Royal Assassin Study Guide

Nephew of King Shrewd who is trained to use the Skill by Galen. Goes to the Mountain Kingdom for the wedding of Prince Verity and Princess Kettricken, to serve as Verity's eyes as Regal serves as his proxy. After being overwhelmed by Verity at the wedding, he passes out and never Skills again - whether by choice or inability.

August leaves Buckkeep and Galen's coterie, becoming Lord of Withywoods.

Guard Captain at Buckkeep. He does not have a problem with Fitz and does not agree with how he's treated, but when Fitz kills Justin, Blade stops Fitz from fighting. He also stops the men from Farrow from killing Fitz, getting injured in the process. He accompanies Burrich to see Fitz when he's imprisoned. Burrich uses this time to pass herbs to Fitz, but it's unlikely Blade knew of that plan.

Errandboy in Buckkeep.

Duke of Bearns Duchy who wants to marry his daughter Celerity to Fitz. He comes to Buckkeep to demand answers as to why no help was sent to Ferry, either while the raiders attacked or after it was Forged. He is furious at the Farseers for refusing his plea for aid, but is impressed with Kettricken and corresponds with her as the war against the Red-Ship Raiders wages and additional towns in his duchy are Forged. He is also quite impressed with Fitz and when Regal becomes King-in-Waiting, he wants to depose Regal and make Fitz regent for Verity's child instead. When Fitz proposes that they leave Regal as King-in-Waiting but Fitz will claim Buckkeep for himself, becoming custodian of the duchy until Verity's child can claim the seat and the throne of the Six Duchies for themselves, Brawndy agrees to that plan and throws his support as well as the support of Rippon and Shoakes behind it. When Fitz is accused of killing Shrewd with the Wit, Brawndy and the other coastal dukes require Regal to provide proof. If he cannot, he will make Fitz custodian of Buckkeep. Regal collects proof but 'Fitz' dies before it is presented formally. The coastal dukes agree to Lord Bright as custodian of Buckkeep instead. 

Son and heir of the Duke of Farrow. Prince Regal's cousin through Queen Desire. Loyal to Regal over Verity, he becomes custodian of Buckkeep when Shrewd dies and Regal leaves Buck to go to Farrow.

A member of Galen's coterie who is sent to the Neatbay Watchtower before Verity leaves on his quest. After Verity leaves, Burl is called away from Neatbay but Fitz does not know where he is.

Has the Wit but does not use it. Loyal man to Prince Chivalry, and now to Prince Verity and Fitz. Was once in love with Lady Patience, but could not be with her while still loyal to Chivalry. Chivalry later started courting Patience, with Patience not realizing that Burrich served Chivalry and Burrich not knowing that Patience was the woman that Chivalry fell in love with. 

Takes care of Prince Chivalry's horses and dogs. After Fitz is introduced, he also cares for Fitz. Encourages Fitz not to use the Wit. It turns out that he also has the Wit but does not use it. Was in love with Chivalry and was crushed when Chivalry abdicated and went to Withywoods. Went Fitz was beaten by Galen, Burrich challenges Galen in the witness stones and wins - forcing Galen to train Fitz and to never touch him again. When Fitz was tested in the Skill, Galen tried to have Burrich killed but failed. However, it did make Burrich stop talking to Fitz until Fitz was nearly killed in Jhaampe. 

Burrich and Fitz return to Buckkeep, but they keep in mind that they have a very powerful enemy in Regal. Burrich joins Verity when he goes to find the Elderlings but is injured outside of Farrow and sent back to Buckkeep with several other injured party members. They are attacked again outside of Buck and Burrich is the only member of the group to survive. Once he returns to Buckkeep, he learns that Kettricken is pregnant and makes it his personal mission to guard her through the night against any who may want Verity's child dead - he is no longer needed in the stables since Regal has sold off the vast majority of their animals. He goes with Fitz and Ketricken to defend Neatbay against the raiders and commands the warriors. On their return, Regal announces that Verity is dead. Burrich does not believe it and encourages Fitz to Skill to Verity with Shrewd to find out if Verity is still alive. When they realize he is, they decide to evacuate Shrewd and Kettricken from Buckkeep, but they allow everyone to continue believing that Verity is dead. Burrich is supposed to get horses and a wagon to take Shrewd and Kettricken through the mountains, but he changes the plan after Shrewd dies. Instead, he sends Kettricken and the Fool alone on Ruddy and Sooty, his and Fitz's horses. He then stays to help Fitz escape execution. It is Burrich's idea to have Fitz meld his mind with Nighteyes and to give him herbs that would mimic death. Once Fitz is buried, Burrich and Chade dig him up and convince him to return to his own body. 

