Names are drawn heavily from FantasyNameGenerators.com, hat tip to that site. Humans and beastfolk tend to have German names with a sprinkling of Swedish names, to lend a fairy tale tinge to the setting by way of Grimm’s.
Major spoilers, especially for the first 4 books, are under spoiler tags. Click to expand.
Crystalbrook and Environs Residents
Crystalbrook is a market town amid the farming region of the Western Plains; it is the setting of more of the books than any other single location so far.
Name: Lavender (occasionally Cat, her Earth name)
Gender/Species: Female human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Force field that stops time inside it, causes any nearby demons to manifest, and reflects the emotional state of the people inside it.
Book 1 Spoiler
She also hosts a demon connected to her refusal to process her own death.
Occupation: Therapist; server at the Two Claws Inn
Associations: Dating Yahzghash; works at the Two Claws Inn; friend to Hazel, Countess Francesca, Sir Solan (eventually); therapist to Morel, Lysanthir, and many others
Appearances: Book 1 (cover, narrator); 2-4 (narrator), 5-7 (brief appearances). Also appears on the book 1-4 omnibus cover.
Name: Yahzghash
Gender/Species: Female orc
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Head chef at the Two Claws Inn; also volunteers with the Crystalbrook town watch
Associations: Dating Lavender; employee of the Two Claws
Appearances: Books 1, 2 and 6 (regular appearances), 3 (cover and major supporting character), 4, 5, 10 (mentions or brief appearances)
Name: Sir Solan the Mageknight
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Fire magic, which he channels through a shadowy presence he calls his “aura”
Occupation: Sword for hire; as of book 7,
Book 7 Spoiler
advisor to the Dark Lord.
Associations: Rival of and eventually grudging friend to Lavender; frequent collaborator with Ser Alaniena and the Cavaliers; friend of Countess Francesca and member of her gaming group; as of book 7, dating Dark Lord Drekar
Appearances: Books 1, 2, 3 (occasional appearances), 4 (cover and major supporting role), 5, 6 (brief appearances), 7 (cover and narrator), 9, 10 (brief appearances)
Name: Gustav
Gender/Species: Male brown-bear beastfolk
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Co-owner and bartender at the Two Claws Inn
Associations: Partner of Rene; employer of the other Two Claws crew, including Yahzghash and Berry
Appearances: 1, 2, 6 (regular appearances)
Name: Rene
Gender/Species: Male red-fox beastfolk
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Co-owner and server at the Two Claws Inn
Associations: Partner of Gustav; co-worker to the rest of the Two Claws crew (he does co-own the inn, but Gustav takes a more active managerial role)
Appearances: 1, 2, 6 (regular appearances); 10 (brief appearance)
The Two Claws Crew
Most join the crew after book 3, and appear primarily in book 6.
Klaus (male human, Yahzghash’s assistant; cameo in book 10)
Krouthu (male orc, chef; father to Marta, along with his husband Bernd, a human)
Viola (female ferret beastfolk, Krouthu’s assistant)
Alexandre (male arctic-fox beastfolk, head pastry chef; cameo in book 10)
Theodas (male elf, Alexandre’s assistant; cameo in book 10)
Lucia (female human, Alexandre’s assistant; cameo in book 10)
Marta (female human, Krouthu’s daughter, server)
Listed elsewhere: Yahzghash (listed above), Berry (listed below with the Adventurer Team)
Name: Sedge
Gender/Species: Grasslands dragon
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Though they have not fully come into their power yet, they will eventually have dominion over the Western Plains. They already have flight and thought projection.
