Characters

Primary Celestial Buddha; the first Enlightened One. Achieved enlightenment millennia prior as the monk Dharmakāra. Through strict adherence to his 48 vows, fabricated his own parallel realm — the Pure Realm — where he observes the balance and stability of all realms. Founder of the 48-member Pantheon, intended to ensure cosmological balance is maintained democratically. Responsible for the dispensation of dharmas universally. Possesses infinite merit, infinite light. Forged the Celestial blade Dharma for his attendant Lokeśvara preceding her quest. Gives Sid his dharma of nurturing the Buddha; provides secondary divine dharma of double agency.

Tavern owner of The Drunken Monk Pen, located strategically in the heart of Arcadia (though nephalistic himself). Took an oath of silence — removed his own tongue to prevent cursed infliction. High observation has yielded above-average Sati. Communicates to very few telepathically through transference of thought via the incense in his cigars; this enchanted incense, once burned for roughly a day, envelops the surroundings with his awareness and lets him teleport to that location. Master at teleportation generally — traded verbal prowess (mantras) for extraordinary observation, allowing him to travel to wherever he has seen. Former Titan of Queen's Pride; proudly displays his victor's artifact in his tavern. Highly skilled fighter and assassin; informant to many (most don't see him as a threat due to being mute). Utilizes pacifistic illusory techniques to quell disputes in the tavern. Encounters the team during the Titānia Trials; the bar serves as their rendez-vous and place of intel. Bestows the team with enchanted incense that allows him to teleport to their location and transport them. Attracted to and respects Zahira greatly for her tolerance to alcohol and combat prowess — constantly arguing over her killing without first gathering information.

Renowned Śramana (master / teacher) of the terrestrial realm. Tutored young Zahira in advanced martial arts and meditation in preparation to be the next Shakyamuni — though her apathy for both yielded low affinity for Samadhi. Mortally wounded in the c. 554 BCE attack on the Shakya kingdom by mercenaries (the patron behind the attack remains unidentified to the protagonists). With his dying breath, tells Zahira of her destined role in the Pantheon and insists the Buddha is the only way to return — the revelation that catalyzes her quest as Samsāra.

Renowned sage of the Shakya — previous Shakyamuni (Great Sage of the Shakya) before Sid. Upper-class origins. Possesses many advanced longevity tattoos. Attendant to King Śuddhodana and the prince's most loyal servant; accompanied Sid on all diplomatic tours throughout the Mārtya territories and is well known in prominent circles. Sid's mantra master — taught the prince the majority of his chanting and meditative techniques. Petite doting senior, protective of both royals, specifically Sid. Mistakenly classifies Zahira as Anointed due to her Sumerian appearance. Constantly trying to find Zahira a suitor. Sought out the prince following the attack on the Shakya palace and journeys with him after his separation from Zahira. Martyrdom in Sōl with the prophetic farewell to Sid: "It's a shame, you would have made a fine King..." Namesake of Sid's familiar — reincarnated as the terrestrial Deva Kanthaka through Sid's invocation of her name.

Previous emperor of the Land of Sōl, prior to his successor and son Vladimir. Existentialist. Blind in one eye. Strongly believed in the reacquisition of Heliōs as a part of Sōl, and eventually the entire continent. Killed by rival Ivān of The Light in a show of force, the act that catalyzed Vladimir's revenge campaign against Heliōs. Wielded the Celestial greataxe Rinlöjm, which passed to his son upon his death.

Emperor of Heliōs, the largest sūrian empire on Titānia. Descendant of Jap̄ eth — the progenitor of the Mārtya — making him the only Mārtya-blooded leader at the head of the Sūrians (notable scarlet eyes). Optimist. As a younger man traveled the continents to Prithvi Lands at his father's instruction, seeking to unify the clans and retake Sōl; was blessed by the Tree of Life there. Successfully fathered a child during these travels and brought him back to the empire — the child was later abducted by a close friend who had discovered their mixed heritage. Childhood friend to Lady Katya Yāna, his second in command. After assuming the throne (c. 563 BCE), sent Lady Katya to find his son and remained to defend Heliōs from neighboring rival Sōl. Executed the previous Sōl monarch, Cyrus the Great, in a show of force (not unscathed), making way for Cyrus's son Vladimir to inherit. Anointed with Cosmological Infliction. Wields the Celestial greatsword Ophiucus, imbued with both Akasha and Ether Sati (twin serpents motif); the weapon possesses two sources of awareness locked in a duel for dominance, with Akasha being overwhelmed by unbalanced usage over history.