Member of Galen's coterie who is placed on the Constance by Verity, but whose whereabouts are unknown to Fitz after Verity leaves Buckkeep.

Daughter of Duke Brawndy of Bearns who becomes quite taken with Fitz. She tells her father she wants to marry him and both Brawndy and King Shrewd believe it will be a good match. Celerity will bring a title and land to their marriage, which Shrewd intends to match by gifting the same to Fitz. However, Fitz delays courting Celerity because he is in love and intent on marrying Molly.

Bastard older half-brother to King Shrewd and the King's assassin. Trains Fitz as his apprentice. Poses as Lady Thyme whenever needed. 

Continues to preach to Fitz that their job is to follow orders and not make decisions, which grates on Fitz (and me). When Fitz decides to claim Buckkeep, Chade does not agree with it but understands why he did it. He works against Regal with supersticious beliefs, showing up as the pocked man and making the flames turn blue to warn of bad things to come. They decide that it is in Shrewd's best interest to leave Buckkeep - and not with Regal. They make a plan to smuggle the King and Kettricken out of Buckkeep, but Shrewd's dies before they are able to follow through. Instead, they move Kettricken and the Fool. When Fitz kills Serene and Justin and is imprisoned for the King's death, Chade and Burrich make a plan to help him escape. Chade puts together herbs to help Fitz's body mimic death, allowing Fitz's body to be buried as Fitz's mind joins with Nighteyes. After Fitz is buried, Chade and Burrich dig his body up and convince his mind to return.

Serving man to Prince Verity. He accompanies Verity on his quest to find the Elderlings.

Serving man to King Shrewd. Fitz is surprised to learn that he died from a cough while Fitz was in the Mountain Kingdom, since Charam was not particularly old. Charam is replaced by Wallace.

Deceased

Eldest son of King Shrewd and Shrewd's first wife, Constance. Husband to Lady Patience. Father of Fitz-Chivalry

Abdicates his claim to the throne when Fitz is introduced as his son and becomes Lord of the Withywoods. Likely abdicated to protect Fitz. It is said he died by falling off of his horse, but most people don't believe that and it is more likely that he was murdered.

Deceased

Works in the stables as Burrich's apprentice before he starts to work for Prince Regal, taking care of his dogs and horses. Part of the plot to kill Prince Rurisk, Prince Verity, and Fitz.

Deceased

King Shrewd's first wife, mother of the princes Chivalry and Verity. 

Her marriage to King Shrewd was not one of love, arranged by their families, and Shrewd did not understand how much he loved and relied on her until after her death. She was kind to Lady Patience and loved to garden. Verity names one of his war ships after her.

Deceased

Cook in the kitchens who loves to gossip. She gives Fitz all the best talk and Fitz passes gossip through her that he wants spread. 

King of the Mountain Kingdom, father to the late Prince Rurisk and Princess Kettricken. Brother of Jonqui. 

Scribe at the palace who teaches Fitz to read and write. Offers a job to Fitz as his apprentice, which Fitz does not take.

FitzChivalry Farseer, called Thomas by Lady Patience. Bastard son of Prince Chivalry who is largely blamed for Chivalry's abdication. Does not remember his mother. Learns to care for animals by Burrich, to use weapons by Hod, to read and write by Fedwren, princely activities by Lady Patience, assassin skills by Chade, and the Skill by Galen (Galen doesn't actually teach him anything). Strong in the Skill and has the Wit. Is a capable statesman like his father was. Prince Regal plots to have him killed, also killing Prince Verity and Prince Rurisk, but Fitz (narrowly) escapes with his life and saves Prince Verity's as well. 

