Key Characters
Age 13
The protagonist for Embermarked, comes from a small village in Aurivale. Gifted in tracking, sensing, animal affinity, and eventually healing, Anna is marked early by the Old Ways
Queen Maelira
Age 240
High Queen of Aurivale, wise and watchful. She presents a peaceful, agrarian front while secretly building fortresses, training ranger legions, and preserving the balance of the Old Ways. Older sister of Narissa and cousin to Kaelen.
Brigit
Age 18
Anna’s older sister, a hearthbinder, who gives Anna the charm that anchors her to home. She is nurturing, wise beyond her years, and deeply rooted in the earth-and-moon traditions of their village.
Mora
Age 14
The youngest in a loud household of older siblings, she’s confident, impulsive, and always on the move — often mistaking speed for success. Gifted with wind and insect-aligned magic, Mora is a natural at agility and motion but struggles with stillness and focus.
Captain Maren Selden
Age 112
A curvy, calm, intuitive ranger captain at Hollowhall who specializes in foresight, sigils, and subtle magic. She becomes a mentor to Anna, recognizing her rare blend of gifts early on.
Captain Thorn
Age 175
The silver-haired, sharp-eyed captain who oversees the ranger trials and carries personal ties to Queen Maelira’s court. Though not yet fully explored, he plays a quiet but pivotal role in protecting and observing the chosen recruits.
Lucia
Age 13
Lucia is Anna’s closest friend and a spirited girl from Sablemere who moved to Alderwyn four years before the events of Embermarked. Wild, sun-kissed, and full of restless energy, Lucia is known for her tangled blonde hair, dirt-smeared cheeks, and a grin that always hints at mischief. Though an outsider by birth, her bond with Anna is unshakable—together, they balance one another like spark and stone.
Ronan
Age 15
Ronan is Anna’s older brother, a quiet and steady presence in the Elyne household. He tends the family’s sheep with care and skill, making cheese, spinning wool, and reading weather like a second language. Though soft-spoken, Ronan is known in the village for his easy smile, sharp eyes, and gentle charm—especially when teasing the older girls at the well.
Orren
Age 15
Orren is a fellow ranger recruit at Hollowhall, known for his quiet confidence and natural skill with a bow. He’s observant, steady, and often found near the training fields or scouting alone at dawn. Though he keeps to himself, his calm presence draws others in—including Anna, who finds his silence strangely comforting.