Dramatis Personae end of book 1:_Godstrike

Dragon Company

 As a whole: Group of survivors from a village destroyed during ‘the eclipse’. Pivoted from rebuilding old society to extreme militarization. Appear to have become collectively ruthless, focusing entirely on survival and the accumulation of power due to expansive trauma, blaming themselves for their powerlessness. Even so, they remain compassionate among their own despite a rising callousness towards others. Decided to form a mercenary company to feel out and insert themselves into the larger geopolitical landscape. Maintain a bunker-style headquarters near and above the city of Freeport, which they have taken over after a coup d’état.

 Gabriel: A sardonic weapon mage (sword, guardless) through whose eyes events unfold, and kind of a dick. Technically a member of the elite slayer squad but currently recovering from accumulated trauma, unleashed by the loss of his extreme escalating adrenaline addiction and combat crutch. Possesses an analytical and somewhat nihilistic nature, yet is quick to deflect or procrastinate and dislikes dwelling on things. Laments the loss of his pre-apocalypse self. Values Jen greatly and considers her his emotional anchor.

 Jill: Former idler turned determined power fighter and designated heavy hitter of slayer squad. In a relationship with Elias despite the naturally unfulfilling nature thereof and won’t talk about it. Not much of a social butterfly, but does partake.

 Elias: Field leader of slayer squad suffering from a clinical lack of empathy. Refuses to elaborate on how this works in his relationship. Even though such things are irrelevant to him, seems at home in Dragon Company. The right man for dirty jobs and hard calls.

 Kim: Endurance mage and member of slayer squad. Enjoys a friendly rivalry with Gabriel. Exceptionally dedicated towards mastering his system powers. Tends to flitter around social situations, preferring equally maintained friendships over increasingly close ones.

 Cleo: Endurance fighter and member of slayer squad. Soft spoken and close friends with Jen. Has a penchant for knives. Despite keeping to herself, appears to have prodigious skill in combat and a natural affinity towards her empowerment. Fearless and gentle.

 Carlos: Formerly quiet binder of slayer squad. Has opened up since discovering his vicious streak in the Ascension Games. Seems to enjoy theatrics. Noted to be quite clever and frequently hangs out with R&D, close friends with Ryan aka Breathless.

 Noah: Speed fighter of slayer squad. Identifies strongly with a Viking heritage. Channels the assumed loss of his younger siblings into bloodlust, further amplified by his natural tendencies. Loves fighting. His focus on raising the physical speed stat has resulted in a presence among crafters and a close friendship with Jeb. Usually quiet, but talkative when drunk.

 Jen: Gossip, speed mage and spymaster of Dragon Company. In a relationship with Gabriel. Her excellent people reading makes her effective at supporting others, and identifying threats or potential recruits. Somewhat manipulative and a control freak. Compassionate among those close to her but otherwise ruthless.

 Mel: Chief organizer, power mage and official leader of Dragon Company. Her old-world corporate ladder climbing has turned her political maneuvering into second nature. Loosened up after finding emotional support among her fellow survivors after losing her lover Kristen during the ‘eclipse’. Relentless taskmaster.

 Ryan, aka Breathless: Power mage and Head of R&D at Dragon Company who won’t shut up once he starts talking, but is working on it - possibly due to Gabriel’s relentless nicknaming. Channels his natural curiosity into weapons development. Despite his inquisitive nature, does not appear bothered by the moral decay surrounding him. Consummate drinker.

 Jeb: Former hillbilly, power fighter and chief craftsman at Dragon Company. Dislikes talking about himself, but is known for his precision and dedication. Appears to know more than he lets on. Enamored with Dragonsteel. Drinking buddies with Barry & Gabriel.

 Barry: Happy go lucky, bomber, resident master alchemist and brew master of Dragon Company. In charge of his proclaimed ‘Arcane-o-ponics’. Somewhat seedy, an alcoholic and dislikes killing. Greedy. Drinking buddies with Jeb & Gabriel.

 Viktor: Former prison guard, expedition leader and sniper. Seems to have become enamored with and retreated into trap making - to no obvious results so far. Used to be drinking buddies with Barry, Gabriel & Jeb but his seclusion has ended the habit.

 Abi: Bomber, intent on taking things slow ‘for now’. Not much else is known about her as of yet.

 Others:

 Jerry: Former frontrunner weapon mage (sword, classic). Left before Dragon Company was officially formed to go on a journey of self-discovery after his crush Kristen died, spurred on by the apparent moral decay among the survivors of the eclipse. Heavily disliked by Gabriel.

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 Outsiders (‘aliens’):

 The Rhoq: A corvid-like race which seem to have a stratified warrior culture emphasizing duty, tradition and leadership by example. Noted to have burgundy eyes, down covering their ‘skin’ and peacock-like feathers of varying length adhering to a color scheme depending on individual. Colloquially referred to as ‘bird people’. Naming convention is a family name followed by ‘e, ‘ea or ‘eau, based on order of hatching/birth. Appear to maintain a three-child policy.

