Characters

The narrator of the story is Grex, now a wealthy old man full of regrets, remembering his days as a young, homeless orphan who set out on a quest that changed the world.

Young and old Grex is a study in contrasts, both in his appearance and in the way he sees the world. As a young man, he was full of fire, eager for adventure, and impulsive in his decisions. His youthful energy and idealism led him into a series of reckless actions, spurred by an innate sense of curiosity and a desire to prove himself. He was a runner in his youth—to earn money as a delivery boy. He was quick, nimble, and always ready for a challenge, his feet rarely still for long. He had a sense of invincibility, as if the world was something to conquer, not just something to survive.

But time has changed him. The Grex who narrates his story now is a man shaped by regret and by the weight of years. The fire in his heart has dimmed, replaced by a quiet melancholy, a far cry from the reckless abandon of his youth. His body, once lean and agile, now carries the marks of age—lines on his face that speak of hardships and losses, a slow limp, and a weariness in his eyes that was never there before. His sharpness is still present, but it’s a sharpness tempered by years of reflection and hindsight. He has lived through battles, seen his friends fall, and learned the harsh truths that come with being a part of something much bigger than oneself.

As an old man, Grex is introspective, sometimes painfully so. He looks back on the choices he made, the paths he chose, and the people he loved, with a mixture of longing and regret. He has learned that some battles are lost even before they are fought, and that sometimes knowing the worst is better than imagining it. Where once he might have rushed into a situation with enthusiasm, now he approaches life with careful thought, aware of the consequences of his actions. The joyful young Grex has been replaced by someone who knows that there’s no journey long enough to outrun regret.

In narrating his story, the elder Grex weaves together the optimism of his younger self with the introspection and quiet melancholy of his present, creating a character who is as complex as the journey he’s lived.

Standing tall with a quiet confidence, he exudes an aura of erudition. He is a man who can quote ancient philosophers in one breath and strategize a battlefield assault in the next, a testament to his intellectual prowess and strategic genius. But beneath his sophisticated exterior lies a heart torn by an intense inner turmoil, which has only deepened since his connection with Grex.

Young Grex is in awe of Frisco while the elder Grex narrating the story feels nothing but disdain for him. But Frisco's devotion to history and justice is not born from a desire for glory or fame. Rather, it is rooted in a deep, almost obsessive need to right the wrongs of the past. 

But it was his relationship with Grex that truly tested his beliefs. This wild, impulsive boy with a painful past has become Frisco's most important responsibility. Grex is not just a companion, but a son, someone Frisco has promised to protect, someone whose future Frisco is determined to shape, even as he wrestles with the painful contradictions between his ideals and his role as a father figure.

For Frisco, being a father to Grex is both a source of pride and a constant challenge. Where Frisco seeks order, structure, and understanding, Grex embodies the chaos and unpredictability of youth. Frisco's devotion to Grex is unquestionable, yet every decision he makes in the boy's name brings him face-to-face with his own moral dilemmas. 

Frisco's journey is one of reconciliation—reconciling his past choices with his present responsibilities, reconciling the man he has become with the father he never got to be, and reconciling his thirst for justice with his desire to protect the one person he has come to love more than anything. It’s a path fraught with tension, but also filled with hope, because for Frisco, history and justice are not just abstract concepts—they are the tools by which he will ensure that Grex has a future, one that is shaped by wisdom, morality, and, above all, love.

Massive in stature, charisma, and confidence, Fish's lighthearted disposition is the Ying to Frisco's overly serious Yang.  His hobbies consist of polishing his sword, which he has named Lucy, pursuing women, and being a constant irritation to Frisco and Grex. 

Fish is the kind of man who can charm a room with a smile and a sarcastic remark, his lighthearted nature making him seem like a carefree soul who takes nothing seriously—least of all himself. Standing at an imposing 6'5", his muscular frame is a testament to his years spent honing his body for both brawls and battles. 

He is a womanizer, effortlessly collecting admirers with his charm and confidence, often boasting about his conquests in a tone that is as smooth as it is self-assured. He flirts with abandon, never showing any real interest in anything beyond a fleeting, physical connection. To the outside world, Fish is the life of the party, a man who has everything figured out, who lives without regret or responsibility.

