Minor Characters of The Steam Knight
This page documents the minor characters introduced or featured in The Steam Knight. For major characters, see their individual pages. Characters are grouped by affiliation where possible.
Knights of the Crystal Spire — Apprentices
The following characters were apprentice knights alongside James Gentry at the Knights of the Crystal Spire.
Tristan
Tristan was a red-haired, freckled apprentice knight with green eyes. He wore a white tunic and brown training pants and occupied the top bunk of the bed opposite James Gentry in the apprentice dormitory, which he shared with James, Albert, and Lawrence Holdwood. He was known for snoring loudly throughout the night — a habit James later recalled with a measure of unexpected fondness when sleeping away from the dormitory felt almost too quiet.
In The Steam Knight, Tristan was defeated by James in a sparring match early in the story. He subsequently allied with Reginald du Current against James, going so far as to tell Reginald to break James's leg during the upcoming competition. Tristan placed second in the preliminary rounds of the competition and faced Stephan Retpa in the semi-final. Though his sword form was described as poor, he won when Stephan tripped while defending and Tristan pressed his sword to Stephan's gut. Tristan lost the final match to Reginald. He had hoped, if he won the competition, to be paired with Ethan von Lantern as his journeyman. He was consistently rude to James and reacted with unimpressed skepticism upon learning James had swung a gun like a club during a mission.
"You swung a gun like a club."
Reginald du Current (Reginald Walther)
Reginald du Current, introduced by King Malaky XVI as Reginald Walther, was a stockier, brown-haired noble from Highview City and an apprentice knight at the Knights of the Crystal Spire. He shared the apprentice dormitory with James, Tristan, and the other bunkmates, typically occupying the bunk across from James.
In The Steam Knight, Reginald developed a hostility toward James after overhearing Cid praise James. He allied with Tristan against James and told Tristan to break James's leg during the competition. He performed well in the dexterity contest, hitting the carpet target from more than halfway across the arena. He made it to the top four of the competition and faced Lawrence Holdwood in the semi-final, winning after Lawrence suffered a broken leg — an outcome James suspected may have been deliberate, consistent with Reginald's earlier threat. Reginald won the overall competition over Tristan. Despite his competitive success, he was described as lacking the attitude or chivalry to be worthy of working with a journeyman, and he was rude to James throughout.
Later in the book, Reginald served as one of the knights guarding King Malaky XVI, standing beside James in the guard row. Though he made clear he did not like James, he acknowledged James's importance to their survival and showed a measure of pragmatic compassion — allowing James to nap after a sleepless night and later noting that James owed him one for keeping him up. He warned James to focus on guarding the princess and cautioned that the Wyranth would try to send an assassin. James did not consider him a traitor, despite viewing him as someone who had cheated to get ahead of the other apprentices. He was also noted to find coffee enticing.
"I don't like you, Gentry, but we need you if we're gonna survive this." "We need to sleep, Gentry." "You kept me up all night so you must be tired, but you owe me one."
Stephan Retpa
Stephan Retpa was an apprentice knight who placed in the top four of the competition in The Steam Knight. He faced Tristan in the semi-final; the two circled each other before Stephan tripped over the dirt while defending, allowing Tristan to press his sword to Stephan's gut and claim the win. Stephan was described as competent and not as openly rude to James as Tristan and Reginald, though he went along with the other boys.
Lawrence Holdwood
Lawrence Holdwood was an apprentice knight who shared the dormitory room with James, Tristan, and Albert. He did not appear to lose sleep over Tristan's snoring. In The Steam Knight, Lawrence placed in the top four of the competition and faced Reginald in the semi-final. He fought aggressively, pushing forward with his shield, and managed to dodge Reginald's thrust and knock Reginald's sword arm aside. However, he suffered what appeared to be a broken leg during the match and was carried off the field on a stretcher. James suspected Reginald may have deliberately caused the injury, consistent with Reginald's earlier threats.
"Lawrence was on the ground, clutching his leg."
Albert
Albert was a red-haired apprentice knight who shared the dormitory with James, Tristan, and Lawrence. He occupied the bunk across from James and did not appear to lose sleep over Tristan's snoring. In The Steam Knight, Albert woke James to ask about his mission, defended James from Tristan's jealousy, and invited James to sit with them after breakfast. He was a generally supportive presence among James's bunkmates.