He returns to Jhaampe and begins training in the Skill with Verity and the axe with Burrich. He becomes one of the warriors on Verity's ships, he sails on the Rurisk. He fights with Nighteyes at Antler Island, a decisive victory against the Red-Ship Raiders that is sung about. He begins to hunt the Forged who come too close to Buckkeep, even fighting with Nighteyes against Forged who took a three year old girl. Fitz nearly dies in that fight and is helped by Nighteyes. Rumors begin to circulate that he is part beast. He becomes a confidante of both Verity and Kettricken, advising them when asked as best he can. When Verity leaves to find the Elderlings, Fitz is left with Kettricken. He accompanies her to protect Neatbay, again fighting with Nighteyes and he and the wolf are seen together by a young girl after the fight. As Regal pronounces Verity dead and continues to isolate Shrewd, Fitz and Chade agree that Shrewd is no longer safe. He is approached by Brawndy, the Duke of Bearns, who would like him to depose Regal and become regent for Verity's child instead. Fitz has no interest in ruling himself and proposes that they allow Regal to rule after Shrewd, but Fitz will claim Buckkeep and act as its custodian until Verity's child is old enough to take control. Brawndy and the other coastal dukes agree with that plan. Fitz and Chade hatch a plot to get Shrewd and Kettricken out of Buckkeep and into the Mountain Kingdom for safety, but Shrewd dies before they get a chance to move. Fitz realizes that Shrewd was killed by Serene and Justin, potentially the other members of Galen's coterie, as they sapped the King of is strength with the Skill. He kills both Serene and Justin in retribution, but Regal accuses him of killing Shrewd with the Wit. He lays out his evidence, including the girl who saw Fitz with Nighteyes at Neatbay, and Fitz will be executed. Regal has Fitz tortured physically and with the Skill to try to make him confess and give up any people not loyal to Regal, and to make him lash out with the Wit, and Fitz tries to use a poison powder to kill Regal. Will pushes Regal out of the way and gets the poison instead. Regal doesn't know what Fitz did with the poison and thinks that Will was kicked in the head in the fray. Before Fitz can be executed, Chade and Burrich give him herbs that mimic death while Fitz merges his mind with Nighteyes. He stays that way while his 'dead' body is buried. Chade and Burrich then dig Fitz up and convince him to return to his body. He decides to leave Buckkeep and find Verity and Kettricken. 

King Shrewd's fool, who often has dreams or visions that give warnings. He has warned Fitz several times of danger, including giving him a purge for when he was poisoned in Jhaampe, and saved Fitz's life after Galen beat him.

He is loyal to the King, sleeping next to Shrewd's bed when he becomes worried that he won't be allowed back into Shrewd's rooms. He comes from a distant land and is able to see snatches of the future. The end of the world is coming, but it can still be saved. He believes that Fitz is a pivotal catalyst in saving the world. He insists that the first big step toward saving the duchies is having a Farseer heir, and is very relieved to find that Kettricken is pregnant. When Shrewd dies, the Fool leaves Buckkeep with Kettricken instead since Regal will have him killed otherwise. 

Whereabouts unknown

Bastard son of Queen Desire, King Shrewd's second wife, and half-brother to Prince Regal. Trained by Solicity in the Skill although he is not particularly strong. Hates Fitz and tries to kill him several times, placing a veil on his mind to convince Fitz that he does not have the Skill. Plots with Prince Regal to kill Fitz, Prince Verity, and Prince Rurisk, allowing Regal to claim the throne after his father, marry Princess Kettricken, and bring the Mountain Kingdom in as the seventh duchy when Kettricken inherited the throne after her own father. Killed by Verity instead. 

Deceased

Duchess of Rippon Duchy. Fitz saves her dog Feisty's life and he simultaneously convinces her to be a better duchess - paying attention to her people and convincing her husband to do what he's supposed to. 

She remembers Fitz and is thankful to him for saving Feisty's life, but also for coming to Neatbay's aid when they were attacked by raiders. When she finds out that Fitz died while imprisoned, she petitions to have his body buried instead of burned and the petition is granted. She does not know that Fitz is alive.

Friend of Fitz who becomes Burrich's apprentice.

Burrich believes Hands will be a good stable master someday and begins training him as such. Hands is left in charge of the stables while Burrich travels with Verity to find the Elderlings. When Regal clears out the stables, mews, and dog pins, Hands is sent to Farrow with the last of the animals.

Weapons Master in Buckkeep.

Travels with Verity to Jhaampe to find the Elderlings. She dies during the journey.

Deceased

Sailor that Fitz sees Molly walking with arm-in-arm. He believes that they are to be married soon.

Molly reveals that Jade is actually her cousin who took her to live with his brother when Molly's father died and left her in debt.

