As the chief enforcer of the Unity's rule of terror and head of Kezlaf's personal guard, Istlourn has a lot of reputation to live down--and there are many who'd rather he not live to try.
Ard is a Ralcondrian water handler, a child of Vitgrud's Dancinglight, but often overlooked due to being the secondborn.
Alcendis had a hand in the downfall of the Unity, and afterward in helping the islands find a balance between autonomy and collaboration while also bringing back the Water Seekers as the Dancinglight.