•
Alanna of Trebond: The protagonist of the series: a noble-born, stubborn
tomboy with bright, violet eyes and a wicked temper, but capable of earning loyalty and friendship. She is the first female knight in centuries in the land of Tortall, after disguising herself as a boy throughout her training. •
Thom of Trebond: Alanna's twin: a powerful magician, but often arrogant and prideful. Fellow-conspirator in creating 'Alan', Alanna's alter-ego. Throughout the novels Thom and Alanna exchange letters regarding Duke Roger of Conté. Thom becomes the youngest Master of the Mithran Light at the age of eighteen during
In the Hand of the Goddess. Thom was convinced by Delia of Eldorne to raise Roger from the dead. While bringing Roger back to life was successful, Roger eventually drained Thom's magic, resulting in Thom's death. •
Coram Smythesson: Alanna's bodyguard, loyal servant, and lifelong caretaker; a former soldier and Alanna's fellow conspirator in hiding her true gender. He later marries Rispah, George's cousin and part of the Corus criminal underworld, and is given the fief of Trebond by Alanna. •
George Cooper: A clairvoyant thief, trickster, and fighter who controls the capital city's criminal population as the King of Thieves; Alanna's friend, and periodically her lover; ultimately commissioned 'Baron of Pirate's Swoop' by King Jonathan, and (at the end of the last volume) married to Alanna. •
Rispah Cooper: George's cousin and assistant, head of the Corus flower sellers; later Coram's wife; cheerful, decisive, and compassionate. •
Jonathan of Conté: The crown prince of the kingdom Tortall; a ring-leader among the students trained in the capital. Alanna's friend, sponsor, and periodic lover; also an ally cultivated by George. Intelligent, handsome, charismatic, and decisive. •
Gareth of Naxen the Younger (Gary): Jonathan's unofficial second-in-command among the students; a whimsical and sharp-tongued but intelligent character, and Alanna's closest friend. Gary is the son of Duke Gareth the Elder, who is in charge of page and squire training. •
Raoul of Goldenlake: A fellow-student of Jonathan and Gary's; Alanna's friend; large, taciturn, and shy. •
Alex of Tirragen: A fellow-student of Alanna's; at first Alanna's friend, but later her rival after he becomes squire to Duke Roger of Conté. Slain by her in the final book. •
Ralon of Malven: A fellow-student of Jonathan's. Unsuccessfully tried to bully Alanna, beating up on her instead. He left the palace in shame after she beat him in an unarmed fight. He later became involved with the Court of the Rogue under the name 'Claw,' and was eventually slain by George Cooper. •
Thayet jian Wilima (Later Thayet the Peerless or Thayet of Conté): An exiled Saren princess befriended by Alanna; later married to Jonathan; a deft horsewoman and archer. Graceful, intelligent, confident, and compassionate. Regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world. •
Buriram Tourakom (Buri): Thayet's fiercely loyal bodyguard; later Raoul's amorous interest during the (
Protector of the Small series), and wife (in the
Daughter of the Lioness Series.) •
Liam Ironarm: A martial-arts champion, called the Shang Dragon, who attaches himself to Alanna, alternately as lover and instructor. Slain by her enemies defending the Tortallan crown. •
Duke Roger of Conté: Prince Jonathan's cousin and would-be usurper: suspected by Alanna in the first book, killed by her in the second, absent from the third, and resurrected in the fourth, wherein he is again killed by Alanna. == Themes ==