Occupation: Future guardian of the Western Plains
Associations: Friend of Hazel and Morel (and almost anyone else they meet); living with Konstantin the crystal seller
Appearances: Book 1 (cameo), book 5 (supporting role), 10 (cameo)
Other Crystalbrook Residents
Lysanthir (male elf, blacksmith’s apprentice, books 1, 2, and 7 and on the cover of the book 1-4 omnibus; hosts a demon that Lavender has not yet identified)
Samantha
Book 4 Spoiler
female human, Visitor, practicing therapist; appears in books 4 and 7
Karl (male human, one of Lavender’s clients, appears in book 1; hosts an anger demon)
Konstantin (male human, crystal seller, appears in book 5, cameo in book 10)
Filvendor (male elf, tailor, appears in books 1, 6 and 9; mentioned in 2)
Urgan (male orc, Filvendor’s assistant, appears in books 1, 6 and 9)
Mr. Brauner (male human, owner of a secondhand store, appears in books 5, 6 and 10)
Lina (female fox beastfolk, sewist specializing in linens and home decor, appears in books 6 and 10)
Khagra (male orc, owner of a sandwich shop; appears in books 2 and 10)
Unnamed Loud Owner of the General Store (male human, appears in books 6 and 7)
Unnamed Librarian (female dog beastfolk, appears in books 2 and 7)
Unnamed Clerk / Owner of the Secret Grove Intimate Sundries & Books Shop (female human, appears in book 7)
Unnamed Baker (human of unknown gender, appears in book 10)
Crystalbrook Area Residents
Various people to whom Morel makes amends in book 5, some of which are not named; others listed below under Nobles’ Holdings
Sillavana Olafina (female elf, a successful merchant)
Nobles’ Holdings Residents
West of Crystalbrook lies a stretch of land dotted with the castles and estates of the local nobility. They get involved with various dealings and throw interesting parties. It should probably be noted that their titles are not indicative of any particular heirarchy, and they hold no legislative power outside their own estates.
Name: Countess Francesca de Rifare
Gender/Species: Female human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Rewinding time in ~10-second bursts
Occupation: Countess, heir to Castle Riscrivare
Associations: Friend to Lavender, Sir Solan; leader of her own entourage (see below); gamemaster for a Dungeon Crawl group (Solan, Drekar, Berry, Borghren, Marghash, briefly Ersien)
Appearances: Books 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 (appearances); book 2 (cover and supporting role); book 4 (major supporting role)
Francesca’s Entourage
A group of her friends who seem to either live at Francesca’s castle, or are there more often than not. The group appears together in books 1, 2, and 6.
Duke Sebastien (male human, noble)
Greta (listed separately below)
Ser Alaniena (female elf, sword for hire with a group called the Cavaliers; professional acquaintance of Sir Solan; appears on her own in book 7, cameo in book 9)
Ersien (male elf, dance instructor; cameo in books 7 and 9)
Marghash (female orc, astronomer; cameo in book 7)
Mage Borghren (male orc, air/wind mage; cameo in book 7)
Name: Greta
Gender/Species: Female human
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Implied to have a minor gift related to singing
Occupation: Noble; aspiring bard; later, bard in training (musician, voice and lute)
Associations: Member of Francesca’s entourage, and the only member to be confirmed as having dated her; temporary traveling companion to Lavender and Yahzghash
Appearances: Books 1, 2 (appearances); 3, 8 (supporting role)
Name: Ithronel Ralomoira (clan Balvaris)
Gender/Species: Bigender elf
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Majordomo (chief of staff) in Francesca’s estate
Associations: Friend and long-time co-conspirator of Francesca; sibling of Tanathil Ralomoira (listed below under Dread Army)
Appearances: Books 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10 (appearances); narrator of the newsletter extra short story “Countess Francesca and the Angel of Housekeeping”
Various other nobles
Duchess Caroline (female human, book 6)
Duke Lennart (male human, appears in books 2 and 5, an intense gardening enthusiast)
Duke Sven Holvaster of Oakgrove (male human, book 9)
Countess Lucienne (female human, book 9)
Viscounts Anton and Caspar of Castle Aconite (male humans, book 9)
Mage Sebastian of Castle Aconite (male human, book 9)
Lady Margarethe and Countess Fiona (female wolf beastfolk, book 9)
The Dread Army
The followers of Dark Lord Drekar Nightshade, who have formed a camp (and, as of book 7, the beginnings of a town) around the Dark Lord’s Bloodstone Tower, northeast of Crystalbrook in the foothills of the mountains.
