Erik LönnrotDetective
A reasoning machine and detective who investigates the series of murders by seeking complex, mystical explanations.
Red ScharlachCriminal mastermind
A famous Southside gunman who swears to kill Lönnrot and constructs an elaborate labyrinth of crimes to trap him.
Scharlach the Dandy
TreviranusPolice commissioner
A pragmatic police commissioner who correctly guesses the mundane nature of the first crime and investigates the subsequent events.
Franz Treviranus
Dr. Marcelo YarmolinskyVictim
A delegate from Podolsk and rabbi who is accidentally murdered in the Hôtel du Nord.
Writer for the Yiddische ZeitungJournalist
A nearsighted, shy, atheist journalist who discusses the names of God with Lönnrot and writes an article about him.
Tetrarch of GalileeHotel guest
A wealthy figure occupying the suite across from Yarmolinsky, known for owning the world's finest sapphires.
Daniel Simón AzevedoVictim / Criminal
A thief and former thug of Scharlach's who botched the sapphire robbery, killed Yarmolinsky, and was later executed as the second 'sacrifice'.
GryphiusFictitious victim / Alias
An alias used by Scharlach (with a false beard) during a staged kidnapping at Liverpool House to create the illusion of a third crime.
GinzbergGinsburg
Black FinneganTavern owner
A former Irish criminal who owns Liverpool House and rents a room to Gryphius.
Ernst PalastJournalist
A writer for The Martyr who denounces the murders as part of a clandestine pogrom.
Scharlach's brotherCatalyst character
The man whose imprisonment by Lönnrot motivated Scharlach to seek revenge.