 Rhoq’eau the elder: ‘Bird person/Rhoq’. Father of Rhoq’eau the younger and leader of his people. Urged those of his people yet to Ascend to accept the Errant’s offer of passage offworld, including his ‘chicks’. Driven to self-loathing and vengeance due to the apparent foolishness of this decision, he slaughters all Errant he finds with no regard for anything else.

 Rhoq’eau the younger: ‘Bird person/Rhoq’. Touchcaster and leader of those of his people who followed him offworld to Earth. A prodigal warrior among his kind who maintains skepticism over his peoples’ traditions and customs, considering them antiquated. Prepared his entire life for leadership, somewhat reluctant about it but takes it seriously regardless.

 Rhoq’e & Rhoq’ea: ‘Bird person/Rhoq’. Honor guards and elder brothers of Rhoq’eau, noted for their ingrained stoicism.

 Kra’e: ‘Bird person/Rhoq’. Former betrothed to Rhoq’eau. She seems motivated entirely by self-interest and is the foremost combatant among the females of her generation. Fixated on leveling up and has a penchant for brutality, known to abuse the limits of their customs to excessively hurt those she spars against.

 Inc’eau: ‘Bird person/Rhoq’. Adjutant of the Rhoq on Earth.

 ‘Clearbloods’: (Mostly unexamined) Humanoid race identified by their natural pale coloration and see-through clear blood. Two major and opposed factions are known, resulting from an ideological divide. Seem to naturally prefer organizing into three strata plus an absolute leader.

 The Holy Child: ‘Clearblood’. Born with a natural talent to manipulate electromagnetism. The System seems to perform a different function for him than others, hiding him from the Errant. Evidence of the System’s actions has proclaimed him ‘Holy’ among his people, a religious society focused on the worship of power itself. Appears politically savvy and possesses immense combat potential.

 Hesila: ‘Clearblood’. A trusted officer of the Holy Child, sent to scout out Dragon Company and assess them as potential allies to play off against other powers.

 The Inheritor: ‘Clearblood’. Leader of a different faction of clearbloods who reject the religion of power, considering it foolish and likely propaganda. Seeking to unite his species and mend the ancient schism among them, he prepares for a definitive confrontation with the Holy Child, despite feeling unsuited for combat. His feats suggest otherwise, including the slaughter of a Greatbeast.

 Other entities:

 The Godstrike: A stray supernatural projectile that wiped out Earth by sheer random chance and burrowed itself in the planets core. Little else is known about it. Connected to Mother somehow.

 The System, aka Altica: Deity and time manipulator who reconstituted Earth after the Godstrike and resurrected its population. Source of the empowerment experienced by many, yet seems unconcerned beyond the initial restoration. Wages eternal war against the Errant. Seems focused on growing his own power, something noted as a new development. Moreover, conducting some kind of experiment involving reincarnating Rai’Sei, his dead mentor and close friend. Noted to possess a ‘winged world’ and supposed protector of the ‘core worlds’.

 Rai’Sei, the Godhunter: Bearer of Title, at first ‘the Last Resort’ which appears to have been overridden by ‘the Godhunter’. A reincarnated being with immense cosmic power, noted to be a blend of timelines fictional and real, yet returning to his true self. Once slew all the gods and appears set to repeat his actions once more, urged on by Altica’s apathy towards the suffering of those on Earth. Inflicted heavy damage upon himself to escape Altica’s compulsions. Destroys celestial bodies and cosmic entities with remarkable ease. Traveling to the ‘core worlds’ and preparing to chase a ‘thread’ which he found in the Berserker’s corpse.

 The Errant: Eternally respawning and evolving monsters of unknown origin. Little is known about them in general, beyond their extreme hostility to all sentient life. Connected to Mother somehow. Those with ‘natural talent’ are disgusted by them.

 Mother: Childlike strange cosmic entity capable of outright reshaping, creating or destroying the various mothers and other cosmic entities besides. Despite possessing clearly immense power, hides away. Appears motivated by entertainment and considers cosmic battles a game. Typically communicates with her subordinates by actively reshaping their thoughts into what she wants to say. Apparently consumed by hatred, yet easily distracted.

 Sneaky-mother: Subordinate to Mother. She seems to possess a high degree of intelligence and is called upon to perform strategic management and design tasks by Mother.

 Ghost-mother: Subordinate to Mother. Little is known about her, beyond her ability to hide things and overtake control of massive stretches of space in Mother’s stead.

 Mother-mother: Subordinate to Mother. Nothing is known about her, beyond ‘hurting’ and ‘having gone back to sleep’, likely because of a suffered backlash from a ‘Gate link’. Seems to evoke rare sympathy from Mother.

 Wild-mother: Subordinate to Mother. Ordered to fight Rai’Sei, knowing she will lose. Seems focused on natural creation, artistry and the philosophy of integrity. Attempted something but Mother’s displeasure at her performance never gave her the chance. Remolded into the Berserker by Mother.

 The Berserker: Bearer of Title, consumed by rage. Died fighting Rai’Sei. Their battle appears to have lasted an excessively long time and to have been entirely one-sided in Rai’Sei’s favor. Left behind a ‘thread’ upon her death which Rai’Sei has latched on to, believing it leads to ‘Gods of the Errant’.

AliNovel

Dramatis Personae end of book 1: