The Ragpicker King Study Guide

Older Princess of Sarthe, beloved of her people. Conor believed that he was to marry Aimada, and signed a contract to marry a Sarthian Princess, but was duped by the Sarthian ambassadors who betrothed him to Princess Luisa instead. 

Owner of the Caravel, a pleasure house on Hourglass Street, older sister of Merren. Artal Gremont became obsessed with her and offered to make her his official mistress, which her father refused. Gremont then had her father thrown into prison, later raping Alys, which caused her father to commit suicide and Gremont to be exiled. She was paid a settlement by his family. She arranges with Antonetta to have Gremont's amulet removed and replaced with a fake while he is passed out at her brothel. 

The Ragpicker King, Holder of the secret twelfth Charter (crime). Has an agreement with the King of the Hill, that he will never be imprisoned but will make sure crime in the city stays civilized. Revealed that he is Asher Benezar, Ashkar and exiled son of the Maharam Davit Benezar. Employs Ji-An and Merren, Lin agrees to help him with a task, and offers Kel a job to find out who Prosper Beck's patron is. Continues to work with Lin and Kel. Lin uses his lab and Merren's expertise to recreate a tonic for King Markus. His and Kel's focus switches from Prosper Beck to the Malgasi, why they are in Castellane and what their end goals may be. Encourages Lin to go on her Ordeal with Aron Benjudah as he watches over Conor and Kel in Castellane. 

Delegate from Sarthe who arranges the marriage contract for Conor. When she feels that Sarthe is dishonored after finding out about Conor's long betrothal to the Malgasi Princess, she tricks Conor and brings a much younger princess for him to marry, while not breaking their contract. She is killed by a crossbow bolt in the attack on Marivent. 

Deceased

Princess of Kutani, engaged to Conor after the death of Princess Luise d'Eon. She is in love with Laurent Aden, the pirate, who she was going to run away with. However, she lied to Kel and told him that Laurent was blackmailing her so that she would be able to speak to Laurent without more suspicion. She has a tacit respect and appreciation, even a genuine like, for Conor which he reciprocates, though it's not romantic for either of them. She pulls away from the original plan, not wanting to damage Conor's reputation, but decides to run away with Laurent when she becomes aware of Elsabet's plan to kill her. Gets away with Laurent on the back of her elephant, Sendai. 

Lin's patient and retired merchant on the gold roads. Hid many treasures below his floorboards, incluidng a Source-Stone and Qasmuna's book. Slips the stone to Lin without her knowing, and disappears, likely killed.

Deceased? Probably

Daughter of the Head of the Alleyne Family, holding the silk Charter. Friend fo Conor, who was given a grass ring by Kel when they were young, which she holds in a locket she always wears. Her mother wanted her to marry Conor, but changed to a marriage with Artal Gremont after Conor was set to marry Princess Luisa. Antonetta wants to stay unmarried and hold the Charter herself. She helps Kel with several things, including smuggling Lin into the palace and escorting Princess Luisa. Antonetta is betrothed to Artal Gremont. She agrees to marry him with the idea that she will inherit the silk Charter and if something happens to Artal, she will inherit his Charter as well and be able to choose who receives it next. When Artal Gremont is killed, she disappears for a few days before showing back up at the Solstice Ball and implying to Conor that Kel is not to be trusted. It is revealed that Antonetta is none other than Prosper Beck! She makes a deal with Kel to help the Ragpicker King eliminate the Malgasi in Castellane. 

Legate of the Arrow Squadron, previously Sword Catcher to King Markus. He knows that Kel has been seeing the Ragpicker King and asks him to make sure the tie between the two remains unbroken, but tell him what is discussed. When Kel is betrayed and thrown into the Trick, Jolivet allows him to remain imprisoned, refusing to tell Conor the truth of what was asked of Kel.

Son of the Head of the Gremont Family, holding the tea and coffee Charter. Was sent away because he raped Alys Aster and had her father imprisoned, leading to Alys' father's suicide. Is being called back to Castellane due to his father's age and Lady Alleyne wants to arrange a marriage between him and Antonetta. Has been working with Princess Elsabet Belmany of the Malgasi, with his father before him. They were one of the families to hire the mercenaries involved in the Shining Gallery massacre. Artal is given a protective amulet by Elsabet, but that amulet is replaced with a fake when he is passed out at the Caravel, allowing for him to be killed. 

