekick, but he's got depths. He means well and is unfailingly loyal, and can be counted on to do just about anything. He's the kind of person who'd go to great pains to make sure that nobody has to eat pineapple who doesn't like it when you order pizza.

Meanwhile, back at the...er...Empire...

The Empress has been around and seen just about every facet of life in her City of Light. She's very old and rather sickly, and there has been much speculation about who will succeed her, as she has no blood heirs. She seems to have been aware of Ikhara's little escapade, but is understandably secretive about her intentions.

Meran is the Empress' Captain of Guards. She's one tough cookie and disciplines her women firmly but not without compassion. She's very good at her job, but is confused and irritated by courtly politics. Ceana tries to give her a hand sometimes in that department.

Ceana is a dancer in the personal service of the Empress. She may look like a sex kitten, but she's got a pretty damn shrewd head on her shoulders. She's got lots of connections and knows quite a bit of what's going on in the Empire.

Bakrina's the revolutionary. She believes that the Empire has become an entity unto itself that doesn't care about the individual, and she wants to do something about it. She's also the cutest castmember, to be sure (and there's a story behind THAT... hehe).