But his history is one of abandonment and loss. As a young man, he was cast aside by a world that valued strength over vulnerability, leaving him to fend for himself on the fringes of society. This abandonment bred a deep-seated fear of getting too close to anyone, a fear that drove him to construct the persona of a charming rogue, a man who never lets anyone see the cracks in his armor. 

Fish is not as devoted to Frisco's cause as Frisco would like him to be, but Fish is committed nonetheless because, the truth is, Fish is terrified of being alone. Though he hides it behind his jokes and roguish behavior, Fish yearns for something more. He is a man who has learned to survive by his wit and charm, but who is, at his core, a person who desires to feel like he belongs somewhere. 

Young Grex's first and greatest love--and his biggest regret. Like Grex, Anning is a fiercely independent orphan. A member of the Epiphites who live on the dangerous yet beautiful island of Fenestra. Anning's parents were killed protecting her from the raiding army that forced the Epiphites to flee their homeland. She lives in a small cave where she cares for her younger siblings, Bryleigh and Colt. 

Like most Epiphites, she has scars next to her eyes, making an external representation of internal pain, but Grex will be devastated to learn why she keeps reopening the cuts.  

While not human, The Tree is a central character in the story with a fascinating backstory. It was the catalyst for civilization itself after bestowing the first humans who ate its fruit with the knowledge needed to develop the first tools, to plant the first crops, and to build the first towns... and to create the first weapons. And the more it observes, the more it can teach people who partake in its fruit. 

Over the centuries, it has changed hands countless times, granting its new owners knowledge and power. At the start of Grex's story, it has been in possession by Borlaug, hidden at the top of Knowledge Tower, its knowledge and power kept in secret, making it a mere legend for 300 years, while generations of kings and high priests have limited who can partake of its fruit to limit its knowledge and the power that comes with it to just a select few. 

The leader of a group of warrior women who live on... The Isle of the Warrior Women. The isle that many believe is mere legend was founded by Catherine the Great, who, as a child a century earlier, created the material used in The Fifth Force's swords and panoply armor. The isle is a refuge for women and girls who, like Catherine and Marie herself, were mistreated by men, and chose to live in a community of supportive, powerful females rather than live among men who mistreated, abused, and used them. 

After Fish finds his way to the isle, Marie bests the gargantuan man in battle. Fish is only spared after giving Marie one of the fruits from The Tree, which shows her that Frisco's quest is important... and will also fail without her help. 

Pirate Parker is a bold and charismatic rogue, exuding both charm and danger in equal measure. He has the cunning of a seasoned sailor and the unpredictability of a man who thrives on the chaos of the high seas. His signature look—black and red clothing adorned with extravagant gold jewelry—makes him stand out as both a feared and admired figure.

His personality is a mix of sharp wit, arrogance, and an underlying intelligence that keeps him one step ahead of his enemies. He carries himself with an effortless swagger, always smirking as if he knows something others don’t. He enjoys playing mind games and making grand entrances, fully aware of his own legend. But beneath the flair and theatrics, he is a survivor—calculating, ruthless when necessary, and fiercely protective of whatever or whoever he values. But most importantly, he shows young Grex that life isn't worth doing if you aren't having fun.

While The High Priest makes only a brief appearance in A Boy Named Grex, his importance cannot be diminished. He is a figure of authority, wisdom, and mystery, draped in both religious power and political intrigue. He is the youngest high priest ever appointed, handpicked and groomed by Frisco to secede the ruthless Zerod, and assist in stealing The Tree. His presence commands respect, but beneath his composed exterior, there is a sense of urgency—perhaps even fear—hinting at the weight of the knowledge he carries. He misses the days before he met Frisco, when he was just a no-name preacher preaching love and acceptance in a small church. 

Frisco taught him to not just be a man of faith, but to be a man of strategy. His words are measured, his actions deliberate, and he understands the power of influence as much as he understands the divine. He questions if Frisco is simply using him as a pawn, but one thing is certain, he is willing to risk everything for what he believes in.

