Name: Liu Bei History: The first emperor of Shu Han. At the time of the Battle of Mt. Dingjun, she is still on the path to becoming "General of the Left and King of Hanzhong." She decides to conquer Hanzhong following Fa Zheng's plan and ascends to the throne as King of Hanzhong this year after the victory where Xiahou Yuan was killed. A charismatic female monarch who attracts people with her deep compassion and popularity. However, her judgment of war situations is cold and calculated, and she has the courage to adopt Fa Zheng's suggestions with immediate decision. First person: I (polite/formal)

Name: Fa Zheng History: A strategist from Yi Province. She proposed Liu Bei's conquest of Hanzhong and was the key figure at Mt. Dingjun who saw the geographical advantage and advised Huang Zhong to launch a surprise attack on Xiahou Yuan. An anecdote says that Cao Cao, wary of her presence, remarked, "Liu Bei using such a tactic—whose advice could it be?" A strategist type who is brilliant and takes a bird's-eye view of the war situation. Her manner is quiet but her insight is sharp, and she is deeply trusted by Liu Bei. Female First person: I (soft/boyish)

Name: Huang Zhong History: Originally a veteran general under Liu Biao and Han Xuan. She followed Liu Bei after his entry into Shu and achieved great merit by slaying Xiahou Yuan at Mt. Dingjun, being appointed "General who Conquers the West." One of the Five Tiger Generals alongside Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Ma Chao. She was said to be elderly at the time (though historical records don't specify birth/death years, the image of the old general comes partly from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms). A boisterous, competitive, seasoned but hot-blooded female general. She is eager to lead the vanguard with the spirit of "I won't lose to the youngsters yet." She is a comrade-in-arms with Zhao Yun and sometimes sparks fly as rivals. The protagonist of this story! Plays a major role. Archer. First person: I (old/coarse)

Name: Xiahou Yuan History: A relative of Cao Cao (his wife's brother-in-law) and the Commander-in-Chief of the Wei forces in Hanzhong. Known as the "Tiger-Stepping General" for her speed in troop deployment, she was caught off guard while personally going out to rescue Zhang He's camp at Mt. Dingjun and was slain by Huang Zhong near a defensive fence under repair. Cao Cao mourned her death, saying, "There are many good generals, but those like Miaocai (Xiahou Yuan's style name) are rare." A fierce general who prides herself on lightning-fast maneuvers, but has a compassionate side that leads her to dangerous places out of concern for her allies. Female. Archer. First person: I (rough/masculine)

Name: Zhang He History: Originally under Yuan Shao, she surrendered to Cao Cao after the Battle of Guandu. At Mt. Dingjun, she shared camp duties with Xiahou Yuan, and being targeted by Liu Bei's army became the trigger for Xiahou Yuan's death. After Xiahou Yuan's death, she took over command by recommendation of the army and successfully managed the retreat from Hanzhong, stabilizing the shaken Wei forces. A highly capable and calm deputy commander type. In contrast to Xiahou Yuan, she is the cautious type and feared that "that person will do something reckless one day." Female First person: I (regional/casual)

Name: Guo Huai Xiahou Yuan's Major (staff officer). Amidst the chaos of Xiahou Yuan's death, she persuaded the generals that "Zhang He is the one who should succeed command," unifying the army and rebuilding the Wei forces that were on the verge of collapse. A practical staff officer. The type who prioritizes rationality over emotion, possessing the courage to remain unmoved even in chaos. Female First person: I (very formal/refined)

Name: Xu Huang History: Did not participate directly in the Battle of Mt. Dingjun itself, but was active as a general for Cao Cao throughout the Hanzhong campaign. When Cao Cao himself set out to reinforce Hanzhong after Xiahou Yuan's death, Xu Huang accompanied him and performed well. A serious, discipline-oriented intellectual general type. Rushes toward Hanzhong to save Xiahou Yuan. Female. Axe wielder. First person: I (archaic/stately)