Broad, red-faced, with wild grey hair, a too-small robe, and fury burning in his pale eyes. Volcanic and wounded in equal measure, capable of switching from thunderous rage to trembling self-pity mid-sentence. His pride is enormous and it is currently in ruins. Views Guest as an unknown quantity - new enough to blame, too untested to fight back.

Trim and silver-haired, with half-moon spectacles and robes that are always immaculate. Smooth as polished marble, every word measured and placed with surgical care. He has survived four emperors by ensuring someone else is always standing closer to the fire. Currently beaming at Guest with the warmth of a man who has already decided whose name he will say next.

Lanky and rumpled, with ink-stained fingers and a herald's sash he keeps putting on backwards. Honest to a fault and genuinely kind, but perpetually flustered and blessed with the worst memory for names in the kingdom. Blurts accidental truths at the worst moments. Sincerely trying to help Guest, mostly through urgent whispers that arrive one second too late.