General Hawking is a man of contradictions, a leader in name but not in action. Standing tall with the appearance of a seasoned military commander, he wears the mantle of a general with an aura of authority, but in truth, his leadership was marked more by his strategic retreats than by victories on the battlefield. Known for his ability to escape with his people, the Epiphites, General Hawking was hailed as a hero—a man who sacrificed his own honor to keep his people alive. But the truth of his actions is far darker, a secret buried beneath the veneer of his reputation.

The complexity of his character is one of survival at any cost, even if that meant compromising his own integrity and exploiting those who relied on him. His legacy, then, is one of both salvation and abuse—of a man who was both a protector and a predator, a leader who ran from the battles he should have faced, but also one who betrayed the very people he swore to protect in order to ensure their survival.

In the end, General Hawking is a tragic figure—a man who did what was necessary to save his people, but at a personal cost that defies any notion of heroism. His name will forever be tied to both his acts of heroism and his dark secret, leaving a legacy that is as flawed as the man himself.

Admiral Ada Baron is a woman of unyielding strength and authority. As the first female leader of the Imperial Navy, she is feared by both her enemies and her subordinates.

Born into a prestigious family, Ada was groomed for power from a young age. She earned the rank of Admiral at a time when most men in her position would have been content to belittle her. Her cold, calculating demeanor makes her seem untouchable, almost impervious to emotion—except for when the name "Frisco" is whispered in the halls of power.

Though few know it, Ada's pursuit of Frisco is driven by a complicated, long-buried history. Years ago, before she was promoted to Admiral, Ada and Frisco shared a fleeting, secret relationship. Their bond was instantaneous, an undeniable attraction between two strong-willed individuals who seemed destined to either clash or complement each other. Frisco thought he could recruit her for The Fracas, but quickly learned her devotion to the king was unyielding. Ada, caught between her loyalty to the Empire and her growing feelings for him, made a choice. Their parting was abrupt, their final words unspoken, and Frisco disappeared from her life as swiftly as he had entered it, leaving a scar on Ada's heart that no one knew about but her.

Now, years later, that secret past is what drives her pursuit of him. Her obsession with him has less to do with his crimes and more to do with the unresolved conflict within her—a tension between her duty as Admiral and the haunting memory of the man she loved and lost. It is this unspoken history, this hidden layer of passion and betrayal, that makes her relentless in her pursuit. 

The man in the white cloak is enigmatic and unsettling, carrying an aura of secrecy and authority that demands attention without needing to raise his voice. His cloak, stark white and impeccably clean, contrasts sharply with the world around him, as if he exists in a realm apart from the chaos of the city. The fine fabric suggests someone of wealth and status, though his actions speak more of covert operations than public grandeur. 

His real name is Currie, and he has been working in secret with Frisco and The Fracas for years. To young Grex, he is a shadow in plain sight, capable of slipping between worlds with little more than a thought. His calm demeanor hides the weight of secrets, and despite his composed exterior, there's a hint of urgency in his every movement.

When he approaches Grex, it’s with an unspoken purpose, and his actions reveal someone accustomed to making others follow without question. He’s not just handing over the gold coin and guiding Grex into a secret room—he’s ushering him into a world far bigger than either of them fully understands. He’s a man of few words, but when he speaks, it’s with absolute certainty, as though the future has already been written and Grex is simply part of the plan.

Foxglove is a towering and formidable foe standing in Frisco's path. Standing at 6’9” with a muscular build that commands attention. His matte-black armor, which resembles layered snake scales, reflects his cold, calculated nature. His gaze is sharp and piercing. 

Foxglove’s strength isn’t just physical; it’s in his mind, his ability to read people, and his knack for strategy. Despite his terrifying appearance, there is a sense of discipline about him, an unyielding adherence to a code that few can comprehend. He is a man devoted to principles, but those principles do not align with Frisco's. 

However, he kept a journal, and in its pages, it became clear that, after consuming the fruit of The Tree, Foxglove had been more deeply conflicted than his imposing persona had allowed others to believe. His moral compass, while once steadfast, wavers in the wake of his own revelations, showing the toll that years of service and battles had taken on him. His true motivations are hidden behind his cold exterior, but beneath it all, there is an undeniable aura of danger and intrigue—along with the painful truth that, Like Frisco, the strongest warriors are often the ones most broken inside.