CHARACTERS AND ASSOCIATED FACTIONS
The identity of certain characters may be a spoiler; use this guide with caution on your first read of the novel.
A sizable portion of Thousand Autumns’ cast are based on real-life historical figures, though they have all been fictionalized to some degree. The names of those with real-life counterparts but without an entry of their own are indicated by bold text.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Shen Qiao (沈峤)
Title(s): Sect Leader of Xuandu’s Violet Palace
Character Basis: Fictional
As the chosen successor of the legendary Qi Fengge, and the reclusive leader of the land’s foremost Daoist sect, Shen Qiao seemed to have it all: first-rate talent, a world-class master, a loving family, and a kind heart devoted completely to the tenets of Daoism. But a duel atop Banbu Peak changed everything for him.
The qiao in Shen Qiao’s name is a rare character, referring to a tall and precipitous mountain peak. He was named after a verse in “Ode to Zhou: On Tour” (周颂·时迈), recorded in the Shijing—a song written in commemoration of King Wu of Zhou. The verse extols how he traveled the land after vanquishing the Shang in 11th century B.C.E. He offered sacrifices to the many gods, including those in the rivers and tallest mountains.
Yan Wushi (晏无师)
Title(s): Huanyue Sect Leader, Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince of Zhou
Character Basis: Fictional
The egotistical and capricious leader of the demonic Huanyue Sect. A terrifying martial artist who some sources claim was on par with Qi Fengge, Yan Wushi is also ambitious, shrewd, and above all, a committed misanthrope. In Yan Wushi’s eyes, there are no good people, only evil people disguised as good people. As far as he’s concerned, anyone who thinks otherwise is either a liar or a fool.
Yan Wushi’s personal name means “has no master.”
XUANDU MOUNTAIN (玄都山)
The world’s foremost Daoist sect, located on the border intersection of Northern Qi, Southern Chen, and Northern Zhou. Sect Leader Qi Fengge built their legendary reputation, but despite this prestige and influence, he chose to seclude Xuandu Mountain away from the world, closing its gates and withdrawing from all outside affairs. After his death, his mantle passed to Shen Qiao, who held fast to his shizun’s isolationist stance. When Shen Qiao fell during his duel with Kunye, Yu Ai took the reins as Acting Sect Leader.
Officially, Xuandu Mountain is a location—the actual sect is called Xuandu’s Violet Palace (玄都紫府, xuandu zifu), named after Taishang Laojun’s abode on the mythical Daluo Mountain. Xuandu (“black city”) refers to Daluo Mountain’s immortal realm, while zifu (“violet residence”) refers to the Bajing Palace supposedly located within it. The sect leader of Xuandu’s Violet Palace is known as the zhangjiao (掌教), a term more specific to Daoism compared to zongzhu (宗主), which is how Yan Wushi is addressed in Chinese.
Qi Fengge (祁凤阁)
Title(s): Sect Leader of Xuandu’s Violet Palace, World’s Number One Martial Expert
Character Basis: Fictional
The number one martial artist in all the land before his passing and Shen Qiao’s master, Qi Fengge is held in high esteem by the entire world to this day. Two decades ago, he won a duel with Hulugu of the Göktürks. In lieu of a reward for his victory, he made Hulugu swear to stay out of the Central Plains for the next twenty years. He had five disciples in total: Tan Yuanchun, Shen Qiao, Yu Ai, an unnamed fourth disciple, and Gu Hengbo.
Yu Ai (郁蔼)
Title(s): Acting Sect Leader of Xuandu’s Violet Palace
Character Basis: Fictional
One of Qi Fengge’s disciples and Shen Qiao’s shidi, though two years older than him. Originally the closest to Shen Qiao out of all his martial siblings, he quickly took over leadership of Xuandu Mountain after Shen Qiao’s disastrous duel, and instituted various sweeping reforms.
HUANYUE SECT (浣月宗)
One of the three demonic sects, established and led by Yan Wushi after the collapse of Riyue Sect. Though wealthy and influential, they tend to keep a low profile and are the key supporters of Yuwen Yong’s rule in Zhou. Like the rest of the demonic sects, their final goal is to reunite the sects of the demonic discipline.
Yu Shengyan (玉生烟)
Character Basis: Fictional
Yan Wushi’s newest disciple. A talented but somewhat naive young man who wholeheartedly believes in Yan Wushi’s philosophies.
Bian Yanmei (边沿梅)
Character Basis: Fictional
Yan Wushi’s first disciple and Yu Shengyan’s shixiong. As shrewd as his master, Bian Yanmei juggled both Huanyue Sect logistics and Zhou imperial court duties as Yan Wushi’s representative during his master’s seclusion.
HEHUAN SECT (合欢宗)
One of three demonic sects born from Riyue Sect’s fall, Hehuan Sect specializes in charm techniques and parasitic cultivation, where the practitioner drains qi and energy from their sexual partners to strengthen their own martial arts. Hehuan Sect was established and led by Yuan Xiuxiu, but her lover Sang Jingxing is known to hold great power within it as well. Highly influential in Qi.
Bai Rong (白茸)
Character Basis: Fictional
One of Hehuan Sect’s most prominent disciples under Sang Jingxing. Cunning and devious, she has a very peculiar relationship with Shen Qiao.
Yuan Xiuxiu (元秀秀)
Title(s): Hehuan Sect Leader
Character Basis: Fictional
The leader of Hehuan Sect, rumored to have gotten her position due to her relationship with Sang Jingxing. During Yan Wushi’s ten years of seclusion, she led Hehuan Sect in repeated attempts to annex Huanyue Sect.
Sang Jingxing (桑景行)
Character Basis: Fictional
An exalted elder in Hehuan Sect, Cui Youwang’s disciple, and Yuan Xiuxiu’s supposed lover. A twisted martial artist with a horrific reputation, as well as an appetite for beauties and parasitic cultivation.
Xiao Se (萧瑟)
Character Basis: Fictional
Yuan Xiuxiu’s disciple. Specializes in fighting with fans.
Yan Shou (阎狩)
Title(s): The Buddha with the Blood-Soaked Hand
Character Basis: Fictional
An elder in Hehuan Sect. Keeps his head shaved like a monk’s, but has a reputation for murder.
FAJING SECT (法镜宗)
One of the three demonic sects born from Riyue Sect’s fall. Unable to compete with the other two branches, the sect now primarily operates in Tuyuhun. Their sect leader is Guang Lingsan.
Guang Lingsan (广陵散)
Title(s): Fajing Sect Leader
Character Basis: Fictional
The leader of Fajing Sect, who moved their operations to Tuyuhun ten years ago.
RIYUE SECT (日月宗)
The origin of the “Noble Discipline” (demonic discipline to outsiders). Once located in Fenglin Province, it vanished after splintering into three: Huanyue Sect, Hehuan Sect, and Fajing Sect. Their last sect leader was Sang Jingxing’s master, Cui Youwang.
LIUHE GUILD (六合帮)
One of the largest martial arts organizations in the Central Plains, whose reach extends both north and south of the Yangtze River. Led by guild leader Dou Yanshan and deputy leader Yun Fuyi, they deal in all kinds of business, from escort missions to spy work.
Dou Yanshan (窦燕山)
Title(s): Liuhe Guild Leader
Character Basis: Fictional