# Figures of Earth — Character guide

> Key figures in Figures of Earth by James Branch Cabell.

- [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel.md): Manuel rises from pig-keeper to Count of Poictesme, yet the old romancers narrate him always at arm's length, as though his cool water-demon blood kept even his admirers from wholly trusting him. His driving obsession is
- [Niafer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/niafer.md): Niafer is the woman who first spurs Manuel toward power, and after her death he models her likeness in clay with all the skill he can muster. But the resurrected Niafer gazes at her reflection in the Wolflake and sees a 
- [Freydis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/freydis.md): Freydis rules the real world behind the veil of sight and sense, and only Manuel's trick of embracing her penalties makes her a human woman subject to his whims. She mocks his shopworn endearments, coaches him on where h
- [Alianora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/alianora.md): Alianora is a fine-looking and intelligent girl whose magic works only on the bodies of men and beasts, a limitation she humbly concedes beside Manuel's power over the hearts of kings. She resents his third image, which 
- [Miramon Lluagor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/miramon_lluagor.md): Miramon belongs to the enchanters who contrive to impart life to clay figures, working by charcoal fire in a peculiarly perfumed obscurity while chanting the unfinished Rune of the Blackbirds. He is the craft's dread mas
- [King Ferdinand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/king_ferdinand.md): Ferdinand, once a vainglorious tyrant, now wears a relic in place of his crown and deals tenderly with all, since he cannot be angry with creatures bound for hell or purgatory while he plays a gold harp in heaven. His sa
- [King Helmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/king_helmas.md): King Helmas rules with a wisdom so celebrated that neighboring kings submit their hardest cases to him, and his people praise his merciful verdicts. Yet his confidence rests on a feather from the Zhar-Ptitza, and he wear
- [Hinzelmann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/hinzelmann.md): Hinzelmann serves as something between companion and conscience to Manuel, puncturing his self-deceptions with a kobold's cheerful bluntness. He reminds the still-young count that the price paid to win Niafer back from p
- [Sesphra of the Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/sesphra_of_the_dreams.md): Sesphra is the creature of Manuel's long dreams and labors — the image he designed to be more admirable than the drab men around him, given comeliness, wit, and courage but not pity or constant love. Because Manuel fashi
- [Melicent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/melicent.md): Melicent arrives in pale blue wrappings to the delight of her parents, though Queen Freydis marks the occasion with a feast from which Manuel is pointedly excluded. Her coming is bound up with the strange bargain of the 
- [Raymond Bérenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/raymond_berenger.md): Raymond Bérenger belongs to the world of kings and quarrels that Manuel must navigate as he makes his figure among men. His name surfaces in the disputes and grievances that shape Manuel's campaigns, and his friendship o
- [The Head of Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/the_head_of_misery.md): The Misery of earth, whom some call Béda and others Kruchina, comes to Manuel as a severed head of white clay that must be lifted over the threshold and fed soup with a gold spoon. It debates Manuel through the night, do
- [Suskind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/suskind.md): Suskind enters Manuel's life as a queen whose rank and composure make her both a prize and a problem for a man chasing unattainable ideals. Where Manuel craves bewitching, impossible loves, Suskind offers something earth
- [Madame Gisèle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/madame_gisele.md): A noblewoman who has a brief romantic encounter with Manuel.
- [Ruric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/ruric.md): A young warrior who serves Manuel and later becomes a king.
- [Horvendile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/horvendile.md): A mysterious young man who appears at key moments in Manuel's story.
- [Sister Math](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/sister_math.md): A nun who teaches Manuel about economics and practical wisdom.
- [Oriander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/oriander.md): A legendary swimmer who helps Manuel cross a dangerous river.
- [Stultitia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/stultitia.md): A foolish queen who is easily manipulated by Manuel.
- [Mimir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/mimir.md): A wise but shameless being who guards a magical well.
- [Grandfather Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/grandfather_death.md): The personification of death who appears to claim Manuel at the end.
- [The Zhar-Ptitza Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/the_zhar_ptitza_bird.md): A magical firebird that Manuel must capture as part of a quest.
- [Jurgen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/jurgen.md): A minor character who appears briefly in the story.
- [Emmerick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/emmerick.md): A minor character mentioned in the narrative.
- [King Theodoret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/king_theodoret.md): A king who is mentioned in passing.
- [Anavalt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/anavalt.md): A courteous nobleman who appears briefly.
- [The Holy Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/the_holy_father.md): The Pope, who is mentioned in the narrative.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters