The life Maddox had laid out for himself in Hadden Town was exactly what he wanted- an apprenticeship with a top chef, a few very good friends, and a family that would have helped him through anything. But when the nightmare he's had since childhood starts to intrude into his waking life, the boy discovers that his responsibilities reach far beyond anything he could have expected.

Age: 18
Height: 5' 8"
Hometown: Hadden Town
Hair Color: dark brown
Eye Color: amber-gold
Rune: ger
Birthday: October 20 (Libra)
Likes: cooking, swimming, casting runes
Dislikes: braggarts, hypocrites, sleep

"I had a dream, which was not all a dream..." -Lord Byron

Optimistic, good-natured, and open-minded, Nel seems to never run out of energy. Having abandoned dolls long ago to follow her friends in climbing trees and playing pirate, it's little surprise that she insists on coming along when the game reaches a whole new scale.

Age: 17
Height: 5' 6"
Hometown: Hadden Town
Hair Color: auburn
Eye Color: warm blue
Rune: wyn
Birthday:December 3 (Saggitarius)
Likes: magic, small animals, Maddox's cooking
Dislikes: sewing, dresses, big decisions

"Tis always morning somewhere in the world." -Richard Henry Horne

In a community consisting of mages and scholars, Sivan has shown unusual promise in more areas than one. When sought by a band of friends seeking knowledge, however, the young mage may be forced to discover how well his powers stand up in the face of a threat greater than anything he's encountered before.

Age: 22
Height: 5' 11"
Hometown: Caera Academy
Hair Color: sandy-blonde
Eye Color: pale grey
Rune: man
Birthday:June 5 (Gemini)
Likes: rock candy, histories, flirting
Dislikes: drunks, bigots, being wrong

"The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it." John Locke

Shy and awkward in public situations, Shea is nevertheless fiercely protective of the few people that manage to get close. The young weapons master is certain that disaster would strike if he wasn't there to prevent it; for Shea, letting his oldest friends get into trouble on their own isn't even a matter for consideration.

Age: 19
Height: 6'
Hometown: Hadden Town
Hair Color: grey
Eye Color: purple
Rune: eolh
Birthday:July 14 (Cancer)
Likes: cloud watching, tampering with weapons, Maddox's cooking
Dislikes: dishonesty, magic, needless risks

"If we do not find anything very pleasant, at least we shall find something new." -Voltaire

For many years Xerke had served as a Guardian of the Branches, protecting her beloved home from invaders. When at last she failed in her duty, the xa'crith woman took up a new one: to discover what sort of creature could breach the defenses that had been so carefully wrought.

Age: 27
Height: 6' 4"
Hometown: Zanak Vorn
Hair Color: iridescent
Eye Color: green
Rune: eoh
Birthday: December 28 (Capricorn)
Likes: the outdoors, physical activity, teamwork
Dislikes: children, large cities, cowardice

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." -Kahlil Gibran

Once upon a time, Kynan was the most promising student that Shen Academy had to offer. Not only did he have the natural talent required to work with magic, but he possessed the focus to cast even the most complicated spells. Now, everything has changed. The once-sharp mind is dulled with the onset of insanity, and all his will is bent to achieving a single end. But whether the rest of the world survives to see the realization of his dream no longer seems to be a concern.

Age: 25
Height: 6' 1"
Hometown: Maeford
Hair Color: black
Eye Color: pale blue
Rune: sigel
Birthday: September 2 (Virgo)
Likes: apple cider, complicated spells, crushed flowers
Dislikes: losing control, interferences, rain

"Unable are the Loved to die/ For Love is Immortality." -Emily Dickinson

Calm and reserved, Amory has great potential as a mage- if only he could learn to control his talents. The boy's aversion to violence seems to hint that he's been drawn into his circumstances more for someone else's sake than for his own.

Age: 17
Height: 5' 4"
Hometown: Maeford
Hair Color: pale blonde
Eye Color: hazel
Rune: nyd
Birthday: March 18 (Pisces)
Likes: strawberry pie, singing, taking walks
Dislikes: deception, violence, complicated spells

"Maybe this world is another planet's hell." -Aldous Huxley

Whatever lot life had drawn for Tainn, she seems determined to tear the world down to get even. Deadly with her cat's claws and dangerously charming, the woman makes it no secret that she's out to take her revenge- against everyone she can reach.

Age: 24
Height: 5' 9"
Hometown: Colter
Hair Color: deep red
Eye Color: brown
Rune: is
Birthday: August 13 (Leo)
Likes: half-truths, getting her way, red wine
Dislikes: bad planning, snakes, being caught unawares

"Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here." -Marianne Williamson

A detached nature and an inclination toward secrecy makes Hadrian somewhat of a mystery, even among those to whom he claims loyalty. Nevertheless, he's pledged his allegiance, and only a fool would turn down the aid of his devastating strength and expert bladesmanship.

Age: ??? (looks to be in his late 20s)
Height: 6' 5"
Hometown: ???
Hair Color: medium brown
Eye Color: Blue-white
Rune: haegl
Birthday: ???
Likes: privacy
Dislikes: rules

"Now hatred is by far the longest pleasure; men love in haste, but they detest at leisure." -Lord Byron