King Eyod's sister who councils her niece, Princess Kettricken, after Fitz was suspected of killing Prince Rurisk. Does not believe that Fitz killed Rurisk but is holding her judgement for the moment. 

Member of Galen's coterie who was placed on the Rurisk to speak to Verity. When Verity left to search for the Elderlings, Justin was called back to Buckkeep. Fitz realized that Justin and the other coterie members were spying on him, trying to invade his mind as well as physically going through his rooms and Verity's rooms. At one point, Serene and Justin nearly break into Fitz's mind but Nighteyes comes to his rescue. Whatever Nighteyes does, Justin is left shaken and scared with visible claw marks. Fitz is absolutely sure that the coterie is loyal to Regal, not Shrewd or Verity, and that they know Verity's death is a lie. When King Shrewd dies, Fitz realizes that the coterie has been systematically draining Shrewd of his strength to bolster their own Skill, leaving him weak and ultimately killing him. Fitz kills both Justin and Serene for killing their king. 

Deceased

Outislander who started the Forgings. He made his fleet by raiding pirate ships and trading vessels and then forcing people into service. If they said no, their families were Forged. If they ran, their families were Forged. If they killed themselfes, their families were Forged. Almost no one turns down an 'offer' from Kebal Rawbread and if you say anything bad about him, you and your family is Forged. The outislanders call Forging being enscralled.

Guard who accompanies Verity on his quest to find the Elderlings. When they are attacked outside of Farrow and several people are injured, Verity sends them back to Buckkeep with Keen and another guard, both of which were uninjured. Verity gave a packet of papers to Keen to deliver to Buckkeep. The party was later attacked again and every person except Burrich was killed. Burrich tried to go back to collect the papers, but someone had already taken them off of Keen.

Deceased

Duke of Rippon Duchy, who forgoes his responsibilities to adorn his young wife in jewels, causing an issue with the neighboring duchy. Is convince by his wife (who is convinced by Fitz) to repair roads, man the guard towers, place guards on the roads, and repair buildings and walls. 

Is very thankful to and admiring of Kettricken when she brings soldiers to fight the raiders at Neatbay. After the battle of Neatbay, he is gifted with one of the stolen raider war ships by Kettricken. He joins Brawndy in his support of Fitz instead of Regal, along with the Duke of Shoakes. When Fitz is accused of killing Shrewd with the Wit, Kelvar and the other coastal dukes require Regal to provide proof. If he cannot, he will make Fitz custodian of Buckkeep. Regal collects proof but 'Fitz' dies before it is presented formally. The coastal dukes agree to Lord Bright as custodian of Buckkeep instead. Kelvar is not happy when his wife Grace writes a petition to have Fitz's body buried instead of burned.

Guard who is placed in charge of Buckkeep's soldiers who go to Neatbay to fight the raiders. He and Kettricken's guard captain, Foxglove, both suggest that Burrich be in charge once they reach Buckkeep since he has the most experience.

One of the kid's that Fitz would run around the port town with. Taught Fitz to carry messages for money. 

When Kettricken is attacked by the Forged and the guard at Buckkeep raise up to defend her, they go hunting for Forged and have a mass funeral for all the Forged killed. Kerry is one of the Forged.

Deceased

Princess and heir of the Mountain Kingdom which is to join with the Six Duchies when she becomes Queen. Daughter of King Eyod and sister to the late Prince Rurisk. Married to King-in-Waiting Prince Verity. Queen-in-Waiting of the Six Duchies.

Was courted by Prince Regal (ostensibly to marry his brother) in which he "unwittingly" told her that Fitz was a poisoner. When Fitz arrives in Jhaampe, she poisons him the first night believing that he was there to kill her brother. She's young and not very wise, and believes that when both her brother and Fitz were poisoned a few nights later, that it was Fitz's doing. Thanks to Fitz, she ends up marrying Verity and Regal's plot to kill any other claims to the throne and marry her himself was thwarted. Of course, she has no idea there ever was a plot.

