Shallan Davar

Adolin is Shallan’s cousin by marriage ties between House Davar and the Kholins; the relationship is not developed in this passage.

Shallan describes her father as passionate and virtuous, but hurtful and controlling. She says he treated her as a precious, ideal daughter, like a painting protected from unworthy eyes and hands.

Shallan recalls her parents’ fights as a child, establishing Hesina as one of her parents.

Shallan is acting to preserve her family and its house, hoping new mineral deposits created with a Soulcaster will let them pay their debts and keep the family from collapsing.

Shallan recalls her childhood distress at fights between her parents, establishing her as a child of Lirin and a family life marked by parental conflict.

Malise was Shallan’s stepmother and has recently died. Jasnah knows her name and offers Shallan condolences.

Shallan is Nan Balat’s sister and remains deeply concerned about her brothers. Balat previously showed her a symbol linking their father’s steward and family affairs to the Ghostbloods.

Shallan’s brother Wikim is among the siblings whose welfare motivates her plan to obtain a Soulcaster and rescue House Davar.

Jushu is Shallan’s younger brother. Though his gambling led him to steal and sell their father’s possessions, he now brings the proceeds back to help the family.

Eylita is Balat’s betrothed and a trusted scribe who helps Shallan communicate with her brothers and manage the family crisis.

Helaran is Shallan’s eldest brother. He has been missing for over a year, and their father has declared him dead; Shallan’s family’s precarious situation weighs heavily on her.

No direct relationship is established between them in these chapters.

Artmyrn sells Shallan books but initially talks down to her and attempts to charge an inflated price; Shallan’s sharp responses and Yalb’s intervention force him to lower it.

Ashlv is Tozbek’s wife and a member of the ship’s household; Shallan has drawn her likeness as a gift for the captain.

Shallan is Jasnah’s ward and student, learning under her in the Palanaeum. Shallan admires Jasnah’s intelligence and fairness but is secretly planning to steal her Soulcaster; Jasnah recognizes the danger and treats Shallan as an independent person while warning her about Kabsal’s motives.

Taravangian is Shallan’s host as king of Kharbranth and visits her in the hospital. He speaks kindly with her and helps secure permission for visitors and her return home.

Yalb escorts Shallan around Kharbranth, helps her negotiate with the book merchant, and encourages her to persist in seeking Jasnah’s tutelage. Their interactions are warm and teasing.

Luesh was the Davar steward who knew how to use the Soulcaster. Shallan and her brothers had considered him trustworthy, but his pendant and connections suggest he brought the fabrial to their father on behalf of powerful backers.

Tozbek is a trusted business connection of Shallan’s father who has carried her by ship for months and patiently supports her search for Jasnah.

Kabsal presents himself as a friendly ardent and romantic suitor, but he is secretly using Shallan to get close to Jasnah and poison her. His attempted poisoning nearly kills Shallan, and he dies from the poison.