Runt of the team — hyperactive and highly excitable, always getting into trouble. Rescued by Kriśtian (whom he calls "Ki Shi") upon Kriśtian's renunciation of Avidyā, before the child could be turned into a psychōt. Named by Raihīme Purna, who serves as his chaperone and tether. Anointed with massive latent potential. Avidyā attempted to relieve him of his Sati but the ritual failed; the failed ritual resulted in a dark patch spreading across his forehead. Suffers from reverse vitiligo. Mutual love of animals with Kriśtian.

Albino Mārtya with strong sūrian genes — born in southern Heliōs to a poor mixed family; sold to a proprietor as a child under the belief that she was anointed. Stoicist; a woman of very few words. Anointed with "Divine Grace" — being part Mārtya she possesses a well of untapped Sati that manifests in cryptic visions from which she draws clairvoyant conclusions (albeit not always accurate); unable to consciously tap into Sati for combat due to sūrian dominance. Pugilist with extremely formidable combat skills; likes to break limbs (Auralism). Won the most recent Titānia Trials before the current narrative at the age of 9 — Queen Zāhria's favorite Titan. Discernible by the Queen's Pride Insignia on her left shoulder. Heliōs Ambassador, periodically sent to Heliōs for informational reports and quelling rebellions orchestrated by Sōl. Key figure in suppressing the Vīsum uprising. Wields Āl Malak — an ornamental knightly sword and shield.

Mercenary for hire. Born Śimon Yāna; adopted the pseudonym Ka'Sîm upon going into exile. Twin brother to Lady Katya Yāna and former childhood friend of Ivān of The Light. Misanthropist; stoicist. Betrayed the Heliōs throne upon learning of Ivān's true lineage — believes Ivān to be the reincarnation of the traitor to the throne in their myths (a belief that is, in fact, correct). Currently serves as an armed guard for the Avidyā, defending the False Prophet and the Heretic. Has expressed apprehension toward Avidyā's practices regarding the Ishtar Gate. Wields the Terrestrial Nāgakhanda — a knightly sword family heirloom passed down generationally by the royal guards of Sōl, possessing the Sati of all who wielded it and providing subconscious knowledge and strategy in battle — and the Narakan Ten-No-Tsukai, a tachi divine blade possessing the forcibly trapped Sati of an angelic being of light, wieldable only by the pure of heart, with agility increases proportional to the wielder's pure-hearted resolve.

Sid's familiar — terrestrial Deva reincarnated from Channa Kolita through invocation by Sid (her name spoken in mantra after her martyrdom in Sōl). Reborn as terrestrial Deva due to high merit in past life as the Shakya King's aid (form of a Garuda). Anointed; Purvanivasanna (recall of past lives) blocked due to proximity to the future Buddha — unwittingly present in Sid's lonesome travels, periodically guiding him toward his objective. Discovered by and accompanies Sid post-enlightenment. Favorite forms: white horse, black Garuda, gray wolf — creatures encountered with Channa during her lifetime. Height/weight vary by form.

Demi-Prithvi gentle giant — 6'9", scarlet eyes — but highly pugilistic in combat against enemies. Initially raised by Avidyā as a psychōt; renounced and escaped on the day he encountered Zahira and joined the team. On his escape, rescues Jinenji Rāhula, an infant being sold into slavery, and brings him along. Wears robes granted to him by Zahira and ornamental beads. Withholds his past from his comrades; over time develops a charming, bubbly nature disguising years of suffering. Very serious in combat — quick to fight but never loses temper. Depends on physical strength; fights without the use of Sati or weaponry. Highly protective; infatuated with Lady Katya and acts as her human shield despite her protests. Unaffected by flames. Usually lags behind the group taking in scenery; fascinated with the mundane due to time in captivity. Mutual love of animals with Rāhula.