She is quite lonely in the Duchies, but Fitz tries to show her ways to entertain herself and suggests that she fix up Queen Constance's old rooftop garden. Kettricken begins to use that as a meeting spot when she doesn't want to be overheard. She is loyal to her husband and tries to be a good Queen-in-Waiting, effortlessly gaining the support of the coastal dukes and the people of Buckkeep just by being herself and doing her best for them. When she is attacked by Forged on the road, the people rise to defend her and hunt the Forged down. She holds a mass funeral for the Forged. She tries to stand up to Regal when she can and to protect Shrewd. She gives Brawndy a priceless bracelet she brought with her from her home to sell for money to repair Ferry, sending him an emerald necklace when his duchy continues to be attacked. She raises her guard and rides to defend Neatbay, though she is pregnant at the time, and gifts the Dukes of Rippon and Shemshy with their own repurposed raider war ship. Someone greases the steps to her garden, trying to make her fall and either die or miscarry. They decide that Kettricken is not safe and will be taken away from Buckkeep with King Shrewd. Shrewd dies before they escape but Kettricken rides away with the Fool. Burrich gives them Ruddy and Sooty as mounts.

Whereabouts unknown

Lady in waiting to Lady Patience, who helps Fitz to understand Patience a little better. She is one of Hod's best pupils and carries many daggers on her person with which to defend herself and Lady Patience. She helps Kettricken to stage a miscarriage so Kettricken is not a big a target before she can escape Buckkeep.

Warrior in Bearns named Magda who renames herself Virago and begins to gain a following by following the 'old ways', Brawndy is worried that she may stage a coup to get rid of the Farseer line and put herself or her child on the throne instead. Fitz is sent to discredit her and she leaves Bearns under the cover of darkness. 

Whereabouts unknown

Member of the Buckkeep staff that is in charge of outfitting the royal family, including Fitz. She is also in charge of the decor and furniture, and finding rooms for visitors. 

One of the children that Fitz meets in the port town, known as Molly Nosebleed. Her father is an alcoholic and her mother died when she was young. Starts to take nightly walks with Fitz, they both have crushes, but when Fitz stops talking to people after Smithy's death she gets a boyfriend. 

Fitz has a vision of her fighting against the raiders in Siltbay. By the time he reaches Buckkeep from Jhaampe, he learns that it wasn't a boyfriend he saw but Molly's cousin, who was helping her after her father died and left her in debt. After the raid, her cousin could no longer help her and she came to Buckkeep to find Fitz, thinking that he had been courting her. She found Fedwren first because Fitz had told her that he was a scribe apprentice, Fedwren sent her to Patience, who takes her in as a maid but makes sure both Molly and Fitz know that there is no future for the two of them. After the shock that Fitz is Prince Chivalry's son wears off, they start a relationship. Fitz asks Shrewd for permission to marry Molly but is told no. Verity tells them to bide their time, when he is king he will say yes. Molly tries to get her candle business back off the ground and pay her father's debts so she can make her own way in life and slowly becomes jaded by the fact that Fitz has responsibilities outside of his relationship with her. At one point, she is run off the road by his enemies and Fitz stops seeing her to keep her safe - which she disagrees with. She ends up leaving Buckkeep, telling Fitz that there is someone new who is the most important person in her life and she will do whatever she must to keep them safe. She does not tell Fitz where she is going. Regal plans to find her and arrest her, just for her association with Fitz, but Will reveals that they haven't found her yet. 

Whereabouts unknown

Crew member on the Rurisk who is originally from the Outislands. He gives Fitz a medallion belonging to one of the raiders that Fitz killed, saying that the raider had been a good man before the Korriks took his heart. When he hears Fitz talking about a large ship with white sails, he warns Fitz not to discuss it. The ships means death for any who see it.

Wife and Queen-in-Waiting of the late Prince Chivalry who is unable to have children. Became the Lady of Withywoods when Chivalry abdicated the throne but came to Buckkeep when Chivalry died. 

Has become quite fond of Fitz and decided that he needed to be educated in the princely arts. Convinces Shrewd to have Fitz trained in the Skill. Gives Fitz one of Chivalry's earrings as a gift. Gives Fitz a puppy, Smithy, as his own. 

She reveals that the reason she came to Buckkeep was to help keep Fitz safe. He has enemies he doesn't realize. This surprises Fitz, who believed Patience was too eccentric to realize what was happening. When Molly comes to the keep looking for Fitz, she gives Molly a job but tries to keep the two of them apart. She insists that their circumstances are too far apart, and not only because of Fitz's parentage. She speaks from experience. She and Burrich fell in love before she ever met Chivalry but Burrich would not marry her because he had already promised his life to his prince. She does help Burrich recover after he is nearly killed on the quest to find the Elderlings. She and Lacey also help Kettricken stage a miscarriage after someone tries to make Kettricken fall down the stairs, to make Kettricken less of a target until she can escape Buckkeep. When Fitz is imprisoned, she visits him and fights for his release. When he 'dies', she petitions Regal to allow his body to be buried instead of burned. She does not know that Fitz is alive.