"More than you got to do after the competition."
Knights of the Crystal Spire — Journeymen
David Tanner
David Tanner, introduced by King Malaky XVI as David Tanner and informally known as Tanner, was a journeyman knight distinguished by a small tuft of hair under his bottom lip. He served as one of the knights guarding King Malaky XVI and stood in the guard row with the other knights.
In The Steam Knight, Tanner handed James a cup of coffee in the morning, telling him it would pick him up. He whispered to James to follow Reina at a key moment, nudged James in the side to wake him when he dozed off during a diplomatic meeting, and said "Yes, Sire" in unison with Handley and Reginald when ordered to search the forest. He was present during the vigil in the main room and participated in James's promotion ritual, commenting on the look of fear in James's eyes and noting that a picture of it existed forever. He also found coffee enticing.
"Coffee. It'll pick you up." "C'mon, it's much easier to swallow than spirits."
Joshua Handley
Joshua Handley, introduced by King Malaky XVI as Joshua Handley and referred to as Handley, was a stockier journeyman knight with dark hair. He was part of the guard retinue at the estate and one of the knights guarding King Malaky XVI, arriving last to take his position in the guard row.
In The Steam Knight, Handley was encountered by James outside at night, claiming he was surveying the perimeter. He drew his sword when he detected someone hiding in the trees and told James to mind his own business. He expressed the view that the von Monocles did little for the kingdom and were merely a show, and mentioned in a defensive tone that he had once had a real sister, though he did not elaborate. James grew suspicious of him.
Handley was ultimately revealed as the would-be assassin of King Malaky XVI. He climbed into the king's bedroom via a rope through a window, fired a pistol at the king's bed (missing initially), and shot the king in the shoulder during the ensuing struggle. He also shot James's sword hilt with his pistol and fought James with both sword and fists, demonstrating nimble footwork despite being bigger, heavier, and more muscular than James. Handley claimed he acted for the good of the kingdom, blaming King Malaky XVI for Rislandia's weakness and the Wyranth invasion, and appeared to have been motivated by the fate of his sister. He appeared to have acted alone rather than on behalf of the Wyranth. He was killed by James using the aether-fueled auto-electrocuter; his body was left charred, with hair and clothes singed. See also: Assassination Attempt on King Malaky XVI.
"The von Monocles do little for the kingdom. They're just a show." "For the good of the kingdom. Rislandia is weak under Malaky's leadership."
Royal Household
Dr. Bruce
Dr. Bruce was King Malaky XVI's personal doctor. He had a receding hairline with white hair, a matching white beard, and round spectacles, and was described as calm and soft-spoken. In The Steam Knight, he attended the king after the assassination attempt, came downstairs to report that the king was awake but very weak, advised against everyone rushing in at once, and relayed the king's request to speak with James Gentry first.
"He's awake. Finally. He's very weak, though."
Joel
Joel was a palace servant in The Steam Knight. He was sent by King Malaky XVI to retrieve Princess Reina and accidentally interrupted James and Reina, responding with visible embarrassment — blushing and casting his eyes aside.
"King Malaky sent me to retrieve you."
The Royal Tailor
The royal tailor worked at King Malaky's Palace. In The Steam Knight, he fitted James and Ethan von Lantern with Wyranth soldier uniforms for their undercover mission and designed Princess Reina's baby blue dress. He used pins to mark seams during fittings.
Gentry Family
Da (James's Father)
James's father, referred to as Da, sold farm goods — including tomatoes, potatoes, grains, chickens, and cows — at the market square in Plainsroad Village. He also let James shoot his rifle when James was eight years old. During the Wyranth attack on Plainsroad Village, he told James to take Zaira and flee on the family horse Lightning, his fear so intense that James had no choice but to obey. He was killed by the Wyranth. James missed him deeply. See also: Gentry Family.
"The fear in his eyes had been so intense, I had no choice but to obey."
Ma (James's Mother)
James's mother, referred to as Ma, was killed by the Wyranth. James tried to push aside memories of her. She is remembered among "the loving parents who did their best to raise" him. See also: Gentry Family.