Silver-tongued, alluring sūrian; enthusiastic inebriate. Twin sister to Ka'Sîm (Śimon Yāna, currently estranged on the antagonist side). Childhood friend to Ivān of The Light; second in command to his Heliōs throne. Set out on her journey years prior to find Ivān's son, the heir to the Sūrian empire. Distrustful of Mārtya — a trait shared by many sūrians in the royal court following the Hundred Years' War. Begins following Zahira and the others after the Titānia Trials, after listening to Zahira's conversation with Orion. Anointed with the anomalous ability — uncommon for sūrians — to tap into Sati directly; her Samadhi focuses on Sūrya and Sōl, granting increased strength during the day and fire-related offensive/defensive skills. Jealous of Ānanda's affection for Zahira. Wields the Celestial greatsword Draconis — very high elemental Sati, imbued with the Sati of Sūrya by some of the first Sūrian blacksmiths.

Vessel of The Oracle (third of the realm — succeeded Obsidian on Obsidian's death in 560 BCE; reincarnated Sati of Samara Aniruddha → Māra "The Fallen" via cross-realm transfer per p024). Innominate heir to the Arcadian throne; Sumerian descendant. Tritagonist. Anointed with clairvoyance; uses very limited unique light-based chants. Given up by her birth parents shortly after delivery; sold into slavery and eventually settled in a rural village in Arcadia. Dreamt of an event leading her to Zahira and Sid. Reproachful, timid, reticent, distrustful of others yet somehow drawn toward Zahira; the yang to her yin. Only comfortable with Zahira and Sid. Meets the group early on in their quest and enlists their assistance in decrypting her visions. Initially sees herself as a hindrance; strives to learn more about anomalies and her powers so she can be of assistance. Epistemological Nihilist disposition allows her to detect falsehoods (words spoken that do not coincide with reality) unless the speaker is mentally trained. Wields the Terrestrial tome Enki Grimoire (high elemental potency, ancient Sumerian codex).

Primordial Deva presiding over Naraka — the realm of greatest mental affliction and the bridge connecting all existing and cessated realms. Considers her throne a curse. Beings from all realms are brought to her domain by natural karmic law with little memory of past lives, residing until negative karma is depleted.

Anomalous Prithvi — petite/lean physique uncommon to her kind. Sati development in athletic abilities results in formidable speed and nimble evasive maneuvers, earning her the nickname Raihime ("Lightning Princess"). Reticent, solitary, charming. Anointed. Nomadic — has traveled most of the continent in her short life. Bounty hunter and informant; gathers legwork for Ānanda and integral intel on Avidyā movements. Drawn toward Lady Katya Yāna. Adopts Jinenji Rāhula as her own ward and keeps him out of trouble (named him; she is his tether). Essential in leading both Sid and Zahira to crucial milestones along their paths. Wields the Terrestrial Antaeus Gauntlets — one of a pair of powerful Prithvi artifacts.

Eldest and only son and heir apparent to Śuddhodana, leader of the Shakya of Pal 'En. Younger half-brother to Zahira; only person who refers to her by given name. Pacifist; realist; vegetarian. Has many older sisters; one younger sister Māyā born after their father's death. Instructed in royal etiquette; beseeches training from Channa Kolita in Samadhi (meditative arts). Sneaks to Zahira's training to disallow skill gap; technically undefeated against her due to her indifference. Doesn't like to fight due to lack of restraint. Uses mantras and meditation to create illusory diversions; highly adept martial artist but pacifistic. Divine Anointment ("Dukkha Well"): high compassion and immense compatibility with Samadhi result in massive Sati reserves. Incredibly high affinity for Samadhi; however, plagued by a foreign fragment when focused. Very low apparent Sati due to Dukkha Well masking it. Trained in Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. When the Shakya kingdom is attacked by mercenaries, the king fears they are after Zahira; he tells Sid of her lineage and sends him to find her. Insists on joining his sister on her journey to find the Buddha despite hurtful refusal. Believes his dharma is to experience the world as preparation for the Shakya throne. Initially highly emotionally dependent. Clothed in royal robes and equipped with numerous beads. Very attached to his hair, wrapped in a scarf given to him by his dying mother Māyā. Greeting: "Namaste."

King of the Shakya of Pal 'En. Father of Sid (legitimate, heir-apparent) and Zahira (bastard). Killed November c. 554 BCE during an attack on the Shakya palace by mercenaries (the patron behind the attack remains unidentified to the protagonists). Mortally wounded, found by Sid; tells him of Zahira's bloodline and tasks him with protecting her before passing. His attendant Channa Kolita served as his most loyal aide.

