Kaladin
is a gifted former soldier and surgeon's son, now a branded slave sold into a bridge crew on the Shattered Plains. His flashbacks form the emotional spine of the book. He is haunted by everyone he has failed to save, including his younger brother Tien.
Dalinar Kholin
, called the Blackthorn, is a Highprince, brother of the murdered King Gavilar, and uncle to the young king Elhokar. He experiences visions during highstorms and follows the teachings of an ancient book, The Way of Kings — and half the warcamps think he is going mad.
Shallan Davar
is a young noblewoman from a ruined house who becomes the ward of the brilliant, heretical scholar Jasnah Kholin, secretly intending to steal Jasnah's Soulcaster to save her family.
Szeth-son-son-Vallano
, the Assassin in White, is a Shin "Truthless" bound to obey whoever holds his Oathstone. He killed Gavilar, and he possesses Surgebinding powers the world believes extinct.
Adolin Kholin
is Dalinar's older son and an honorable duelist, one of the book's supporting viewpoints.
Renarin Kholin
is Dalinar's younger son, sickly and barred from battle.
Navani Kholin
is Gavilar's widow, whom Dalinar has loved for decades; she transcribes his visions and begins a quiet, scandalous courtship with him.
Wit
is the king's insult-artist, and much more than he appears.
Eshonai
is the Parshendi Shardbearer who carries chapter 68; the book's nine Interludes add other one-off viewpoints around her.