The Characters

One of the most important ingredients in a story is the characters. They take on a personality of their own, and remind us of people we know. As you read through the character list, try to picture the actions of the characters in The Poison Plot even if you have not read it yet.

Pronunciations are given below.

Gregorios Erasmus Basileios: Prince of Artakos. Heard conspiring with Ravona. Cowardly in nature, but puts on a good face to all audiences.

Berenicé: A mysterious woman who helps Roderic. Elderly and kind.

Carlotta: Adrienne’s tutor in etiquette. Refined and aristocratic.

Captain: A Lacassian captain who inadvertently exposes Anne's envoy to attack. 

Jeanette Chacé: A nosey servant girl who annoys Madame Veiller

Sebastien Commissionaire: The Lacassian king's royal messenger.

François Commissionaire: Sebastien's son. One of the best couriers in the kingdom, due to his accurate reports and messages.

Knight de Richesse: Tremenas' father. An advisor to the Lacassian king. Egotistical and proud.

Tremenas de Richesse: The son of Knight de Richesse; André's cousin; Helaine's suitor. Egotistical and proud.

Zohlton de Sagace: Renegade leader whose faction in Lacasse becomes dangerous to Anne.

Alessandra di Milano: Anne's friend and confidante; castle maid in both Lacasse and Calendenia. Wise, and intelligent.

Corrado di Milano: Alessandra’s father, long imprisoned.

Carmelina di Venice: Roderic’s mother. Intuitive and wise.

Lucas di Venice: Roderic’s father who wants him to learn values and morals.

Roderic di Venice: Lucas' son. A determined young man who resolutely decides to rescue his parents from treachery. However, that determination is also intertwined with a keen sense of respect for the advice of his authorities. Note his growth throughout the trials he faces.

Adrienne du Parries: Anne, (as she likes to be called.) Princess of Lacasse, feels out of place in her social status. Adventurous and fun loving, but insecure and brash. Watch how she changes through the book.

Helaine du Parries: Anne’s older sister. Dignified and reposed.

Henri du Parries: King of Lacasse. Stately and dignified, although occasionally impulsive.

Monique du Parries: Anne's wise mother.

Domenica Emidio: Calendenian maid who works in the dungeon; Alessandra's friend.

Wilbert Everard: Prince of Winthrop; polite and refined.

Fardius: Roderic’s gruff mentor. Sage, bold and courageous.

Jacques Fermier: Lacassian lieutenant who André Le Cavalier assists.

Didier Gautier: Stalwart Lacassian general.

Hildegarde Howse: Princess of Duchesne. Reserved and demure.

Nikolaus Howse: Prince of Duchesne. Protective and courageous.

Harlan Kaufman: Peddler’s upstanding apprentice. Bold and brazen.

André le Cavalier: Roderic’s friend; Adrienne's guard. Quick-witted and charming. Dedicated and loyal.

Darenden l’Hardi: Ravona’s nephew; Prince of Calendenia. Sullen and proud.

Elicia l’Hardi: Ravona’s sister; Queen of Calendenia. Strangely incoherent.

Alaric Marcello: Ravona's quick-stepping aide. Short and helpful, although whiney at times.

Knight Pierre Oiseau: Adrienne's official guard. Good organizer and planner. Bold and active.

Carlos Parecido: Prince of Provinia. Gracious and warm.

Ravona: King of Calendenia. Power thirsty monarch with evil  intentions. Domineering and forceful.

Orlando Santuzza: Ravona’s captain. Rage filled, and revengeful.

The Sheriff: Calendenian sheriff. Boisterous and inhospitable.

Yvette Veiller: Adrienne’s watchful nurse. Patient and guarding.

Character Pronunciation Guide

For those of you who are interested in the pronunciation of the character names...

Gregorios Erasmus Basileios (gre-GOR-i-os e-RAS-mus ba-SIL-i-os)

Berenicé (bear-e-NEE-chay)

Jeanette Chacé (SHZA-net sha-SAY)

François Commissionaire (fran-SWA com-MIS-see-o-nair)

Sebastien Commissionaire (sa-BAST-chen com-MIS-see-o-nair)

Tremenas de Richesse (TRE-me-naz de ree-SHESS)

Zohlton de Sagace (ZOL-tawn de se-GOSS)

Alessandra di Milano (al-es-SAN-dra di mi-LAWN-o)

Corrado di Milano (ca-ROD-doe di mi-LAWN-o)

Carmelina di Venice (car-ma-LEEN-a di VEN-iss)

Lucas di Venice (LUC-us di VEN-iss)

Roderic di Venice (ROD-er-ic di VEN-iss)

Adrienne du Parries (AY-dree-en du PAH-ree)

Henri du Parries (ON-ree du PAH-ree)

Monique du Parries (mo-NEEK du PAH-ree)

Domenica Emidio (DOM-e-nee-ca e-MEE-dee-o)

Fardius (FAR-dee-us)

Didier Gautier (DEE-dee-ay GO-tee-ay)

Hildegarde Howse (HIL-de-guard HOWZ)

Nikolaus Howse (NICK-o-laws HOWZ)

Harlan Kaufman (HAR-len KOFF-man)

André le Cavalier (on-DRAY le CAV-a-li-ay)

Darenden l'Hardi (da-REN-den LAR-dee)

Elicia l'Hardi (e-LEE-see-a LAR-dee)

Alaric Marcello (al-a-rick mar-SELL-o)

Pierre Oiseau (pea-AIR wah-ZO)

Carlos Parecido (car-LOCE pa-REE-cee-doh)

Ravona (ra-VONN-a)

Orlanda Santuzza (or-LAN-doh san-TUZZ-a)

Yvette Veillier (ee-VET VAY-yay)

Radulf Waldemar (rah-DOOLF VAHL-de-mar) 

Other Pronunciations

Reynolda (ray-NOLL-duh)

Lacasse (la-COSS)

Calendenia (cal-en-DEN-ee-a)

Artakos (ART-a-kose)

Duchesne (du-KESS-ne)

Winthrop (WIN-thrup)

Provinia (pro-VIN-ee-a)

Ardinoc (AR-di-nock)

Veridian (ver-RID-i-en)

Du Parries (du-PAH-ree)

Laupette (lo-PET)

Do you have questions about the characters or countries?

Go to About the Author and find the e-mail address at the bottom of the page.