A list of the Characters that appear in Orphans Of Gaia
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Main Characters/ The "New" Angels
Max Hartford
The Main Protagonist of the story. A somewhat timid young man from Crystal Falls he is reluctantly thrown into the adventure after his grandparents are killed. Compassionate and courageous he eventually becomes the De-facto leader of his group of friends and eventually The Phoenix Brigade.
- All-Loving Hero: Is at first accused of being this due to sparing and protecting Marcus. He also admits he dislikes violence and adopts a Thou Shalt Not Kill philosophy similar to Gramps and his dad. But as he grows in confidence and faces off against some truly heinous people he shows that he also knows Good Is Not Soft.
- Authority Sounds Deep: Max is occasionally noted to have a surprisingly deep baritone, especially after his Character Development kicks in, and he eventually accepts his role as The Leader of the Phoenix Brigade and the current Angel of Fire.
- Badass Longcoat: Max is given a green one from G which he wears for the rest of the series. He eventually learns it used to belong to his dad.
- Berserk Button: Though a generally Nice Guy 99% of the time, do not harm any of his allies or innocent lives or he will teach you why he's The Hero.
- Chronic Hero Syndrome: His tendency to leap in to help people without a second thought is what his allies admire about him, though some at first criticize him for it. Turns out it also runs in the family.p
- The Dreaded: Eventually is given a few nicknames including "The Phoenix" and "Ember". News of his exploits ends up striking pure terror in Forge's soldiers. Max does use this his advantage a few times to avoid all out fights.
- Fatal Flaw: Is actually his lacknof self-confidence, often doubting and second guessing himself. Some see his Chronic Hero Syndrome as this, though most come around and see it his greatest strength.
- Happily Married: With Jay once they get married similar to Gramps and Gran.
- The Heart: Shares this role with Jay, both of them capable of getting others to open up and trust them.
- Idiot Hero: Downplayed and eventually averted. Though Hawk often calls him an "idiot" Max proves himself to be quite intelligent and strategic as he grows as a fighter and leader.
- The Leader: A Magnetic Hero and also The Heart many are drawn to his kindness and bravery. He is quite reluctant to accept being a leader but eventually embraces the role.
- Let's Get Dangerous!: Similar to the rest of The Phoenix Brigade, Max doesn't always fight with his whole strength. But when he pulls his gloves off and his expression grows serious his status as The Dreaded is understood.
- Nice Guy: Is polite and pleasant to everyone he meets, even his enemies. Though he is also proof that Good Is Not Soft if pushed too far.
- Power Stereotype Flip: Despite Max's magic being "Fire" he is not hot-headed or reckless balancing out other characters like Hawk and Jay.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: Max is the more cautious and level-headed 'Blue' to both 'Reds' Hawk and Jay.
- Reluctant Hero: Max does not want to be a 'hero'. But he also can't ignore people in trouble, and often defends them.
- Thou Shalt Not Kill: Max actively avoids taking a life, refusing to kill most of his opponents such as Marcus, Teal or even Forge. Yet despite this Good Is Not Soft, and if pushed into Tranquil Fury he will not hesitate to hand you a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown. He also does trick Teal into collapsing her base on top of her.
- Tranquil Fury: Max's anger isn't explosive like other characters. When he grows silent and his normal genial expression darkens though be warned. He may adhere to Thou Shalt Not Kill, but that doesn't mean he's going to take it easy.
- Weak, but Skilled: Max never quite matches all of his opponents in raw power, but he makes up for it by being quite agile and able to outwit and out maneuver them. Though he does learn various forms of fighting as the series goes on when faced with a stronger opponent he still ends up winning through quick-thinking and exploiting weaknesses.
- Worthy Opponent: After the 1st book Forge grows to respect Max's tenacity and determination. He even believes that Max is the most likely to defeat him, though he still feels he will win in the end. Max ultimately proves him both right and wrong by defeating him in the end.
Jaylean "Jay" Bryant
Max's childhood friend who lived with him and his grandparents. She is a kind-hearted young woman with traumatic past. She also is reluctantly forced to leave Crystal Falls and is Max's most loyal ally.
