The Sword of the Barbarians

Barbarian prince Sangraal fights to avenge his destroyed kingdom after Nantuk's assault. He endures a devastating personal loss when his wife dies, fueling his resolve to find a new home and a path to justice. Over the journey, he shifts from vengeance to the acceptance of a destined duty, aided by courage, love, and a powerful crossbow.

As the villagers' leader, Belem welcomes Sangraal and his people and offers co-rulership, showing generosity and pragmatism in a time of crisis. He risks danger to shelter refugees and supports their attempt to rebuild. His loyalty to the community underlines the theme of shared destiny.

A traveling archer who rescues Sangraal and Ati from peril. He brings skill, calm, and a sense of honor to the rescue mission, and forms a bond with Sangraal and Belem's daughter Ati. He remains a steadfast ally through multiple ambushes and dangers.

A mountain-dwelling wizard who counsels Sangraal to let go of the dead and points toward a shrine where true victory lies. He embodies practical wisdom, guiding the hero toward embracing responsibility rather than chasing impossible restorations.

Power-hungry warlord who has seized a king's throne after Ator's fall. He is the engine of destruction, unleashing attacks on villages and serving the Goddess's will. His rule is built on fear, ritual, and brutality, setting Sangraal on a path to confrontation.

An enigmatic deity whose presence enforces ritual sacrifice and dramatic tests of power. She manipulates Nantuk to maintain influence and reappears in the climactic moment of the showdown. Her role underscores the danger of divine manipulation in mortal politics.

She embodies the fiery judgement of the divine and demands Sangraal sacrifice to sustain Nantuk's rule. She reappears during the final battle, testing the hero's resolve until his final victory. Her presence personifies the corrosive power of unchecked divine wrath.

Belem's ally who helps patch Sangraal up and aids the group in escaping ambushes. Her quick thinking and resilience prove crucial in sustaining the trio's mission through dangerous turns.

Belem's daughter who aids Sangraal and Li Wo Twan, and is captured later in the story. Her presence represents the personal stakes for the refugees and the cost of courage in battle.