Deceased

Son of the Maharam, who was exiled for trying to learn magic in order to return his mother from the dead. Still in Castellane as the Ragpicker King Andreyen Morettus.

Exiled

A guard in Marivent who worked with Joss Falconet, though it is unclear if he was aware what Joss was up to. 

Leader of the House of Women, who raised Lin after her parents were killed and Mayesh was unable to take care of her. Skilled at making talismans. Fully believes in Lin as the Goddess reborn and serves as a witness during her testing. One of the witnesses to fight against Lin's exile. 

Son of the Head of the Roverge Family, who once held the dye His family won a dispute against a family of ink makers, likely by bribing the judges, which ruined the other family and drives them out of the city. On Ascension Day, Roverge ships are blown up in revenge. No longer living in Castellane, the family left the city humiliated and broke.

Crown Prince of Castellane, Duke of Marakand, Potentate of Sarema. Son of King Markus and Queen Lilibet, originally of Marakand. In love with Lin Caster. All of his debts were purchased by Prosper Beck, which forced him to enter a marriage contract with Sarthe and use the advanced dowry to pay his debts. Was whipped for this and healed by Lin. Gives Lin Qusmana's book for healing Kel. Cannot stop thinking about Lin, no matter how much he wishes to. Originally betrothed to Princess Elsabet Belmany by his father without his or his mother's knowledge. That betrothal agreement is broken to facilitate his engagement to Princess Luisa d'Eon, who is later murdered in the Shining Gallery massacre. He becomes engaged to Princess Anjelica Iruvai, who flees Castellane with her lover to avoid being killed by the Malgasi. Conor offers his love and a position as his mistress to Lin, who turns it down, but he later rescinds the offer and sends her away to protect her. He fakes the execution of Kel, terminates Mayesh's position of counselor, getting rid of any around him that he would trust to appear more weak and vulnerable to the Malgasi. Joins in a plan with his father to get rid of the Malgasi thread once and for all. 

Maharam of the Castellane Sault, who leads the Ashkari people within the Sault. Hates magic of any kind, partly because it caused him to exile his own son, partly because it could bring danger to the Ashkar people. He does not believe that Lin is the Goddess reborn and during her trial, accuses Lin of using dark sorcery to fool them and has her exiled. 

Princess of Malgasi, betrothed to Prince Conor before either of them was born. She is the assassin in black. She has come to Castellane to ensure the death of King Markus and her union to Prince Conor, which she plans to use as a puppet. She makes a deal with several noble families on the Hill to humiliate the Princess of Sarthe, which results in the Shining Gallery massacre. She conspires to kill the Princess of Kutani to prevent her marriage to Conor. Has a Source-Stone surgically implanted under the skin on her chest, which has to be replaced when the stone is depleted. She plans to ruin the Aurelian family because Markus killed the source of magic for the Belmany family when he fostered at the Malgasi court. Had future plans for Kel, but now believes that he was executed by Conor despite Joss' best efforts. 

Prince of Kutani, Anjelica's brother and blood guard. Escapes with his sister from Castellane. 

Crawler who works for Prosper Beck. When Prosper Beck disappears, he begins to work for the Ragpicker King and teaches Kel how to crawl. He leaves again once Prosper Beck returns, because Prosper once saved his life. He kills Artal Gremont when instructed to do so by Prosper Beck. 

Confidante to the Ragpicker King, prodigal noble of the Kang family who is very good at killing, killing several members of Han family before disappearing to Castellane. She reveals that she did this because the Han family killed the woman she loved. She investigates the appearance of Malgasi in Castellane with Kel and offers to break Kel out of the Trick when he is imprisoned, but is told that she cannot.

Lin's younger brother and Mayesh's grandson, currently traveling with a caravan on the Gold Roads.