- Bare-Fisted Monk: Eventually learns hand-to-hand combat from Daan becoming the best physical fighter in the group.
- Blood Knight: In contrast to Max and her expertise in medicine Jay is more than willing to get into a fight. Even Hawk is sometimes surprised at how quick Jay often gets into scraps, though thankfully she does not share Hawk's Hair-Trigger Temper.
- Cute Bruiser: Is noted to be quite "cute" in contrast to Hawk, but after training she becomes more than willing to throw down and keep up with others.
- Good Is Not Soft: Just like Max Jay is a sweetheart most of the time seeming to be another All-Loving Hero, who also follows Thou Shalt Not Kill. But she has no qualms with beating you to a bloody pulp if you piss her off.
- Happily Married: With Max once they finally get married.
- The Heart: Shares this role with Max, though she takes on more of a Team Mom role and not The Leader.
- Let's Get Dangerous!: Jay is normally a formidable fighter, but she doesn't always fight with her full strength. If she ties her shoes though, she is ready to go all out.
- Lightning Bruiser: Due to her magic Jay can actually take quite a hit and after her training learns to hit back harder. And due to her small stature she proves to be quite nimble and fast.
- Official Couple: Once again with Max, both of them acting as the glue that holds the team together.
- Shipper on Deck: For quite a few of the other couples, especially Chip and Lily, and Alex and Tina.
- Significant Wardrobe Shift: Jay starts out the story wearing long skirts and simple blouses and shirts. She later ends up wearing more tight fitting and evocative clothing to blend in with the young adults of Haven Oasis. She eventually wears more practical traveling clothes though never goes back to long skirts. After learning to fight she switches to a hoodie Max buys for her along with a pair of calf length cargo pants that are easier to fight in. She is also given a different pair of her signature high top sneakers that were altered by Chip, who reinforced the heels and toes to help her when fighting.
- Took a Level in Badass: After the first book Jay learns combat from Daan and practices using her magic. She soon grows to be the most powerful physical fighter on the team.
- Victorious Childhood Friend: Max and her become a couple early in the story after they both realize their respective feelings for each other. They soon get married and stay together.
Rachael "Hawk" Bryant
A young woman with an equally traumatic past, she hides her hurt behind a prickly exterior with a (very) generous serving of snark. She eventually softens and becomes one of Max's most stalwart allies.
- Belligerent Sexual Tension: With Chip due to their shared history, and Chip's lingering feelings for her. They eventually calm down after Hawk pursues Shadow.
- Berserk Button: While noted to have a Hair-Trigger Temper and quick in insult or threaten enemies, do not ever touch or steal her guns. Also don't harm her friends in front of her or attempt to kill them, Silver learns this lesson the hard way.
- Cannot Spit It Out: Is clearly attracted to both Chip and Shadow. But will she admit it... nope.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: While she does have long blonde hair she is more of an aversion due to her sarcastic manner and cold treatment of others. Yet her kindness does shine through a few times making her more of a Jerk with a Heart of Gold.
- Known Only by Their Nickname: Everybody calls her Hawk with only a few people knowing her real name and only a couple she'll even allow to call her by it.
- Let's Get Dangerous!: She is the most powerful magically on the team but her lack of confidence and fear about her magic's side effects means she doesn't always use her full strength. When she decides to put away her guns and stop holding back she is able to Curb-Stomp Battle some of the minor antagonists. Her full power is even on par with the Reapers, enough to finish off and defeat Stella all by herself. Forge notes that her power could possibly rival his own.
- Like Brother and Sister: Her friendship with Max. She even quickly waves away any claims she finds him attractive at all.
- Slap-Slap-Kiss: Had this dynamic with Chip both before they got together, during, and after they broke up. Lessens over the course of the series as Hawk opens up to others and eventually accepts her feelings for Shadow.
- Stepford Snarker: How she deals with witnessing the Skye's Rock Massacre, and what happened to Chip's family.
