Appearing with the highest frequency is Saibĕlĕs, a playful caricature of Cybelis si Apan, an 8th century Appighotian king. Although Sabax-golr does not extensively define different levels of politeness, she is used to illustrate changes in register, since other characters are often more deferential in their speech toward her. She is drawn in unarmored outerwear and the face veil that Appighotians of both sexes wear in public. The veil is removed only in the company of close friends and lovers.

Saibĕlĕs

This is Saibĕlĕs’s cousin, with whom she shared command of the military base in Selax-hai. He is drawn wearing a breastplate and sometimes the helmet denoting his rank to distinguish him from Saibĕlĕs, since Appighotian dress is quite androgynous.

Although he and Saibĕlĕs were known to have been lovers when she was young and have clearly remained intimate friends, judging from the lack of formality in their speech and illustrations showing them removing their face veils when together.

Byăkĕnŏlr

This would appear to be Teramakoi Kailensev, a warlord from the Sedekevran Highlands who was a contemporary of Cybelis. Although it is suggested in the text that he was involved romantically with Cybelis, it is unlikely that the two ever knew each other outside any official capacity. He is used to illustrate grammatical mistakes that are common with non-native speakers of Sabax-golr.

Teramakoi

Mĕdĭs is presumed to depict an Appiaghotian mystic, a member of the secretive order of mages, prophets, and lunatics that comprise the priesthood. Unlike regular members of society, mystics wore no face veil.

Supporting that interpretation are references to Mĕdĭs “hearing” the future, suggesting that he/she is either a prophet or insane, both of which were characteristic of the priesthood. However, mystics were strictly segregated from the general population, and there is no explanation for why one would be spending so much time with soldiers like Cybelis and Byăkĕnŏlr.

Mĕdĭs