Characters
Protagonists
- Firedrake- A young silver dragon who decides to set out to find the Rim of Heaven with Sorrel, Ben, and the homunculi, Twigleg.
- Sorrel- A young brownie girl, she is one of Firedrake's closest friends. She is initially distrustful of all humans, having spent time with them in disguise, but warms up to Ben and the Professor. Despite having lots of arguments with Ben and winning most of them.
- Ben- A human boy found by Firedrake and Sorrel in an abandoned warehouse. Becomes the "Dragon Rider".
- Twigleg- One of twelve homunculi created by Petrosius the alchemist. Eleven of those homunculi were devoured by Nettlebrand, and Twigleg is the last. Twigleg has been Nettlebrand's armor polisher for hundreds of years. After Nettlebrand finds out about Firedrake through Gravelbeard, Twigleg is sent to spy on Firedrake and friends. However, Ben soon catches Twigleg's heart and Twigleg abandons Nettlebrand to help the trio on their quest.
- Professor Barnabas Greenbloom- A professor that is 'obsessed' with fantastical creatures. He provides useful information to Firedrake, Sorrel, and Ben about finding the Rim of Heaven. He frequently travels with his wife Vita and daughter Guinevere
Antagonists
- Nettlebrand- A golden Dragon-like creature created by an Alchemist, Nettlebrand was created to hunt actual Dragons. Because he was created and not born a dragon, he is unable to fly but has power over water: he can travel thousands of kilometers when he touches water. He can hear his spies (crows and Twigleg's) reports when they find some water and spit in it.
- Gravelbeard- A Mountain dwarf that works as a spy for Nettlebrand. He is the one that first tells Nettlebrand of Firedrake. After Twigleg departs, at first to spy on the trio and later to help them, he becomes Nettlebrand's new armor cleaner. Later on he 'awakens' the dragons again and polishes the cave in the Rim of Heaven.
Supporting cast
- Burr-Burr-Chan- A male mountain brownie with four arms. He helps Ben, Sorrel, Firedrake and Twigleg out in the Rim of Heaven.
- Slatebeard- An old and wise dragon that lives in the valley of the dragons. Warns Sorrel and Firedrake about Nettlebrand.
- Vita Greenbloom- Professor Greenbloom's wife.
- Guinevere Greenbloom- The daughter of the professor. She befriends Ben and the two become inseparable.
- Asif- The djinn with the thousand eyes. Knows the answer to every question in the world. Lives in a large wrecked car and materializes from blue smoke. He tells Ben a riddle that reveals where the Rim of Heaven lies.
- Graniteface, Leadengleam, Stonebeard- Three mountain dwarfs. Their scalps prickle when other fabulous creatures are nearby.
- Gilbert Greytail- A white rat, formerly a ship rat but now a mapmaker. Lives in a human city.
- Rosa Greytail- Lives in the valley of the dragons. Gilbert's cousin. Warns the dragons about the oncoming humans.
- Lola Greytail- An ace airwoman - or rather ace air-rat! Niece of Gilbert. Helps Ben, Sorrel, Firedrake and Twigleg. Later on, she uses her flying skills to lead Nettlebrand away from the river.
Read more about this topic: Dragon Rider (novel)
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