Head of the Falconet House, holding the spice Charter. A friend of Conor and Kel, who insists he is loyal to Conor. He has been working with Princess Elsabet Belmany of Malgasi to overthrow the Aurelians, planting evidence of Kel's betrayal and revealing his treason at a Dial Chamber meeting, ensuring that Kel is thrown into the Trick. Believes that Kel was executed. 

Orphan with Marikand heritage, who becomes Sword Catcher for Prince Conor. He is stabbed by Prosper Beck's Crawler Jerrod and is healed by Lin, they become almost friends. Refuses to accept that he is in love with Antonetta and has been since they were children. Works for Andreyen to try to find Prosper Beck's patron but is unsuccessful. Agrees to work with him again after the attack on Marivent. Their priority pivots to find out why Malgasi has a presence in Castellane. Kel tracks down the Gray Serpent, and finds out that nobles hired him and other mercenaries to "humiliate" the Sarthian Princess, ending with Shining Gallery massacre. Finds out that the Alleynes, the Gremonts, and the Cabrols are three of those families, but that there are more. Accidentaly facillitates the escape of Princess Anjelica from Castellane. Is accused of treason by Joss Falconet and thrown into the Trick. Is rescued by Conor, though everyone believes that he has been executed. Tracks down Prosper Beck, who he has figured out is really Antonetta, and makes a deal with her to help the Ragpicker King eliminate the Malgasi from Castellane. 

Prince of Kutani, Anjelica's brother and blood guard. Escapes with his sister from Castellane. 

Prince of Kutani, Anjelica's brother and blood guard. Escapes with his sister from Castellane. 

Pirate who is in love with Princess Anjelica Iruvai of Kutani. They make a plan for him to "kidnap" Anjelica on her way to Castellane, but he is unable to get to her. Once he finds a way, she decides to stay and marry Conor, at least for a year, because she appreciates Conor and does not want to hurt his reputation more. But when Laurent finds out that Elsabet plans to kill Anjelica instead of let her marry Conor, he and Anjelica run away together on Anjelica's elephant Sendai.

Queen of Castellane, originally from Marikand. Conor's mother and Markus' wife. 

The Goddess Reborn. Ashkari physician, the best in Castellane, older sister of Josit and granddaughter of Mayesh. In love with Conor Aurellian. She heals Kel after he is attacked by the Crawlers and later heals Conor after he is whipped. She knows that Kel is Conor's Sword Catcher. Mayesh would like her to become the next Ashkari Counselor, but she has not accepted the position. Starts working for the Ragpicker King to find Qusmana's book, which Conor finds and gives to her. After the Maharam confiscates the book, Lin declares herself as the Goddess reborn in order to get it back. With help from Merren, she recreates the medicine given to King Markus to delay his transformation. She finds out his full story about what happened in the Malgasi court and he powers her Source-Stone. She is tested as the Goddess and heals Mariam Duhary, but is exiled from the Sault, though Aron Benjudah later pledges himself to protect her and they decide to go on her Ordeal to cleanse her Source-Stone in the Bitter Waters, as the Goddess reborn must. 

Head of the Alleyne Family, holders of the silk Charter. Mother of Antonetta. When she believed that Kel was interested in Antonetta romantically, she let him know in no uncertain terms that he was unworthy of her daughter, or of any nobles on the Hill. Has been working with Elsabet Belmany, originally to "humiliate" Princess Luisa, which resulted in the Shining Gallery massacre. The end goal is to bring down House Aurelian and give the Charter holders even more power. 

Younger Princess of Sarthe, who is betrothed to Prince Conor in a marriage contract without being seen first. Sarthe duped Conor into believing that he would be marrying Luisa's older sister. Luisa was killed in the attack on Marivent. 

Deceased

Member of the Montfaucon Family, which holds the textile Charter. Friend of Conor. Starts dating Raimon, who used to fight in the Arena under the name the Gray Serpent, but Raimon breaks up with him. 

Maid in the Alleyne household who exchanged missives for Liorada Alleyne, conspiring to "humiliate" Princess Luisa. Has a gambling addiction and can often be found at the Arena.