Leader figure of the Avidyā cult known publicly as The False Prophet. One of the first Avidyā members to enter Titānia. Travels and spreads psychosis to grow the cult's numbers. Idealist. Operates behind the scenes; interferes with Zahira's quest after being promised enlightenment by his patron. Communicates with what he believes to be divine forces. Reference: Revelations 20:8 — "and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea."

Avidyā priestess, sage, and overseer of all rituals. Capable of captivating individuals and even masses through her enchantments. Misanthropist. Operates a public-facing identity as "Miss Dasa." Skilled invoker. Currently active in the cult's operations behind the scenes alongside Sumedha (The False Prophet).

Albino Mārtya. Calm, collected, callous, pious. Ostracized in his village due to his skin condition; isolation led to immense Samadhi development. Renounced his high Sati and joined Avidyā upon the request of the False Prophet himself, feeling accepted. Devout member of Avidyā. Has the ability to hear the Staff of Naraku whisper, allowing him to perform heretic Narakan rituals to use invocation. Tasked with protecting the False Prophet alongside hired mercenary bodyguards. Continuously summons Narakans throughout the narrative. Wields the Narakan Staff of Naraku — a cursed artifact created in Naraka by an Asura post-enlightenment, imbued with that Asura's original Sati; allows the creation of fissures (Ishtar Gates) connecting realms to Naraka, with potential for incarnation abuse used by the creator to travel to multiple realms while retaining awareness.

Emperor of the island nation of Sōl and its mainland territory (despotism). Assumed the throne after his father Cyrus the Great was killed by rival Ivān of The Light in a show of force. Pessimist and idealist. Set on avenging his father and reestablishing the Land of Sōl. Revered by his people as their messiah. Leads and participates in attacks on Heliōs, seeking opportunities amidst the chaos of the Vīsum uprising. Inherited from his father the Celestial broadseax Ragnarök — a royal relic crafted following the signing of Zāhria's treaty, believed in oral legend to be the key in securing revenge against the Arcadian queen and reclaiming the continent.

Bastard daughter to Śuddhodana, leader of the Shakya of Pal 'En. Mother allegedly passed during labor. Napoleonesque, aggressive, "cidal" ("you're free to try and stop me"). Groomed by Śramana Brahmā in advanced martial arts and meditation; apathy for both results in low affinity for Samadhi. After an attack on the Shakya kingdom, Brahmā reveals (apparently) that she is destined for the Pantheon and tells her she must find the Buddha. She adopts the name Samsāra and sets off on the quest; later infamously called the White Beast. Highly protective of her younger half-brother Sid and of Lūna. Irrationally terrified of small insects and reptiles. Barehanded combat despite wielding broadsword and greatbow; carries/collects swords of more challenging adversaries. Aversion to learning mantras — knows one chant (lightning manipulation) due to its aesthetic appeal. Fitted in light armor and robes; instantly outraged by any confusion regarding gender due to lack of effeminacy. Constantly assuming aggression. Wields the Celestial sword Dharma (passive mode) and the Celestial greatbow Karmaphala. Apparent age (16) and chronological age (22) discrepancy commonly attributed to Sumerian longevity heritage.

Current monarch of Arcadia. Descendant of Ancient Sumerians. Wed into royalty after fleeing home from the Sumer Islands with a traveling Mārtya prince — they later usurped the throne. Rose to her own infamy after exhibiting exceptional tactical strategy and combat prowess; known as the Silver Lion on the battlefield. Responsible for the Great Expansion of Arcadia centuries prior. The Winged Silver Lion is her adopted regalia. Host and founder of the decennial Titānia Trials, an outlet for scouting and recruiting Anointed and high-Sati individuals into the Queen's Pride (Titans). Her consort was unable to produce a child before passing. Idealist and existentialist. Torso and upper-arm covered in Sumerian longevity tattoos; one is present on her face. Wields the Celestial sword-and-shield pair Regulus & Aegis Leonis (Os composition; star-shaped lion motif imbued with Sūrya Sati; forged by Mārtya of sūrian descent and tutelage).