Name: Dark Lord Drekar Nightshade, Sorcerer Unyielding
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Lightning magic (purple) and teleportation
Occupation: Leader of the Dread Army
Associations:
Book 4 spoiler
Younger brother of Jeff the First Visitor;
as of book 7, dating Sir Solan; also part of Countess Francesca’s gaming group
Appearances: Book 2 (appearances), books 3-4 (references), book 7 (cover and narrator)
Name: Zilyana Sarmenor (clan Ravaro)
Gender/Species: Female elf
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Scout for the Dread Army; in book 9, Dark Lord impersonator
Associations: Teammate of Aspen, Felix, Magnus and Tanathil
Appearances: Books 7 (cameo), 9 (narrator)
Name: Aspen Daethyra (clan Phytoris)
Gender/Species: Male elf
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Assistant to the quartermaster of the Dread Army
Associations: Teammate of Zilyana and her crew; friend and eventual romantic partner of Lars
Appearances: Books 7 (cameo), 9 (supporting role), 10 (narrator)
Name: Mage Magnus Shapewithe
Gender/Species: Male possum beastfolk
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Sound mage
Occupation: Stablehand for the Dread Army; retired roadie for bards
Associations: Teammate of Zilyana and her crew; friend of Lars
Appearances: Books 9 (supporting role), 10 (cameo)
Name: Felix (last name not mentioned in the story)
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Unlicensed Illusion mage (attended the College, but did not pass the final)
Occupation: Payroll clerk for the Dread Army
Associations: Teammate of Zilyana and her crew
Appearances: Books 9 (supporting role), 10 (cameo)
Name: Tanathil Ralomoira (clan Balvaris)
Gender/Species: Female elf
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Scout for the Dread Army
Associations: Sibling of Ithronel Ralomoira; teammate of Zilyana and her crew
Appearances: Book 9 (supporting role), 10 (cameo)
Name: Clive Cooper (alias)
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Duplication
Occupation: Cook for the Dread Army
Associations:
Book 10 spoiler
Former oligarch in Haven / associate of Ser Katherine
Appearances: Book 10 (supporting role); narrator of the newsletter extra story “The Ninth King of Haven”
Other Members of the Dread Army
General Brigitte Olander (female black bear beastfolk, book 10)
Captain Vorgarag Kolmod (male orc, quartermaster, books 7 and 10)
Captain / Chef Lillian Oakstaff (female badger beastfolk, head chef, book 10)
Captain Elias (male human, master of the scout corps, book 9)
Sergeant Glasha (female orc, tactician and drill sergeant, cameo in book 7, appears in book 9)
Shulhug (male orc, scout, cameo in book 7, appears in book 9)
Lars (male human, stablehand, cameo in book 7, supporting role in book 10)
Johanna (female human, scout, book 9)
Gunnar (male lizard beastfolk, scout, book 9)
Haldir (male elf, scout, book 9)
Mage Freya Eastbrook (female deer beastfolk, air mage, sentry, book 10)
Axel (male, implied human or beastfolk, job not mentioned, mentioned in book 10)
Elsa (female brown bear beastfolk, medic, book 10)
Southern Forest Residents
South of Crystalbrook lies the Southern Forest, a deep and ancient wood that is home to a loose confederation of mostly introverted and independent residents.
Name: Hazel the Woods Witch
Gender/Species: Female human
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Minor gift of project success: anything she makes will work, and her baked goods stay fresh longer than usual. She also hosts a demon connected to her agoraphobia/social anxiety.
Occupation: Charm and potion-maker
Associations: Friend of Lavender; assistant and friend to Morel
Appearances: Books 1-2 (appearances); 5 (cover and narrator); 6 (brief appearance)
Name: Morel
Gender/Species: Sylvan dragon
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Dominion over the Southern Forest, including growing plants magically; dragons can also project thoughts and fly. Morel has fire breath in book 1, but this is not their normal state.
Occupation: Guardian of the Southern Forest
Associations: Client of Lavender; adversary to Sir Solan; friend to Hazel
Appearances: Books 1, 2 (appearances), 5 (cover and major supporting character)
Name: Rowan
Gender/Species: Female human
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Hunter
Associations: Friend of Hazel
Appearances: Book 5 (supporting character)
Other Forest Residents:
Jutte, a “mostly-retired” woodcutter (mentioned in book 5; often called “Aunt Jutte”)
The Adventurer Team
Introduced in book 3, this trio of Visitors has been living their best murderhobo life through the otherworld for several years when Lavender meets them.