Duke of Tilth, loyal to Regal. He buys several of Buckkeep's best horses, sold to him by Regal while Verity is gone.

Youngest son of King Shrewd and his only child with his second wife, Queen Desire. Half-brother to Galen through his mother. 

He is always nasty to Fitz. He courts Kettricken in Jhaampe on behalf of Verity. He arranges to have Rurisk killed, making Kettricken her father's only heir, and tries to frame and kill Fitz for Rurisk's death. He nearly succeeds, but Fitz survives. He and Galen conspire to kill Verity during his Skilled marriage to Kettricken, but Fitz is able to warn Verity who kills Galen instead. Likely Regal would take Kettricken as his own wife, becoming King-in-Waiting and later King of the Six Duchies, which would absorb the Mountain Kingdom as a seventh duchy when Kettricken inherited from her own father.

Fitz has pegged Regal as a real, and dangerous, enemy to not only himself but to Verity as well - but is forced to promise not to retaliate against Regal by Shrewd. Regal likely kills his father's serving man, Cheffers, and replaces Cheffers with Wallace who is loyal to Regal. They ply Shrewd with drugs for his pain, which also make him forgetful and dazed. He begins to curry favor with the inland dukes: Farrow (where his uncle is duke) and Tilth. He uses the rumor mill to make himself look good and Verity look inept. When Verity leaves, he sells off as much of the livestock, stored wares, furniture, and decor of Buckkeep as he can - much of which he sends to Farrow for 'safe keeping'. He cuts off the coastal dukes, not even giving them aid against the raiders when asked and blatantly working against them. He constantly makes degrades Kettricken in front of the court and makes her appear foolish. He has the loyalty of Galen's coterie since Galen was his half-brother. He pronounces Verity dead, which Burrich and Fitz find out is a lie, so that he can become King-in-Waiting. Kettricken is pregnant at this time, and no one believes the child will be allowed to live. They hatch a plot to smuggle Kettricken and Shrewd out of Buckkeep but Shrewd dies before they manage it. Kettricken and the Fool escape instead. When Shrewd dies, he accuses Fitz of killing him with the Wit, although Fitz is sure that Serene and Justin killed the King on Regal's orders, because Regal believes Shrewd had Regal's mother Desire killed. He is told by the coastal dukes that if he wants to execute Fitz for killing Shrewd, he must have ample proof. Otherwise, he will have to put Fitz in charge of Buckkeep or they will not allow Regal to be crowned King. Regal amasses his proof - including a girl from Neatbay who say Fitz with Nighteyes and one of Kettricken's maids, Rosemary, who had been working as Regal's spy. He has Fitz tortured both physically and with the Skill, by Will, trying to make Fitz confess his 'crimes' and to lash out with the Wit, but he is unsuccessful. Fitz tries to kill Regal in this time, or at least incapacitate him, and is also unsuccessful. Chade and Burrich stage Fitz's death instead and Regal's proof is unnecessary. Patience and Grace ask Regal to allow Fitz to be buried instead of burned and their petition is granted. Regal places his cousin, Lord Bright, in charge of Buckkeep and moves his court to Farrow. 

Eldest child of King Eyod and brother to Princess Kettricken. Prince and heir of the Mountain Kingdom. Likes Fitz and speaks honestly to him in Jhaampe but is killed in the plot by Prince Regal and Galen, leaving Princess Kettricken as her father's heir. Was a friend to Prince Chivalry and adopted Nosy when he was taken away from Fitz.

Verity names one of his war ships after Rurisk.

Deceased

Skill user in Galen's coterie. She becomes the key member of the coterie after August and is kept at Buckkeep to receive messages and pass them along to Verity. She turns her loyalty, as well as the rest of Galen's coterie, to Galen's half-brother Regal instead of to Shrewd or Verity. She hates Fitz and constantly tries to hurt him. Fitz realized that Serene and the other coterie members were spying on him, trying to invade his mind as well as physically going through his rooms and Verity's rooms. At one point, Serene and Justin nearly break into Fitz's mind but Nighteyes comes to his rescue. Whatever Nighteyes does, Justin is left shaken and scared with visible claw marks. Fitz is absolutely sure that the coterie is loyal to Regal, not Shrewd or Verity, and that they know Verity's death is a lie. When King Shrewd dies, Fitz realizes that the coterie has been systematically draining Shrewd of his strength to bolster their own Skill, leaving him weak and ultimately killing him. Fitz kills both Justin and Serene for killing their king. 