Ashkari girl whose parents died in Malgasi and best friend of LIn, who suffers from a mysterious illness that does not respond to treatment. Lin became a physician and is constantly trying to find new medical information in order to heal Marian. Is healed by Lin during Lin's testing. When Lin is subsequently exiled, she confronts the Exilarch Aron Benjudah about not doing his duty. 

King of Castellane who is more interested in reading the stars than ruling. Was fostered in Malgasi, where he was tutored by Fausten, who has followed Markus since. Betrothed Conor to the Malgasi Princess before either was born. Did something terrible in the Malgasi court, although it is not clear what that was. Believes that whatever he did is going to cause his downfall and the downfall of Castellane. Had Fausten executed for treason and Conor whipped for entering a marriage contract without council. Lin figures out that while Markus was in the Malgasi court, he found and killed a phoenix that was kept by the Belmany family to power their Source-Stones. This is the reason he is on bad terms with the Malgasi, who want revenge for taking away the source of their power. When the phoenix bled over Markus' hands and arms, its blood became a part of Markus, who is slowly being transformed into the phoenix reborn. Fausten had been giving him a potion to delay the transformation but it is moving quickly now. The king reveals this to Lin and powers her Source-Stone for her, telling her to become someone the Malgasi fear. He then enters an agreement with Conor to work together to get rid of the Malgasi. 

Astronomer and tutor from Malgasi, who has counciled King Markus since he was fostered in the Malgasi court. Knows of some wrong that Markus did in Malgasi. After the Malgasi delegates reveal Conor's betrothal to Princess Elsabet, King Markus believes that Fausten betrayed him and has him imprisoned, and later executed, for treason. Was giving Markus a tonic that delayed his transformation into the phoenix.

Deceased

Former Ashkari Counselor to the palace, grandfather of Lin and Josit. Wants Lin to follow him as Counselor. Serves as a witness during Lin's trial and fights against her exile. Is dismissed as Counselor by Conor and his mother. 

The best poisoner in Castellane, younger brother of Alys Asper, working for the Ragpicker King. Has a vendetta against Artal Gremont for causing his father's death. He is upset that Jerrod killed Artal Gremont, not him. Helps Lin to recreate a tonic for King Markus that slows his transformation into the phoenix.

Crime lord in Castellane who is being funded by a member of the nobility, who bought up all of Conor's debts, forcing him to sign a marriage contract with Sarthe and use the advanced dowry to pay his debt back. One day, suddenly disappears from Castellane without notice. Reappears in Castellane and appears to be stockpiling weapons, although no one knows the reason why. Kel discovers that Prosper Beck is none other than Antonetta Alleyne and the two of them make a deal to work with the Ragpicker King and eliminate the Malgasi in Catellane. 

Delegate of Malgasi, who reveals that King Markus betrothed Conor to Princess Elsabet before Conor was even born. Leaves Castellane irate after finding out the Conor had signed a marriage contract with Sarthe instead. 

Head of the Gremont Family, who holds the coffee and tea Charter. Has been having secret meetings in the Maze. His son was sent way after raping Alys Aster, but is being brought back due to Gremont's age. Warns Kel, believing he was Conor, not to trust anyone before he dies from the attack on Marivent. Originally made a deal with Elsabet Belmany but regretted the decision and was killed because of it.

Deceased

Member of the Black Guard and guard of Princess Luisa, vowed to guard Luisa until her death. After Luisa was killed in the attack on Marivent, Vienne went on the warpath and attacked Conor, fighting Kel. King Markus came in and threw Vienne against the wall, killing her. 

Deceased

• Falconet - spice Charter

• Cabrol - ink Charter

• Alleyne - silk Charter 

• Raspail - timber Charter

• Uzec - wine Charter

• Montfaucon - textile Charter

• Cazalet - banking Charter

• Gremont - coffee and tea Charter

• Esteve - horse Charter

• Sardou - glass Charter

• Gasquet - oil and perfume Charter

• King or Queen - "Your Highness"

• Prince - "Monseigneur"

• Nobleman - "Sieur"

• Married Noblewoman - "Chatelaine"

• Unmarried Noblewoman - "Demoselle"

• Marakandi Nobleman - "Amirzah"