- Tsundere: "Tsun-Tsun" being her default mode. She softens up as the series goes on though never losing her snark.
- Unresolved Sexual Tension: With Chip and Shadow, though with Shadow it is not Belligerent Sexual Tension like with Chip.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: With basically everyone as the resident Snark Knight.
- Will They or Won't They?: How her relationship with Shadow is for much of the series.
Alex Johnson
A young man from Genia who is a part of the religious Order of Leo, having been raised by his adoptive father Captain Dion Johnson. Initially believed Magic to be 'Evil' and thus helped his father hunt those that could use Magic. After meeting and befriending Max and Jay he realizes Dion's efforts are not as 'Good' as he once thought.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Unlike most Genians Alex is blonde and is one of the nicest characters quickly becoming friends with Max and Jay.
- Must Make Amends: Feels he must atone for helping Dion hunt people who could use Magic.
Rythio Genos Lunarc/"Shadow"
The King of the Dark Elves or Drow. Due to the Drow Kingdom having fallen ten years ago shortly after his coronation he was dubbed "The Shadow King." He has since adopted the moniker going by the name "Shadow." He tries to help the
others from a distance but soon finds himself getting more involved.
- Arranged Marriage: His marriage to Nadia was for purely political reasons as the two of them admit their relationship is more Like Brother and Sister.
- Cannot Spit It Out: Refuses to admit or accept for the longest time that he has any romantic feelings for Hawk, despite almost everyone, including his wife, seeing quite clearly that he does.
- I Gave My Word: Tells Hawk he promised her father he would protect her, and he works very hard to stick to that. Though some think he has other reasons that he doesn't want to admit.
- Must Make Amends: Is wracked with guilt for the Skye's Rock Massacre even though he was not directly responsible.
Samantha "Spark-Plug" O'Hara/"Sparky"
A half-dwarven woman who lives in Gyro City. Sparky is a skilled racer who drives for her husband's team in the Gyro City Races. While outwardly cheerful and bubbly she uses this cover up her own traumatic experiences and deep insecurities.
- Cutesy Dwarf: Do to being half-dwarven Sparky is sometimes confused for someone much younger despite being the same age as Hawk, who is even more surprised Sparky is also married.
- Happily Married: With Wrench when she is first introduced. Tragically cut short when Silver kills Wrench.
- The Heart: While not the youngest member of the team, she acts quite bubbly and can seem more childish than the others while her magic is less offensive. Most of her cheerfulness is to hide her deep emotional pain from when Jack raped her. When Wrench is killed she falls even deeper into a Heroic BSoD that almost sends her over the Despair Event Horizon.
- Stepford Smiler: Hides her emotional pain and trauma behind her cheerful bubbly personality.
The Phoenix Brigade
Charles "Chip" Haven
The second son of Western Gaia's Governor, Chip has garnered a reputation for being a notorious womanizer and a seemingly useless fop. Chip is actually a mechanical genius, a skilled inventor and engineer. While he does not possess magic his intelligence proves invaluable to the team.
- Ambiguously Bi: Will flirt with anyone and everyone regardless of their sex. He also acts quite campy at times but is only ever had relationships with women.
- Badass Normal: No magic to speak of. But when he does join the battle, his inventions and robotic army allow him to be just as dangerous as most of the others.
- Belligerent Sexual Tension: With Hawk, though Chip knows deep down Hawk will never truly return his affections again. This lessens as both finally move on, though it takes Hawk a while to realize that Chip actually has.
- Can't Act Perverted Toward a Love Interest: One of the first clues that Chip has developed a genuine affection for Lily is that she is the only character he does not openly flirt with. Everyone else realizes this fairly quickly except for Hawk and Lily.
- Chivalrous Pervert: Is known as a notorious womanizer and basically throws the Haven Oasis equivalent of "orgies" at his mansion. Yet he would never harm a woman or take advantage of her, and despite his reputation has only actually slept with one woman.
- The Dandy: Is seen as this by most characters. Then again he is still the resident Badass Normal Gadgeteer Genius.
