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Maithanet
Maithanet
The Shriah of the Thousand Temples, and primary instigator of the Inrithi Holy War.
- Badass Preacher: Gives off this vibe. Esmenet describes him as "comporting himself with neck-breaking strength."
- Bodyguarding a Badass: Is always surrounded by Inchausti, the elite Shrial Knights who protect the Shriah. Maithanet can handle himself.
- The Consigliere: To Esmenet at the beginning of the second trilogy. Inrilatas mocks how Maithanet tries to act like "a more human version of Kellhus" in order to facilitate this relationship.
- The Dragon: To Anasûrimbor Moënghus.
- Foreshadowing: His ascent to power is meant to parallel Kellhus. A complete stranger from far-off foreign lands arrives taking control of a corrupt and decadent institution. It's remarked upon by Achamian that Maithanet's mysterious origins are to his benefit as Shriah, insulating him from seemingly being a product of the already-corrupt Shrial Apparati.
- High Priest: The Shriah is considered the living Apostle of the Latter Prophet, as well as the administrative ruler of the Thousand Temples, and the spiritual leader of all Inrithi.
- Large and in Charge: Achamian notes that he makes the tall priests next to him look "womanish."
- Made of Iron: Recovers from almost being choked to death with unnatural quickness.
- Meaningful Name: "Maithanet" means Instruction in Thoti-Eännorean—the language of the Tusk.
- Mole in Charge: For Anasûrimbor Moënghus within the Thousand Temples.
- Only Sane Man: Anasûrimbor Moënghus had six half-Dûnyain children. Maithanet was the only child that expressed "balance" and was permitted to live.
- Red Herring: There are plenty of clues in the first book that Maithanet is a Consult plant—specifically a skin-spy. This is Achamian's theory as well. Maithanet is a part of a larger conspiracy, but he isn't a Consult agent.
- Refuge in Audacity: Maithanet's confrontation with Xerius in The Warrior-Prophet is this.
- Rousing Speech: Delivers one outside the Junriüma on the Morn of Ascension, formally declaring the Holy War to reconquer Shimeh.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Has remarkably little "screentime" in the first trilogy. He sets the entire plot in motion by calling for the Holy War.
- Turbulent Priest: Is this to most of the Great Factions of the Three Seas. In the words of Achamian, the corrupt and ineffective administration of the Thousand Temples had been a constant in the political calculus of the Three Seas. Maithanet completely upsets the status quo.
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Deposes Esmenet thinking that he needs to gain control of the New Empire to forestall its collapse. Afterward he concludes that this is fallacy, that the utility of the Empire ended once the Great Ordeal marched.
- Your Head Asplode: Delivers one of these to Inrilatas.
Paro Inrao
Paro Inrao
A former Mandate initiate and student of Achamian's. He abandoned the Mandate and became a Shrial priest in Sumna.
- Defector from Decadence: How Inrao viewed leaving the Mandate.
- I Let Gwen Stacy Die: Achamian is haunted by his failure to protect Inrao.
- Too Good for This Sinful Earth
Ikurei Xerius III
Ikurei Xerius
The Nansur Emperor and one of the most powerful men in the Three Seas.
- Cain and Abel: His backstory.
- The Caligula: Xerius lapses into "Caligula moments" when he's excited or angry. At one point, he throws a golden wine-cup off his balcony just for fun, and remarks that some servant will undoubtedly steal it. He then orders his guards to scourge whoever steals it.
- Dumbass Has a Point: Not particularly bright, but he has his moments. Conphas notes in regards to Xerius how proud lesser men are of their fleeting moments of brilliance.
- Neck Snap: Receives this from a skin-spy pretending to be his mother.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: An interesting case; inspired by the political maneuvering and perceived decadence of Alexius Comnenus
, the Emperor of Byzantium. For Alexius's military success, see below. - Manipulative Bastard
- Parental Incest: With his mother.
- Royally Screwed Up: The Ikurei royal family is quite screwed up.
- Undignified Death
Ikurei Conphas
Ikurei Conphas
The nephew and heir of Emperor Xerius, and the finest general in the known world.
- Break the Haughty: This narcissist is eventually broken, at the hands of Cnaiür (who brutally rapes him) and Saubon (who defeats his army and kills him).
- Catchphrase: "War is intellect."
- The Cavalry: Is this to the Kianene defending Shimeh.
- The Chessmaster: To an even greater degree than his uncle.
- Cultured Badass: Is a well-read aristocrat. War is intellect after all.
- The Dandy
- The Dragon: As Exalt-General, Conphas is the supreme commander of the Nansur military and answers only to the Emperor.
- Dragon with an Agenda: Is also this to his Uncle, Xerius. Conphas never gets around to directly confronting his Uncle though, due to being preoccupieed with the Holy War.