Lightning
Lightning was the Gentry family horse. During the Wyranth attack on Plainsroad Village, James's father ordered James to take Zaira von Monocle and flee on Lightning.
Mrs. Everley
Mrs. Everley was James's former teacher at the schoolhouse in Plainsroad Village. She was recalled by James writing math lessons on the chalkboard.
Atreblan Figures
Atreblan Ambassador
An unnamed Atreblan ambassador was expected to arrive at the estate the day after King Malaky XVI's group reached it. The king expressed hope that the ambassador's arrival would not come too late.
Prince Gregor of Atrebla
Prince Gregor was the son of King Eakin of Atrebla and was described as being approximately Princess Reina's age. In The Steam Knight, King Malaky XVI raised the possibility of a marriage arrangement between Gregor and Reina. See also: Atrebla.
Wyranth Forces
Corporal Gustaaf
Corporal Gustaaf was a Wyranth soldier stationed in Loveridge. He had a pointy chin with stubble growing in patches on his face. In The Steam Knight, he introduced himself and Sergeant Bram to James and Ethan von Lantern (who were operating undercover), led the patrol into the forest, told them about the feral serum addicts, showed some sense of honor by redirecting dark conversation, expressed reluctance to discuss the von Monocles, and ordered James to shoot a feral Wyranth soldier.
Later in the book, Gustaaf arrived at Dr. Metzengerstein's farm with his team and surrounded the house. He used an amplifying device to project his voice when calling for James and Ethan's surrender, fired a warning shot outside the laboratory, and revealed that he knew their real names.
"Hans, Klaus — or should I say, James and Ethan — we know you're in there."
Sergeant Bram
Sergeant Bram was a Wyranth soldier stationed in Loveridge. He was described as too fat to be a soldier, his uniform seeming to want to burst at the buttons. Despite his appearance, he was a skilled marksman who shot a squirrel with fluid precision and pocketed it to eat later. He drank heavily and was present in the tavern when a feral soldier attacked the commandant. He was introduced to James and Ethan von Lantern by Corporal Gustaaf.
"Never waste a good meal."
Vance
Vance was a thin, dark-eyed Wyranth soldier stationed in Loveridge. He had previously been stationed at the palace when the "von Monocle girl" (evidently Zaira von Monocle, whom the Wyranth had held at their palace) was held captive. He was loose-lipped when drunk and spoke of Dr. Metzengerstein's red-haired assistant. He started a fight with James in the tavern, was knocked to the floor, and did not get up immediately; he appeared not to remember the fight when he regained consciousness.
"You! Get that smug look off your face."
The Commandant
The Wyranth commandant stationed in Loveridge was attacked by a feral serum addict in the town's tavern two nights before James and Ethan von Lantern arrived. The feral soldier bit a large chunk of flesh from his shoulder. The commandant subsequently contracted rabies, began foaming at the mouth, developed a fever, and was unconscious at the time of James and Ethan's visit. His survival was uncertain. His incapacitation gave the soldiers under his command more time off their feet.
Geert
Geert was a Wyranth soldier encountered by James during a forest fight in The Steam Knight. He was wounded in the side by James, went into convulsions, and appeared to be dying from the wound. A second Wyranth soldier, who called him by name, told him to be strong.
"Sir, the little whelp got me good."
Dr. Metzengerstein's Assistant
Dr. Metzengerstein's assistant was described as having red hair that flowed down and was considered pretty by Vance. She traveled with Dr. Metzengerstein. Her identity was not further established in The Steam Knight.
Other Figures
General Cartwright
General Cartwright was a military officer who received Major Edwin Ral's report about Dr. Metzengerstein at the time of the laboratory discovery. According to Ral, Cartwright never sent anyone to investigate the strange scientist.
Mr. Stephen Nava
Mr. Stephen Nava was the author of a letter addressed to Dr. Metzengerstein, discovered in The Steam Knight. In the letter, Nava reported that initial experiments with Metzengerstein's power systems were complete, stated that a prototype mechanized unit would be ready by the beginning of the Month of Princes, and invited Metzengerstein to their facility to observe tests. See also: Mechanized Units.
Dr. Lawrence du Brass
Dr. Lawrence du Brass was the creator of the airship engines. He had long since passed by the time of The Steam Knight and was noted as having been one of the first targets of the original war against the Wyranth.