- The Gadfly: Loves teasing the other characters especially Hawk and Shadow, who are both equally annoyed by it.
- Gentleman Snarker: A true gentleman, who can snark with the best of them, once again especially Hawk and Shadow.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Long blonde hair and underneath the seemingly carefree manner is someone with a deeply compassionate heart and generous nature, shown especially when he gives away simple shoes to help people find work in Haven Oasis.
- Shipper on Deck: Surprisingly is fully supportive of Hawk and Shadow and tries to get them to admit their feelings. Though he does it by teasing and flirting with them both (much to their equal annoyance and his amusement.)
- The Smart Guy: Chip may not have magic, but he is capable of creating and inventing planes, steam engines, hoverboards, augmenting and modding equipment, or creating his own robotic army.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: His friendship with Shadow. Especially once Shadow realizes Chip has actually moved on from Hawk and is of no danger to her.
Kristina "Tina" Lowell
A young woman from Haven Oasis who befriends Jay. She joins the group after Haven Oasis falls to the Drow. Bubbly and friendly she offers emotional support and encouragement to the rest of the group.
Lily
A young sprite who after her forest home is destroyed transforms into an elven girl. She then quickly ages into a young woman and journeys with the group.
- Beware the Nice Ones: A complete sweetheart that does not have a mean bone in her body. But when she finally fights alongside the others she is utterly ruthless.
- Dance Battler: Is actually trained in a special Elven combat dancing style taught to female Elves that uses their light magic to wield bladed chakrams. Chip gives her chakrams he modified himself which she later uses to fight alongside the others.
- Ship Tease: With Chip. From their first meeting Chip is nothing but sweet and polite to her, in contrast to Hawk's warnings.
Roll
Rita "Roll" Jackson is a Dwarven member of the Genian Resistance. Playful and perverted she is normally quite friendly with people and tries tomhide her own pain and trauma.
- Berserk Button: Whatever you do, don't call her "cute"...it won't end well.
- Cutesy Dwarf: Honestly shares this with her brother but due to her height people think she's much younger than she is, and she absolutely hates it.
- He's Not My Boyfriend: Will proclaim this quite loudly whenever someone even slightly implies she has feelings for Rock. Which only makes the fact that she actually 'does' more obvious.
- The Prankster: Roll is notorious for constantly pulling pranks on her friends.
Antagonists/The Reapers
Francis Hendrickson/ Forge
The Main Antagonist, once a man he was blessed by the Crystal of Light and transformed into one of the first Dragons. He grew to despise humanity and sought to subjugate them before eventually wishing for their extinction.
- Big Bad: The main antagonist of the entire series.
- Evil Is Bigger: Is already the largest Dragon Max and then others encounter and undoubtedly evil. His first One-Winged Angel form though is absolutely massive, dwarfing even the mountain he had previously been sealed inside.
- Faux Affably Evil: Is always quite polite and seemingly genial to Max and the other characters even when they call him a monster. Yet he of course has no qualms with casually killing, or his army destroying Eastern Gaia.
- God Complex: Due to his immense power he often calls himself a "God", and thinks himself above everyone else. His ultimate plan is to gain enough power to kill The Creator and take his place truly becoming a God.
- One-Winged Angel: As any good Final Boss Forge takes on a couple different forms in the climactic battle against Max and the Phoenix Brigade. First he absorbs the power from the other Elder Dragons and transforms into a massive Dragon with six wings that is larger than a mountain. After Max separates the Crystal of Darkness from him Forge transforms into a normal sized human with a younger apperceive but with Dragon wings and clawed hands and feet.
- Rank Scales with Asskicking: The undisputed leader of The Reapers and the most powerful of them.
- The Sociopath: Is described as one or a psychopath by many characters. He shows no real affection for his followers, willing to kill them without a second thought if doing so would be beneficial to him.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Sees himself as one, claiming he is saving the world by ridding it of the "plague" that is humanity.