- Dragon Ascendant: Becomes this in The Thousandfold Though after his Uncle's assassination.
- The Evil Prince
- Four-Star Badass: Conphas isn't much of a warrior, but put him in charge of an army and he will lead that force to victory.
- A God Am I: Falls deeper and deeper into this narcissistic delusion as the Holy War continues.
- Insufferable Genius: He really likes to lecture people on his great intellect.
- I Am the Noun: A rare implied variant after Proyas suggest he may seize Conphas for questioning.Conphas:"What? You propose to arrest me?"Proyas:"You propose to arrest Prince Kellhus."Conphas:"You would find it hard to arrest an army."Proyas:"I see no army."Conphas:"But you do..."
- Lack of Empathy: Probably his greatest flaw. Despite his tremendous intellect and analytical mind, Conphas can't really fathom the emotions that motivate those around him. This leads to dizzying blind spots relating to many characters including: Martemus, Biaxi Sompas, Cnaiür, and the vast majority of his army once they reach Shimeh.
- The Mole: He was sent to ensure the Holy War fails, as part of a political deal with the Kianene.
- Klingon Promotion: Aims to attain the throne early in this method.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: Inspired by Alexius Comnenus's military expertise.
- Pretty Boy: He's extremely handsome, and his appearance is described as "godlike" when he's particularly triumphant.
- Rape as Drama: Happens to him.
- Rape Portrayed as Redemption: Invoked Trope, but ultimately subverted. Cnaiür says that he wants to teach Conphas a lesson about life by raping him. It has about as much effect on Conphas as a slap on the wrist. He actually express concern for how little he's bothered by the whole affair.
- Red Baron: "The Lion of Kiyuth" after his tremendous victory over the Scylvendi tribes at the Kiyuth River. Most rank and file soldiers of the Nansurium shorten it to simply, "The Lion."
- The Sociopath: In the words of Kellhus, Conphas has a "pathological disregard for the estimations of other men."
- The Strategist: in general, and specifically offers to serve this role to the Holy War.
- The Unfettered
Ikurei Istriya
Ikurei Istriya
Mother of Emperor Ikurei Xerius III, once famed for her legendary beauty.
Skeaös
Skeaös
Prime Counsel to Ikurei Xerius, having served in that capacity for thirty years.
- Artificial Human
- Hypercompetent Sidekick: Has been this to Xerius for many years.
- Professional Butt-Kisser: Goes into this mode when he needs to placate Xerius.
Martemus
Martemus
Nansur general and aide to Ikurei Conphas.
- Foil: Invoked Trope. Conphas says that he values Martemus and his taciturn nature as a foil to his own personality.
- Number Two: To his Exalt-General, Conphas.
- Punch-Clock Villain: He's a good guy, but he's loyal to Conphas. He struggles mightily between his loyalty to Conphas and his conscience, which is manipulated by Kellhus.
- Social Climber: Not an overt example. Conphas notes how his eyes "light up" when they discuss imperial politics and matters of state.
- Working-Class Hero: Has a provincial accent and isn't from a rich family. He became Conphas's aide on merit rather than privilege.
Biaxi Sompas
Biaxi Sompas
The Nansur General of the Kidruhil. Eldest son of Patridomos Coronsas.
- Blue Blood: A member of House Biaxi, one of the most prestigious and powerful Houses of the Congregate.
- Field Promotion: Conphas tempts Sompas with a possible promotion to Exalt-General to motivate him. Sompas doesn't think it would be worth it.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: Raped to death by a skin-spy—not a good way to go.
- The Hunter Becomes the Hunted: Is hunting for Cnaiür at first. Soon his cavalry patrols begin disappearing and Sompas quickly realizes this trope is in effect.
- Professional Butt-Kisser: Acts this way in the presence of Conphas. Ultimately subverted in that it's all an act.
- Rank Up: After Thallei Numemarius is killed during the cleansing of Shigek, Sompas is promoted to General of the Kidruhil.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: After he is deployed with the Kidruhil to track down Cnaiür, he rides for Kellhus hoping to gain some favor by revealing Conphas's imminent attack.
Cememketri
Cememketri
Grandmaster of the Imperial Saik and adviser of Ikurei Xerius.
- Token Minority: Is Shiropti, an ethnic Shigeki living in the Nansurium.
Ngarau
Ngarau
The Grand Seneschal to Ikurei Xerius.
- Killed Off for Real: Is killed during the earthquake that wracks Momemn at the end of The Great Ordeal.
- Mauve Shirt: Appears or is mentioned in all six published books. He is little more than background setting.
- Undying Loyalty: To whomever happens to be in power on the Andiamine Heights. Be it House Ikurei or House Anasûrimbor.
