Main Cast of characters

"After all, I am the Occasional King: never underestimate my ability to run away."

Dorian Sinclair

Dorian (Prince Dorian Midas Sinclair the First) is The Occasional King's charismatically flawed antihero. Cunning and unpredictable, his whims seem to balance on the edge of a knife between self-seeking and self-sacrifice depending what day of the week it is. At any given time it's a coin toss between whether he'll step up to the plate and do what's right, turn tail and run, or go even deeper into debt by throwing a spontaneous party. That constant uncertainty is part of what carries the twisty, morbidly humorous plotlines of the unfolding series. You won't always necessarily know what Dorian is up to, but the one thing you can count on is this: you won't see it coming.

"Who doesn't live a good, old-fashioned ghost story once in a while?"

Janus Morgan

Janus Morgan is the most trustworthy of untrustworthy friends a man could ask for, as to be expected of an Irishman with a Roman name. Christened after the two-faced god, Janus is an Irish immigrant, a circus runaway, and a sometimes magician. He's also a Noctivagant, with the power to enter a person's mind through dreams. While he always has the best of intentions, his methods are... questionable at times, born into a religion that teaches that anything done in the name of brotherhood is permissible. Meaning he can pull some rather audacious stunts if he considers it justifiable. Add onto it the fact of his Irish stubbornness, and you'd basically best stay out of his way.

"The dead talk to me: I talk back. It would be rude not to."

Moira Sinclair, Duchess of Northrose

Moira Sinclair is the illegitimate daughter of Dorian's murdered uncle, Bellamy, making her unfortunately, inescapably his cousin. Her dubious reputation as a witch who wanders the cemetery conversing with ghosts creates quite the controversy around her, but it takes more than a few stubborn rumors to drown her cheerful spirits. Due to her tumultuous relationship with her birth mother, she's more often to be found at the side of her governess, Elizabet Hennequin, or dancing uninvited at one of Dorian's parties, or in the grip of another suspicious scheme under direction from her ghoulish friends.

"I want to give a soul back to this kingdom."

Philippe Dubois

Philippe Dubois "Sinclair" is anything but a Sinclair, but nobody needs to know that. Dorian has done his damnedest to remake the lad in his own image so he might prop him up as the latest in his never-ending parade of puppet rulers (Dorian being unwilling to directly rule from the throne himself). If only it weren't for the boy man having such a rebellious streak -- but that shouldn't be too hard to stamp out. Philippe is pious and chivalrous as they come, if not a bit too serious for Dorian's impeccable taste. He should make a fine puppet king for the precarious throne of Ravensdale and its artful Glass Court, if he can manage not to die like all the others.

"I do not bow to religion: religion bows to me."

Fate

The God of Fate is the ultimate force to be reckoned with: the downfall of boastful heroes, the appointer of chosen ones. Nearly every religion has one -- a trickster, a punisher, a finality written in the stars. But little is known about him that can ever be confirmed with any certainty, just fragments assembled across mythologies to be assembled into a blurry picture of this ancient Celtic creature. Thousands of years' worth of knowledge, prowess, and grudges are embodied in this one mysterious figure, whose influence can scarcely be comprehended. And Dorian Sinclair has just kicked dirt in his face.

"My lips are sealed until I get my secret."

Jasper Clarence

When in Ravensdale, he is the Secretkeeper, a masked man behind a screen trading secrets to court gossipers in exchange for ever more secrets. In another realm, he is Fate's right hand and companion of hundreds of years. For the most part, his allegiance is fixed on an unmovable axis: total and unremitting loyalty to saving his own skin. But sometimes his loose lips call even that into question. The only certainty is that Jasper Clarence cannot be trusted.

supporting Characters

Nicholas Othonos, Baron of Whitethorn
(Peacock 1/6)

Poet. Sculptor. Social butterfly. Nicholas met Dorian through the prince’s late cousin, Dominic. Now without Dominic in common, their friendship is strained. Nicholas is an arrogant, self-proclaimed hedonist. But his good heart and aptitude for leadership make him ringleader of Dorian’s entourage, the Peacocks.

Perseus “Percy” Pengelly, Lord of Nuage
(Peacock 2/6)

A short time ago, Percy had an affair with Dorian's late wife, Elspeth, resulting in a pregnancy. Before she could carry to term, Elspeth was assassinated, and the baby tragically died with her. Though Dorian forgave him, their friendship hasn’t entirely healed, and Percy numbs his grief with substance abuse and offensive humor.

Clovis de la Fontaine, Lord of Charsier
(Peacock 3/6)

Clovis isn’t hard to spot. The French immigrant with a penchant for gossip is Dorian’s petty secretary. As territorial as a cat, he's vigilant against threats to his hard-earned position in the Glass Court. He serves as Dorian’s ghostwriter (and occasional forger), to help cover up Dorian's near inability to read due to a learning disability.

Mercer Dantes, Heir of Violette
(Peacock 4/6)

Mercer hails from an affluent family renowned for winemaking. With his playful personality, he's the last person anyone would suspect as Dorian's private assassin. Mercer is secretly hailed among fellow Peacocks as the “World’s Laziest Assassin.” Technically he could do the job himself. But realistically, he just doesn't feel like it.

Killian Teagan, the Ambassador's Son
(Peacock 5/6)

Killian was ready to be ordained a priest before Dorian ordered him to join his royal entourage. Son of a powerful military family, he is one of the only Peacocks with any training in combat, though he prefers to spend his time in study and prayer. He is a second generation Irish immigrant, whose second love is theater.

Étienne Brunais, Heir of Giltbury
(Peacock 6/6)

Heir to the wealthiest family in the country, Etienne is often referred to in relation to his grandfather, Gerard Brunais, the financial backbone of the kingdom. Though friendly and charismatic, he's a private person and keeps to his clique of friends. He is the youngest in Dorian’s entourage, and perhaps the most mysterious.

Patrick Teagan

In the past, Patrick was an advisor to Dorian's father. In the present, he serves as a member of council and as the court torturer (a bit controversial with his family). Despite him possessing a shy, reserved nature which allows him to pass unnoticed through a crowded room, no one is stupid enough to disrespect him. He is an occasional paternal figure to Dorian, who's known him since childhood.

Lothario Knighton, Duke of Heatherdown

After Dorian, Lothario is one of the most influential men in the country, with his vast land holdings and private army. Despite sitting pretty on so much power, he is reputed to be a strange man with strange interests. Rumor has it he killed his father for his seat on council. He is also Moira's handler in her coven, tasked with ensuring she shows up for all her rituals like a good girl.

Elizabeth Hennequin, Duchess of Sharpton

Elizabeth, like Moira, is the property of the kingdom’s “secret” coven, and her role has been to breed children as ever more devotees. One of those offspring is Lothario. (Rotten luck.) Though she has no blood relation to Moira or Dorian, she was briefly governess to them both and loves them at least as much as her biological children.

Margaret Roux, the Blue Lady

Her daughter, Moira, was conceived during an extramarital affair with Bellamy Sinclair, Dorian’s now deceased uncle, making Moira step-siblings with Dominic, and Dorian's illegitimate cousin. Margaret Roux never humbled after that taste of power, emboldened by her affair with a prince of Ravensdale, and her brash, manipulative streak has only worsened through the years.

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