Natalie "Teal" Richards
Megan's younger sister, Max and Riku's aunt and one of the most dangerous of Forge's Reapers. Nicknamed "The Spider" she has spent the past 1000 years helping build The Genian Church for her own ends, mostly to defeat Forge and becomes the world's "Queen".
- Big Bad: Serves as the main antagonist of the 2nd book. She sets up the traps to capture The Phoenix Brigade to drain their magic. She was also the one who corrupted and controlled Dion for years.
- Hoist by Their Own Petard: Max tricks her into destroying the support pillars of her base during their climactic fight
- The Man in Front of the Man: Or woman in this case. Intially seems to be working for Richard Masterson, until she casts him aside and reveals she has always been the real ruler of Genia and not him.
- The Starscream: Even when she was working with Forge she did so grudgingly. After spending a thousand years having Masterson help her gather magic she feels more than ready to face her her former master.
The Masked Man/ Marcus Johnson
Max's former best friend who grew up alongside him and Jay. He works with Forge for the sole purpose of killing Max.
- Big Bad Ensemble: Is one of several Antagonists in the first book. He slowly grows into more of an Anti-Hero as the series goes on.
- The Heavy: Is the main direct physical threat to Max throughout the entire first book constantly confronting him including at the climax.
- Heel–Face Turn: While it takes a loooooooong time Marcus ultimately finally agrees to stop fighting against Max and work with him to stop Forge. Though only if Max promises him one last fight.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He initially comes off as a complete Jerkass, especially with his treatment of Max and Jay. But as the series goes on his tough facade slowly fades and he shows small moments of compassion and vulnerability. Especially when compared to other characters who even make Marcus's stomach churn.
- Rival Final Boss: Is actually Max's final opponent after Forge has finally been defeated. Though their final fight is more about giving Marcus one last chance to challenge Max. Afterwards he dies from his previous injuries.
- Rivals Team Up: Eventually agrees to work alongside Max to finally put a stop to Forge. He later transforms into a dragon alongside Max in the final battle against Forge.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Has dark black hair, is taller than Max and has always been regarded as good-looking and charming. Even with half of his face burned other characters do still remark on his good looks.
Satoshi
One of the top assassins in Teal's employ and her right-hand man. Ambitious and bloodthirsty Satoshi will stop at nothing to achieve his ambitions.
- Abhorrent Admirer: Is completely obsessed with Riku who absolutely hates his guts.
- The Dragon: To Teal who he is completely utterly devoted to.
- Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: While charming and occasionally seeming genuine Satoshi proves multiple times that he truly does not care for anyone who is not Teal and treats even his closest allies with utter contempt.
- Manipulative Bastard: Has no qualms with blackmailing, abusing, and tricking others into doing his bidding.
- The Rival: Has an immediate dislike of Marcus which only grows over time. It finally comes to a head after Marcus and Makoto become a couple and they both defect from Teal.
- Undying Loyalty: Despite being a total amoral, psychopathic, manipulative Jerkass he would never dream of betraying his beloved mistress Teal, the only person he has any real respect for. Probably because she's just as twisted as him.
Makoto
A Dwarf and another of Teal's assassins Makoto always feels inferior to others (especially Riku). She begins to reconsider her loyalty to Teal and eventually defects from her alongside Marcustl
- Hopeless Suitor: Towards Satoshi. She is completely infatuated with him despite the abuse she suffers from him and Teal, and knowing that Satoshi will never return her feelings. Marcus calls her out on this.
- Tsundere: Acts initially quite cold and prickly towards Marcus but slowly warms up to him especially when he begins to show her genuine respect and affection for her.
Family and Other Allies
Samuel Hartford aka Gramps
Max's grandfather and current owner of the Crystal Falls Inn. Kind-hearted and always willing to help others he has earned the respect of Crystal Falls and is seen as a figure of authority.
- Gentle Giant: An tall and physically intimidating man who honestly does nothing to hurt anyone except to protect the village or his family.
- Happily Married: With Gran, the two of them only showing love and affection towards each other in all their interactions.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Is greatly respected by the village and the staff at the Inn, and is rarely shown to get angry except at Dion after he strikes a child in anger.