Deceased

Duke of Shoakes. After the battle of Neatbay, he is gifted with one of the stolen raider war ships by Kettricken. He joins Brawndy in his support of Fitz instead of Regal, along with the Duke of Rippon. When Fitz is accused of killing Shrewd with the Wit, Shemshy and the other coastal dukes require Regal to provide proof. If he cannot, he will make Fitz custodian of Buckkeep. Regal collects proof but 'Fitz' dies before it is presented formally. The coastal dukes agree to Lord Bright as custodian of Buckkeep instead. 

King of the Six Duchies, father to Prince Verity, Prince Regal, and the late Prince Chivalry. Married twice, first to Constance and then to Desire. Half-brother of Chade. 

After his serving man 'dies', Regal installs Wallace instead as serving man and healer. They ply Shrewd with drugs, making him forgetful and dazed. The drugs also take Shrewd's pain away, which Fitz has felt and is excruciating. In his lucid moments, he wants Fitz to marry Duke Brawndy's daughter Celerity so that Shrewd can bestow a title and land on Fitz when they marry. Shrewd has a soft spot for his youngest son Regal and believes that he is just impetuous. He forces Fitz to promise not to retaliate against Regal for Regal trying to kill Fitz (multiple times). As Shrewd grows weaker, he becomes more pliable and cloistered. Regal has his father sign papers selling Buckkeep's animals, decor, and furniture. Eventually, he tells Shrewd that Verity is dead but Fitz is able to help Shrewd Skill and finds that Verity is still alive. Shrewd agrees to leave Buckkeep for his own safety, but at the last second changes his mind. He'd rather die. He does command Fitz to help him speak to Verity one last time. He is too weak and ends up dying. Afterward, Fitz realizes that Galen's coterie has been sapping Shrewd's strength through the Skill, likely on Regal's orders, which led to Shrewd's death. 

Deceased

Taught Princes Verity and Chivalry to use the Skill. When she needed to find an heir, the pickings were slim and she mentored Galen. Likely regretted that choice before she died. 

Deceased

Chade in disguise. He uses the persona of Lady Thyme when he needs to infilatrate women's gossip for more information.

They kill her off after Regal learns that she is Shrewd's spy.

Deceased

Middle son of Shrewd, youngest of his sons with his first wife Constance. Husband of Kettricken. 

Very strong in the Skill and was always kind to Fitz, even if he didn't always remember about him. Has been using the Skill nearly constantly to protect the Duchies from the Red-Ship Raiders and is wasting away because of it. Is told he needs to marry but does not have the time to find a wife, so his brother picks a wife for him. Regal and Galen hatch a plot to kill Verity, Fitz, and Prince Rurisk, but Fitz is able to save Verity by sending strength to him via the Skill. Verity uses that strength to kill Galen before sending it back to Fitz.

He starts training Fitz to use the Skill, believing that perhaps the reason Fitz has trouble Skilling is because he's too strong. They realize they can keep up a constant connection as long as it is renewed every so often, but Fitz cuts the connection off whenever he is in battle. He uses Fitz to see what is happening on the war ships he built to fight the raiders. When the Forgings will not stop, Verity uses paths Kettricken found throught he Mountain Kingdom to try to find the Elderlings. While he is gone, he advises Fitz and stays connected for as long as he can. After the battle at Neatbay, when Fitz hasn't heard from Verity for a few days, Regal announces that Verity has been killed on his quest. Fitz allows Shrewd to use his strength to reach out to Verity, finding out that Verity is in fact alive and Regal is making a bid for King-in-Waiting and likely King later. It is then that they decide to evacuate Shrewd and Kettricken, who is pregnant with Verity's child. 

Prounounced dead, but really alive; whereabouts unknown

Man loyal to Regal who replaces Cheffers when Cheffers dies. He plies Shrewd with drugs that make him forgetful and dazed. He tries to keep Fitz and the Fool away from the King, not allowing anyone in and alerting Regal as soon as Shrewd gets a visitor. Fitz makes a poison powder for Wallace, should he ever need to get rid of him. After Shrewd dies and Fitz is imprisoned, he tries to use the powder on Regal but gets Will instead.

