Ludo
Protagonist Ludo is just a child when he is first introduced to readers, but he proves an interesting character nonetheless because of his careful tutelage under his mother. He learns to speak at least five languages, masters advanced mathematics, becomes a skilled swordsman, and proves an exceptional conversationalist. Most of all, Ludo adores the legends about the samurai which his mother exposes him to at a young age. In the absence of a male role model, Ludo imagines his father in each of the noble samurai whom he comes to know onscreen. His quest to find his biological dad proves dissatisfactory, even though he presumably does meet the man. Ludo rejects each of the candidates because he has set such a high standard based off his romanticization of the samurai, but during his search Ludo almost accidentally evolves into a man. He has decided what sort of a person to be and how he can get there.
Sibylla
Sibylla is Ludo's mother. She grew up in a rather desperate situation, but her education was her saving grace. After meeting Ludo's father and giving birth, she leaves him out of the story entirely. Sibylla is raising Ludo the way she thinks is best: with a thorough and rigorous education and a dash of heroism. Although she refuses to help Ludo track down his father, she does honor him along the journey. She is proud of the man Ludo becomes, especially when he takes her teachings to heart and decides to model himself after the pattern of the samurai instead of a single man.
Hugh Carey
Hugh is a potential father of Ludo's. He's a highly intelligent man credited with having learned somewhere around fifty languages and master swordsmanship. Unfortunately, as Ludo gets acquainted with Hugh, he realizes that actually the man is merely a savant. He's not intelligent across the board; rather he's skilled in a few areas but otherwise rather uninteresting.
George Sorabji
Possessing a reputation as a selfless and honorable man capable of great sacrifice, Sorabji is a potential father to Ludo. As they get to know one another, though, Ludo recognizes that he is superior in warfare. Although he admires Sorabji, he refuses to subject himself to the oversight of someone so sloppy.
Red Devlin
Red toured several foreign countries in his younger years. In Azerbaijan he witnesses some horrible violence enacted by the government. When he reported the incident, he was arrested. Red actually escaped prison and returned home, but he is a broken man when Ludo meets him. Red commits suicide, unable to cope with his PTSD.
Kenzo Yamamoto
Kenzo is the closest father figure Ludo finds because he is somewhat of a sage. As a very wise man, Kenzo holds intelligent philosophical conversations with Ludo. He's also well-versed in the ancient scriptures. He agrees to become Ludo's tutor of sorts.
Watkins and Mustafa Szegti
These are the final two candidates whom Ludo meets. Neither of them impress Ludo, despite their high recognition in the community.