Name: Berry (formerly Poisonberry)
Gender/Species: Agender elf
Origin: Earth
Powers: Hortomancy (instant growth of any plant they have seen before, as long as there is soil to start with)
Occupation: Adventurer, then bartender
Associations: Adventuring partner of Burleigh Featherington and Henry Rocksmasher; co-worker of the Two Claws crew; eventual friend of Sir Solan and member of Countess Francesca’s gaming group
Appearances: Book 3 (supporting role), 6 (cover and narrator), 7 (appearances), 8 (letters), 9, 10 (cameos)
Name: Burleigh “Two-Fingers” Featherington
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Invisibility
Occupation: Adventurer, later bard in training
Associations: Adventuring partner of Henry Rocksmasher and Berry
Appearances: Book 3 (supporting role), 8 (co-narrator)
Name: Henry Rocksmasher
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Automatic dodging (basically evasion 100)
Occupation: Adventurer, later bard in training (musician, lute)
Associations: Adventuring partner of Burleigh Featherington and Berry
Appearances: Book 3 (supporting role), 8 (narrator)
Residents North of Crystalbrook
We see the vast swath of country north of Crystalbrook during Lavender’s quest in book 4. It hosts a patchwork of farmland, forest, and eventually a chilly sea.
Little Earth
A town exclusive to Visitors. A thriving community that enthusiastically welcomes tourists (as long as you can pass their Earth quiz) and deals in recreated Earth artifacts and culture.
Tamara (female human, official greeter, powers unknown)
Haven
A town ruled by a cadre of eight Visitors who are viewed as demigods by the rest of the townsfolk. Potentially a nice place to visit. Depending on your point of view.
Ser Catherine (female human, power of healing)
Andreas (male orc, powers unknown)
Book 4 Spoiler
Name: Jeff the First Visitor
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Earth
Powers: Can create or change any material object, but cannot unmake them; can change others’ magic powers. The Otherworld was originally based on Jeff’s worldbuilding ideas, but he did not consciously create the world or decide who is drawn there.
Occupation: Hermit; later, wandering the world
Associations: Older brother of Dark Lord Drekar
Appearances: Book 4, 7 (appearances)
Other northern residents
The Dragon of the Northern Sea
Mountain Residents
East of Crystalbrook, the most direct route to Hearthpeak passes through a mountain range that has proven dangerous for travelers lately.
Name: Mordeleg
Gender/Species: Male human
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None; hosts a demon in the form of the ghost of his pirate captain father
Occupation: Bandit leader
Associations: None (yet)
Appearances: Book 3
Other mountain residents:
Book 5 Spoiler
The Dragon of the Mountains
Hearthpeak Residents
Far east of Crystalbrook, past the mountains, the thriving city of Hearthpeak is home to the College of Mages and the Bards’ College, along with bustling trade of all kinds.
Name: Scholar-Mage Ajamar
Gender/Species: Male elf
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: Unknown, practitioner of ritual magic
Occupation: Mage and scholar of Visitor studies; one of the otherworld’s foremost authorities on Visitors
Associations: None (yet)
Appearances: Book 2 (letter), 3 (appearance)
Name: Ragash
Gender/Species: Female orc
Origin: Earth
Powers: Only seen for a moment; some kind of light powers or illusion powers
Occupation: Bard in training (musician, bass guitar)
Associations: Friend of Henry Rocksmasher and Greta; classmate of Tamu
Appearances: Book 8 (supporting role)
Name: Galan (Galandor Torwarin, clan Phitoris)
Gender/Species: Male elf
Origin: Earth
Powers: Golem-type powers: can form any inanimate matter into a moving semi-autonomous form for a short period of time
Occupation: Bard in training (musician, drums)
Associations: Friend of Henry Rocksmasher
Appearances: Book 8 (supporting role)
* Note: Yes, Galan’s adoptive family and Aspen Daethyra of the Dread Army are distantly related.
Name: Lorende Schilder
Gender/Species: Female human
Origin: Otherworld
Powers: None
Occupation: Bard in training (storyteller)
Associations: Classmate/friend of Burleigh Featherington
Appearances: Book 8 (supporting role)
Other Bards’ College Residents
Tamu, male human, Visitor, super-charisma powers
Ms. Opal, female catfolk, guitar teacher
Oskar, male human, storyteller in training
Hilde, female dogfolk, storyteller in training