Member of Verity's personal guard who helps break the guard - bringing new blood into Verity's guard while making a personal guard for Kettricken. Whistle joins Kettricken's guard.

Member of Galen's coterie who is placed on the Red Tower in Bearns by Verity, but is called back to Buckkeep when Verity leaves to find the Elderlings. He is stronger than either Justin or Serene and is also quieter and sneakier. He nearly makes it into Fitz's mind before Fitz realizes what's happening. When Regal has Fitz imprisoned and tortured, trying to make Fitz lash out with the Wit, Will tries to invade his mind as Fitz is being beaten. He is unsuccessful. At one point when Fitz tries to incapacitate Regal (or kill him if he's lucky), Will pushes Regal out of the way and Fitz forces poison powder into Will's nose instead. No one notices what actually happened, Regal thinks that Will was kicked in the head in the fray.

King of the Six Duchies who originally found the Elderlings, looking for help fighting off the raiders.

Kettricken believes that Wisdom went throught the Mountain Kingdom to find the Rain Wilds, where the Elderlings are said to live. She produces an old map, indicating where the paths may be that lead to the Rain Wilds. Verity uses that map to seek out the Elderlings himself. 

Wolf cub that Fitz rescues from an animal trader. He ends up bonding the wolf, who he originally calls Cub but is later called Nighteyes. Nighteyes fights with Fitz several times and protects him other times from afar, using the Wit to lash out at Justin. When Fitz is going to be killed, he joins his mind with Nighteyes and stays there while his body is buried. After Burrich and Chade dig Fitz's body up, he is convinced to leave Nighteyes' mind and return to his own body.

Puppy that Fitz first bonded with upon arriving in Buckkeep. When Burrich discovered the bond between them, he removed the puppy from the castle and took him to live with Prince Rurisk. Fitz thought that the puppy had been killed and did not know the truth until he saw Nosy again in Jhaampe. After Rurisk's death, Regal tried to drown Fitz, who was weakened from being poisoned. The last thing Nosy did before he died was to pull Fitz out of the water. 

Deceased

Puppy given to Fitz by Lady Patience who bonded with Fitz quickly. For as long as he could, Fitz kept Smithy secret from Burrich, fearing that Burrich would kill him. When Fitz was tested in the Skill and sent away from the keep, Smithy stayed in the stables. Through Smithy's eyes, Fitz saw when Burrich was attacked. Smithy was also attacked and did not survive. 

Deceased

Fitz's horse. He does not have a strong bond with her like he had with Nosy or Smithy, because she was too old by the time she was given to him.

Burrich hides Sooty and his own horse Ruddy so that Regal cannot send them to Farrow. When Kettricken and the Fool escape Buckkeep, Burrich gives them Sooty and Ruddy to ride.

• Buckkeep - capital of the Six Duchies where King Shrewd lives in the Duchy of Buck.

• Jhaampe - capital of the Mountain Kingdom.

• Forge - the first coastal town that the Red-Sail Raiders landed at and took hostages from that were later stripped of their humanity. Those returned hostages are now known as "the Forged" regardless of the town they were taken from.

• Siltbay - town that Fitz sees being attacked by raiders while he is recovering in Jhaampe. He sees Molly there trying to save her two nieces, she is one of the survivors.

• Ferry - town in Bearns Duchy who is attacked by raiders. It requests help but all requests strangely don't come through (Fitz believes that Regal ignored them or made sure they couldn't be transmitted). When the raid is done, Regal refuses to send aid to Ferry to rebuild, claiming they don't have the money to help. Kettricken gives Brawndy a priceless bracelet she brought with her from her home to pay for some repairs, forging a relationship with Brawndy. She later sent an emerald necklace that belonged to Verity's mother as well.

• Neatbay - Town in Rippon Duchy that Chade realizes is being attacked by raiders and he tells Fitz to tell Shrewd. Shrewd sends ships and ground troops to help. Kettircken takes her personal guard as well. It is a decisive victory and makes the coastal dukes look at Kettricken very well. This is also where a girl sees Fitz sitting next to Nighteyes.

The youngest of Kettricken's maids, who always appeared in her own little world and sleepy. As such, Kettricken never made the girl leave the room and she and Fitz never censored themselves around Rosemary. In reality, Rosemary was working as Regal's spy.