Garion
Farm boy · Rivan heir
A sandy-haired youth, first about fourteen then older across the tale; we portray him at the cusp of seventeen: medium height still filling out, honest open face, blue eyes, a scatter of farm freckles fading. He wears a rustic tunic that gets replaced by plainer royal travel clothes—never fussy. Hands are kitchen-scarred. When the Orb’s light is near, a faint blue catches in his hair. He looks like someone who would still peel potatoes if asked.
Stubborn, decent, sarcastic when frightened, slowly becoming a king. Raised by Polgara; grandson-figure to Belgarath; destined with Ce’Nedra; Silk is his worldly uncle in all but blood.
Polgara
Sorceress
A woman who appears in her late twenties and is millennia old: tall, raven-black hair worn long, a white lock at the brow, and a face of composed beauty that can become a kitchen aunt in an instant. Pale skin, dark blue eyes, a mouth made for commands. She dresses in practical dark gowns or travel dresses, always clean. A tiny owl may sit in her mind more than on her shoulder. Presence fills a room without raising a voice.
Formidable, loving in a way that includes scolding, the real government of the quest. Daughter of Belgarath; guardian of Garion; wary diplomat with Ce’Nedra; Silk amuses and infuriates her.
Belgarath
Eternal sorcerer
An old man who can look like a vigorous gray-bearded wanderer: weathered face, fierce eyebrows, hair and beard the color of dirty snow, bright blue eyes full of mischief. Medium height, tough as a root. He wears a patched traveler’s cloak, boots that have walked every road, and sometimes the suggestion of a wolf in the set of the shoulders. Not frail. Hands are knotted, capable.
Lazy on purpose, ancient, fond of drink and of winning arguments with gods. Father of Polgara; architect of Garion’s fate; chess-partner to Silk; Ce’Nedra cannot quite bully him.
Ce'Nedra
Imperial princess
A tiny young woman with a glorious mass of red-gold hair, large green eyes, and a vivid, pointed face. She is short, fine-boned, and dresses in imperial silks until the road forces plainer cut—still she looks expensive. Pale skin that flushes when angry. A voice that can fill a hall. We portray her as a young woman, not a child: the story’s firebrand at the age of early command.
Proud, theatrical, secretly terrified, loyal once she has chosen. Garion’s destined and exasperating match; Polgara’s project; Belgarath’s amusement; Silk sells her the world with a bow.
Silk
Spy · Prince Kheldar
A small, ferret-faced man with sharp dark eyes, receding dark hair, and a grin that is all calculation. Wiry, quick, dressed as a Drasnian merchant: good cloth that can be discarded. A large, slightly hooked nose, expressive brows. He looks unthreatening until he does not. Hands are never far from a knife or a coin. Age: a still-young man who has already lived three careers.
Witty, greedy, patriot of a spy service, the quest’s grease and gossip. Garion’s worldly tutor; trades barbs with Polgara; respects Belgarath; charms Ce’Nedra at his peril.
